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In Greek mythology, what did Prometheus steal from Zeus and give to mankind?	The Story of How Prometheus Gave Fire to Men DLTK's Countries and Cultures - Greek Mythology How Prometheus Gave Fire to Men written by James Baldwin, adapted and illustrated by Leanne Guenther -- based on Greek mythology Many years ago, according to the stories told by the people of ancient Greece, there lived two brothers who were not like other men, or like the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus. They were the sons of one of the Titans who had fought against Zeus and been sent in chains to the prison of the Lower World. The name of the elder of these brothers was Prometheus (which means Forethought). Prometheus was always thinking of the future and making things ready for what might happen tomorrow, or next week, or next year, or even in a hundred years time. The younger was called Epimetheus (which means Afterthought). Epimetheus was always so busy thinking of yesterday, or last year, or a hundred years ago, that he never worried at all about what might come to pass in the future. Prometheus did not want to live amongst the clouds on Mount Olympus. He was too busy for that. While the gods were spending their time in idleness, drinking nectar and eating ambrosia, he was planning how to make the world wiser and better than it had ever been before. So instead of living on Olympus, Prometheus went out amongst men to live with them and help them and he quickly noticed that they were no longer happy as they had been during the golden days when Kronos, the titan, was king. He found them living in caves and in holes of the earth, shivering with the cold because there was no fire, dying of starvation, hunted by wild beasts and by one another—the most miserable of all living creatures. "If they only had fire," said Prometheus to himself, "they could at least warm themselves and cook their food; and after a while they could learn to make tools and build themselves houses. Without fire, they are worse off than the beasts." Prometheus went boldly to Zeus and begged him to give fire to the people, so that so they might have a little comfort through the long, dreary months of winter. "I will not!" said Zeus, "Not one spark will I share with them! For if men had fire they might become strong and wise like us, and after a while they would drive us out of our kingdom. Besides, fire is a dangerous tool and they are too poor and ignorant to be trusted with it. It is better that we on Mount Olympus rule the world without threat so all can be happy." Prometheus didn't answer, but he had set his heart on helping mankind, and he did not give up. As he was walking by the seashore he found a tall stalk of fennel. He broke it off and then saw that its hollow center was filled with a dry, soft substance which would burn slowly and stay alight for a long time. He carried the stalk with him as he began a long journey to the top of Mount Olympus. "Mankind shall have fire, despite what Zeus has decided," he said to himself. And with that thought, he snuck quietly into Zeus' domain and stole a spark from Zeus' own lightning bolt. Prometheus touched the end of the long reed to the spark, and the dry substance within it caught on fire and burned slowly. Prometheus hurried back to his own land, carrying with him the precious spark hidden in the hollow center of the plant. When he reached home, he called some of the shivering people from their caves and built a fire for them, and showed them how to warm themselves by it and use it to cook their food. Men and women gathered round the fire and were warm and happy, and thankful to Prometheus for the wonderful gift which he had brought to them. One chilly winter evening, Zeus gazed down from Mount Olympus and noticed fires burning cheerfully at the hearths of men and women in every village across the land. It did not take him long to realize that Prometheus had disobeyed him and given fire to men. Zeus was very angry and ordered that Prometheus be chained to the side of a mountain to suffer there for all eternity. And there Prometheus stayed, thinking of the future, happy in the knowledge that he had given fire to men until he was one day rescued by Hercules, the mortal son of Zeus... But that is a story for another day!	Fire
What is the public declaration, usually in a church, of an intended marriage?	The Legend of Prometheus - Mythology Mythology Mythology: Prometheus The Creation of Man by Prometheus (by J.M. Hunt) Prometheus and Epimetheus were spared imprisonment in Tartarus because they had not fought with their fellow Titans during the war with the Olympians. They were given the task of creating man. Prometheus shaped man out of mud, and Athena breathed life into his clay figure. Prometheus had assigned Epimetheus the task of giving the creatures of the earth their various qualities, such as swiftness, cunning, strength, fur, and wings. Unfortunately, by the time he got to man Epimetheus had given all the good qualities out and there were none left for man. So Prometheus decided to make man stand upright as the gods did and to give him fire. Prometheus loved man more then the Olympians, who had banished most of his family to Tartarus. So when Zeus decreed that man must present a portion of each animal he scarified to the gods, Prometheus decided to trick Zeus. He created two piles, one with the bones wrapped in juicy fat, the other with the good meat hidden in the hide. He then bade Zeus to pick. Zeus picked the bones. Since he had given his word, Zeus had to accept this pile as his share for future sacrafices. In his anger over the trick, he took fire away from man. However, Prometheus lit a torch from the sun and brought it back again to man. Zeus was enraged that man again had fire. He decided to inflict a terrable punishment on both man and Prometheus. To punish man, Zeus had Hephaestus create a mortal of stunning beauty. The gods gave the mortal many gifts of wealth. He then had Hermes give the mortal a deceptive heart and a lying tongue. This creation was Pandora, the first woman. A final gift was a jar which Pandora was forbidden to open. Thus completed, Zeus sent Pandora down to Epimetheus, who was staying amongst the men. Prometheus had warned Epimetheus not to accept gifts from Zeus, but Pandora's beauty was too great and he allowed her to stay. Eventually, Pandora's curiosity about the jar she was forbidden to open became intolerable to her. She opened the jar and out flew all manner of evils, sorrows, plagues, and misfortunes. However, the bottom of the jar held one good thing - hope. Zeus was angry at Prometheus for three things: being tricked by the scarifices, stealing fire for man, and refusing to tell Zeus which of Zeus's children would dethrone him. Zeus had his servants, Force and Violence, seize Prometheus, take him to the Caucasus Mountains, and chain him to a rock with unbreakable adamanite chains. Here he was tormented day and night by a giant eagle tearing at his liver. Zeus gave Prometheus two ways out of this torment. He could tell Zeus who the mother of the child that would dethrone him was, or meet two conditions. The first was that an immortal must volunteer to die for Prometheus, and the second was that a mortal must kill the eagle and unchain him. Eventually, Chiron the Centaur agreed to die for him and Heracles killed the eagle and unbound him.	i don't know
Who captained the England cricket team during the 1986-87 Ashes series?	Where are England's last Ashes winners in Australia now? \| Sport \| The Guardian The Ashes Where are England's last Ashes winners in Australia now? No England team have been able to match their achievements from 23 years ago. England used 13 men in the 1986-87 series, most became heroes, but what has happened to them since? Mike Gatting, Ian Botham and Phil DeFreitas engjoy a beer after their win at the Gabba in November 1986. Photograph: Adrian Murrell/Getty Images Wednesday 24 November 2010 18.12 EST First published on Wednesday 24 November 2010 18.12 EST Close Mike Gatting (captain) Then: Played a supporting role with half centuries in each of the first two Tests in Brisbane and Perth, but his even 100 in a huge second-wicket stand with Chris Broad was crucial in securing a draw at Adelaide before the win at Melbourne that made him the last England captain to win the Ashes in Australia. Now: Managing director of cricket partnerships for the England and Wales Cricket Board, also a member of the MCC's world cricket committee – and a regular media presence, this winter in particular. Bill Athey Then: Played in all five Tests and scored three half-centuries. The right-hander was also only four runs shy of a century in the second Test, in Perth. Now: A patchy England record – Athey made 23 Test appearances over eight years – ending in 1988. Retirement from all formats came in 1997, after a spell at Sussex, and the 53-year-old now works as a youth coach. • Follow our daily blog throughout the Ashes Ian Botham Then: England's finest all-rounder set the tone with a thumping 138 at The Gabba and showed his importance with ball in hand in Melbourne, where a five-for-41 haul helped the visitors to a series-winning victory. Now: Retired from international cricket in 1992 and has gone on to become a dedicated charity fundraiser, knight of the realm and member of Sky Sports' cricket punditry team. Chris Broad Then: The left-hander, and father of current England player Stuart Broad, became only the third Englishman in history, after Jack Hobbs and Wally Hammond, to score centuries in three consecutive Ashes Tests; 162 in the second in Perth, 116 in the third in Adelaide and 112 in the penultimate one in Melbourne. Now: Became an ICC official in 2003 and was the match referee for the second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2009 when a convoy of vehicles, including the ones containing the Sri Lanka team and officials, were attacked by terrorists. Phil DeFreitas Then: Surprise selection for the series as a 20-year-old after his first full season with Leicestershire, he was fast-tracked into the Test team and took the new ball in Brisbane, dismissing David Boon and Dean Jones cheaply. His impact faded after that. Now: The last of the squad to retire from first-class cricket in 2005 aged 39, he still plays club cricket in Nottinghamshire, and is the cricket master of Oakham school. Graham Dilley Then: Key to the win in Brisbane with five for 68 in the first innings, and took another four in the second Test in Perth before injury ruled him out in Melbourne. No sign of his 1981 Headingley batting heroics, however. Now: Head coach to the Loughborough UCCE team where the National Cricket Academy is based, after working previously with Scotland and the England women's team. Phil Edmonds Then: The slow left-armer played in all five Tests, taking a total of 15 wickets, and, coming in at No10, contributed modestly with the bat, making 19 in both innings of the defining fourth Test, in Melbourne. Now: Retired soon after the Ashes triumph and has become a success in the world of finance and commerce, most notably as the chairman of a petroleum company in Sudan and an African mining company. John Emburey Then: The off-spinner was England's most productive bowler in Australia, taking 18 wickets, including seven for 78 (a 46-over spell that included 15 maidens) in the final Test in Sydney. Now: The only cricketer to go on both of England's rebel tours to South Africa, in 1981-82 and 1989-90, he coached Middlesex in two spells up until 2008 when he left to coach the Ahmedebad Rockets of the Indian Cricket League David Gower Then: Coming in at No5, Gower averaged close to 60 with the bat across the five Tests, the highlights of which were a first-innings 51 in the opening Test at The Gabba, a 136 in Perth and a 72 in the final Test in Sydney. Now: Retired in 1993 having scored 8,231 runs across 117 Test matches and after a stint as team captain on the sports-based quiz show They Think It's All Over, is now the established face of Sky Sports' cricket coverage. Allan Lamb Then: A lean series for one of the senior men in the England batting line-up, with only 144 runs at an average of 18, although his 43 at Melbourne helped Broad to cement a winning position. Now: Still living in Northamptonshire, the county he made home after coming to England from South Africa, and involved in a number of business ventures, with regular media appearances. Jack Richards Then: The wicketkeeper travelled to Australia as Bruce French's deputy but ended up playing in all of the five Tests, scoring 133 in exactly four hours in Perth and ending the tour with 264 runs at an average of 37.71. Played in just three more international matches. Now: Was released by Surrey in 1988 and after failing to find another county, retired at the age of 30. Now lives in Belgium with his Dutch wife and runs a shipping business. Gladstone Small Then: Made a stunning impact as Dilley's replacement at the MCG on Boxing Day, taking five for 48 and teaming up with Botham to skittle the Aussies for 141. Collected another two wickets in the second innings and retained his place for the fifth Test in Sydney. Now: Works for the Professional Cricketers' Association, and currently in Brisbane leading a tour group. James Whitaker Then: Another wildcard in the squad on the back of a successful season with Leicestershire that had seen him named young cricketer of the year aged 24, he was given the daunting task of filling in for Botham at Adelaide. He only made 11, and never played again – a one-cap wonder as well as an Ashes winner. Now: A regular sight at northern county grounds as a member of Geoff Miller's panel of England selectors. Should England manage to retain the Ashes this winter, he could be the only man to claim a role – albeit peripheral, on each occasion – in both triumphs.	Mike Gatting
What is the reciprocal of one-and-two-thirds (in other words, what fraction when multiplied by one-and-two-thirds produces one)?	BBC SPORT \| Cricket \| England \| Ashes history - Aussie dominance Ashes history - Aussie dominance The 1981 series is known as Botham's Ashes after his heroics England enjoyed some Ashes highlights during the 1980s but Australia then took the upper hand, and held it. Mike Brearley led England to successive series victories over a team shorn of its stars by Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket in 1977 and 1978-79. Ian Botham shot to stardom in 1981 and England won in 1985 and in Australia under Mike Gatting in 1986-87. But the dominant sides of Allan Border, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh then saw Australia hold the urn for 16 years. England made a winning start to the 1970s, claiming a 2-0 victory under Ray Illingworth, with the pace of John Snow proving decisive. Honours were even in England in 1972, with Bob Massie's 8-84 and 8-53 on debut for the tourists at Lord's the highlight. Ashes review - 1981 (UK only) Australia regained the Ashes in emphatic fashion in 1974-75 as Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson tore into an ageing England batting line-up. They also won in England that summer, Tony Greig succeeding Mike Denness as England skipper after an innings defeat at Edgbaston. The Packer controversy saw Brearley replace Greig in 1977. Geoff Boycott's recall and Botham's call-up were key factors in England's 3-0 win. England also romped to a 5-1 tour victory in 1978-79. A full-strength Aussie side gained revenge in 1979-80, but the Ashes were not at stake. The 1981 series has gone down in cricketing legend as Botham's finest hour, but it started badly for the all-rounder. After 13 winless Tests as captain, including the first two of this series, he was replaced by Brearley. England faced an innings defeat at Headingley in the third match, but Botham's heroic 149 not out, and Bob Willis's 8-43 sealed an unlikely victory. Botham's bowling secured another win at Edgbaston, then a second innings 118 from 102 balls helped England triumph at Old Trafford for a 3-1 winning margin. The Ashes returned to Australian hands in 1982-83, with Geoff Lawson's 34 wickets and 469 runs from Kim Hughes. Ashes review - 1985 (UK only) Home advantage helped England, skipper David Gower leading by example with 732 runs to take the 1985 series 3-1, and they retained them in Australia 18 months later. Chris Broad starred with three centuries in a series England dominated. They were not to lift the Ashes urn again for 18 years, though, with Border's team winning 4-0 in 1989 as England, under Gower, struggled with injuries, indifferent form and an unsettled line-up. In 1993, mesmerising spin brought Shane Warne 34 wickets and solid batting right down the order secured the Aussies a 4-1 triumph. Waugh captained one of the best Aussie sides ever The run continued under Taylor in 1994-95 as Australia continued to dominate England in all departments. Things were a lot closer in England in 1997 as the hosts hammered Australia in the first Test, Nasser Hussain hitting a career-best 207. But the tourists got into their stride before England made it 2-3 at The Oval. Australia ended the century with a 3-1 Ashes win in 1998-99, taking less than three days to wrap up the second Test by seven wickets. England's success against lesser opponents under new coach Duncan Fletcher and captain Hussain brought optimism. But Waugh's team, fresh from a record 16 successive Test victories, dominated the start of the next century too. Were it not for Mark Butcher's match-winning 173 at Headingley, Australia would have celebrated a deserved series sweep. Injuries beset the England touring team in 2002-03, with Simon Jones rupturing knee ligaments in the opening day in Brisbane. Michael Vaughan provided the tourists' sole bright spot, with 177 at Adelaide, 145 in Melbourne and 183 in a consolation victory in Sydney. Bookmark with:	i don't know
Which war was the subject of the 1978 film The Deerhunter?	The Deer Hunter (1978) Michael: Two is pussy. Nick: I don't think about one shot that much any more, Mike. Michael: You have to think about one shot. One shot is what it's all about. The deer has to be taken with one shot. I try to tell people that - they don't listen. Do you ever think about Vietnam? Nick: Yeah. I don't know. I guess I'm thinkin' about the deer, goin' to 'Nam. I like the trees, you know? I like the way the trees are on the mountains, all different. The way the trees are. I sound like some a--hole, right? Michael: I'll tell ya, Nick. You're the only guy I go huntin' with, you know. I like a guy with quick moves and speed. I ain't gonna hunt with no a--holes. Nick calls his self-contained, wild friend "a f--kin' nut," "a maniac," and a "control freak." John, Axel, Stan and Michael meet together at Nick's place, attired in their spiffy tuxedos - each accentuated with a white carnation. Nick's beaten-up girlfriend Linda requests refuge in his place during their tour of duty. While a drunk drinks from a paper bag on the corner street, the tightly-knit Russian-American community joins together for the traditional Russian Orthodox church wedding of Steven to Angela, inside the dirty town's cathedral glittering with stained-glass windows, a giant chandelier, a choir loft, flowers, and candles. [The wedding sequence was filmed in St. Theodosius Cathedral in Cleveland.] In the second row behind the pregnant bride stands Linda - beautiful but bruised. The bridal couple are ceremonially crowned (by best man Nick and bridesmaid Linda) and led around the altar. Outside, the couple are greeted by rice-throwers and soon pull away in Michael's borrowed white Caddy, now decorated with pink crepe-paper flowers and streamers. In the post-wedding reception, guests take vodka shots (and beer chasers) at the door, whirl around for ethnic folk dancing accompanied by a five-piece band, and feast at long tables. Shy Michael, many times standing alone and at the bar by himself, often looks enviously at the off-limits Linda and shares lingering glances with her. He is infatuated with Nick's girlfriend and wishes that he could be in his buddy's place. Awkward with women, he lurches toward her for a dance, wildly spins her around, offers her a Rolling Rock beer ("the best around"), and then inarticulately asks: "You really like Nick alot, huh?" He almost steals a kiss but halts midway into it. The town's small-town grocer doubles as the white-jacketed, crooning bandleader (Joe Grifasi) who sings the familiar American pop tune: "You're Just Too Good To Be True." He cuts in on Stan during the dancing, and then grabs and squeezes the behind of Stan's bridesmaid girlfriend. Instead of confronting the lascivious bandleader, Stan avenges his manly honor by nastily knocking his girlfriend to the floor. In the public bar area, a sullen, pain-faced Sergeant (Paul D'Amato) of the Green Berets rudely drinks by himself. The jocular Michael, Nick and Steven, Vietnam soldiers-to-be, extend the soldier a drink and a toast, and saunter over to talk. Nick eagerly boasts about his glorious assignment in Vietnam: "I hope they send us where the bullets are flyin' and the fightin's the worst, huh?" Without even turning toward them, the experienced veteran raises his glass and toasts: "F--k it." Astounded, Michael naively asks: "Well, what's it like over there? Will you tell us anything?" The solitary Green Beret repeats his dark ominous words - he is incapable of describing his war experience. When Angela throws her bridal bouquet, it is caught by Linda - and Nick quickly pops the expected question: Nick: Will you marry me? Linda: Yeah. Nick: (unsure) You would? (She nods) What I mean is, when we get back from...when we get back. I don't know what the hell I mean. Linda: What goes through your mind comes out your mouth. On stage in a traditional ceremony, the bride and groom link arms and drink red wine out of a double cup, after being forewarned: "If you don't spill a drop, it's good luck for the rest of your life." Another disturbing omen of the bloody dark times to come is foreshadowed by a few fateful drops of the reddish liquid that accidentally spill on the bride's white gown - unnoticed and hidden from the line of sight of witnesses. The wedding party moves outdoors, where Steven confirms, in confidence to Nick, his confusion and unhappiness about his bride's insemination by another man: "I never really did it with Angela, Nicky...It's my life's one true secret...What am I gonna do when she has a baby?" Nick suggests a way to cope: "Hang loose. Just don't worry about it." Completely inebriated by this time, an uninhibited Michael runs in the town's streets before the Cadillac carrying the couple, shedding his clothes until he is completely naked. When Nick catches up to him, his exhausted friend collapses on the wet pavement below a basketball backboard. After Nick covers his buddy's stark nudity, they talk sitting back-to-back - stripped of any pretense, about their feelings for their hometown and fears about the future - and Vietnam. Nick speaks about his inevitable fear that he might not come home alive following the war, and compels Michael to promise to bring him back and bury him in the Pennsylvania hometown that he loves: Michael: Everything's going so fast. Hey Nick, do you think we'll ever come back? Nick: From 'Nam? Michael: Yeah. Nick: You know somethin'? The whole thing - it's right here. I love this f--kin' place. (Michael laughs) I know that that sounds crazy. If anything happens Mike, you don't - don't leave me over there. You got, you gotta...Just don't leave me. You gotta promise me that, Mike. Michael: Hey! Nick: No man, you got, you gotta, you gotta promise definitely. Michael: Hey Nicky...You got it, pal. In the darkness of the dawning next day, the five friends (minus Steven) drive toward the glistening mountains [filmed in North Cascades National Park in Washington state] for a final deer hunt, their favorite past-time, before three of them are sent overseas. In a long, drawn-out scene, after stopping to piss off the many beers they've all been drinking, Michael drives off and playfully deserts John on the road - three times. By the side of the road, they swig more beers, and gorge themselves on Twinkies and bologna sandwiches. Talking to himself, Michael is perturbed by the adolescent, immature behavior of his unskilled, disrespectful 'asshole' friends, who don't take the hunt seriously: "I don't believe this. What am I doing?" Still dressed in his tuxedo and wearing a furry hunter's cap, gun fetishist Stan is unprepared for the hunt as they pull out their gear from the trunk and he's once again missing his hunting boots: "Every time he comes up, he's got no knife, he's got no jacket, he's got no pants, he's got no boots. All he's got is that stupid gun he carries around like John Wayne." Michael vents his anger and steadfastly refuses to loan Stan his extra pair, while holding up a rifle bullet and exclaiming: Stanley, see this? This is this. This ain't somethin' else. This is this. From now on, you're on your own. Affronted and recklessly waving his small hand-gun, the sniveling Stanley insults Michael (who has his rifle poised on his knee), denigrating his masculinity and inferring that he is homosexual: I fixed you up a million times. I fixed him up a million times. I don't know how many times I must have fixed him up with girls. And nothing ever happens. Zero...Nobody ever knows what the f--k you're talkin' about. Huh? 'This is this.' What the hell is that supposed to mean? 'This is this.' I mean, is that some faggot soundin' bulls--t or is that some faggot...There's times I swear I think you're a f--kin' faggot...Last week, he could have had that new red-headed waitress...He could have had it knocked. And look what he did. Look what he f--kin' did. Nothin'. Nick acts as a mediator, bringing peace between the two quarrelsome antagonists by offering Michael's extra pair of boots to Stan. A chorus of chanting, monastic voices plays on the soundtrack as orange-jacketed Michael ascends into the revered mountains - readied for his religious, holy rite of hunting. On a rocky ridge, The Deerhunter spots his quarry - a towering buck with a full head of antlers. He concentratedly stalks the majestic creature, aims with his telescopic lens mounted on his rifle, and fires only one clean shot - a ritualistically-pure killing. His prey staggers and then drops. The camera partially zooms in on the frightened eye of the dying animal. With the trophy beast tied to the hood of his Cadillac, Michael and his pals return to town that evening and immediately head for Welsh's Lounge. The rowdy, sweaty, tired group pops foam-spraying beer cans and carouses with drinking songs until quieted by the soft piano-playing of John - the proprietor of the bar. [The piece is Chopin's Nocturne No. 6 in G Minor, Op. 15, No. 3.] In a tranquil scene without dialogue, as the camera pans over each of their faces, the realization dawns on the pensive men that they have reached a natural conclusion in their lives. The sound of the rhythmic whirring of approaching chopper blades in the green jungles of Vietnam intrudes and segues into the next major portion of the film.	Vietnam War
If someone is bibulous, what are they addicted to or fond of?	Vietnam Veterans Against the War: THE VETERAN: 'Deer Hunter' Is Good Drama, But Bad History 'Deer Hunter' Is Good Drama, But Bad History By VVAW [ Printer-Friendly Version ] I was in Saigon at noon April 30 four years ago, when the old order rolled over and died. The Americans were gone soon after dawn, the last of them dashing across the U.S. Embassy roof to a helicopter and kicking away Saigonese who grabbed at their boots. I watched the North Vietnamese forces move into the city, green-clad foot soldiers methodically navigating the streets clogged with slow-moving traffic. It was the last act of the longest running war of this century. I am now discovering that increasing numbers of Americans believe that the last act of the war took place in a sinister back room somewhere in Saigon, where greedy Chinese gamblers were exhorting a glazed-eyed American GI to blow his head off. Had I as a working reporter missed such a vivid human-interest story on the last day of the war, I might have opted for a similar fate. That particularly bloody version of the war's end comes in the Oscar-winning "The Deer Hunter." It's the story of three steelworkers whose primary activity seems to be drinking and hunting. Robert De Niro is deemed the most admirable member of the trio because he kills his deer with one clear shot. It is all in the best tradition of Hemingway machismo. Then they go off to Vietnam where they are captured and tortured by the Viet Cong who force them to compete against each other in a grisly game of Russian roulette... When I first saw the movie at a screening last autumn, one of my liberal colleagues stamped out muttering "fascist trash" when sneering Viet Cong soldiers were depicted enthusiastically torturing American prisoners of war. While I was personally troubled by much of what I saw that night, the sheer power of the film's photographic imagery, particularly the agonizing torture scenes, stunned me into mute acceptance of Hollywood's divine right to drench us in fictional nightmares. I comment today not to challenge those who have acclaimed "The Deer Hunter" and De Niro and who have packed theaters. What disturbs me is that audiences and critics seem to have found much more historical truth and significance than there really is in the saga. Instead of viewing "The Deer Hunter" as the spectacularly fevered pro-duct of an ambitious film director (Michael Cimino), well-schooled in the cinematic arts of blood-letting,... they are interpreting his film as a deep historical truth, something on the order of the TV epic, The Holocaust's portrayal of the Nazi persecution of the Jews. While Holocaust dealt with controversial fact, the attempted extermination of a whole race, "The Deer Hunter" deals in controversial fiction. I have found that enthusiasts are genuinely hurt when I tell them that while Vietnam had all manners of violence, including self-immolating Buddhist monks, fire-bombings, rape, deception, and massacres like My Lai in its 20 years of war, there was not a single recorded case of Russian roulette, not in the voluminous files of the Associated Press anyway, or in my experience either. The central metaphor of the movie is simply a bloody lie. "The Deer Hunter" is no more a historically valid comment on the American experience in Vietnam than was "The Godfather" an accurate history of the typical Italian immigrant family. But Cimino defends his creative rights. During the filming in Thailand, he told reporters: "War is war. Vietnam is no different from the Crusades. It's a question of survival, friendship and courage, and what happens to these things in people under stress." But they didn't play Russian roulette in the Crusades either. Even more preposterous than using Russian roulette as his metaphor is the morally irresponsible way that Cimino casually telescopes the years of the Vietnam conflict into a convenient backdrop for his bizarre macho heroics. So is history laundered. Absent are the disillusion at home, the bitterness of those who served, the destruction of a country and any other factors that might lessen his epic theme. Most upsetting is the callous disregard of the war's impact on the Vietnamese. While Cimino places the trauma of Americans at the center of his concern, his portrayal of the Vietnamese people as inhuman monsters, for whom life is cheap, perpetuates the racist stereotype that sustained much of America's involvement in Indochina. The audience cares about the three Americans because they are shown to have families and friendships and feelings. When they are hurt, the audience hungers for vengeance. Yet It Is unnerving to sit in a movie theater in the United States in the last year of the l970s and hear young audiences, for whom the war is an all-but-forgotten memory, roar their approval as De Niro kills his Vietnamese tormentors. Yet no other feeling is possible, for Cimino presents every single Vietnamese as a cardboard caricature. They are not real people and are, therefore, easy to hate--and it is all too easy to applaud their murder. Cimino's depiction of the Vietnamese mortally wounds the moral Integrity of "The Deer Hunter." Cimino seems to be saying: "Yes, war is hell, but especially for young, white Americans." "The Deer Hunter" is inescapably a movie about archetypes. When a director as self-conscious, indeed as pretentious, as Cimino puts those three young Americans on a 70 mm silver screen in living Color they stand for all Americans. The portrayal of the Vietnamese similarly involves archetypes. Unfortunately, it is a lie. There are a few real moments. Helicopters bucked and strained against the pull of gravity. Refugees streamed in fearful confusion down oil-stained roads. Panicked crowds stormed the U.S. Embassy walls. But when Cimino inserts actual ABC News footage of the last hours of the war, he is bending esthetic license to its limit. Such use of actual film clips imparts a gloss of historical accuracy to the entire film. Nothing could be further from the truth. In his artistic selfishness, Cimino seems oblivious to the nation's underlying anxiety about the Vietnam experience and its need for explanations. Rather than applauding his directorial cleverness, the New York audiences I observed were glorying in "The Deer Hunter," partly because of the simple, satisfying answers that it gave to the tough questions. In "The Deer Hunter," the enemies in Vietnam are ugly, sadistic torturers, while the American boys are noble; the Saigonese are greedy gamblers willing to bet on an American's blowing his brains out--they show no concern over the imminent collapse of their city. The movie was touted as being a major antiwar film, but it is packed with simplistic answers to some of our most enduring anxieties. Some critics were harsh on "Coming Home" because they felt that the plot, which had housewife Jane Fonda bidding farewell to her gung-ho Marine husband as he went off to the war, and then having a love affair with paraplegic Voight while her husband was away, was just too much like soap opera. Historically speaking, "Coming Home" is an honest attempt to come to terms with one agonizing aspect of the war. And speaking personally, I would rather leave a theater with the suds of "Coming Home" in my mouth than the ashes of the "Deer Hunter." (The review reprinted above is taken from Peter Arnett who won a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of Vietnam in 1966. The article was originally written for the Los Angeles Times.)	i don't know
How many squares are traditionally on a Snakes and Ladders board?	The Timelessness of Snakes and Ladders – re:form – Medium The Timelessness of Snakes and Ladders How a common children’s game has survived for centuries as a moral teaching tool Chances are you’ve played Snakes and Ladders. Rebranded in 1943 by Milton Bradley as Chutes and Ladders, most of us have sat with a version of it at some point in our young lives, but its origins involve much more than just child’s play. The game is a potent teaching tool whose simple design has been used for centuries, arguably even millennia, as a way to embody and reinforce religious teachings and cultural values. Along the way it’s evolved and adapted to incorporate the themes and aesthetics relevant to each culture that played it, from ancient India to Victorian England, to the US and far beyond. Chutes and Ladders Boardgame. Flickr / Ben Husmann Surviving game boards suggest Snakes and Ladders emerged somewhere in Northern India or Nepal. In its earliest identifiable form it was called Gyan Chauper , though other versions have gone by names like Leela, Moksha Patamu, and Paramapada Sopanapata. These titles translate roughly to terms like Game of Self-Knowledge , Ladder to Salvation, or Steps to the Highest Place, showing the weight of the content it was meant to convey. Over centuries the game traveled and evolved, its basic design serving as a durable chassis for any culture that took it up, containing and transmitting their moral and spiritual beliefs. For the one among you who hasn’t played some version of it, Snakes and Ladders progresses players in a zig zag pattern up a grid of about 100 squares by the roll of dice, or cowry shells originally. Planted on various squares are ladders that move players further up the board and snakes (or chutes) that slide them back down. The first player to reach the final square, entirely by chance, is the winner. Jnana Chaupar: A Game of Knowledge (19th century AD) from the Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute, Jodhpur Bookending each ladder and snake is a moral lesson, whether in the form of an illustration or explicitly written out. This is where a lot of the game’s most obvious moral and religious didactics happen. But in playing, people are also made to experience the course of fate, and the consequences attached to virtues and vices. The experiential and communal nature of games is what makes even (maybe especially) the most basic of designs so effective at reinforcing culture. “They are meant to teach us in a way that is very different from oral history and storytelling,” says Colleen Macklin, director of New School’s PET Lab , which designs games around social engagement and education in underserved communities around the world. “Without the players, the game doesn’t even really exist — I mean, you could say that there’s a board with some images drawn on it, or some dice, but it really isn’t anything until we play it.” Play predates any formal system of language, education, politics, even our species itself. For us and our fellow primates, play is as much a way of being entertained as a way to work out how we interact and negotiate with the world. With that in mind, it’s really no surprise that evidence of humans playing games goes back thousands of years. But in an age when many of the newest games become unplayable within a decade of their invention, we still have something to learn from games as old as Snakes and Ladders — and its relatives like Pachisi — that have stuck around for thousands of years. Jain version Game of Snakes & Ladders. Gouache on cloth, India, 19th century, Jain, Hindu, Islamic, and Buddhist Versions of Snakes and Ladders are well documented. Often made simply of painted cloth, few boards have survived from any earlier than the mid-18th century. But some scholars think the earliest form of the game may have emerged from ancient Jain mandalas, in which various squares were illustrated with karmic concepts and progressions, connected by religious scribes with lines to underscore their relationships. The leap from those connective lines to ladders and snakes isn’t a big one — both are symbols common to many religions’ spiritual stories. Jain Gyan Chaupar on cloth, National Museum (India, 19th century) Devout laypeople would play these games as a form of meditation or communal exercise, reinforcing the teachings of their religion in a form of study that didn’t involve books or sermons. As such, the contents of each square were carefully considered, their connections intended to invite contemplation about specific tenets and the larger worldview they reflected when taken together. Predictably, landing on a snake square for ‘drunkenness’ would drop your piece a few spaces, but that square’s relationship to those around it was also relevant to the message of the game. Their groupings would divide and classify various spiritual concepts, or outline a religion’s cosmology. It’s possible that even the ratios of snakes to ladders (one version had 40 to 22) were a means of communicating how fraught and narrow the righteous path could be. “My impression is that some boards (including Jain ones) seem more pessimistic in that they include a lot of snakes and fewer and shorter ladders to aid the upward path,” says Andrew Topsfield, keeper of Eastern art at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford , and a leading scholar on the game. “This may reflect the very highly developed nature of Jain karma theory and the many subtle spiritual pitfalls that the Jain scholars identified. The bhakti or devotional worship-based boards (Hindu and Muslim) can seem a little more balanced in this respect, though not without generous provisions of dangerous snakes of their own.” The designs were also beautiful. Many boards have squares adorned with elaborate illustrations of religiously relevant phrases, figures or architecture, framed by flora, fauna, and symbols of spiritual planes. Rows of squares are sometimes arranged by levels of enlightenment, even in shapes suggesting the human body, simultaneously reflecting concepts like karmic paths, chakras, or other conceptions about various levels of the spiritual realm. One surviving board is even divided into sub-games corresponding to distinct spiritual or earthly states of being, an elaboration on the basic mechanic that enhances the religious content. Many of the old boards are genuine works of art, as telling as any manuscript or painting (and in a sense, they’re both). Calico Museum of Textiles “Games are an art form, and the aesthetics are important,” Macklin says. “It’s kind of like ritual — and of course games are very tied to ritual. The way that a church looks for instance, or the weight of the goblet you might be passing around in some kind of ceremony, all matter as much as the meaning behind it.” Nomenclature is another major distinguishing factor between versions of Snakes and Ladders. The final square of a rare remnant of a 200 year old Sufi board, for example, speaks of ‘extinction into God,’ echoing the Sufi doctrine of “death before death.” Though distinct, these notions aren’t dissimilar from the Jain and Hindu versions’ goal of reaching Moksha — the ultimate release from the cycle of life and death—in their terminal squares. In the American version, we “win” a blue ribbon. Modern adaptations of the game are much less rigorous in the messages they try to impart. In a popular American version, moral lessons are illustrated as comically simple drawings that anyone born in the ‘80s will recognize — a boy rescues a cat and makes a new friend at the top of the ladder, a girl eats too many chocolates which, as shown at the bottom of the connected chute, makes her ill (confusingly, at the top of another ladder, a girl is apparently preparing to eat an entire cake as her reward for baking it). There’s no apparent plan in the arrangement of these messages, their relationships to one another, or their correspondence with the number of squares a given ladder or chute advances a player or sets them back. Imperial Britain is largely responsible for any of us in the west being exposed to this game. It was imported to Victorian England and soon caught on, even keeping the Indian iconography in its boards until around the 1930s. The virtues and vices became more generalized, endorsing grace and success under the ladders with warnings of poverty and disgrace adorning the snakes. Pregnant religious inscriptions were replaced by the two-part cartoon dramas, separated by a ladder or a serpent (and eventually a chute), as the snake to ladder ratio was generally evened out. “It was probably thought that US infants would be frightened by all those snakes,” says Topfield. “Perhaps this might reflect some deeper cultural predisposition, going back to when the first West-bound settlers had to watch out for rattlesnakes.” Flickr / Jonathan Dueck It did well in the UK and US, retaining its potency as a childhood game that, at least in part, furthered the moral vision of its host culture. These games are vehicles for culture, another reason the chameleonic nature of Snakes and Ladders is so interesting — it provides a window into numerous places and times in world history. In their look, feel, and design, we see the priorities, values, aesthetics, and mentality of people we’ll never get a chance to meet. Today the game continues to demonstrate its value as an educational tool, in promoting linear thinking, and concepts of sequence. It’s a format that’s still being innovated upon. Versions have been designed to educate communities facing the consequences of climate change , on how to face conflict , or to learn local farming cycles . The PET Lab mentioned earlier uses the cultural adaptability of simple games to foster disaster preparedness education in places where people have little access to technology, or even weather forecasts. Games like these aren’t designed to be won, but to teach and communicate through experience. In our time, games are still as much an amplifier of culture as films, music or literature. A game like Grand Theft Auto probably says a lot about our culture — not all of it good — but little of that message really comes from the mechanics or design of the game itself. As a design, this game model is robust enough to last for centuries precisely because of its simplicity and adaptability. The reason today’s most popular video games are unlikely to survive for another century, let alone another few decades, is largely because the complexity of their underlying code renders it impossible to adapt them to new ideas and perspectives. They’re closed systems, whereas games like Snakes and Ladders — whose underlying mechanism is akin to guided reading — allows any message or idea to be tooled to fit its time and place.	100
Which day of the week is named after the Norse god of thunder?	Snakes and Ladders - iSnare Free Encyclopedia Snakes and Ladders For other uses, see Snakes and Ladders (disambiguation) . "Chutes and Ladders" redirects here. For the song by Korn, see Shoots and Ladders (song) . Snakes and Ladders Game of Snakes and Ladders, gouache on cloth (India, 19th century) Years active Synonym(s) Chutes and Ladders Snakes and Ladders is an ancient Indian board game regarded today as a worldwide classic. [1] It is played between two or more players on a gameboard having numbered, gridded squares. A number of "ladders" and "snakes" are pictured on the board, each connecting two specific board squares. The object of the game is to navigate one's game piece, according to die rolls, from the start (bottom square) to the finish (top square), helped or hindered by ladders and snakes respectively. The game is a simple race contest based on sheer luck, and is popular with young children. [2] The historic version had root in morality lessons, where a player's progression up the board represented a life journey complicated by virtues (ladders) and vices (snakes). A commercial version with different morality lessons, Chutes and Ladders, is published by Milton Bradley. Contents 9 External links Equipment The size of the grid (most commonly 8×8, 10×10, or 12×12) varies from board to board, as does the exact arrangement of the snakes and ladders, with both factors affecting the duration of play. Each player is represented by a distinctly coloured game piece token. A single die is rolled to determine random movement of a player's token in the traditional form of play. History This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2015) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) Snakes and Ladders originated in India as part of a family of dice board games, that included Gyan chauper and pachisi (present-day Ludo and Parcheesi ). The game made its way to England and was sold as "Snakes and Ladders", then the basic concept was introduced in the United States as Chutes and Ladders (an "improved new version of England's famous indoor sport" [3] ) by game pioneer Milton Bradley in 1943. [4] Gyan Chaupar ( Jain version of the game), National Museum, New Delhi Gyan chauper/Jnan chauper (game of wisdom), the version associated with the Jain philosophy [5] encompassed the concepts like karma and Moksha . The game was popular in ancient India by the name Moksha Patam. It was also associated with traditional Hindu philosophy contrasting karma and kama, or destiny and desire. It emphasized destiny, as opposed to games such as pachisi, which focused on life as a mixture of skill (free will [6] ) and luck. The underlying ideals of the game inspired a version introduced in Victorian England in 1892. The game has also been interpreted and used as a tool for teaching the effects of good deeds versus bad. The board was covered with symbolic images, the top featuring gods, angels, and majestic beings, while the rest of the board was covered with pictures of animals, flowers and people. [7] The ladders represented virtues such as generosity, faith, and humility, while the snakes represented vices such as lust, anger, murder, and theft. The morality lesson of the game was that a person can attain salvation ( Moksha ) through doing good, whereas by doing evil one will inherit rebirth to lower forms of life. The number of ladders was less than the number of snakes as a reminder that a path of good is much more difficult to tread than a path of sins. Presumably, reaching the last square (number 100) represented the attainment of Moksha (spiritual liberation). When the game was brought to England, the Indian virtues and vices were replaced by English ones in hopes of better reflecting Victorian doctrines of morality. Squares of Fulfillment, Grace and Success were accessible by ladders of Thrift, Penitence and Industry and snakes of Indulgence, Disobedience and Indolence caused one to end up in Illness, Disgrace and Poverty. While the Indian version of the game had snakes outnumbering ladders, the English counterpart was more forgiving as it contained each in the same amount. [8] This concept of equality signifies the cultural ideal that for every sin one commits, there exists another chance at redemption. The association of Britain’s Snakes and Ladders with India and gyan chauper began with the returning of colonial families from one of Britain’s most important imperial possessions, India. The décor and art of the early English boards of the 20th century reflect this relationship. By the 1940s, very few pictorial references to the Indian culture were found due to the economic demands of the war and the collapse of British rule in India. [9] Although the game’s sense of morality has lasted through the game’s generations, the physical allusions to religious and philosophical thought in the game as presented in Indian models appear to have all but faded. There has even been evidence of a possible Buddhist version of the game existing in India during the Pala-Sena time period. In Andhra Pradesh , this game is popularly called Vaikunthapali or Paramapada Sopana Patam (the ladder to salvation) in Telugu. [4] [9] In Hindi, this game is called Saanp aur Seedhi, Saanp Seedhi and Mokshapat. In the original game the squares of virtue are: Faith (12), Reliability (51), Generosity (57), Knowledge (76), and Asceticism (78). The squares of vice or evil are: Disobedience (41), Vanity (44), Vulgarity (49), Theft (52), Lying (58), Drunkenness (62), Debt (69), Murder (73), Rage (84), Greed (92), Pride (95), and Lust (99). [7] Gameplay Milton Bradley Chutes and Ladders gameboard c. 1952. The illustrations show good deeds and their rewards; bad deeds and their consequences. Each player starts with a token on the starting square (usually the "1" grid square in the bottom left corner, or simply, off the board next to the "1" grid square) and takes turns to roll a single die to move the token by the number of squares indicated by the die roll. Tokens follow a fixed route marked on the gameboard which usually follows a boustrophedon (ox-plow) track from the bottom to the top of the playing area, passing once through every square. If, on completion of a move, a player's token lands on the lower-numbered end of a "ladder", the player must move the token up to the ladder's higher-numbered square. If the player lands on the higher-numbered square of a "snake" (or chute), the token must move down to the snake's lower-numbered square. If a player rolls a 6, the player may, after moving, immediately take another turn; otherwise play passes to the next player in turn. The player who is first to bring their token to the last square of the track is the winner. Variations A variant exists where a player must roll the exact number to reach the final square. Depending on the variation, if the die roll is too large, the token either remains in place or goes off the final square and back again. (For example, if a player requiring a 3 to win rolls a 5, the token moves forward three spaces, then back two spaces.) In certain circumstances (such as a player rolling a 6 when a 1 is required to win), a player can end up further away from the final square after their move, than before it. Specific editions The most widely known edition of Snakes and Ladders in the United States is Chutes and Ladders released by Milton Bradley in 1943. [10] The playground setting replaced the snakes, which were received negatively by children at the time. [10] It is played on a 10×10 board, and players advance their pieces according to a spinner rather than a die. The theme of the board design is playground equipment, showing children climbing ladders and descending chutes. The artwork on the board teaches a morality lesson, the squares on the bottom of the ladders show a child doing a good or sensible deed and at the top of the ladder there is an image of the child enjoying the reward. At the top of the chutes, there are pictures of children engaging in mischievous or foolish behaviour and the images on the bottom show the child suffering the consequences. Black children were depicted in the Milton Bradley game for the first time in 1974. [10] There have been many pop culture versions of the game, with graphics featuring such children's television characters as Dora the Explorer and Sesame Street . It has been marketed as "The Classic Up and Down Game for Preschoolers". In 1999, Hasbro released Chutes and Ladders for PCs. In Canada the game has been traditionally sold as "Snakes and Ladders", and produced by the Canada Games Company . Several Canadian specific versions have been produced over the years, including a version substituting Toboggan runs for the snakes. [11] With the demise of the Canada Games Company, Chutes and Ladders produced by Milton Bradley/Hasbro has been gaining in popularity.[ citation needed ] The most common During the early 1990s in South Africa, Chutes and Ladders games made from cardboard were distributed on the back of egg boxes as part of a promotion.[ citation needed ] Even though the concept of major virtues against vices and related Eastern spiritualism is not much emphasized in modern incarnations of the game, the central mechanism of Snakes and Ladders makes it an effective tool for teaching young children about various subjects. In two separate Indonesian schools, the implementation of the game as media in English lessons of fifth graders not only improved the students' vocabulary but also stimulated their interest and excitement about the learning process. [12] [13] Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University found that pre-schoolers from low income backgrounds who played an hour of numerical board games like Snakes and Ladders matched the performance of their middle-class counterparts by showing improvements in counting and recognizing number shapes. [14] An eco-inspired version of the game was also used to teach students and teachers about climate change and environmental sustainability. [15] Mathematics of the game The cumulative probability of finishing a game of Snakes and Ladders by turn N Any version of Snakes and Ladders can be represented exactly as an absorbing Markov chain , since from any square the odds of moving to any other square are fixed and independent of any previous game history. [3] The Milton Bradley version of Chutes and Ladders has 100 squares, with 19 chutes and ladders. A player will need an average of 39.6 spins to move from the starting point, which is off the board, to square 100. A two-player game is expected to end in 47.76 moves with a 50.9% chance of winning for the first player. [16] In the book Winning Ways the authors show how to treat Snakes and Ladders as an impartial game in combinatorial game theory even though it is very far from a natural fit to this category. To this end they make a few rule changes such as allowing players to move any counter any number of spaces, and declaring the winner as the player who gets the last counter home. Unlike the original game, this version, which they call Adders-and-Ladders, involves skill. In popular culture The phrase " back to square one " originates in the game of snakes and ladders, or at least was influenced by it – the earliest attestation of the phrase refers to the game: "Withal he has the problem of maintaining the interest of the reader who is always being sent back to square one in a sort of intellectual game of snakes and ladders." [17] [18] The game is a central metaphor of Salman Rushdie 's Midnight's Children . The narrator describes the game as follows: All games have morals; and the game of Snakes and Ladders captures, as no other activity can hope to do, the eternal truth that for every ladder you hope to climb, a snake is waiting just around the corner, and for every snake a ladder will compensate. But it's more than that; no mere carrot-and-stick affair; because implicit in the game is unchanging twoness of things, the duality of up against down, good against evil; the solid rationality of ladders balances the occult sinuosities of the serpent; in the opposition of staircase and cobra we can see, metaphorically, all conceivable oppositions, Alpha against Omega, father against mother. [19] References Rushdie, Salman (2006). Midnight's Children. Random House. p. 160. Bibliography Augustyn, Frederick J (2004). Dictionary of toys and games in American popular culture. Haworth Press. ISBN 0-7890-1504-8 . Tatz, Mark; Kent, Jody (1977). Rebirth: The Tibetan Game of Liberation. Anchor Press. ISBN 0-385-11421-4 . Further reading Berlekamp, Elwyn R; Conway, John H; Guy, Richard K (1982). Winning Ways for your Mathematical Plays. Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-091150-7 . Shimkhada, Deepak (1983) "A Preliminary Study of the Game of Karma in India, Nepal, and Tibet" in Artibus Asiae 44:4, pp. 308–22. Topsfield, Andrew (1985) "The Indian Game of Snakes and Ladders" in Artibus Asiae 46:3, pp. 203–26. Topsfield, Andrew (2006) "Snakes and Ladders in India: Some Further Discoveries" in Artibus Asiae 66:1, pp. 143–79. External links	i don't know
In 1907, who was the first English writer to win the Nobel Prize for literature?	in 1907 who was the first English writer win Nobel prize - IT - 402 View Full Document in 1907 who was the first English writer win Nobel prize literature Rudyard Kipling 4 Name the science fiction writer who lives in Sri Lanka Arthur C Clark 5 What pop group were dedicated followers of fashion The Kinks 6 CaCo3 is the chemical formula of what common item Calcium Carbonate – Chalk 7 Name Elvis Presley's father Vernon Presley 8 In what novel does Dr Hannibal Lecter first appear Red Dragon 9 The Ionian islands are nearest what country Greece 10 In Portsmouth Ohio who does the law rank with vagrants thieves Baseball Players suspicious chars 11 In WWW terms what does i.e. mean on a domain name Ireland 12 Seawood's Folly is better known as what today Alaska 13 What is a Roastchaffer A Beetle 14 What Pope started the Inquisition Gregory 9th 15 Ecuador was named after who / what The Equator 16 Liza Minelli played what character in Cabaret Sally Bowles 17 Who wrote the scripts for Hill street Blues Steven Bochco 18 What European language is unrelated to any other language Basque 19 In the 70s The Bahamas gained independence from who Great Britain 20 In Kentucky people wearing what on streets get police protection Bathing Suits 21 In what country did bongo drums originate Cuba 22 Stewart Goddard changed his name to become what pop hit Adam Ant 23 What's the main feature of a Chong Sang skirt Split up side 24 The Davis Strait lies between Canada and where Greenland 25 Henri Charrier is better known by what nickname Papillion – The Butterfly 26 What fashion designer is credited with the Bob hairstyle Mary Quant 27 Melba sauce is made from what fruit Raspberries 28 Who was with Macbeth when he met the witches Banquo 29 Children take SATs what does SAT stand for Standard assessment tasks 30 In Winston-Salem N Carolina its illegal under 7 year olds do what Go to College 31 A lion and a sword appear on what countries flag Sri Lanka 32 A carbonade is a dish that must contain what Beer 33 What company owns Rolls Royce motors Volkswagen 34 What was Oscar Wilde's only novel The picture of Dorian Grey 35 What writer lived at hilltop near Hawkshead now museum to her Beartrix Potter 36 French artist Edward Degas noted for what particular subject Ballet Dancers 37 Who is the Greek God of the sky and the universe Uranus 38 Collective nouns - a Dule of what Doves 39 The pharaoh hound is the only dog that does what Blushes - Nose and ears redden 40 In Blue Earth Minnesota illegal under 12s do what without parent Talk on Telephone 41 Fallstaff first appears in what Shakespeare play Henry IV part 1 42 What is a roker A foot long ruler 43 A vestiphobe is afraid of what Wearing Clothes 44 In what film would you find The Orgasmitron Woody Alan's Sleeper 45 Racing driver James Hunts nickname was Hunt the what Shunt 46 In 1906 the John Gable Entertainer was the first what Juke Box 47 In the food industry what is TVP - i.e. what's it stand for Textured Vegetable Protein 48 Who wrote the book Coma Robin Cook 49 What country designed and developed the bayonet France 50 This preview has intentionally blurred sections. Sign up to view the full version. This is the end of the preview. Sign up to access the rest of the document. TERM Kenyatta University IT 402 - Spring 2015 1 2 3 4 5 Sampling In Research What is research? According Webster (1985), to researc HYPO.docx	Rudyard Kipling
What is the Russian term for an astronaut?	Nobel Prize in Literature - 2 \| Britannica.com Nobel Prize in Literature any of the prizes (five in number until 1969, when a sixth was added) that are awarded annually from a fund bequeathed for that purpose by the Swedish inventor and industrialist Alfred Bernhard Nobel.... Displaying 1 - 100 of 114 results Agnon, S. Y. Israeli writer who was one of the leading modern Hebrew novelists and short-story writers. In 1966 he was the corecipient, with Nelly Sachs, of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Born of a family of Polish Jewish merchants, rabbis, and scholars, Agnon wrote... Aleixandre, Vicente Spanish poet, a member of the Generation of 1927, who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1977. He was strongly influenced by the Surrealist technique of poetic composition. Aleixandre was the son of a railway engineer. He studied law and business... 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Carducci, Giosuè Italian poet, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1906, and one of the most influential literary figures of his age. The son of a republican country doctor, Carducci spent his childhood in the wild Maremma region of southern Tuscany. He studied... Cela, Camilo José Spanish writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1989. He is perhaps best known for his novel La familia de Pascual Duarte (1942; The Family of Pascual Duarte) and is considered to have given new life to Spanish literature. His literary production—primarily... Churchill, Sir Winston British statesman, orator, and author who as prime minister (1940–45, 1951–55) rallied the British people during World War II and led his country from the brink of defeat to victory. After a sensational rise to prominence in national politics before... Deledda, Grazia novelist who was influenced by the verismo (“realism”) school in Italian literature. She was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1926. Deledda married very young and moved to Rome, where she lived quietly, frequently visiting her native Sardinia.... Dylan, Bob American folksinger who moved from folk to rock music in the 1960s, infusing the lyrics of rock and roll, theretofore concerned mostly with boy-girl romantic innuendo, with the intellectualism of classic literature and poetry. Hailed as the Shakespeare... Echegaray y Eizaguirre, José mathematician, statesman, and the leading Spanish dramatist of the last quarter of the 19th century. Along with the Provençal poet Frédéric Mistral, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1904. A professor of mathematics in his early life,... Eliot, T. S. American-English poet, playwright, literary critic, and editor, a leader of the modernist movement in poetry in such works as The Waste Land (1922) and Four Quartets (1943). Eliot exercised a strong influence on Anglo-American culture from the 1920s... Elytis, Odysseus Greek poet and winner of the 1979 Nobel Prize for Literature. Born the scion of a prosperous family from Lesbos, he abandoned the family name as a young man in order to dissociate his writing from the family soap business. Elytis studied law at Athens... Eucken, Rudolf Christoph German Idealist philosopher, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature (1908), interpreter of Aristotle, and author of works in ethics and religion. Eucken studied at the University of Göttingen under the German thinker Rudolf Hermann Lotze, a teleological... Faulkner, William American novelist ffand short-story writer who was awarded the 1949 Nobel Prize for Literature. Youth and early writings As the eldest of the four sons of Murry Cuthbert and Maud Butler Falkner, William Faulkner (as he later spelled his name) was well... Fo, Dario Italian avant-garde playwright, manager-director, and actor-mime, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1997. A theatrical caricaturist with a flair for social agitation, he often faced government censure. Fo’s first theatrical experience... France, Anatole writer and ironic, skeptical, and urbane critic who was considered in his day the ideal French man of letters. He was elected to the French Academy in 1896 and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1921. The son of a bookseller, he spent most... Galsworthy, John English novelist and playwright, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1932. Galsworthy’s family, of Devonshire farming stock traceable to the 16th century, had made a comfortable fortune in property in the 19th century. His father was a solicitor.... Gao Xingjian Chinese émigré novelist, playwright, and critic who in 2000 was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature “for an oeuvre of universal validity, bitter insights and linguistic ingenuity.” He was also renowned as a stage director and as an artist. Gao was... García Márquez, Gabriel Colombian novelist and one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982 (see Nobel Lecture: “The Solitude of Latin America”), mostly for his masterpiece Cien años de soledad (1967; One Hundred Years... Gide, André French writer, humanist, and moralist who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1947. Heritage and youth Gide was the only child of Paul Gide and his wife, Juliette Rondeaux. His father was of southern Huguenot peasant stock; his mother, a Norman... Gjellerup, Karl Adolph Danish poet and novelist who shared the 1917 Nobel Prize for Literature with his compatriot Henrik Pontoppidan. The son of a parson, Gjellerup studied theology, although, after coming under the influence of Darwinism and the new radical ideas of the... Golding, Sir William English novelist who in 1983 won the Nobel Prize for Literature for his parables of the human condition. He attracted a cult of followers, especially among the youth of the post-World War II generation. Educated at Marlborough Grammar School, where his... Gordimer, Nadine South African novelist and short-story writer whose major theme was exile and alienation. She received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991. Gordimer was born into a privileged white middle-class family and began reading at an early age. By the age... Grass, Günter German poet, novelist, playwright, sculptor, and printmaker who, with his extraordinary first novel Die Blechtrommel (1959; The Tin Drum), became the literary spokesman for the German generation that grew up in the Nazi era and survived the war. In 1999... Hamsun, Knut Norwegian novelist, dramatist, poet, and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1920. A leader of the Neoromantic revolt at the turn of the century, he rescued the novel from a tendency toward excessive naturalism. Of peasant origin, Hamsun spent... Hauptmann, Gerhart German playwright, poet, and novelist who was a recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1912. Hauptmann was born in a then-fashionable Silesian resort town, where his father owned the main hotel. He studied sculpture from 1880 to 1882 at the Breslau... Heaney, Seamus Irish poet whose work is notable for its evocation of Irish rural life and events in Irish history as well as for its allusions to Irish myth. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1995. After graduating from Queen’s University, Belfast (B.A.,... Heidenstam, Verner von poet and prose writer who led the literary reaction to the Naturalist movement in Sweden, calling for a renaissance of the literature of fantasy, beauty, and national themes. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1916. Ill health forced Heidenstam... Hemingway, Ernest American novelist and short-story writer, awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954. He was noted both for the intense masculinity of his writing and for his adventurous and widely publicized life. His succinct and lucid prose style exerted a powerful... Hesse, Hermann German novelist, poet, and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946, whose main theme deals with man’s breaking out of the established modes of civilization to find his essential spirit. With his appeal for self-realization and his celebration... Heyse, Paul Johann Ludwig von German writer and prominent member of the traditionalist Munich school who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1910. Heyse studied classical and Romance languages and traveled for a year in Italy, supported by a research grant. After completing... Jelinek, Elfriede Austrian novelist and playwright noted for her controversial works on gender relations, female sexuality, and popular culture. She was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2004. Jelinek received her education in Vienna, where the combination of... Jensen, Johannes V. Danish novelist, poet, essayist, and writer of many myths, whose attempt, in his later years, to depict man’s development in the light of an idealized Darwinian theory caused his work to be much debated. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in... Jiménez, Juan Ramón Spanish poet awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1956. After studying briefly at the University of Salamanca, Jiménez went to Madrid (1900) at the invitation of the poet Rubén Darío. His first two volumes of poetry, Almas de violeta (“Souls of... Johnson, Eyvind one of the few working-class novelists to bring not only new themes and points of view to Swedish literature but also to experiment with new forms and techniques of the most advanced kind. With Harry Edmund Martinson he was awarded the Nobel Prize for... Karlfeldt, Erik Axel Swedish poet whose essentially regional, tradition-bound poetry was extremely popular and won him the Nobel Prize for Literature posthumously in 1931; he had refused it in 1918, at least in part because of his position as secretary to the Swedish Academy,... Kawabata Yasunari Japanese novelist who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1968. His melancholic lyricism echoes an ancient Japanese literary tradition in the modern idiom. The sense of loneliness and preoccupation with death that permeates much of Kawabata’s mature... Kertész, Imre Hungarian author best known for his semiautobiographical accounts of the Holocaust. In 2002 he received the Nobel Prize for Literature. At age 14 Kertész was deported with other Hungarian Jews during World War II to the Auschwitz concentration camp in... Kipling, Rudyard English short-story writer, poet, and novelist chiefly remembered for his celebration of British imperialism, his tales and poems of British soldiers in India, and his tales for children. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907. Life Kipling’s... Lagerkvist, Pär novelist, poet, dramatist, and one of the major Swedish literary figures of the first half of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1951. Lagerkvist was reared in a traditional religious manner in a small town. The influence... Lagerlöf, Selma novelist who in 1909 became the first woman and also the first Swedish writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. An illness left her lame for a time, but otherwise her childhood was happy. She was taught at home, then trained in Stockholm as a teacher,... Laxness, Halldór Icelandic novelist who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955. He is considered the most creative Icelandic writer of the 20th century. Laxness spent most of his youth on the family farm. At age 17 he traveled to Europe, where he spent several... Le Clézio, Jean-Marie Gustave French author known for his intricate, seductive fiction and distinctive works of nonfiction that mediated between the past and the present, juxtaposing the modern world with a primordial landscape of ambiguity and mystery. He received the Nobel Prize... Lessing, Doris British writer whose novels and short stories are largely concerned with people involved in the social and political upheavals of the 20th century. She was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2007. Her family was living in Persia at the time of... Lewis, Sinclair American novelist and social critic who punctured American complacency with his broadly drawn, widely popular satirical novels. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1930, the first given to an American. Lewis graduated from Yale University (1907)... Maeterlinck, Maurice Belgian Symbolist poet, playwright, and essayist who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1911 for his outstanding works of the Symbolist theatre. He wrote in French and looked mainly to French literary movements for inspiration. Maeterlinck studied... Mahfouz, Naguib Egyptian novelist and screenplay writer, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988, the first Arabic writer to be so honoured. Mahfouz was the son of a civil servant and grew up in Cairo’s Al-Jamāliyyah district. He attended the Egyptian... Mann, Thomas German novelist and essayist whose early novels— Buddenbrooks (1900), Der Tod in Venedig (1912; Death in Venice), and Der Zauberberg (1924; The Magic Mountain)—earned him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929. Early literary endeavours Mann’s father... Martin du Gard, Roger French author and winner of the 1937 Nobel Prize for Literature. Trained as a paleographer and archivist, Martin du Gard brought to his works a spirit of objectivity and a scrupulous regard for details. For his concern with documentation and with the... Martinson, Harry Swedish novelist and poet who was the first self-taught, working-class writer to be elected to the Swedish Academy (1949). With Eyvind Johnson he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1974. Martinson spent his childhood in a series of foster... Mauriac, François novelist, essayist, poet, playwright, journalist, and winner in 1952 of the Nobel Prize for Literature. He belonged to the lineage of French Catholic writers who examined the ugly realities of modern life in the light of eternity. His major novels are... Miłosz, Czesław Polish-American author, translator, and critic who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1980. The son of a civil engineer, Miłosz completed his university studies in Wilno (now Vilnius, Lithuania), which belonged to Poland between the two world... Mistral, Frédéric poet who led the 19th-century revival of Occitan (Provençal) language and literature. He shared the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1904 (with José Echegaray y Eizaguirre) for his contributions in literature and philology. Mistral’s father was a well-to-do... Mistral, Gabriela Chilean poet, who in 1945 became the first Latin American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. Of Spanish, Basque, and Indian descent, Mistral grew up in a village of northern Chile and became a schoolteacher at age 15, advancing later to the rank... Mo Yan Chinese novelist and short-story writer renowned for his imaginative and humanistic fiction, which became popular in the 1980s. Mo was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature. Guan Moye attended a primary school in his hometown but dropped out in... Modiano, Patrick French writer who in more than 40 books used his fascination with the human experience of World War II to examine individual and collective identities, responsibilities, loyalties, memory, and loss. In 2014 he became the 15th Frenchman to receive the... Mommsen, Theodor German historian and writer, famous for his masterpiece, Römische Geschichte (The History of Rome). He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1902. Early years Mommsen was the son of a Protestant minister in Garding, Schleswig, and he grew up... Montale, Eugenio Italian poet, prose writer, editor, and translator who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1975. As a young man, Montale trained as an opera singer. He was drafted to serve in World War I, and, when the war was over, he resumed his music studies. Increasingly... Morrison, Toni American writer noted for her examination of black experience (particularly black female experience) within the black community. She received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993. Morrison grew up in the American Midwest in a family that possessed... Müller, Herta Romanian-born German writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2009 for her works revealing the harshness of life in Romania under the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu. The award cited Müller for depicting “the landscape of the dispossessed”... Munro, Alice Canadian short-story writer who gained international recognition with her exquisitely drawn narratives. The Swedish Academy dubbed her a “master of the contemporary short story ” when it awarded her the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2013. Munro’s work... Naipaul, Sir V. S. Trinidadian writer of Indian descent known for his pessimistic novels set in developing countries. For these revelations of what the Swedish Academy called “suppressed histories,” Naipaul won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2001. Descended from Hindu... Neruda, Pablo Chilean poet, diplomat, and politician who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. He was perhaps the most important Latin American poet of the 20th century. Early life and love poetry Neruda was the son of José del Carmen Reyes, a railway... Ōe Kenzaburō Japanese novelist whose works express the disillusionment and rebellion of his post-World War II generation. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1994. Ōe came from a family of wealthy landowners, who lost most of their property with the... O’Neill, Eugene foremost American dramatist and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1936. His masterpiece, Long Day’s Journey into Night (produced posthumously 1956), is at the apex of a long string of great plays, including Beyond the Horizon (1920), Anna Christie... Pamuk, Orhan Turkish novelist, best known for works that probe Turkish identity and history. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2006. Raised in a wealthy and Western-oriented family, Pamuk attended Robert College, an American school in Istanbul, and... Pasternak, Boris Leonidovich Russian poet whose novel Doctor Zhivago helped win him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1958 but aroused so much opposition in the Soviet Union that he declined the honour. An epic of wandering, spiritual isolation, and love amid the harshness of the... Paz, Octavio Mexican poet, writer, and diplomat, recognized as one of the major Latin American writers of the 20th century. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1990. (See Nobel Lecture: “In Search of the Present.”) Paz’s family was ruined financially by... Pinter, Harold English playwright, who achieved international renown as one of the most complex and challenging post-World War II dramatists. His plays are noted for their use of understatement, small talk, reticence—and even silence—to convey the substance of a character’s... Pirandello, Luigi Italian playwright, novelist, and short-story writer, winner of the 1934 Nobel Prize for Literature. With his invention of the “theatre within the theatre” in the play Sei personaggi in cerca d’autore (1921; Six Characters in Search of an Author), he... Pontoppidan, Henrik Realist writer who shared with Karl Gjellerup the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1917 for “his authentic descriptions of present-day life in Denmark.” Pontoppidan’s novels and short stories—informed with a desire for social progress but despairing, later... Quasimodo, Salvatore Italian poet, critic, and translator. Originally a leader of the Hermetic poets, he became, after World War II, a powerful poet commenting on modern social issues. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1959. Quasimodo was born in Sicily and was... Reymont, Władysław Stanisław Polish writer and novelist who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1924. 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After joining the Red Army in 1920 and spending two years in Moscow, he returned in 1924 to his native Cossack village in... Sienkiewicz, Henryk Polish novelist, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1905. Sienkiewicz’s family owned a small estate but lost everything and moved to Warsaw, where Sienkiewicz studied literature, history, and philology at Warsaw University. He left the university... Sillanpää, Frans Eemil first Finnish writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature (1939). The son of a peasant farmer, Sillanpää began studying natural science but in 1913 returned to the country, married, and began to write. His first short stories were published in journals... Simon, Claude writer whose works are among the most authentic representatives of the French nouveau roman (“new novel”) that emerged in the 1950s. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1985. The son of a cavalry officer who was killed in World War I, Simon... Sinclair, Upton American novelist and polemicist for socialism and other causes; his The Jungle is a landmark among naturalistic, proletarian novels. Sinclair graduated from the College of the City of New York in 1897 and did graduate work at Columbia University, supporting... Singer, Isaac Bashevis Polish-born American writer of novels, short stories, and essays in Yiddish. He was the recipient in 1978 of the Nobel Prize for Literature. His fiction, depicting Jewish life in Poland and the United States, is remarkable for its rich blending of irony,...	i don't know
The national flags of which group of countries have a cross design named after the grouping, in which the vertical line is shifted from the centre to the hoist (left) side, and among which is the oldest of all national flags?	Europa - European Flags Caroline and Marlene started their journey ( pin 1 ) from Vienna , their home town. Of course, they are familiar with the Austrian flag which has got three equal horizontal bands of red, white, and red. Duke Friedrich II. (1210-1246), the last Babenberg Duke, wanted to demonstrate his independence from the Roman Emperor and adopted as a new "logo" the red-white-red arms in the year 1230. The first colour document bearing them dates from 1232. Legend has it the Babenberg Duke Leopold V. (1157-1194) wore a white tunic in the Battle of Akko (Palestine) in 1190. The battle was so bloody that the entire tunic was bloodstained by the end of the fighting. When he took his belt off, however, the part of the tunic protected by the belt was still white. Caroline and Marlene found a site where you can collect some more information about the use and etiquette in connection with the use of the Austrian flag. to the Czech Republic ( pin 2 ). pin 33 Although Belgium was part of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in former times, the students had no exact knowledge so far about the history of the Belgian flag, which is based on the flag of France in design and is made up of three equal vertical bands of black, yellow, and red (from left to right). The colours were taken from the arms of Brabant, which show a yellow lion with a red tongue and red nails on a black field. This flag was adopted in 1830, when Belgium became independent from the Netherlands. The two Spring Students continued their trip to one of the smallest EU member states, Luxembourg ( pin 34 ) by pin 14 Our two Spring Students were not too familiar with countries in south-eastern Europe. Their next stop was Bulgaria. The Bulgarian flag consists of three equal horizontal bands of white, green, and red (from top to bottom). This flag was adopted by the young Bulgarian Republic in 1990. But the same colours have been used for a long time before. The Bulgarian Legia (a revolutionary organisation founded in Serbia by Bulgarian emigrants led by G. Rakovsky in 1861-1862) introduced the green colour, which is symbolizing freedom. Now our two Spring Students got on a again and visited a neigbouring country of Bulgaria, Romania ( pin 15 ). pin 6 The next country Caroline and Marlene visited is a neighbouring country of Bosnia-Herzegovina. In former times, it was also part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire , and after World War II it was part of Yugoslavia (together with today's Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia). Croatia has already applied for EU memberschip. The Croatian flag is made up of red, white, and blue horizontal bands, with the red and white checkers of the Croatian coat of arms in the centre. The coat of arms consists of 25 red and white fields. The flag was first hoisted ceremoniously in front of the UN Headquarters in New York in 1992. ride to Bosnia-Herzegovina ( pin 7 ), the third succession state of former Yugoslavia. pin 12 Cyprus is one of the new member states, and many Austrians know a little bit about this country, as they have travelled there during their holidays, either to go swimming or to travel around and to get familiar with the culture and history. The Cypriotic flag is mainly white. In the centre you can see a golden-yellow silhouette of the island above two green crossed olive branches. This flag was selected by the President of the Republic, Archbishop Makarios , in 1960 after a proposal made by a school teacher who brought him a message from the Vice-President, Fazil Kï¿½ï¿½ï¿½k . The branches represent the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities. The white colour was chosen as a symbol for the young state of Cyprus. Originally it was planned to use a colour of copper (symbol Cu), a metal that got its name from the island, for the map of the island in the centre. But for the sake of easier reproduction a yellow-golden colour is used nowadays. Cyprus is unfortunately still a divided island. Caroline and Marlene now took a back to the mainland of Turkey ( pin 13 ). pin 2 Next stop of our two Spring Students was the Czech Republic , a rather young state which only separated from its neighbour country Slovakia in 1993. In former times, also this part of Europe was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire . The two students were familiar with the Czech flag but not with its historic background. It features two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red (bottom) with a blue triangle based on the hoist side. The white and red bands originate from a white lion with two tails on a red field, which had been the emblem of Bohemia in the middle ages. In the 1920s the blue triangle was added, in order to show that not only Bohemians but also Slovaks were members of the state of Czechoslovakia. Before the separation of the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, the CSSR Federal Assembly had agreed that neither "successor state" should use any symbols of the federation, but the Czech Republic ignored this resolution, arguing that "the country that made that rule doesn't exist any more". Unfortunately this caused some further resentment among the Slovaks, whom Caroline and Marlene visited next, by pin 30 The next country on our Spring Students' list was the last Scandinavian country, Denmark , which is quite a distance from Austria. The Danish flag is red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag. The vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side (we can find a similar design in the flags of other Nordic countries!). Of course, the cross symbolizes Christianity. The flag is called the Dannebrog, which means "The Danish cloth" in old Danish. The UN recognizes the Dannebrog as the oldest continuously recognized national flag of the world. Legend has it that this flag fell from the skies on 15 June, 1219, the day on which King Waldemar II. defeated the Estonians in battle. Some people suggest, that the design of the flag is somehow linked to an ensign of the Holy Roman Empire , which was used by the Empire in many of its provinces. But this hypothesis seems to be highly improbable, as Denmark never was part of the Holy Roman Empire . From Denmark Caroline and Marlene could travelled southwards to Germany ( pin 31 ) by pin 22 Caroline and Marlene travelled to Estonia next, which was not so far. That was now their third stop in a Baltic state. The Estonian flag consists of three equal horizontal bands of blue, black, and white (from top to bottom). This flag was re-adopted as the state flag in 1990. The colours are representative of Estonian history: blue is the colour of faith, loyalty and devotion. It also reflects the qualities of the sky, sea, and lakes. Black symbolizes the dark past of suffering of the Estonian people. It also reminds us, that the traditional jacket of the Estonian peasant is black. White represents the country's striving towards enlightenment and virtue. It is also the colour of birch bark, snow, and summer nights illuminated by the midnight sun. Now Caroline and Marlene had again to leave EU territory. They got on a to Russia, the biggest country of the world ( pin 23 ). pin 35 Next our two Spring Studens travelled to France . The French flag is made of three equal vertical bands of blue, white, and red (from left to right). It is often referred to as the Tricolore. The colours are basically those of Paris as used on the day of the storming of the Bastille , mixed with the Royal white . Legend has it that the Marquis de Lafayette was responsible for inventing the red, white and blue cockade which soon became compulsory for Revolutionaries in 1789. As a matter of fact, combinations of Revolutionary and Royal emblems were common at that time. The flag was created in 1790, but the colours were placed in the reverse sequence of what they are today. It was revised in 1794 to the modern form. The 1790 flag existed only as part of the jack and ensign of the navy. It went out of use with the defeat of Napoleon I. at Waterloo, but was re-introduced in 1830 (again by Lafayette) and has remained in use ever since. The two Spring Students left France for Switzerland ( pin 36 ), a country which is surrounded by EU member states. pin 31 From France Caroline and Marlene travelled to neighbouring Germany . The German flag has three equal horizontal bands of black, red, and gold (from top to bottom). This flag was already used by the Weimar Republic (since 1848) and was re-established as the national flag of Western Germany on May 9, 1949. Since then it has officially been called Bundesflagge (federal flag), but most Germans tend to call it Deutschlandfahne (Germany flag). There is no generally accepted explanation for the colours of this flag. One story says, that the black colours represents earth (coal), the red colour stands for the blood of the people, and the gold colour for wealth. Germany is famous for its high speed . Caroline and Marlene had so far never had the chance to travel on such a train. Therefore they chose this means of transport to continue their trip to the Netherlands ( pin 32 ). pin 11 The next destination of our two travellers was Greece , a country which is one of the favourity destinations of German and Austrian tourists during the summer months. Therefore our two Spring Students were familiar with the Greek flag which is comprised of nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white. In the left upper corner (hoist-side) you can see a blue square bearing a white cross, which symbolizes the Greek Orthodoxy. Blue represents the ï¿½always blueï¿½ Greek sky and white represents the sea that surrounds the country and especially its waves. The cross represents Greek Orthodox Christianity. This flags has been in use since 1822. The nine stripes are said to stand for the nine syllables of the Greek national motto: Eleftheria I Thanatos meaning "Freedom or Death". Now our two Spring Students had to go on a long journey - to the island of Cyprus ( pin 12 ). Therefore they travelled by pin 4 After having left Slovakia, Caroline and Marlene travelled southwards to Hungary , another successor state of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy after World War I. The Hungarian flag is made of three equal horizontal bands of red, white, and green (from top to bottom). It was first used in the 1848/49 uprising. The pattern was derived from the French Tricolore . Red symbolizes strength, white stands for faithfulness and green for hope. The use of these colours dates back to the time of the Habsburg King Matthias II. (1608-1619) Until 1945, the royal crown appeared in the center of the national flag. The journey was continued by again, this time to Slovenia, the first of the states which all were part of Yugoslavia in former times ( pin 5 ). pin 28 The next trip was a rather long one. Caroline and Marlene went to Ireland, in order to study the Irish flag which is made of equal vertical green (hoist-side), white, and orange-coloured bands. Green represents the Catholics, orange the Protestants ( House of Orange ), and white stands for peace between the two religions. The oldest known reference to the use of the three colours as a nationalist emblem dates back to 1830. This flag was adopted by Sinn Fein in 1921, shortly before the Republic or Ireland became independent from the UK (1922). It has been the official national flag since 1937. to the United Kingdom ( pin 29 ). pin 38 Now the two Spring Students had to turn to the south again to visit one of our neighbouring countries: Italy. The Italian flag uses the same colours as the Hungarian flag, but the three equal bands of green, white and red are arraned vertically (from left to right). The flag was adapted from the French Tricolore and was adopted as the national flag in 1861, when Italy was unified. It had already been used before (with interruptions) from 1798 onwards. There is no final interpretation as to the meaning of the colours, however the most probalbe hypothesis says, that the colours were derived from the uniforms of the Civic Militia of Milan at the time when northern Italy was part of Austria. These were green and white - so people called them "remolazzitt" (small radish) - and some red parts were added in 1796, when the Militia became the National Guard. The next destination of the two Spring Students was the second mini-state on their list, San Marino ( pin 39 ), which is embedded in the Italian state. They again took a . The next trip was a short one again. Our two Spring Students travelled to Latvia. The Latvian flag is very similar to the Austrian flag, but darker in colour. It is made of bands of dark red, white, and dark red (from top to bottom). The white band is narrower than the red ones. The red colour is particularly dark, and is sometimes referred to as ï¿½Latvian redï¿½. The upper and lower red bands are always twice as wide as the white band in the middle. It was adopted by the young republic after having gained independence from Russia in 1918. From 1940 to 1988 (Latvia was part of the Soviet Union until 1991) it was illegal to use the flag. Karlis Ulmanis , first Prime Minister and last President of Latvia before the Soviet invasion in 1940 described the meaning of the colours as follows: "White stands for right and truth, the honour of free citizens and trustworthiness. But the red reminds us of the blood that has been shed in the recent past. It has been shed at all times in the remote past and we are ready to offer it again for freedom and independence, for our nation and country." The Latvian flag is reputed to date back to a battle which took place in 1279. That would make it one of the oldest national flags. A report about this battle can be found in the Livlandische Reimchronik , which dates back to the 14th century. Legend has it, that a Latvian castle was surrounded by Estonian troops. The siege lasted several weeks and the starving residents considered surrender. The only alternative was to charge over the battlements to break the enemies' lines. Knowing this, an old kokle (Latvian lute) player, suggested a short prayer and full scale attack. A ram was sacrificed and the old man took off his shirt and dipped it in the sacrificial ram's blood. The shirt was completely soaked in blood except where it had been held. The old man attached this red-white-red coloured material to a shaft. Waving this as a standard, the warriors attacked and drove their enemies away. Ever since then, Latvian fighters have used this flag. Another legend refers to the leader of a Latvian tribe who was wounded in battle and wrapped in a white sheet. The part of the sheet on which he was lying remained white, but the two edges which were folded over him were stained by his blood. Both legends are very similar to the legend of the origins of the Austrian flag. By Caroline and Marlene continued their trip to the last of the three Baltic states, Estonia ( pin 22 ). pin 20 Caroline and Marlene did not have to go very far to find out about the next flag. They travelled to Lithuania. The Lithuanian flag is a very colourful one. It is made of three equal horizontal bands of yellow, green, and red (from top to bottom). Yellow stands for grain, light, and the sun, green symbolizes the beauty of nature, freedom, and hope, and red stands for the land, courage, and the blood shed in defense of the nation. Lithuania was the first of the Baltic states to break apart from the Soviet Union. It re-adopted this flag, which had been used from 1918 to 1940, in 1989. The existence of a Lithuanian flag was mentioned for the first time in the chronicles of Vygand of Marburg. He wrote that in 1337, during the battle at Bajerburg castle (near Veliuona), Tilman Zumpach, head of the riflemen of the Crusaders, used a flaming lance to burn the Lithuanian flag, before mortally wounding the Duke of Trakai. But the chronicler did not describe what this flag looked like. pin 34 Now our two Spring Students had again to go on a short journey. They travelled to the smallest of the old member states, to Luxembourg. The flag of Luxembourg is made of three equal horizontal bands of red, white, and light blue (from top to bottom). The colours come from the Grand Duke's coat of arms (13th century). Similar to the flag of the Netherlands , Luxembourg's flag has a slightly lighter shade of blue. This flag was first used in 1830 during the Belgian revolt, defined as horizontal tricolour in 1845, and officially adopted in 1972. It was slightly modified in 2001. At the Congress of Vienna in 1814/1815, when the Kingdom of the Netherlands was founded, King William I. (of Orange-Nassau ) also received Luxembourg as a compensation for the loss of the Nassau lands in Germany. It was placed under the Dutch Constitution, in practice becoming the 18th province. But it also became a Grand Duchy and was member of the German Confederation. In 1830 Luxembourg participated in the Belgian revolt. In 1839 an agreement was reached, in which the western part of Luxembourg remained Belgian as a province. The eastern part returned to the Dutch King, but the administration of the Kingdom and Grand Duchy were separated. Until 1866 the Grand Duchy was a member of the German Confederation, the loss of the Walloon part being compensated for the Germans with the Dutch part of Limburg as a Duchy. When in 1890 King William III. died, there was no male successor. Luxembourg then became fully independent under the Nassau-Weilburg branch. westwards to France ( pin 35 ). pin 41 From the Vatican City Caroline and Marlene had to take a plane to Malta, the smallest of the new member states. The Maltese flag is made of two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red. In the upper white corner you can see the George Cross, edged in red, which was added in 1942. Malta was awarded this singular honour following its gallant defence against the Axis powers in World War II. According to tradition the origin of the flag has various sources, however the most credible but still not verified one runs as follows: the two colours were originally squares, which are originating from the last two squares of the chequered flag of the Norman family of Hauteville. The Hautevilles (or Altavilla as they are called in nearby Sicily) were the Norman family that, during the reign of Count Roger , conquered Sicily (and in 1090 also Malta). Shields of arms carved in wood and stone may be found all over Malta dating from before the arrival of the Knights of Saint John , notwithstanding the latter's domination of these islands and their continuous erosion of the rights of the Maltese, during their 250 years of rule here. Leaving Malta, the two Spring Students again boarded a for their next destination, the mini-state of Monaco ( pin 42 ). pin 32 Next Marlene and Caroline travelled to the Netherlands. The flag of the Netherlands is made of three equal horizontal bands of red, white, and blue (from top to bottom). This flag is very similar to the flag of Luxembourg , which is quite understandable, when we keep in mind, that the history of these two countries is closely connected. Our two Spring Students also found out, that this flag is also used in the overseas areas which are still part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands: the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba . But both these countries have their own flags, too. The Dutch flag was first used in the second half of the 16th century, when the Dutch provinces revolted against Spain. Their leader was Prince William of Orange . The flag was named "Prinsenvlag" ("Princeflag") after him. At the beginning, the flag was orange-white-blue, but later the orange band was changed into red. During World War II, this flag was still the national flag, but its use was restricted by the German occupiers. Today, the flag is officially called the "Koninkrijksvlag" ("Flag of the Kingdom"). pin 19 From outside the EU, Caroline and Marlene had to travel westwards again, to Poland, the biggest of the new member states. The Polish flag is comprised of two equal horizontal bands of white and red (from top to bottom). Today's flag was finally introduced in 1831. It was officially recognized as national flag in 1919, after Poland had gained independence. Predecessors of today's flag date back to medieaval times. A red flag with a white eagle was first used by King Wladyslaw Jagiello (1386-1434) during the Battle of Grunwald (Schlacht bei Tannenberg) in 1410. The red and white bands first appeared in the 17th century. The banner of Zygmunt III. Vasa (1587-1632) consisted of three strips: the upper and the bottom ones being red, and the one in the middle being white (like the Austrian flag!). The banners of Wladyslaw IV. (1595-1648) and Jan Casimir (died 1668) were made up of four bands - the upper and the third from top being red, and the second from top and the bottom one being white. These banners bore the official crest of the State. Leaving Poland, Caroline and Marlene travelled again by to the first of the three Baltic states, Lithuania ( pin 20 ) pin 45 The last country visited by the two Spring Students lies on the south-western rim of the continent: Portugal. The Portuguese flag is made of two vertical bands of green and red, with the green band covering approximately two-fifths of the flag and the red, three-fifths. Centered on the dividing line, is the Portuguese coat of arms. Green represents Henry the Navigator , and red stands for the revolution. The shield shows a navigation instrument (armillary sphere) and the five blue shields of Alphonse Henriques . The national flag, symbol of the sovereignty, independence, unity and integrity of the Republic and of Portugal, was adopted in 1910. pin 15 Fortunately the two Spring Students did not have to travel very far to Romania. The Romanian flag is comprised of three equal vertical bands of blue (on the hoist side), yellow, and red. The blue stands for the blue sky, the yellow for the golden sun. The three colours are also said to represent Wallachia (blue), Transylvania (yellow) and Moldavia (red). This flag is very similar to the flag of Moldova . The flag has not undergone many or major changes in the course of history. Only the distribution of the colours (in point of proportion and position) changed to a certain extent, being made equal after the Revolution of 1848 when, under the influence of the French revolutionary spirit, many states in Europe adopted as their national flag a dimensionally standardised three-colour banner. The three colours are already to be found in banners dating back to the time of Michael the Brave and even Stephen the Great . Some researchers even argue that they existed even on the Dacian standard presented on Trajan's Column in Rome. The next trip, by again, brought Caroline and Marlene to an area which was completely new to them: Moldova ( pin 16 ). pin 3 Our two Spring Students visited Austria's neighbour state to the east, Slovakia , for research on the next flag. Slovakia had also been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918. The Slovakian flag is made of three equal horizontal bands of white, blue, and red (from top to bottom). The Slovak cross - white, centered on the background of a red and blue shield - is superimposed in the center, on the hoist side. It has been in use since 1993, when Slovakia became independent from the Czech Republic ( see above ). The first Slovak flag was white and red, and was waved in 1848 in Brezovï¿½ during a theatre performance. Later in the same year, the blue colour was added. The present arrangement of the three bands of the Slovak flag was established after 1868. These three colours were also used in the Czechoslovak flag, which was adopted in 1920, where the blue triangle at the hoist represented Slovakia. The Constitution of September 1992 added the coat of arms because the flag could otherwise have been mistaken for the one of Russia. and went to Hungary ( pin 4 ). pin 5 Caroline and Marlene next travelled to a southern neighbouring country of Austria, to Slovenia. The Slovenian flag is very similar to the Slovakian flag. It also consists of three equal horizontal bands of white, blue, and red (from top to bottom). But in this case, the upper hoist side of the flag bears the Slovenian seal, centered in the white and blue bands. The shield depicts the image of Triglav , Slovenia's highest peak, centered in white against a blue background, with wavy blue lines, depicting seas and rivers beneath it, and three six-sided stars arranged in an inverted triangle above it. The three stars. are originating from the coat of arms of the old Slovenian family of Counts of Celje , which was blue with three golden sixpointed stars. The central region of Slovenia is Carniola , and its original coat of arms had a golden eagle with red claws on a blue background. Later, Vienna demanded that the golden beast was replaced by a silver one. When these colours were transferred into colours on a flag, the country got the white-blue-red flag. Today's flag was adopted in 1991, when Slovenia had become independent from former Yugoslavia. But the three coloured flag had, of course, been used long before. Connected with this is an interesting story: In the center of Ljubljana , some 200m from the main square, in a street called Wolfova, there is a house on which there is an interesting memorial plaque reminding visitors that it was in this house, where the first Slovenian tricolour was hoisted in the revolutionary year of 1848. The people hoistering the flag, first had some beers in a pub in the same house. Austrian police reacted instantly, and there was some blood shed for it, and some dozen of insurgents ended in jail. trip was a short one - to Croatia ( pin 6 ), another succession state of Yugoslavia. pin 44 Now Caroline and Marlene had to travel further south, to Spain. The Spanish flag is made of three horizontal bands of red, yellow (double width), and red (from top to bottom). The hoist side of the yellow band bears the national coat of arms, which includes the royal seal framed by the Pillars of Hercules (the two promontories - Gibraltar and Ceuta - on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar ). Yellow and red are the colours of the House of Aragon . This flag was adopted in 1785. Until 1981 the flag had an eagle where we now see the coat of arms. Two crowned pillars flank the shield. In Spain the two Spring Students again got on a and headed westwards to the last destination of their trip, to Portugal ( pin 45 ). pin 25 Afer having crossed a rough sea, our two Spring Students arrived in Sweden. The Swedish flag is blue with a yellow cross that extends to the edges of the flag. The vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side. The flag was adopted in 1906. It has the same colours as the coat of arms which dates back to 1364. The exact age of the Swedish Flag is not known, but the oldest recorded pictures of a blue cloth with a yellow cross date from the 16th century. The design of the Swedish flag is the same as that of the Danish flag . First records of its use date back to the reign of King Gustav II Adolf . and travelled to Norway ( pin 26 ), pin 29 The next EU member state visited by Caroline and Marlene was the United Kingdom. The UK flag is blue with the vertical red cross of Saint George , the patron saint of England, edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick , the patron saint of Ireland, which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew , the patron saint of Scotland, on a blue background. The St. Patrick's cross was added in 1801. The flag is known as the Union Flag or Union Jack. The term "Union" was first used in 1625. There are various theories as to how it became known as the "Union Jack". It is highly probable, that there is a connection with the use of the term "jack" (as a diminutive), since around 1600, for the description of a small flag flown from the small mast mounted on the bowsprit of a ship: since 1627 a small version of the Union Flag was commonly flown in this position. Since 1674, "His Majesty's Jack" has commonly been called the "Union Jack". In the United Kingdom Caroline and Marlene again went on board a in order to fly to the last Scandinavian country they had not yet visited, Denmark ( pin 30 ). pin 27 The next journey of our two Spring Students was their farthest ever within Europe. They went to Iceland , which cannot be counted among the poor states of the non-members. The national flag of Iceland is blue with a red cross outlined in white, extending to the edges of the flag. The vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side. This flag has been in use since 1915. The traditional colours of Iceland are blue and white; red was added in order to showing the country's historical connection to Norway. The cross in the flag symbolises the Scandinavian connection. From the 16th century until 1944 Iceland was represented in the Danish national arms; until 1903 by a crowned stockfish, a dried codfish without head, and 1903-1944 by a falcon. Caroline and Marlene left Iceland by the same means of transport, by . They flew to the Repubic of Ireland ( pin 28 ) and thus returned to EU territory. pin 10 The next goal of our two travellers was again a country in south-eastern Europe. The two Spring Students travelled to Macedonia , a rather small state which had been part of Yugoslavia in former times. The Macedonian flag shows a rising yellow sun with eight rays extending to the edges over a red background. This flag was adopted in 1995. On leaving Macedonia, the two Spring Students had to cover a short distance - to Greece ( pin 11 ). Therefore they went by back to candiates The students continued their trip by to tiny Montenegro, which had formed a political union with Serbia until June 2006. Today's flag of Montenegro was adopted in July 2004. It is single-coloured red with a golden border and shows a golden twin-eagle in the middle. That flag has its roots in the flag Montenegro used before 1860. pin 8 The next trip of our two Spring Students was again a rather short one. They travelled to the former Yugoslavia, a neighbouring country of Macedonia, which has been reduced to Serbia since February 2008, after Montenegro had declared its independence ind Une 2006 and the Kosovo in February 2008. The flag of Serbia has got three equal horizontal bands of blue, white, and red (from top to bottom). These three colours are the pan-Slavic colours (adopted as such be the Pan-Slavic Congress of 1848) which can be found in many flags of Slavic countries. pin 13 Now Caroline and Marlene visited Turkey, the only candidate country which is located only to a rather small proportion on the European continent. Most of it is located in Minor Asia. Nevertheless, most Austrians are more familiar at least with Istanbul and the cities along the Turkish west and south coast, than with Bulgaria and Romania, as Turkey is a popular holiday destination for many central Europeans. The Turkish flag is red with a vertical white crescent in the left (hoist) half. In the centre, just outside the crescent opening, there is a white, five-pointed star. Red has been prominent in Turkish flags for over 700 years. The star and crescent are Muslim symbols, but also have a long pre-Islamic past in Asia Minor. The basic form of the Turkish national flag was apparently established in 1793 under Sultan Selim III . It was also then that the white crescent was inlcuded. The star was added in 1844. Many traditions explain the star and crescent symbol. It is known that Diana was the patron goddess of Byzantium and that her symbol was a moon. In 330, the Emperor Constantine the Great re-dedicated the city - which he called Constantinople - to the Virgin Mary, whose star symbol was superimposed over the crescent. In 1453 Constantinople was captured by the Ottoman Turks and re-named Istanbul , but its new rulers may have adopted the existing emblem for their own use. The Republic of Turkey which came into being after World War I, continued using the flag of the Ottoman Empire . The flag even has got a nickname: the Turkish people call it ay yildiz (moon star). From the Eastern border of Turkey the two ladies took a and travelled to the easternmost countries of Europe, which are all three non-member states (see below ) of the EU. The first country they visited was Armenia ( pin 48 ). The Armenian flag had already been used after WWI, between 1918 and 1921. When Armenia had become independent from the Soviet Union, it re-adopted the flag in 1990. There are many interpretations of the meanings of the colours. Moste of them agree that the red stands for the blood shed by Armenian soldiers from all wars, the blue stands for the sky of Armenia, and the orange represents the fertile lands of the country and the workers who work on them. The official interpretation in the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia is slightly different. It runs as follows: The red stands for the Armenian highland, the Armenian people's continued struggle for survival, the maintenance of the Christian faith, Armenia's independence and freedom. The blue symbolizes the will of the people of Armenia to live beneath peaceful skies. The orange represents the creative talent and hard-working nature of the people of Armenia. From Armenia, the two young ladies continued their trip eastwards by to Azerbaijan. The flag of Azerbaijan was officially adopted in 1991, when Azerbaijan had gained independence from the former Soviet Union. The flag, dating back to 1920, features three equal horizontal bands of blue, red, and green. A crescent and eight-pointed star, the symbols of Islam, are centered in the red band. The country had a long alliance with Turkey, and the blue color has long been associated with the Turkic peoples . Green is said to symbolize the strong European influences on the local culture. The last of the three remoted countries ( pin 49 ), which were visited by the two girls, was Georgia, where they also travelled by . The Georgian flag is the youngest of these three flags. It was adopted in 2004. The flag is white with five red crosses: a big one over the whole flag, and four small ones in each of the four white rectangles (the Jerusalem Cross ). It was previously the flag of the medieval Georgian kingdom and had been used as the official symbol of the United National Movement political party, whose leader Mikhail Saakashvili, was elected President of Georgia in January 2004. After this detour, the two girls returned to Turkey, travelled westwards, crossed the Bosporus and took a again to neighbouring Bulgaria ( pin 14 ). pin 37 The two Spring Students were more familiar with Liechtenstein , as this is first a neigbouring country of Austria, and the Count of Liechtenstein has a magnificient palace in Vienna housing a wonderful museum . The national flag of Liechtenstein is made of two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red (bottom). The hoist side of the blue band bears a golden crown. The Principality of Liechtenstein came into being in 1719. The first prince was Anton-Florian of Liechtenstein . After the dissolution of the so-called Holy Roman Empire in 1806, the principality became sovereign, joined the Confederation of the Rhine (1807-1814) and later the Germanic Confederation (1815-1866). A customs union treaty was signed with Austria in 1852 and denounced in 1918 following the breakdown of the Austro-Hungarian Empire . In 1866, the Peace of Prague between Austria and Prussia confirmed the independence of Liechtenstein, which definitively disbanded its army. The Constitution of 1921 replaced the absolute monarchy by a constitutional one. Diplomatic, customs, economic and postal union treaties were signed with Switzerland between 1919 and 1923. The present flag was adopted in 1937. The blue colour is representing a radiant sky, the red colour stands for the embers in the fireplace during evening gatherings. The gold of the crown shows that the people, the country and the princely House of Liechtenstein are united in heart and spirit. Liechtenstein joined the Council of Europe in 1978, United Nations Organization in 1990, European Free Trade Association in September 1991, and European Economic Area in December 1992. pin 42 Now the two Spring Students travelled to a place which is famous for its royal family, for the casino and for the Formula 1 Grand Prix which takes place there every year. Monaco would also have been an attractive destination for their class if they could have made up their minds to go on a language trip to France, but they did not. is made of two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white (bottom). The Prinicpality of Monaco is the second smallest sovereign state in the world (the smallest being the Vatican), with an area of 151 hectares. It is also the most crowded one. The early history of Monaco is linked to the Genoese civil wars between the Guelphs (supporting the Pope) and the Ghibellines (supporting the German Emperor). In 1297, the Guelph Rainier Grimaldi captured Monaco's rock from the Ghibellines and founded a dynasty , even if he was not able to keep Monaco for a long time. In 1342, Charles Grimaldi, from the same family, proclaimed himself Lord of Monaco, and bought the seigniories of Roquebrune and Menton in 1346. In the 16th century, Monaco became the first historical example of a protectorate. During the Spanish protectorate (1525-1641), the Lords of Monaco upgraded their title to Princes. In 1641, by the treaty of Pï¿½ronne, Monaco was transfered under French protectorate. In 1793, the Principality was annexed by the French Republic. In 1814, after the fall of Napoleon I., the Grimaldi family was restored and the Principality was put under Sardinian protectorate by the second Treaty of Paris. The economic and political situation was very bad and led to the proclamation of the free cities of Roquebrune and Menton in 1848, which were incorporated to France in 1860 together with the County of Nice. Count Cavour took the opportunity of these events to drop the Sardinian protectorate over Monaco. The real birth of Monaco started in 1863 with the creation of gambling, which was forbidden in the neighbouring countries. The abolition of most taxes in 1869 and the achievement of the railway line between Nice and Monaco in 1868 were also important events. All of them had been promoted by Prince Charles III., who is also to be credited of the adoption of the current national flag. The small city of Spï¿½luges became Monte-Carlo in 1866, and the casino was enlarged by an opera house in 1879, designed by Garnier on the model of the Paris opera. From 1949 onwards, the current Prince Rainier III. favoured business with the help of very advantageous fiscal laws. The Prince holds the executive and judicial powers, and a part of the legislative power. Monaco, although sovereign and independent, has signed a number of conventions with France. French is the national language and the Euro was introduced on January 1, 2002. Monaco is still a fiscal paradise: the Monegasque citizens and the non-French foreign inhabitants of Monaco do not pay any income tax. To have the same status, French citizens need to have settled in Monaco for at least five years before October 13, 1962. Companies realizing more than 75% of their benefit in Monaco also do not pay any corporation tax. Local taxes are also inexistant. Therefore Monaco has attracted several members of the jet-set, show-biz, professional sport etc. For their trip to Andorra ( pin 43 ), the last of the mini-states, Caroline and Marlene again boarded a . pin 39 Caroline and Marlene travelled eastwards to visit the tiny Republic of San Marino , which is embedded in the state of Italy. The San Marino flag is made of two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue (bottom) with a coat of arms in the centre. The coat of arms dates back at least to the 14th century. Although San Marino has always been a republic, it has a crown on top of it as a sign of sovereignty. The three white towers, crowned by an ostrich feather, remind us of the three towers of the citadel of San Marino named Guaita, Cesta and Montale on three mountain tops of the Titano Mountains. The official name of this mini state is "Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino". "Serenissima" is the Italian word for "the most serene" ; this adjective has been historically used for the Republic of Venice. Now Caroline and Marlene headed for the next mini-state, Vatican City ( pin 40 ), which is also embedded in Italy. Thus they found out, that Italy is the only EU country, which is hosting to two mini-states. pin 40 The next of the mini states visited by our two Spring Students is certainly the most famous one as well: first of all, because it is the sovereignty of the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, and secondly, because it is one of the main attractions for people travelling to Rome. The flag of Vatican City is made of two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter in the center of the white band. The keys are used in a reversed position for the flag of the Holy See . The two keys are referring to St. Matthew's Gospel (Ch.16, V.19): "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven." The flag dates back to the reign of Pope Pius VII ., who chose gold and silver (accepted in 1825). The flag was used until 1870, when the state was integrated into Italy. When the City of Vatican was formed as separate state, it took the same flag in 1929. While the Holy See has been home to the Pope since early Christianity, the State of the Vatican City was set up to administer properties belonging to the Holy See in Rome. It is recognized under international law and enters into international agreements. Unlike the Holy See, it does not receive or send diplomatic representatives. The Vatican has only 1500 citizens and comprises an area of 44ha, but there is nobody with only Vatican citizenship. For example, the Pope is citizen of both the Vatican and his home country. Furthermore, the Vatican issues only diplomatic passports, so this is a country, where all the citizens are diplomats. From Vatican City, the two Spring Students had to take a to the southernmost EU country, the island of Malta ( pin 41 ), which is also the smallest of the new members. pin 9 Caroline and Marlene arrived in Albania , one of the poorest countries of Europe. The Albanian flag is red, with a black two-headed eagle in its centre. It was adopted in 1993. The eagle in the centre goes back to George Castriota , an Albanian Christian who became a Turkish general in the 15th century under the name of Iskander Bey, or Skanderbeg . He later returned to the Christian faith and led the fight of the Albanians against the Turks in the 1440s. He used the Byzantine two-headed eagle on his seals. During the communist era, a star was placed above the eagle. The flag also has got a nickname. Albanians call it flamur e Skenderbeut (Skanderbeg's flag). brought Caroline and Marlene to Macedonia ( pin 10 ), the last of the succession states of former Yugoslavia. If you want to learn more about the flags of Armenia and Azerbaijan, continue with pin 48 . pin 18 Caroline and Marlene travelled further to the northeast. They went to Belarus , a country most Autrians know very little about. But thanks to our cooperation with Vladimir Kalinin from Smorgon and his students we could improve our knowledge a little bit last year. The flag of Belarus is made of a red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band half the width of the red band (bottom). A white vertical stripe of white on the hoist side bears the Belarussian national ornament in red. Red symbolizes the glorious past of Belarus. It was the colour of the victorious standards of the Belarussian regiments that defeated crusaders at Grunewald, and it was also the colour of the battle flags of the Red Army divisions and Belarussian guerrilla detachments that liberated the country from fascist invaders and their henchmen. Green symbolizes the future. It is the colour of hope, spring and revival, the colour of forests and fields. The Belarussian decorative pattern symbolizes the rich cultural heritage of Belarus, its spiritual continuity, and the unity of its people. The ornament on the left (hoist) side is said to be derived from a typical local hand-woven border used in national costumes, shirts, belts, waist-bands, or table-cloths etc. ), the biggest of the new members. pin 7 The next country visited by our Spring Students has long had connections with Austria, as it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire . In the 1990s, many refugees came to Austria from Bosnia-Herzegovina , fleeing from the war there. Many of them have stayed and have already become Austrian citizens. The flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina shows a wide medium blue vertical band on the hoist side with a yellow triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag. The blue triangle is bordered with seven full white five-pointed stars and two half stars running from top left to bottom right. The right (fly) side of the flag is a blue vertical band again. The flag was adopted in 1998 by the UN High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The three points of the triangles are supposed to represent the three nations living in the country: Catholic Croats, Orthodox Serbs and Muslim Bosnians. The blue colour is said to represent Europe and the Council of Europe, of which Bosnia-Herzegovina is a part. The incomplete first and last stars represent the infinity of the star pattern. , was to Serbia, the succession state of former Yugoslavia ( pin 8 ). pin 16 Another country the two young ladies had never been to before, is Moldova . The flag of Moldova, which has been in use since 1848, is made up of three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red, with an emblem in the center of the flag: a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak, a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons. On its breast the eagle has got a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized bison head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow. The colours are very similar to those of the Romanian flag . The bison is a symbol of Moldova and from old chronicles you can learn, that is symbolizes power, independence and pride. The flag has been newly adopted in 1990. The three colours are representing three parts of the country: red stands for Moldavia, blue for Oltenia (East Wallachia), and yellow for Muntenia (West Wallachia). The state of Moldova, historically better known as Bessarabia , has changed hands many times. After being Turkish for many years it became Russian in 1810. In 1917 it proclaimed independence, before joining Romania in 1918. In 1940, under the terms of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (1939) , it became part of the Soviet Union. The territory was joined to the pre-existing Moldavian ASSR, a Soviet fiction carved out of Ukraine which in fact had very few Moldavians living there (this is the origin of the dispute between the modern Republic of Moldova and the self-styled Dniestr Republic, the largely Slavic-populated eastern region) and became the Moldavian SSR on 2 August 1940. From 1941 until 1944 Romania, allied to the Axis powers, once again ruled Bessarabia. The Moldavian language is more or less a Romanian dialect, but it is written in Cyrillic letters. The differences as such are similar to those between Austrian and German or between British English and American English. From here our two Spring Students got on the next in order to travel to the Ukraine ( pin 17 ). Caroline and Marlene continued their trip to Norway , the first of the rich non-member states they were visiting. The Norwegian flag is red with a blue cross outlined in white, extending to the edges of the flag. The vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog ( Danish flag ). The blue colour is taken from the Swedish coat of arms. This flag was adopted in 1821, while the Norwegian coat of arms dates byck to about 1280. From Norway the two Spring Students took a to the northernmost destination of their trip, to Iceland ( pin 27 ). pin 23 The two Spring Students had to turn eastwards now, to Russia . Huge parts of this country are not located on the European continent, but we should not forget, that the majority of the Russian population is living in Europe, as wide parts of Siberia are only thinly populated. Many former provinces of the USSR are nowadays independent states, but Russia is still the world's largest state concerning the area which it is covering. The Russian flag consists of three equal horizontal bands of white, blue, and red (from top to bottom). This flag of the Russian Federation has been officially adopted in 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed. It seems reasonable, that the colours were taken from the coat of arms of Moscow , which is red with Saint George , wearing white armour and a blue cape, riding a white horse, holding a blue shield, defeating the dragon. The colours are said to have a symbolic meaning: white stands for nobility, generosity and sincerity; blue for loyalty, honesty, commitment and purity; red for courage, valour and love. There might also be a connection between the colours and the peoples of Russia: red is associated with the Russian people, blue with the Ukrainians and white with the Belarussians. Of course, the flag is not really a new one. It was just out of use in Soviet times (from 1917 to 1991). Legend has it, that Tsar Peter the Great (as heir to the throne) travelled to the Netherlands incognito in 1697 and liked the Dutch flag so much, that the Russian tricolour was shaped after the Dutch model under his reign in 1705. It is for sure, that the colours white, blue and read have been used for flags in Russia sind 1667. Thus it is quite understandable, that the Dutch flag might have had some influence on the final shape of the Russian flag. Leaving Russia, the two Spring Students got on the next in order to travel to Scandinavia. Their first destination was Finland ( pin 24 ). pin 36 Now our Spring Students again travelled to a neighbouring country of Austria, Switzerland . Together with Norway and Iceland, this country is another big exception in the group of the non-members. It is by no means a poor country, but it stays out of numerous pacts and communities due to its tradition of staying neutral. This is, by the way, also the country, where the Austrian Habsburg monarchs originally came from. The Swiss flag is a red square with an equilateral white cross in the center which does not extend to the edges of the flag. This flag derives from a similar banner of the Holy Roman Empire , and thus has strong Christian connotations. In today's form it was adopted in 1889. It stands for freedom, honour and fidelity. Due to the Swiss policy of independence and democracy, which dates back as long as 1291, the flag has also come to symbolize neutrality, democracy, peace and refuge. It is evident from its history that the Swiss national flag evolved from war flags, which is why it is square. That distinction among the world's nations is shared only with the Vatican , which is ironically the only state for which Switzerland still permits mercenary service. The Swiss confederation grew from three members in 1291 to thirteen in 1513. By the Peace of Basel in 1499 ending the Swabian War, the Swiss threw off the last vestiges of imperial obligations, and their full independence was recognised in 1648 by the Treaty of Westphalia ending the Thirty Years' War (a war in which the Swiss actually had no part). Legend has it, that the white cross on a red field might date back as far as the 4th century, to the vexillum of the Theban Legion of the ancient Roman Empire. Towards the end of the 3rd century AD Mauritius and his Christian legionnaires were executed in Valais for refusing to sacrifice to the Emperor and suppress the local Christians. Long after his death, St. Maurice was granted arms of a white cross bottony on a red field (symbolising the shed blood of the legion's martyrs), and the arms of his namesake city (whose monastery was founded in 515) consist of the same cross on a field per pale azure and gules. The arms of Sts. Victor and Ursus , patron saints of Geneva and Solothurn and officers of the Theban Legion, also feature the white cross bottony. Mind that St. Maurice's flag is very similar to St. George's ! The next destination of Caroline and Marlene was the first mini state on their list, Liechtenstein ( pin 37 ), another neighbouring state of Austria. pin 17 The next country Caroline and Marlene visited was the Ukraine , a country which had been part of the Soviet Union until 1991. The Ukrainian flag is made of two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow (bottom), representing grainfields under a blue sky. Blue and yellow, the colours of the sky, mountains, streams, and golden fields have symbolized the area long before the introduction of Christianity. The flag was first used in 1848. Today's flag was adopted in 1992. Legend has it, that the Ukrainian flag has its roots in the colours of the Swedish flag. When King Carl XII of Sweden (he reigned from 1697 to 1718) went to war against Tsar Peter the Great of Russia, he made allies with the Ukranians, who wanted sovereignity from Russia. In order to gain support from Sweden, the Ukrainians are dasid to have taken up the colours of Sweden. With the acceptance of Christianity, blue and gold were incorporated into church symbolism. After the Mongol-Tatar invasion in the 1200s the use of blue/gold was interrupted, to be revived again in church ornaments and city crests some time later. Now Caroline and Marlene boarded another in order to travel northwards to Belarus ( pin 18 ).	Scandinavia
Which palace is the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury?	United States of America travel guide - Wikitravel dial 911 Map of the mainland US, insular areas and Minor Outlying Islands. The United States of America is a large country in North America , often referred to as the "USA", the "US", the "United States", "America", or simply "the States". Home to the world's third-largest population, with over 318 million people, it includes both densely populated cities with sprawling suburbs and vast, uninhabited natural areas. With its history of mass immigration dating from the 17th century, it is a "melting pot" of cultures from around the world and plays a dominant role in the world's cultural landscape. It's famous for its wide array of popular tourist destinations, ranging from the skyscrapers of Manhattan and Chicago , to the natural wonders of Yellowstone and Alaska , to the warm, sunny beaches of Florida , Hawaii and Southern California . "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." — Mark Twain The United States is not the America of television and the movies. It is large, complex, and diverse, with several distinct regional identities. Due to the vast distances involved, travelling between regions often means crossing through many different landscapes, climates, and even time zones. Such travel can often be time-consuming and expensive, but often very rewarding. Geography[ edit ] The contiguous United States (called conus by US military personnel) or the "Lower 48" (the 48 states other than Alaska and Hawaii) is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, with much of the population living on the two coasts. Its land borders are shared with Canada to the north, and Mexico to the south. The US also shares maritime borders with Russia , Cuba , and the Bahamas . If counting the Insular Areas and Minor Outlying Islands, the United Kingdom , Samoa , and Haiti would also share maritime borders. The country has three major mountain ranges. The Appalachians extend from Canada to the state of Alabama , a few hundred miles west of the Atlantic Ocean. They are the oldest of the three mountain ranges, are covered with a diversity of Subtropical and Temperate flora and fauna, a thick canopy of dense vegetation, and offer spectacular sightseeing and excellent camping spots. The loess lands of the southern Mid-West and the Limestone cliffs and mountains of the south add beauty to the region, with lush vegetation coating the surfaces of cliff faces that border rivers, and mist shrouding beautiful green mountains and gorges. The Rockies are, on average, the highest in North America, extending from Alaska to New Mexico , with many areas protected as national parks. They offer hiking, camping, skiing, and sightseeing opportunities, as well as desert and subtropical getaways in the southern lowlands of the region. The combined Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges are the youngest. The Sierras extend across the "backbone" of California , with sites such as Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park ; the Sierras transition at their northern end into the even younger volcanic Cascade range, with some of the highest points in the country. The Great Lakes define much of the border between the eastern United States and Canada. More inland seas than lakes, they were formed by the pressure of glaciers retreating north at the end of the last Ice Age. The five lakes span hundreds of miles, bordering the states of Minnesota , Wisconsin , Illinois , Indiana , Michigan , Ohio , Pennsylvania and New York , and their shores vary from pristine wilderness areas to industrial "rust belt" cities. They are the second-largest bodies of freshwater in the world, after the polar ice caps. The western portions of the USA are rugged and very arid landscapes, complete with wind-shaped desert sand dunes like White Sands New Mexico. Death Valley (282 feet below sea level) is the lowest spot on the USA mainland and one of the hottest areas on Earth. Natural areas include vast areas of desert untouched by humans. Camping and hiking through the majestic landscapes of the Southwest is a big vacation draw for many Americans. Florida is very low-lying, with long white sand beaches lining both sides of the state. The tropical climate allows many exotic (both native and non-native) plants and animals to flourish. The Florida Everglades are a pristine "river of grass," made up of Tropical jungles and savanna that are home to 20-foot alligators and crocodiles, among many other creatures. The USA has every biome on earth, in the continental USA alone. From Tropical jungles and subtropical and temperate savannas, to searing deserts and Mediterranean coast lines, from frozen mountain peaks and coniferous forest, to a steamy Subtropical river system, the USA has something for everyone. Climate[ edit ] The climate of the continental United States varies considerably from coast to coast due to differences in latitude, and geographic features including mountains. Much of the Eastern United States has a humid continental or subtropical climate, with four distinct seasons. The Southeast has mild winters and hot humid summers. The Northeast and Midwest have much colder winters with frequent snowfalls and periods with snow on the ground. During hurricane season, which is from June to November, tropical storms and hurricanes have been known to make landfall in coastal regions of the eastern US, resulting in widespread damaging winds and flooding, and causing numerous travel delays. Farther west, the Great Plains are dry, flat and grassy, and are subtropical/semi arid in Kansas and regions south, and dry continental north of Kansas. The Great Plains are notoriously well known for their tornado season, which lasts from March to June. These severe weather outbreaks can also cause very large hail, damaging winds, and flooding. Severe weather in the Great Plains is often forecast days in advance by meteorologists and reported by local news stations via TV and social media. The Western United States is mostly mountainous hilly terrain, and has a mostly arid climate with mild to warm winters and hot summers. Parts of Arizona and New Mexico have a monsoon season which lasts from June to September. Frequent training thunderstorms often occur in this area during the summer, which can result in flooding. Dust storms can also occur, caused by downdrafts of a decaying thunderstorm. Coastal California and Oregon , from San Diego to Portland, is considered Mediterranean, and consists of warm winters and warm to hot summers. A cooler variation of the Mediterranean, also known as a maritime climate, can be found in the Pacific Northwest including coastal Washington. Hawaii, most of Florida, and far southern Texas have a tropical climate. Other areas in the south have a substantial amount of tropical microclimates. Central and northern Alaska features a subarctic climate with short mild summers and long very cold winters. The least variation of climate in the continental United States occurs during the summer, when much of the nation is toasting in 70 to 90 degree (21-32°C) weather. Valleys in the Western United States often see the highest temperatures in the nation, along with many days and sometimes weeks of very dry weather. San Francisco and coastal Washington have the coolest summers in the Western United States excluding alpine regions of eastern California and Colorado. The greatest difference in climate from region to region occurs during the winter season, which is December to March, when temperatures can range from below 0 degrees (-18°C) in the Northern Great Plains, to a much milder 70 or even 80 degrees (21°C) in Florida. Long stretches of below freezing temperatures are common during the winter season across the Northern Midwest and Northern Northeast, getting milder as you travel south. and travelers should prepare to dress accordingly. The Alamo, San Antonio , Texas What is now the United States was initially populated by indigenous peoples who migrated from northeast Asia. Today, their descendants are known as Native Americans, or American Indians. Although Native Americans are often portrayed as having lived a mundane and primitive lifestyle which consisted of day to day survival, the truth is that prior to European contact, the continent was densely populated by many sophisticated societies. For example, the Cherokee are descended from the Mississippian culture which built huge mounds and large towns that covered the landscape, while the Anasazi built elaborate cliff-side towns in the Southwest. As was the case in other nations in the Americas, the primitive existence attributed to Native Americans was generally the result of mass die-offs triggered by Old World diseases such as smallpox which spread like wildfire in the 15th and 16th centuries. By the time most Native American tribes directly encountered Europeans, they were a post-apocalyptic people. During the late 16th and 17th centuries, multiple European nations began colonizing the North American continent. Spain , France , Great Britain , the Netherlands , Sweden , and Russia established colonies in various parts of present day continental United States. Of those early settlements, it was the original British colonies in Virginia and Massachusetts that formed the cultural, political, legal and economic core of what is now the United States. Massachusetts was first settled by religious immigrants, known as Puritans, who later spread and founded most of the other New England colonies, creating a highly religious and idealistic region. Its neighbor to the southwest, Rhode Island, was founded by refugees from the religious fanatics of Massachusetts. Other religious groups also founded colonies, including the Quakers in Pennsylvania and Roman Catholics in Maryland . Virginia, on the other hand, became the most dominant of the southern colonies. Because of a longer growing season, these colonies had richer agricultural prospects, specifically cotton and tobacco. As in Central and South America, African slaves were imported and forced to cultivate in large plantations. Slavery became an important part of the economy in the South, a fact that would cause tremendous upheaval in the years to come. By the early 18th century, the United Kingdom had established a number of colonies along the Atlantic coast from Georgia north into what is now Canada. On July 4th, 1776, colonists from the Thirteen Colonies, frustrated with excessive taxation and micromanagement by London and encouraged by the ideals of Enlightenment philosophy, declared independence from the UK and established a new sovereign nation, the United States of America. The resulting American Revolutionary War culminated in the surrender of 7,000 British troops at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781. This forced the British government to initiate peace negotiations that led to the Treaty of Paris of 1783, by which the victorious Americans assumed control of all British land south of the Great Lakes between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mississippi River. British loyalists, known as Tories, fled north of the Great Lakes into Canada, which remained stubbornly loyal to the British crown and would not become fully independent until 1982. Although the Thirteen Colonies had united during the war in support of the common objective of getting rid of British tyranny, most colonists' loyalties at the end of the war lay with their respective colonial governments. In turn, the young country's first attempt at establishing a national government under the Articles of Confederation was a disastrous failure. The Articles tried too hard to protect the colonies from each other by making the national government so weak it could not do anything. In 1787, a convention of major political leaders (the Founding Fathers of the United States) drafted a new national Constitution in Philadelphia. After ratification by a supermajority of the states, the new Constitution went into effect in 1791 and enabled the establishment of the strong federal government that has governed the United States ever since. George Washington, the commanding general of American forces during the Revolutionary War, was elected as the first President of the United States under the new Constitution. By the turn of the 19th century, a national capital had been established in Washington, D.C. . As American and European settlers pushed farther west, past the Appalachians, the federal government began organizing new territories and then admitting them as new states. This was enabled by the displacement and decimation of the Native American populations through warfare and disease. In what became known as the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee tribe was forcibly relocated from the Southeastern United States to present-day Oklahoma, which was known as "Indian Territory" until the early 20th century. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 brought French-owned territory extending from the Mississippi River to parts of the present-day Western United States under American control, effectively doubling the country's land area. The United States fought the War of 1812 with Britain as a reaction to British impressment of American sailors, as well as to attempt to capture parts of Canada. Though dramatic battles were fought, including one that ended with the British Army burning the White House, Capitol, and other public buildings in Washington, D.C., the war ended in a virtual stalemate. Territorial boundaries between the two nations remained nearly the same. Nevertheless, the war had disastrous consequences for the western Native American tribes that had allied with the British, with the United States acquiring more and more of their territory for white settlers. Florida was purchased in 1813 from Spain after the American military had effectively subjugated the region. The next major territorial acquisition came after American settlers in Texas rebelled against the Mexican government, setting up a short-lived independent republic that was absorbed into the union. The Mexican-American War of 1848 resulted in acquisition of the northern territories of Mexico, including the future states of California, Nevada , Utah , Arizona and New Mexico. After 1850, the borders of the continental United States reached the rough outlines it still has today. Many Native Americans were relegated to reservations by treaty, military force, and by the inadvertent spread of European diseases transmitted by large numbers of settlers moving west along the Oregon Trail and other routes. Tensions between the US and the British government administering Canada continued to persist because the border west of the Great Lakes was ill-defined. The Oregon Treaty of 1846 failed to adequately address the complex geography of the region; the boundary dispute remained unsettled until 1871. Meanwhile, by the late 1850s, many Americans were calling for the abolition of slavery. The rapidly industrializing North, where slavery had been outlawed several decades before, favored national abolition. Southern states, on the other hand, believed that individual states had the right to decide whether or not slavery should be legal. In 1861, the Southern states, fearing domination by the North and the Republican President Nominee Abraham Lincoln, seceded from the Union and formed the breakaway Confederate States of America. These events sparked the American Civil War. To date, it is the bloodiest conflict on American soil, with over 200,000 killed in combat and a overall death toll exceeding 600,000. In 1865, Union forces prevailed, thereby cementing the federal government's authority over the states. The federal government then launched a complex process of rehabilitation and re-assimilation of the Confederacy, a period known as Reconstruction. Slavery was abolished by constitutional amendment, but the former slaves and their descendants were to remain an economic and social underclass, particularly in the South. The United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, and the previously independent Hawaii was annexed in 1898 after a brief revolution fomented by American settlers. After decisively defeating Spain in the Spanish-American War, the United States gained its first "colonial" territories: Cuba (granted independence a few years later), the Philippines (granted independence shortly after World War II), Puerto Rico and Guam (which remain American dependencies today). During this "imperialist" phase of US history, the US also assisted Panama in obtaining independence from Colombia, as the need for a Panama Canal had become palpably clear to the US during the Spanish-American War. In 1903, the new country of Panama promptly granted the United States control over a swath of territory known as the Canal Zone. The US constructed the Panama Canal in 1914 and retained control over the Canal Zone until 1979. In the eastern cities of the United States, Southern and Eastern Europeans, and Russian Jews joined Irish refugees to become a cheap labor force for the country's growing industrialization. Many African-Americans fled rural poverty in the South for industrial jobs in the North, in what is now known as the Great Migration. Other immigrants, including many Scandinavians and Germans, moved to the now-opened territories in the West and Midwest, where land was available for free to anyone who would develop it. A network of railroads was laid across the country, accelerating development. With its entrance into World War I in 1917, the United States established itself as a world power by helping to defeat Germany and the Central Powers. However after the war, despite strong support from President Woodrow Wilson, the United States refused to join the newly-formed League of Nations, which substantially hindered that body's effectiveness in preventing future conflicts. Real wealth grew rapidly in the postwar period. During the Roaring Twenties, stock speculation created an immense "bubble" which, when it burst in October 1929, contributed to a period of economic havoc in the 1930s known as the Great Depression. The Depression was brutal and devastating, with unemployment rising to 25%. On the other hand, it helped forge a culture of sacrifice and hard work that would serve the country well in its next conflict. President Herbert Hoover lost his re-election bid in 1932 as a result of his ineffective response to the Depression. The victor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ("FDR") pledged himself to a "New Deal" for the American people, which came in the form of a variety of aggressive economic recovery programs. While historians still debate the effectiveness of the various New Deal programs in terms of whether they fulfilled their stated objectives, it is generally undisputed that the New Deal greatly expanded the size and role of the US federal government. In December 1941, the Empire of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, a American military base in Hawaii, thus plunging the United States into World War II, which had already been raging in Europe for two years and in Asia since 1937. In alliance with the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, the United States helped to defeat the Axis powers of Italy , Germany , and Japan . By the end of World War II, with much of Europe and Asia in ruins, the United States had firmly established itself as the dominant economic power in the world; it was then responsible for nearly half of the world's industrial production. The newly developed atomic bomb, whose power was demonstrated in two bombings of Japan in 1945, made the United States the only force capable of challenging the Communist Soviet Union, giving rise to what is now known as the Cold War. After World War II, America experienced an economic resurgence and growing affluence on a scale not seen since the 1920s. Meanwhile, the racism traditionally espoused in various explicit and implicit forms by the European-American majority against the country's African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American, Native American and other minority populations had become impossible to ignore. While the US was attempting to spread democracy and the rule of law abroad to counter the Soviet Union's support of authoritarian Communist governments, it found itself having to confront its own abysmal failure to provide the benefits of democracy and the rule of law to all its citizens. Thus, in the 1960s a civil rights movement emerged which ultimately eliminated most of the institutional discrimination against African-Americans and other ethnic minorities, particularly in the Southern states. A revived women's movement in the 1970s also led to wide-ranging changes in gender roles and perceptions in US society, including to a limited extent views on homosexuality and bisexuality. The more organized present-era US 'gay rights' movement first emerged in the late 1960s and early 70s. During the same period, in the final quarter of the 20th century, the United States underwent a slow but inexorable transition from an economy based on a mixture of heavy industry and labor-intensive agriculture, to an economy primarily based on advanced technology (the "high-tech" industry), retail, professional services, and other service industries, as well as a highly mechanized, automated agricultural industry. In the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, millions of US manufacturing jobs fell victim to outsourcing. In a phenomenon since labeled "global labor arbitrage," revolutionary improvements in transportation, communications, and logistics technologies made it possible to relocate manufacturing of most goods to foreign factories which did not have to pay US minimum wages, observe US occupational safety standards, or allow the formation of unions. The outsourcing revolution was devastating to many cities, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast, whose economies were overly dependent upon manufacturing, and resulted in a group of hollowed-out, depressed cities now known as the Rust Belt. The United States also assumed and continues to maintain a position of global leadership in military and aerospace technology through the development of a powerful "military-industrial complex", although as of the turn of the 21st century, its leadership is increasingly being challenged by the European Union and China. US federal investments in military technology also paid off handsomely in the form of the most advanced information technology sector in the world, which is primarily centered on the area of Northern California known as Silicon Valley. US energy firms, especially those based in petroleum and natural gas, have also become global giants, as they expanded worldwide to feed the country's thirst for cheap energy. The 1950s saw the beginnings of a major shift of population from rural towns and urban cores to the suburbs. These population shifts, along with a changing economic climate, contributed heavily to Urban decay from the 1970s until the late 1990s. The postwar rise of a prosperous middle class able to afford cheap automobiles and cheap gasoline in turn led to the rise of the American car culture and the convenience of fast food restaurants. The Interstate Highway System, constructed primarily from the 1960s to the 1980s, became the most comprehensive freeway system in the world, at over 47,000 miles in length. It was surpassed by China only in 2011, although the US is believed to still have a larger freeway system when non-federal-aid highways are also included. In the late 20th century, the US was also a leader in the development and deployment of the modern passenger jetliner. This culminated in the development of the popular Boeing 737 and 747 jetliners; the 737 is still the world's most popular airliner today. Cheap air transportation together with cheap cars in turn devastated US passenger rail, although freight rail remained financially viable. In 1970, with the consent of the railroads, who were eager to focus their operations on carrying freight, Congress nationalized their passenger rail operations to form the government-owned corporation now known as Amtrak. During the 20th century, the US retail sector became the strongest in the world. US retailers were the first to pioneer many innovative concepts that later spread around the world, including self-service supermarkets, inventory bar codes to ease the tedium of accurately tallying purchases, "big box" chain stores, factory outlet stores, warehouse club stores, and modern shopping centers. American consumer culture, as well as Hollywood movies and many forms of popular music, books, and art, all combined to establish the United States as the cultural center of the world. American universities established themselves as the most prestigious academic institutions in the world, thanks to generous assistance from the federal government in the form of the GI Bill, followed by massive research and development investments by the military-industrial complex, and later, the Higher Education Act. Today, US universities are rivaled only by a handful of universities in the UK, mainland Europe, and Asia. Government and politics[ edit ] The United States is a federal republic comprising 50 states, the District of Columbia (Washington DC), 16 territories, and numerous Indian Reservations. The federal government derives its power from the Constitution of the United States, the oldest written constitution in the world in continuous use. Although federal law supersedes state law in the event of an express or implied conflict (known in legal jargon as "federal preemption"), each state is considered to be a separate sovereign, maintains its own constitution and government, and retains considerable autonomy within the federation. State citizens enjoy the power to vote for federal representatives, federal senators, and the federal President. The United States has two major political parties, the Republicans and Democrats, that dominate American politics at all levels. Due to the winner-take-all electoral system, smaller "third parties" as they are known to Americans are rarely competitive in any elections at any level, and the Democrats and Republicans have won every single presidential election since 1848. The Republican and Democratic dominant leads to a heavily criticized and frequently corrupt system of "pork-barrel politics" where necessary change is too-often subject to deadlock and bi-partisan point scoring. Americans value their rights to political expression strongly, and politics are fiercely debated in American society. In fact, there are many popular web sites and cable channels devoted primarily to political opinion programming. American politics are very complex and change quickly. For example, gay people were not allowed to marry in any US state as recently as 2003, whereas gay marriage is now legal in all 50 states. Many Americans hold and passionately defend strong opinions on a wide range of political issues, many Americans, especially older Americans, are loyal to one party, and political debates often become heated and lead to insults, vulgarities, and personal attacks being exchanged. For these reasons, unless you are intimately familiar with American politics or already know and agree with the political views of the person you are talking to, you are best off not talking about politics at all. American elections are frequent and lengthy, especially the presidential election. Presidential elections in the United States last nearly two years, so there is a 50% chance that you will be visiting the United States in the midst of one. The November election is preceded by a six-month period from January to June wherein all 50 states, 5 overseas territories, and D.C. each vote one-by-one twice; one time to select the Republican nominee, and the other to select the Democratic nominee. One of these two nominees will be elected President in November. The current president, Barack Obama, first elected in November of 2008 and sworn in on January 20th, 2009, first announced his candidacy in February 2007 - nearly two years before his four-year term began. Federal elections for Congressional positions take place every two years. Compared to Western European Democracies, there are an extraordinary number of elected positions in the United States. On a single election day, there might be simultaneous elections for dozens of positions. Typically, the average american would be voting for school board members, city councilmen, mayors, deputy mayors, governors, state representatives, state senators, congressmen, senators, the president, and a number of other positions, such as tax assessor or coroner. The President of the United States is elected indirectly every four years and serves as the head of government and head of state. Each state is allocated electoral votes, and whichever candidate gets the most votes in a state get all of that state's electoral votes. Though rare, this means that a candidate can win the "electoral vote" and thus the presidency while gaining fewer popular votes than his opponent. The year 2000 election is the only election since 1888 in which this happened. The Congress is bicameral; the lower House of Representatives has seats assigned to the states proportionally, while the upper house, the Senate, comprises exactly two seats per state. By way of contrast, the District of Columbia and the overseas territories have limited federal representation, as they can only elect "delegates" to the federal House of Representatives who cannot participate in votes by the Committee of the Whole on the House floor. (D.C. does, however, get three electoral votes with respect to the election of the federal President.) Because they lack state sovereignty, the governments of D.C. and the territories exist at the mercy of the federal government, which theoretically could dissolve them at any time. The laws and legal systems of the U.S. will be complicated at best to understand and follow. State and territorial laws can vary widely from one jurisdiction to another, meaning that the US actually consists of at least 54 separate legal systems with regard to any area of law not within the purview of federal law. State and territorial laws are quite uniform in some areas (e.g., contracts for sales of goods) and extremely divergent in others (e.g., "real estate," the American term for immovable property). If this was not confusing enough, sovereign Native American tribes are allowed to operate their own legal systems separate from both federal and state law. What's more, the U.S. federal government practices the use of Federal Enclaves. Which are pieces of land or properties owned by the Federal government under a agreement of the state or territory. A example are U.S. national forests. As Federal owned land and property, most state and territorial laws do not apply. Examples are state and territorial anti-discrimination, minimum wage, and criminal laws. While state and territorial laws such as juvenile delinquency, restraining order laws still apply. The federal government consists of the President of the United States and his administration acting as the executive branch, the United States Congress acting as the legislative branch, and the Supreme Court of the United States and lower federal courts acting as the judicial branch. State government structures are organized similarly, with governors, legislatures, and judiciaries. The South's famous Bourbon Street, New Orleans , Louisiana The United States is made up of many diverse ethnic groups and its culture varies greatly across the vast area of the country and even within cities - a city like New York will have dozens, if not hundreds, of different ethnicities represented within a neighborhood. Despite this difference, there exists a strong sense of national identity and certain predominant cultural traits. Generally, Americans tend to believe strongly in personal responsibility and that an individual determines his or her own success or failure, but it is important to note that there are many exceptions and that a nation as diverse as the United States has literally thousands of distinct cultural traditions. One will find South Carolina in the South to be very different culturally from Pennsylvania in the North. Holidays[ edit ] The United States has a number of holidays — official and/or cultural — of which the traveler should be aware of. Note that holidays observed on Mondays or Fridays are usually treated as weekend-long events. (A weekend consists of a Saturday and a Sunday.) Federal holidays — i.e., holidays observed by the federal government, state and local government and banks — are indicated in bold italics. If a federal holiday with a fixed calendar date (such as Independence Day) falls on a weekend, federal and most state and local government offices will be closed on the nearest non-weekend day. Since the early 1970s, several federal holidays, including Memorial Day and Labor Day, have been observed on a certain Monday rather than on a fixed date for the express purpose of giving federal employees three-day weekends. Foreign embassies & consulates in the U.S. also observe the same federal holidays (in bold italics) in addition to the official holidays of their respective countries. The private sector (besides banks) are usually open for business on most holidays with people working except New Years, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the Friday after Thanksgiving and Christmas when a vast number of non-retail businesses do close or open partial hours in observance. Due to the number of major holidays in close proximity to each other, many Americans refer to the period between Thanksgiving in late November and New Year's Day as simply "the holidays." School and work vacations are commonly taken during this periods: New Year's Day (1 January) — most non-retail businesses closed; parades; brunches and football parties. Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January) — many government offices and banks closed; speeches, especially on African-American history and culture. Chinese New Year (January/February — varies based on the Chinese lunar calendar) — Chinese cultural celebration. Airfare within the U.S. may be reasonable at this time of the year but if planning to fly from the U.S. to China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, Korea and anywhere in that part of the world the seats may be limited and fares higher so plan accordingly. Super Bowl Sunday (usually the first Sunday in February) — The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the NFL (National Football League) American football league and the most-watched sporting event of the year; supermarkets, bars, restaurants and electronics stores are very busy; big football-watching parties everywhere. Those with the extra money to burn DO travel to the host city where the Super Bowl is happening to attend the game live. This makes travel to that city even more hectic with a limited availability of airline seats, hotel rooms, rental cars and parking spaces at much higher than usual prices. The host city varies annually so plan accordingly if planning to be in the host city on Super Bowl Sunday. Valentine's Day (14 February) — private celebration of romance and love. Most restaurants are crowded; finer restaurants may require reservations made well in advance. Presidents Day (third Monday in February; officially Washington's Birthday) — many government offices and banks closed; many stores have sales. St. Patrick's Day (17 March) — Irish-themed parades and parties. Expect bars to be crowded. They will often feature themed drink specials. The wearing of green or a green accessory is common. Easter (a Sunday in March or April) — Christian religious observances. Depending on location, many restaurants, including franchised outlets of major national chains, may close. Major retailers generally open; smaller shops may or may not close. Passover (varies based on the Jewish calendar, eight days around Easter) — Jewish religious observance. Cinco de Mayo (5 May) — A minor holiday in most of Mexico often incorrectly assumed to be Mexican independence day which is really September the 16th, but nevertheless a major cultural celebration for Mexican-Americans. As with St. Patrick's Day, expect bars to be crowded, frequently with themed drink specials. Memorial Day (last Monday in May) — most non-retail businesses closed; some patriotic observances; trips to beaches and parks; beginning of the traditional beginning of summer tourism season which means jacked up summer prices for rooms and airfare to some places. Independence Day / Fourth of July (4 July) — most non-retail businesses closed; airports and highways crowded; patriotic parades and concerts, cookouts and trips to beaches and parks, fireworks at dusk. Labor Day (first Monday in September) — most non-retail businesses closed; cookouts and trips to beaches and parks; many stores have sales; last day of the traditional ending of summer tourism season which means a better time to plan for travel to or within the U.S. in many places. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (varies based on the Jewish calendar, September or early October) — Jewish religious observances. Columbus Day (second Monday in October) — many government offices and banks closed; some stores have sales. Columbus Day can be controversial, especially among Native Americans, and is not as widely observed as it was in the past. Halloween (31 October) — trick-or-treating, parades, and costume parties. Veterans Day (11 November) — government offices and banks closed; some patriotic observances. Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November, date varies annually) — almost all businesses closed, including grocery stores and many restaurants; family dinners. Airports and highways are very crowded. The next day, known as "Black Friday," major Christmas shopping traditionally begins. Many non-retail employees are given Friday off or take it as a holiday. If planning to fly within the U.S. during the week of the Thanksgiving holiday and the weekend after plan accordingly as the airfares are jacked up. Hanukkah / Chanukah (varies based on the Jewish calendar, eight days usually in December) — Jewish religious observance, often culturally associated with Christmas. Christmas Eve (24 December)the evening or day before Christmas Day. The mythical character Santa Claus comes during that night to deliver presents. Christmas (25 December) — almost all businesses, grocery stores, and many restaurants closed the evening before and all day. Airports and highways are crowded. Families and close friends exchange gifts; Christian religious observances. If planning to fly within the U.S. and internationally around the Christmas holiday and the week between Christmas and New Years Day plan accordingly as the airfares are jacked up. Kwanzaa (26 December-1 January) — African-American cultural observance. New Year's Eve (31 December) — many restaurants and bars open late; lots of parties, especially in big cities. From a foreign traveler's point of view, there are two major services affected by federal holidays: visas and mail. First, if you are a foreigner who needs to apply for a US visa, it is important to note the federal holidays marked in bold italics. All US embassies worldwide close on those days, in addition to the official holidays of the host country and are unable to process applications on those days. Second, United States Postal Service retail counters are closed on federal holidays, and in high-crime areas, the entire post office stays closed. Self-service kiosks at post offices in relatively safe areas with 24/7 lobby access remain operational through holidays. However, mail deposited at a post office or in a mailbox will not be processed until after the holiday is over. Other federal services like national parks and airport security operate 365 days a year regardless of federal holidays. Many state governments also observe official holidays of their own which are not observed in other states or by the federal government. Units of measure[ edit ] The United States is the only industrialized country that has still not adopted metric units of measure in daily life (it still uses the customary English units that were in use prior to the revolution, similar to the later British imperial system, but typically with smaller units as one of the major differences), except for scientific, engineering, medical, and military applications. All road signs and speed limits are posted in miles and miles per hour respectively. Automotive fuel is priced and sold per gallon. Other capacities of liquid products are normally quoted and sold per gallon, quart, or ounce (although liters are often indicated and sometimes exclusively used, as with some soda, wine, and other liquor products). Temperatures are reported in Fahrenheit only; 32 degrees (with units unspecified) is freezing (equivalent to 0 degrees Celsius). The good news is that most cars on the road in the US have both mph and km/h marked on their speedometers (good for trips to Canada and Mexico), and almost all groceries and household items sold in stores are labeled in both systems. The vast majority of Americans, though, have little day-to-day exposure to the metric system (apart from having studied it a little in school) and will assume some understanding of customary measures. In addition, the US government does not regulate apparel or shoe sizes. Although there are informal standard sizes, they are not strictly enforced. The only thing you can count on is that sizes tend to be consistent within the same brand. If you plan to shop for apparel or shoes, you will have to do some trial-and-error for each brand to determine what fits, because you cannot rely on any brand's sizes as equivalent to another's. Please note that, as the average body size of Americans tends to be larger than that of those living in other countries, a concept known as vanity sizing (the labeling of larger garments with smaller sizes) exists in many clothing retailers, especially those aimed at women. It is very possible for people with smaller body types to have some difficulty finding suitably sized clothing. For more information: Electrical systems Electricity in the United States is provided to consumers in the form of 120V, 60Hz alternating current, through wall outlets that take NEMA 1 or NEMA 5 plugs. (NEMA stands for National Electrical Manufacturers Association.) NEMA 1 plugs have two flat, blunt blades (don't worry, they're not sharp), one of which may or may not be polarized (slightly larger than the other), to ensure that the hot and neutral blades are inserted correctly for devices for which that matters. NEMA 5 plugs add a round grounding pin below the blades. All US buildings constructed or renovated after the early 1960s are required to have three-hole outlets that accept the two blades and one pin of NEMA 5 plugs, as well as both polarized and unpolarized NEMA 1 two-blade plugs. The US Virgin Islands uses a slightly lower voltage of 110V. American Samoa uses US plugs, the German Schuko plug, and the Australian standard plug. All of North America, nearly all of the Caribbean and Central America, Venezuela, and Taiwan follow US standards for electricity and plugs. If you are arriving from outside of those areas, you will need to verify whether your electrical devices are compatible with US electricity and plugs. Japan uses the same plugs as the US, but has a unique standard of 100V with frequency of either 50 or 60Hz depending on region. Most of the rest of the world uses 220-230V at 50Hz, for the simple reason that they began large-scale electrification at much later dates than the US and after wire insulation technology had significantly advanced. This meant they could select a higher voltage and lower frequency, which required less conductor material (meaning less use of expensive metals) but at the expense of more insulation and larger, more heavily insulated plugs. Colombia's voltage is 110V and Ecuador's 120-127V but the frequency is the same as the US. Most consumer electronics, computers, and shavers are already designed as "dual voltage" devices capable of accepting voltages from 110V up to 230V and between 50-60Hz. For those devices, a plug adapter is sufficient. Purchase your adapter at home before you depart. Most US stores carry adapters designed to adapt NEMA plugs to other countries' outlets, not the other way around. The differences in voltage and frequency are most frequently an issue for travellers with hair long enough to require the use of a hair dryer for proper hair care. Foreign visitors regularly find their hair dryers to be starved for power in the US; conversely, Americans' hair dryers are regularly burned out and destroyed by high voltages overseas. Apart from doing without or waiting an annoying long time to dry one's hair, the solutions are to either buy a high-wattage transformer capable of stepping up 120V to 220V buy a hair dryer with a switch that allows it to be switched between 110 and 220V buy a cheap US hair dryer for use during your trip; or book hotels that cater to international travellers and place hair dryers in the rooms for this reason. For more information[ edit ] The US federal government sets foreign policy, while the states deal with tourism. As such, the federal government provides the best information about legal requirements for entry, while information about places to visit and see is best provided by state and local tourism bureaus. Contact information is available in the individual state articles. At state borders, highway rest stops sometimes feature visitor centers and often offer travel and tourism information and materials, almost all of which is also available on-line or can be requested in advance by mail. Nearly every rest stop has a posted road map with a clearly indicated "You Are Here" marker. Some also offer free paper road maps to take with you. Note that government tourism bureaus and their Web sites tend to be rather indiscriminate in their recommendations, since for political reasons they cannot be seen as overly favorable towards any particular area within their jurisdiction. Regions[ edit ] The United States is composed of 50 states, various overseas territories, as well as the city of Washington, D.C. , a federal district and the nation's capital. Below is a rough grouping of these states into regions, from the Atlantic to the Pacific: Map of the USA Hawaii A volcanic archipelago in the tropical Pacific, 2,300 miles south west of California (the nearest state), laid-back Hawaii is a vacation paradise. With beautiful cliffs, jungles, waterfalls, and beaches, its definitely a place to unwind. The indigenous Polynesian population are known for being accommodating and fun-loving. Politically, the US is a federation of states, each with its own rights and powers (hence the name). The US also administers a motley collection of non-state territories around the world, the largest of which are Puerto Rico (which has the special status of a "commonwealth") and the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean plus American Samoa , Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands (also has special status of a "commonwealth") in Oceania , along with many others. Cities[ edit ] White House south façade, Washington, DC The United States has over 10,000 cities, towns, and villages. The following is a list of just ten of the most notable. Other cities can be found in their corresponding regions . Boston - best known for its colonial history, its passion for sports, and its university students Chicago - the country's third largest city (though still known as "the Second City"), heart of the Midwest and transportation hub of the nation, with massive skyscrapers and other architectural gems Las Vegas - gambling city in the Nevada desert, home to over half of the top 20 biggest hotels in the world; popular for its casinos, shows and extravagant nightlife Los Angeles - the country's second largest city, home of the film industry, musicians, artists, and surfers, with beautiful mild weather, great natural beauty from mountains to beaches, and endless stretches of freeways, traffic, and smog Miami - attracts sun-seeking northerners and home to a rich, vibrant, Latin-influenced, Caribbean culture New Orleans - "The Big Easy" is the birthplace of Jazz, and is known for its quaint French Quarter and annual Mardi Gras celebration New York City - the country's largest city, home of the financial services and media industries, with world-class cuisine, arts, architecture, and shopping San Francisco - the City by the Bay, featuring the Golden Gate Bridge , vibrant urban neighborhoods, and dramatic fog Seattle - rich museums, monuments, and recreational opportunities, and five distinct climates within 200 miles (321km) Washington, D.C. - the current national capital, filled with major museums and monuments, along with multi-cultural communities Get in[ edit ] The United States has exceptionally onerous and complicated visa requirements. Read up carefully before your visit, especially if you need to apply for a visa, and consult the US State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs . Travelers have been refused entry for many reasons, often trivial. There is no airside transit without US entry between international flights. All travelers must disembark and proceed through immigration and customs inspection to enter the United States at first port entry, even if you're only staying for the two to four hours needed to transit between flights. This is most relevant if you're transiting between Asia or Europe to/from Latin America. Therefore, all travelers must be able to enter the United States on the Visa Waiver Program (or other visa exemption) or obtain a visitor's (B1 or B2) or transit (C1) visa. See below. Law and bureaucracy[ edit ] The US federal government has five separate agencies with jurisdiction over visitors. The most important one from a visitor's perspective is Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a bureau of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The CBP's Office of Field Operations operates 20 Field Operations offices which supervise immigration and customs inspection stations at over 320 ports of entry. All travelers entering the United States must undergo immigration and customs inspection to ensure lawful entry. All US citizens and nationals and visitors who can qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) (as explained further below) generally encounter only CBP officers. If you cannot enter the US through the VWP, you must visit a US Embassy or Consulate in your home country to apply for and obtain a visa, which will often require a short visa interview with a US consular officer. US Embassies and Consulates are operated by the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the US Department of State. If you attempt to unlawfully cross a US land border at any other point besides a port of entry, you may encounter the U.S. Border Patrol, which is also part of CBP. If you attempt to unlawfully come ashore in the US from a body of water at any other point besides a port of entry, you may encounter the U.S. Coast Guard, which is normally part of DHS (but can operate as part of the Department of Defense in wartime). Finally, if you unlawfully enter the US, commit a severe crime in the US, or overstay your visa, you will likely encounter officers from the division of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), another DHS bureau. ICE operates a gigantic system of immigration detention facilities. Strict compliance with US law during your stay is strongly recommended. ICE is frequently criticized by human rights organizations like Amnesty International for ongoing problems with substandard healthcare and human rights violations. Planning and pre-arrival documentation[ edit ] Visa-free entry[ edit ] Citizens of the 38 countries within the Visa Waiver Program , as well as Canadians, Mexicans living on the border (holding a Border Crossing Card), Bermudians, Cayman, and Turks and Caicos Islanders (with British Overseas Territories passports) generally do not require advance visas for entry into the United States. However, the requirements for Guam, the Marianas Islands, and American Samoa are different and are listed below. For Canadians and Bermudians, the entry period is normally for a maximum of six months. However, entry may still be refused on the basis of a criminal record. Those who have criminal records should seek out a US embassy for advice on whether they need a visa. For travelers under the Visa Waiver Program, the entry period is strictly limited to 90 days (see additional requirements below). As of July 2016, the countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program are Andorra , Austria , Australia , Belgium , Brunei , Chile , Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia , Finland , France , Germany , Greece , Hungary , Iceland , Ireland , Italy , Japan , South Korea , Latvia , Liechtenstein , Lithuania , Luxembourg , Malta , Monaco , the Netherlands , New Zealand , Norway , Portugal , San Marino , Singapore , Slovakia , Slovenia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , Taiwan and the United Kingdom . Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia , the Marshall Islands , and Palau may enter, reside, study, and work in the US indefinitely with only a valid passport. Citizens of the Bahamas may apply for visa-free entry only at the US Customs pre-clearance facilities in the Bahamas to the States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, but a valid police certificate may be required for those over the age of 14. Attempting to enter through any other port of entry, whether by land, sea, or air, requires a valid visa. However, Bahamaian citizens are not exempted from visa requirements for traveling to American Samoa. Persons holding a passport from the Cayman Islands , if they intend to travel directly to the US from there, may obtain a single-entry visa waiver for about $25 prior to departure. If traveling by air or cruise ship, a police certificate will be needed to travel to the States, Puerto Rico, Guam, or the Northern Mariana Islands. This is the same for holders of British Virgin Islands or Turks and Caicos Islands passports. However, passport holders of the British Virgin Islands do not need a police certificate to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands as only a passport will be needed. Visa Waiver Program requirements[ edit ] Travel under the Visa Waiver Program is limited to transit, tourism, or business purposes only; neither study, employment, nor journalism is permitted under the VWP. The 90-day limit cannot be extended nor will travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean reset the 90-day limit. Take care if transiting through the US on a trip exceeding 90 days to Canada and/or Mexico. Travelers entering the US under the VWP and arriving by air or sea must apply for Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval on-line before travel, preferably 72 hours before travel. An ESTA approval is valid for two years (unless your passport expires earlier) and costs $14 (payable by credit card). If granted, it allows the traveler to commence their journey to the US but (as with any visa or entry permit) it does not guarantee entry. Entry under the Visa Waiver Program by air or sea also requires that you are using a signatory carrier. It is a fairly safe assumption that commercial scheduled services to the US will be fine, but if you are on a chartered flight or vessel you should check the status of the carrier, as you may require a visa. Travelers entering by air or sea must also have a return/onward ticket out of the United States. If the return/onward ticket terminates in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or any Caribbean island, the traveler must be a legal resident of that country/territory. If travelling by land, there is a $7.00 fee when crossing the border. A criminal record, including arrests, will generally make a potential traveler ineligible for visa-free travel with the following exceptions: Traffic violations Civil infractions (such as littering, noise violations, disorderly conduct) A single conviction for possession of marijuana Purely political offenses (e.g. non-violent protest in countries where it is not allowed) Offenses committed before the age of 16. The ESTA application contains a questionnaire, which if answered truthfully will direct you to apply to a visa if you are ineligible for the Visa Waiver Program for reasons of criminal history, etc. If you have any concerns, complete the ESTA application well in advance of your departure to allow time to apply for a visa if directed to do so. Effective as of 2016, any person who is a citizen of both a VWP country and of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria, or a citizen of a VWP country and who has visited any of those four countries since March 2011 is ineligible to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. There are disadvantages and restrictions to entering under the Visa Waiver Program. Under normal circumstances, these include the following: you can't apply to extend your authorized stay you can't apply to change your status Obtaining a visa[ edit ] TN: NAFTA employees from Canada or Mexico WB: Visa Waiver Program, Business; not extendable past 90 days WT: Visa Waiver Program, Tourist; not extendable past 90 days For the rest of the world, or for those who don't fit the profile of a Visa Waiver Program entry (e.g., need to stay more than 90 days) the visa application fee is a non-refundable $160 (as of April 2012) for visas that are not issued on the basis of a petition (ex. business, tourist, transit, student, and journalist) and $190 for those that are (employment). This fee is sometimes waived under very limited circumstances, namely for people requesting certain exchange visitor visas. Under US law, all persons requesting entry as non-immigrants are presumed to be immigrants (that is, trying to permanently migrate) until they overcome that presumption by presenting evidence of "binding ties" to their home country as well as sufficient proof that the visit will be temporary. To obtain a visa, face-to-face interviews at the nearest US embassy or consulate are required for nearly all nationalities. When the US rejects a visa application, it is usually because the applicant did not show enough binding ties to his or her home country to convince the consular officer that they will not try to overstay their visa. Since waits for interview slots and visa processing can add up to several months, you must start researching how to obtain a visa well in advance of your planned departure date. If you do not live close to a US consulate, you will need to set aside a day (or two) to travel to the closest consulate for the visa interview. For technical and scientific fields of work or study, processing a non-immigrant visa application can take up to 70 days, as it can require eight weeks to receive approval from authorities in Washington. This especially applies to military and dual-purpose fields which are mentioned in a so-called technical alert list . Note that a visa does not guarantee entry into the US. It only authorizes you to proceed to a port of entry and request admission. Be sure you apply for the right visa for your visit. Applying for the incorrect/inappropriate visa may lead to serious legal problems, as well as a possible indefinite bar from obtaining any US visa. Statue of Liberty, New York City Travel to US possessions[ edit ] The territories of Guam , Puerto Rico , the US Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands all have the same entry requirements as the 50 states. Although, the COFA nations aren't considered part of the U.S. and are independent countries, the U.S. maintains and exersises some extent of jurisdiction over the countries so the countries are somewhat US possessions. Which is why they are included here as US possessions. Guam-Northern Mariana Islands[ edit ] Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands allow entry, by air only, for an additional group of foreign nationals under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program: Brunei, Malaysia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan (only on non-stop flights from Taiwan), and Hong Kong. Citizens of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, and the United Kingdom are also allowed entry under the Guam-CNMI VWP and may enter either under that or the federal VWP. Entrance under the Guam-CNMI VWP requires a valid, machine-readable passport and evidence of a return airfare, and is limited to a 45-day stay in Guam and the CNMI only. Residents of Hong Kong must present a valid HK permanent identity card and are allowed entry with either a Hong Kong S.A.R. passport or British National (Overseas) passport. Residents of Taiwan must present a valid R.O.C. National Identification Card in addition to an R.O.C. passport. Citizens of Russia are eligible for parole (essentially the same as visa-free travel) to enter the Northern Marianas Islands only. Because of differences in entry requirements, a full immigration check is done when traveling between Guam and the CNMI as well as on flights to the rest of the US (currently, only Guam-Hawaii flights). Despite not being part of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, citizens of Russia can enter both territories Guam-CNMI visa-free under the waiver program, as long as they are in possession of a machine-readable passport, a completed Form I-736 (Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information form) and Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) and a non-refundable and non-transferable return ticket. Citizens of China will need a visa to enter Guam, but not one to enter the Northern Mariana Islands. Citizens will need to be in possession of a machine-readable passport, completed Form I-736 (Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information form) and Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) may enter the CNMI only visa-free for up to 45 days (travel to Guam still requires applying for a visa in advance). US and American Samoan citizens must have a passport as proof of citizenship for entry to Guam and the CNMI. However, US and American Samoan citizens can live, work, and travel freely in both territories. American Samoa[ edit ] American Samoa lies outside federal immigration jurisdiction and has separate entry requirements, which even apply to US citizens. Entry is allowed for 30 days (extendable to 60 days) for tourism with a valid passport and proof of onward travel or local employment. Nationals from the following countries can visit American Samoa for tourist purposes only visa-free for up to 30 days; Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom. However, a entry permit will be issued upon arrival. Entry requirements are somewhat different for Americans with US citizenship. US citizens are required to have only a six month valid passport, a entry ticket, and a exit ticket. US citizens can live, work, and travel freely for a unlimited time in American Samoa. Puerto Rico-US Virgin Islands[ edit ] Both Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands choose to follow the Maindland US entry reqirements. As with the Mainland, any non-US citizen who is eligible may enter under the Visa Waiver Program. American and American Samoan citizens don't need a passport nor visa to travel to both Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Only some form of government ID (example; a driver's license) is needed for proof of citizenship. Any US and American Samoan citizen can live, work and travel freely for a unlimited time in both territories. COFA nations[ edit ] US citizens and citizens of countries under the federal Visa Waiver Program plus Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia are allowed visa-free entry. And can reside and work anywhere in the United States for a unlimited time. All other foreign nationals must contact the American Samoa Attorney General's office to obtain a visa at (684) 633-4163. US Minor Outlying Islands[ edit ] All foreign, US and American Samoan citizens must have special travel permits to travel to all uninhabited territories that make up the US Minor Outlying Islands. Arriving in the United States[ edit ] Before arrival, if you are not a Canadian or Bermudian, you will receive either a white I-94 (if entering with a visa) or green I-94W (if entering on a visa waiver) form to complete. For visitors travelling under the Visa Waiver Program arriving by air, the I-94W has now been replaced by the electronic ESTA system; therefore the form is not required. Again, remember that the ESTA approval is in essence, a permit to travel - not a guarantee of entry, hence there is no need to produce a copy of it at passport control - had there been any problems you would have been denied boarding at your origin airport, however most travelers tend to keep a copy of it in their possession anyway, just in case. I-94 forms are now used primarily at land ports of entry. As October 2013, the I-94 paper form is now optional for virtually all visitors arriving by common carrier at air and sea ports of entry. CBP now has arrangements in place to electronically receive manifest information directly from all major common carriers. From the manifests, CBP's computers create and maintain electronic I-94 records for all passengers who are foreign visitors. CBP operates a Web site where visitors may view their own electronic I-94 record while they are still in the United States. When you reach a CBP immigration checkpoint, you will undergo a short interview if you are not a citizen or resident of the United States. A CBP officer will attempt to determine if the purpose of your visit is valid. Usually, the determination of admissibility is made in a minute or less. Otherwise, you may be referred to further questioning in a more private area. At that stage the CBP officers will likely search your possessions, and may read any documents, letters or diaries found in your possession. Do not bring anything that could imply you intend to permanently immigrate or otherwise violate the terms of your visa. For example, you should not be carrying work-related or sales materials if you are entering on a tourist visa. If you are unable to convince the CBP officers that you will abide by the terms of your visa (or VWP ESTA authorization if applicable), it can be cancelled on the spot, and you will be denied entry. Like immigration and customs officials everywhere, CBP officials are humorless about any kind of security threat. Even the most flippant joke implying that you pose a threat can result in lengthy interrogation at best, and summary expulsion at worst. For non-residents, your entry forms will need to state the street address of the location where you will be staying for the first night. This should be arranged in advance. The name of your hotel, hostel, university, etc. is not sufficient; you must provide the street name and number. Once you are admitted, the departure portion of your I-94 or I-94W will be stapled to your passport (if you were required to fill it out). Keep it safe as you will need to give it CBP upon departure from the US. In the alternative, even if you weren't required to fill out a I-94, the CBP officer will place an admission stamp in your passport which shows that you were admitted to the United States under a certain class and until a certain date. For most travellers entering on visitor status (B1 or B2), you will normally be granted permission to stay for up to six months. Travellers entering under the VWP will receive permission to remain for 90 days only. If you enter under a student (F) or exchange visitor (J) status, your permitted duration of stay will normally be indicated as D/S, which means "permitted to remain provided status as a student/exchange visitor is maintained". At customs[ edit ] All travellers entering the US (including US citizens, nationals, and permanent residents) must fill out the Customs Declaration form, CBP Form 6059B, a blue-colored form in the shape of a tall narrow rectangle. It used to be distributed on the plane, but some airlines now hand it out at check-in for flights to the US. If you are travelling with family members, then only one form per family is required to be filled out. Normally, the head of the family is responsible for ensuring the declaration is accurate. The Customs Declaration form asks you to declare whether you are bringing with you a variety of heavily regulated items, such as more than USD10,000 in cash. In addition, you must list on the back side all goods that you are permanently bringing into the US and leaving there (such as foreign gifts for US-based friends and family). The Form 6059B is notorious for not having enough space on the back, so ask for and fill out multiple forms if you have many items to declare. After you are admitted into the US and retrieve your bags from the baggage claim, you will proceed to the secondary inspection area (the customs checkpoint), regardless of whether your journey terminates at this airport or if you are transiting onward via another flight. Hand your customs declaration to the officer. Most of the time, the officer will point you to the exit and that will be it. Sometimes, the officer may ask you a few routine questions and then let you go. The officer may refer you to an adjacent X-ray machine to have your bags inspected or may refer you for a manual hand search of your bags. Any search more intrusive than a bag search is rare and is usually indicated only if some sort of probable cause has been established through questioning or during the bag search to suggest suspicious activity. Note that you can't bring meat or raw fruit or vegetables, but you may bring cooked non-meat packaged foods, such as bread, cookies, and other baked goods. See APHIS for details. The US Customs process is straightforward. Most articles that are prohibited or restricted in any other country are prohibited or restricted in the US. One rule that is unique to America is that it is generally prohibited to bring in goods made in countries on which the US has imposed economic sanctions such as Cuba, Iran , North Korea (DPRK) and Syria . The US possessions of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, and the US Virgin Islands are all outside federal customs jurisdiction. Each imposes their own separate requirements. Travel between these regions and the rest of the US requires a customs inspection. There are some differences (mostly larger) in duty exemptions for US citizens returning from these destinations. After customs[ edit ] As noted above, all inbound citizens, nationals, and visitors must pass through immigration and customs at their first point of entry, regardless of whether they have onward connections to other destinations inside or outside the US or not. Many major airports have special arrangements for travellers with connecting flights such as a bag drop, check-in counter or security checkpoint just for the use of connecting passengers (you will need to re-clear security because you had access to your bags while passing through customs) upon coming out from customs inspection. Some airports do not, meaning that you will need to proceed to the main check-in desks with other departing passengers. Closed cities[ edit ] The closed off town of Mercury If you managed to get into the United States visa-free or not, if you plan on visiting rural Nevada , be carefull on where you are. There is a closed city in Nevada called Mercury which the town was involved in nuclear testing programs by the U.S. government, something it no longer conducts. This city like many other closed cities are closed off to the public, including foreigners. You will need special permission from the U.S. government in order to enter the town. Attempting to enter without the permission will get you arrested. Leaving the United States (and re-entering from Canada or Mexico)[ edit ] Thinking of Overstaying or Violating Status?: Make sure you leave before the authorized period of stay indicated in your I-94 form (not your visa) expires. If you overstay the period granted at passport control or violate your terms of entry (e.g., work while present as a visitor), this will automatically invalidate your visa and you'll no longer have a valid immigration status. In addition, overstaying your authorized stay or violating the conditions will make it extremely difficult to re-enter the United States for any purpose, and this may, in some cases, bar you from re-entry for at least three years, if not permanently. If you entered under the Visa Waiver Program but overstayed, you will need a visa for all future visits. Even if you did not technically overstay each of your visits, if officers suspect or detect a pattern with your previous visits/travel history that suggests you are in fact spending more time in the US than your home country (e.g. you leave the US only to return there a few weeks later), you may also face severe questioning the next time you arrive. Unlike most countries, the US does not provide formal passport control checkpoints for those exiting the country. This used to be a big problem for many tourists who left by air or sea, but is not a major issue any more. Since CBP now receives manifests automatically from all major common carriers, CBP can automatically update their electronic I-94 records to show you timely departed from the United States as long as you leave on a common carrier (like a major airline). Otherwise, if you are leaving the US for the last time on a particular trip (e.g., not returning from Canada or Mexico), it is ultimately your responsibility to turnover the departure record of your I-94 or I-94(W) to CBP at the Canadian or Mexican borders if leaving by land. Seattle skyline, Washington state, Pacific Northwest Most visitors from outside Canada and Mexico arrive in the United States by plane. While many medium-sized inland cities have an international airport, there are limited flights to most of them. Most travellers enter the US at one of the major entry points along the coasts: From the east: New York City, Newark, Chicago, Philadelphia , Atlanta , Charlotte , Boston, Washington, D.C., Orlando, and Miami are the primary entry points from Europe and other transatlantic points of departure. All the major East Coast airports have service from a few key European cities. Other cities, such as Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, while not on the east also have a good number of flights from major European cities flying over northern Greenland and the Hudson Bay or the Arctic Ocean. US immigration and customs can be completed prior to boarding in Shannon and Dublin airports in Ireland . From the west: New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Honolulu are the primary points of entry from Asia and other transpacific points of departure. with Chicago , Houston , Dallas , Detroit , Atlanta , Boston and Washington, D.C. having a few international flight options. Of course, if you arrive in Honolulu, you must take another flight to get to the mainland. Foreign airlines are not allowed to transport passengers to/from Hawaii or Alaska and the other 48 states (except for refueling and in-transit). They may allow a stopover in Hawaii for free or for an extra cost to passengers travelling onwards from the United States. If you are flying into the West Coast to transit to another destination, San Francisco International Airport has a free frequent SkyTrain linking terminals and relatively short security lines, in comparison to Los Angeles where you will be exposed to the weather catching a shuttle bus or walking between terminals and will have to put up with huge security lines. Qantas serves Dallas/Fort Worth non stop from Sydney, in addition to their daily service to Los Angeles from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and San Francisco from Sydney. Air New Zealand also serves Houston from Auckland as well as Honolulu, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. From the north: Chicago, Detroit and Minneapolis feature many flights from major Asian and Canadian cities. Most major US airports receive nonstop flights from most major cities in Canada while others closer to the Canadian border also have direct buses by various companies to/from the nearest Canadian city north of the border (such as Vancouver-Seattle; Toronto-Buffalo; Detroit-Windsor, etc.). In most major Canadian airports, U.S immigration and/or formalities are completed and approved PRIOR to boarding a U.S. bound flight thus arriving into the U.S. as 'domestic' flight. From the south: Miami, Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas are the primary entry points from Latin America , primarily South and Central America and the Caribbean. Also Los Angeles , Chicago , New York , Washington, DC , and Charlotte are major international waypoints. Most major US airports receive nonstop flights from most major cities in Mexico. There are very limited number of direct flights available between the 'west' (China, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, etc) and and 'south' (Central & South America) which can requires a transfer or stopover in the United States. Most travelers travelling between Asia-Pacific and Central and South American destinations usually transfer flights in Los Angeles. Others may arrive into Los Angeles and continue across to Dallas, Houston, or Miami and continue south from there (vice versa) depending on the destinations and the airlines used. From the "east" and "other side of the world" they may arrive in Chicago, Houston, New York, or Miami to make connections for south bound flights). From Cuba: Miami is the the primary entry/exit points from/to Cuba. Due to the ongoing strict embargo against Cuba, flights are available on a chartered basis through specialized travel agents authorized to sell tickets by OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) and only to those with an OFAC license to spend money in Cuba. As of December 17, 2014 Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced moves to re-establish diplomatic relations between the two countries as well as to loosen trade and travel restrictions. Implementation plans are underway to normalize trade & travel in the coming months or years and this section is subject to change as the airlines plan regular flights between the US and Cuba and to apply for approval to fly the routes from authorities on both sides of the Florida Strait. From the other side of the world: New Delhi , India has non-stop service to New York (via JFK and Newark airports), Chicago, and San Francisco. Mumbai has non-stop flights to New York (JFK and Newark). From Pakistan , Saudi Arabia , Uzbekistan and United Arab Emirates you can also fly to New York (JFK). Qatar , and Saudi Arabian fly to Washington, D.C., and South African Airways goes to New York (JFK) and Washington, DC (Dulles). Los Angeles, Dallas , and Houston both offer non-stop service to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Luggage allowance for flights to or from the US usually operates on a piecewise system in addition to the weight system even for foreign carriers. This means that you are allowed a limited number of bags to check-in where each bag should not exceed certain linear dimensions (computed by adding the length, width and height of the bags). The exact allowances and restrictions on weight, linear dimension and number of baggage allowed are determined by the carrier you are flying with, your origin (if coming to the US) or destination (if leaving the US) and the class of service you are travelling in. Airport security[ edit ] International flights bound for the United States tend to feature extremely strict security. Besides going through a regular security search to enter the departure area of the airport terminal, it was standard up until 2015 at many airports to have an additional layer of security around waiting areas for gates for US-bound flights with a secondary security checkpoint of its own. While that kind of security is no longer seen at many airports, all airlines with US-bound flights continue to carefully inspect all documents at time of boarding and often still perform hand searches of carry-on bags on the jetway. Within the US, airport security procedures continue to evolve. The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) now requires all passengers to remove shoes and outerwear (coats and jackets) and submit those items along with all personal belongings to X-ray screening. Laptops and large cameras must be removed from bags and scanned separately. Full body scanning x-ray machines are now in use at many US airports, which are capable of detecting many non-metallic threats. Because of early problems with displaying far too much detail at security checkpoints to the embarrassment of travelers, the scanners were subsequently modified so that a fully detailed image is displayed only at a remote analysis center. The off-site screener marks rectangles on a generic diagram corresponding to any portions of a traveler's body that look unusual. Only that marked-up diagram is displayed at the checkpoint, thereby enabling TSA officers to focus any necessary pat-down on those areas. If there is nothing suspicious on the scan, the off-site screener sends an "OK" message authorizing the traveler to proceed. The full body scanners are optional and passengers have the legal right to "opt out" and request a manual search instead. Furthermore, passengers may also be randomly selected for additional screening, such as an "enhanced pat-down." Do not assume that you are in any sort of trouble or that you are even suspected of causing trouble, simply because you are being subjected to these further screenings. Pre-clearance[ edit ] Passengers whose journeys originate in major Canadian airports and involve either US or Canadian carriers will have the advantage of clearing US entry formalities (passport control and customs) at their Canadian port-of-exit. As far as most flights from Canada are concerned, they are treated similarly as US domestic flights but only because clearance has been performed at the Canadian airport. Hence once passengers from Canada arrive at their US port-of-entry, rather than walk through a secluded corridor, they can see the display of restaurants and shops at the domestic terminal on their way to baggage claim. It is worth noting that most Canadian carriers are located in US domestic terminals. Take note that passengers on US-Canadian flights operated by foreign carriers like Philippine Airlines and Cathay Pacific will still see traditional entry formalities upon arrival at their US port-of-entry; a Canadian transit visa may be required even if passengers are confined to a holding area for the entire transit time. Some airports in Canada, including Vancouver International Airport, Terminal 1 of Toronto -Pearson Airport, and Montréal -Trudeau Airport generally do not require passengers in transit from abroad to pass through Canadian Customs and Immigration controls before going through US pre-clearance formalities. However, even if you pass through these airports, make sure that your papers are in order to allow you to enter Canada. If you cannot travel to the US on the same day you go through pre-clearance, if you are not cleared for entry to the United States, or if you and/or your luggage is not checked through by your airline to at least your first destination in the United States, you will need to report to Canada Customs, and in that event, a Canadian transit or temporary resident visa may be required. Pre-clearance facilities are available at most major Canadian airports (Toronto-Pearson, Montreal-Trudeau, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier, Vancouver, Calgary , etc.), Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba , Grand Bahama and Lynden Pindling International Airports in the Bahamas , Bermuda International Airport in Bermuda , and Dublin and Shannon International Airports in Ireland . Passengers on British Airways flights from London to New York City transiting via either Dublin or Shannon, Ireland can take advantage of US passport control and customs pre-clearance at Dublin or Shannon. Upon arrival at the US, they will arrive as domestic passengers and can transfer immediately to domestic flights. By car[ edit ] Visa Restrictions: All persons wishing to enter the United States by land must possess a valid passport; NEXUS, FAST, or passport card; Laser Visa; or an "enhanced driver's license" (issued by certain US states and Canadian provinces) Traffic travels on the right-hand side (as it does in Canada and Mexico), except in the US Virgin Islands , due to left-hand driving being common in the smaller Caribbean islands. If you are entering under the Visa Waiver Program, you will need to pay a $6.00 fee, in cash, at the point of entry. No fee is payable if you are simply re-entering and already have the Visa Waiver slip in your passport. The US-Canada and US-Mexico borders are two of the most frequently crossed borders in the world, with millions of crossings daily. Average wait times are up to 30 minutes, but some of the most heavily traveled border crossings may have considerable delays—approaching 1-2 hours at peak times (weekends, holidays). Current wait times (updated hourly) are available on the US customs service website . The US-Mexico border is vulnerable to high levels of drug trafficking, so vehicles crossing may be X-rayed or searched by a drug-sniffing dog. If anything about you appears suspicious, you and your vehicle may be searched. Since this is an all-too-common event, expect no patience or sympathy from border agents. As Canada and Mexico use the metric units of measure but the US uses customary units, bear in mind that after the border, road signs are published in miles and miles per hour. Therefore, if you are driving a car from Canada or Mexico, be mindful that a speed limit of 55mph in the US is 88km/h. By bus[ edit ] Greyhound offers many inexpensive cross-border services from both Canada and Mexico throughout their network. Some routes, such as Toronto to Buffalo have hourly service. Megabus US also runs multiple daily trips from Toronto (also a hub for Megabus Canada) to New York City via Buffalo for as low as $1. Be warned that bus passengers often experience greater scrutiny from US customs officials than car or train passengers. Onward travel to: Mexico is provided by Grupo Estrella Blanca ; Grupo Senda or see the specific Wikitravel articles for individual cities and towns near the border between US and Mexico. Canada is provided by Greyhound Canada which has a Canada-wide network. By boat[ edit ] Entering the U.S. by sea, other than on a registered cruise ship, may be difficult. The most common entry points for private boats are Los Angeles and the surrounding area, Florida , and the Eastern coastal states. Some passenger ferries exist between Canada and the U.S., mostly between British Columbia and Washington State (from Victoria & Sidney, BC) or Alaska (from Prince Rupert). Cunard offers transatlantic ship travel between the United Kingdom and New York City. By train[ edit ] Amtrak offers international service from the Canadian cities of Vancouver (Amtrak Cascades has two trips per day to Seattle), Toronto (Maple Leaf has a daily trip to New York City), and Montreal (Adirondack has a daily trip to New York City) into the US. Note that cross border rail service is more expensive and less quick than the buses, which are more frequent and serve a larger range of US destinations from both Canada and Mexico. On international trains from Montreal and Toronto, immigration formalities are conducted at the border. Those travelling from Vancouver clear U.S. immigration and customs at the Union Pacific Station before they get on the train itself. Be sure to allow enough time before departure to complete the necessary inspections. Amtrak does NOT offer cross border trains to/from Mexico nor are there any other onward passenger trains going south from the U.S./Mexican border. Therefore the nearest train stations to the Mexican border are in San Diego (Pacific Surfliner) and El Paso (Sunset Limited & Texas Eagle). From either train station take local transportation (light rail in San Diego or bus or taxi in El Paso ) to get to the actual border crossing. By foot[ edit ] There are many border crossings in urban areas which can be crossed by pedestrians. Crossings such as those in or near Niagara Falls , Detroit , Tijuana , Nogales , and El Paso are popular for persons wishing to spend a day on the other side of the border. In some cases, this may be ideal for day-trippers, as crossing by car can be a much longer wait. Get around[ edit ] The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California The size of the US and the distance between some major cities make air the dominant mode of travel for short-term travelers over long distances. If you have time, travel by car, bus, or rail can be interesting. Be Aware: In general, outside of the downtown areas of big cities (especially New York , Boston , Philadelphia , Washington, D.C. , Chicago and San Francisco ), public transport in the U.S. is not as commonly used, developed, nor reliable as in many European and Asian countries. Due to cheap fuel prices, endless available parking spaces, cheap auto insurance, very cheap car prices and large distances to travel, Americans prefer to drive their own car rather than opt for public transport. By plane[ edit ] The quickest and often the most convenient way of long-distance intercity travel in the US is by plane. Coast-to-coast travel takes about six hours from east to west, and five hours from west to east (varying due to winds), compared to the three or four days necessary for land transportation. Most cities in the US are served by one or two airports; many small towns also have some passenger air service, although you may need to detour through a major hub airport to get there. Depending on where you are starting, it may be cheaper to drive to a nearby large city and fly or, conversely, to fly to a large city near your destination and rent a car. Major carriers compete for business on major routes, and travelers willing to book two or more weeks in advance can get bargains. However most smaller destinations are served by only one or two regional carriers, and prices to destinations outside of the big cities can be very expensive. Service types[ edit ] There are several types of airlines flying in the United States today: Mainline or legacy carriers - Due to numerous bankruptcies and acquisitions, there are only three major and two minor legacy carriers left: Delta Air Lines (Northwest Airlines has merged with Delta), United Airlines (Continental has merged with United), and American Airlines (US Airways has merged with American); plus Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines . These carriers used to be "full-service", although because of their chronic financial distress, they are increasingly taking after overseas carriers like Ryanair and transitioning into "no-frills" carriers. On a domestic flight in economy class, expect to pay extra for anything beyond a seat (with very limited recline), 1 or 2 carry-on bags, and soft drinks. In-flight entertainment on mainline carriers' ageing domestic jetliners is generally limited to drop-down LCD screens that show the same programs to all economy passengers. Newer domestic jetliners do not even have LCD screens on the assumption that economy passengers will bring their own phones and tablets, which means flight attendants must pull out a set of props to do the pre-flight safety briefing (as has always been the case on smaller planes). Some flights to/from Hawaii or Alaska still offer a few perks, but check for your particular airline and flight. Mainline carriers also offer first class service which features a larger seat which can recline farther, free food and drinks, a fully interactive personal entertainment system, and generally better service. Round-trip fares can run over a thousand dollars, even for short flights, making the added cost not worth it for the vast majority of travelers. (Most travelers in first class get their seat as a complimentary frequent flier upgrade or similar perk.) You may also be offered an upgrade at a much lower cost during check in or at the airport if there are open seats available. Note that on certain premium transcontinental services between New York City and Los Angeles / San Francisco offered by American ("Flagship Service") and United ("United p.s."), first class and business class services are comparable to equivalent international offerings with gourmet meals and lie-flat seats. The same is true of some flights between the East Coast and Hawaii. Regional airlines come in three varieties. Regional subsidiaries operate under an umbrella brand such as "American Eagle" or "United Express" and run small regional jets or turboprops to locales where it is not economically or technically feasible to run a full-sized jet. These flights are booked through their parent's reservation system (e.g., Delta Connection through Delta), either as a stand-alone flight or connecting to a mainline itinerary, and any miles earned are recorded in the parent's frequent flier account system. Their operations are supposed to be seamlessly integrated (at least in theory) with their parent brands with respect to things like check-ins, boarding passes, and checked baggage. On-board service is very basic for all classes. They flourished in the early 1990s when the financially distressed mainline airlines began specializing in running only very large jetliners on lucrative long-distance routes. Their regional allies, specializing in operating smaller planes, would run feeder routes into the parent's hubs that would enable passengers from small towns to connect to the parent's long-distance routes; conversely, the regional airlines would enable passengers coming off the parent's long-distance routes to easily connect to outlying small towns rather than exiting at a hub airport and completing the rest of the journey by car, bus, or train. Regional airlines tend to have a mediocre safety record. They often hire desperate pilots who are eager to break into a career in commercial aviation but for whatever reason could not qualify for or did not want to earn their flight hours in the US military. Regional pilots thus tend to work for low pay and long hours in the hope of building sufficient flight experience to apply for and get a decent-paying job as the pilot of a full-size jetliner with the regional subsidiary's parent legacy airline. As a result, there have been a number of crashes or near-misses blamed upon low-paid, overworked regional pilots. They are operated by SkyWest ; Mesa Air Group ; Republic ; and Express Jet as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle/Envoy, Alaska Airlines, Frontier, and/or US Airways Express. They operate one or several brands of the bigger 'legacy' parent(s) at the same time. Reservations and ticketing with the "regional (commuter) carriers" are handled through the "legacy" parent carriers instead of these airlines themselves. Independent regional airlines are not affiliated with a mainline carrier. They are usually found in more out of the way places, as well as near island communities ( Cape Cod , Hawaii , Virgin Islands , etc.). The ones operating on their own names and not affiliated with the bigger carriers (as named above) are: Cape Air , Great Lakes Aviation , SeaPort , Silver Airways and Vision . Commuter airlines primarily serve the business travel market, with 10-30 seat turboprop planes. If you can work with their schedules and choice of airports (usually private aviation airports and municipal airfields) - their consistent fares can be a bargain compared even to low cost carriers. Additionally, since fares are the same whether you buy a month in advance or the day of, tickets are also flexible with no cancellation or change fees. Low-cost carriers have grown rapidly in the U.S. since the early 1990s. The most famous of these is the ubiquitous Southwest Airlines , a favorite of leisure and business travelers alike; while Frontier , Spirit ; Allegiant and others (including the big mainline carriers and hybrid carriers) have been growing into formidable competitors. Amenities vary greatly by carrier. On one end, Southwest is the only airline in the United States that lets passengers check two bags free of charge. They have done away with some of the formality of air travel; they do not take reservations from travel agents (all reservations are through their Web site or call center), and they have no assigned seating or buy-on-board programs (free soft drinks and snacks for all passengers). At the other end of the spectrum, Spirit Airlines sells seats for as low as $9.00, but charges fees for everything beyond the seat: checked and hand luggage, buying a ticket online (if you want to avoid that fee, you have to buy at the counter), advance seat assignments, checking-in at the airport, printing out documents at the airport, on-board refreshments, etc. European visitors familiar with Ryanair will find Spirit's fee-for-everything business model to be strikingly similar. Southwest and Allegiant serve destinations nationwide, although they sometimes use smaller or alternative airports such as Chicago Midway instead of the larger O'Hare International Airport, Houston Hobby instead of the Houston Bush Intercontinental or Dallas Love Field instead of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Other low-cost carriers such as Allegiant and Sun Country focus on "vacation destinations" like Florida , Mexico , the Virgin Islands , etc. Hybrid carriers offer more amenities than low-cost airlines but with fares lower than the legacies. The most famous of these is JetBlue Airways which has an extensive network covering primarily major airports, one free checked bag, 34 inches between seats (very generous for an American airline) and free satellite TV (DirectTV) in every seat. A relative newcomer is the trendy brainchild of Sir Richard Branson: Virgin America which offers a relatively low-priced First Class option, as well as mood lighting, relatively comfortable seats, and interactive in-flight entertainment in all classes in its aircraft. Fees[ edit ] The FAA has been cracking down on non-disclosed fees for a while, so the good news is that most of the prices that you immediately see when searching for flights already include all taxes and other mandatory fees applicable to all passengers. This is true whether you directly check the carrier's website or an online travel agency like Orbitz. Unlike carriers in other foreign countries, most US carriers do not explicitly impose a fuel surcharge. However, carriers charge for extra services, especially mainline/legacy ones. Here is a run down of services that may incur additional fees, as well as strategies for avoiding them if they aren't a service you need or want. Even baggage fees can be avoided with careful planning: Checking in with an agent: A few airlines are charging an additional fee ($3-10) for checking in with an actual human being, and Spirit Airlines also charges you for using the airport kiosk instead of checking in online. Unless you need to check in with an agent (eg, if you have specialized equipment that qualifies for a baggage fee waiver) you should check in online and print your boarding pass at home to save time and avoid additional charges. Some airlines will let you use your iPhone, Android, or BlackBerry as a boarding pass, either by showing an e-mail with a barcode to security and the gate agent, or through a specialized app, although many smaller and regional airports do not support mobile boarding passes yet. Checked baggage: Though prices vary by airline, you're generally looking at between $25 and $35 to check a single bag, an additional $50 for a second bag, and up to $100 or more for a third bag. Bags that are oversized or overweight will easily double or triple these fees. You're allowed to carry on one small suitcase or garment bag and one personal item (like a briefcase, backpack, or purse) free of charge. If you can get everything in your carry-ons, this is the best way to avoid baggage fees. Due to ongoing security restrictions, liquids, gels, shaving creams, and similar items must be under 3.4oz (100mL) and must be removed and presented to security inside a transparent resealable plastic bag for separate examination. Razor blades, electric shavers, scissors, or anything else with a blade or sharp edge can never be placed in your carry-on, and will be confiscated on the spot if discovered. + Ultra low cost carrier Spirit Airlines charges $20-35 per bag for carry-ons, depending on whether you're a member of their fare club and whether you pay online or at the airport, in many cases it's actually cheaper to check these bags instead of carrying on. As of 2015, no other airline charges for carry-on baggage. Members of frequent flier rewards programs who have "elite" status may typically check 1 or more bags free of charge, or may receive other perks such as additional weight allowances. Some airlines have a branded credit card that offers similar perks. Pre-paying baggage charges online may give you a slight discount on some carriers. Discount carriers JetBlue and Southwest allow all passengers one and two checked bags free of charge, respectively. Due to these fees, another popular alternative is to ship luggage via UPS, FedEx or the U.S. Postal Service, although this does take some extra planning and preparation. Curbside check in: $2-10 on top of any bag or check-in fees, plus a tip is usually expected. Extra legroom seats: the cost depends on the length of the trip but expect to pay anything from 5 to 15% of the standard economy class fare. This is bookable at the time you purchase your ticket. Those in higher tiers can get this at no extra cost. Food: Most airlines offer some small snacks (e.g., peanuts, potato chips, cookies) free of charge on all flights. On flights longer than 1.5–2 hours, a buy-on-board option may be offered where you can purchase prepackaged sandwiches, snacks, and occasionally hot food at inflated prices. Many legacy airlines used to include in the base ticket price at least one hot meal service for all classes on domestic flights over four hours in length, but due to their financial distress, dramatically cut back on the quality of in-flight meals in the 1980s (which led to an epidemic of jokes in that era about "airline food") and eventually stopped including it altogether by the mid-1990s. Since then, most domestic passengers who did not have the time to stop for a real meal before arriving at the airport usually eat at a post-security airport restaurant before boarding their plane. Flights from the East Coast to Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. Pacific territories (which can be over eight hours in length) and intercontinental flights still feature traditional meal service. All airlines allow you to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages on board. All except the smallest airports have an array of fast food and quick serve options in the terminal — but you can't bring liquids through the security checkpoint (and some airports do not allow food either), so don't purchase anything until after you've cleared security. While airside food outlets will inevitably be more expensive than what's available before security or off-airport, it still costs much less and likely has a larger selection than what's available on board. Some cities, such as Philadelphia , regulate airport food vendors and limit how much air-side restaurants can markup. Drinks: Beverage service is one thing the airline industry hasn't done away with, and even the shortest regional jet flights still feature complimentary coffee, tea, water, juice and soda - an exception is ultra low fare carrier Spirit, who charges for anything other than water. If you'd like something stronger, you can pay $5–7 to pick among a decent selection of beer, two or three varieties of wine, and a couple of basic cocktails that can be mixed easily and quickly (e.g. gin and tonic). In-flight entertainment: Most US carriers offer entertainment of one kind or another on longer domestic routes. Delta, JetBlue, Virgin America, and some of United's fleet offer free satellite TV in every seat, as well as movies on demand for purchase for $3-8. American has overhead screens showing movies and sitcom episodes on most longer routes, while U.S. Airways and Southwest do not have in flight entertainment of any kind. In-flight WiFi: Delta, JetBlue and Southwest offer in-flight WiFi on nearly all their domestic fleets - American, U.S. Airways and United offer it on select flights. Prices range from $5-20, depending on the airline, length of flight, and device (tablets and smartphones get a discount as they use less data) but the Internet connection is good for almost the entire flight (at least until told by crew to switch-off your devices). Daily and monthly passes are also available for less than $50/month. Most airlines do not offer power ports in economy, so be sure you're charged up or have extra batteries for your device. Mobile phones are usually permitted to be operated in-flight as long as they have been set to flight mode (which effectively shuts-off the mobile phone signal from your provider) before being airborne. Pillows and blankets are disappearing rapidly. Some airlines don't have them at all; some will charge you for them (but you get to keep after you pay); and one or two offer them for free (but you have to ask for them). Red-eye and long (>5 hour) flights are more likely to have free pillows and blankets. As always, check with your airline, and bring your own from home if you think you'll need them. Lounge passes: Each mainline carrier operates a network of lounges, such as Alaska Airline's "Board Rooms" and Delta's "Sky Clubs" - offering a quieter space to relax or work in, business amenities such as free WiFi, fax services and conference rooms, as well as complimentary finger foods, soft drinks, beer and wine. Frequent flyers buy annual memberships to these lounges, but any passenger can buy a day pass during check in or at the club itself, usually around $50, although sometimes less if you buy online. Only you can decide if the fee is worthwhile, but if you're in the upper elite tiers of an airline alliance (One World Sapphire or Emerald, Star Alliance Gold or SkyTeam Elite Plus) you may have access to these lounges for free with your frequent flyer card. For members in the highest tiers, this privilege may be extended to a travelling companion. Additionally international Business and First Class passengers can also access these lounges for free. First class upgrades: Delta, United, and US Airways sell upgrades on a first come-first served basis at check-in if first class has open seats. This is one to actually consider, especially if you're checking bags - "day of" upgrades can sometimes be as low as $50 each way, less than the cost of two bag fees. You'd may be paying less to check your bags and additionally getting priority security screening, boarding and baggage handling, along with a larger seat and free refreshments on board. Most mainline carriers feature "cashless cabins" meaning any on-board purchases must be paid with either Visa or MasterCard (Delta also accepts American Express). Regional subsidiaries generally do still accept cash on-board, although flight attendants may not be able break large bills - hence the traditional request "exact change is appreciated." If you paid in advance for first class, checked baggage, meals, and alcoholic beverages are all included with the price of your ticket, as well as priority access to check-in agents, lounge access and boarding. Ironically, America's discount airlines, such as JetBlue, Southwest, and Virgin America sometimes have more amenities than the legacy carriers, and for many people may be a much better experience. Jet Blue offers over 45 channels of satellite television, non-alcoholic beverages and real snacks for free on every flight; Virgin America also has satellite TV, in addition to on demand dining (even in economy). On Jet Blue your first checked bag is free ($35 for a second bag), and Southwest is the only U.S. carrier to still offer two checked bags per passenger free of charge. Virgin America charges for checked bags, but their fees are considerably lower than the legacies. Security concerns[ edit ] Security at US airports is known to be onerous, especially during busy holiday travel periods. Allow plenty of time and pack as lightly as possible. Ensure the amount of liquids you bring does not exceed the prescribed limit and is properly placed in the prescribed containers. Currently those limits are referred to as '311' - 3 ounces or less liquid bottles placed in one single, transparent, resealable plastic bag that is 1 quart (1 litre) or less in size. Please note that you can take as many of the little "travel size" 3-ounce (100 ml) bottles that you can cram into that single bag. The little bottles of shampoo and conditioner provided in the rooms at most decent hotels are perfect for this. Many pharmacies, as well as Wal-Mart, Target, and most major grocery stores have a section for "trial or travel size" bottles of personal care liquids that fall under the three-ounce limit. By private plane[ edit ] The cost of chartering the smallest private jet begins at around $4,000 per flight hour, with the cost substantially higher for larger, longer-range aircraft, and cheaper for smaller propeller planes. While private flying is by no means inexpensive, a family of four or more can often fly together at a cost similar to or even favorable to buying first class commercial airline tickets, especially to smaller airports where scheduled commercial flights are at their most expensive, and private flying is at its cheapest. Though you may find it cheaper than flying a family of four first class internationally, it is rarely the case, except when traveling from Western Europe. Air Charter refers to hiring a private plane for a one time journey. Jet Cards are pre-paid cards entitling the owner to a specific number of flight hours on a specified aircraft. As all expenses are pre-paid on the card, you need not to concern yourself with deadhead time, return flights, landing fees, etc. Amtrak[ edit ] Except for certain densely populated corridors (mostly near and between the big cities of the Northeast), passenger trains in the United States can be surprisingly scarce and relatively expensive. The national rail system, Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL), provides service to many cities, offering exceptional sightseeing opportunities, but not particularly efficient inter-city travel, and is often just as expensive as a flight. In more urban locations, Amtrak can be very efficient and comfortable, but in rural areas delays are common. Plan ahead to ensure train travel between your destinations is available and/or convenient. They have promotional discounts of 15% for students and seniors, and a 30-day U.S. Rail Pass for international travelers only. If you plan to buy a regular ticket within a week of travelling, it pays to check the website for sometimes significant "weekly specials". Amtrak offers many amenities and services that are lacking from other modes of transport. Amtrak offers many routes that traverse some of America's most beautiful areas. Travelers with limited time may not find travel by train to be convenient, simply because the country is big, and the "bigness" is particularly evident in many of the scenic areas. For those with ample time, though, train travel offers an unparalleled view of the U.S., without the trouble and long-term discomfort of a rental (hire) car or the hassle of flying. Trains running on the Washington D.C. to Boston Northeast Corridor (Acela Express and the Regional) and the Philadelphia to Harrisburg Keystone Corridor (Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian) generally run on time or very close to it. These two rail lines are electrified and owned by Amtrak or other commuter railways and are passenger only. Outside these two areas, Amtrak operates on freight lines and as a result must share track with freight trains hosted by host railroads. This means you have about as good a chance of a delay as not. While these delays are usually brief (trains make up time en route), have a contingency plan for being at least three hours late when travelling Amtrak. In fact, six hour or longer delays, especially on long-distance routes, are not uncommon, either. If you miss an Amtrak connection because your first train is late, Amtrak will book you onto the next available train (or in rare cases a bus) to your final destination. If your destination is on the Northeast Corridor, this isn't a big deal (departures are every hour) but in other parts of the country the next train may not be until tomorrow. If your reservations involved sleeper accommodations (Amtrak's First Class on their long-distance overnight trains) on either your late-arriving train or your missed connection, you will get a hotel voucher for the unplanned overnight stay. For coach class passengers in the same situation, you will not get a hotel voucher; your unplanned lodging arrangements and cost will be your responsibility. However, after your travel is completed, Amtrak's Customer Service will commonly offer travel vouchers of $100 or more off future Amtrak travel to inconvenienced passengers. This is true for all classes of service. If you plan to board an Amtrak train at a location other than the train's initial place of departure, it's usually a good idea to call ahead before you leave for the station to see if the train is running on time. A major Amtrak line in regular daily use by Americans is the Acela Express line, running between Boston and Washington, D.C. It stops in New York City, New Haven , Philadelphia and many other cities on the way. Acela Express is electrified, with top speeds of 150 miles per hour (though the average speed is a good deal slower because many track sections have curves too tight to be safely traversed at more than 90mph). The Acela Express features comfortable first class intercity service, but can be quite expensive. Given the difficulty and expense of getting from the center of some of the major Northeastern cities to their respective airports, trains can sometimes be more convenient than air travel. There are also frequent but much slower regional trains covering the same stations along the Northeast Corridor for lower fares. During usual American vacation times, some long-distance trains (outside the Northeast) can sell out weeks or even months in advance, so it pays to book early if you plan on using the long-distance trains. Booking early also results in generally lower fares for all trains since they tend to increase as trains become fuller. On the other hand, same-day reservations are usually easy, and depending on the rules of the fare you purchased, you can change travel plans on the day itself without fees. One major scenic long-distance train route, the California Zephyr, runs from Emeryville in the Bay Area of California to Chicago , via Reno , Salt Lake City and Denver . The full trip takes around 60 hours, but has incredible views of the Western deserts, the Rocky Mountains , and the Great Plains , things that you just cannot see if you fly. Many of the sights on this route are simply inaccessible to cars. The trains run only once per day, and they usually sell out well in advance. Amtrak's single most popular long-distance train is the Chicago-Seattle/Portland "Empire Builder" train via Milwaukee , St. Paul/Minneapolis , Fargo , Minot , Glacier National Park , Whitefish , and Spokane . In the 2007 fiscal year, this train alone carried over 503,000 passengers. Amtrak also provides reasonably speedy daily round trips between Seattle and Vancouver, Canada and several daily trips between Seattle and Eugene , Oregon on the Amtrak Cascades line. Passengers travelling long distances on Amtrak may reserve a seat in coach (Economy class) or pay extra for an upgrade to a private sleeping compartment (there are no shared rooms), which also includes all meals in the dining car. Amtrak trains in the West feature a lounge car with floor to ceiling windows, which are perfect for sightseeing. Bradt's USA by Rail book ( ISBN 9781841623894 ) is a guide to all Amtrak routes, with maps, station details and other practical advice. Local trains[ edit ] Separate from Amtrak, many major cities offer very reliable commuter trains that carry passengers to and from the suburbs or other relatively close-by areas. Since most Americans use a car for suburban travel, some commuter train stations have park and ride facilities where you can park your car for the day to use the commuter train to get to a city's downtown core where it may be more difficult to use a car due to traffic and parking concerns. Parking rates at the commuter train stations vary due (some facilities may be operated by third parties). Some commuter train systems and services though do not operate on weekends and holidays so it's best to check the system's website to plan ahead. Please don't forget to buy tickets before you board the train as some systems will have a substantial mark-up on the tickets sold on-board while others won't sell tickets on-board and will subject you to a hefty fine instead. Some cities also have subway and light rail systems for local travel within a city. By boat[ edit ] America has the largest system of inland waterways of any country in the world. It is entirely possible to navigate around within the United States by boat. Your choices of watercraft range from self-propelled canoes and kayaks to elaborate houseboats and riverboat cruises. Rivers and canals were key to developing the country, and traversing by boat gives you a unique perspective on the nation and some one of a kind scenery. Some examples of waterways open to recreational boating and/or scheduled cruises are: The Erie Canal System of New York State operates four canal systems consisting of 524 miles of waterway open for recreational and commercial use. The most famous of these canals is the Erie Canal, which starts around Albany and heads west to Buffalo. By navigating up the Hudson River from New York City, it's possible to go all the way to the Great Lakes and beyond via these waterways. Side trips to the Finger Lakes in Western New York or to Lake Champlain and Vermont are possible. Small watercraft, including canoes and kayaks, are welcome on these canals. International Charter Group . Yacht charter and sailing, one of the worlds largest acht charter companies, can take care of all charter requirements, from bareboat to crewed in Hawaii. Operating from nine offices worldwide (USA, Spain, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Caribbean, Honk Kong and Dubai). The St. Lawrence Seaway is now the primary port of entry for large ships into North America. Recreational boaters are welcome, however, the Seaway is designed for very large craft and a minimum boat length of 6m applies. The Seaway starts in eastern Canada and goes to the Great Lakes. The Mississippi River There are two channels of navigation from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi. The Mississippi affords north-south access through the interior of the U.S. to the Gulf of Mexico and connects with all major interior waterways, including the Missouri River. Each year, many first time and beginning boaters successfully navigate these waterways. Do remember that any kind of boating requires some preparation and planning. In general, the Coast Guard, Canal and Seaway authorities go out of their way to help recreational boaters. They will also at times give instructions which you are expected to immediately obey. For example, small craft may be asked to give way to larger craft on canals, and weather conditions may require you to stop or change your route. Several coastal cities, including San Francisco , Seattle and New York City , operate ferry services between local destinations. Some islands, such as Catalina Island or Nantucket are only accessible by ferry. By car[ edit ] America's love affair with the automobile is legendary and most Americans use a car when moving within their city, and when travelling to nearby cities in their state or region. However, many Americans can and do travel between the vast regions of their country by auto - often going through different time zones, landscapes, and climates. In the winter months (Dec though March) millions of American nomads travel south to the warm desert and subtropical climates in everything from cars to motor homes (called "RV's"). Generally speaking, the older American cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Washington, DC, Seattle, and Philadelphia are best to see using public transport or even on foot (at least within their downtown cores). However, the newer sunbelt cities (normally in the West and South) are built for the automobile, so renting or bringing your own car is usually a very good idea. This applies even to very large cities like Los Angeles, Atlanta and Miami, where public transport is very limited and having a car is the most practical way of getting around. In the smaller American cities, everything is very spread out and public transport thin. Taxis are often available, but if you're not at the airport, you may have to phone for one and wait a half-hour or so to be picked up, making similar arrangements to return. Taxis are typically a expensive option to use. While most Americans are happy to give driving directions, don't be surprised if many aren't familiar with the local public transport options available. Gas stations usually sell regional and national maps. Online maps with directions are available on several websites including MapQuest and Google Maps. Drivers can obtain directions by calling 1-800-Free411, which will provide them via text message. GPS navigation systems can be purchased for around $100, and car rental agencies often rent GPS units for a small additional fee. Many smartphones are now bundled with GPS navigation software that offers turn-by-turn directions. Your mobile phone provider may charge you for data use, since mobile phone GPS navigation is best used with an Internet connection. Several GPS navigation apps can now support "offline maps" features where you can download maps in advance, but without Internet access, the navigation app will not have access to real-time traffic data and may direct you to drive right into the middle of a severe traffic jam. Even states that ban the use of hand-held phones by drivers often allow the use of GPS features, as long as the driver enters no data when in motion (check local laws in the places you will be travelling). Unlike most of the rest of the world, the United States continues to use a system of measurement based on the old British imperial system for the most part, meaning that road signs are in miles and miles per hour, but fuel is sold in gallons smaller than those used in the UK. If driving a car from Canada or Mexico, make sure you know the conversions from metric to imperial units. In the case of Canadian cars, you should check your owner's manual to see if your speedometer and odometer can be switched from metric to imperial (and back), and if so, how to do so, and make the switch at the border stop. Most cars sold in the US and Canada today can be readily switched between the two sets of units. The vast majority of cars in the United States (and Canada, for that matter) are equipped with automatic transmission - manual (stick shift) cars are very much the exception to the rule and are generally only found on sports cars, so bear that in mind if you do rent a car. Great American Road Trip[ edit ] A romantic appeal is attached to the idea of long-distance car travel; many Americans will tell you that you can't see the "real" America except by car. Given the dearth of public transportation in most American cities, the loss of time travelling between cities by car rather than flying can be made up by the convenience of driving around within cities once you arrive. In addition, many of the country's major natural attractions, such as the Grand Canyon , are in rugged landscapes and environments, and are almost impossible to get to without an automobile. If you have the time, a classic American road trip with a rented car (see below) is very easy to achieve and quite an adventure. Just keep in mind that because of the distances, this kind of travel can mean many hours, days, or even a week behind the wheel, so pay attention to the comfort of the car you use. Some roads go though hazardous environments (hot deserts, dense forests and jungles, harsh steppes and savannas, marshy/wet areas, geothermal areas, rugged mountains,) and through areas with dangerous wildlife (Bobcats, Pumas, Jaguars, constrictors, Pronghorn, poisonous snakes, alligators, Coyotes, bears...etc) and weather (the U.S. can be struck by any manner of disasters, from tornadoes, dust storms, and hurricanes, to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis,) so be aware of the environment you are travelling through. See also: Interstate Highway System There's always a road going your way. The United States exclusively uses miles rather than kilometers! The United States is covered with the largest and most modern highway system in the world. Interstates are always freeways—that is, controlled access divided highways with no at-grade crossings, the equivalent of what Europeans call a "motorway". These roads connect all of the major population centers, and they make it easy to cover long distances—or get to the other side of a large city—quickly. These highways cross the entire US mainland from the Atlantic to the Pacific, through several time zones, landscapes, and climates. Most of these highways have modern and safe state run "Rest Areas" or "Service Plaza" areas. These rest stops normally offer restrooms, vending machines, and phone service. Service Plazas (more likely found on toll roads) may offer fuel, restaurant(s), and simple vehicle repair. Many of these rest stops also offer tourist information and picnic areas. Additional commercial traveler services tend to congregate on the local roads just off popular interstate highway exits. Sometimes you'll find a truck stop, an establishment that caters to long-haul truckers but is open to all travelers. Signs on the highway will indicate the services available at upcoming exits, including gas, food, lodging, and camping, so you can choose a stopping point as you're driving. Note that in some eastern states, Interstates are called expressways or just highways. Western states as well as US federal law defines expressways as limited access divided highways with reduced at-grade crossings (meaning that you can and will see occasional cross-traffic on western expressways), while freeways are defined as divided highways with full access control and no at-grade crossings. Many eastern states do not follow the same distinction. Primary Interstates have one- or two-digit numbers, with odd ones running north-south (e.g. I-5) and even ones running east-west (e.g. I-80). Three-digit interstate numbers designate shorter, secondary routes. An odd first digit signifies a "spur" into or away from a city; an even first digit signifies a "loop" around a large city. The second two digits remain the same as the primary Interstate that travels nearby (e.g., I-495 is a loop that connects to I-95). The vast majority of interstates do not charge tolls. However, the Departments of Transportation of Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania operate long-distance, limited-access toll roads called Turnpikes. Tolls are also frequently levied for crossing notably large bridges or tunnels, and some states are even turning to requiring tolls on Federal Interstate highways to defray their maintenance costs (West Virginia is most notable for this). While the majority of entrances and exits for the Turnpike systems of these states collect tolls in cash, states are increasingly turning to electronic tolling by outfitting vehicles with small RFID transponders, or, more recently, photographic recording and recognition of the vehicle's license plate. If you plan on driving in a state that offers toll roads, it is worthwhile to ask your rental car agency about the electronic tolling options available to you, as paying tolls in cash is becoming incrementally more difficult as electronic options and open-road tolling (paying tolls electronically without having to stop), on Florida's Turnpike in particular, are rapidly becoming more widely accepted. Nearly all rental car agencies that operate in Florida offer some form of prepaid tolling plan. Credit cards and travelers' checks are usually not accepted by state-operated toll plazas, but there are some exceptions (for example, the Ohio Turnpike accepts most major credit cards). Speed limits on Interstate Highways can vary from state to state, and also according to geography (for example, slower on mountain passes and within cities than on long straight rural sections). Posted speed limits can range from as low as 45 miles per hour (70km/h) in densely urban areas to as much as 85mph (135km/h) in certain rural stretches of Texas, but mostly they'll be between 65 and 70mph (105–113km/h) on the east coast and 65 to 75mph (105-120km/h) out west. The speed limits (in miles per hour) are always clearly and frequently posted on Interstates. American drivers often drive a bit over the posted speed limit, especially on Interstates (5 to 10mph (8–15km/h)). Driving more than 10mph over the posted speed limit greatly increases the chance of receiving a speeding ticket; 15mph or more over the limit when observed by law enforcement will usually earn you a ticket or, depending on the state, result in a license suspension. Driving too slow can actually be dangerous. A good rule of thumb is to avoid driving much faster than all other cars. Highway Patrol officers are usually most concerned with the fastest drivers, so ensuring you are slower than the fastest speeders is one way to avoid their attention. If you are pulled over, be respectful, address the officer as "Officer," and express heartfelt regret at your excessive speed. You may or may not get a ticket, but remain in your car while the officer process your information. The officer will approach the car and you should roll down your window to speak. The officer will ask to see your drivers license and car registration. Such traffic stops are often routine and low key. Many Interstate Highways, particularly around and through very large cities, will segregate the far left-hand lane or lanes and reserve them for high-occupancy use. These lanes are clearly signed, marked with white diamonds down the center of the lane, have double-white lines on the right, and are limited to vehicles with two or more occupants. High-Occupancy Vehicle lanes, called HOV lanes or carpool lanes, are designed to ease congestion on Interstate freeways around large population centers during the very start and very end of the business day, also known colloquially as Rush Hour. At least 22 U.S. cities have HOV lanes, of which about half enforce them only during rush hour and half enforce them 24 hours. If you do not see specific hours posted for HOV lanes, assume the HOV lane restrictions are in effect at all times. Off the Interstates[ edit ] A secondary system of federal highways is the US Highway system. US Highways may be divided with multiple lanes in each direction on some sections, but they are often not dual carriageways, sometimes with just one lane in each direction. US Highways, which generally pre-date the Interstate system, tend to be older routes that lead through town centers as local streets (with a local name or number) at slower speeds. In many cases, Interstates were constructed roughly parallel to US Highways to expedite traffic that wishes to bypass the cities and towns. If you don't mind stopping at traffic lights and dealing with pedestrians, US Highways can lead you to some interesting off-the-beaten-path sights. Each state is responsible for maintenance of the Interstates and US Highways (despite the names), but each one also maintains its own system of State Highways (or State Routes) that form the bulk of the inter-community road network. State Highways are usually undivided but may occasionally be freeways; you can generally count on them being well maintained (and plowed in the winter) and that following one will get you to some form of civilization sooner rather than later. In most states west of the Mississippi River, the term "freeway" means a divided highway with full access control with maximum speed limits up to 75-80mph (120-128km/h) in Utah and western Texas, while the term "expressway" means a divided highway with partial access control. Expressways in western states can and do have occasional at-grade intersections with cross-traffic (that is, travelling perpendicular to mainline traffic approaching at speeds with speed limits set between 40-65mph (64-104km/h)). Only freeways in those states are guaranteed to have no cross-traffic at grade. In most states east of the Mississippi River, the term expressway always means full access control and the term freeway is either a synonym or is not used. Driving laws[ edit ] As with the rest of North America, Americans drive on the right in left-hand drive vehicles and pass on the left. The sole exception is the U.S. Virgin Islands , which continues to drive on the left-hand side, with mostly left-hand vehicles. White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction and yellow lines separate opposing traffic. Right turn on red after coming to a complete stop is legal (unless a sign prohibits it) in the majority of US states and cities. The most notable exception is New York City, where right turn on red is illegal unless a sign expressly allows it. Red lights and stop signs are always strictly enforced at all hours in virtually all US jurisdictions, along with traffic lights and lane lines. There is zero tolerance for many traffic manoeuvres often seen elsewhere in many countries around the world. Jumping the green, running a red, driving the wrong way on one-way streets, straddling lanes (especially in a car or truck), or swerving across the double yellow line into opposing traffic on major urban roadways to pass slower (but still moving) traffic will all result in an expensive ticket. Most American drivers tend to drive calmly and safely in the sprawling residential suburban neighborhoods where the majority of Americans live. However, freeways around the central areas of big cities often become crowded with a significant proportion of "hurried" drivers — who will exceed speed limits, make unsafe lane changes, or follow other cars at unsafe close distances (known as "tailgating"). Enforcement of posted speed limits is somewhat unpredictable and varies widely from state to state. Not exceeding the pace of other drivers will usually avoid a troublesome citation. Beware of small towns along otherwise high-speed rural roads (and medium-speed suburban roads); the reduced speed limits often posted for traffic going through such towns are strictly enforced. Another issue in many locations is drivers who linger in left lanes of multi-lane divided highways — that is, who refuse to move to the right for traffic attempting to pass. While this is seen as extremely discourteous and often dangerous, it is not illegal in most US jurisdictions unless the driver is travelling well below the speed limit. (This differs, for example, from Germany, where failing to move right to make way for passing drivers and passing on the right are very serious violations and strictly enforced.) One state that has attempted to address this issue is Georgia, which passed a law in March 2014 making it a violation to fail to move to the right for a passing vehicle, even if the driver being passed is exceeding the posted speed limit. Driving law is primarily a matter of state law and is enforced by state and local police. Fortunately, widespread adoption of provisions of the Uniform Vehicle Code, and federal regulation of traffic signs under the Highway Safety Act, means that most driving laws do not vary much from one state to the next. All states publish an official driver's handbook which summarizes state driving laws in plain English. These handbooks are usually available both on the Web and at many government offices. AAA publishes a AAA/CAA Digest of Motor Laws, which is now available online for free . The Digest contains comprehensive summaries in plain English of all major driving laws that typically vary between states. The Digest's coverage includes all US states and all Canadian provinces. International visitors aged 18 and older can usually drive on their foreign driver's license for up to a year, depending on state law. Licenses that are not in English must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a certified translation. Persons who will be in the United States for more than a year must obtain a driver's license from the state they are residing in. Written and practical driving tests are required, but they are usually waived for holders of valid Canadian, Mexican, and some European licenses. Traffic signs often depend on the ability to read English words. Drivers who can read English will find most signs self-explanatory. (Progress toward adopting signs with internationally understood symbols is extremely slow; don't count on seeing any.) Distances and speeds will almost always be given in miles and miles per hour (mph), without these units specified. Some areas near the Canadian and Mexican borders may feature road signs with distances in both miles and kilometers. Police patrol cars vary in make, model, color, and livery from state to state and even town to town, but all are equipped with red and/or blue flashing lights and a siren. Many police vehicles in the United States are American brand (Ford, Chevrolet, etc). If you see the lights or hear the siren, pull to the right-hand shoulder of the road to let them by. If the patrol car is directly behind you, it's your car the officer is targeting; in that case, pull over as soon as it is practical for you to do so safely, even if this means driving some extra distance. It is extremely important that you pull off the road as soon as you are able. Use your turn signals or your hazard lights to show the officer you are complying. The officer will request to see your drivers license, the registration for the vehicle, and your proof of insurance coverage, and/or rental car documentation. Many traffic stops are recorded by a video camera in the officer's patrol car, as well as a lapel microphone on their person. See the section on police officers in the Stay Safe section below. There's a chance of coming across a police interior border checkpoint when driving on the highway. The permanent ones are in the states bordering Mexico . But there's a random chance of encountering temporary ones in any state. The purpose is to help prevent illegal immigration. As with crossing into the U.S. from neighboring countries, police will require you to show proof of identification and will check your vehicle for any possible illegal immigrant(s) or other illegals federal or state wise. Car rental[ edit ] Generally, you must be 25 or older to rent a car without restrictions or special charges. Rental car agencies in some states may be able to rent a vehicle to drivers as young as 21, but may impose a hefty surcharge. The states of New York and Michigan have laws forcing rental car agencies to rent to drivers as young as 18. Virtually every car from every rental agency in the U.S. runs on unleaded gasoline and has an automatic transmission. Renting a car usually costs anywhere from $20 and $100 per day for a basic sedan, depending on the type of car and location, with some discounts for week-long rentals. Major car rental agencies found in nearly all cities are Alamo ☎ +1 877 222-9075; Atlanticchoice ☎ +1 800 756 3930; Avis ☎ +1 800 230 4898; Budget (+1 800 527 0700); Dollar [1] (+1 800 800 4000); Enterprise Rent-A-Car [2] (+1 800 RENT-A-CAR); Hertz [3] (+1 800 230 4898); National [4] (+1 877 222 9058); and Thrifty [5] (+1 800 847 4389). European car rental giant Sixt ☎ +1 888 749-8227 has been expanding into the US in recent years, and is found in a handful of states, but is absent from important states like Hawaii and Illinois. For several years, European car rental company Europcar was allied with National, but in 2013 switched its US alliance partner to Advantage Rent A Car. There are no large national discount car rental agencies, but in each city there is usually at least one. Some discount car rental companies which operate only in particular regions are Advantage Rent A Car [6] (now owned by Hertz and expanding across the country), E-Z Rent-A-Car [7] (+1 800 277 5171) and Fox Rent A Car [8] . The Internet or the Yellow Pages are the easiest ways to find them. Another well-known discount chain is Rent-A-Wreck [9] (+1 800 944 7501). It rents used cars at significantly lower prices. Most rental car agencies have downtown offices in major cities as well as offices at major airports. Not all companies allow picking up a car in one city and dropping it off in another (the ones that do almost always charge extra for the privilege); check with the rental agency when making your reservations. One factor that will strongly influence the price of your car rental will be location. Sometimes renting a car at an airport or near-airport location will cost three or four times as much as renting the same car from the same company at a location far from the airport (but your cost calculations must incorporate the additional time and money it will take to reach the distant off-airport location). In other areas, the airport location may be cheaper. Online travel websites such as Orbitz or Expedia can be useful for comparing prices and making reservations. Rental agencies accept a valid driver's license from your country, which must be presented with an International Drivers Permit if your license needs to be translated. You may wish to join some kind of auto club before starting a large American road trip, and having a cell phone is a very good idea. Most rental agencies have some kind of emergency road service program, but they can have spotty coverage for remote regions. The largest club in the United States is the American Automobile Association [10] (+1-800-391-4AAA), known as "Triple A". A yearly membership runs about $60. AAA members also get discounts at many hotels, motels, restaurants and attractions; which may make it worth getting a membership even if you don't drive. Note that some non-U.S. automobile clubs have affiliate relationships with AAA, allowing members of the non-U.S. club to take full advantage of AAA road service and discount programs. Among these clubs are the Canadian Automobile Association, The Automobile Association in the UK, and ADAC in Germany. Alternatively, Better World Club [11] (+1-866-238-1137) offers similar rates and benefits as AAA, but with often more timely service. It is a more eco-friendly choice as 1% of revenue is donated to environmental cleanup programs. . The prices shown on rental car Web sites vary dramatically based upon whether the renter is a US resident or not. There are several reasons for this. On the one hand, US residents are charged less because the rental car companies know that most Americans are covered for loss or damage to the rental car either by their credit card or the insurance policy on their primary personal vehicle at home, and most American personal auto policies extend coverage to rental cars. Without appropriate loss damage waiver cover, you could be personally liable for the entire cost of the car should it be written off in an accident, and without appropriate liability insurance, you could face serious criminal or civil liability if you are later held to be at fault by a court of law for an accident which caused serious personal injury or death. Purchasing loss damage waiver cover, and both required and supplemental liability insurance may add up to $30/day to the price of a rental, in some cases doubling the price of the rental. On the other hand, the rental car industry is well aware that many visitors are from countries which aren't as wealthy as the US, and that some countries also have strict driver licensing and testing schemes that sharply reduce the likelihood of licensed drivers getting into accidents abroad. Thus, they try to optimize pricing separately for such visitors. If you identify your country of origin or book through Web sites customized to your own local market, you may be given a quote which includes loss damage waiver and both required and supplemental liability insurance for considerably less. Many travel insurance policies include cover for some rental car damage - check your policy against the rental terms and conditions. Fuel[ edit ] Gasoline ("gas") is sold by the gallon, at stations that are primarily self-service (you must pump your own gas) with the exception of those in New Jersey and Oregon (where self-service is illegal). The American gallon is smaller than the UK gallon, and equals 3.785 liters. The US octane scale is different from that used in Europe; a regular gallon of U.S. gasoline is rated at 87 octane, the equivalent of about 92 in Europe. In most states, gas stations offer a choice of three levels of octane: 87 (regular), 89 (midgrade or plus), and 91 (premium). Unless you are renting a luxury vehicle, your vehicle will likely require only 87 regular. One octane-related detail to watch for—at higher elevations in the mountain west, regular unleaded is often rated at 85 or 86 octane. This practice began when car engines had carburetors, and lower octane helped those cars run smoothly at altitude. Using 85 or 86 octane in a modern, fuel-injected vehicle rated for 87 octane or higher for prolonged periods may cause engine damage. Visitors from countries where self-service is illegal may feel intimidated by the idea of pumping their own gas, but should not be. US self-service gas pumps have clear directions printed on them and are easy to use. The pump will automatically stop when it senses gas backing up into the nozzle (thus indicating the tank is full). When you finish, replace the nozzle in its slot on the pump, reinsert and turn the gas cap until it begins to make clicking noises, and then close the gas cap access door. Nevertheless, most self-service gas stations will have staff on-hand to pump gas for you if you need assistance. Simply honk your horn quickly a couple of times, or ask for assistance inside the office or adjoining convenience store. Diesel is not as common, due to heavier federal taxes on it. But it is still widely used and available at most stations, especially those catering to truckers. Untaxed "offroad diesel", sold in rural areas for agricultural use, is dyed red and should not be used in cars, as there are heavy fines if you're caught. Despite increasing petroleum prices worldwide and some increases in gas taxes, the American consumer-voter's attachment to his automobile, combined with abundant domestic oil reserves and relatively low taxes on gasoline, has kept retail fuel prices much lower than in many parts of the world. Prices fluctuate by region and season. As of December 2014, current prices are averaging near $2.27/gallon (equivalent to $0.59/L) for regular and $3.16/gallon for diesel ($0.83/L). Fuel prices in the United States tend to change every season. Gas prices vary dramatically from state, territory, and federal district based on a number of variables, primarily state sales tax rates (which are invariably included in the advertised price) and anti-pollution requirements. The highest prices are usually found in Hawaii, Alaska, the West Coast, Illinois, and New York. The lowest prices are generally found in the south central US and also South Carolina. Prices can also vary by city, town, village, and rural area. The only truly nationwide gas station chains are Shell and Mobil. Other large chains have achieved almost nationwide coverage but are notably absent from at least one region, like Chevron, Texaco, Exxon, Valero, and Conoco. Many gas stations have adjoining "mini-marts" or convenience stores where snacks, soda, coffee, and cigarettes are sold, and may or may not offer public bathroom access. In some states, you can also purchase beer. Larger chain stations may also be attached to an "express" version of a fast food chain (McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts, Subway, etc). Long distance[ edit ] Intercity bus travel in the United States is widespread and, while not available everywhere, there are at least three daily routes in every state. Service between nearby major cities is extremely frequent (e.g. as of July 2012 there are 82 daily buses, by seven operators, on an off-peak weekday each way between Boston and New York, an average of nearly one every 10 minutes during daytime hours). Many patrons use bus travel when other modes aren't readily available, as buses often connect many smaller towns with regional cities. The disadvantaged and elderly may use these bus lines, as automobile travel proves arduous or not affordable for some. It's commonly considered a "lower class" way to travel, but is generally dependable, safe, affordable. Greyhound Bus Lines (First Group) ☎ +1 800-229-9424 and several subsidiaries and affiliated partners ( Neon (Toronto & New York); Cruceros USA (US states of Arizona & California and Mexican states of Baja Califronia Norte & Sonora); Valley Transit (Rio Grande valley in southern Texas); Autobus Americanos (US states of Colorado, New Mexico & Texas and the Mexican states of Coahuila, Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipus), and Greyhound Canada ) have the predominant share of American bus travel. Steep discounts are available to travelers who purchase their tickets 7-14 days in advance of their travel date. Their North American Discovery Pass allows unlimited travel for ranges of 4 to 60 days, but you might want to try riding one or two buses first before locking yourself in to an exclusively-bus American journey. Greyhound buses typically runs in 5-7 hour segments, at which time all passengers must get off the bus so it can be serviced, even if it's the middle of the night. Continuing passengers are boarded before those just getting on. There are no reservations on Greyhound buses. All seating is on a first come, first served basis, with the exception of select cities, where you can pay a $5 fee for priority seating. Greyhound buses are being refurbished with more comfortable seating, wireless Internet, and other improvements. Stagecoach Group owns & operates Coach USA and Megabus . They offer inexpensive daily bus service departing from curbside bus stops in various parts of the country: the entire East Coast from Maine to Florida and as far west as California and Nebraska (and to Canada) from several hub cities. Trailways is another provider of intercity bus service. They are not a single company, but a group of individual companies franchised to form a network. Trailways used to have many more routes until most of them were bought by Greyhound in 1987. Today it is still possible to travel to many places by Trailways, but some companies are isolated from the system and you must connect through Greyhound while other Trailways companies operate mainly as a chartered bus and do not offer scheduled services. They do serve many places that Greyhound doesn't and ally with Greyhound against other competitors. So called Chinatown buses also provide curb-side departures for a standard walk-up cash fare often much lower than other operators' fares. These lines operate through the East Coast down with some further out destinations in the Midwest, the South, and along as along the West Coast. GoToBus.com is the largest online booking agent for these smaller "Chinatown" bus companies. Please note that most Internet-based and Chinatown buses only go to large cities, skipping the smaller towns that many bus travelers ride to. A number of these smaller "Chinatown" companies had also been shut down by the government due to safety violations. Hispanic bus companies tend to have the most spacious buses in the country. Connections within Texas or from Texas to the Midwest (all the way to Chicago), the Southeast, and/or Mexico are offered by: Peter Pan & Bonanza Northeastern states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, & Rhode Island. Vamoose New York, Maryland, Virginia Eastern New York, Maryland, Virginia The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates and certifies all interstate bus operators. FMCSA is notorious for being overworked and underfunded, which means they have a hard time properly regulating the numerous bus operators around the country. The newer curbside bus operators (as in the Chinatown and Internet-based buses) are more dangerous than traditional terminal-based operators like Greyhound, though buses in general are still far safer than driving a private vehicle. Local travel[ edit ] Otherwise see the entries for individual U.S. states and/or cities for additional independent companies and transit agencies (operated by local government (local council)) Rural (and even urban) casinos may also offer scheduled shuttle buses between their casinos and nearby cities and towns as a way to draw more customers. Even if you don't gamble you can still take their shuttle bus from 'City A' to the casino where you transfer to another bus to 'City B' for free or for a fare. Check their respective sites. There are also long distance bus and shuttle services from the airports to various places outside the principal city that airport serves. Same thing from between university towns and the nearest major cities where the majority of the students are from. The university shuttles operate on limited schedules revolving around the university schedules when students go home to their parents on Friday afternoons for the weekend, during the Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year Break and Spring Break and return to the college town on Sunday afternoons/evenings or at the end of the break period. In most locations from small towns up to large cites, there are bus systems run by the local government that provide service either along a fixed route, as a deviation from the route or door-to-door. Bus companies are either publicly funded as local public transportation or independently owned & operated companies serving rural and urban areas locally and/or across long distances between cities & towns. In some rural areas these can be the only thing available to get there and around with limited or no Greyhound or Amtrak services. See the article(s) on a specific city, town or state as to what's there. In Alaska , Hawaii and Puerto Rico there are NO Greyhound, Megabus/Coach USA, Chinatown, Boltbus, Trailways and Amtrak services as there are in the Lower 48 or the Mainland. See the respective articles as to what's available there. By recreational vehicle (RV)[ edit ] Main article: Car Camping Recreational vehicles – large, sometimes bus sized vehicles that include sleeping and living quarters – are a distinctly American way to cruise the country. Some RVers love the convenience of being able to drive their home anywhere they like and enjoy the camaraderie that RV campgrounds offer. Other people dislike the hassles and maintenance issues that come with RVing. And don't even think about driving an RV into a huge metropolis such as New York. Still, if you want to drive extensively within the United States and are comfortable handling a big rig, renting an RV is an option you should consider. By motorcycle[ edit ] The thrill and exhilaration of cross country travel are magnified when you go by motorcycle. Harley-Davidson is the preeminent American motorcycle brand and Harley operates a motorcycle rental program for those licensed and capable of handling a full weight motorcycle. In some parts of the country, you can also rent other types of motorcycles, such as sportbikes, touring bikes, and dual-sport bikes. For those inexperienced with motorcycles, Harley and other dealerships offer classes for beginners. Wearing a helmet, although not required in all states, is always a good idea. The practice of riding between lanes of slower cars, also known as "lane-sharing" or "lane-splitting," is illegal, except in California where it is tolerated and widespread. Solo motorcyclists can legally use "high-occupancy vehicle" or "carpool" lanes during their hours of operation. American enthusiasm towards motorcycles has led to a motorcycling subculture. Motorcycle clubs are exclusive clubs for members dedicated to riding a particular brand of motorcycle within a highly structured club hierarchy. Riding clubs may or may not be organized around a specific brand of bikes and offer open membership to anyone interested in riding. Motorcycle rallies, such as the famous one in Sturgis , South Dakota, are huge gatherings of motorcyclists from around the country. Many motorcyclists are not affiliated with any club and opt to ride independently or with friends. In general, motorcycling is seen as a hobby, as opposed to a practical means of transportation; this means, for example, that most American motorcyclists prefer not to ride in inclement weather. However you choose to ride, and whatever brand of bike you prefer, motorcycling can be a thrilling way to see the country. Gateway Arch, St. Louis , Missouri in the Midwest A long history of hitchhiking comes out of the U.S., with record of automobile hitchhikers as early as 1911. Today, hitchhiking is nowhere near as common, but there are some nevertheless who still attempt short or cross-country trips. The laws related to hitchhiking in the U.S. are most covered by the Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC), adopted with changes in wording by individual states. In general, it is legal to hitchhike throughout the majority of the country, if not standing within the boundaries of a highway (usually marked by a solid white line at the shoulder of the road) and if not on an Interstate highway prohibiting pedestrians. In many states Interstate highways do not allow foot traffic, so hitchhikers must use the entrance ramps. In a few states it is allowed or tolerated (unless on a toll road). Oklahoma, Texas and Oregon are a few states that do allow pedestrians on the highway shoulder, although not in some metropolitan areas. Oklahoma allows foot traffic on all free interstates, but not toll roads and Texas only bans it on toll roads — and on free Interstates within the city of El Paso. Oregon only bans it in the Portland metro area. Missouri only bans it within Kansas City and St. Louis city limits. Hitchhiking has become much less popular due to increasing wariness of the possible dangers (fueled in part by sensational stories in the news media). International travelers to the U.S. should avoid this practice unless they have either a particularly strong sense of social adventure or extremely little money. Even many Americans themselves would only feel comfortable "thumbing a ride" if they had a good knowledge of the locale. Craigslist [12] has a rideshare section that sometimes proves useful for arranging rides in advance. If you are open with your destination it's almost always possible to find a ride on C.L. going somewhere within the U.S. to-go (in ordering food) - take-away trash/garbage - refuse/rubbish Please see our English language varieties article for more words that differ. Most Americans speak English. In many areas, (parts of the South, New England, inner cities, and in the upper Midwest), you'll find some distinctive regional accents and dialects. Nowhere should this pose any problem to a visitor, as Americans often admire foreign accents and most will approximate the standard accent to help you understand them, or try to speak your language if they can. Even so, visitors are generally expected to speak and understand English. Because of this, the US does not have an official language at the federal (national) level (most states have English as their official language). A growing number of popular tourist sites have signs in other languages, but only English is certain to be available at any given location. There is a wide accent barrier across the U.S., where certain words are spoken or pronounced differently. Due primarily to immigration from Latin America, the United States has the second-largest Spanish speaking population in the world. Spanish is the primary second language in almost all of the United States, especially California, the Southwest, Texas, Florida, and the metropolitan areas of the Midwest and East Coast. Many of these areas have Spanish-language radio and television stations, with local, national and Mexican programs. Spanish is the first language of Puerto Rico and a large minority of residents on the mainland, particularly in the western states. Spanish speakers in the United States are primarily Puerto Ricans, or first- and second-generation immigrants from Latin America. As a result, the Spanish spoken is almost invariably a Latin American or Puerto Rican dialect. Although areas where no one speaks English are extremely rare, a good handle on Spanish can make communication easier in some places. Americans are generally taught Spanish in schools from an early age, and therefore many can understand basic phrases while a small but significant population of non-immigrant Americans speaks Spanish fluently. Because many immigrants take service-industry jobs for substandard pay, employees at restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and other such establishments can generally be counted on to understand, speak, and translate Spanish. French is the primary second language in rural areas near the border with Quebec , in some areas of Louisiana, and among West African immigrants, but is not widespread elsewhere. In southern Florida, Haitian immigrants primarily speak Haitian Creole , a separate language derived from French, as their second language, although a substantial number also speak French. Thanks to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), some products now have trilingual packaging in English, Spanish, and French for sale throughout the entire trade bloc, especially household cleaning products and small electric appliances. In areas with large numbers of Spanish speakers, the major discount stores like Walmart and Target have internal directional signage in their stores in both Spanish and English. However, the vast majority of consumer products are labeled only in English, and most upscale department stores and boutiques have signage only in English, meaning that a rudimentary grasp of English is essential for shopping. Hawaiian is the native language of Hawaii but is rarely spoken. Japanese is widely spoken. In the various Chinatowns in major cities, Cantonese and Mandarin are common. Smaller immigrant groups also sometimes form their own pockets of shared language, including Russian, Italian, Greek, Arabic, Tagalog, Korean, Vietnamese, and others. Chicago, for instance, is the city with the second largest ethnic Polish population in the world, behind Warsaw . The Amish, who have lived in Pennsylvania and Ohio for generations, speak a dialect of German. Some Native Americans speak their respective native languages, especially on reservations in the west. However, despite efforts to revive them, many Native American languages are endangered, and people who speak them as their first language are few and far between. Navajo speakers in Arizona and New Mexico are an exception to this, but even a clear majority among them speak and understand English too. Bottom line: unless you're certain you'll be traveling in an area populated with recent immigrants, don't expect to get by in the United States without some English or Spanish, if you will travel in the southern half of the country. American Sign Language, or ASL is the dominant sign language in the United States. When events are interpreted, they will be interpreted in ASL. Users of French Sign Language and other related languages may find ASL intelligible, as they share much vocabulary, but users of British Sign Language or Auslan will not. Closed-captioning on television is widespread, but far from ubiquitous. Many theaters offer FM loops or other assistive listening devices, but captioning and interpreters are rarer. For the blind, many signs and displays include Braille transcriptions of the printed English. Larger restaurant chains, museums, and parks may offer Braille menus and guidebooks, but you'll likely have to ask for them. Portland Head Lighthouse, Portland , Maine, in New England The United States is extraordinarily diverse in its array of attractions. You will never run out of things to see; even if you think you've exhausted what one place has to offer, the next destination is only a road trip away. The Great American Road Trip (see above ) is the most traditional way to see a variety of sights; just hop in the car and cruise down the Interstates, stopping at the convenient roadside hotels and restaurants as necessary, and stopping at every interesting tourist trap along the way, until you reach your destination. Heartbreakingly beautiful scenery, history that reads like a screenplay, entertainment options that can last you for days, and some of the world's greatest architecture—no matter what your pleasure, you can find it almost anywhere you look in the United States. Because the country is so big, it is impossible to truly see it all in one trip. Even the longest available coast-to-coast escorted tour packages (approximately 20 to 45 days in length) only cover about half of the Lower 48 states and do not include Alaska, Hawaii, or the inhabited territories (i.e., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam), all of which are also fine tourist destinations in their own right. Thus, as with any large country, you need to do extensive research and prioritize regions and destinations. Diamond Head & Waikiki Beach, Honolulu , Hawaii From the spectacular glaciers of Alaska to the steamy and lush, weathered peaks of Appalachia; from the otherworldly desertscapes of the Southwest to the vast waters of the Great Lakes and the perpetually warm jungles of the south; few other countries have as wide a variety of natural scenery as the United States does. America's National Parks are a great place to start. Yellowstone National Park was the first true National Park in the world, and it remains one of the most famous, but there are 57 others. The Grand Canyon is possibly the world's most spectacular gorge; Sequoia National Park and Yosemite National Park are both home to the world's largest living organisms, the Giant Sequoia; Redwood National park has the tallest, the Coast Redwood; Glacier National Park is home to majestic glacier-carved mountains; Canyonlands National Park could easily be mistaken for Mars; and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park features abundant wildlife among beautiful, verdant waterfalls and mountains. And the national parks aren't just for sightseeing, either; each has plenty of outdoors activities as well. Still, the National Parks are just the beginning. The National Park Service also operates National Monuments, National Memorials, National Historic Sites, National Seashores, National Heritage Areas... the list goes on ( and on ). And each state has its own state parks that can be just as good as the federal versions. Most all of these destinations, federal or state, have an admission fee, but it all goes toward maintenance and operations of the parks, and the rewards are well worth it. Those aren't your only options, though. Many of America's natural treasures can be seen without passing through admission gates. The world-famous Niagara Falls straddle the border between Canada and the U.S.; the American side lets you get right up next to the onrush and feel the power that has shaped the Niagara gorge. The "purple majesty" of the Rocky Mountains can be seen for hundreds of miles in any direction, while the placid coastal areas of the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic have relaxed Americans for generations. The lush, humid forests of the east, the white sand beaches, the limestone mountains of the south, the red extraterrestrial landscapes of the west...it's a country that has something for everyone. Historical attractions[ edit ] Americans often have a misconception of their country as having little history. The US does indeed have a tremendous wealth of historical attractions—more than enough to fill months of history-centric touring. The prehistory of the continent can be a little hard to uncover, as many pre-contact sites in the Eastern and Midwestern parts of the country have been covered by other structures or farmland. But particularly in the West , you will find magnificent cliff dwellings at sites such as Mesa Verde , as well as near-ubiquitous rock paintings. In the Midwest, the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is worth a visit. The Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. is another great place to start learning about America's culture before the arrival of European colonists. As the first part of the country to be colonized by Europeans, the eastern states of New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and the South have more than their fair share of sites from early American history. The first successful British colony on the continent was at Jamestown , Virginia, although the settlement at Plymouth , Massachusetts, may loom larger in the nation's mind. In the eighteenth century, major centers of commerce developed in Philadelphia and Boston, and as the colonies grew in size, wealth, and self-confidence, relations with Great Britain became strained, culminating in the Boston Tea Party and the ensuing Revolutionary War... Monuments and architecture[ edit ] Americans have never shied away from heroic feats of engineering, and many of them are among the country's biggest tourist attractions. Washington, D.C., as the nation's capital, has more monuments and statuary than you could see in a day, but do be sure to visit the Washington Monument (the world's tallest obelisk), the stately Lincoln Memorial, and the incredibly moving Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The city's architecture is also an attraction—the Capitol Building and the White House are two of the most iconic buildings in the country and often serve to represent the whole nation to the world. Actually, a number of American cities have world-renowned skylines, perhaps none more so than the concrete canyons of Manhattan , part of New York City . The site of the destroyed World Trade Center towers remains a gaping wound in Manhattan's vista, however America's tallest building, the new 1 World Trade Center, now stands adjacent to the site of the former towers. Also, the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building stand tall, as they have for almost a century. Chicago, where the skyscraper was invented, is home to the country's single tallest building, the (former) Sears Tower, and an awful lot of other really tall buildings . Other skylines worth seeing include San Francisco (with the Golden Gate Bridge), Seattle (including the Space Needle), Miami , and Pittsburgh . Some human constructions transcend skyline, though, and become iconic symbols in their own right. The Gateway Arch in St. Louis , the Statue of Liberty in Manhattan , the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles , and even the fountains of the Bellagio casino in Las Vegas all draw visitors to their respective cities. Even the incredible Mount Rushmore , located far from any major city, still attracts two million visitors each year. Museums and galleries[ edit ] In the US, there's a museum for practically everything. From toys to priceless artifacts, from entertainment legends to dinosaur bones—nearly every city in the country has a museum worth visiting. The highest concentrations of these museums are found in the largest cities, of course, but none compare to Washington, D.C., home to the Smithsonian Institution. With almost twenty independent museums, most of them located on the National Mall , the Smithsonian is the foremost curator of American history and achievement. The most popular of the Smithsonian museums are the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of Natural History, but any of the Smithsonian museums would be a great way to spend an afternoon—and they're all 100% free. New York City also has an outstanding array of world-class museums, including the Guggenheim Museum, the American Museum of Natural History,the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. You could spend weeks exploring the cultural institutions just in D.C. and the Big Apple, but here's a small fraction of the other great museums you'd be missing: American Visionary Art Museum — Baltimore , Maryland Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Children's Museum of Indianapolis — Indianapolis , Indiana Exploratorium — San Francisco, California Itineraries[ edit ] Here is a handful of itineraries spanning regions across the United States: Appalachian Trail — a foot trail along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia to Maine Braddock Expedition — traces the French-Indian War route of British General Edward Braddock (and a younger George Washington) from Alexandria , Virginia through Cumberland, Maryland to the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh. The Jazz Track — a nation-wide tour of the most important clubs in jazz history and in jazz performance today Lewis and Clark Trail — retrace the northwest route of the great American explorers along the Missouri River Route 66 — tour the iconic historic highway running from Chicago to Los Angeles Do[ edit ][ add listing ] Music — Mid-size to large cities often draw big ticket concerts, especially in large outdoor amphitheaters. Small towns sometimes host concerts in parks with local or older bands. Other options include music festivals such has San Diego's Street Scene or South by Southwest in Austin . Classical music concerts are held year round and performed by semi-professional and professional symphonies. Boston, for instance, occasionally puts on free concerts in the Public Park. Many cities and regions have unique sounds. Nashville is known as Music City because of the large number of country artists that live in the city. It's home to the Grand Ole Opry, one of the most famous music venues in the country. Country music is popular nationwide but is particularly concentrated in the South and rural West. Seattle is the home of grunge rock. Many of the most popular bands are based out of Los Angeles due to the large entertainment presence and concentration of record companies. Marching Band — In addition to traditional music concerts, a quintessential American experience is the marching band festival. One can find these events almost every weekend between September and Thanksgiving throughout the country and again from March to June in California. Check local event listings and papers to find specifics. Also notable is the Bands of America Grand National Championship held every autumn in Indianapolis. Those looking to see the best of the best should acquire tickets to the "finals" performance, where the twelve best bands of the festival compete for the championship. This event is now held at the Lucas Oil Stadium. Both "street" or parade marching bands as well as "field" or show bands are found at almost every high school and university in America. Baseball in Daytona Beach , Florida Professional sports — The United States has a professional league for virtually every sport, including pillow fighting. However, perhaps because at the national level the only major world team sport that the USA regularly wins at is basketball, many of the most popular leagues are: MLB [13] — Major League Baseball is very popular and the sport of baseball is often referred to as "America's pastime" (being one of the most widely played in the country). The league has 30 teams (29 in the U.S. and 1 in Canada). Season lasts from April to September with playoff games held in October. With 30 teams playing 162 games per team per season and the cheapest seats usually $10-20, this is possibly the best sporting event for international travelers to watch. NBA [14] — The National Basketball Association is the world's premier men's basketball league and has 30 teams (29 in the U.S. and one in Canada). Season runs November to April, with playoffs in May-June. NFL [15] — The National Football League, with 32 teams, is the leading promoter of American football in the world, a sport which has virtually nothing in common with the sports that most other countries call football (Americans know those sports as soccer and rugby). The day of the championship game, called the Super Bowl, is an unofficial national holiday. Season lasts from September to December, with playoffs in January ending with the Super Bowl in February. TV advertisements leading to and on the day of the Super Bowl tend to be comical and creative. NHL [16] — The premier league for ice hockey in the world, featuring 30 teams (23 in the U.S. and 7 in Canada). A slight majority of players are Canadians, but the league has players from many other parts of the world, mainly the United States, the Nordic countries (primarily Sweden and Finland), Russia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Originally in Northern markets, recent expansions have each major region covered with a NHL team. The season runs from October to April, followed by playoffs that culminate in the Stanley Cup Finals in June. INDYCAR [17] — Beginning as the original form of American motorsport in 1911 with the first Indianapolis 500. INDYCAR has since come to be the premier open-wheel racing series in North America. The competition in INDYCAR is known to be closer, faster, and far more dangerous than that of NASCAR. Unlike NASCAR which almost races exclusively on "oval" tracks, INDYCAR competes on a wide variety of tracks ranging from city streets, road courses, to ovals like the world famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana which plays host to the most famous and prestigious race in the world, the Indianapolis 500, where speeds can reach up to a thrilling 240 miles per hour! INDYCAR holds races all across the United States, as well as Brazil and Canada, from March to October. NASCAR [18] — Viewed by many as a "regional sport" confined to the more rural areas of the South, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) has seemingly broken away from those misconceptions over recent years to become a major spectator sport across the country. While a majority of the tracks still reside in the Mid-Atlantic and South, NASCAR holds races all across the country, beginning with their marquee event, the Daytona 500, in mid-February and ending in late November. MLS [19] — Major League Soccer, currently with 19 teams (16 in the U.S. and three in Canada), is the latest attempt to kick start American interest in soccer. While it may not be as popular with the media, MLS is still widely viewed and enjoyed. Foreign travelers can find particularly vibrant and familiar fan experiences in several cities, notably Washington, Chicago, Houston, Kansas City, and especially Portland and Seattle. College sports — One rare feature of the United States sports landscape, as compared to that of other nations, is the extent to which sports are associated with educational institutions. In many regions of the country, local college or university teams, especially in football and men's basketball, enjoy followings that rival or surpass those of major professional teams. The main governing body for U.S. college sports is the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) [20] , which has over 1,000 member schools, including essentially all of the country's best-known colleges and universities. The college football season runs from roughly September 1 through mid-December, with postseason bowl games running into early January. The basketball regular season begins in mid-November and ends in late February or early March, followed by conference tournaments and then national postseason tournaments that run through early April. The NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, popularly known as "March Madness" (an NCAA trademark), is especially widely followed even by casual sports fans. High school sports — Many communities take great pride in their local high school teams, and especially in smaller communities, games are a large part of local culture. If your trip is during the school year (generally late August to late May), a high school game can be a great (and cheap) opportunity to get a major dose of the local culture. The most widely followed sports at this level are generally football and boys' basketball, with ice hockey also having a major presence in certain regions, mainly New England and the upper Midwest. Other sports, such as baseball, girls' basketball, volleyball (almost exclusively a girls' sport in most parts of the U.S.), and wrestling have significant pockets of popularity. In some states, a particular high school sport enjoys a special cultural place. Examples include football in Texas, basketball in Indiana, hockey in Minnesota, and wrestling in Iowa. Festivals and Fairs — A few days prompt nation-wide celebrations. They include Memorial Day, Independence Day (a.k.a. Fourth of July), and Labor Day. Other major holidays like Thanksgiving Day are marked by private festivities. Many towns and/or counties throw fairs, to commemorate the establishment of a town or the county with rides, games, and other attractions. Memorial Day — commemorates the ultimate sacrifice made by America's war dead. It is not to be confused with Veterans Day (11th November) which commemorates the service of America's military veterans, both living and deceased. It is the also the unofficial start of summer — expect heavy traffic in popular destinations, especially National Parks and amusement parks. Independence Day — Celebrates America's independence from Britain. The day is usually marked by parades, festivals, concerts, outdoor cooking and grilling and firework displays. Almost every town puts on some sort of festivity to celebrate the day. Large cities often have multiple events. Washington, D.C. celebrates the day on the Mall with a parade and a fireworks display against the Washington Monument. Labor Day — The US celebrates Labor Day on the first Monday of September, rather than May 1st. Labor Day marks the end of the summer social season. Some places, such as Cincinnati , throw parties to celebrate the day. National Parks . There are numerous national parks throughout the United States, especially the vast interior, which offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy your favorite outdoor activities, including Recreational shooting , ATV riding, hiking, bird watching, prospecting, and horseback riding. In more urban areas, some national parks are centered around historic landmarks. National Trails System is a group of twenty-one 'National Scenic Trails' and 'National Historic Trails' as well as over 1,000 shorter 'National Recreation Trails' for a total length of over 50,000 miles. While all are open to hiking, most are also open to mountain biking, horseback riding, and camping and some are even open for ATVs and cars. Money[ edit ] Official currency is the United States dollar ($), divided into 100 cents (¢). Conversion rates vary daily and are available online . The dollar is colloquially known as the buck (a reference to when buck skins were used as a median of exchange in areas far from the coastal mints) so 5 bucks means $5. Foreign currencies are almost never accepted, although some major hotel chains may accept travelers' checks in other currencies. Canadian currency is sometimes accepted at larger stores within 100 miles of the border, but discounted for the exchange rate. (This is more of an issue nowadays with a weak Canadian dollar.) Watch for stores that really want Canadian shoppers and will accept at par. Often, a few Canadian coins (especially pennies) won't be noticed, and do show up in circulation with American coins as they are the same size (but different metal contents and weight). Now that the Mexican peso has stabilized, it is somewhat accepted in a limited number of locations at border towns ( El Paso , San Diego , Laredo , etc), but you're better off exchanging your pesos in Mexico, and using US dollars instead, to ensure the best exchange rate. Common American bills are for $1, $5, $10, $20, while the $2, $50 and $100 bills are less common. All bills are the same size. All $1, $2, and the older $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills are greenish on one side and printed with black and green ink in the other. Newer versions of the $5 (purple), $10 (orange), $20 (green & orange), $50 (pink) and $100 (blue) bills incorporate different gradations of color in the paper and additional colors of ink. As designs are updated every 5-10 years to make it more difficult to counterfeit, you will currently find up to three different designs of some bills in circulation. Almost all vending machines accept $1 bills and a few accept $5 bills; acceptance of larger bills ($50 and $100) by small restaurants and stores is less common. No US banknotes have been demonetized in the last 80 years. You may even find some vending machines accepting debit/credit cards. The standard coins are the penny (1¢, copper color), the chunky nickel (5¢, silver color), the tiny dime (10¢, silver color) and the quarter or quarter dollar (25¢, silver color). None of these coins display the numeral of their value, so it is important to recognize the names of each. The size doesn't necessarily correspond to their relative value: the dime is the smallest coin, followed by the penny, nickel, and quarter. Half dollar (50¢, silver) and dollar ($1, silver or gold colored) coins exist but are uncommon in general circulation. Coins haven't been devalued or demonetized, but some may be worth more because of the real silver content (40 - 90% silver) or due to demand in the coin collectors' market. 'Quarters' (25¢) and 'dimes' (10¢) dated before 1965 are 90% real silver and can appear more white in color. 'Half dollars' (50¢) dated before 1971 are also made of real silver at 40% dated 1965 through 1970 and at 90% dated 1964 and earlier. Most have been removed from circulation due to their higher intrinsic value (due to higher silver prices) above legal tender face value and less common but they can still be found in circulation from time to time. Coin-operated machines usually only accept nickels, dimes, and quarters and they may not accept the real silver coins dated before 1965 due to their different weight from the current debased coins (copper core in a nickel clad). Coins dated in the 1940s or earlier, some with a different or similar design or appearance than the current coins are still found in circulation and may be worth more as a collector's item. Currency exchange and banking[ edit ] Currency exchange centers are rare outside the downtowns of major coastal and border cities, and international airports, however, many banks can also provide currency exchange services. Note that exchange rates are mediocre at airports and downright terrible at currency exchange centers in the suburbs. It is easiest to exchange major currencies like the euro, the UK pound, the Japanese yen, the Mexican peso, and the Canadian dollar. Visitors in possession of other currencies will find less places willing to accept them, or if at all, at less optimal rates. Major foreign exchange services at airports are provided by either Travelex or ICE Plc (International Currency Exchange) The Big Four U.S. retail banks are Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank, all of which have branches and ATMs in most major cities in the Lower 48 states. Because interstate bank branching was legalized only in 1994, many parts of the U.S. (like Hawaii , Alaska , and the territories) are poorly served by the big retail banks and are dominated by local banks. A few international banks have made inroads into the U.S. like HSBC, BBVA, and Rabobank, but because the country is so big, they are still relative newcomers and interstate banking laws are so restrictive, their branch networks are relatively limited. Most automated teller machines (ATMs) can handle foreign bank cards or credit cards bearing Visa/Plus or MasterCard/Cirrus logos; note, however, that many ATMs charge fees of about $3 for use with cards issued by other banks (often waived for cards issued outside of the U.S., but banks in one's home country may charge their own fees). Smaller ATMs found in restaurants etc. often charge higher fees (up to $5). Some ATMs (such as those at Sheetz gas stations and government buildings such as courthouses) have no fee. Another option is withdrawing cash (usually up to $40 over the cost of your goods) when making a debit-card purchase at a large discount store such as Walmart or Target, or at many supermarkets. Stores almost never charge a fee for this service, though the bank that issued your card may. Unless your debit / credit card is U.S issued, expect to incur foreign transaction fees from your bank. Most bank ATMs support at least one language (usually Spanish) in addition to English. ATMs operated by the Big Four banks tend to support many more languages, especially in urban areas. If you are from a country or territory with the US dollar as a official currency, you will not need to worry about understanding prices and currency transferring. Also if you are from Bermuda , Panama , or Bahamas , the official currency(ies) of the mentioned countries and territories have fixed exchange rates to the US Dollar. Meaning what price is said in the U.S. will be understood with your country's/territory's official currency. Example; $125 US Dollars will equal $125 Bermudian dollars, but you will still have to exchange currencies. Credit and debit cards[ edit ] Major credit cards Visa and MasterCard were both launched in the U.S., so it makes sense that today, Visa and MasterCard (and their debit card counterparts/affiliates) are widely used and accepted throughout all 50 states and all inhabited territories. Nearly all large retailers will accept credit cards for transactions of all sizes, even as small as one or two dollars. However, some small businesses and independently-owned stores specify a minimum amount of money (usually $2-5, but can legally charge up to $10 minimum) for credit card use, as such transactions cost them around 30 to 50 cents (this practice is also common at bars when opening a tab). Almost all sit-down restaurants, hotels, and shops will accept credit and debit cards; those that do not post a sign saying "CASH ONLY." Other cards such as American Express and Discover are also accepted by most retailers, but not as widely. Many retailers have a window sticker or counter sign showing the logos of the four big U.S. credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, and Discover. However, major retailers might accept only cash or debit cards for payment of prepaid/gift cards/transportation passes. Historically, logos for foreign cards like JCB and China UnionPay were very hard to find outside of high-end luxury boutiques, although both JCB and China UnionPay have longstanding alliances with Discover and can be used anywhere that takes Discover cards. In 2012, many U.S. stores, including Walmart, added JCB and China UnionPay logos to attract Asian tourists. When making large purchases, it is typical for U.S. retailers to ask to see some form of photo identification. Shops may also ask for photo identification for foreign issued cards. In certain circumstances, credit/debit cards are the only means to perform a transaction. Hence if you do not have one, you can purchase a prepaid card or gift card with Visa/Mastercard or Amex logo for yourself in a good number of stores but you may need to provide identification before the card is activated. Transaction authorization is made by signing a paper sales slip or a computer pad, although many retailers will waive the signature requirement for small purchases. The US has not yet implemented the EMV "chip-and-PIN" credit card authorization system used overseas, due to the high cost of upgrading point-of-sale systems and an ongoing dispute among retailers, banks, and credit card firms over who should bear that expense. Between August 2011 and June 2012, the four big credit card networks initially announced target dates in spring 2013 for EMV implementation among their US retailers. The vast majority of retailers failed to meet that deadline. The latest targets for EMV implementation are in 2015 for most retailers, and 2017 for gas stations, although it is still unclear whether those deadlines can be met. Gas station pumps, selected public transportation vending machines, and some other types of automated vending machines often have credit/debit card readers. Many gas station pumps and some automated vending machines that accept credit cards ask for the ZIP code (i.e., postal code) of the U.S. billing address for the card, which effectively prevents them from accepting foreign cards (they are unable to detect a foreign card and switch to PIN authentication). However, inputting the digits only of a UK Post Code of the UK billing address, or the digits only of the postal code of the Canadian billing address (in both cases, ignore spaces and letters), and adding on as many zeros as necessary to make five digits works often enough to be worth trying and does no harm. Since July 2013, this trick is guaranteed to work for Canadians who use cards with the MasterCard logo at gas stations that require a ZIP code prompt. At gas stations you can use a foreign issued card by paying the station attendant inside. In many big tourist cities, watch out for merchants trying to convert your USD purchase to your home currency when using your foreign debit / credit card. This is known as dynamic currency conversion and the exchange rate, at the point of sale, is NEVER in your favor; regardless of what you are told by the merchant. Always opt to be charged in USD. You can also avoid this by buying a prepaid debit card as long as you ensure there is sufficient funds in the card. Gift cards[ edit ] Each major commercial establishment (e.g. store, restaurant, online service) with a statewide, regional, nationwide or online presence makes its own gift card available to consumers for use at any of its establishments nationwide or its online store. In spite of the word "gift" in gift card, you can actually purchase and use these cards for yourself; however, they are most commonly given to others as gifts. This is a more polite way to give someone money as a gift, and is a standard gift for someone whom you don't know very well. A gift card for a certain establishment can be purchased at any of the establishment's branches. Supermarkets and pharmacies also have a variety of gift cards from different stores, restaurants and other services. Once these are purchased by you or given to you by friends, you can use a particular store or restaurant's gift card at any of its branches nationwide or online store for any amount. In case funds in the gift card are insufficient, you can use other payment methods to pay for the balance (like cash, credit card, a 2nd gift card particular to the establishment). VISA, MasterCard and American Express gift cards work very similarly to their credit/debit card counterparts. The gift card also has instructions on how to check your remaining balance online. Take note that the gift cards are unlikely to be accepted in the establishment's branches outside the U.S. though when you return home you can still use any remaining amount in the gift card in the establishment's online store. Sales tax[ edit ] There is no nationwide sales tax (such as VAT or GST), the only exception being motor fuels like gasoline and diesel. As a result, state and/or local taxes (see below) on major purchases cannot be refunded by customs agents upon leaving the United States. However, most states have a sales tax, ranging from 2.9% to nearly 10% of the retail price; 4-6% is typical. Sales tax is almost never included in posted prices (except for gasoline/diesel, and in most states, alcoholic beverages consumed on-premises), but instead will be calculated and added to the total when you pay. Groceries and a variety of other "necessities" are usually exempt, but almost any other retail transaction – including restaurant meals – will have sales tax added to the total. The price displayed is rarely the final price you pay. Delaware, New Hampshire and Oregon have no sales tax. Alaska has no statewide sales tax, but allows local governments to collect sales taxes. Montana also has no state-wide sales tax, but a few local governments (mostly in tourism-dominated towns) are allowed to collect sales taxes. Minnesota, Pennsylvania and New Jersey do not collect sales tax on clothes. In Massachusetts, clothing is exempt from any sales tax if the item costs no more than $175 (and sales tax is collected only on the amount over $175); in New York, clothing is exempt from state sales tax statewide and local sales tax in some locations (most notably New York City) if the item costs less than $110. At least two states, Louisiana and Texas, will refund sales tax on purchases made by international travelers taken out of the state. Regional price variations, indirect hotel and business taxes, etc, will usually have more impact on a traveler's wallet than the savings of seeking out a low-sales-tax or no-sales-tax destination. Many cities also impose sales taxes, and certain cities have tax zones near airports and business districts that are designed to exploit travelers. Thus, sales taxes can vary up to 2% in a matter of a few miles. However, even accounting for the burden of sales taxes, US retail prices still tend to be much lower than in many other countries. With one exception, the US has not implemented any form of value-added tax, where each segment in the supply chain is required to charge tax on the value it adds towards the final product. Rather, US sales taxes are charged only by the retailer at the time of the sale of the final product to the consumer. This is one reason for why Americans find everything to be so expensive when they visit other countries. The sole exception is the state of Hawaii, which charges a general excise tax that is worse than a value-added tax; it is levied on the entire price of products at every segment of the supply chain, rather than just the value added. If you are coming to the U.S. from a higher-taxed jurisdiction in search of bargains on luxury goods, note that it is much more difficult to find most of the internationally renowned brands of luxury goods in the no-sales-tax states, as such brands have traditionally positioned their boutique stores in the largest and wealthiest states: California, Texas, New York, Illinois and Florida (all of which have sales taxes). Even if you can find a particular luxury brand in a no-sales-tax state, it will likely be only one of multiple brands carried by a local luxury retailer, meaning their inventory will not be able to match the depth of a boutique dedicated solely to that brand. Places for shopping[ edit ] Shopping malls and shopping centers. America is the birthplace of the modern enclosed "shopping mall" as well as the open-air "shopping center". Most large high-end malls are operated by nationwide mall operators like Westfield, Simon, or General Growth Properties. In addition, American suburbs have miles and miles of small strip malls, or long rows of small shops with shared parking lots, usually built along a high-capacity road. Large cities still maintain central shopping districts that can be navigated on public transport, but pedestrian-friendly shopping streets are uncommon and usually small. Outlet centers. The U.S. pioneered the factory outlet store, and in turn, the outlet center, a shopping mall consisting primarily of such stores. Outlet centers are found along major Interstate highways outside of most American cities. Simon Premium Outlets is the largest chain of outlet centers in the U.S. Major retailers. American retailers tend to have some of the longest business hours in the world, with chains like Walmart often featuring stores open 24/7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Department stores and other large retailers are usually open from 10 AM to 9 PM most days, and during the winter holiday season, may stay open as long as 8 AM to 11 PM. The U.S. does not regulate the timing of sales promotions as in other countries. U.S. retailers often announce sales during all major holidays, and also in between for any reason or no reason at all. American retail stores are gigantic compared to retail stores in other countries, and are a shoppers' dream come true. Travelers should be aware that bargaining is generally not practiced at established stores, though it is welcome at other sales venues (see below). While asking for a price reduction due to an item defect is generally acceptable, retail sales personnel often do not have the authority to change prices and may see attempting to haggle as rude or or even threatening. If you want to ask for a discount, be polite and accept whatever answer you are given. If you don't, you may be asked to leave. Garage sales. On weekends, it is not uncommon to find families selling no longer needed household items in their driveway, garage, or yard. If you see a driveway full of stuff on a Saturday, it's likely a garage sale. Check it out; one person's trash may just be your treasure. Bargaining is expected and encouraged. Flea markets. Flea markets (called "swap meets" in Western states) have dozens if not hundreds of vendors selling all kinds of usually inexpensive merchandise. Some flea markets are highly specialized and aimed at collectors of a particular sort; others just sell all types of items. Again, bargaining is expected. Auctions. Americans did not invent the auction but may well have perfected it. The fast paced, sing-song cadence of a country auctioneer, selling anything from farm animals to estate furniture, is a special experience, even if you have no intention of buying. In big cities, head to the auction chambers of Christie's or Sotheby's, and watch paintings, antiques and works of art sold in a matter of minutes at prices that go into the millions. Major U.S. retail chains[ edit ] Department stores[ edit ] According to Deloitte, the largest fashion goods retailer in both the U.S. and the entire world is Macy's, Inc., which operates just over 720 Macy's midrange department stores in 45 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam, plus 7 Macy's Backstage discount stores, 38 upscale Bloomingdale's stores, 16 Bloomingdale's Outlet stores, and 98 Bluemercury cosmetics stores. In other words, nearly every mall you visit will have a Macy's. Unfortunately, not all of them are all worth visiting. Most Macy's stores, especially in smaller cities and middle-class suburbs, tend to heavily feature midrange brands. Most brands featured in those stores are private brands (that is, the brand concept was created by and is exclusive to Macy's itself, and most of them are not associated with a famous fashion designer). Over time, Macy's, like other U.S. department stores, has shifted its product mix in favor of its own private brands over outside designer brands. Obviously, if it owns the brand, it captures more of the profits. Therefore, shopping at most Macy's stores makes sense only if you are actually a fan of Macy's private brands. However, in the largest U.S. cities, Macy's operates high-end regional flagship stores which feature many internationally renowned upscale designer brands, and some of those stores have visitor centers catering to international tourists. In general, you should save your time and money for Macy's regional flagship stores or its gigantic original flagship store in New York City. Nordstrom is another upscale department store that is also found in most states. Other upscale department stores that operate coast-to-coast include Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Barney's New York, but they are found only in the wealthiest cities. Besides Macy's, other midrange nationwide chains include Kohl's, Sears, and JCPenney. The lower end is dominated by Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Old Navy. Discount stores, supermarkets, and warehouse clubs[ edit ] General discount stores like Walmart, Target, and Kmart are ubiquitous, as well as Walmart Supercenters and SuperTargets which are similar to hypermarkets overseas. (Kmart's hypermarket equivalents are called Super Kmarts, but they are extremely rare.) Many discount stores have either a small grocery section or a full supermarket; in fact, Walmart is the country's largest seller of groceries, as well as its largest retail chain. The two largest supermarket chains are Kroger and Albertsons, but both operate under legacy regional nameplates in many states. For example, in the nation's second largest city, Los Angeles, Kroger operates Ralphs and Food4Less, while Albertsons operates Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions, and neither operates any stores under their own names. And neither chain operates in the nation's largest city, New York City, where the supermarket business is severely fragmented among a huge number of regional chains. The dominant warehouse club chain in the U.S. is Costco, whose biggest competitor is Sam's Club (operated by Walmart). Other chains[ edit ] In several areas of the retail sector, ruthless consolidation has resulted in only one surviving nationwide chain, each of which competes with numerous regional chains and local stores. Examples include bookstores (Barnes & Noble), toys (Toys "R" Us), housewares (Bed Bath & Beyond), convenience stores (7-Eleven) and electronics (Best Buy). Both of the last two compete against several almost national chains that technically operate "coast-to-coast" but are notably absent from certain regions. For example, Circle K does not operate in the Mid-Atlantic states and New York City metro and Fry's Electronics is absent from most of the East Coast except Atlanta. Some areas of retail have two nationwide chains. The two big sporting goods chains are Sports Authority and Dick's Sporting Goods. The two big office stationery chains are Office Depot (which has absorbed OfficeMax), and Staples. In others, there are still three nationwide chains. The three big pharmacy chains are CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid—although virtually all Walmart, Target, and Kmart stores also have pharmacies, as do many supermarkets. Even if a discount store or supermarket is open 24/7, its pharmacy counter will almost never keep that schedule—it will usually have a morning-to-evening schedule and close overnight. This is only an issue if you need to fill a prescription or purchase a decongestant containing pseudoephedrine (in the latter case, pharmacists are required to record sales because it can be used to illegally make the highly addictive drug methamphetamine). Unlike most countries, many nonprescription OTC drugs (like analgesics and cold/flu remedies) are stocked on shelves in the publicly accessible section of the pharmacy, and that section normally remains often to the public even when the pharmacy counter is closed. Generally, such items can be paid for at any checkout location. U.S. pharmacies traditionally use the mortar-and-pestle as their symbol, not the green cross used by some European pharmacists (which in the U.S. is the symbol of medical marijuana). However, many U.S. pharmacies are now marked simply by the word "pharmacy" as part of their logo. U.S. pharmacies are far larger than their counterparts overseas because in the 1950s, they began selling soft drinks, packaged foods, and general merchandise to compete against the small discount stores ("dime stores") that were then widespread, and eventually displaced them altogether. Thus, if you don't see any supermarkets close to your hotel, try a pharmacy if you need to stock up on soft drinks and snacks. Bald Eagles in Homer , Alaska Unless you live in Australia, Canada, Western Europe, or Japan, the United States is generally expensive, but there are ways to limit the damage. Many foreign visitors come to the United States for shopping (especially electronics, designer apparel, and accessories). While retail prices in the United States for luxury goods are lower than in many countries (as a result of low or nonexistent sales tax), and selection and quality are generally much better (due to the superior bargaining power of the gigantic U.S. retail chains), keep in mind that you could be charged taxes/tariffs on goods purchased abroad. That said, it's easy to go through the "green lane" at many airports and avoid paying any tax. Additionally, electronics may not be compatible with standards when you return, such as DVD region. That problem is easily avoided by using a "region-free" DVD/Blu-Ray player or by viewing the movies on a computer, where region codes are easy to evade. Your U.S.-bought item may not be eligible for warranty service in your home country. If you have generous friends from the U.S. who will give gift cards to you for some reason, the cards can sometimes help you defray some costs. A barebones budget for camping, hostels, and cooking your food could be $30-50/day, and you can double that if you stay at motels and eat at cheap cafes. Add on a rental car and hotel accommodation and you'll be looking at $150/day and up. There are regional variations too: large cities like New York and Los Angeles are expensive, while prices are usually lower in the suburbs and countryside. If you intend to visit any of the National Parks Service sites, such as the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park , it is worth considering the purchase of a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass [21] . This costs $80 and gives access to almost all of the federally administered parks and recreation areas for one year. Considering the price of admission to many parks is at least $20 each, if you visit more than a few of them, the pass will be the cheaper solution. You can trade in receipts from individual entries for 14 days at the entrance to the parks to upgrade to an annual pass, if you find yourself cruising around and ending up visiting more parks than expected. [22] Many hotels and motels offer discounts for members of certain organizations which anyone can join, such as AAA (formerly the American Automobile Association, now generally referred to as "Triple-A"). If you're a member, or are a member of a club affiliated with AAA (such as the Canadian Automobile Association, The Automobile Association in the UK, or ADAC in Germany), it's worth asking at check-in. In addition, many hotels may offer senior discounts. The criteria for most is 62 (some set at 65) or older. Rates can be the same, greater, or less than AAA. Be prepared to show ID at check-in for age verification. Tipping[ edit ] Tipping in America is widely used and expected. While Americans themselves often debate correct levels and exactly who deserves to be tipped, generally accepted standard rates are: Hairdressers, other personal services: 10-15% Bartenders: $1 per drink if inexpensive or 15-20% of total Bellhops: $1-2 per bag ($3-5 minimum regardless) Hotel doorman: $1 per bag (if they assist), $1 for calling a cab Shuttle bus drivers: $2-5 (optional) Private car & limousine drivers: 15-20% Parking valet: $1-3 for retrieving your car Housekeeping in hotels: $1-2 per day for long stays or $5 minimum for very short stays (optional) Food delivery (pizza, etc.): $2-5, 15-20% for larger orders Tour guides / activity guides $5-$10 if he or she was particularly funny or informative. Taxis: Tips of 10-20% are expected in both yellow cabs as well as livery cabs. A simple way of computing the tip is to add 10% of the fare and round up from there. Thus, if the meter reads $6.20, you pay $7 and if the meter reads $6.50, you pay $8. Always tip more for better service (for example, if the cabbie helps you with your bags or stroller). Leave a small tip if the service is lousy (for example, if the cabbie refuses to turn on the air conditioning on a hot day). For livery cabs, tip 10-20% depending on the quality of the service, but you don't need to tip at all if you hail the cab on the street and negotiate the fare in advance (leave an extra dollar or two anyway!). Full-service restaurants: 15-20%. Many restaurants include a mandatory service charge for larger groups, in which case you do not need to tip an additional amount - however, tipping on top of the service charge is always welcomed by waiters especially if two waiters work on one large group and they are splitting the service charge between them. But tipping on top of the service charge is only optional and could be done if the service was particularly spectacular. It is important to keep in mind that the legal minimum wage for restaurant waitstaff and other tip-earners is quite low (just $2.13/hour before taxes), with the expectation that tips bring them up to a more "normal" wage. Thus, in restaurants (and certain other professions) a tip is not just a way to say "thank you" for service, but an essential part of a server's wages. Remember that while it is expected for you to tip normally for adequate service, you are never obliged to tip if your service was truly awful. If you receive exceptionally poor or rude service and the manager does not correct the problem when you bring it to their attention (and do bring the matter to their attention first), a deliberately small tip (one or two coins) will express your displeasure more clearly than leaving no tip at all. If you do decide not to leave a tip, don't be surprised if the restaurant's manager follows you out of the restaurant to ask you about the reasons for your dissatisfaction. Not leaving a tip is exceptionally rare, and something that will definitely be noticed. If paying your bill by cash, leave a cash tip on the table when you leave (there is no need to hand it over personally or wait until it's collected), or if paying by credit card you can add it directly to the charge slip when you sign it. Look carefully, as the slip will generally inform you whether a 15% gratuity has already been added. Tipping is not expected at restaurants where patrons stand at a counter to place their order and receive their food (such as fast-food chains). Some such restaurants may have a "tip jar" by the cash register, which may be used wholly at the customer's discretion in appreciation of good service. Some tipping at a cafeteria or buffet is expected since the wait staff often clears the table for you and provides refills of drinks and such. The majority of jobs not mentioned here are not customarily tipped, and would likely refuse them. Retail employees, or those in service positions which require high qualifications (such as doctors or dentists) are good examples. Never try to offer any kind of tip to a government employee of any kind, especially police officers; this could be construed as attempted bribery (a felony offense) and might cause serious legal problems. Comics and cartoons[ edit ] The United States is known worldwide for its comics and cartoon culture, especially in superheros and supervillans such as Superman and Joker. The U.S. is also famous for its Comic Cons(Comic Conventions) as they are known for being huge and for the variety of products other than comics. Visitors to the U.S. must be aware that it can be very difficult to find non-English cartoon DVDs and mangas. Although Spanish and French speakers will have less trouble as many DVDs nowadays have French and Spanish languages as optional choices as subtitles. Due to Japanese anime and manga being the second most popular animation products in the U.S.(after American animation and comics), it is possible to find imported anime and manga products in Japanese only. But they are usually found online or in special shops catering only to Japanese products. As with almost everywhere else in the western hemisphere, all DVDs are in formatted in NTSC. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] Berries from Santa Monica 's farmer's market The variety of restaurants throughout the U.S. is remarkable. In a major city such as New York or Chicago, it may be possible to find a restaurant from nearly every country in the world. One thing that a traveler from Europe or Latin America will notice is that many restaurants do not serve alcohol, or may only serve beer and wine. Some restaurants, especially in larger cities, implement a BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze) policy, in other words, you are invited to bring your own alcoholic beverages. Another is the sheer number and variety of fast food and chain restaurants. Most open early in the morning and stay open late at night; many are open 24 hours a day. A third remarkable fact is the size of the portions generally served by US restaurants. Although the trend has moderated in recent years, portions have grown surprisingly large over the past two or three decades. Types of restaurants[ edit ] In-n-Out burger Fast food restaurants such as McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, and Taco Bell are ubiquitous. But the variety of this type of restaurant in the US is astounding: pizza, Chinese and Mexican food, fish, chicken, barbecued meat, and ice cream only begin to touch on it. Alcoholic beverages are not served in these restaurants; "soda" (often called "pop" in the Midwest through Western New York and Western Pennsylvania, or generically "coke" in the South) or other soft drinks are standard. Don't be surprised when you order a soda, are handed a paper cup and expected to fill it yourself from the machine (refills are often free). Americans tend to love their soft drinks ice cold so you can expect to see some fellow patrons filling their cups two-thirds with ice and then adding what would seem to be a tiny amount of the actual beverage, but this varies from person to person. The quality of the food varies, but in general it will be cheap, reliable, and fairly tasty (in a mass-market sort of way - connoisseurs and "foodies" generally avoid these places like the plague), but the menu will be somewhat limited, and aside from a couple token healthy options, generally high in fat, carbs, and salt. The restaurants are usually clean and bright, and the service is limited but friendly. Tipping is not expected but you must clear your table after your meal. Take-out food is very common in larger cities, for food that may take a little longer to prepare than a fast-food place can accommodate. Place an order by phone (or, at an increasing number of establishments, on the Web) and then go to the restaurant to pick it up and take it away. Many places will also deliver; in fact, in some cities, it will be easier to have pizza or Chinese food delivered than to find a sit-down restaurant. Pizza delivery is especially ubiquitous in the US; almost any town of 5,000 or more people will have at least one establishment offering delivery. The main national pizza chains are Pizza Hut , Domino's , Papa John's , and Little Caesars . Most Pizza Huts are dine-in restaurants that also offer carry-out and delivery. Domino's and Papa John's are delivery and carry-out only. Most Little Caesars locations are carry-out only, though some now offer delivery as well. Especially in larger cities, local pizza places compete successfully against the big national chains, and many of them offer delivery. Chipotle has become a staple in America's fast casual scene Fast-Casual is a fairly recent new genre of restaurants that grew in popularity during the 2000's. They are places that are usually around $5-7 for a meal and involve a little bit of waiting as food is prepared fresh (although much less waiting than sit-down restaurants). They tend to be a bit healthier than most typical fast food chains and offer distinct menus. Notable fast-casuals include: Chipotle, Moe's Southwest Grill, Noodles and Company, Panera Bread, Five Guys (a hamburger chain), and Freddies Burgers. Chain sit-down restaurants are a step up in quality and price from fast food, although those with discerning palates will probably still be disappointed. They may specialize in a particular cuisine such as seafood or a particular nationality, though some serve a large variety of foods. Some are well-known for the breakfast meal alone, such as the International House of Pancakes [23] (IHOP) which serves breakfast all day in addition to other meals. A few of the larger chain restaurants include Red Lobster , Olive Garden , Applebee's and T.G.I. Friday's , to name a few. These restaurants generally serve alcoholic beverages, though not always. Very large cities in America are like large cities anywhere, and one may select from inexpensive neighborhood eateries to extravagantly expensive full-service restaurants with extensive wine lists and prices to match. In most medium sized cities and suburbs, you will also find a wide variety of restaurants of all classes. In "up-scale" restaurants, rules for men to wear jackets and ties, while once de rigueur, are becoming more relaxed, but you should check first if there is any doubt. This usually only happens at the most expensive of restaurants. The diner is a typically American, popular kind of restaurant. They are usually individually run, 24-hour establishments found along the major roadways, but also in large cities and suburban areas. They offer a huge variety of large-portion meals that often include soup or salad, bread, beverage and dessert. They are usually very popular among the locals for breakfast, in the morning or after the bars. Diner chains include Denny's , Norm's , and (in the South) Waffle House , but there are many non-chain diners. Local, non-chain diners are particularly common along the east coast in New York, New Jersey, and Eastern Pennsylvania. No compendium of American restaurants would be complete without mentioning the truck stop. You will only encounter these places if you are taking an intercity auto or bus trip. They are located on interstate highways and they cater to truckers, usually having a separate area for diesel fuel, areas for parking "big rigs", and shower facilities for truckers who sleep in their cabs. These fabled restaurants serve what passes on the road for "plain home cooking": hot roast beef sandwiches, meatloaf, fried chicken, and of course the ubiquitous burger and fries -- expect large portion sizes!. In recent years the concept of the chain establishment has been adopted by truck stops as well, and two of the most ubiquitous of these, Flying J Travel Plazas and Petro Stopping Centers, have 24-hour restaurants at most of their installations, including "all you can eat" buffets. A general gauge of how good the food is at a given truck-stop is to note how many truckers have stopped there to eat. Typical food truck setup Jump to: navigation, search The most recent newcomer to the American dining scene is the food truck. Food trucks are just what they sound like - trucks, buses or vans that have been converted into mobile restaurants. The quality of the food served ranges to greasy, poor-quality stuff served at construction sites to high-end operations serving gourmet, restaurant quality food (at surprisingly affordable prices) run by renowned chefs. Food trucks are common in large cities (especially on the West Coast), tend to set up shop where large groups of hungry people typically congregate (e.g. office parks and central business districts during lunch hours, and bars/clubs during evening hours. Most trucks are open for business during afternoon and evening hours Monday through Thursday, afternoon, evening and late night hours on Fridays, and late night hours on Saturdays. These trucks frequently use social media such as Twitter to announce to their followers where they'll be setting up on any given day. Some bars double as restaurants open late at night but may be off-limits to those under 21 or unable to show photo ID, and this may include the dining area. American restaurants serve soft drinks with a liberal supply of ice to keep them cold (and fill the glass). Asking for no ice in your drink is acceptable, and the drink will still probably be fairly cool. If you ask for water, it will usually be chilled and served with ice, unless you request otherwise. Water will not be carbonated as may be typical in parts of Europe. If desired, "sparkling water" is the term for carbonated water. In many restaurants, soft drinks and tea will be refilled for you at no extra charge, but you should ask if this is not explicitly stated. Types of service[ edit ] Breakfast pastry shop Many restaurants aren't open for breakfast. Those that do (mostly fast-food and diners), serve eggs, toast, pancakes, cereals, coffee, etc. Most restaurants stop serving breakfast between 10 and 11 AM, but some, especially diners, will serve breakfast all day. As an alternative to a restaurant breakfast, one can grab breakfast food such as doughnuts, muffins, fruits, coffee, and packaged drinks at almost any gas station or convenience store. Coffee shops (of which Starbucks is the most well-known) are popular for breakfast; although they offer pastries and other items, most people frequent them for a morning dose of caffeine. Some chains, like Dunkin' Donuts or Einstein Brothers Bagels, are sometimes liked more for their coffee than their actual food. Continental Breakfast is a term primarily used by hotels and motels to describe a cold breakfast offering of cereal, breads, muffins, fruit, etc. Milk, fruit juices, hot coffee and tea are the typical beverages. There is usually a toaster for your bread. This is a quick, cheap (usually free) way of getting morning food. Lunch can be a good way to get food from a restaurant whose dinners are out of your price range. Typical brunch plate Dinner, the main meal. Depending on culture, region, and personal preference, is usually enjoyed between 5 and 9pm. Many restaurants serve portions well in excess of what can normally be eaten in one sitting, and will be willing to box up your leftover food (typically referred to as a "to go box"). Do not feel the need to finish what you have been served. Making reservations in advance is a good idea if the restaurant is popular, "up-scale", or you are dining in a large group. Buffets are generally a cheap way to get a large amount of food. For a single, flat, rate, you can have as many servings of whatever foods are set out. However, since food can be sitting out in the heat for hours, the quality can suffer. Generally, buffets serve American or Chinese-American cuisine. Many restaurants serve Sunday brunch, served morning through early afternoon, with both breakfast and lunch items. There is often a buffet. Like most other meals, quality and price can vary by restaurant. Types of food[ edit ] Ribs with coleslaw, corn bread, and beans. While many types of food are unchanged throughout the United States, there are a few distinct regional varieties of food. The most notable is in the South , where traditional local fare includes grits (ground maize porridge), collard greens (a boiled vegetable, often flavored with ham and a dash of vinegar), sweet iced tea, barbecue (not unique to this region, but best and most common here), catfish (served deep-fried with a breadcrumb coating), cornbread, okra, and gumbo (a stew of seafood or sausage, rice, okra, and sometimes tomatoes). Barbecue, BBQ, or barbeque is a delicious American specialty. At its best, it's beef brisket, ribs, or pork shoulder slowly wood smoked for hours. Ribs are served as as a whole- or half-rack or cut into individual ribs, brisket is usually sliced thin, and the pork shoulder can be shredded ("pulled pork") or chopped ("chopped pork"). Sauce of varying spiciness may be served on the dish, or provided on the side. Various parts of the U.S. have unique styles of barbecue. Generally, the best barbecue is found in the South , with the most distinct styles coming from Kansas City , Texas , Tennessee , and North Carolina . However, barbecue of some variety is generally available throughout the country. Barbecue restaurants differ from many other restaurants in that the best food is often found at very casual establishments. A typical barbecue restaurant may have plastic dinnerware, picnic tables, and serve sandwiches on cheap white bread. Barbecue found on the menu at a fancy chain or non-specialty restaurant is likely to be less authentic. Ribs and chicken are always eaten with your fingers; pork and brisket are either eaten with a fork or put into a sandwich. Note that the further one gets from the South, the more likely that "barbecue" refers to food cooked on a grill with no smoking, such as hamburgers or hot dogs. With a rich tradition of immigration, America has a wide variety of ethnic foods; everything from Ethiopian cuisine to Laotian food is available in major cities with large immigrant populations. Chinese dumplings Chinese food is widely available and adjusted to American tastes - by default, a "Chinese" restaurant will serve a menu only vaguely related to authentic Chinese food, usually meat in sugary sauce with rice and noodles, often in an all-you-can-eat buffet setting. Authentic Chinese food can be found in restaurants in Chinatowns in addition to communities with large Chinese populations. Japanese sushi, Vietnamese, and Thai food have also been adapted for the American market in recent years. Fusion cuisine combines Asian ingredients and techniques with more traditional American presentation. Indian food outlets are available in most major U.S. cities and towns. Mexican/Hispanic/Tex-Mex food is very popular, but again in a localized version. Combining in various ways beans, rice, cheese, and spiced beef or chicken with round flatbread loaves called tortillas, dishes are usually topped with spicy tomato salsa, sour cream, and an avocado-based dip called guacamole. Small authentic Mexican taquerias can be found easily in the Southwest , and increasingly in cities throughout the country. Italian food is perhaps the only cuisine that rivals Mexican for widespread popularity. All manners of pasta can be found here, and American-styled pizzas (typically a thick crust topped with tomato sauce and cheese, in addition to other meats and vegetables) are a popular choice for social events and casual dining. Italian restaurants can be found almost everywhere, and even non-specialty restaurants and grocery stores can provide you with basic pasta meals. Gyros Middle Eastern and Greek foods are also becoming popular in the United States. The gyro (known as "doner kebab" or "schawarma" in Europe) is a popular Greek sandwich of sliced processed lamb on a pita bread topped with lettuce, tomatoes and a yogurt-cucumber sauce. Hummus (a ground chickpea dip/spread) and baklava pastries are frequently found in supermarkets, along with an increasingly widespread and high-quality array of "pita" products. Vegetarian food is easy to come by in big urban areas. As vegetarians are becoming more common in the U.S., so are the restaurants that cater to them. Most big cities and college towns will have vegetarian restaurants serving exclusively or primarily vegetarian dishes. In smaller towns you may need to check the menu at several restaurants before finding a vegetarian main course, or else make up a meal out of side dishes. Wait staff can be helpful answering questions about meat content, but be very clear about your personal definition of vegetarian, as dishes with fish, chicken, egg, or even small quantities of beef or pork flavoring may be considered vegetarian. This is especially common with vegetable side dishes in the South. Meat-free breakfast foods such as pancakes or eggs are readily available at diners. People on low-fat or low-calorie diets should be fairly well-served in the U.S., as there has been a continuing trend in calorie consciousness since the 1970s. Even fast-food restaurants have "lite" specials, and can provide charts of calorie and fat counts on request. For the backpacker or those on very restricted budgets, American supermarkets offer an almost infinite variety of pre-packaged/pre-processed foods that are either ready or almost ready for consumption, e.g. breakfast cereal, ramen noodles, canned soups, etc. In the largest cities, "corner stores" abound. These small convenience stores carry a variety snacks, drinks, and prepackaged foods. Unlike most convenience stores, their products are sold at relatively low prices (especially by urban standards) and can provide for snacks or even (nutritionally partial) meals for a budget no more than $5 a day. Lobster tail Seafood is abundant on the coasts, with freshwater and saltwater varieties of fish and shellfish (although finding squid, octopus, and jellyfish will require a bit of effort). The Northeast is famed for its Maine lobsters, and the Southeast has a variety of shrimp and conch. Most of the seafood in Florida is served spicy, as influenced by the Caribbean taste. Seafood dining on the west is equally abundant, and Alaskan salmon is served in high quantity through the Pacific Northwest. The state of Maryland is famous for its Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, which are usually steamed live in a pot with a spicy seasoning. There is a bit of a learning curve to eating Maryland crabs, though any server or local, for that matter, in a crabhouse will gladly give you a lesson. It is not recommended to wear a plastic bib or napkin when eating Maryland crabs or Maine lobster. You will be instantly pegged as a tourist. Etiquette[ edit ] It is usually inappropriate to join a table already occupied by other diners, even if it has unused seats; Americans prefer and expect this degree of privacy when they eat. Exceptions are cafeteria-style eateries with long tables, and at crowded informal eateries and cafes you may have success asking a stranger if you can share the table they're sitting at. Striking up a conversation in this situation may or may not be welcome, however. Table manners, while varying greatly, are typically European influenced. Slurping or making other noises while eating are considered rude, as is loud conversation (including phone calls). It is fairly common to wait until everybody at your table has been served before eating. You should lay cloth napkins across your lap; you can do the same with paper napkins, or keep them on the table. Offense isn't taken if you don't finish your meal, and most restaurants will package the remainder to take with you, or provide a box for you to do this yourself (sometimes euphemistically called a "doggy bag", implying that the leftovers are for your pet). If you want to do this, ask the server to get the remainder "to go"; this term will be almost universally understood, and will not cause any embarrassment. Some restaurants offer an "all-you-can-eat" buffet or other service; taking home portions from such a meal is either not allowed, or carries an additional fee. If you are eating with a group, it is very rude to leave before everyone else is ready to go, even if you came separately. Cleaning your plate is a sign that you enjoyed your meal, and doesn't imply that the host didn't serve enough or should bring more. Many fast food items (sandwiches, burgers, pizza, tacos, etc) are designed to be eaten by hand (so-called "finger food"); a few foods are almost always eaten by hand (french fries, barbecue, chicken on the bone) even at moderately nice restaurants. If unsure, eating finger food with a fork and knife probably won't offend anyone; eating fork-and-knife food by hand might, as it's considered "uncivilized" and rude. When invited to a meal in a private home it is considered polite for a guest to ask if they can bring anything for the meal, such a dessert, a side dish, or for an outdoor barbecue, something useful like ice or plastic cups or plates. The host will usually refuse except among very close friends, but it is nonetheless considered good manners to bring along a small gift for the host. A bottle of wine, box of candies or fresh cut flowers are most common. Gifts of cash, prepared ready-to-serve foods, or very personal items (e.g. toiletries) are not appropriate. An exception is the potluck meal, where each guest (or group/family) must bring a food dish to share with everyone; these shared dishes make up the entire meal. Usually dishes are grouped (e.g., salads, main dishes or casseroles, side dishes, desserts); you should ask the host if they want you to bring something in particular. Ideal dishes for a potluck should be served from a large pot, dish, or bowl, and would be spooned or forked on to diners' plates—hence the emphasis on salads, casseroles, and spoonable side dishes. Smoking[ edit ] Smoking policy is set at the state and local levels, so it varies widely from place to place. A majority of states and a number of cities ban smoking in restaurants and bars by law, and many other restaurants and bars do the same by their own policy. Some states (like New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, and California) have banned any smoking indoors, while some still allow designated smoking areas. Check local information, and ask before lighting up; if a sign says "No Smoking," it means it. Breaking the ban may get you ejected, fined, or even arrested - and lots of dirty looks. Native American reservations are sovereign (independent) land and indoor smoking may be allowed on tribal lands even if you're in a state with an indoor smoking ban. In recent decades, smoking has acquired something of a social stigma (more so than in Europe )—even where smoking is permitted, be sure to ask your dining companions if they mind. With the increasing popularity of eCigarette devices, it is important to note that some establishments ask that you do not use them indoors. Although these devices simply produce an odorless, or even pleasant smelling, vapor, there is a somewhat common fear that they are unsafe and that others, especially in bars, may mistakenly assume that smoking is allowed indoors. Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] Drinking customs in America are as varied as the backgrounds of its many people. In some rural areas, alcohol is mostly served in restaurants rather than dedicated drinking establishments, but in urban settings you will find numerous bars and nightclubs where food is either nonexistent or rudimentary. In very large cities, of course, drinking places run the gamut from tough local "shot and a beer" bars to upscale "martini bars". American tradition splits alcoholic drinks into hard liquor and others. Americans drink a wide array of hard liquors, partially divided by region, but for non-distilled spirits almost exclusively drink beer and wine. Other fermented fruit and grain beverages are known, and sold, but not consumed in great quantities; most fruit drinks are soft (meaning 'non-alcoholic', not 'low alcohol volume'). 'Cider' without further qualifiers is a spiced apple juice, and 'hard cider' is a relatively little-consumed alcoholic beverage in spite of the U.S. having been one of its most enthusiastic consumers a mere two centuries ago. Be prepared to specify that you mean a liquor or cocktail in shops not specifically dedicated to alcohol. Beer is in many ways the 'default' alcoholic beverage in the U.S., but gone are the days when it was priced cheaply and bought without high expectations for quality. In the last 25 years, America has seen a boom in craft brews, and cities like Baltimore , Philadelphia and Boston are becoming renowned among beer lovers. The various idioms for alcohol consumption frequently and sometimes presumptively refer to beer. While most American beer drinkers prefer light lagers – until the 1990s this was the only kind commonly sold – a wide variety of beers are now available all over the U.S. It is not too unusual to find a bar serving 100 or more different kinds of beer, both bottled and "draft" (served fresh in a cup), though most will have perhaps a dozen or three, with a half dozen "on tap" (available on "draft"). Microbreweries – some of which have grown to be moderately large and/or purchased by one of the major breweries – make every kind of beer in much smaller quantities with traditional methods. Most microbrews are distributed regionally; bartenders will know the local brands. Nowadays all but the most basic taverns usually have one or more local beers on tap, and these are generally more full of character than the big national brands, which have a reputation for being generic. Some brew pubs make their own beer in-house, and generally only serve the house brand. These beers are also typically considered superior to the big national brands. Vineyards in Palisade , Colorado Wine in the U.S. is also a contrast between low-quality commercial fare versus extremely high-quality product. Unlike in Europe, American wines are labeled primarily by the grape (merlot, cabernet sauvignon, Riesling, etc.). The simple categories 'red', 'white', and 'rosé' or 'pink' are also used, but disdained as sole qualifiers by oenophiles. All but the cheapest wines are usually also labeled by region, which can be a state ("California"), an area of a state ("Central Coast"), a county or other small region ("Willamette Valley"), or a specific vineyard ("Dry Creek Vineyard"). (As a general rule, the narrower the region, the higher quality the wine is likely to be.) Cheap cask wines are usually sold in a box supporting a plastic bag; bottled wines are almost universally priced as semi-luxury items, with the exception of 'fortified wines', which are the stereotypical American answer for low-price-per-milliliter-alcohol 'rotgut'. All 50 U.S. states now support winemaking, with varying levels of success and respect. California wines are some of the best in the world, and are available on most wine lists in the country. The most prestigious American wine region is California's Napa Valley , although the state also has a number of other wine-producing areas, which may provide better value for your money because they are less famous. Wines from Oregon's Willamette Valley and the state of Washington have been improving greatly in recent years, and can be bargains since they are not yet as well known as California wines. Michigan , Colorado's Wine Country , and New York State's Finger Lakes region have recently been producing German-style whites which have won international competitions. In recent years, the Llano Estacado region of Texas has become regionally renowned for its wines. The Northern Virginia area, specifically Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William counties are also becoming well known for both their flavor, and organized wine tasting tours, supplemented by the scenery seen on the drives between locations. Sparkling wines are available by the bottle in up-scale restaurants, but are rarely served by the glass as they often are in western Europe. The best California sparkling wines have come out ahead of some famous brand French champagnes in recent expert blind tastings. They are comparatively difficult to find in 'supermarkets' and some non-alcoholic sparkling grape juices are marketed under that name. The wines served in most bars in America are unremarkable, but wine bars are becoming more common in urban areas. Only the most expensive restaurants have extensive wine lists, and even in more modest restaurants wine tends to be expensive, even if the wine is mediocre. Many Americans, especially in the more affluent and cosmopolitan areas of the country, consider themselves knowledgeable about wine, and if you come from a wine producing country, your country's wines may be a good topic of conversation. America's native spirit — bourbon, straight up Hard alcohol is usually drunk with mixers, but also served "on the rocks" (with ice) or "straight up" (un-mixed, with no ice) on request. Their increasing popularity has caused a long term trend toward drinking light-colored and more "mixable" liquors, especially vodka, and away from the more traditional darker liquors such as whiskey and bourbon that many older drinkers favor. However this is not an exclusive trend and many Americans still enjoy whiskey and bourbon. It was formerly wholly inappropriate to drink hard liquor before 5PM (the end of the conventional workday), even on weekends. A relic of this custom is "happy hour", a period lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours, usually between 5PM and 8PM, during which a significant discount is offered on selected drinks. Happy hour and closing time are the only presumptive customs in American bars, although 'ladies night', during which women receive a discount or some other financial incentive, is increasingly common. Although laws regulating alcohol sales, consumption, and possession vary somewhat by state and county, the drinking age is 21 throughout the U.S. except in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (where it is 18). Enforcement of this varies, but if you're under 30 you should definitely be prepared to show photo ID when buying alcohol in a store or entering a bar (which often refuse admittance to "minors" under 21). In some states, people who are under 21 are not even allowed to be present in bars or liquor stores. A foreign passport or other credible ID will probably be accepted, but many waiters have never seen one, and it may not even be legally valid for buying alcohol in some places. As a driver's license is the most ubiquitous form of ID in the U.S. and have a magnetic strip for verification purposes, some supermarkets have begun requiring them to purchase alcohol. In such cases, it is the cash register not the cashier which prevents such purchases. It's worth noting that most American ID's have the date of birth laid out as month/day/year, while frequently other countries ID's use year/month/day or day/month/year which may cause further confusion. Using false identification to misrepresent your age is a criminal offense in all 50 states, and while most alcohol vendors will simply refuse to sell or take a blatantly fake ID away, a few also call the police which may result in prosecution. Most states (currently 45 of them) and Washington D.C. have found and use loupes in the federal law to allow underage drinking, example; in some states like Delaware and Mississippi , underage drinking is legal on private, non-alcohol premises(including private properties not open to the public). As long as he/she is accompanied by the physical presence of a parent or legal guardian who is over the age of 21 and has the approval to consume alcohol, but this varies. In states like Hawaii and Tennessee , Underage consumption of alcohol is allowed for religious purposes. Some states require that the alcohol must be provided by an official religious representative and/or limit the type of alcohol allowed. In states like Texas and Wisconsin , underage consumption of alcohol is allowed on alcohol-selling premises, such as a restaurant or bar, as long as the legal guardian gives the minor the alcohol and is in the presence of the legal guardian. This again varies. In states like Colorado and Nevada , underage consumption of alcohol is allowed for medical purposes. Again this varies. Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, New Hampshire, and West Virginia have no exceptions to underage alcohol consumption laws. Selling alcohol is typically prohibited after a certain hour, usually 2 AM. In some states, most stores can only sell beer and wine; hard liquor is sold at dedicated liquor stores. In Indiana, sales of any type of alcoholic beverage is banned statewide on Sunday, However, bars are still open and serve alcoholic beverages. Several "dry counties" – mostly in southern states – ban some or all types of alcohol in public establishments; private clubs (with nominal membership fees) are often set up to get around this. Sunday sales are restricted in some areas. Some Indian reservations(especially the Navajo Nation ) doesn't allow any alcohol on their territory. Most towns ban drinking in public (other than in bars and restaurants of course), with varying degrees of enforcement. Even in towns which allow public drinking, a visible bottle (rather than one in a small bag, which is so commonly used for it as to be synonymous with public drinking) is either illegal or justifies police attention. All communities have some sort of ban on "drunk and disorderly" behavior, some quite stringent, and as a rule intoxication is an aggravating rather than exculpating factor in all but the most and least severe offenses. Drunk driving comes under fairly harsh scrutiny, with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% considered "Under the Influence" and many states considering 0.05% "Impaired" - in Washington D.C. it's illegal to drive with any amount of alcohol in your system. If you're under 21, however, most states define a DUI from 0.00-0.02%. Drunk driving checkpoints are fairly common during major "party" events, and although privacy advocates have carved out exceptions, if a police officer asks a driver to submit to a blood-alcohol test or perform a test of sobriety, you generally may not refuse (and in certain states such as New York it is a crime in itself). DUI ("driving under the influence"), OUI ("operating under the influence") and DWI ("driving while intoxicated") are typically punished quite harshly, and as a foreign national it will typically mean the end of your time in the United States - even permanent residents have had their Green Cards revoked and were subsequently deported for DUI. In many jurisdictions catching and enforcing DUIs is the main job of patrolling police; it is watched for zealously and treated severely. It is also usually against the law to have an open container of alcohol anywhere in the car other than in the trunk. Some states have "open bottle" laws which can levy huge fines for an open container in a vehicle, sometimes several hundred dollars per container. If you're going out to drink with others; always assign at least one person as the designated driver of an automobile. Likewise, you can also arrange a taxi to take you back to your residence. Either way, it is way better than getting a ride in the back of a police car with a DUI on your record. The bright lights of Sin City, Las Vegas , Nevada Nightclubs in America run the usual gamut of various music scenes, from discos with top-40 dance tunes to obscure clubs serving tiny slices of obscure musical genres. Country music dance clubs, or honky tonks, are laid fairly thick in the South and West, especially in rural areas and away from the coasts, but one or two can be found in almost any city. Also, gay/lesbian nightclubs exist in nearly every medium- to large-sized city. Many nightclubs in America have a large area or "dance floor" where people often congregate and dance to the music played by the DJ, although in some areas of the deep south, people also dance to music played by live bands as well. A lot of nightclubs also have multi colored ceiling mounted music lights to brighten up the dance atmosphere. Mostly, a lot of couples and groups go to nightclubs, though singles also go there as well. However, if you go as a single person to a nightclub, remember that, in the United States of America, it is etiquette for the ladies to ask the guys to dance with them. Until 1977, the only U.S. state with legalized gambling was Nevada . The state has allowed games of chance since the 1930s, creating such resort cities as Las Vegas and Reno in the process. Dubbed "Sin City," Las Vegas in particular has evolved into an end-destination adult playground, offering many other after-hours activities such as amusement parks, night clubs, strip clubs, shows, bars and four star restaurants. Gambling has since spread outside of Nevada to a plethora of U.S. cities like Atlantic City , New Jersey and Biloxi, Mississippi, as well as to riverboats, offshore cruises and Indian reservations throughout the continental United States. Some states have tolerated card rooms for many years, which have since rebranded themselves as "casinos" (notwithstanding their lack of slot machines) to compete for business against true casinos in New Jersey, Nevada, and Indian reservations. State lotteries and "scratch games" are another, popular form of legalized gambling. However, online gaming and wagering on sports across state lines both remain illegal throughout the U.S. Classic 1950s motel in Seligman , Arizona , along Route 66 Daily rates for hotel rooms vary widely across the United States. Based on the average daily hotel room rate as of 2012, New York City and Honolulu were the most expensive cities for a hotel stay in the U.S. [24] Virtually all hotels at check-in will ask for the name of the guest who made the reservation, then demand from that person some kind of photo identification (a passport or driver's license is normally sufficient) and a credit card to cover incidental charges. If you do not have a valid credit card, some hotels will demand a cash deposit instead. Upon check-in, a hotel front desk clerk will almost always issue you a keycard with a magnetic stripe for access to your room, although an increasing number have switched to RFID keycards, which are tapped instead of swiped. By far the most common form of lodging in rural United States and along many Interstates is the motel. Providing inexpensive rooms to automotive travelers, most motels are clean and reasonable with a limited array of amenities: telephone, TV, bed, bathroom. Motel 6 [25] (+1 800 466-8356) is a national chain with reasonable rates ($30-$70, depending on the city). Super 8 Motels [26] (+1 800 800-8000) provides reasonable accommodations throughout the country as well. Reservations are typically unnecessary, which is convenient since you don't have to arbitrarily interrupt a long road trip; you can simply drive until you're tired then find a room. However, some are used by adults looking to book a night for sex or illicit activities and many are located in undesirable areas. Business hotels are increasingly available across the country. Generally they are more expensive than motels, but not as expensive as full-scale hotels, with prices around $70 to $170. While the hotels may appear to be the size of a motel, they may offer amenities typically associated with larger hotels. Examples include Marriott International's Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield Inn; Hilton's Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn; Holiday Inn's Holiday Inn Express; Starwood's Aloft and Four Points by Sheraton, and Hyatt Place. Another option are extended-stay hotels directed at business travelers or families on long-term stays (that are often relocating due to corporate decisions). These hotels often feature full kitchens in most rooms, afternoon social events (generally by a pool), and serve continental breakfast. Such "suite" hotels are roughly equivalent to the serviced apartments seen in other countries, though the term "serviced apartments" is not generally used in American English. Examples include Marriott’s ExecuStay, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites and SpringHill Suites; Extended StayAmerica; Homestead Studio Suites; Homewood Suites by Hilton; and Summerfield Suites by Hyatt. Hotels are available in most cities and usually offer more services and amenities than motels. Rooms usually run about $80-$300 per night, but very large, glamorous, and expensive hotels can be found in most major cities, offering luxury suites larger than some houses. Check-out and check-in times almost always fall in the range of 11am-noon and 2pm-4pm respectively. Examples of major hotel chains include Marriott, Renaissance by Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, DoubleTree by Hilton, Sheraton, Radisson, and Wyndham. Examples of upscale hotels include St. Regis, Fairmont, Waldorf Astoria, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental and Ritz Carlton. Note that many US cities now have "edge cities" in their suburbs which feature high-quality upscale hotels aimed at affluent business travelers. These hotels often feature all the amenities of their downtown/CBD cousins (and more), but at less exorbitant prices. In many rural areas, especially on the coasts and in New England, bed and breakfast (B&B) lodging can be found. Usually in converted houses or buildings with less than a dozen units, B&Bs feature a more home-like lodging experience, with complimentary breakfast served (of varying quality and complexity). Bed and breakfasts range from about $50 to $200 per night, with some places being much steeper. They can be a nice break from the impersonal chain hotels and motels. Unlike Europe, most American bed and breakfasts are unmarked; one must make a reservation beforehand and receive directions there. The two best-known hotel guides covering the US are the AAA (formerly American Automobile Association; typically pronounced "Triple-A") TourBooks, available to members and affiliated auto clubs worldwide at local AAA offices; and the Mobil Travel Guide, available at bookstores. There are several websites booking hotels online; be aware that many of these sites add a small commission to the room rate, so it may be cheaper to book directly through the hotel. On the other hand, some hotels charge more for "drop-in" business than reserved rooms or rooms acquired through agents and brokers, so it's worth checking both. Camping can also be a very affordable lodging option, especially with good weather. The downside of camping is that most campgrounds are outside urban regions, so it's not much of an option for trips to big cities. There is a huge network of National Parks [27] (+1 800 365-2267), with most states and many counties having their own park systems, too. Most state and national campgrounds are of excellent quality, with beautiful natural environments. Expect to pay $7-$20 per car on entry. Kampgrounds of America [28] (KOA) has a chain of commercial campground franchises across the country, of significantly less charm than their public-sector equivalents, but with hookups for recreational vehicles and amenities such as laundromats. Countless independently owned private campgrounds vary in character. Some unusual lodging options are available in specific areas or by prior arrangement. For example, you might enjoy staying on a houseboat in Lake Tahoe or the Erie Canal. Or stay in a treehouse in Oregon. More conventional lodging can be found at college or university dormitories, a few of which rent out rooms to travelers during the summertime. Finally, in many tourist areas, as well as big cities, one can rent a furnished house by the day. Learn[ edit ] Short courses may be undertaken on a tourist visa. Community colleges typically offer college-credit courses on an open-admissions basis; anyone with a high school degree or its equivalent and the required tuition payment can generally enroll. In large cities, open universities may offer short non-credit courses on all sorts of practical topics, from ballroom dance to buying real estate. They are a good place to learn a new skill and meet people. Studying full-time in the United States is an excellent opportunity for young adults seeking an advanced education, a chance to see a foreign country, and a better understanding of the U.S. and its people. It can be done independently by applying directly to a college for admission, or through the "study abroad" or "foreign exchange" department of a college in your own country, usually for a single term or one year. (Either approach requires, at minimum, an F or J student visa.) The latter is usually easiest; the two institutions will handle much of the arrangements, and you don't have to make a commitment to four years living in a strange country. Be forewarned, however: many state universities and private colleges are located in small towns, hundreds of miles from any big urban centers. They go out of their way to recruit lucrative international students unfamiliar with U.S. geography. Don't expect to spend your weekends in New York or Los Angeles if your college is in North Dakota unless it is part of the academic activities in your school/course. Furthermore, U.S. higher education institutions are distributed along a wide spectrum in terms of prestige and quality. Outside of an elite group of about 20 to 40 internationally renowned universities, most U.S. colleges and universities aren't that well-known outside of their home state, let alone their home city. The common requirements to study at a higher education level will include your admissions essay (also known as the statement of purpose or personal statement), transcript of records, recommendation/reference letters, language tests (TOEFL is most widely accepted but it can be waived if your previous school primarily used English as a medium of instruction), standardized achievement tests (SAT for undergraduate, GMAT for graduate business schools, GRE for most other graduate programs), degree certificates. As the TOEFL, SAT, GMAT or GRE are administered by the New Jersey-based ETS, you can sit the exam in your home country well beforehand and arrange for your scores to be directly sent to the school you are applying to. You may need to present these documents including your acceptance letter when applying for a student visa. The types of schools vary dramatically. (In conversation, Americans tend to use the terms "school" and "college" inclusively: any college or university might be referred to as "school", and a university might be called "college".) State university systems are partially subsidized by state governments, and may have many campuses spread around the state, with hundreds of thousands of students. Private colleges are generally smaller (hundreds or a few thousand students), with a larger percentage of their students living on campus; some are affiliated with churches and may be more religious in character. Other kinds of colleges focus on teaching specific job skills, education for working adults, and providing inexpensive college-level education to local residents. Although nearly all colleges are open to students regardless of race, gender, religion, etc. many were originally established for a particular group (e.g. African-Americans, women, members of a particular religion) and may still attract primarily students from that group. Several private colleges remain female-only, there are a few male-only private colleges, and private religious colleges may expect students to practice the school's faith. Colleges are funded by "tuition" charged to the student, which is often quite expensive, very commonly reaching into the tens of thousands of dollars per year. The most selective colleges (and hence, often the most desirable) run up to $40,000-50,000 per year, including both tuition and "room & board" in that price. Most US citizens and eligible non-citizens receive substantial financial assistance from the federal government in the form of grants and low-interest loans, which are not available to most non-residents. Often financial aid for foreign students is provided by their home country. They may be eligible for privately-funded "scholarships" intended to provide educational opportunities for various kinds of students. Some U.S. banks offer loans to foreign students, which usually require a citizen to guarantee that they'll be repaid. Contact the Financial Aid Office of any college you are interested in attending for more information about the sources of aid available. Almost all US colleges and universities operate web sites (in the .edu domain) with information for prospective students and other visitors. Work[ edit ] Work in America is best arranged long before you enter the United States. Young people who are full time students of certain nationalities can apply for a J1 "Exchange Visitor" visa which permits paid work as au pairs or summer work for up to 4 months in virtually any type of job. The United States Department of State has full information on applying for this type of visa including the precise categories that qualify. The H-1B visa allows a limited number of skilled and certain unskilled employees to temporarily work in the United States. It usually requires a bachelor's degree and is based on a petition filed by an American employer. The job you wish to apply for should be related to your degree. The most common careers of hard-to-get H-1B visa holders are nurses, math teachers, and computer science professionals. The H1-B cap was filled the day applications started this year, although proposed immigration changes would increase the cap. On the other hand, there is the more permanent employment-based immigrant visa which has similar requirements to the H-1B visa. An employment-based green card is significantly harder to obtain than an H1B, because the employer needs to first go through a tedious labor certification process, and assuming USCIS approves the petition, lengthy backlogs may occur (depending on nationality). Paid work is generally not allowed on a B1/B2 visitor visa. Working unlawfully in the United States runs the very real risk of arrest, deportation, and ineligibility to re-enter the country for at least some time. Illegal immigrants also run the risk of working in dangerous conditions without much relief from the law. Note that "paid work" includes receiving any sort of compensation or thing of value in exchange for your labor including "volunteering" in exchange for lodging. If you are seeking to adjust visa status or to enter the U.S. on a working visa you should first check the official government websites of the US Department of State , which issues visas abroad, and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services which administers immigration programs within the United States. Unfortunately, con artists both in the US and overseas often prey on people's desire to travel or work here. Keep in mind that while visa applications do not usually require an attorney or other intermediary, be wary of and verify any "advice" offered by third parties, especially non-lawyers. If in doubt about properly applying for such visas, it is best to get a licensed immigration attorney. Keep in mind that anyone entering under the Visa Waiver Program cannot adjust their status for any reason. Minimum Wage[ edit ] Federal Minimum Wage is currently at $7.25 an hour. However, most states, the Federal District of Columbia, and all territories have their own set minimum wage. These are almost all higher than this federal minimum and wage floors can also be set even at county or municipal level (city, town or village). For example; minimum wage in the State of California is currently $10.00 an hour, but the City of San Francisco is currently $10.74 an hour, the highest in the U.S., and Seattle is scheduled to eclipse the country by 2022, gradually increasing to $15.00 an hour. While in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), the lowest in the nation because federal labor laws don't apply to the N.M.I. Minimum wage for tips is $2.13 an hour, again, this varies by state, territory, and municipality. Georgia and Wyoming have a minimum wage for at home workers is $5.15 an hour and some states such as Oklahoma allows a $2 minimum wage for certain workers under small businesses with less than 10 employees and $150,0000 or less in profits. But most are lower than federal minimum wage and others are at the same rate as the minimum wage set by the State, Federal District, or municipality.Note:Minimum wage doesn't often include health insurance coverage. And be aware of the property of which you are working on. As it could be a Federal enclave, and a state's minimum wage law will not apply to the Federal enclave. Also note that overtime pay which is extra applies to most workers although that also has many exemptions so do your research. Corruption[ edit ] Bribery and other corrupt practices are illegal and most Americans will at best pass on your offer and at worst report it to the police and be offended. Crime[ edit ] American movies and television shows often give foreigners the inaccurate impression that the US is ravaged by an extremely high level of violent crime. While there are some locations in the United States with high crime rates, most violent crime is heavily concentrated in certain inner city neighborhoods (most of which are specifically identified in the relevant city-specific articles in this travel guide), or poor outlying areas. Few visitors to the US experience any sort of crime. Much crime is gang- or drug-related in inner city regions or poor areas located along the US-Mexican border. It mostly occurs in areas that are of little interest to visitors, however it can and does also occur in high tourist areas of certain cities. You can all but ensure that you won't experience crime by taking common-sense precautions and staying alert to your surroundings. Locations frequented by tourists and visitors (National Mall in Washington DC, and Manhattan in NYC) often have a police presence and are quite safe for all but the most minor petty crimes (eg: pick pocketing). Like other regions of the world, many American urban areas have populations of homeless people, some of whom are drug-addicted and/or mentally ill. In certain cities, aggressive panhandling is a concern. If you feel you are being harassed, say NO firmly and walk away and/or call the police. Note that security has increased along the United States–Mexico border due to increased illegal immigration and drug-related crime. Only cross the country's borders at official ports of entry. Police[ edit ] If stopped by the police while driving, the driver is expected to stay in the car and wait for the police officer to come to the driver or passenger window. It is expected for the driver to roll-down the window the officer is at. When stopped you should stay calm, be polite and cooperative, and avoid making sudden movements. If you need to reach for your purse or wallet to present your identification, state what you are doing and wait for permission to do so. Often police will ask you to keep your hands out of your pockets while speaking to them. This is in no way meant to be offensive, but is for their peace of mind and your safety. American police are always armed on duty, and will respond with force if they believe you present an immediate threat. Furthermore, do not in any way make physical contact or run away from a police officer under any circumstances. Physical contact with a cop can lead to you getting arrested for battery. Do not act aggressively or angrily, as that can and will make a police officer suspicious. Determine if you're being detained or if you're free to go; the police will need evidence to detain you, so do choose your words sparingly. Any form of communication between yourself and them can and will be written down. If you are being detained, demand that you will not answer further questions without a lawyer. Don’t answer any questions, no matter how seemingly innocuous or trivial, and demand a lawyer immediately or an official from your consulate/embassy. If you are stopped by a patrol car, turn on your interior car lights and keep your hands on the wheel so they remain visible. Do not exit the vehicle unless told to do so. If you follow the officer's instructions, you will probably not be arrested (unless you have actually committed a crime or resemble someone who recently committed one in the immediate vicinity). Instead, patrol stops typically result in a written citation for a driving offense, or sometimes a simple verbal warning if the offense was minor, as long as you remain appropriately cooperative. If they demand that they search your vehicle, you have a right to refuse it. You could be arrested for doing something you didn't do, such as when a friend may have left something illegal in the car, if you consent to a search. Be firm and polite when it comes to that situation. If a police officer stops by at your residence and demands to search it, determine if they have a warrant from a state or federal authority to search your residence. It is against the law for a police officer to search your place without a warrant. If further assistance is needed, please call your lawyer or consulate/embassy official. Do not offer bribes to a police officer in any way or under any circumstances. While bribery may be expected in other countries, the stark opposite is true in the US; bribery is actually a crime for which one can and will be arrested and detained. Foreigners are seldom given the benefit of the doubt, even if they are from a country where bribery is common. Even a vague gesture that could be interpreted as an attempt at bribery will offend the officer. If you need to pay a fine, the officer can direct you to the appropriate police station, courthouse, or government office. Most minor traffic infractions can be paid by mail. Don't even think about paying a fine directly to the officer who cited you, since that will probably be interpreted as a bribe. An exception to this rule is found in Montana , where fines can be paid to the officer by cash, check, or even a credit or debit card. Texting and driving[ edit ] Distracted driving is a major problem in the United States, but despite the high dangers, Texting and driving is not considered illegal under federal law. But each state, territory, and Washington D.C. has laws on distracted driving. According to the Governors Highway Safety Administration , no state, territory, nor Washington D.C. except Illinois bans all uses of cellphone while driving. So when driving or crossing the street, it's best to be aware of distracted driving. 911 Emergency services[ edit ] During any emergency, dialing 911 (pronounced "nine-one-one") on any telephone will connect you to a dispatcher for the emergency services in the area (police, fire, ambulance, etc). Calls to 911 are free from pay phones and any mobile phone capable of connecting to any local carrier. Give the facts. The dispatchers will send help. Unless you are calling from a mobile phone, the 911 operator can almost certainly trace your line instantly and pinpoint the exact structure you are calling from. With mobile phones it is more difficult; in some states, you may be connected to the regional office for the state police or highway patrol, which will then have to transfer you to the appropriate local agency once they talk to you and determine what you need. In recent years, many mobile phones have incorporated GPS devices that will display the user's precise geographical location to the 911 operator (known as Enhanced 911 or E-911), so that the operator can direct units to that location even if the caller is incapacitated. If you are staying in one area, it may be helpful to have the phone numbers for the local emergency services so as to get through directly to the local dispatch. Moreover, in most locations, 911 calls are recorded and are open, public records, while the conversation with the local emergency dispatchers cannot be accessed by the public. Remember that if you dial emergency dispatchers directly instead of through 911, the operator may not be able to trace your location. Note also that if you have a GSM mobile phone (the standard technology in most of the world, especially in Europe), you can also dial 112, which is the standard emergency number for GSM networks worldwide. All US GSM carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, and smaller regional operators) automatically redirect 112 calls to 911. As with most countries, misuse of the emergency services number will result in, at the very least, a call back from authorities; if particularly egregious, you will be heavily fined or even arrested. Border Patrol[ edit ] You may encounter the United States Border Patrol if you're transiting through or visiting cities geographically close to Canada (such as Detroit ) or Mexico ( San Diego ) as well as in Southern coastal areas ( Florida Keys ). Border Patrol has the authority to verify immigration status and enforce immigration laws in places designated as "border zones" — generally within 40 miles of Canada and 75-100 miles of Mexico (although the law allows for 100 miles from any border, including international bodies of water like the seas and Great Lakes; this includes the entirety of some states and the majority of population centers). Border patrol is visible near Canada, though less so than on the southern boarder, (with guards primarily checking domestic long distance buses, Amtrak trains and their associated terminals, and rarely air travelers on arrival or departure). On the border with Mexico and in Southern coastal areas, systematic vehicle checkpoints or being pulled over by Border Patrol for a document check is much more common. Foreign nationals are legally required to have passport, visa, and I-94(W) entry record (or Green Card) in their possession at all times. Consequences for not having them during a document check may be severe; you may be delayed or detained until your status can be verified. Long-term visa holders and permanent residents have been fined, or in extreme cases had their visas canceled for being found without their documents. If your documents are in order, you generally won't be questioned. Even US citizens are increasingly being advised to carry proof of citizenship, or at the very least identification of some kind, in areas under Border Patrol jurisdiction. Border Patrol does not have much of a presence outside the border zones; its inland counterpart, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, generally doesn't target tourists unless it suspects them of trying to work during their tourist visits. In most states, police and other local authorities cannot question you about your immigration status or ask to see passports or visas unless you're arrested and charged with a crime, and then only for the purpose of connecting you with a representative from your country's embassy or diplomatic mission. Natural disasters[ edit ] The U.S. is a huge country with varied geography, and parts of it are occasionally affected by natural disasters: hurricanes in June through November in the Gulf and Atlantic coastal states, including Florida , extreme heat throughout the country, blizzards and extreme cold in the far north, large and violent tornadoes mostly in the Great Plains , the Mid-West, and the South, floods in areas all over the United States, wildfires in the late summer and early fall in the west, dust storms in any arid areas, and tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions in the west, as well as large thunderstorms throughout the country. See the regions in question for more details. Because tornadoes are so common between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains, this area has earned itself the colloquial name Tornado Alley. The west of the country sits along the pacific ring of fire, and as a result, is an area very prone to tectonic and geothermal disasters. Gay and lesbian[ edit ] Homosexuality is legal between consenting adults in all states as of 2003, and same-sex marriage was legalized in all states in 2015. Some states and cities have anti-discrimination codes, including public accommodations in hotels, restaurants and transportation. Some Americans take a live-and-let-live approach to sexuality, but there are significant exceptions. It can be a problem to be open about one's sexual orientation and you may receive unwanted attention, remarks, threats, violent attacks, and be refused service, a big amount of this occurs in Texas , Wyoming , the Midwest and the South . Attitudes toward homosexuality vary widely, even in regions with a reputation for tolerance. Tolerance is most common in major cities throughout the country especially around the Pacific Coast, some parts of the Northeast and Hawaii . Gay-friendly destinations include New York 's Chelsea , Cape Cod , Rochester in Western New York State , Chicago 's Boystown , Seattle 's Capitol Hill , San Francisco 's Castro Street , Washington 's Dupont Circle , Miami Beach 's South Beach , Atlanta 's Midtown and Los Angeles ' West Hollywood . Even outside of gay neighborhoods, many major cities are gay-friendly, especially in the West Coast and some areas of the Notheast . Massachusetts is an especially tolerant state as a whole. An increasing number of resort areas are known as gay-friendly, including Fire Island , Key West , Asheville , Provincetown , Ogunquit , Rehoboth Beach , Saugatuck , and parts of Asbury Park . In a few smaller cities, there are neighborhoods where gay people tend to congregate, many have resource centers for LGBTQ people. Some gay-friendly businesses like to advertise themselves as such with a rainbow flag or a small pink triangle or three-vertical-striped sticker in the window. Men planning to engage in any sex, should be aware the heightened risk of HIV and other infections in the United States. A gay American man is 44 times more likely to contract HIV than a heterosexual one, and 46 times more likely to contract syphilis. This risk grows greatly among men likely to engage in one-night stands and other higher-risk behavior. In a nation where 0.5% of the population are infected with HIV, unprotected sex is a very real risk. Precautions, including safer sex, are strongly advised during your stay. Most cities have affordable or free testing and treatment centers for STIs at least for gay men, though hours may be limited and waits may be long. Lesbians and trans face the same risk. The life-long repercussions of HIV or other STIs aren't covered by healthcare providers and seeking health care elsewhere can be very pricey. Illicit drugs[ edit ] Street drugs, including but not limited to cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines, are illegal under federal law throughout the US. Marijuana use is more widely accepted than other drugs. Although a few states have passed laws legalizing the medical use of marijuana, this will not protect any foreign citizen caught in possession. Outside of drug-using circles, most Americans frown upon illicit drug use regardless of quantity. This is especially true in more conservative jurisdictions (Such as Utah ). And travelers would be wise to avoid using such substances in the United States, even in the jurisdictions that allow it. Penalties can be very severe, and can include mandatory minimum jail terms for possession of personal quantities in some states. Also, ANY drug possession near a school, however slight the quantity, will land you a heavy jail term. Attempting to bring any quantity into the US posses a serious risk of being arrested for "trafficking". Legal marijuana[ edit ] Notable exceptions to the precautions above are the states of Alaska , California , Colorado , Maine , Massachusetts , Nevada , Oregon and Washington , the District of Columbia ( Washington, D.C. ) and several recognized Indian Reservations, which have all recently legalized recreational use of marijuana. According to these new local laws, you can possess up to 1 ounce (8 ounces in Oregon, 2.5 ounces in the city of Portland, Maine and 2 ounces in Washington D.C.) of marijuana from a licensed seller and use it personally if you are over 21 years old. Indian Reservations have recently been allowed by the Federal government to regulate cannabis on their recognized reservation, so laws within the reservation vary widely, and can be different from state laws. Example; while cannabis is legal in the state of Washington, the Yakima Nation (an Indian reservation in Washington State) declares cannabis illegal on their land. So by default, both federal and laws of the Indian Reservation apply. However, use on public streets or inside public buildings is illegal, so if you do use it, use it in private. The federal government of the United States still considers marijuana illegal, so the use is still illegal in territory under direct federal government jurisdiction within states where marijuana use has legalized such as the Lewis-McChord Military Reservation in Washington state. Likewise, mailing of marijuana from Washington state to Colorado through the US Postal Service or bringing in some 'BC Bud' from British Columbia to Washington state is still illegal. The future of these laws is uncertain, but for now, they stand (with the exceptions in recognized Indian Reservations and federal territory). Marijuana possession and use is still illegal everywhere else, so do NOT under any circumstances bring marijuana into any U.S. jurisdiction where it is illegal, nor across adjacent international borders. This includes any Indian Reservation that deems it illegal on their land as you will risk facing criminal charges if you are caught with it. Depending on which country of your residence or you're traveling to after leaving the U.S., you may face criminal charges in your home country (or a third country) if found in possession of cannabis (or even in very small amounts) on arrival from the U.S. or having it in your urine or through other means of testing for drug use from a person's body, even if it was completely consumed in the U.S. prior to departure. The US reports crimes to other countries even ones who enforce the death penalty for drug offences so keep that in mind. Do not bring cannabis or any other federally illegal drug onto any Federal enclave, as federal drug laws are heavily enforced. Racism[ edit ] Most travelers to the US will not encounter overt racism. However, free speech is protected in the United States, so, as such, racist speech is still legal to a large extent (racial discrimination and hate crimes are illegal). You may come across familiar hate signs when traveling across the US. There is an extremely small chance of running into someone who is a member of a supremacist group such as, the Ku Klux Klan, New Black Panther Party, La Raza, "Neo Nazi" or various other hate groups. Symbols like swastikas and other Nazi imagery are legal in the US, and may be found in tattoo art among members. However, they usually cover these up in public to avoid drawing hostility from others. For the most part, racist hate groups tend to prefer to be reclusive due to the mainstream unpopularity of their views. Most such groups choose to inhabit remote, rural, isolated areas (some of which may be crudely constructed compounds) that are difficult for outsiders to come upon incidentally. Occasionally, they may appear in public just to exercise their "free speech rights", even if they don't intend to commit any violent or obviously illegal acts. If you come across any racist, just walk away from them. It isn't worth starting a fight with them and if they are in public they could become violent. Islam[ edit ] "Islamophobia" or the "fear of Islam" does exist in the United States, and has seen a uptick since the early 2000's. There is a internal US debate on whether to accept Syrian refugee's due to the crisis in the Middle East with ISIS and other radical groups. Despite this, Muslims are generally not discriminated against on a personal level. However, there may be isolated cases in rural and urban settings alike. Curfew[ edit ] Some cities don't allow minors below a certain age to wander alone after a certain hour at night, unless accompanied by a legal guardian. Similar rules may apply to driving. Animals[ edit ] It is illegal to hunt, kill, or keep any of a bald eagle's feathers. Keeping its feathers will result in a $100,000 fine for each feather you possess. As well as a year in prison, repeated offenses will change your sentence. However, Indian reservations are somewhat excluded from the possession of bald eagle feathers. But you must have a certification of tribal membership and the appropriate registration license to possess one. If not, federal law applies. The U.S. has one of the highest populations of venomous snakes (32), and a high number of potentially dangerous animals compared to many other countries. Please exhibit caution in any wilder areas of the country (even suburban areas.). Animal fighting and abuse in general is illegal. Prostitution[ edit ] Prostitution is not prohibited by Federal law. States, Territories, and the Federal District are allowed to make their own laws. Even so, prostitution remains illegal in all areas except at licensed brothels in rural Nevada counties. Prostitution remains illegal in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada , and street-walking prostitutes are always illegal. Elsewhere in the US, tolerance and enforcement of prostitution laws vary considerably, but be aware that police routinely engage in "sting" operations in which an officer may pose as a prostitute to catch and arrest persons offering to pay for sex. This is not considered entrapment by US laws since the arrested person was consciously intending to commit an illegal act. Firearms[ edit ] Like it or not, firearms are an entrenched feature of the American culture. Legal ownership of firearms is supported by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, most (but not all) of the fifty states have similar wording in their state constitutions. Because of this, the U.S. has become a major destination for "Gun tourism", and currently the largest destination. Many Americans (but certainly not all) own a firearm, and firearm ownership is legal in all jurisdictions with varying degrees of restriction by State, Territory, and Federal District. Legally carried firearms can range from hunting rifles and shotguns to revolvers and semi-automatic handguns. Non-immigrant aliens that are in the country for fewer than 180 days cannot possess a firearm or ammunition, unless they came here specifically for hunting or sporting purposes, or they have a valid hunting license from the state they are visiting. Passport + Visa + State Issued Hunting License = firearm possession / use. Entry in a recognized shooting competition can substitute for the hunting license. Anything else is strictly illegal. The vast majority of Americans are non-violent except in self defense; they are responsible with their firearms and use/carry them appropriately and within the limits of the law. All States have laws regarding self defense which allow a person to use force, up to and including deadly force, in defense of themselves or others when in reasonable fear of seriously bodily injury or death. This right to self-defense extends to protection of one's home, and, in some states, to other types of personal property. Your chances of a firearm-related injury in the U.S.A. are very low, but please keep the following in mind: Concealed carry: All fifty states and Washington DC have "concealed carry" laws which enable people with the appropriate license to possess a concealed (and loaded) handgun on their person. Open carry: Many states also allow people to "open carry" a handgun. Seeing a person with an openly carried handgun or a (poorly) concealed handgun is only a cause for concern if the person's behavior is otherwise non-law abiding. The vast majority of Americans who carry firearms (either concealed or openly) do so within the limits of the law. While so called 'open carry' may seem highly unusual to individuals from nations (or other American states) without a gun culture, the general attitude among those who open carry is that criminals do not carry openly. When approaching a stranger's house or apartment, especially at night, make special effort to stand within the view of the door's peephole or in the light, so you can clearly be seen from the inside. Hunting is a popular sport in rural America. In general, while hiking, travel on marked trails - this will not put you in any danger, but if venturing off the beaten path, it is a good idea to inquire if any hunting is currently afoot and where. If there is hunting in the area, wear bright colors (particularly "Blaze Orange") to differentiate yourself from terrain and prey. If you have a dog with you, you should also put a blaze orange vest on it as well. If you wish to hunt you will need to obtain a hunting license (usually available at outdoors stores among other places) and should review local regulations. Property owners may defend their homes with firearms during a burglary or home invasion. If in rural areas, it is common courtesy not to cross land posted as private property. Shooting is a popular recreational activity in America that many tourists wish to participate in. Many shooting ranges are more than happy to accommodate tourists and will have a variety of firearms available to rent and shoot at the range. However, due to the laws restricting non-immigrant aliens from possessing firearms, you will most likely need to be accompanied by a US citizen who satisfies the local requirements for firearm possession. If you come from a country where firearm ownership is discouraged or prohibited, there is a possibility that your American host will offer to take you shooting. On a shooting trip, your host will most likely explain basic firearm safety and quiz you on it before allowing you to handle their guns. They may also watch you closely and point out any accidental safety violations. This is all done out of gun safety concerns, and should never be interpreted as impertinent or disrespectful. Other Conflicts[ edit ] It is never worth getting into a street fight or a bar fight if such a thing can be avoided. Many states in the USA now allow licensed concealed carry holders to carry their pistols into establishments [such as bars] that serve alcohol on the premises, so long as the individual with the pistol refrains from consuming any alcohol. If you get drunk and wind up attacking somebody or threatening somebody with a pool stick, a chair, a glass bottle, a knife, or any sort of weapon, you open yourself to the possibility of somebody using a pistol against you in self-defense, aside from the fact that you open yourself to being arrested and charged with numerous felonies [which could carry years in prison]. Always know your limits and drink responsibly. Do not drink to the point where you become prone to violent or reckless behavior. If you are at a reputable and clean establishment in a decent/safe neighborhood you will generally find that bar fights are extremely uncommon while in other bars that are known to get "rough" there may be bouncers [unarmed security who will forcibly eject you if you become disruptive/menacing] and in some bars [particularly those in bad neighborhoods] there may be armed security or the bar-tender/owner may be carrying a weapon. Use common-sense, if a misunderstanding occurs, politely but firmly apologize, back away from the situation, and avoid escalation. If somebody asks you to "step outside" or "go out back" or "let's take this into the parking lot" decline, tell him that you do not want any trouble, and if he persists in challenging you, speak with the bar-tender or a bouncer, or phone the police if he persists or tries to follow you, but do not go outside with him. Personal hygiene[ edit ] The average American takes a bath or shower at least once per day, and expects others to do the same. Excessive body odor is frowned upon, as is excessive use of perfumes and colognes. American men either shave their faces daily, or if they grow beards and/or mustaches, keep them neatly trimmed. American women shave their legs if walking around in shorts or high-cut skirts that expose bare skin. Most also shave their underarms and some shave their arms. Bad breath (halitosis) is also frowned upon. Americans are taught from a young age to brush and floss their teeth twice daily. Disease[ edit ] NOTE: The CDC has identified the territories of American Samoa , Puerto Rico , US Virgin Islands , as well as parts of Miami in the state of Florida as an affected area of the Zika outbreak. Pregnant women are advised to be cautious as the virus can lead to birth defects. Adults affected by the virus experience fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes) typically lasting a week. You can learn more by visiting the official CDC website . Being a highly industrialized nation, the United States is largely free from most serious communicable diseases found in many developing nations; however, the HIV rate is higher than in Canada and Western Europe, with about a 0.5% infection rate in the overall population. This is due to Americans being more likely to have multiple partners at younger ages (down to 12 years of age,) than residents of Canada or Western Europe. Two diseases that, while rare, are worth becoming educated about are rabies and Lyme disease. Rabies is more prevalent in eastern regions of the country and may be contracted from animal bites; if you are bitten by any mammal see a doctor quickly—do not wait for symptoms. Lyme disease is spread via the deer tick, which are prevalent in the woodlands and open fields of many rural areas. When venturing into the outdoors, it is a good idea to apply an insect repellent onto exposed skin surfaces that is effective against deer ticks. Other diseases that are endemic within the United States, but are of far less concern, include Hantaviral Pulmonary Syndrome (found in western regions), Dengue fever (in areas from the southern Mid-West down to the Gulf and Hawaii,) Chikungunya (almost all regions,) Bubonic Plague (Pacific Northwest,) Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (mostly in the Rocky Mountain region), West Nile Virus (all regions)and Eastern/Western Equine Encephalitis (particularly in the mid-west region). All of the above listed diseases are extraordinarily rare and the medical system of the United States is very much capable of handling any of these when necessary. For the latest in traveler's health information pertaining to the United States, including advisories and recommendations, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website. Health care[ edit ] Health care in America is the most expensive in the world. Millions of working Americans struggle to pay their medical bill, even though the Affordable Care Act (commonly called "Obamacare" by Americans) enacted by President Barack Obama in 2010 helped to alleviate the problem. The same drug sold in the United States can cost up to 5 or 6 times the price of other countries. Americans generally use private health insurance, paid either by their employer or out of their own pocket; some risk paying high hospital bills themselves, or depend on government subsidized health plans. As a traveler you should have travel insurance or you will potentially face very high costs if you need medical care. Most metropolitan areas will have a mix of public and private hospitals, and in turn, US private hospitals can be either non-profit or for-profit. Public hospitals located in wealthy suburbs can be as good as private ones, but in poorer inner-city areas, public hospitals are usually overcrowded and run-down and should be avoided by tourists. However, many public hospitals are also the Level I regional trauma centers for their respective metro areas (i.e., they guarantee 24-hour on-site availability of all major types of medical specialists), which means that you will be taken there if critically injured. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 to summon an ambulance to take you to the nearest hospital emergency room ("ER"), or in less urgent situations get to the hospital yourself and register at the ER's front desk. Emergency rooms will treat patients without regard to their ability to pay, but you will still be presented with a bill for all care. Do not use ERs for non-emergency walk-in care. Not only can this be 3-4 times more expensive than other options, but you will often wait many hours (or days) before being treated, as the staff will give priority to patients with urgent needs. In most areas, the charge for an emergency room visit starts around $500, in addition to any specific services or medications you may require. Most urban areas have minor emergency centers (also called "urgent care", etc.) for medical situations where a fully equipped emergency room would be excessive, such as superficial lacerations. However, their hours may be limited, and few are open overnight. Walk-in clinics are another place for travelers to find routine medical care, letting patients see a doctor or nurse-practitioner without an appointment (but often with a bit of a wait). They are typically very up-front about fees, and always accept credit cards. To find one, check the yellow pages under "Clinics", or call a major hospital and ask. Make sure to tell the clerk you will be paying "out of pocket"; if they assume an insurance company will be paying for it, they may order tests that are not medically essential and in some cases bill for services that aren't actually provided. Dentists are readily available throughout the United States (again, see the yellow pages). Dental offices are accustomed to explaining fees over the phone, and most will accept credit cards. Be prepared to pay for all services up front as this is a common requirement for most dental practices. Please note the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly referred to by Americans as Obamacare (named after the U.S. President Barack Obama who started the idea) is a law that requires everyone to have affordable health insurance to avoid paying a hefty price on their medical bills. It took effect March 1, 2014. It is however, not applicable to U.S. visitors so if you get sick you have to pay full price for medical bills. Most counties and cities have a government-supported clinic offering free or low-cost testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases; call the Health Department for the county you are in for more details. Many county clinics offer primary health care services as well, however these services are geared towards low-income residents and not foreign travelers. Restrooms/Toilets[ edit ] The full-time restroom attendants often seen in certain European countries are extremely rare in the US. Some facilities may be pristine, such as in upscale shopping malls, fine restaurants, or commercial office buildings. Others will be shockingly unkempt, such as at many gas stations and bars. Public universities and big box retail stores will have a medium level of cleanliness. Nearly all public buildings are required to have restrooms accessible to the disabled. Many restrooms increasingly offer baby changing stations in both the men's and women's restrooms (especially in shopping centers and restaurants). A few places offer a separate, third "family" restroom which is single-occupancy but spacious. For little children who need to be monitored or assisted, it's generally acceptable for them to use the restroom of the parent they're with (little girls can go with dad to the men's room, and vice versa). The other way around (dad going to the ladies' room) is usually not okay. North Carolina and a few other states have a law that transgender people use the bathrooms that matches their biological sex. However, law enforcement has not yet figured out how to effectively enforce it. You may face jail time if discovered to be transgender in the restroom of the gender that you identify as, but this is not a concern if you pass. In fact, it is safer for a passing trans woman to use the women's restroom; if you are a trans woman, using the men's restroom may lead to sexual assault, and severe physical beating if discovered to be transgender. Water[ edit ] Tap water is generally chlorinated and may also include fluorine. Nevertheless, some Americans use filter pitchers (common brands for both include Brita and Pur). Although tap water is not dangerous, some Americans prefer to filter (and sometimes boil) tap water before drinking. It has more to do with taste than actual safety. Ice in restaurants is typically made with ice machines. Water is always served for free in restaurants. Truly isolated rural areas or sources in condemned buildings may be suspect water sources-use your best judgement-but this is exceptionally rare. While tap water in most urban and suburban areas is safe to drink, many Americans are more comfortable drinking either filtered or bottled water. This should not be seen as a sign that the water is unsafe, rather that some prefer to always have portable bottled water on hand. You can carry a reusable water bottle (heavy plastic or metal) and refill with water from public drinking fountains, some of which are even now filtered for taste, or have a vertical spout to make dispensing water directly into a bottle easier. These considerations, of course, bar natural disasters or other disturbances to the water supply system. Again, use your best judgement. After an earthquake or a tornado or the like you can check with the local authority, and they will have maps zoned out where unsafe water may be found. Many cities water municipal properties with 'greywater' (reclaimed or otherwise not-processed) water, and there will be signs stating that the water is unsafe to drink from the sprayers. This should not be a huge problem, as parks tend to have drinking water fountains if you find yourself in a desperate situation. In hot states such as Arizona and New Mexico, all businesses must provide tap water upon request. News[ edit ] News media in the U.S. is almost entirely privately-owned and profit-driven, and so conforms itself to its consumers and advertisers. The result is a wide range of information and opinion, some of it focused entirely on political ideology or special interests, with others attempting to be broad and impartial to appeal to a wide audience. As a very general rule (there are always exceptions) radio news has right-wing opinions, while print and cable news has a left-wing inclination. Other publications or channels will offer a range of right, center, and left opinions, but this is relatively uncommon. Newspapers[ edit ] The five most important newspapers are as follows: Los Angeles Times - the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country. Center-left stance on news pages, left-wing stance on editorial pages. The New York Times - the largest local metropolitan newspaper in the United States and third-largest newspaper overall, behind The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. It is the national newspaper of record and is generally considered to be the most prestigious newspaper in the United States. It also takes a center-left stance on news pages and a left-wing stance on editorial pages. The Wall Street Journal - primarily covers American economic and international business topics, and financial news and issues. Its name derives from Wall Street, located in New York City, which is the heart of the financial district; it has been printed continuously since its inception on July 8, 1889, by Charles Dow, Edward Jones, and Charles Bergstresser. The newspaper has won the Pulitzer Prize thirty-four times. Mixed political stance—center-right on editorial pages, center-left on news pages. USA Today [29] - known for synthesizing news down to easy-to-read-and-comprehend stories. In the main edition seen in the US and some Canadian cities, each edition consists of four sections: News (the oft-labeled "front page" section), Money, Sports, and Life. On Fridays, two Life sections are included: the regular Life for entertainment (subtitled Weekend; section E), which features television, a DVD column, film reviews and trends, and a travel supplement called Destinations & Diversions (section D). Centrist stance. Often found at many hotels (for which they either charge a "newspaper fee" or bundle it into a larger "resort fee"). The Washington Post - well-known for its coverage of national politics, especially major scandals like the Watergate scandal. Center-left stance. Most good newsstands (especially at major airports) always carry the NYT, the WSJ, and USA Today, as well as one or more local newspapers. In addition, they may also carry either the LA Times or the Washington Post (depending on whether they sit west or east of the Mississippi River). Local newspapers can generally be found at sidewalk vending machines in the cities they cover, together with USA Today. Starbucks Coffee shops and other coffee houses often also carry newspapers. Cable News Channels[ edit ] Cable News Network (CNN) - broadcasts, primarily, from studios in Atlanta. Delivers the latest breaking news and information on the latest top stories, weather, business, entertainment, politics, and more. It has been labeled as having a center to left stance. Fox News Channel - broadcasts from studios in New York City. Presents a variety of programming with up to 17 hours of live programming per day. Audio simulcasts of the channel are aired on XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. Right-wing stance. MSNBC - broadcasts, primarily, from studios in New York City. Features news, information, and political opinion programming. Left-wing stance. Dress[ edit ] Today, dress in the US tends to be fairly casual. For everyday clothes, jeans and T-shirts are generally acceptable, as are shorts when the weather is suitable. Sneakers (athletic shoes) are common; flip-flops, tank tops, and sandals are also popular in warm weather. At the workplace, business casual (slacks, understated collared shirts without a tie, and non-athletic shoes) is now the default at many companies; more traditional industries (e.g. finance, legal, and insurance) still require suits and ties, while others (e.g. computer software) are even more casual, allowing jeans and even shorts. When dressing up for nice restaurants or upscale entertainment, a pair of nice slacks, a collared shirt, and dress shoes will work almost everywhere. Ties for men are rarely necessary, but jackets are occasionally required for very upscale restaurants in big cities. At the beach or pool, men prefer loose bathing trunks or boardshorts, and women wear bikinis or one-piece swimsuits. Nude bathing is illegal under Federal law except at certain private beaches or resorts; women going topless is also illegal under Federal law. Many establishments, such as water parks, will enforce rules on improper swimwear; for example, insufficient covering of the intimate parts or offensive language. Staff members may ask you to either change into swimwear more appropriate or be escorted out of the park (typically without a refund). Generally, Americans accept religious attire such as hijab, yarmulke, and burqa without comment. However, do be aware that in places of heightened security such as banks, municipal buildings, and so on, wearing clothing which covers the face may be regarded as suspicious behavior and is generally unadvised. Burning Man , Nevada The number one rule of respect among Americans is that it must be earned by your actions and integrity. Being honest, polite, and open-minded will win you much more respect than your age, wealth, or level of education. Some Americans will show great courtesy to elders, women, priests, military veterans, teachers, and so on, but this is purely a matter of personal preference, and behaving as though you expect superior treatment will guarantee the opposite. When Americans refer specifically to "lower class," "middle class" or "upper class" people, they are referring strictly to economic status, not social status. Disrespecting someone because they have less money than you is widely regarded as terrible behavior. Some Americans find foreign culture and language fascinating and you will likely be bombarded with questions about your home. Questions such as these are nearly always meant in a friendly and inquisitive manner. Americans value their right to free expression, and may encourage visitors to voice their feelings and opinions, but some topics are best treated with care and respect: Many Americans are openly critical of their government and its policies, but disparaging remarks about the U.S. military or foreign policy are rarely welcome from outsiders. In addition, many Americans will take offense to questions about American stereotypes (obesity, firearms, etc) and even if meant in a joking way, it will still be seen as very disrespectful; the US is a very large country with all types of people. Most Americans will change the subject or excuse themselves from the conversation if they think you are being inappropriate. If this happens, do not pursue the offending topic further. Upon becoming better acquainted with someone, political discussion and criticism may become more acceptable. Pride in the American military is very strong, and at many sporting events and institutions, military members often receive recognition. Americans are free to respectfully disagree with military policy, but questioning the honor, integrity or behavior of American soldiers themselves is usually unacceptable. As an outsider you should do neither unless you know the person very well. Given the variety of religions practiced throughout the States, you should expect to be surrounded by many who disagree with your beliefs, though most are tolerant of such differences. While you're unlikely to offend an American by politely asking about their religion or offering to explain your own, aggressive proselytizing or disparaging remarks of other faiths will not earn you any respect. Leftists are generally found in the states where the Democratic Party is predominant, but can also be found in even the most conservative towns. Generally, though, one should not mention these views unless their host does so first, or has already displayed their allegiance to such views via a T-shirt, bumper sticker, etc. Nazism and other Fascist ideologies are viewed negatively. Holocaust denial is not tolerated in the United States. Americans strongly support the Jewish people as they were victims of a mass genocide during the Second World War and also support having a strong alliance with Israel more than any other Western nation. Jokes at the expense of a specific race, ethnic group, etc. are generally not tolerated. Such jokes are often considered a sign of bigotry and most Americans will not find them humorous, even if they are not a member of the offended group. For example, making fun of black people in an exclusively white setting will still offend most Americans. In return, you can expect Americans to not mock your race and country of origin. Understand that Americans value directness and self-confidence, particularly in public/professional life. To make a good impression, you will want to greet someone you've never met before with direct eye contact, a firm handshake and a smile. If you come from a country such as Japan, where directness is usually considered uncomfortable, rude and/or disrespectful, these aspects of interaction may take some getting used to, but can go long way in determining how positively or negatively you're perceived. Unless it is extremely crowded, leave about an arm's length of personal space between yourself and others. On public transportation, it is considered invasive to sit directly next to a stranger if there are open seats available elsewhere. With the exception of handshakes, Americans do not like to be touched by members outside of their family and will respond aggressively if poked, pushed, or grabbed by a stranger. Unlike many cultures, Americans do not perform cheek kissing as a way of greeting strangers, and if they do cheek kissing at all, it is only with family members. As a result of the country's extensive history of racial discrimination, coupled with the country's push toward racial equality, Americans are exceptionally sensitive about issues of race. If you must reference race, Black or African-American, Asian, Latino or Hispanic, Native American or American Indian, and White or Caucasian are acceptable terms. Note also that when Americans use the term "Asian" by itself to refer to people, they are often specifically referring to East Asians (including Southeast Asians), and not to people from South Asia. In most parts of the US, East Asian communities are larger and more established than South Asian communities. (Note that this usage is exactly opposite that of British English, in which "Asian" by itself refers exclusively to South Asians, and East Asians are usually called "Oriental" which is considered offensive in America.) Smoking indoors is heavily frowned upon and is illegal in most public buildings. If you're in a private home and want to smoke, politely excuse yourself and go outside. Adults should never approach or speak directly to children they don't know. American children are taught to be wary of strangers. If you have something you'd like to say to a child, address the adult he or she is with. Videotaping in any indoor public-use place is highly frowned upon in the United States of America and can rather easily result in expulsion from the premises, even without warning. Places that prohibit or restrict videotaping by visitors include shopping malls, stores, restaurants, museums, arcades, movie theaters, nightclubs, bars, taverns, and stadiums. Additionally, cameras (both still and motion picture) are generally prohibited at strip clubs and clothing-optional facilities. Videotaping is usually permitted at most amusement parks, but is highly restricted and oftentimes prohibited on rides, especially at chain parks like Six Flags and Cedar Fair. Different stadiums, and even different events at the same stadium can have different photo policies. It is always best to ask about the photo and video policy to determine acceptability. Public display of affection, including hugging, gets various types of reactions depending on the region it occurs in. Generally, in the northern tier states (especially within northern states such as Alaska, Montana, and such), public displays of affection more demonstrative than hugging are seen as tacky and inconsiderate. Also, many schools and work places prohibit public display of affection. Public display of affection is generally more permitted and open in the southern states area. It even occurs, especially in deep southern states (Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Mississippi, and such) that waitresses do occasionally hug their customers. There are Native American reservations scattered throughout the country, particularly in the Upper Midwest and the Southwest. Many of these reservations are home to sites that are sacred to the tribe, and certain places may be off-limits to outsiders. If you enter a reservation's territory, please be sure to respect the land. They also have unique legal status allowing them to regulate themselves. Laws and customs may be different in these regions. The Bald Eagle is the national animal, and is beloved by many Americans and is a sacred animal in many Indian reservations. Respect national wildlife. Also see the section on tipping , and the section on smoking . The United States has been through several waves of feminism since the mid 20th century and has been influenced by feminism more than any other country in the world. Many countries, of course, have a custom of reverence towards older women or women of higher status but males should be careful in how they address or interact with any American adult females, younger or older, regardless of their apparent status. The issue of sexual harassment and sexual assault is a very serious matter in the United States for both man and women, as sexual assault and harassment are a problem for both genders. Avoid slang terms that you might hear Americans use for women ("babe", "broad", "chick") and to be safe, avoid any equivalents in your language. It is just best to simply address an American woman by her given name. A majority of American women consider men who use such terms as disrespectful. Catcalls and whistles, which may be traditionally considered harmless in your native country, may be considered by some to be a form of sexual harassment. Be aware of your surroundings when discussing LGBT rights. It is a very sensitive issue on both sides of the aisle, so saying the wrong thing could cause great offense or argument. In regard to pets, many Americans value their pet as a family member. It would not be a good idea to make a rude comment about somebody's dog or cat. Such remarks will often be greeted with hostility. By phone[ edit ] U.S. telephone numbers are governed by the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and are invariably written in one of these formats: XXX-YYY-ZZZZ (XXX) YYY-ZZZZ YYY-ZZZZ The numbers YYY-ZZZZ make up the local part of the telephone number (specifically, the telephone exchange number and line number). You must dial all seven digits even if the YYY portion is the same as the line you are calling from. The numbers XXX denote the area code. Densely populated areas often have several area codes (e.g. the six area codes within the borders of New York City), while some sparsely-populated states will have one or two codes for the entire state (e.g. Montana). Ordinarily, if the number you are dialing is within the same area code as the one for the line you are dialing from, dial YYY-ZZZZ; otherwise, dial 1-XXX-YYY-ZZZZ. However, many metropolitan areas, and even some entire states (such as Maryland and West Virginia) have implemented 10-digit dialing, where all local calls must be dialed as XXX-YYY-ZZZZ. (In such areas, you must still dial "1" to distinguish long-distance calls.) Mobile phones are much simpler and can be dialed with all 10 digits regardless of whether the call is local or long distance. You may occasionally see phone numbers for business which spell out words, such as "1-800-FLOWERS". Almost all phones have letters written on each number ("2" is "ABC", "3" is "DEF", etc.) which you use to dial the number; for example, "FLOWERS" becomes "356-9377". This is a legacy of the old alphabet letter codes which were previously used for telephone exchanges. In the case of mobile phones, most feature phones (i.e., not smartphones) have the letters printed along with the numbers. As for smartphones, most touchscreen phones have virtual phone keypads that display the corresponding letters along with the numbers. Smartphones without touchscreens, such as some older BlackBerry devices, often allow you to enter letters as part of a phone number. In either case, entering "1-800-FLOWERS" and pressing the send button should connect you to that business. Long-distance calls are calls to lines outside the "local calling area" of the line from which you are dialing. The long-distance prefix (in some countries called the "trunk" prefix) in the U.S. is "1", so a long-distance call should be dialed 1-XXX-YYY-ZZZZ. As with local calls, dialing incorrectly will result in an automated message informing you how to properly dial the number. Mobile phones typically do not require you to dial "1" for long-distance. Canada and certain Caribbean islands also participate in the NANP. This means they can be dialed using "1" as if they were in the U.S., although the call will be billed at international rates. As a general rule, calls to Canada are more expensive than U.S. domestic calls, but cheaper than calls to other countries. Calls to other locations require using the international access code ("011") followed by the country code of the destination number. For example, a call from the United States to the British Museum in London would be dialed as 011-44-20-7323-8000. At some locations with internal phone systems (e.g. businesses and hotels), you will need to dial an access code (usually "9" or "8") to reach an outside line before dialing the number as usual. Numbers with the area code 800, 888, 877, 866, or 855 are toll free within the U.S, meaning that the cost of the call is paid by the recipient. Outside the country, dial 880, 881, 882, and 883 respectively, but these aren't toll free. The area code 900 is used for services with additional charges applied to the call (e.g. "adult entertainment"). This is also true of "local" seven-digit phone numbers starting with 976. Most visitor areas and some restaurants and bars have directories with two listings of telephone numbers (often split into two books): the white pages, for an alphabetical listing; and the yellow pages, an advertising-filled listing of business and service establishments by category (e.g. "Taxicabs"). Directory information can also be obtained by dialing 411 (for local numbers) or 1-area code-555-1212 (for other areas). If 411 doesn't work locally, try 555-1212 or 1-555-1212. Directory information is normally an extra cost call. As an alternative, directory information is available for free via 1-800-Free411, which is ad-supported. Information directories are also available online at each regional telephone company's web site (most often AT&T, Verizon, or CenturyLink; also Frontier in West Virginia and FairPoint in northern New England), as well as www.free411.com. Although each claims to have all the local phone numbers of the others, using the site of the region you are searching for yields the best results (i.e. AT&T for most of California, Verizon for the Northeast, etc.) Many residential land-line phones and all mobile phones are unlisted. Historically, pay phones were ubiquitous on sidewalks all over the United States, and commonplace in other places such as gas stations. After 2000, cell phone usage soared and pay phone usage collapsed, so the regional landline telecom monopolies exited the pay phone business. The small companies that took over the legacy pay phones have ripped out most of them and increased prices on the ones that remain. Today, prices are typically 50 cents for the first three minutes, and a quarter for each additional minute. You will probably have to enter a store or restaurant to find one, though some are against the outer wall of such businesses, usually in front, or near bus stops. Most pay phones are coin operated (quarters, dimes and nickels) and do not accept paper bills. An online directory of pay phones can be found at Pay Phone Directory [30] . Dialing 9-1-1 to report an emergency is still a free call on pay phones, it's just a matter of locating one to use. Long-distance telephone calling cards are available at most convenience stores. Most calling cards have specific destinations in mind (domestic calls, calls to particular countries), so make sure you get the right card. Some cards may be refilled by phoning a number and giving your Visa/MasterCard number, but often operators refuse foreign cards for this purpose. Moreover, calls may cost more if a payphone or toll-free number is used or if a mobile number is dialed or if more calls are made (rather than few but longer calls). Another option is using a virtual number service. [31] That way you can avoid paying for roaming. Mobile phones[ edit ] American mobile phone services (known as cell phones regardless of the technology used) are not very compatible with those offered abroad. While GSM has been gaining in popularity, the US uses the unusual 1900 and 850MHz frequencies; check with your operator or mobile phone dealer to see if your phone is a tri-band or quad-band model that will work here. Roaming fees for foreign mobiles are high and text messages may not always work due to compatibility issues between networks. Depending on the length of your trip and the amount of calling you plan on doing, it may be less expensive to obtain an American mobile phone. If you are arriving and departing from the same city, consider that most larger airports will have a boutique that rents mobile phones (rates start around $3/day). Alternatively, prepaid phones and top-up cards can be purchased at mobile phone boutiques and at many discount, electronics, office supply and convenience stores. A very basic mobile handset and credit for an hour or two's worth of calls can be had for under $40, though be aware that international calling will, if it is in fact available, use up those credits much more quickly than a domestic call. It is possible to purchase a prepaid SIM card for an unlocked mobile, although these are not nearly as common in the United States as in other countries so you will probably have to purchase it from a GSM provider's boutique. The four major national carriers are AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile, which operate boutiques in most, if not all, metropolitan areas and offer pre-paid service. Historically, the AT&T and T-Mobile networks have used GSM, while Verizon and Sprint have used the different CDMA standard (whose phones did not use SIM cards). Today, all four carriers are quickly migrating to the newer LTE standard (which uses SIM cards), and some Verizon and Sprint phones (mostly smartphones) support LTE, CDMA, and GSM. Other providers of mobile phone service include TracFone, Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and various regional operators. To work out whether a regional operator might work better (as their deals are more flexible over their local areas of service) OpenSignal provide independent US coverage maps Unlike in many countries, there is no surcharge for dialing a mobile phone (calls to mobile phones are charged the same as calls to land lines outside your geographic area), but on the other hand mobile phone users are charged for incoming and outgoing calls and SMS (you won't be able to contact someone who does not have sufficient balance to receive phone calls). Numbers that are toll-free from land lines however are not free when dialed from a mobile phone. Packages as low as $25/month are available to allow you to make hundreds of minutes worth of calls. Take note that a failed attempt at making a call (or a "missed call") will be deducted from your balance since you are charged from the moment you dial. If you are going to be in the United States for a long time, you may wish to consider a long-term service contract. A service contract will give you the best rates on calls, SMS and data, and will also usually include a free or discounted handset. On the other hand, they are almost always two-year agreements with stiff penalties for early cancellation (anywhere from $150 to $350, depending on carrier and phone model), so consider the length of your stay and your needs before signing one. T-Mobile has recently become the major exception to this rule—in March 2013, it eliminated service contracts for new customers. New T-Mobile customers have the choice of paying for their phone up front, or buying the phone at a discounted price and paying the balance, interest-free, over a 20-month period. Users who choose the second option may prepay part or all of the remaining cost of their phone without penalty; canceling service has no penalty apart from re-payment of any remaining cost of the phone. In the case of T-Mobile, the length of your stay will still be a factor—if you do not pay the entire retail cost of your phone up front, the remaining balance at the time you leave may be more than another carrier's cancellation fee. Conversely, if you are only going to be in the US for a short period (eg a week or less), some carriers (most notably T-Mobile) offer a plan that allows unlimited calling, texting, and data for $2-3 per day. This will not include international calling, however. Overview[ edit ] A USPS Self-Service Kiosk at a post office. The United States Postal Service (USPS) [32] operates a gigantic network of post offices and mailboxes throughout the country. The bright blue metal mailboxes of the USPS are a ubiquitous sight in rural and urban settings, indoors and outdoors, in every U.S. state and territory. They are normally serviced once, twice or even thrice a day, Monday through Saturday. Pickup times are always listed on a label on the box. In suburban areas, it is common to see mailboxes located on a drive-through lane outside of a post office. Each post office has different hours, but most are open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. In high crime areas, post offices are completely closed to the public when not open. In low crime areas, the lobby is divided into two areas. The retail counter area is closed after hours, but the rest of the lobby can be open 24/7 (or may only be open longer hours like 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and normally includes access to Post Office Boxes as well as at least one Self-Service Kiosk (SSK). The SSK is an easy-to-use self-service touchscreen kiosk that accepts credit cards. It can weigh packages and print out a variety of different types of postage and labels. In general, the addressee's section of the piece of mail should appear as follows: (name of recipient) (street address, which contains the house number and street name) (apartment, suite or room number if any) (city or town), (two digit state abbreviation) (ZIP code) For example: Apt #1 Houston, TX 77002-0001 To send items to any destination within the U.S. by post, the most important item in the addressee's section of the mailpiece is the ZIP code (postal code). The importance of the ZIP code arises from the Postal Service's highly automated process for handling mail. USPS personnel dump all newly received mailpieces into a scanning machine that runs optical character recognition on the destination address and then sprays or prints a Intelligent Mail Barcode corresponding to the ZIP+4 code. The Intelligent Mail Barcode is then scanned by high-speed automatic sorting machines at each step in the system, in order to route the mailpiece into the bag or tray of the letter carrier whose route includes that ZIP+4 code. Thus, if the ZIP+4 code and Intelligent Mail Barcode are incorrect, the error will not be detected until the mailpiece gets to the wrong letter carrier. The USPS requires a particular combination of house number and street name to be unique within the same city, but does not require a street name to be unique across an entire metropolitan area. Since there are often many cities in a single metropolitan area that have streets with the same name, writing the correct ZIP code is essential to prompt delivery of your mailpiece. When you do not know of or are unsure of the correct ZIP code, visit USPS.com , the website of the USPS. It enables users to look up ZIP codes by city and by street address. Entering a full street address may return a ZIP code (first 5 digits) and ZIP+4 (next 4 digits) to a total of 9 digits. The ZIP (first 5 digits) usually encompasses a greater area such as a section of a city, an entire town or across an expansive (rural) area encompassing several small towns. University campuses, large hospitals, governmental agencies, military bases, sections of the U.S. military or a single large building may have their own unique ZIP code and any mail sent to that particular ZIP code goes to that institution's internal mail room for onward delivery. Depending upon the complexity of a particular place, the unique ZIP+4 code (next for 4 digits) may correspond to anything from a segment along a letter carrier's route to the entire route (which may cover an entire small town); a group of apartments, offices or storefronts in a single address; an office within a specific building (which is often the case in big cities); or a department, office, mail stop or a building on an university campus or some large entity with its own unique zip code. The "+4" portion of the ZIP code is optional. For nearly all addresses, as long as the written address in its entirety corresponds to an actual and unique address, the OCR machine will be able to link it to that address, quickly identify the correct "+4" portion, and print the correct Intelligent Mail Barcode. But the ZIP code (the first 5 digits) is always necessary. Pricing[ edit ] First class (airmail) postcards and letters (if not oversized, or over one ounce/28.5 grams) are $1.15 internationally including to Canada and Mexico. It is no longer necessary to mark "AIR MAIL" on items going overseas as everything is now sent abroad on airplane by default. All addresses with a USPS ZIP code are considered "domestic", including Alaska , Hawaii , Puerto Rico , U.S. Virgin Islands , Guam , American Samoa , Federated States of Micronesia , Marshall Islands , Palau , U.S. military bases abroad (identified with an 'APO' or 'FPO' address) [33] , U.S. Navy ships at sea (usually 'FPO' addresses) [34] and U.S. diplomatic missions abroad ('DPO' addresses). Domestic postcards are sent for $0.34 while a letter in an envelope weighing within 1 oz is mailed for $0.49. If you put a solid object like a coin or a key in an envelope, you'll pay a surcharge. [35] "Forever" stamps are always valid for the first ounce for all first-class domestic mail items, with no surcharge after a price increase. (For all other kinds of price increases and historically for first-class domestic mail price increases, the USPS sells one and two-cent stamps which must be added to cover the difference between the face value of stamps sold before an increase and the current rate.) However, Forever stamps are not valid for international use. If for whatever reason you have stamps that don't add up to the correct exact amount, you can try overpaying by adding one more stamp. The USPS stamp canceling machines are intelligent enough to recognize that fact and allow the mail piece through. Due to sagging demand, the USPS has taken away the vending machines through which one could formerly purchase a variety of pre-printed stamp booklets in post office lobbies. The SSKs as initially deployed could regularly dispense at least one type of pre-printed stamp booklet year-round, but that feature has been withdrawn as well. The USPS will still make stamp booklets available sometimes through the SSKs, but only on an intermittent and seasonal basis. Therefore, at this time, the only always-available method for buying postage at a post office when the retail counter is closed is to use the SSK in the lobby to print bar-coded postage labels. However, besides post office retail counters, stamp booklets are also available from many retailers, including pharmacies, supermarkets, and certain banks. Receiving mail via General Delivery[ edit ] You can receive mail sent both domestically and from abroad by having it addressed to you as "General Delivery." In other countries, this is often called Poste Restante. There is no charge for this service. You just go to the main post office, wait in line, and they will give you your mail after showing ID such as a passport. John Doe Seattle , Washington 98101-9999 U.S.A. The last four digits of the ZIP (postal) Code for General Delivery is always '9999'. If the city is large enough to have multiple post offices, only one (usually in the center of downtown) will have the General Delivery service. This means, for example, if you're staying in the Green Lake district of Seattle (a few miles north of downtown), you cannot receive your mail at the Green Lake Post Office, and must travel downtown to get it. On the other hand, if you're completely outside of the city of Seattle, and in a smaller town with only one post office, you can have it sent there. The two largest private courier services, UPS and FedEx, also have a "Hold for Pickup" option. Both can hold a package at the nearest depot, while FedEx can also hold packages at FedEx Office locations.	i don't know
A tercentenary is an anniversary of how many years?	Royal Russia - 300th Anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty 1913 \|\|\| VISIT OUR ROMANOV BOOKSHOP \|\|\| RETURN TO WELCOME TO ROYAL RUSSIA \|\|\| Tercentenary of the Accession of the House of Romanov (1913). This film was released to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Romanov rule in Russia, and is said to have had the blessing of Tsar Nicholas II himself. Note: The last part of the film offers vintage film footage of Emperor Nicholas II and his family The House of Romanov was the second and last imperial dynasty to rule over Russia, reigning from 1613 until the February Revolution abolished the crown in 1917 On 11 December, 1912, on the first page of his lined exercise-book, the eight-year-old boy, who was the heir to the Russian throne, started his records, his hand unsteadily forming letters: "The Romanova House, Mikhail Feodorovitch. 32 years." Tsar Mikhail Feodorovitch became the first tsar of the Romanov dynasty, and his ascendancy to power in 1613 would put an end to the Time of Troubles, one of the most distressful periods in Russian history. The death of the cruel and powerful Tsar Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) resulted in the Russian crown being fought over by numerous claimants, all implacable rivals. The ascendant boyar (aristocracy in old Russia) parties of the Godunovs, Shuiskiys, Vorotynskiys and Trubetskoys exhausted one another in political and military tussles, and they eventually abandoned the battlefield, leaving it to countless rogues who vied to be successors to the Russian throne. They were all replaced and superseded by the Poles. On 27 August, 1610, Moscow swore allegiance to Wladislaw, son of Sigsmund III of Poland. There seemed to be no power able to rescue this vast country from devastating internal dissension, popular disorder, plunder and violence. The Russian Imperial family in Moscow during the tercentenary celebrations. From the abyss of chaos there emerged a great hope for the unity of the Russian people. It was given a tremendous impetus by the necessity of safeguarding the Orthodox faith from encroachement by the Roman Catholic Poles. Prince Dimitri Pozharskiy and a citizen of Nizhni Novgorod, Kozma Minin, stood at the head of the anti-Polish movement. It was not only a struggle against religious oppression that inspired the uprising--Pozharskiy dreamed of a Russian tsar who would rule out all discord and soothe internal dissension. That was the most cherished aspiration of the long suffering Russian people who had to bear the ravages of the Tumult. "Without a sovereign we will not survive for long, for there is no one to care for the realm and no one to provide for God's servants," the people of Rus (name of ancient Russia) used to say. Hetman Gonsevski, having been defeated in the battle of Moscow, soon afterwards the Poles were driven away from Russia. Now the main problem had to be faced. In January 1613, the Zemsky Sobor, the Russia's national assembly, convened to elect the tsar. First and foremost, it was resolved not to elect any bogus foreigners. Then the contenders were to be nominated. The claims by Princes Shuiskiys, Trubetskoys and Vorotynskiys, the surviving descendants of the Rurik dynasty, which had been ruling Russia hitherto, were rejected in the fear that their candidates may have led to a recurrence of the dreaded Time of Troubles. In 1913, the first postage stamps depicting Russian tsars were issued. After endless disputes suddenly the name of Mikhail Romanov came up. He was a sixteen year-old youngster who had lived together with his mother in the village of Domnino not far from Kostroma. The Romanovs had been separated and exiled by Tsar Boris Godunov. The baby Mikhail had lived with aunts for several years before the mother and son were allowed to live together. The nomination of the young boyar whose family had not been involved in the disreputable turmoil that had wracked Russia, won the sympathies of the entire assembly. The eight year-old Tsarevich Alexei recorded this event in his history exercises: "Before he was elected to reign Mikhail Feodorovich had lived with his mother in the village of Domnino. At that time a band of Poles was scouring about the countryside. They wanted to ruin Mikhail. The Poles wanted to get to the village, but they did not know the way. There was a thick forest around. So they demanded that the village elder show them the way. Ivan Susanin saw what they were after. He sent his son-in-law Sabinin to Domnino to warn Sister Martha of the danger. And he himself led the Poles through the forest. He brought them to a thicket in the very heart of the forest so that it was impossible to find a way out. Susanin stopped and said: 'Nobody will get out of here.' So the Poles sabred him to death . . . but they, too, all perished." Invitation to Gala Dinner and Ball at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, 23 February, 1913. Meanwhile Sister Martha and her son moved to the Ipatyev monastery near Kostroma, where they would find refuge. In March 1613 a deputation arrived "to notify them of the election and to submit a humble petition to Mikhail Feodorovitch and his mother, Sister Martha." It was not an easy task to persuade the young boy to accept the proposal. Both Sister Martha and her son were against it, and "the youngster responded to the deputies with great ire and tears". Fearing for the future of her son, Martha reproved the deputites that in a time when "a chain of treasons around the throne" were being committed, it was difficult even for a born sovereign to rule the Muscovite State". But the deputies assured her that the people of the Muscovite State had been "punished" and had "come to a union". After much persuasion, Mikhail relented, and Sister Martha blessed him with the icon of Our Lady of Feodor. Ever since, the icon was considered patrimonial, and in 1912 Nicholas II would erect a cathedral dedicated to the icon n Tsarskoe Selo, near the Alexander Palace. Inside the cathedral there was a "grotto chapel" where Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna used to pray in private. In 1613, within the walls of the Ipatyev monastery, the reign of the Romanov dynasty began and was to last for three centuries. The dreadful Tumult was over, and gradually, order was established and consolidated. It took an incredible effort for Russia to overcome the grim times which had seemed insurmountable, and now the realm was striving towards grandeur. There were many more great challenges to be met and glorious pursuits to accomplish. That was what this little boy with big sad eyes may have been thinking about, while he painstakingly traced every letter in the names of his ancestors, the Russian monarchs. There were two jubilee dinners held in Moscow, one for 700 persons at the Kremlin on May 25, another - on May 26 at the Noble Gathering of Moscow (about 2,000 persons were invited). "The 15th tsar of the Romanov dynasty, Nikolai Pavlovitch, reigned for 30 years; Alexander II Nikolayevitch, 26 years; and Alexander III Alexandrovitch, 13 years." On 21 December, 1912, this exercise in history would be concluded with the record: "XVIII. Daddy. Nikolai II Alexandrovitch."And the tutor, Petrov, would give his pupil a mark: "Good". The Tsarevich's next exercise was the story of Tsar Mikhail Feodorovitch's accession to the throne . . . The celebrations for the Terecentary of the Romanov House were coming and Russia was preparing for the festivities while Tsarevich Alexei was assiduously learning the history of his forefathers. He was to continue the succession of the Russian monarchs and become the 19th Tsar. But the boy was most likely to have been thinking about that. "Dear Daddy" would be governing Russia for many years to come. Even in a nightmare, he could not have dreamt of the fatal events of a July night in 1918. Silver 1 Rouble coin, minted 1913, Tsar Nicholas II and Tsar Mikhail Feodorovich, 300th Anniversary of Romanov Dynasty The festivities began on Thursday, 21 February, 1913, a day of celebrations all over Russia. At 8 a.m., a 21-gun salute from the towers of the Fortress of Sts. Peter and Paul heralded the beginning of the celebrations. The weather favoured the occasion; the day was fine and sunny. The services in the churches were followed by the declaration of the Manifesto issued by His Imperial Majesty to mark the Tercentenary of the Romanov House. The closing phrases of the Manifesto appealed to the Lord: "May the Lord's benediction upon us and our dear subjects not grow scantier than it is now. May our Lord the Omnipotent, strengthen and glorify the Russian Land and grant us strength to hold high and steady the glorious banner of our Fatherland". The Imperial procession to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan was a lavish, picturesque sight. Ahead of the procession rode the Sotnia (Cossack squadron) of His Imperial Majesty's Own Escort, the horsemen dressed in red Circassian coats. Behind them, in an open carriage, travelled His Majesty the Tsar with the Heir Tsarevich, Grand Duke Alexei Nikolayevitch seated next to him. Alongside rode the Escort Commander, Prince Trubetskoi. The Dowager Empress and the Tsarina travelled in a luxurious carriage with a high coach-box, drawn by four white horses in traditional Russian harness, a postilion and Chamber Cossacks standing on the footboard. The four Grand Duchesses came in a barouche drawn by a pair of horses. Another Cossack Sotnia brought up the rear of the procession. The noise in the streets was unabating--coach wheels rumbled, horses' hoofs clattered, banners dipped and fluttered, music played, church bells peeled and people exultantly cheered their Tsar. Poster proclaiming the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty The service in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan was held at midday. Anna Vyrubova remembered that the cathedral was jammed with courtiers and invited guests. "I saw from a distance the kneeling Tsar and the Heir who would time and again look at something above. Later they told me that they were watching the doves hovering in the dome". Later that day there was a great reception in the Winter Palace. The ladies were wearing traditional Russian gowns. "Though she was very tired", recollected Vyroubova, Her Majesty looked amazingly beautiful in her blue velvet Russian gown, wearing a tall kokoshnik (a traditional tiara-shaped headdress for married women in old Russia) and a veil beaded with pearls and diamonds. There was a pale blue ribbon of the Order of St. Andrew across her breast, and the Grand Duchesses were wearing the Order of St. Catherine on a scarlet ribbon". The ball was magnificent and crowded. The following evening Their Imperial Majesties and Her Imperial Highness Olga Nikolayevna graced the Mariinsky Theatre's opera performance of Glinka's A Life for the Tsar with their presence. The opulence of the evening dresses and the pageantry of the theatre decorations were dazzling. Among those present were the Emir of Bokhara and the Khan of Khiva, wearing their national costumes, and accompanied by their replendent entourages. Starring in the performance were the leading ballerinas Pavlova, Preobrazhenskaya, Kschessinska and Gerdt, singers Nezhdanova, Zbruyeva, Kotorski, Yershov, Sobinov and Figner. Napravnik conducted the orchestra. The four days of celebrations in St. Petersburg were a dense schedule of receptions, meetings and balls. Summing up his impressions, Nicholas II wrote in his diary: �Thank Lord God who shed his grace upon Russia and us all so that we could decently and joyously celebrate the days of the tercentenary of the Romanov's accession". The Easter of 1913 saw the continuation of the celebrations. On 15 May, 1913, the Imperial Family started on a tour of old Russian towns to trace the route taken by the first Romanov Tsar three centuries before. The family visited Vladimir and Suzdal (where they went to see the burial place of Prince Dmitriy Pozharskiy in the Spasso-Yefimovsky monastery). On 16 May, Nicholas admitted in his diary: "With delight and interest I inspected the wonderful treasures kept in the vestries, and the churches of ancient Russian architecture. On our way there and back people came out from villages with icons. I was not tired at all. The impressions were so strong and good." The next stops on their pilgrimmage were Bogolyubovo and the town of Nizhniy Nogorod, where they visited the burial place of Kozma Minin, the other hero of the anti-Polish liberation movement. The Tsar was present at the ceremony of laying the foundation for the monument to Minin and Pozharskiy. All along the route of the Imperial Family's jourey, people of all classes came out with bread and salt, the traditional Russian welcome, to salute the Tsar. The Romanov Tercentenary Egg by the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Faberg� in 1913. It was presented by Nicolas II as an Easter gift to his wife, the Czarina Alexandra Fyodorovna. It is currently held in the Kremlin Armoury Museum in Moscow. In Nizhny Novgorod the Romanovs boarded the steamer Mezhen to sail down the Volga river. From the deck the passengers were to see a marvellous sight--the town and steamers on the river were brightly illuminated, and in the fields bonfires blazed. Music was playing constantly, and shouts of "hurrah" resounded from the banks of the river. As the steamer put out, the church bells rang out, and a polyphonic chorus broke spontaneously into the Russian fold son, "Down the Mother Volga River." On 19 May, they reached Kostroma, the memorial place of the Romanovs. The streets were crowded with people and Archbishop Tikhon welcomed the Imperial Family with the renowned icon of Our Lady of Feodor. The days were crowded with meeting delegations and sightseeing: they visited cathedrals, the Romanov chambers in the Ipatyev moanstery; and the New Romanov Museum. One of the ceremonies was dedicated to laying the foundation of the Romanov House Memorial. Then they sailed to Yaroslavl, where they took a train for the next part of their itinerary--the old Russian towns of Rostov the Great, Pereyaslavl-Zalesskiy and Sergiev Posad, the seat of the Troitse-Sergievskaya Lavra (of St. Sergius and St. Trinity), the Orthodox monastery of the highest rank. A number of monuments were built to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, including Moscow and Kostroma. The celebrations came to a climax in Moscow, where the Tsar's train arrived at the Alexander Station on 24 May. Moscow looked particularly magnificent in those days. �People's greetings in the streets were reminiscent of the Coronation ceremonial entries", Nicholas II noted in his diary. The church bells were booming as they had three centuries before when Mikhail Feodorovitch entered the capital. One side of the route was lined by troops, glamorous in their full dress uniforms, the other by crowds of cheering people. The head of the procession was the Cossack Sotnia of His Imperial Majesty's Own Escort; then, astride on a golden chestnut horse, rode the Tsar, followed by the brilliant Court entourage. The Tsarina and the Heir Tsarevich travelled in a carriage, and the Grand Duchesses came in an open barouche. The Czarevich was sick in those days and whenever the family had to walk, a robust, strong Cossack carried the boy in his arms. The terse entries in Nicholas II's diary were a minutely detailed report of the crowded schedule of receptions, ceremonial meals, services, worship of the relics and sightseeing. On the last day of the celebrations in Moscow, Monday, 27 May, the exhausted, yet very happy Tsar admitted in his diary: "Finally I sat on my feet because of tiredness." The fortnight of the celebratory journey was over. Russia seemed to have recovered after the upheavals of 1905-1907, and it looked as though the Romanov dynasty was to reign for centuries. But Fate decreed otherwise. Like a mortally sick patient who sometimes seems revived for a short period before he relapses into agony, the feasting empire irretrievably approached its collapse. The Dynasty would manage to make only five more steps towards their quadricentenary and the progress would be tragically cut short in the dirty basement of the Ipatyev house in Yekaterinburg . . . What a macabre coincidence of the names: the Ipatyev monastery saw the birth of the Romanov dynasty and the Ipatyev house saw its annihilation. Emperor Nicholas II and his family in Nizhny Novgorod Emperor Nicholas II in Nizhny Novgorod Emperor Nicholas II and his family in Nizhny Novgorod Emperor Nicholas II and his family in Nizhny Novgorod The marina in Nizhny Novgorod, which hosted a reception in honour of Emperor Nicholas II Emperor Nicholas II visits the new building of the State Bank in Nizhny Novgorod in 1913 The Imperial Family travelled on steamer 'Mezhen' to visit towns and cities along the Volga River Emperor Nicholas II inspecting the troops Emperor Nicholas II meeting with local officials in Kostroma Emperor Nicholas II visits the Ipatiev Monastery in Kostroma Emperor Nicholas II and family at the Ipatiev Monastery in Kostroma The Romanovs regarded Kostroma as their special protectorate Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna with their family in Kostroma Parade of troops after the laying of the monument marking the tercentenary of the Romanov dynasty Emperor Nicholas II in Kostroma Emperor Nicholas II in Kostroma, 20 May, 1913 Emperor Nicholas II in Yaroslavl Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna arrive in Yaroslavl with their children Yaroslavl during the visit of the Russian Imperial Family in 1913 Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna with their children in Rostov Emperor Nicholas II in Moscow Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and the Tsarevich Alexei crossing Red Square enroute to the Kremlin in Moscow Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna with their children visit the Moscow Kremlin The Russian Imperial Family descending the Red Staircase of the Faceted Palace in Moscow The People's House, St. Petersburg	300
What is the name of a Spanish dance, and associated with this a short jacket worn open at the front?	Tercentenary - definition of tercentenary by The Free Dictionary Tercentenary - definition of tercentenary by The Free Dictionary http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tercentenary Related to tercentenary: quinquennial , quatercentenary ter·cen·ten·a·ry (tûr′sĕn-tĕn′ə-rē, tər-sĕn′tə-nĕr′ē) n. pl. ter·cen·ten·a·ries A 300th anniversary or its celebration. adj. Of or relating to a span of 300 years or to a 300th anniversary. [Latin ter, thrice; see tern2 + centenary .] tercentenary 1. of or relating to a period of 300 years 2. of or relating to a 300th anniversary or its celebration n, pl -tenaries or -tennials an anniversary of 300 years or its celebration Also called: tricentennial ter•cen•ten•ni•al (ˌtɜr sɛnˈtɛn i əl) 1. pertaining to a period of 300 years. 2. marking the completion of such a period. n. 3. a 300th anniversary or its celebration. ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: anniversary , day of remembrance - the date on which an event occurred in some previous year (or the celebration of it) Translations n (= anniversary) → dreihundertster Jahrestag ; (= celebration) → Dreihundertjahrfeier f, → dreihundertjähriges Jubiläum attr → für den dreihundertsten Jahrestag ; tercentenary celebrations → Dreihundertjahrfeier f tercentenary tercentenary (təːsənˈtiːnəri) , ((American also) tərˈsentineri) – plural tercenˈtenaries – noun a three-hundredth anniversary. This year marks the tercentenary of the birth of one of our greatest poets. driehonderdjaar-viering ذِكْرى مِئَوِيَّه ثالِثَه тристагодишнина tricentenário třistaleté výročí dreihunderjährig trehundredeårsdag τριακοστή επέτειος tricentenario kolmesajas aastapäev جشن سیصد سالگی kolmesataavuotisjuhla tricentenaire יוֹבֵל הַשלוֹש-מְאוֹת त्रिशताब्दी tristogodišnjica háromszáz éves évforduló perayaan ke-300 tahun þrjú hundruð ára afmæli tricentenario 300年記念 300주년 trijų šimtų metų jubiliejus trīssimtā gadadiena ulang tahun ke-300 driehonderdste verjaardag trehundreårsjubileum trzechsetlecie tricentenário tricentenar трехсотлетие tristé výročie tristoletnica tristogodišnjica trehundraårsdag, -jubileum การเฉลิมฉลองครบรอบ 300 ปี üç yüzüncü yıl 三百週年(的) трьохсотріччя تين سو سالہ جشن lễ kỷ niệm 300 năm 三百周年纪念（的）	i don't know
The prefix 'helio' relates to which celestial body?	4.79 · California Institute of Technology Abstract In this article we consider the role of the three principal celestial bodies, the Earth (Gaia), the Sun (Helios) and the Moon (Selene), as well as the Sky (Ouranos) in the ancient Greek cosmogony. This is done by the analysis of antique Greek texts like Orphic Hymns and the literary remains of the writers and philosophers like Aeschylus, (Pseudo) Apollodorus, Apollonius Rhodius, Aristotle, Euripides, Hesiod, Homer, Hyginus, Nonnus, Pausanias, Pindar and Sophocles, as well as by the analysis of texts of Roman writers like Cicero, Ovid and Pliny. Гея, Хелиос, Селена и Уран – трите главни небесни тела и небето в древно-гръцката космогония Discover the world's research Department of Astrophysics, Astronomy and Mechanics Physics Faculty, University of Athens-Zografos 157 84 2 Astronomical Observatory, Volgina 7, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia 3 322127 Needles, Street, Chatsworth, California 91311, USA [email protected] [email protected] (Research rep ort. Accepted on 21.09.2010) Abstract. In this article we consider the role of the three p rincipal celestial bodies, the Earth (Gaia), the Sun (Helios) and the Moon (Selene), as well as the Sky (Ouranos) in the ancient Greek cosmogony. This is done by the analysis of antique Greek texts like Orphic Hymns and the literary remains of the writers and philosophers like Aeschylus, (Pseudo) Ap o llodorus, Apollonius Rhodius, Aristotle, Euripides, Hesiod , Homer, Hyginus, Nonnus, Pausanias, Pindar and Sophocles, as well as by the analysis of texts of Roman writers like Cicero, Ovid and Pliny. Key words: Gaia, Mother Earth, Helios, Sun, Ouranos, Sky, Selene, Moon Гея, Хелиос, Селена и Уран – трите главни небесни тела и небето в древно-гръцката космогония Е. Теодосиу, В. Н. Маниманис, М. С. Димитрийевич, П. Мантаракис В тази статия ние разглеждаме ролята на трите главни небесни тела – Земята (Гея), Слънцето (Хелиос) и Луната (Селена), както и Небето (Уран) в д ревно-гръцката космогония. Това е направено чрез анализ на а нтич ни гръцки текстове като Орфеевите химни и литературното наследство на писатели и философи като Есхилус, (Псевдо) Аполодорус, Аполониус Родиус, Аристотел, Еврипид, Хесиод, Омир, Хигинус, Нонус, Паусаниас, Пиндер и Софокъл, както и анализ на текстове на римски писатели като Цицерон, Овидий и Плиний. Our aim here is to analyze, on the basis of ancient Greek and Roman texts, the role of the three principal celestial bodies, the Earth (Gaia), the Sun (Helios) and the Moon (Selene) as well as the Sky (Ouranos) in ancient Greek cosmogony. Since the remotest antiquity, human beings worshipped the divine couple of goddess Gaia (Gaea, Earth) and god Ouranos (Uranus, Sky), the primal pair. Hesiod’s Theogony (1914) begins with Gaia and concludes with the polytheistic reign of the Olympians. The genesis of the elements of nature and the genesis of personiﬁed gods behaving like humans proceed in parallel: "in the beginning the gods and Gaia were born" (Theog., 105). Gaia’s mate, Ouranos, surrounds her and fertilizes her. Bulgarian Astronomical Journal 16, 2011 Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 91 In juxtaposition with Gaia, who is the deiﬁcation of our planet, Mother Earth is the deiﬁcation of the ground, whose products support human ex- istence, and which gives the space where they are born, they live and they die. Beyond the cosmic duo of deities, Ouranos and Gaia / Mother Earth, humans worshipped the light-giver and life-giver Helios (Sun), the source of every life form on Earth. For all people, in all regions of the Earth, the Sun, Sky and Earth are the eternal witnesses of human acts and the natural avengers of the violations of the laws. From the age of the emergence of Greek philosophy comes the theory that the solar rays that fell on the wet Mother Earth created the ﬁrst living creatures, while mythographers consider as progenitors of all things the Sun and Mother Earth. The Moon gave primal units for the measurement of time: the deﬁnition of the luna r (synodic) month and of the week; its role is therefore crucial in the invention of the ﬁrst calendars, which served as the foundation for all ancient religions. In this paper, we will consider and analyze the role of Gaia/Mother Earth, Ouranos, Helios and Selene in ancient Greek mythological Cosmogony. 2. Gaia According to the cosmogony of the Orphics, Gaia (Gaea) pre-existed, along with Chaos and Eros-Phanes, during t he Creation of the Universe. These three cosmic beings were born from the cosmic egg, which in turn either originated ex nihilo or was produced by Nyx (the Night). Gaia, one of the primal deities, is a cosmogonical symbol of the material aspect of the Universe, and not just of the earth as a ground (Demetrakos, Mega Lexikon, 1964, vol. 3, p. 1534). Chaos symbolizes the space of the Uni- verse and Eros symbolizes the motive and world-creating power that uniﬁes and transforms the Universe. In the oldest Orphic cosmogony Gaia is born with the intervention (’ener- gy’) of this cosmogonic Eros, who "put together everything" (Orp hic Fragm. Kern, 1922, 1). In the later version of Orphic cosmogony Gaia and the Sky (Ouranos, Uranus) are formed from the two halves of the huge cosmic egg born by the timeless Chronos (Time) (Orphic Fragm. Kern, 1922, 57). In Hesiod’s Theogony (1914), the primal entity of the Universe is Chaos: ". . . ﬁrst Chaos was created" (Theog. 116), which was a formless mass without any structure; an abyss or an ’undecorated’ space. After the creation of Chaos, Erevos (= Darkness) and Nyx (= Night) were born; Nyx gave birth to Ether and Hemera (= Day). Subsequently, the ’broad-chested Gaia’, as Hesiod characterizes her, one of the three primeval elements of th e Universe -along with Chaos and Eros-, gives birth to Ouranos, Pontos (= sea) and the mountains (Theog. 123 +). Another version identiﬁes Chaos with Ouranos proper, thus deﬁning Gaia and Ouranos as the ﬁrst cosmic-divine couple of Creation. Ancient Greeks begin the genesis of gods and of nature with a feminine entity, Gaia, which appears after Chaos and before Eros. Gaia is b o th the natural element that 92 E. Theodossiou et al. produces and supports the world, and the Mother Earth, with the birth of Ouranos, of the Ocean and other aquatic deities. Initially, the divine reproduction is asexual, i.e. the fertility of Gaia is not associated with any god. In a second stage, however, Gaia appears to mate with her ﬁrst-born son Ouranos (Theog. 147), while she had produced him without the intervention of a masculine entity. Our ano s (Uranus) was the most appropriate of all mates, as he was surrounding her totally an d he was destined to be the abode of the gods. In this way, Gaia and the Sky formed the ﬁrst divine couple. Whenever Night was succeeding Day, Ouranos was uniting himself with his own mother. Gaia was being fertilized by his raindrops as by sperm, so she gave birth to many children (Homeric Hymns , 1914, 30, 17 and Theog. 127): Six Titans (the Ocean , Creius, Hyperion, Japetus, Coeus and Cronus), six Titanids (Theia, Rhea, Themis, Mnemosyne, Phoebe and Tethys), three Cyclops (Arges and Steropes = lightning, Vrontes = thunder) and the three Hecatonchires, huge creatures with 100 hands each: Vriareos (= powerful), Gyes (= giant) and Cottus (= angry). Uranus started to worry because of the number and the steadily growing power of his children; he feared that some day they would push him aside. Therefore, he imprisoned them in Tartara, a dark and cold place in the depths of the earth. Gaia, displeased by Uranus’ violent behavior against their chil- dren and by his violent daily embracing, produced a hard scythe from her interior and gave it to her sons, asking them to mutilate their father, thus depriving him of his reproductive power. Cronus (Kronos), the youngest of all Titans, decided to punish his divine father himself, and all his half-brothers and half-sisters except Ocean agreed with that. When night fell, Uranus, full of passion, spread his vast body over Gaia and then Cronus, seizing the op- portunity, cut oﬀ the genitals of his father using Gaia’s scythe. From the droplets of blood that fell on earth from the wound, other creatures were born: the three Furies (Alycto = the non-stopping chaser of the guilty ones, Tissiphone = the punisher of murder, and Megaera = the malevolent), the Giants (Enceladus, Porphyrion, P´allas, Polybiotes, Ephialtes, Clytios, Hip- polytus, Eurytus, Gration, Agrios, Theon, Alcyoneus, Athos, Vesvicus and Echion) and the Meliades Nymphs, spirits of hatred and violence (Theog. 182+). Finally, from the seminal foam and the god’s sperm that fell into the sea, emerged Aphrodite on a seashore of Cyprus (Theog. 187-206). Uranus understood the betrayal and realized that he had lost his power: wounded and having lost his reproductive ability (and hence his divine power), he retired high on the celestial vault, where he stayed forever, uttering a curse against Cronus: to also loose his power by his own oﬀspring. In Homer, the powerful and primeval Gaia is mentioned as overseer of the oaths: she is invoked, along with Uranus and the holy water of Styx, by goddess Hera when she swears (Homer, 1924, Iliad. XV 36-38). Homeric heroes, such as Agamemn on , also invoke Gaia in their oaths, along with Zeus, Helios and the Furies (Iliad XIX 258-265). Menelaus, before his duel with Paris, asks to validate the oaths of their agreement by sacriﬁcing two lambs, one white and one black, to Helios (the Sun) and Gaia, respectively (Iliad III 103+). Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 93 Finally, there is a version according to which Gaia, after the ’abdication’ of Uranus, joined Ocean and gave birth to gods and goddesses of the waters. However, Gaia and Uranus are not considered just the parents of th e g ods, but also the parents of humans, as the Homeric Hymn to Gaia, ’the mother of gods’, mentions: "Praise to me the mother of t he gods and of all people" (Homeric Hymns, 1914). Gaia is seldom d epic ted in a whole-body representation in art. Usually the goddess is shown from waist up, a fact hinting that the rest of her body is the ground or soil, that is the earth itself, whose deiﬁcation she was. 3. Ouranos (Uranus) Uranus, whose name comes from the Greek words oros and ano (Demetrakos, Mega Lexikon, 1964, vol. 10, p. 5289), that is who is above the mountains (Aristotle, On the Heavens (De Caelo) 400a, 7), was in Greek mythology the personiﬁcation of the celestial vault or dome, of the primeval cosmogonic force. He was the sovereign of the ﬁrst generation of beings on Earth. For this reason, Uranus plays an important role in Hesiod’s Theogony, while according to pseudo-Apollodorus: "Uranus was the ﬁrst to rule the entire world" (The Library (Bibliotheca), 1921, A, 1, 1). In the Orphic tradition Uranus is mentioned as son of Nyx (the Night) and brother of Gaia, while elsewhere he appears as son of Ether and Gaia or Nyx. In either case, Uranus belongs to the ﬁrst generation of beings, the oldest of gods and of the elements of nature. According to Hesiod, in the prevailing version, he was the ﬁrst born son of Gaia, who conceived him when she was sleeping next to Eros, without fertilization, "to surround her and to be an eternal and safe abode of gods" (Theog. 486). Uranus is the ﬁrst masculine element, the father of gods in Greek mythology. We already mentioned how Uranus lost his power and retired on the ce- lestial vault, where he stayed forever. So the word ouranos in Greek means the sky or celestial vault, where stars and all celestial bodies are positioned and move: the ﬁrmament, stretching from z enith to the horizon, regarded as a hemisphere placed above the surface of the earth and supported on it along the horizon line by columns (Iliad VI 108). On ouranos all celestial phenomena take place. According to Homer, the stars are attached to it a nd move along with it: the celestial vault is the one that rotates incessantly (Iliad XVII 425). Of course, today we know that this perception is totally wrong: the ’sky’ in that sense does not exist. After taking power, Cronus re leased all his half-brothers and half-sisters from Tartara. The Cyclops and Hecatonchires, however, started after a while to lay cla ims upon his power and they became dangerous. Therefore, Cronus threw them aga in into Tartara and he put a terrible monster, Campe (= caterpillar) to guard them. This period is the second generat ion of immortal deities, where Cronus reigns with his wife Rhea and Titans imp o se his power in the world. Yet, the increasing cruelty and injustice of Cronus, who was devouring his own children in order to avoid being dethroned himself, ﬁnally led Gaia to help Zeus (the Greek analog of Roman Jupiter) against the Titans, giving him a potion that would force Cronus to disgorge the baby gods he had 94 E. Theodossiou et al. devoured. It should be noticed here that the primal Gaia still inﬂuences the course of the world, appearing at certa in crucial moments to g ive a solution. Zeus, after being advised by Gaia, also released the Cyclops and Heca- tonchires. The three Cyclops, with their awesome weapons, the lightning and the thunder, and the three Hecatonchires with their 300 hands in total, man- aged to obtain a decisive victory against the Titans on Mountain Othr ys. The Titans were defeated and were thrown deep in the earth, in Tartara, where the Hecatonchires guard them. According to professor of Geology at the University of Athens Mariolakos Elias: "The end of the Titans means i) a relative abatement of earthquakes and volcanic activity, and ii) the end of the direct and decisive inﬂuence of the natural environment in the life of prehistoric humans. It is the period when the food-gatherers and hunters are turned into farmers and animal breeders (Mariolakos, E., 2009, Geomythotopoi, p. 5). It should be added th at ancient Greek art did not treat the myth of Uranus as a subject; nevertheless, in the Vatican Mu seums there is an ancient depiction of him on the chariot of Helios (the Sun god). According to an alternative Greek tradition, probably even older than the prevailing myth, initially Uranus and Gaia were very close. But due to the frequent inﬁdelities and illegitimate children from other females, Gaia as Earth ﬁnally detached herself from him and agreed to meet him only in certain time periods. From an astronomical point of view, this tradition is an excellent attempt to explain the cycle of the year’s seasons and the place of the Earth in the Universe, as the other mates and children of Uranus were the other moving planets and the stars of the celestial vault (Helios Encyclopaedia, 1957, vol. 4, p. 920). There are also other traditions about Gaia, such as the one mentioned by Diodorus of Sicily (1935), in which Gaia was a beautiful mortal woman, under the name of Titaia. She was loved by Uranus and they had 18 children, named ’Titans’ after their mother. As Titaia was a wise and prudent woman, having oﬀered many services to humans, after her dea th humans deiﬁed her and gave her the name of Mother Earth. 4. Mother Earth A special and important p lace in worship was held by Mother Earth, the universal mother and supreme goddess, called for this reason by Greeks Hy- pertatan Gan. This worship, however, was addressed to Earth not as a celestial body, neither as a personiﬁed deity with a human appearance, but rather as earth-chthon, as a part of nature with its soil, groun d and underground, which feeds and sustains humans. Man is ’accused’ by tragic poet Sophocles (5th century BC) as the one being that dares to disturb the supreme goddess, since he doesn’t hesitate to hurt her by "ploughing it with his plough, incessant- ly furrowing her year after year" (Sophocles, 1994, Antigone, Vol. II., verse 330+). Regarding earth-nature as the omnipotent goddess Mother Earth must have begun in the age when the ﬁrst agricultural societies and their festivals developed, festivals full of mysticism for the primeval cycle of life (sprouting - Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 95 Fig. 1. At the period of Emperor August (1st century AD) people were picturing the Earth as a sweet mother with two children in her lap, inside a ﬂowery natural environment. Later on, Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia stressed some ominous points: he wrote that we humans excavate Earth’s bowels by digging mining holes upon which we live; we wonder when gaps open or the ground shakes, as if these signs were not the expression of wrath of the holy mother. Inside dark corridors we search for treasures, as if the soil on the surface of the ground were not generous and rich enough. fruit bearing - maturing - decay - seed - seed ing - ’rebirth’). However, starting from prehistoric times, it can be said that the ﬁrst humans, from the moment they started to observe life on Earth they understoo d that both they and the rest of animal and plant life were attached to the triptych life-r eproduction- death. The survival of humans depended on earth’s vegetation, as they and the animals they were hunting were being fed by the gifts of nature (Eliade, 1978). The primitive humans, by carefully observing the life cycle of plants, th e seeding of Mother Earth and subsequent sprouting aid ed by rain from Uranus, discovered the corresponding cycle of animal sexual reproduction.. Therefore, it was concluded that Ea rth was alive and in order to give birth ’she’ ne eded to come into contact with the masculine entity. For this reason, humans per- soniﬁed Earth as a feminin e entity, while the fertilizing masculine entity was the sky with the rain, or some large r iver, such as the divine Nile in Egypt (the ancient Egyptian religion is the only one in the world in which the Sky is personiﬁed as a female deity, Nout, see Theodossiou 2007, p. 28). 96 E. Theodossiou et al. The Mother Earth (Terra Mater), due to the vague character of her wor- ship, is sometimes identiﬁed in Greek literature as Rhea, Hestia, Hera, but mostly as Demeter, whose own name comes from Ge-meter = Earth-mother, denoting the womb that encloses the seeds. Indeed, the worship of Gaia as Mother Earth goddess diminishes over time, without disappearing complete- ly, and is replaced by the better-deﬁned worship of Demeter a s the goddess of agriculture; Gaia’s role is thus reduced to the dream-giving, story-telling, and to the feeding of plants and children. The miraculous divine union of Uranus-Sky and Earth, out of which gods, humans, and all living things are born, is reﬂected in the cry of Eleusis Mys- teries ’hye, Kye’; with this cry the mysts were ca lling the Sky to pour his fertilizing rain, so that the earth (here personiﬁed as Demeter) could use her womb to produce all kinds of oﬀspring. As opposed to Gaia, which is the deiﬁcation of our world-planet, Mother Earth is essentially the deiﬁcation of soil-ground, whose products sustain humans and which gives them the space on which they are born, live and die. The presence of Gaia as a p rimeval element-material and deity is apparent in the founding of the ﬁrst oracle, which catered o nly to the gods. Later on, identiﬁed with Mother Earth, established her oracle in Delphi; this is why she is also called ’protomantis’ = ﬁrst foreteller (Aeschylus, 1989, Eumenides, Pythias 2). The Dodone oracle was also dedicated to Gaia; there she was worshipped together with Zeus as "fruit-giver and mother" (Pausanias, 1935, Phocis 12, 10). Finally, Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia (1971) wrote that the Sky belongs to the gods, but the Earth belongs to the human race. The Earth welcomes us when we are born, it gives us food to grow and it receives us in her lap when we die. This earth suﬀers from human actions that destroy its surface and cut into its body as men search for gold, silver, copper and lead; men open wells into its depth in quest for precious gems and excavate its bowels. (Pantermalis, Ancient Greek mines, 1995, p. 42). Finally, the questions about Earth, as they were summarized by Aristotle (On the Heavens 1956, II 293a, 15+), were culminating with the question of the place of Earth in the Universe, of its exact shape and of its size. 5. The Couple of Sky and Earth As a corollary, it can be said that in Greek cosmogony, as in the creat ion myths of t he other Indoeuropean people, the great creation activity taking place continuously in nature is exempliﬁed in the following simple picture: One divine couple, the ﬁrst of creation, gave and still gives birth to all beings. The fertilizing ’father’, in this case Uranus, and the conceiving ’mother’, in this case Gaia, who also feeds her children. This ﬁrst divine couple is united by Eros, and in the erotic-cosmogonic symbolism the Sky-Uranus embraces and fertilizes Earth-Gaia through the rain. Their union is presented as an omnipotent reproductive ability, which multiplied the number of gods, a fact praised by Orpheus (Proclus in Tim. 3, 1820, p. 137, 11) as creation of the primeval Chaos (or Erevos) and of the Day (Orphic Hymns IV: Incense to Uranus, and XXVI: Incense to Earth). Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 97 Besides, this same symbolism is hidden in the union of Semele (who per- soniﬁes Earth) and Zeus, the celestial god who fertilizes his beloved woman with lightning, the harbinger of rain. ’Earthly’ Danae is fertilized in the same way, by the ’celestial’ Zeus transformed into golden rain. Metaphorically, the celestial god, with his beneﬁciary waters, softens the parched womb of the earth for the development of life. Since Mother Earth and Uranus were the progenitors of life, humans (who depended on earth’s vegetation) had to either pacify or challenge god Uranus to copulate more frequently with Mother Earth for richer production. This cosmogonic theme of the primeval couple of Sky and Earth is found not only in ancient Greece, but in almost all ancient civilizations. Accord- ing to some scientiﬁc evidence, many prehistoric societies were matriarchic (’matriarchy’ in The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2007) The ﬁrst human societies were intimately aware of nature. They believed that humans, animals, plants, rocks and minerals, all were the descendants of Mother Earth; therefore, everything had a soul and any living creature had the same rights on life. At the dawn o f history human societies respected the oth er life forms because they knew that their diﬀerences were just morphological. People be- lieved that rain was the intercourse of Sky and Earth (the masculine a nd the feminine). They knew that everything depended on this event, including the survival of the other forms of life on the land. For pre-Socratic Greek natural philosophers, however, it should be added that Earth and the Sky were regarded as a continuous bo dy, united at the ends of the horizon. Earth of the Homeric Universe was a circular ﬂat disk surrounded by a huge circular river, the Ocean, a model ﬁrst appearing in th e Orphic Hymn ’X. TO PAN, The Fumigation from Various Odors’, verse 15: "Old Ocean too reveres thy high command, whose liquid arms begirt the solid land." This mythical ’river’ is diﬀerent from the seas: it is something that d eﬁne s the boundaries of the terrestrial world. Above all, Ocean is the primal a nd orig- inal creative element, the starting point of all things (Iliad, XIV 246). This mythical ’river’ has no sources, nor estuary, it is ’apsorroos’, i.e. cyclically moving or backward-ﬂowing. Its current goes back to where it started in a ceaseless and eternal ﬂux. This Ocean supports the sky, which is above Earth’s circular disk as a huge vault. In the Orphic Hymns, the Sky is mentioned as the sovereign of the World, surrounding the Earth as a sphere; it is the abode of the go ds and rotates like a spinning-top; personiﬁed, he guards everything, not just in his place, but also on Earth: "Uranus ruler of the world, spinning like a sphere around Gaia, house of the blessed gods, moving with whirlings, guard of everything on both sky and earth" (O rphic Hymns) IV, Incense to Uranus). On the other hand, the Sky was for ancient Greeks a metallic vault made of copper or iron, held up there by very tall columns or, according to an- other view, by some giant. Homer combines these two views by having Atlas supporting the columns (Homer, 1919 , Odyssey i 53-54). Hesiod in Theogony (1914, 517e) writes that Zeus was the one who had assigned this duty to Atlas. So the sky for them was made of a solid metallic material, called ’poly- chalcus’, that is ’of much copper’ (Iliad V 504, Odyssey ii 458, iii 2, Iliad XVI 98 E. Theodossiou et al. 364, XIX 351), ’copper’ (Iliad XVII 424-425) and ’iron’ (Odyssey xv 329 and xvii 565). The space between sky and Earth, according to the view recorded by Homer, was ﬁlled at ﬁrst by the dense air: aer (Iliad XIV 288). Over this layer and towards t he direction of the sky there was the clean and transparent ’ether’, lighter than the air. Above the ether was the ’polychalcus’ sky. Of course, one should not assume th at the Homeric sky was a barren metallic dome; it was, as Homer sings, full of life, the life of the stars that decorate it: he calls the sky ’full of stars’ (’asteroeis’) (Iliad VI 108, XV 371) and star-decorated (Odyssey ix 534-535). On this celestial dome, Helios, the god of the Sun, travels on its path, so he is described with the adjective ’uranodromos’, that is ’sky-running’ (Odyssey i 7-9). 6. The Sun and the Sun-god Helios From prehistoric times, humans admired the starry night sky, with its thou- sands of naked-eye stars twinkling on its vault. But their joy was greatest at dawn, "the rosy-ﬁngered E os" (Hesiod, 2006, Works and Days, 609), when the diﬀuse sunlight gradually prevailed over the darkness of the fearful night. They naturally worshipped the light-giving Sun, since they realized that ev- erything on earth owed its existence and life to the inﬂuence of its rays. According to archaeologist Chr. G. Doumas: "The word ’als’ in Homer means the sea when observed from the land. The presence of this root in tablets of Linear B writings as component of other words indicates a long-standing use, during which it evolved into a versatile noun of the third declension that easily makes compounds with other roots. . . the fact t hat with the original root so many a nd various needs of the Greek language, e.g. alios / helios [= sun], shows both the close relationship of the aegean society with the sea and the strong inﬂuence of the liquid element upon the history and the culture of that age." (Doumas, 2010, The ancient monuments of the names, p. 16). "Indeed, from ’als’ (genitive form: alos) came the adjective ’alios’, which, even though it is recognized as the doric type of ’helios’ = sun, it essential- ly means the one that is related to the sea... The depiction of the Sun on the proto-Cycladic pan-shaped vessels of the 3rd millenium BC is probably an indication of the importance assigned to it by the Cycladians of that period. The islanders of the Aegean Sea and the inhabitants of the eastern shores of the Greek peninsula see every morning the Sun rising from t he sea" (Doumas, 2008, The aligenes Aegean Sun, p.15), as described in the ﬁrst verses of Rhap- sody iii of the Odyssey: "When the Sun, leaving the lake, ascended towards the all-copper sky to shine on both immortals and the mortal people of the life-giving earth. . . ". The Sun is the ’rad iating one’, the ’ﬁery one’ and as such it symbolized the celestial representation of the universal father, being essentially the repre sen- tative of God’s spirit (Demetrakos, 1964, vol. 7, p. 3 250) . The Sun’s appear- ance in the morning, its culmination at noon and its majestic disappearance for the night (or during the eclipses) inﬂuenced much human thought. Dark- ness fallin g every evening after sunset ﬁlled the soul of the primitive human with stressful questions. With time, the savants of the society assigned to Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 99 the Sun supernatural divine properties, since as a god ’he’ could appear or disappear at will, both daily and during the much more rare eclipses. All ancient people worshipped the light- and life-giving Sun. The Sun was Samas of the Assurians, Bel of the Semites, Bel-Marduk of the Babylonians, El or Outou of the Sumerians, Baal of the Phoenicians an d Chananeans, Moloch of the Ammonites, Chimoch of the Moabites, Ammun-Ra of the Egyptians, Surya of the Indians, Mithra of the Persians, Indi of t he Inka, Tonatiuch of the Aztecs, Sol of the Romans, Swarog or Yarila of Slavic tribes, Belenos of the Celts, Helios and Phoebos-Apollo (the symbol of sunlight) of the Greeks. The worship of the Sun god was universal and prevalent, since for ancient humans the Sun was the source of life, light a nd warmth, a guarantee of the celestial order of the hours of the day and the seasons of the year, a c reative force for nature and, more mundanely, an aid for orientation. Besides, the Sophoclean phrase "everybody adores the rotating solar orb" (Achilles Tatius, 1917, frag. 672 Nauk2), is true for all ages (Sophocles, 1892, Trachiniae, 738, 2). 7. The Sun-Helios in Greek mythology In Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey (ca 8th century BC) the external aspect of the bright appearance of the Sun is especially stressed along with the notions associated with sunrise and sunset. According to Hesiod, the Sun-god, Helios, was the son of Titans Hyperion and Theia (Theog., 371-372), or of Hyperion and Eu rypha essa (Homeric Hymn to Helios 31, 2), while his sisters were Selene (the Moon goddess) and Eos (the personiﬁcation of dawn). Pindar celebrates Theia as the mother of Helios in his 5th Isthmian Ode (1997): "Mother of the Sun, Theia of many names, for your sake men honor gold as more powerful than anything else; and through the value you bestow on them, o queen, ships contending on. . . " As Titans, Theia and Hyperion (= he who hovers above earth) belong to the same generation as Cronus; all of them were children of Gaia and Uranus (Patsi-Garin, 1969). Homer, calling Helios ’Hyperionides’ (Odyssey xii 176), stresses his con- crete bond with life, as since their birth, humans behold the solar ’augeae’ (daybreaks): they live "under the stars of the sky and the light of the Sun" (Iliad IV 4 5), rejoicing when they see "the bright light of the Sun" (Iliad V 120). Eventually, when a person dies "he abandons the light of the Sun" (Iliad XIX 2). The Sun for Homer is the god who "sees everything and hears every- thing" (Iliad III 277). This characteristic of Helios is stressed by the adjec- tives ’panoptes’ (Aeschylus, 1983, Prometheus Bound 91), ’the overseer of everything’ (Aeschylus, 1984, The Libation Bearers, 982-9 86) , ’the prevailing one by sight’ (Sophocles, 1892, Trachiniae,101) and many other references of the ancient Greek tragic poets, who stress that these ’over-seeing’ abilities of the Sun render him a guarantor o f the keeping of oaths; always Helios was a 100 E. Theodossiou et al. witness of truth (Homeric Hymn 3, 381, Sophocles: Oedipus Tyrannus 660), "index of justice, guardian of oath keeping, eye of justice" (Orph. Hymn 16). In Greek mythology in general, Helios is presented as the god who travels around Earth and watches the administration of justice shedding light on good and evil (Segal, C.P., 1992, pp. 3-29, McCarthy, D.J., 1978, p. 185, West, M.L., 1997, p. 20). Helios was considered a very important god, and Homer reports that sacriﬁces were oﬀered to Gaia and Helios (Iliad III 104, 276). As far as his other attributes are concerned, Helios was worshipped in Corinth (Pausanias, 1918, Corinth Book II, 3:2, 4:6 and 5:1) as god of storms, thunderstorms and other sky forces. Additionally, it has been suggested that the ’Horse monument’ (Pausanias, 1935, Book III 20, 9) with the seven "columns. . . . . . who they say are statues of the planets", was a part of the worship of Helios. Also, in Hermione there was a temple dedicated to Helios (Pausanias, 1935, Vol. II, 34, 10). Indeed, in the Christian church of Taxiarches was found a part of a circular altar of the 3rd century AD with the following inscriptio n: "To Helios the king god, to Hyperion altar. . . " (Jameson, M. and Runnels C.N., 1959, p. 15). The special place of Helios with respect to the Olympian gods (although Helios is a celestial and not one of the 12 Olympian gods), is connected with his importance for the life of the Olympians. Diodorus (1935, Bibl. Histor. V 71) writes that Zeus before the battle with the Giants sacriﬁces to Helios, Uranus and Gaia. This is why Aeschylus refers to Helios as ’the overseer of everything’ (Aeschylus, 1989, Eumenides). From about the 5th century BC and after, Helios loses its status as a distinct deity and begins to mingle with Apollo, the Olympian god of sun- light. After the battle with Giants, Helios was identiﬁed with Zeus, who, as a celestial and Olympian god relative to the celestial light included the divine substance of Helios. However the gradual increase in Zeus’ strengths forced the Helios part out of his substance wh ich Apollo then usurped to become a deity with many of the characteristics of a pure Sun god. The identiﬁca- tion of Helios with Phoebus-Apollo (phoebus = shining) is traced throughout the whole ancient Greek literature after Parmenides and Empedo c les (Diels, 1996, Vorsokratiker, I2 108, 29.157 , 10 and DK -Diels-Kranz, 1996, 28 A 20, 31 A 23), up to Plutarch and Crates Ascondes of Thebes. Eratosthenes reports this identiﬁcation of Helios with Apollo (Spandagos, 2002, 24) writing that Aeschylus suggests in one of his works that Orpheus identiﬁed Helios with Apollo and placed him at th e center of his worship, refusing to oﬀer honors to Dionysus. Similarly, in Saturnalia by Macrobius (1969), it is written characteristically: ’Item Orpheus Liberum atque Solem unum esse deum eundemque demonstrans de ornatu vestituque eius in sacris Liberalibus ita scribit’ (Saturnalia 1.18.22, frag. 238). Nevertheless, although this Helios-Apo llo identiﬁcation began at least since the 5th century BC, it was not widely accepted until centuries later. According to Homer, Helios started his trip every dawn from the eastern ocean or from Ethiopia, the land of the ’sun-burned people’ (Odyssey I 24- 26); he crossed the sky with his winged four-horse chariot, pulled by four beautiful ﬁre-breathing white hor ses: Eous, Aethiops, Bronte and Sterope (Hyginus, 1933, Fabulae 183): Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 101 "Eous; by him the sky is turned. Aethiops, as if ﬂaming, parches the grain. These trace-horses are male. The female are yoke-bearers: Bronte, whom we call Thunder, Sterope, whom we call Lightning" These equine names allude to the power of the God, the succession of the celestial phenomena and the maturing of the fruits. Other authors report other names for the Sun’s horses: Lampon, Aethops, Aethon and Flegon (Gelling & Davidson, 1969, p. 14+; Glob 1974, pp. 99-103, and Green 1991, pp. 64-66, p. 114+). Every evening, Helios completed his journey and then rested in the West, in the land of Hesperides. The notion of the ’ﬂaming’ or ’ﬁery’ nature of Helios is very common among the Greek tragic poets: "baked by the ﬁre of the sun" (Aeschylus, 1983, Prometheus Bound 22), "High o’er the earth, at whose ethereal ﬁre. . . " (Euripides: Ion 3 4), "Hot ﬂame of the King" (Euripides, 1996, Phaethon 776). Euripides describes sunrise as follows: "Now ﬂames this radiant chariot of the sun / high o’er the earth, at whose ethereal ﬁre / the stars into the sacred night retreat" (Euripides, 2004, Ion 82-84). This description has often been compared with a depiction of Helios on a Greek vase of the 5th century BC that is kept in the British Museum; there, Helios is depicted with a ray- surrounded h ead , riding a winged four-horse chariot, rising from the sea, in which child-like apparitions swim, denoting the stars that go to hide. Fig. 2. At the period of Emperor August (Ink drawing: The rise of the Sun with his 4-horse chariot. The vanishing stars of the night are depicted as children sinking in the sea (Greek vase, 435 BC - British Museum). The Sun, completing his daily (diurnal) course on the celestial vault, rested every night on a golden bed made by the hammer of the god Hephaestos (Vulcan), in order to shine again the following day over the world. Helios had many sons and daughters. With Oceanid Perseis they had three children: Circe, Passiphae and Ae¨etes (Apollonius, 1962, Argonautica 3, 1, 2 and Homer: Odyssey XII 3). Circe was famous for her magical powers and for her love for Ulysses (Theogony, 1914, 957). Passiphae, wife of king Minos of Crete, is identiﬁed with the Moon an d considered the primeval deity of light, as her name states (passiphaessa = apparent to all). It was due to Passiphae 102 E. Theodossiou et al. that the worship of Helios was widely practiced in Crete, where he was adored under the form of a bull (Bekker, 1814-1821, Anecd. Gr. 344, 10). The myth of Passiphae falling in love with a bull (the zodiacal constellation Taurus = the Bull) reﬂects a very ancient tradition, according to which the bull-shaped sun-god and the cow-shaped moon-goddess were united with a holy wedding. In another myth, Ae¨etes was king of Aea, who refused to give the Golden Fleece (a symbol of sunlight) to Jason and the Argonauts. Helios had two other daughters, Phaethusa and Lampetie, and a son, Phaethon, with Clymene.. Once, Phaethon got permission from his father to cross the sky with his chariot. However, when Phaethon saw the huge constellation S corp ius (the scorpion) he became freightened and lo st control of his fat her’s chariot. Its horses bolted and the chariot started to go up and down, threatening the Earth with destruction. Then Zeus saved the world by killing Phaethon with one of his thunderbolts. Phaethon’s body fell on the bank of the river Eridanus. His sisters, the Heliads, who mourned him, were transformed into poplars, the holy trees of the god Helios, and their tears became amber. Ink drawing: The fall of Phaethon. Fig. 3. Ink drawing: The fall of Phaethon. Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 103 ’Phaethon’ was also a name given to of Helios himself because of its ra- diant light (Iliad XI 730, Odyssey v 479, xi 15 , Homeric Hymn 31.2). In his Theogony (1914), Hesiod writes of Phaethon and Hyperion as ’substances’ of god Helios (Theog. 987 and Nagy, 1990, p. 235). Additionally, Phaet hon is mentioned by both Nonnus (1940, Dionysiaka 38.167) and Ovid (1857, Meta- morph. 2007, 1.747-79: Phaethon’s parentage, struggle with Epaphos and 2.42: Phaethon and his father). Helios, according to Greek mythology, also had numerous other aﬀairs with other women; subsequently, he had many other sons and dau ghters, collectively known in ancient Greek literature as Heliades. A famous c enter of Helios worship was Rhodes; as Pindar (1997) reports (Olymp. Ode 7, 69), the whole island belonged to him. The famous Colossus was a giant statue of Helios (this statue was one of the ’seven wonders’ of the ancient world), an artwork by Rhodian sculptor Chares from Lindos (Pliny, 1971, Historia Naturalis 34.63), a student of Lysippus (3rd cent. BC). Every four years a Sun festival was celebrated on the island, called Ali(ei)a or Helieia (Nilsson, 1906, p. 427), during which they oﬀered to Helios a four-horse chariot thrown into the sea. Helios stayed in Rhodes with Nymph Rhodos, a daughter of Aphrodite, and together they had seven sons, named: Ochimos, Cer caphus, Actis, Macar, Candalus, Triopes and Tenages, and their wisdom is exalted by Pindar (1997, Olymp. Ode 7, 72-75). In Greek art the personiﬁcation of the sun is often depicted as a young man bearing a radiant wreath and a tunic, standing upon a four-horse chariot, as on the metope of the Hellenistic temple of goddess Athena in Ilion (Troy). Of more astronomical interest is a statue of Helios in the Vatican. He is depicted as a young man bearing a radiant wreath, and has an extra feature: a wide belt with the symbols of the zodiac. Moreover, there is the tradition, mentioned among others by Home r (Odyssey xii 127), that in Trinacria island (Sicily),Helios had seven herds of cattle and seven herds of sheep, each having ﬁfty animals. They grazed steadily every day, never getting more or less. According to the explanation given by Aris- totle, the lunar year consisted of 50 weeks, each having 7 days and 7 nights; therefore the 50 times 7 cattle and the 50 times 7 sheep were denoting the 350 days and 350 nights, respectively, which make the lunar year used by a ncient Greeks according to the original calculations (Theodossiou & Danezis, 1995, p. 315). The worship of the Sun-god was universal, while very ancient practices originating in it, such as the orientation of temples of several religions towards the East, were kept until our days in the conscience of people. 8. Selene, The Moon According to Hesiod’s Theogony, Selene was the daughter of Hyperion and Theia, and sister of Eos (the Dawn) and of Helios, who illuminates her eter- nally du e to their relation a s half-brothers. The word selene comes from selas = light (Demetrakos Mega Lexikon, 1964, vol. 13, p. 6489). In Greek mythol- ogy Selene or Selana (Pindar, Olymp. Ode 10, 75) is the ﬁrst and only lunar deity, at least in pre-classic and classic p oetry, also called by the adjectives 104 E. Theodossiou et al. An ink drawing of the metope of the temple of Athena in Ilion (Troy) with a relief Fig. 4. An ink drawing of the metope of the temple of Athena in Ilion (Troy) with a relief depiction of ray-headed Helios standing on his chariot, most probably based on an older work by Lysippus (Staatliche Museen, Berlin Aegle, Passiphae, Mene, Titanis (as daughter of two Titans) and Phoebe as sister of Phoebos-Helios. As Greek mythology evolved, other goddesses were correlated with the Moon: Hecate, Artemis and Hera. Selene is usually imaged as a feminine form bearing a crescent as crown, riding a horse or a chariot with two winged horses (diphros). Sometimes she is described as le adin g a herd of cattle so that her crescent-shape d crown resembles a bull’s horns. Her brother Helios rides a four-ho rse chariot, while Selene rides a two-horse chariot; her two horses have one of their sides white Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 105 and the other black, a metaphor meaning that only the one side of the Moon’s surface is illuminated by sunlight. According to various local traditions Selene had one daughter with Aer (air), called Drosos (the morning Dew). In the Attica tradition she gave b irth to Pandia, daughter of Zeus (pan + dia = all-godly), worshipped along with her mother in the Pandion festival. In an Arcadian tradition the Moon was a lover of god Pan and she was worshipped in common with him on Arcadian Mt Lykaio. In Elis and Karia they believed that Selene was in love with a mortal man, Endymion, whom she met every night on Mt Latmos, and had 50 daughters with him, as many as the lunar months of an Olympiad. In a tradition of late antiquity me ntioned by Quintus Smyrnaeus (Fall of Troy, 1913, 10. 334 ﬀ), Selene also had a love aﬀair with her brother Helios. The oldest known depiction of Helios in a Greek sculpture is on the eastern gable of the Parthenon, where the birth of goddess Athena is imaged. Helios and Selene also framed the composition of the birth of Aphrodite on the throne of the statue of Zeus in Olympia (Pausanias, 1935, Vol. I I, Elis 1, Book 5, 11, 8) and a similar dep iction is alluded to by the ’sunset’ mentioned by Pausanias o n the gable of the temple of Delphi (Pausanias, 1935, Phocis, Vol. IV, Book X 19, 4: The temple at Delphi). Selene was worshipped throughout Greece, but especially in Peloponne se. It is known from the history of the Persian Wars that the Spartans, in order to start a military campaign took seriously into consideration the lunar phases. Near the city of Thalames there was a well-known oracle of Selene, where the ephoroi of Spart a stayed overnight asking her advice; a local spring was named after her (Pausanias, 1935, Laconica, Vol. II, Book 3, 26, 1). The p air Helios-Selene was ﬁnally correlated with the pair of Olympians Apollo-Artemis, to which similar characteristics were at tribu ted , along with the same symbols: for Selene these were silver, the bull horns and the crescent. At a symbolic level, the Moon is the feminine component of the creation of the World and the entrance (due to its ’secret’ appearance at night) to- wards the apocryphal nature of humanity and of the Universe, i.e. towards what remains inexpressible from the usual observation of nature. The Moon is the luminous image of cyclical time; representative of the constant ﬂux of everything. The inﬁnite new moons symbolize the inﬁnite time moments of any end that signals a new beginning. Selene is a chthonic (earth) deity in the antithesis sun-earth, light-darkness. On the other side, Selene is the goddess with the white arms that drives away the darkness of night when it is full. The rosy-ﬁngered Eos (dawn), Selene’s sister, brings the ﬁrst light of the new day. Hecate, the three-form chthonic deity, is another expression of her; Ores, the Hours or the year’s seasons, are considered her daughters. Another metaphor of the Mo on is a huge luminous clepsydra, a water-clock, ﬁlled during its waxing phases and emptying during its waning phases. It gave the deﬁnite measure of time with the succession of its phases. The ancient Greek tragic poets presented Selene-Moon as a very beautiful young woman before which all the other stars paled, when its silvery ﬁgure appears on the celestial dome. 106 E. Theodossiou et al. 9. Conclusions Since the most ancient times, humans worshipped the primal divine couple, goddess Gaia and god Uranus, who were the ancestors of the other gods that gave their names to the planets of the Solar System. Hesiod’s Theogony starts with goddess Gaia and ends to the polytheistic reign of the Olympian gods. Uranus surrounds Gaia and fertilizes her. In juxtapo sition with goddess Gaia, a deiﬁcation of our planet, Mother Earth is essentially the de iﬁcation of ground and soil, whose products sustain humans and oﬀer them the space on which they live and die. The birth of the nature’s elements comes in parallel with the birth of gods, who metap hor ically behave as people. Cronus symbolizes Time, Rhea the ﬂux an d Hera (an anagram of Aer) air along with all the variations of weather. The light-giving Helios, the Sun, is the source of every life form on Earth. For all people on Earth the Sky, the Sun, the Earth and the Moon (especially the full moon at night) seemed as approp riate eternal witnesses of human acts and the natural avengers of cheatings. On the other hand, the rays of the Sun falling on Mother Earth after the rain-sperm of the Sky created the ﬁrst living creatures. Of astronomical importance is the Celestial Dome, where in daytime reigns the all-seeing Helios, and at night the stars and the pale ﬁgure of Selene-Moon are observed. The Moon was the origin, in remote antiquity, of the deﬁnition of the month a nd the week, and of the creation of the ﬁrst (lunar) calendars; its role was crucial for the invention of the religious calendrical systems of the ancient people, which survive even today in the Islamic world and in the determination of the date of the Christian and Jewish Easter. References Achilles Tatius, 1917, with an English trans. by S. Gaselle, Heinemann, London & G.P. Putnam’s Son, New York. 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Which country's use of energy overtook the USA in 2010 to become the world's biggest consumer of power (from oil, coal, water, wind, etc)?	4.79 · California Institute of Technology Abstract In this article we consider the role of the three principal celestial bodies, the Earth (Gaia), the Sun (Helios) and the Moon (Selene), as well as the Sky (Ouranos) in the ancient Greek cosmogony. This is done by the analysis of antique Greek texts like Orphic Hymns and the literary remains of the writers and philosophers like Aeschylus, (Pseudo) Apollodorus, Apollonius Rhodius, Aristotle, Euripides, Hesiod, Homer, Hyginus, Nonnus, Pausanias, Pindar and Sophocles, as well as by the analysis of texts of Roman writers like Cicero, Ovid and Pliny. Гея, Хелиос, Селена и Уран – трите главни небесни тела и небето в древно-гръцката космогония Discover the world's research Department of Astrophysics, Astronomy and Mechanics Physics Faculty, University of Athens-Zografos 157 84 2 Astronomical Observatory, Volgina 7, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia 3 322127 Needles, Street, Chatsworth, California 91311, USA [email protected] [email protected] (Research rep ort. Accepted on 21.09.2010) Abstract. In this article we consider the role of the three p rincipal celestial bodies, the Earth (Gaia), the Sun (Helios) and the Moon (Selene), as well as the Sky (Ouranos) in the ancient Greek cosmogony. This is done by the analysis of antique Greek texts like Orphic Hymns and the literary remains of the writers and philosophers like Aeschylus, (Pseudo) Ap o llodorus, Apollonius Rhodius, Aristotle, Euripides, Hesiod , Homer, Hyginus, Nonnus, Pausanias, Pindar and Sophocles, as well as by the analysis of texts of Roman writers like Cicero, Ovid and Pliny. Key words: Gaia, Mother Earth, Helios, Sun, Ouranos, Sky, Selene, Moon Гея, Хелиос, Селена и Уран – трите главни небесни тела и небето в древно-гръцката космогония Е. Теодосиу, В. Н. Маниманис, М. С. Димитрийевич, П. Мантаракис В тази статия ние разглеждаме ролята на трите главни небесни тела – Земята (Гея), Слънцето (Хелиос) и Луната (Селена), както и Небето (Уран) в д ревно-гръцката космогония. Това е направено чрез анализ на а нтич ни гръцки текстове като Орфеевите химни и литературното наследство на писатели и философи като Есхилус, (Псевдо) Аполодорус, Аполониус Родиус, Аристотел, Еврипид, Хесиод, Омир, Хигинус, Нонус, Паусаниас, Пиндер и Софокъл, както и анализ на текстове на римски писатели като Цицерон, Овидий и Плиний. Our aim here is to analyze, on the basis of ancient Greek and Roman texts, the role of the three principal celestial bodies, the Earth (Gaia), the Sun (Helios) and the Moon (Selene) as well as the Sky (Ouranos) in ancient Greek cosmogony. Since the remotest antiquity, human beings worshipped the divine couple of goddess Gaia (Gaea, Earth) and god Ouranos (Uranus, Sky), the primal pair. Hesiod’s Theogony (1914) begins with Gaia and concludes with the polytheistic reign of the Olympians. The genesis of the elements of nature and the genesis of personiﬁed gods behaving like humans proceed in parallel: "in the beginning the gods and Gaia were born" (Theog., 105). Gaia’s mate, Ouranos, surrounds her and fertilizes her. Bulgarian Astronomical Journal 16, 2011 Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 91 In juxtaposition with Gaia, who is the deiﬁcation of our planet, Mother Earth is the deiﬁcation of the ground, whose products support human ex- istence, and which gives the space where they are born, they live and they die. Beyond the cosmic duo of deities, Ouranos and Gaia / Mother Earth, humans worshipped the light-giver and life-giver Helios (Sun), the source of every life form on Earth. For all people, in all regions of the Earth, the Sun, Sky and Earth are the eternal witnesses of human acts and the natural avengers of the violations of the laws. From the age of the emergence of Greek philosophy comes the theory that the solar rays that fell on the wet Mother Earth created the ﬁrst living creatures, while mythographers consider as progenitors of all things the Sun and Mother Earth. The Moon gave primal units for the measurement of time: the deﬁnition of the luna r (synodic) month and of the week; its role is therefore crucial in the invention of the ﬁrst calendars, which served as the foundation for all ancient religions. In this paper, we will consider and analyze the role of Gaia/Mother Earth, Ouranos, Helios and Selene in ancient Greek mythological Cosmogony. 2. Gaia According to the cosmogony of the Orphics, Gaia (Gaea) pre-existed, along with Chaos and Eros-Phanes, during t he Creation of the Universe. These three cosmic beings were born from the cosmic egg, which in turn either originated ex nihilo or was produced by Nyx (the Night). Gaia, one of the primal deities, is a cosmogonical symbol of the material aspect of the Universe, and not just of the earth as a ground (Demetrakos, Mega Lexikon, 1964, vol. 3, p. 1534). Chaos symbolizes the space of the Uni- verse and Eros symbolizes the motive and world-creating power that uniﬁes and transforms the Universe. In the oldest Orphic cosmogony Gaia is born with the intervention (’ener- gy’) of this cosmogonic Eros, who "put together everything" (Orp hic Fragm. Kern, 1922, 1). In the later version of Orphic cosmogony Gaia and the Sky (Ouranos, Uranus) are formed from the two halves of the huge cosmic egg born by the timeless Chronos (Time) (Orphic Fragm. Kern, 1922, 57). In Hesiod’s Theogony (1914), the primal entity of the Universe is Chaos: ". . . ﬁrst Chaos was created" (Theog. 116), which was a formless mass without any structure; an abyss or an ’undecorated’ space. After the creation of Chaos, Erevos (= Darkness) and Nyx (= Night) were born; Nyx gave birth to Ether and Hemera (= Day). Subsequently, the ’broad-chested Gaia’, as Hesiod characterizes her, one of the three primeval elements of th e Universe -along with Chaos and Eros-, gives birth to Ouranos, Pontos (= sea) and the mountains (Theog. 123 +). Another version identiﬁes Chaos with Ouranos proper, thus deﬁning Gaia and Ouranos as the ﬁrst cosmic-divine couple of Creation. Ancient Greeks begin the genesis of gods and of nature with a feminine entity, Gaia, which appears after Chaos and before Eros. Gaia is b o th the natural element that 92 E. Theodossiou et al. produces and supports the world, and the Mother Earth, with the birth of Ouranos, of the Ocean and other aquatic deities. Initially, the divine reproduction is asexual, i.e. the fertility of Gaia is not associated with any god. In a second stage, however, Gaia appears to mate with her ﬁrst-born son Ouranos (Theog. 147), while she had produced him without the intervention of a masculine entity. Our ano s (Uranus) was the most appropriate of all mates, as he was surrounding her totally an d he was destined to be the abode of the gods. In this way, Gaia and the Sky formed the ﬁrst divine couple. Whenever Night was succeeding Day, Ouranos was uniting himself with his own mother. Gaia was being fertilized by his raindrops as by sperm, so she gave birth to many children (Homeric Hymns , 1914, 30, 17 and Theog. 127): Six Titans (the Ocean , Creius, Hyperion, Japetus, Coeus and Cronus), six Titanids (Theia, Rhea, Themis, Mnemosyne, Phoebe and Tethys), three Cyclops (Arges and Steropes = lightning, Vrontes = thunder) and the three Hecatonchires, huge creatures with 100 hands each: Vriareos (= powerful), Gyes (= giant) and Cottus (= angry). Uranus started to worry because of the number and the steadily growing power of his children; he feared that some day they would push him aside. Therefore, he imprisoned them in Tartara, a dark and cold place in the depths of the earth. Gaia, displeased by Uranus’ violent behavior against their chil- dren and by his violent daily embracing, produced a hard scythe from her interior and gave it to her sons, asking them to mutilate their father, thus depriving him of his reproductive power. Cronus (Kronos), the youngest of all Titans, decided to punish his divine father himself, and all his half-brothers and half-sisters except Ocean agreed with that. When night fell, Uranus, full of passion, spread his vast body over Gaia and then Cronus, seizing the op- portunity, cut oﬀ the genitals of his father using Gaia’s scythe. From the droplets of blood that fell on earth from the wound, other creatures were born: the three Furies (Alycto = the non-stopping chaser of the guilty ones, Tissiphone = the punisher of murder, and Megaera = the malevolent), the Giants (Enceladus, Porphyrion, P´allas, Polybiotes, Ephialtes, Clytios, Hip- polytus, Eurytus, Gration, Agrios, Theon, Alcyoneus, Athos, Vesvicus and Echion) and the Meliades Nymphs, spirits of hatred and violence (Theog. 182+). Finally, from the seminal foam and the god’s sperm that fell into the sea, emerged Aphrodite on a seashore of Cyprus (Theog. 187-206). Uranus understood the betrayal and realized that he had lost his power: wounded and having lost his reproductive ability (and hence his divine power), he retired high on the celestial vault, where he stayed forever, uttering a curse against Cronus: to also loose his power by his own oﬀspring. In Homer, the powerful and primeval Gaia is mentioned as overseer of the oaths: she is invoked, along with Uranus and the holy water of Styx, by goddess Hera when she swears (Homer, 1924, Iliad. XV 36-38). Homeric heroes, such as Agamemn on , also invoke Gaia in their oaths, along with Zeus, Helios and the Furies (Iliad XIX 258-265). Menelaus, before his duel with Paris, asks to validate the oaths of their agreement by sacriﬁcing two lambs, one white and one black, to Helios (the Sun) and Gaia, respectively (Iliad III 103+). Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 93 Finally, there is a version according to which Gaia, after the ’abdication’ of Uranus, joined Ocean and gave birth to gods and goddesses of the waters. However, Gaia and Uranus are not considered just the parents of th e g ods, but also the parents of humans, as the Homeric Hymn to Gaia, ’the mother of gods’, mentions: "Praise to me the mother of t he gods and of all people" (Homeric Hymns, 1914). Gaia is seldom d epic ted in a whole-body representation in art. Usually the goddess is shown from waist up, a fact hinting that the rest of her body is the ground or soil, that is the earth itself, whose deiﬁcation she was. 3. Ouranos (Uranus) Uranus, whose name comes from the Greek words oros and ano (Demetrakos, Mega Lexikon, 1964, vol. 10, p. 5289), that is who is above the mountains (Aristotle, On the Heavens (De Caelo) 400a, 7), was in Greek mythology the personiﬁcation of the celestial vault or dome, of the primeval cosmogonic force. He was the sovereign of the ﬁrst generation of beings on Earth. For this reason, Uranus plays an important role in Hesiod’s Theogony, while according to pseudo-Apollodorus: "Uranus was the ﬁrst to rule the entire world" (The Library (Bibliotheca), 1921, A, 1, 1). In the Orphic tradition Uranus is mentioned as son of Nyx (the Night) and brother of Gaia, while elsewhere he appears as son of Ether and Gaia or Nyx. In either case, Uranus belongs to the ﬁrst generation of beings, the oldest of gods and of the elements of nature. According to Hesiod, in the prevailing version, he was the ﬁrst born son of Gaia, who conceived him when she was sleeping next to Eros, without fertilization, "to surround her and to be an eternal and safe abode of gods" (Theog. 486). Uranus is the ﬁrst masculine element, the father of gods in Greek mythology. We already mentioned how Uranus lost his power and retired on the ce- lestial vault, where he stayed forever. So the word ouranos in Greek means the sky or celestial vault, where stars and all celestial bodies are positioned and move: the ﬁrmament, stretching from z enith to the horizon, regarded as a hemisphere placed above the surface of the earth and supported on it along the horizon line by columns (Iliad VI 108). On ouranos all celestial phenomena take place. According to Homer, the stars are attached to it a nd move along with it: the celestial vault is the one that rotates incessantly (Iliad XVII 425). Of course, today we know that this perception is totally wrong: the ’sky’ in that sense does not exist. After taking power, Cronus re leased all his half-brothers and half-sisters from Tartara. The Cyclops and Hecatonchires, however, started after a while to lay cla ims upon his power and they became dangerous. Therefore, Cronus threw them aga in into Tartara and he put a terrible monster, Campe (= caterpillar) to guard them. This period is the second generat ion of immortal deities, where Cronus reigns with his wife Rhea and Titans imp o se his power in the world. Yet, the increasing cruelty and injustice of Cronus, who was devouring his own children in order to avoid being dethroned himself, ﬁnally led Gaia to help Zeus (the Greek analog of Roman Jupiter) against the Titans, giving him a potion that would force Cronus to disgorge the baby gods he had 94 E. Theodossiou et al. devoured. It should be noticed here that the primal Gaia still inﬂuences the course of the world, appearing at certa in crucial moments to g ive a solution. Zeus, after being advised by Gaia, also released the Cyclops and Heca- tonchires. The three Cyclops, with their awesome weapons, the lightning and the thunder, and the three Hecatonchires with their 300 hands in total, man- aged to obtain a decisive victory against the Titans on Mountain Othr ys. The Titans were defeated and were thrown deep in the earth, in Tartara, where the Hecatonchires guard them. According to professor of Geology at the University of Athens Mariolakos Elias: "The end of the Titans means i) a relative abatement of earthquakes and volcanic activity, and ii) the end of the direct and decisive inﬂuence of the natural environment in the life of prehistoric humans. It is the period when the food-gatherers and hunters are turned into farmers and animal breeders (Mariolakos, E., 2009, Geomythotopoi, p. 5). It should be added th at ancient Greek art did not treat the myth of Uranus as a subject; nevertheless, in the Vatican Mu seums there is an ancient depiction of him on the chariot of Helios (the Sun god). According to an alternative Greek tradition, probably even older than the prevailing myth, initially Uranus and Gaia were very close. But due to the frequent inﬁdelities and illegitimate children from other females, Gaia as Earth ﬁnally detached herself from him and agreed to meet him only in certain time periods. From an astronomical point of view, this tradition is an excellent attempt to explain the cycle of the year’s seasons and the place of the Earth in the Universe, as the other mates and children of Uranus were the other moving planets and the stars of the celestial vault (Helios Encyclopaedia, 1957, vol. 4, p. 920). There are also other traditions about Gaia, such as the one mentioned by Diodorus of Sicily (1935), in which Gaia was a beautiful mortal woman, under the name of Titaia. She was loved by Uranus and they had 18 children, named ’Titans’ after their mother. As Titaia was a wise and prudent woman, having oﬀered many services to humans, after her dea th humans deiﬁed her and gave her the name of Mother Earth. 4. Mother Earth A special and important p lace in worship was held by Mother Earth, the universal mother and supreme goddess, called for this reason by Greeks Hy- pertatan Gan. This worship, however, was addressed to Earth not as a celestial body, neither as a personiﬁed deity with a human appearance, but rather as earth-chthon, as a part of nature with its soil, groun d and underground, which feeds and sustains humans. Man is ’accused’ by tragic poet Sophocles (5th century BC) as the one being that dares to disturb the supreme goddess, since he doesn’t hesitate to hurt her by "ploughing it with his plough, incessant- ly furrowing her year after year" (Sophocles, 1994, Antigone, Vol. II., verse 330+). Regarding earth-nature as the omnipotent goddess Mother Earth must have begun in the age when the ﬁrst agricultural societies and their festivals developed, festivals full of mysticism for the primeval cycle of life (sprouting - Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 95 Fig. 1. At the period of Emperor August (1st century AD) people were picturing the Earth as a sweet mother with two children in her lap, inside a ﬂowery natural environment. Later on, Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia stressed some ominous points: he wrote that we humans excavate Earth’s bowels by digging mining holes upon which we live; we wonder when gaps open or the ground shakes, as if these signs were not the expression of wrath of the holy mother. Inside dark corridors we search for treasures, as if the soil on the surface of the ground were not generous and rich enough. fruit bearing - maturing - decay - seed - seed ing - ’rebirth’). However, starting from prehistoric times, it can be said that the ﬁrst humans, from the moment they started to observe life on Earth they understoo d that both they and the rest of animal and plant life were attached to the triptych life-r eproduction- death. The survival of humans depended on earth’s vegetation, as they and the animals they were hunting were being fed by the gifts of nature (Eliade, 1978). The primitive humans, by carefully observing the life cycle of plants, th e seeding of Mother Earth and subsequent sprouting aid ed by rain from Uranus, discovered the corresponding cycle of animal sexual reproduction.. Therefore, it was concluded that Ea rth was alive and in order to give birth ’she’ ne eded to come into contact with the masculine entity. For this reason, humans per- soniﬁed Earth as a feminin e entity, while the fertilizing masculine entity was the sky with the rain, or some large r iver, such as the divine Nile in Egypt (the ancient Egyptian religion is the only one in the world in which the Sky is personiﬁed as a female deity, Nout, see Theodossiou 2007, p. 28). 96 E. Theodossiou et al. The Mother Earth (Terra Mater), due to the vague character of her wor- ship, is sometimes identiﬁed in Greek literature as Rhea, Hestia, Hera, but mostly as Demeter, whose own name comes from Ge-meter = Earth-mother, denoting the womb that encloses the seeds. Indeed, the worship of Gaia as Mother Earth goddess diminishes over time, without disappearing complete- ly, and is replaced by the better-deﬁned worship of Demeter a s the goddess of agriculture; Gaia’s role is thus reduced to the dream-giving, story-telling, and to the feeding of plants and children. The miraculous divine union of Uranus-Sky and Earth, out of which gods, humans, and all living things are born, is reﬂected in the cry of Eleusis Mys- teries ’hye, Kye’; with this cry the mysts were ca lling the Sky to pour his fertilizing rain, so that the earth (here personiﬁed as Demeter) could use her womb to produce all kinds of oﬀspring. As opposed to Gaia, which is the deiﬁcation of our world-planet, Mother Earth is essentially the deiﬁcation of soil-ground, whose products sustain humans and which gives them the space on which they are born, live and die. The presence of Gaia as a p rimeval element-material and deity is apparent in the founding of the ﬁrst oracle, which catered o nly to the gods. Later on, identiﬁed with Mother Earth, established her oracle in Delphi; this is why she is also called ’protomantis’ = ﬁrst foreteller (Aeschylus, 1989, Eumenides, Pythias 2). The Dodone oracle was also dedicated to Gaia; there she was worshipped together with Zeus as "fruit-giver and mother" (Pausanias, 1935, Phocis 12, 10). Finally, Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia (1971) wrote that the Sky belongs to the gods, but the Earth belongs to the human race. The Earth welcomes us when we are born, it gives us food to grow and it receives us in her lap when we die. This earth suﬀers from human actions that destroy its surface and cut into its body as men search for gold, silver, copper and lead; men open wells into its depth in quest for precious gems and excavate its bowels. (Pantermalis, Ancient Greek mines, 1995, p. 42). Finally, the questions about Earth, as they were summarized by Aristotle (On the Heavens 1956, II 293a, 15+), were culminating with the question of the place of Earth in the Universe, of its exact shape and of its size. 5. The Couple of Sky and Earth As a corollary, it can be said that in Greek cosmogony, as in the creat ion myths of t he other Indoeuropean people, the great creation activity taking place continuously in nature is exempliﬁed in the following simple picture: One divine couple, the ﬁrst of creation, gave and still gives birth to all beings. The fertilizing ’father’, in this case Uranus, and the conceiving ’mother’, in this case Gaia, who also feeds her children. This ﬁrst divine couple is united by Eros, and in the erotic-cosmogonic symbolism the Sky-Uranus embraces and fertilizes Earth-Gaia through the rain. Their union is presented as an omnipotent reproductive ability, which multiplied the number of gods, a fact praised by Orpheus (Proclus in Tim. 3, 1820, p. 137, 11) as creation of the primeval Chaos (or Erevos) and of the Day (Orphic Hymns IV: Incense to Uranus, and XXVI: Incense to Earth). Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 97 Besides, this same symbolism is hidden in the union of Semele (who per- soniﬁes Earth) and Zeus, the celestial god who fertilizes his beloved woman with lightning, the harbinger of rain. ’Earthly’ Danae is fertilized in the same way, by the ’celestial’ Zeus transformed into golden rain. Metaphorically, the celestial god, with his beneﬁciary waters, softens the parched womb of the earth for the development of life. Since Mother Earth and Uranus were the progenitors of life, humans (who depended on earth’s vegetation) had to either pacify or challenge god Uranus to copulate more frequently with Mother Earth for richer production. This cosmogonic theme of the primeval couple of Sky and Earth is found not only in ancient Greece, but in almost all ancient civilizations. Accord- ing to some scientiﬁc evidence, many prehistoric societies were matriarchic (’matriarchy’ in The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2007) The ﬁrst human societies were intimately aware of nature. They believed that humans, animals, plants, rocks and minerals, all were the descendants of Mother Earth; therefore, everything had a soul and any living creature had the same rights on life. At the dawn o f history human societies respected the oth er life forms because they knew that their diﬀerences were just morphological. People be- lieved that rain was the intercourse of Sky and Earth (the masculine a nd the feminine). They knew that everything depended on this event, including the survival of the other forms of life on the land. For pre-Socratic Greek natural philosophers, however, it should be added that Earth and the Sky were regarded as a continuous bo dy, united at the ends of the horizon. Earth of the Homeric Universe was a circular ﬂat disk surrounded by a huge circular river, the Ocean, a model ﬁrst appearing in th e Orphic Hymn ’X. TO PAN, The Fumigation from Various Odors’, verse 15: "Old Ocean too reveres thy high command, whose liquid arms begirt the solid land." This mythical ’river’ is diﬀerent from the seas: it is something that d eﬁne s the boundaries of the terrestrial world. Above all, Ocean is the primal a nd orig- inal creative element, the starting point of all things (Iliad, XIV 246). This mythical ’river’ has no sources, nor estuary, it is ’apsorroos’, i.e. cyclically moving or backward-ﬂowing. Its current goes back to where it started in a ceaseless and eternal ﬂux. This Ocean supports the sky, which is above Earth’s circular disk as a huge vault. In the Orphic Hymns, the Sky is mentioned as the sovereign of the World, surrounding the Earth as a sphere; it is the abode of the go ds and rotates like a spinning-top; personiﬁed, he guards everything, not just in his place, but also on Earth: "Uranus ruler of the world, spinning like a sphere around Gaia, house of the blessed gods, moving with whirlings, guard of everything on both sky and earth" (O rphic Hymns) IV, Incense to Uranus). On the other hand, the Sky was for ancient Greeks a metallic vault made of copper or iron, held up there by very tall columns or, according to an- other view, by some giant. Homer combines these two views by having Atlas supporting the columns (Homer, 1919 , Odyssey i 53-54). Hesiod in Theogony (1914, 517e) writes that Zeus was the one who had assigned this duty to Atlas. So the sky for them was made of a solid metallic material, called ’poly- chalcus’, that is ’of much copper’ (Iliad V 504, Odyssey ii 458, iii 2, Iliad XVI 98 E. Theodossiou et al. 364, XIX 351), ’copper’ (Iliad XVII 424-425) and ’iron’ (Odyssey xv 329 and xvii 565). The space between sky and Earth, according to the view recorded by Homer, was ﬁlled at ﬁrst by the dense air: aer (Iliad XIV 288). Over this layer and towards t he direction of the sky there was the clean and transparent ’ether’, lighter than the air. Above the ether was the ’polychalcus’ sky. Of course, one should not assume th at the Homeric sky was a barren metallic dome; it was, as Homer sings, full of life, the life of the stars that decorate it: he calls the sky ’full of stars’ (’asteroeis’) (Iliad VI 108, XV 371) and star-decorated (Odyssey ix 534-535). On this celestial dome, Helios, the god of the Sun, travels on its path, so he is described with the adjective ’uranodromos’, that is ’sky-running’ (Odyssey i 7-9). 6. The Sun and the Sun-god Helios From prehistoric times, humans admired the starry night sky, with its thou- sands of naked-eye stars twinkling on its vault. But their joy was greatest at dawn, "the rosy-ﬁngered E os" (Hesiod, 2006, Works and Days, 609), when the diﬀuse sunlight gradually prevailed over the darkness of the fearful night. They naturally worshipped the light-giving Sun, since they realized that ev- erything on earth owed its existence and life to the inﬂuence of its rays. According to archaeologist Chr. G. Doumas: "The word ’als’ in Homer means the sea when observed from the land. The presence of this root in tablets of Linear B writings as component of other words indicates a long-standing use, during which it evolved into a versatile noun of the third declension that easily makes compounds with other roots. . . the fact t hat with the original root so many a nd various needs of the Greek language, e.g. alios / helios [= sun], shows both the close relationship of the aegean society with the sea and the strong inﬂuence of the liquid element upon the history and the culture of that age." (Doumas, 2010, The ancient monuments of the names, p. 16). "Indeed, from ’als’ (genitive form: alos) came the adjective ’alios’, which, even though it is recognized as the doric type of ’helios’ = sun, it essential- ly means the one that is related to the sea... The depiction of the Sun on the proto-Cycladic pan-shaped vessels of the 3rd millenium BC is probably an indication of the importance assigned to it by the Cycladians of that period. The islanders of the Aegean Sea and the inhabitants of the eastern shores of the Greek peninsula see every morning the Sun rising from t he sea" (Doumas, 2008, The aligenes Aegean Sun, p.15), as described in the ﬁrst verses of Rhap- sody iii of the Odyssey: "When the Sun, leaving the lake, ascended towards the all-copper sky to shine on both immortals and the mortal people of the life-giving earth. . . ". The Sun is the ’rad iating one’, the ’ﬁery one’ and as such it symbolized the celestial representation of the universal father, being essentially the repre sen- tative of God’s spirit (Demetrakos, 1964, vol. 7, p. 3 250) . The Sun’s appear- ance in the morning, its culmination at noon and its majestic disappearance for the night (or during the eclipses) inﬂuenced much human thought. Dark- ness fallin g every evening after sunset ﬁlled the soul of the primitive human with stressful questions. With time, the savants of the society assigned to Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 99 the Sun supernatural divine properties, since as a god ’he’ could appear or disappear at will, both daily and during the much more rare eclipses. All ancient people worshipped the light- and life-giving Sun. The Sun was Samas of the Assurians, Bel of the Semites, Bel-Marduk of the Babylonians, El or Outou of the Sumerians, Baal of the Phoenicians an d Chananeans, Moloch of the Ammonites, Chimoch of the Moabites, Ammun-Ra of the Egyptians, Surya of the Indians, Mithra of the Persians, Indi of t he Inka, Tonatiuch of the Aztecs, Sol of the Romans, Swarog or Yarila of Slavic tribes, Belenos of the Celts, Helios and Phoebos-Apollo (the symbol of sunlight) of the Greeks. The worship of the Sun god was universal and prevalent, since for ancient humans the Sun was the source of life, light a nd warmth, a guarantee of the celestial order of the hours of the day and the seasons of the year, a c reative force for nature and, more mundanely, an aid for orientation. Besides, the Sophoclean phrase "everybody adores the rotating solar orb" (Achilles Tatius, 1917, frag. 672 Nauk2), is true for all ages (Sophocles, 1892, Trachiniae, 738, 2). 7. The Sun-Helios in Greek mythology In Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey (ca 8th century BC) the external aspect of the bright appearance of the Sun is especially stressed along with the notions associated with sunrise and sunset. According to Hesiod, the Sun-god, Helios, was the son of Titans Hyperion and Theia (Theog., 371-372), or of Hyperion and Eu rypha essa (Homeric Hymn to Helios 31, 2), while his sisters were Selene (the Moon goddess) and Eos (the personiﬁcation of dawn). Pindar celebrates Theia as the mother of Helios in his 5th Isthmian Ode (1997): "Mother of the Sun, Theia of many names, for your sake men honor gold as more powerful than anything else; and through the value you bestow on them, o queen, ships contending on. . . " As Titans, Theia and Hyperion (= he who hovers above earth) belong to the same generation as Cronus; all of them were children of Gaia and Uranus (Patsi-Garin, 1969). Homer, calling Helios ’Hyperionides’ (Odyssey xii 176), stresses his con- crete bond with life, as since their birth, humans behold the solar ’augeae’ (daybreaks): they live "under the stars of the sky and the light of the Sun" (Iliad IV 4 5), rejoicing when they see "the bright light of the Sun" (Iliad V 120). Eventually, when a person dies "he abandons the light of the Sun" (Iliad XIX 2). The Sun for Homer is the god who "sees everything and hears every- thing" (Iliad III 277). This characteristic of Helios is stressed by the adjec- tives ’panoptes’ (Aeschylus, 1983, Prometheus Bound 91), ’the overseer of everything’ (Aeschylus, 1984, The Libation Bearers, 982-9 86) , ’the prevailing one by sight’ (Sophocles, 1892, Trachiniae,101) and many other references of the ancient Greek tragic poets, who stress that these ’over-seeing’ abilities of the Sun render him a guarantor o f the keeping of oaths; always Helios was a 100 E. Theodossiou et al. witness of truth (Homeric Hymn 3, 381, Sophocles: Oedipus Tyrannus 660), "index of justice, guardian of oath keeping, eye of justice" (Orph. Hymn 16). In Greek mythology in general, Helios is presented as the god who travels around Earth and watches the administration of justice shedding light on good and evil (Segal, C.P., 1992, pp. 3-29, McCarthy, D.J., 1978, p. 185, West, M.L., 1997, p. 20). Helios was considered a very important god, and Homer reports that sacriﬁces were oﬀered to Gaia and Helios (Iliad III 104, 276). As far as his other attributes are concerned, Helios was worshipped in Corinth (Pausanias, 1918, Corinth Book II, 3:2, 4:6 and 5:1) as god of storms, thunderstorms and other sky forces. Additionally, it has been suggested that the ’Horse monument’ (Pausanias, 1935, Book III 20, 9) with the seven "columns. . . . . . who they say are statues of the planets", was a part of the worship of Helios. Also, in Hermione there was a temple dedicated to Helios (Pausanias, 1935, Vol. II, 34, 10). Indeed, in the Christian church of Taxiarches was found a part of a circular altar of the 3rd century AD with the following inscriptio n: "To Helios the king god, to Hyperion altar. . . " (Jameson, M. and Runnels C.N., 1959, p. 15). The special place of Helios with respect to the Olympian gods (although Helios is a celestial and not one of the 12 Olympian gods), is connected with his importance for the life of the Olympians. Diodorus (1935, Bibl. Histor. V 71) writes that Zeus before the battle with the Giants sacriﬁces to Helios, Uranus and Gaia. This is why Aeschylus refers to Helios as ’the overseer of everything’ (Aeschylus, 1989, Eumenides). From about the 5th century BC and after, Helios loses its status as a distinct deity and begins to mingle with Apollo, the Olympian god of sun- light. After the battle with Giants, Helios was identiﬁed with Zeus, who, as a celestial and Olympian god relative to the celestial light included the divine substance of Helios. However the gradual increase in Zeus’ strengths forced the Helios part out of his substance wh ich Apollo then usurped to become a deity with many of the characteristics of a pure Sun god. The identiﬁca- tion of Helios with Phoebus-Apollo (phoebus = shining) is traced throughout the whole ancient Greek literature after Parmenides and Empedo c les (Diels, 1996, Vorsokratiker, I2 108, 29.157 , 10 and DK -Diels-Kranz, 1996, 28 A 20, 31 A 23), up to Plutarch and Crates Ascondes of Thebes. Eratosthenes reports this identiﬁcation of Helios with Apollo (Spandagos, 2002, 24) writing that Aeschylus suggests in one of his works that Orpheus identiﬁed Helios with Apollo and placed him at th e center of his worship, refusing to oﬀer honors to Dionysus. Similarly, in Saturnalia by Macrobius (1969), it is written characteristically: ’Item Orpheus Liberum atque Solem unum esse deum eundemque demonstrans de ornatu vestituque eius in sacris Liberalibus ita scribit’ (Saturnalia 1.18.22, frag. 238). Nevertheless, although this Helios-Apo llo identiﬁcation began at least since the 5th century BC, it was not widely accepted until centuries later. According to Homer, Helios started his trip every dawn from the eastern ocean or from Ethiopia, the land of the ’sun-burned people’ (Odyssey I 24- 26); he crossed the sky with his winged four-horse chariot, pulled by four beautiful ﬁre-breathing white hor ses: Eous, Aethiops, Bronte and Sterope (Hyginus, 1933, Fabulae 183): Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 101 "Eous; by him the sky is turned. Aethiops, as if ﬂaming, parches the grain. These trace-horses are male. The female are yoke-bearers: Bronte, whom we call Thunder, Sterope, whom we call Lightning" These equine names allude to the power of the God, the succession of the celestial phenomena and the maturing of the fruits. Other authors report other names for the Sun’s horses: Lampon, Aethops, Aethon and Flegon (Gelling & Davidson, 1969, p. 14+; Glob 1974, pp. 99-103, and Green 1991, pp. 64-66, p. 114+). Every evening, Helios completed his journey and then rested in the West, in the land of Hesperides. The notion of the ’ﬂaming’ or ’ﬁery’ nature of Helios is very common among the Greek tragic poets: "baked by the ﬁre of the sun" (Aeschylus, 1983, Prometheus Bound 22), "High o’er the earth, at whose ethereal ﬁre. . . " (Euripides: Ion 3 4), "Hot ﬂame of the King" (Euripides, 1996, Phaethon 776). Euripides describes sunrise as follows: "Now ﬂames this radiant chariot of the sun / high o’er the earth, at whose ethereal ﬁre / the stars into the sacred night retreat" (Euripides, 2004, Ion 82-84). This description has often been compared with a depiction of Helios on a Greek vase of the 5th century BC that is kept in the British Museum; there, Helios is depicted with a ray- surrounded h ead , riding a winged four-horse chariot, rising from the sea, in which child-like apparitions swim, denoting the stars that go to hide. Fig. 2. At the period of Emperor August (Ink drawing: The rise of the Sun with his 4-horse chariot. The vanishing stars of the night are depicted as children sinking in the sea (Greek vase, 435 BC - British Museum). The Sun, completing his daily (diurnal) course on the celestial vault, rested every night on a golden bed made by the hammer of the god Hephaestos (Vulcan), in order to shine again the following day over the world. Helios had many sons and daughters. With Oceanid Perseis they had three children: Circe, Passiphae and Ae¨etes (Apollonius, 1962, Argonautica 3, 1, 2 and Homer: Odyssey XII 3). Circe was famous for her magical powers and for her love for Ulysses (Theogony, 1914, 957). Passiphae, wife of king Minos of Crete, is identiﬁed with the Moon an d considered the primeval deity of light, as her name states (passiphaessa = apparent to all). It was due to Passiphae 102 E. Theodossiou et al. that the worship of Helios was widely practiced in Crete, where he was adored under the form of a bull (Bekker, 1814-1821, Anecd. Gr. 344, 10). The myth of Passiphae falling in love with a bull (the zodiacal constellation Taurus = the Bull) reﬂects a very ancient tradition, according to which the bull-shaped sun-god and the cow-shaped moon-goddess were united with a holy wedding. In another myth, Ae¨etes was king of Aea, who refused to give the Golden Fleece (a symbol of sunlight) to Jason and the Argonauts. Helios had two other daughters, Phaethusa and Lampetie, and a son, Phaethon, with Clymene.. Once, Phaethon got permission from his father to cross the sky with his chariot. However, when Phaethon saw the huge constellation S corp ius (the scorpion) he became freightened and lo st control of his fat her’s chariot. Its horses bolted and the chariot started to go up and down, threatening the Earth with destruction. Then Zeus saved the world by killing Phaethon with one of his thunderbolts. Phaethon’s body fell on the bank of the river Eridanus. His sisters, the Heliads, who mourned him, were transformed into poplars, the holy trees of the god Helios, and their tears became amber. Ink drawing: The fall of Phaethon. Fig. 3. Ink drawing: The fall of Phaethon. Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 103 ’Phaethon’ was also a name given to of Helios himself because of its ra- diant light (Iliad XI 730, Odyssey v 479, xi 15 , Homeric Hymn 31.2). In his Theogony (1914), Hesiod writes of Phaethon and Hyperion as ’substances’ of god Helios (Theog. 987 and Nagy, 1990, p. 235). Additionally, Phaet hon is mentioned by both Nonnus (1940, Dionysiaka 38.167) and Ovid (1857, Meta- morph. 2007, 1.747-79: Phaethon’s parentage, struggle with Epaphos and 2.42: Phaethon and his father). Helios, according to Greek mythology, also had numerous other aﬀairs with other women; subsequently, he had many other sons and dau ghters, collectively known in ancient Greek literature as Heliades. A famous c enter of Helios worship was Rhodes; as Pindar (1997) reports (Olymp. Ode 7, 69), the whole island belonged to him. The famous Colossus was a giant statue of Helios (this statue was one of the ’seven wonders’ of the ancient world), an artwork by Rhodian sculptor Chares from Lindos (Pliny, 1971, Historia Naturalis 34.63), a student of Lysippus (3rd cent. BC). Every four years a Sun festival was celebrated on the island, called Ali(ei)a or Helieia (Nilsson, 1906, p. 427), during which they oﬀered to Helios a four-horse chariot thrown into the sea. Helios stayed in Rhodes with Nymph Rhodos, a daughter of Aphrodite, and together they had seven sons, named: Ochimos, Cer caphus, Actis, Macar, Candalus, Triopes and Tenages, and their wisdom is exalted by Pindar (1997, Olymp. Ode 7, 72-75). In Greek art the personiﬁcation of the sun is often depicted as a young man bearing a radiant wreath and a tunic, standing upon a four-horse chariot, as on the metope of the Hellenistic temple of goddess Athena in Ilion (Troy). Of more astronomical interest is a statue of Helios in the Vatican. He is depicted as a young man bearing a radiant wreath, and has an extra feature: a wide belt with the symbols of the zodiac. Moreover, there is the tradition, mentioned among others by Home r (Odyssey xii 127), that in Trinacria island (Sicily),Helios had seven herds of cattle and seven herds of sheep, each having ﬁfty animals. They grazed steadily every day, never getting more or less. According to the explanation given by Aris- totle, the lunar year consisted of 50 weeks, each having 7 days and 7 nights; therefore the 50 times 7 cattle and the 50 times 7 sheep were denoting the 350 days and 350 nights, respectively, which make the lunar year used by a ncient Greeks according to the original calculations (Theodossiou & Danezis, 1995, p. 315). The worship of the Sun-god was universal, while very ancient practices originating in it, such as the orientation of temples of several religions towards the East, were kept until our days in the conscience of people. 8. Selene, The Moon According to Hesiod’s Theogony, Selene was the daughter of Hyperion and Theia, and sister of Eos (the Dawn) and of Helios, who illuminates her eter- nally du e to their relation a s half-brothers. The word selene comes from selas = light (Demetrakos Mega Lexikon, 1964, vol. 13, p. 6489). In Greek mythol- ogy Selene or Selana (Pindar, Olymp. Ode 10, 75) is the ﬁrst and only lunar deity, at least in pre-classic and classic p oetry, also called by the adjectives 104 E. Theodossiou et al. An ink drawing of the metope of the temple of Athena in Ilion (Troy) with a relief Fig. 4. An ink drawing of the metope of the temple of Athena in Ilion (Troy) with a relief depiction of ray-headed Helios standing on his chariot, most probably based on an older work by Lysippus (Staatliche Museen, Berlin Aegle, Passiphae, Mene, Titanis (as daughter of two Titans) and Phoebe as sister of Phoebos-Helios. As Greek mythology evolved, other goddesses were correlated with the Moon: Hecate, Artemis and Hera. Selene is usually imaged as a feminine form bearing a crescent as crown, riding a horse or a chariot with two winged horses (diphros). Sometimes she is described as le adin g a herd of cattle so that her crescent-shape d crown resembles a bull’s horns. Her brother Helios rides a four-ho rse chariot, while Selene rides a two-horse chariot; her two horses have one of their sides white Gaia, Helios, Selene and Ouranos 105 and the other black, a metaphor meaning that only the one side of the Moon’s surface is illuminated by sunlight. According to various local traditions Selene had one daughter with Aer (air), called Drosos (the morning Dew). In the Attica tradition she gave b irth to Pandia, daughter of Zeus (pan + dia = all-godly), worshipped along with her mother in the Pandion festival. In an Arcadian tradition the Moon was a lover of god Pan and she was worshipped in common with him on Arcadian Mt Lykaio. In Elis and Karia they believed that Selene was in love with a mortal man, Endymion, whom she met every night on Mt Latmos, and had 50 daughters with him, as many as the lunar months of an Olympiad. In a tradition of late antiquity me ntioned by Quintus Smyrnaeus (Fall of Troy, 1913, 10. 334 ﬀ), Selene also had a love aﬀair with her brother Helios. The oldest known depiction of Helios in a Greek sculpture is on the eastern gable of the Parthenon, where the birth of goddess Athena is imaged. Helios and Selene also framed the composition of the birth of Aphrodite on the throne of the statue of Zeus in Olympia (Pausanias, 1935, Vol. I I, Elis 1, Book 5, 11, 8) and a similar dep iction is alluded to by the ’sunset’ mentioned by Pausanias o n the gable of the temple of Delphi (Pausanias, 1935, Phocis, Vol. IV, Book X 19, 4: The temple at Delphi). Selene was worshipped throughout Greece, but especially in Peloponne se. It is known from the history of the Persian Wars that the Spartans, in order to start a military campaign took seriously into consideration the lunar phases. Near the city of Thalames there was a well-known oracle of Selene, where the ephoroi of Spart a stayed overnight asking her advice; a local spring was named after her (Pausanias, 1935, Laconica, Vol. II, Book 3, 26, 1). The p air Helios-Selene was ﬁnally correlated with the pair of Olympians Apollo-Artemis, to which similar characteristics were at tribu ted , along with the same symbols: for Selene these were silver, the bull horns and the crescent. At a symbolic level, the Moon is the feminine component of the creation of the World and the entrance (due to its ’secret’ appearance at night) to- wards the apocryphal nature of humanity and of the Universe, i.e. towards what remains inexpressible from the usual observation of nature. The Moon is the luminous image of cyclical time; representative of the constant ﬂux of everything. The inﬁnite new moons symbolize the inﬁnite time moments of any end that signals a new beginning. Selene is a chthonic (earth) deity in the antithesis sun-earth, light-darkness. On the other side, Selene is the goddess with the white arms that drives away the darkness of night when it is full. The rosy-ﬁngered Eos (dawn), Selene’s sister, brings the ﬁrst light of the new day. Hecate, the three-form chthonic deity, is another expression of her; Ores, the Hours or the year’s seasons, are considered her daughters. Another metaphor of the Mo on is a huge luminous clepsydra, a water-clock, ﬁlled during its waxing phases and emptying during its waning phases. It gave the deﬁnite measure of time with the succession of its phases. The ancient Greek tragic poets presented Selene-Moon as a very beautiful young woman before which all the other stars paled, when its silvery ﬁgure appears on the celestial dome. 106 E. Theodossiou et al. 9. Conclusions Since the most ancient times, humans worshipped the primal divine couple, goddess Gaia and god Uranus, who were the ancestors of the other gods that gave their names to the planets of the Solar System. Hesiod’s Theogony starts with goddess Gaia and ends to the polytheistic reign of the Olympian gods. Uranus surrounds Gaia and fertilizes her. In juxtapo sition with goddess Gaia, a deiﬁcation of our planet, Mother Earth is essentially the de iﬁcation of ground and soil, whose products sustain humans and oﬀer them the space on which they live and die. The birth of the nature’s elements comes in parallel with the birth of gods, who metap hor ically behave as people. Cronus symbolizes Time, Rhea the ﬂux an d Hera (an anagram of Aer) air along with all the variations of weather. The light-giving Helios, the Sun, is the source of every life form on Earth. For all people on Earth the Sky, the Sun, the Earth and the Moon (especially the full moon at night) seemed as approp riate eternal witnesses of human acts and the natural avengers of cheatings. On the other hand, the rays of the Sun falling on Mother Earth after the rain-sperm of the Sky created the ﬁrst living creatures. Of astronomical importance is the Celestial Dome, where in daytime reigns the all-seeing Helios, and at night the stars and the pale ﬁgure of Selene-Moon are observed. The Moon was the origin, in remote antiquity, of the deﬁnition of the month a nd the week, and of the creation of the ﬁrst (lunar) calendars; its role was crucial for the invention of the religious calendrical systems of the ancient people, which survive even today in the Islamic world and in the determination of the date of the Christian and Jewish Easter. References Achilles Tatius, 1917, with an English trans. by S. Gaselle, Heinemann, London & G.P. Putnam’s Son, New York. 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Euripides, 2004, Ion, transl. by Robert Potter, ebooks@Adelaida, on line: http://classics.mit.edu/Euripides/ion.html. Euripides, 1996, Phaethon, Ekdoseis tou 21ou, Athens [in Greek]. Gelling, P. and Davidson, H.E., 1969, The Chariot of the Sun, Dent. Londo n. Glob, P.V., 1974, The Mound People, Faber. London. Green, M., 1991, The Sun-Gods of Ancient Eu rope, B.T. Batsford, London. Helios Ency- clopaedia, 1957, Edition of Helios, Athens [in Greek]. Hesio d, 191 4, The Homeric Hymns and Homerica (Theogony), trans . by H.G. Evelyn- White. The Lo eb Classical Library, Heinemann, London (reprinted 1954). Hesio d, 2006, Volume I, Theogony. Works and Days. Testimonia. Ed. & trans. by Glenn W. Most. The Loeb Classical Library, No. 57N, Heinemann, London. Homer, 1924, The Iliad, trans. by A.T. Murray. The Loeb Classical Library, Heinemann. London (reprinted 1954). Homer, 1919, The Odyssey, trans. by A.T. Murray, revised by G.E. Dimock. The Loeb Classical Library, Heinemann. London (reprinted 1995). Homeric Hymns, 1914, by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Cambridge, M.A., Harvard University Press. Heinemann. London. Hyginus, 1993, Fabulae. Editio altera. Ed. Marshall, P.K. (corrected ed. 2002), K.G. Saur, Munich. Jameson, M.H. and Runnels C.N., 1959, A Greek countryside: the southern Argolid from prehistory to present day. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California (repr. 1994). Kern, O., 1922, Orphicorum Fragmenta, Weidmann. Berlin. Macrobius, 1969, Saturnalia, trans. by Percival Vaughan Davies, Columbia University Press. New York. Mariolakos, Elias (ed.), 2009, Geomythotopoi - Geomythological courses of Phthiotis, Publ. of the Local Union of Boroughs and Communes (TEDK) of Phthiotis Prefecture [in Greek]. McCarthy, D.J., 1978, Treaty and Covenant 2, Pontiﬁcal Biblical Institute, Rome. Nagy, G., 1990, Greek Mythology and Poetics, Ithaca. London. Neoteron Encyclopedicon Lexicon Iliou, 1957, vol. 4, Ilios Publications, Athens [in Greek]. Nilsson, M.P., 1906, Griechische Feste von religiцser Bedeutung mit AusschluЯ der Attis- chen, B.G. Teubner, Leipzig. Nonnus, Dionysiaca, 1940, Vol. I, Books 1-15, trans. by W.H.D. Rouse. The Loeb Classical Library No. 344. Heinemann. London. Orphic Hymns, 1997, Ideotheatro Publications-R. Anastasakis, Athens [in Greek]. Ovid, 1857, The Metamorphoses, trans. by Nathan Covington Brooks, 5th ed., A.S. Barnes & Co., Cincinnati; H.W. Derby & Co., New York. Pantermalis, D., 1995, "Ancient Greek mines", in Kathimerini, Ap ril 9, Athens [in Greek]. Patsi-Garin, E., 1969, Epitomo Lexikon Ellinikis Mythologias. Editions Hari Patsi, Athens [in Greek]. Pausanias, 1918, Description of Greece, Books I & II. Attica and Corinth, Edit. & trans. by W.H.S. Jones, The Loeb Classical Library, Heinemann. London. Pausanias, Description of Greece, 1935, Vol. IV. Arcadia, Boeotia, Phocis and Ozolian Lo cri, Books 8.22-10, trans. by W.H.S. Jones. The Loeb Classical Library No. 297. Heinemann, London. Pausanias, 1935, Description of Greece, Volume II (Laconia, Messenia, Elis 1) Books 3- 5, trans. by W.H.S. Jones and H. A . Ormerod. The Loeb Classical Library No. 188. Heinemann, London. Pindar, 1997, Nemean Odes, Isthmian Odes, Fragments. Edit. & trans. by W.H. Race, The Lo eb Classical Library No. 485. Heinemann, Lond on. Pindar, Olympian Odes, trans. by T.K. Hubbard, via the Perseus Project at Tufts Univer- sity. Pindar, 1997, Olympian Odes, Pythian Odes. Edit. & trans. by W.H. Race, The Loeb Classical Library No. 56. Heinemann, London. 108 E. Theodossiou et al. Pliny, 1971, Natural History (Historia Naturalis), trans. by H. Rackham, The Loeb Classical Library. Harvard University Press. Heinemann, London. Pro clus, 1820, The commentaries on the Timaeus of Plato, 5 Books. Edit. & trans. in English by Thomas Taylor, London. Quintus Smyrnaeus, 1913, The Fall of Troy. Trans. by A.S. Way. The Lo eb Classical Library Vol. 19. Heinemann, London. Segal, C.P., 1992 , "Divine Justice in the Odyssey: Poseidon, Cyclops and Helios", American Journal of Philology (AJP) 113, pp. 3-29. Sophocles, 1994, Vol. I. Ajax. Electra. Oedipus Tyrannus. Edit. & trans. by W.H.S. Jones, The Loeb Classical Library No. 20. Harvard University Press. Heinemann, London. Sophocles, 1994, Vol. II. Antigone. The women of Trachis. Phi loctetes. Oedipus at Colonus. Edit. & trans. by W.H.S. Jones, The Loeb Classical Library No. 21. Harvard University Press. Heinemann, London. Sophocles, 1892, Trachiniae, Ed. & trans. by R.C. Jebb, Cambridge University Press, Cam- bridge [on line: trachiniae.10.zip]. Spandagos, E., 2002, Catasterismoi of Eratosthenes of Cyrene, Aithra publ., Athens [in Greek]. The New Encycloaedia Britannica On line: http://www.britannica.com/, entry: matriarchy. Theod ossiou, E., 2007, The dethronement of the Earth - The dispute between geocentric and heliocentric systems, Diavlos Publ., Athens [in Greek]. 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What is the name of the small hammer with a circular rubber head used by doctors to test body reflexes, particularly at the knee?	Macclesfield Pub Quiz League: 12th October – The Questions 12th October – The Questions Specialist questions set by Waters Green Rams. General knowledge questions set by Church House, Bollington. All vetted by Harrington Academicals. SPECIALIST ROUNDS- 1. SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE 2. SCIENCE 5. TIME FOR THE KIDS 6. POLITICS ROUND ONE - SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE – News stories of the summer 1. Which actor, born Bernard Schwartz in 1925, died in September 2010? TONY CURTIS 2. In June, Princess Victoria married her former personal trainer Daniel Westling. Of which country is she a princess? SWEDEN 3. Which 74 year-old singing Dame received poor reviews when she appeared on a UK stage for the first time in 30 years at the London O2 in May? JULIE ANDREWS 4. What name was given to the tent city that was set up at the top of the San Jose pit shaft in Chile, where 33 miners were trapped? CAMP ESPERANZA (original Spanish name) or CAMP HOPE 5. Goodluck Jonathan became President of which country in May? NIGERIA 6. The Savile Enquiry finally delivered its findings on which event of 38 years ago? BLOODY SUNDAY (January 1972 in Derry) 7. Why was Mary Bale in the news in August? She was filmed on CCTV putting a CAT into a WHEELIE BIN in Coventry. 8. Which major New Zealand city was hit by an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale? CHRISTCHURCH Supp 1 Which company, with its head-quarters in Windermere, was declared the UK’s best retailer by Which? Magazine? LAKELAND Supp 2 Why was Terry Jones of Gainesville, Florida in the news in September? He planned to BURN copies of the KORAN outside his church. ROUND TWO – SCIENCE 1. Which scientist was born in Shrewsbury in 1809 and died at Down House in Kent in 1882? CHARLES DARWIN 2. Which acid was traditionally known as Oil Of Vitriol or Spirit Of Vitriol? SULPHURIC ACID 3. Which heavenly body has moons called Charon, Nix and Hydra? PLUTO 4. William was in prison in 1770, when he invented the toothbrush. What was his surname, still famous in that field today? ADDIS 5. Besides the elephant, which other African mammal is a source of ivory? HIPPOPOTAMUS 6. An amalgam is a compound containing which metal? MERCURY 7. What name is given to a triangle with sides of unequal length? SCALENE 8. What does a Campbell-Stokes Recorder Record? SUNSHINE (not temperature) Supp 1 Scientist William Harvey (born 1578) is famous for his research into what? THE BLOOD (circulation etc.) Supp 2 What is the more common name for triatomic oxygen? OZONE ROUND THREE – SPORT 1. Tony McCoy finally won his first Grand National in 2010 on his 15th ride in the race. Which horse did he ride? DON’T PUSH IT 2. Name either of the 2008 Ryder Cup captains. PAUL AZINGER or NICK FALDO 3. Which sport would you be taking part in if you used a monkey climber, waggler and a plumb? ANGLING / COARSE FISHING 4. Which county won the 2010 County Cricket Championship? NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 5. Which team won the 2010 Rugby League Challenge Cup? WARRINGTON WOLVES ( bt. Leeds Rhinos 30-6 in the final). Accept WARRINGTON. 6. Where will the final race in the 2010 Formula One Series be held? YAS MARINA circuit in ABU DHABI (accept either) 7. According to Wikipedia, which English football ground has the widest pitch and boasts the tallest floodlights? EASTLANDS (home of Manchester City) 8. Which football club holds the record for the fewest wins in a season in the Premier League? DERBY COUNTY – in 2007/8, their record was Played 38, Won 1, Drawn 8, Lost 29. Supp 1 How many times did Alex Higgins win the World Snooker Championship? TWO Supp 2 Which Rugby Union club has made their Premiership debut in the 2010/11 season? EXETER (Chiefs) ROUND FOUR – GEOGRAPHY 1. Which Irish port was known as Kingstown from 1821, after a visit by George IV, until 1921? DUN LAOGHAIRE (pronounced DUNLEARY) 2. Between 1947 and gaining independence in 1971, by what name was the present-day country of Bangladesh known? EAST PAKISTAN 3. Name an African country that, in its normal English spelling, contains the letter Q. MOZAMBIQUE or EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 4. The islands of Hokkaido and Kyushu are part of which country? JAPAN 5. Of which country are the Faroe Islands a self-governing overseas administrative division? DENMARK 6. Which city of the United States, 250 miles north of Memphis, is famous for its Gateway Arch, completed in 1965 as a memorial to the pioneers of the West? ST LOUIS 7. The ruins of which medieval abbey (the subject of a painting by Turner) stand on the banks of the River Wye, 4 miles north of Chepstow? TINTERN ABBEY 8. The Eastern Yar and The Western Yar are 2 of the 3 longest rivers in which part of the British Isles? ISLE OF WIGHT Supp 1 Which long-distance footpath runs 34 miles from Frodsham to Whitchurch? SANDSTONE TRAIL Supp 2 The state of Andorra lies in which mountain range? PYRENEES ROUND FIVE – TIME FOR THE KIDS - CARTOONS 1. In the Wacky Races, who drove the Bulletproof Bomb? ANT HILL MOB 2. Where does Yogi Bear live? JELLYSTONE PARK (not Yellowstone Park) 3. What is the name of Captain Pugwash’s ship? BLACK PIG 4. How is Paul Metcalfe more famously known? CAPTAIN SCARLET 5. Who was The Road Runner always trying, but always failing, to catch? WILE E COYOTE 6. In Thunderbirds, who is stationed on Thunderbird 5? JOHN TRACY 7. In Hector’s House, Hector was married to Zaza. What breed of animal is Zaza? CAT 8. In The Herb Garden, what breed of animal was Dill? DOG Supp 1 Who presented Animal Magic? JOHNNY MORRIS Supp2 Who lived at 52, Festive Road? MR BENN 1. Where did the Liberal Democrats hold their party conference in 2010? LIVERPOOL 2. Miriam Gonzales Durantes is the wife of which politician? NICK CLEGG 3. Pal Sarkozy, father of the French President, is a native of which country, having been born in its capital city in 1928? HUNGARY 4. Who was the Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia at the time of the Prague Spring of 1968, when the Soviet Union sent tanks into the country? ALEXANDER DUBCEK 5. In what year did Margaret Bondfield become the first female cabinet minister in the UK, taking the post of Minister of Labour? 1929 (Accept 1927-1931) 6. Who was the first candidate eliminated under the transferable vote system when the Labour Party elected a new leader in September 2010? DIANE ABBOTT 7. William Henry Hamilton became the first US President to do what on 4th April 1841? THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO DIE IN OFFICE (It was natural causes. He caught a severe cold at his inauguration) 8. Which future leader of the Conservative Party famously addressed the Conservative Party Conference in 1977 as a 16 year-old? WILLIAM HAGUE Supp 1 What is the title of Tony Blair’s 2010 autobiography? A JOURNEY (Not THE Journey, the proposed title, which was changed as it was too Messiah-like) Supp 2 What is the first name of Barack Obama’s wife? MICHELLE ROUND SEVEN - ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 1. “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over” is a song from which 1956 musical? CAROUSEL 2. Which TV presenter has an ethical website called stuffyourrucksack.com and was elected President of the RSPB in October 2009? KATE HUMBLE 3. In Coronation Street, what was the name of the boat that Gail’s husband Joe McIntyre kept in the street for a few weeks last winter? GAIL FORCE 4. With a sub-title of The Artist’s Mother, what is the proper title of the famous Whistler painting of 1871? ARRANGEMENT IN GREY AND BLACK (Accept ARRANGEMENT IN BLACK AND GREY) 5. Who plays the title role in the 2010 film Salt? ANGELINA JOLIE 6. Which play, which opened at the Fortune Theatre in 1989, is the second-longest running non-musical play in the West End? THE WOMAN IN BLACK? 7. The 1992 work The Physical Impossibility Of Death In The Mind Of Someone Living features which creature? (Tiger) SHARK (In formaldehyde in the Damien Hirst work) 8. Who composed the opera La Traviata? GIUSEPPE VERDI Supp 1 Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry formed which band in 1980? R.E.M Supp 2 Which actress wrote the autobiographies The Two Of Us in 2004 and Just Me in 2008? SHEILA HANCOCK ROUND EIGHT – HISTORY 1. The Seven Years War, The Napoleonic Wars and The Crimean War were all settled by treaties of………………………… which city? PARIS 2. What name was given to Hitler’s plan to invade Britain during World War Two? OPERATION SEALION 3. In 1930, who led a 240 mile march from Sabarmati to Dandi as a protest against a salt tax? MAHATMA GANDHI 4. Which of the 8 King Henrys that have ruled England had the longest reign? HENRY THE 3RD (56 years) 5. Camulodunum was the first capital of Britain under the Romans. What is its present-day name? COLCHESTER 6. What relation was Queen Victoria to the person that she succeeded on the British throne? NIECE (Of William IV) 7. Fought in Yorkshire on Palm Sunday 1461, which battle is said to be the bloodiest on English soil with an estimated 28,000 killed? TOWTON 8. In which century did Eleanor Of Castile, commemorated by the Eleanor Crosses, die? 13th CENTURY (1290) Supp 1 On which date do the French celebrate Bastille Day? 14th JULY Supp 2 The following died in consecutive years – poet John Keats, poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, scientist Edward Jenner and poet Lord Byron. Give one year in this 4-year period. You do not need to give the relevant death. 1821-1824 1 Who wrote the novel Of Mice and Men? John Steinbeck 2 Who wrote the seminal 1936 self-help book How to Win Friends and Influence People? Dale Carnegie 3 Which U.S. state’s nickname is The Old Dominion? Virginia 4 What is the land of giants called in Gulliver's Travels? Brobdingnag 5 Which Roman emperor was stabbed to death in a theatre and had his body flushed through the sewers of Rome? Caligula 6 Duke D'Mond, who died aged 66 in 2009, was lead singer of which successful UK comedy pop group? The Barron Knights 7 Which was the only country to be undefeated in the 2010 football World Cup finals? New Zealand 8 What name was given to the Chinese peasant uprising of 1900? Boxer Rebellion 9 Which musical features the songs Tradition and Sunrise Sunset? Fiddler on the Roof 10 On which island was Nelson Mandela incarcerated for 20 years, from 1962-82? Robben Island 11 Give a year in the reign of King Henry VI 1422-1461 12 From the Greek words for 'before’ and 'know', what medical term refers to the predicted course and outcome of an illness? Prognosis 13 In which organ of the body are the Islets of Langerhans? Pancreas 14 For which film did Kathryn Bigelow become the first female to win the Best Director Oscar? The Hurt Locker 15 By what name was Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, known before 1966? Leopoldville 16 What is the name of the small hammer with a circular rubber head used by doctors to test body reflexes, particularly at the knee? Plexor 17 In Greek mythology which king was punished by being compelled to eternally roll a huge boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down? Sisyphus 18 Jenny Shipley became the first female Prime Minister of which country in 1997? New Zealand 19 The Man of Property, In Chancery and To Let are the novels in which literary series? The Forsyte Saga (by John Galsworthy) 20 Name the Rochdale pensioner whom Gordon Brown was heard to call 'a sort of bigoted woman' after meeting her on a pre-election walkabout Gillian Duffy 21 Which former lead singer of the Equals had a solo number one hit in 1982 with the song I Don’t Wanna Dance? Eddy Grant 22 What word, from the Latin meaning 'I shall please' refers to a control substance used in drug trials which has no chemical effect? Placebo 23 By what name is the actor Carlos Estevez better known? Charlie Sheen 24 What is a famous make of car, a software company and the national flower of Egypt? Lotus 25 What type of animal is a pashmina? Goat 26 Which politician, buried in Westminster Abbey in 1833, campaigned for more than 50 years against British slavery? William Wilberforce 27 Who is the presenter of the BBC quiz show Only Connect? Victoria Coren 28 Amsterdam Vallon and William “Bill the Butcher” Cutting were characters in which 2002 Oscar winning film? Gangs of New York 29 Which linguistic term means the substitution of an expression that may offend or suggest something unpleasant with an agreeable or less offensive term? Euphemism 30 MP Cyril Smith died recently, for which northern town was he MP from 1972 to 1992? Rochdale 31 Also passing away this year was the singer best known for 1981 hit “The Oldest Swinger In Town“. Can you name him? Fred Wedlock 32 What title was shared by three different songs which achieved UK or US number one positions within a few months of each other during 1984-85? The Power Of Love (Jennifer Rush, Huey Lewis and the News and Frankie Goes to Hollywood) 33 In South Africa this summer Howard Webb became the first English referee to take charge of a World Cup Final since whom in 1974? Jack Taylor 34 What is the largest landlocked country in the world? Kazakhstan 35 Which Venetian artist painted the Three Ages of Man? Titian 36 Name the Commander of the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan who was dismissed in June 2010 by President Obama after making derogatory remarks about senior administration officials including the President himself Stan McChrystal 37 What name was given to the Samurai code of honour? Bushido 38 For which book, featuring the characters Hazel, Fiver and Bigwig, is the author Richard Adams best known? Watership Down 39 Who was the 2010 American Ryder Cup captain? Corey Pavin 40 Dead Mans Fingers, Dabberlocks and Sea Belt are all types of what? Seaweed 41 Nissan are scheduled to launch their new electric car in March 2011. What will the new model be called? Leaf 42 For what will Eyjafjallajokull be most remembered during 2010? Eruption causing volcanic ash cloud 43 In what area of medicine would a SNELLEN chart be used ? Optometry / Eye Test 44 Who wrote the poem 'The Owl and the Pussycat'? Edward Lear 45 Which country had a secret police force known as the Tonton Macoute? Haiti 46 Eric Spear is best known for composing the music to which long running TV show? Coronation Street 47 In `Coronation Street`, what was Stan Ogden`s occupation? Window cleaner 48 The song `Killing Me Softly With His Song` was written about which American singer-songwriter? Don McLean 49 What was Culture Club`s first number one in the UK? Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? 50 Name one of the two authors who had walk on parts in the film `Bridget Jones Diary`? Salman Rushdie / Jeffrey Archer 51 What is the name of the clockwork device used by musicians to measure time? Metronome 52 What do the initials HB on a pencil stand for? Hard Black 53 For what reason did Blackpool resident Wendy Lewis hit the national headlines in August 2009 Urinating on a war memorial 54 If you were at the Brickyard, what sport would you be watching? Motor racing (Indianapolis 500) 55 Where would you most commonly find the inscription `Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants`? Two pound coin 56 Excluding resigning, how many different moves does a player have the choice of at the start of a game of chess? 20 57 Which famous leader once said `I`m still at the crease, but the bowling is more hostile these days`? Margaret Thatcher 58 In language, what name is given to the study of meaning? Semantics 59 Gala, Jonagold and Pink Lady are varieties of which fruit? Apples 60 Who is the presenter of the BBC quiz show Pointless? Alexander Armstrong 61 The highest temperature ever recorded outside in the shade was recorded in Azizah, in Africa. In which country is this city located? Libya 62 Rothschild, Maasai and Reticulated are varieties of which type of animal? Giraffe 63 Who famously crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope in June 1859? Charles Blondin 64 By what name is the actor Michael Shalhoub better known? Omar Sharif 65 Who starred as Trampas in the 1960-70s TV series The Virginian before being left behind in The Land That Time Forgot? Doug McClure 66 Which former vocalist with Earth Wind & Fire duetted with Phil Collins on the 1985 number one hit Easy Lover? Philip Bailey 67 What is the boiling point of water using the scientific Kelvin scale of temperature measurement? 373 deg. 68 Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass are the 3 novels in which trilogy? His Dark Materials (by Philip Pullman) 69 What was the 1st human invention that broke the sound barrier? Whip 70 In Greek mythology, who was punished by being bound to a rock while a great eagle ate his liver every day only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next day? Prometheus 71 What was the pseudonym of French dramatist Jean-Baptiste Poquelin? Moliere 72 Give a year in the reign of King Edward I 1272-1307 73 What bridge connects Dawes Point to Milson's Point? Sydney Harbour Bridge 74 In which organ of the body is the Bowman’s Capsule? Kidney 75 What is the medical condition in which a person has an extreme tendency to fall asleep at inappropriate times? Narcolepsy 76 By what name did the Indian city of Chennai used to be known before 1996? Madras 77 Who wrote the 1955 novel Lolita? Vladimir Nabakov 78 Which musical features the songs “The Simple Joys Of Maidenhood” and “How To Handle A Woman”? Camelot 79 Name one of the two mascots chosen for the London 2012 Olympics? Wenlock or Mandeville 80 What was the name of the controversial football used in the 2010 World Cup finals? Jabulani 81 Fines of £5.3m, criticized as paltry and insulting, were imposed on Shell, Total and BP, five years after the huge 2005 explosion and fire at what UK oil storage depot? Buncefield 82 Which Roman emperor was murdered by his wife feeding him poisoned mushrooms? Claudius 83 Globo Esporte, which carried the headline 'HAHAHAHAHAHAHA' following Argentina's 4-0 defeat by Germany in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is a newspaper in which country? Brazil 84 The late 'Father of Chicago Blues', McKinley Morganfield, is better known by what name? Muddy Waters 85 Which artist painted the famous `Sunflowers` series of paintings? Van Gogh 86 Who wrote the novel Three Men in a Boat? Jerome K Jerome 87 Who had a hit in 1954 with the wonderfully titled Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen By The Sea? Max Bygraves 88 Which U.S. state is nicknamed the Land of Enchantment? New Mexico 89 Which battle took place in January 1879 and featured in a famous film starring Stanley Baker? Rorkes Drift 90 Whose band was the Tijuana Brass? Herb Alpert 91 Who painted The Rake's Progress? William Hogarth 92 Which 1986 film contained the line, “I feel the need…the need for speed”? Top Gun 93 What is the largest fresh water lake in North America? Superior 94 Which Hasbro `action figure` got its name from a Robert Mitchum film? G I Joe 95 What song does the main character wake up to every morning in Groundhog Day? I Got You Babe (Sonny & Cher) 96 How many rounds are there in an Olympic boxing match? 4 A What colour is the bullseye on a standard dartboard? Red B What was the name of the 2001 sequel to Silence Of The Lambs, in which Julianne Moore took over the role played in the original by Jodie Foster? Hannibal C Kriek Beer, a Belgian brew, is flavoured with which fruit? Cherries D Which organ of the body is affected by Bright's Disease? Kidney E Which current BBC drama is filmed in a disused school in Rochdale? Waterloo Road F Which snooker player, born in 1957, became the games first millionaire and is nicknamed The Nugget? Steve Davis	plexor
In what year was England ruled (technically) by kings called Edward, Harold, Edgar and William, in that order?	Macclesfield Pub Quiz League: 12th October – The Questions 12th October – The Questions Specialist questions set by Waters Green Rams. General knowledge questions set by Church House, Bollington. All vetted by Harrington Academicals. SPECIALIST ROUNDS- 1. SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE 2. SCIENCE 5. TIME FOR THE KIDS 6. POLITICS ROUND ONE - SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE – News stories of the summer 1. Which actor, born Bernard Schwartz in 1925, died in September 2010? TONY CURTIS 2. In June, Princess Victoria married her former personal trainer Daniel Westling. Of which country is she a princess? SWEDEN 3. Which 74 year-old singing Dame received poor reviews when she appeared on a UK stage for the first time in 30 years at the London O2 in May? JULIE ANDREWS 4. What name was given to the tent city that was set up at the top of the San Jose pit shaft in Chile, where 33 miners were trapped? CAMP ESPERANZA (original Spanish name) or CAMP HOPE 5. Goodluck Jonathan became President of which country in May? NIGERIA 6. The Savile Enquiry finally delivered its findings on which event of 38 years ago? BLOODY SUNDAY (January 1972 in Derry) 7. Why was Mary Bale in the news in August? She was filmed on CCTV putting a CAT into a WHEELIE BIN in Coventry. 8. Which major New Zealand city was hit by an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale? CHRISTCHURCH Supp 1 Which company, with its head-quarters in Windermere, was declared the UK’s best retailer by Which? Magazine? LAKELAND Supp 2 Why was Terry Jones of Gainesville, Florida in the news in September? He planned to BURN copies of the KORAN outside his church. ROUND TWO – SCIENCE 1. Which scientist was born in Shrewsbury in 1809 and died at Down House in Kent in 1882? CHARLES DARWIN 2. Which acid was traditionally known as Oil Of Vitriol or Spirit Of Vitriol? SULPHURIC ACID 3. Which heavenly body has moons called Charon, Nix and Hydra? PLUTO 4. William was in prison in 1770, when he invented the toothbrush. What was his surname, still famous in that field today? ADDIS 5. Besides the elephant, which other African mammal is a source of ivory? HIPPOPOTAMUS 6. An amalgam is a compound containing which metal? MERCURY 7. What name is given to a triangle with sides of unequal length? SCALENE 8. What does a Campbell-Stokes Recorder Record? SUNSHINE (not temperature) Supp 1 Scientist William Harvey (born 1578) is famous for his research into what? THE BLOOD (circulation etc.) Supp 2 What is the more common name for triatomic oxygen? OZONE ROUND THREE – SPORT 1. Tony McCoy finally won his first Grand National in 2010 on his 15th ride in the race. Which horse did he ride? DON’T PUSH IT 2. Name either of the 2008 Ryder Cup captains. PAUL AZINGER or NICK FALDO 3. Which sport would you be taking part in if you used a monkey climber, waggler and a plumb? ANGLING / COARSE FISHING 4. Which county won the 2010 County Cricket Championship? NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 5. Which team won the 2010 Rugby League Challenge Cup? WARRINGTON WOLVES ( bt. Leeds Rhinos 30-6 in the final). Accept WARRINGTON. 6. Where will the final race in the 2010 Formula One Series be held? YAS MARINA circuit in ABU DHABI (accept either) 7. According to Wikipedia, which English football ground has the widest pitch and boasts the tallest floodlights? EASTLANDS (home of Manchester City) 8. Which football club holds the record for the fewest wins in a season in the Premier League? DERBY COUNTY – in 2007/8, their record was Played 38, Won 1, Drawn 8, Lost 29. Supp 1 How many times did Alex Higgins win the World Snooker Championship? TWO Supp 2 Which Rugby Union club has made their Premiership debut in the 2010/11 season? EXETER (Chiefs) ROUND FOUR – GEOGRAPHY 1. Which Irish port was known as Kingstown from 1821, after a visit by George IV, until 1921? DUN LAOGHAIRE (pronounced DUNLEARY) 2. Between 1947 and gaining independence in 1971, by what name was the present-day country of Bangladesh known? EAST PAKISTAN 3. Name an African country that, in its normal English spelling, contains the letter Q. MOZAMBIQUE or EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 4. The islands of Hokkaido and Kyushu are part of which country? JAPAN 5. Of which country are the Faroe Islands a self-governing overseas administrative division? DENMARK 6. Which city of the United States, 250 miles north of Memphis, is famous for its Gateway Arch, completed in 1965 as a memorial to the pioneers of the West? ST LOUIS 7. The ruins of which medieval abbey (the subject of a painting by Turner) stand on the banks of the River Wye, 4 miles north of Chepstow? TINTERN ABBEY 8. The Eastern Yar and The Western Yar are 2 of the 3 longest rivers in which part of the British Isles? ISLE OF WIGHT Supp 1 Which long-distance footpath runs 34 miles from Frodsham to Whitchurch? SANDSTONE TRAIL Supp 2 The state of Andorra lies in which mountain range? PYRENEES ROUND FIVE – TIME FOR THE KIDS - CARTOONS 1. In the Wacky Races, who drove the Bulletproof Bomb? ANT HILL MOB 2. Where does Yogi Bear live? JELLYSTONE PARK (not Yellowstone Park) 3. What is the name of Captain Pugwash’s ship? BLACK PIG 4. How is Paul Metcalfe more famously known? CAPTAIN SCARLET 5. Who was The Road Runner always trying, but always failing, to catch? WILE E COYOTE 6. In Thunderbirds, who is stationed on Thunderbird 5? JOHN TRACY 7. In Hector’s House, Hector was married to Zaza. What breed of animal is Zaza? CAT 8. In The Herb Garden, what breed of animal was Dill? DOG Supp 1 Who presented Animal Magic? JOHNNY MORRIS Supp2 Who lived at 52, Festive Road? MR BENN 1. Where did the Liberal Democrats hold their party conference in 2010? LIVERPOOL 2. Miriam Gonzales Durantes is the wife of which politician? NICK CLEGG 3. Pal Sarkozy, father of the French President, is a native of which country, having been born in its capital city in 1928? HUNGARY 4. Who was the Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia at the time of the Prague Spring of 1968, when the Soviet Union sent tanks into the country? ALEXANDER DUBCEK 5. In what year did Margaret Bondfield become the first female cabinet minister in the UK, taking the post of Minister of Labour? 1929 (Accept 1927-1931) 6. Who was the first candidate eliminated under the transferable vote system when the Labour Party elected a new leader in September 2010? DIANE ABBOTT 7. William Henry Hamilton became the first US President to do what on 4th April 1841? THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO DIE IN OFFICE (It was natural causes. He caught a severe cold at his inauguration) 8. Which future leader of the Conservative Party famously addressed the Conservative Party Conference in 1977 as a 16 year-old? WILLIAM HAGUE Supp 1 What is the title of Tony Blair’s 2010 autobiography? A JOURNEY (Not THE Journey, the proposed title, which was changed as it was too Messiah-like) Supp 2 What is the first name of Barack Obama’s wife? MICHELLE ROUND SEVEN - ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 1. “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over” is a song from which 1956 musical? CAROUSEL 2. Which TV presenter has an ethical website called stuffyourrucksack.com and was elected President of the RSPB in October 2009? KATE HUMBLE 3. In Coronation Street, what was the name of the boat that Gail’s husband Joe McIntyre kept in the street for a few weeks last winter? GAIL FORCE 4. With a sub-title of The Artist’s Mother, what is the proper title of the famous Whistler painting of 1871? ARRANGEMENT IN GREY AND BLACK (Accept ARRANGEMENT IN BLACK AND GREY) 5. Who plays the title role in the 2010 film Salt? ANGELINA JOLIE 6. Which play, which opened at the Fortune Theatre in 1989, is the second-longest running non-musical play in the West End? THE WOMAN IN BLACK? 7. The 1992 work The Physical Impossibility Of Death In The Mind Of Someone Living features which creature? (Tiger) SHARK (In formaldehyde in the Damien Hirst work) 8. Who composed the opera La Traviata? GIUSEPPE VERDI Supp 1 Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry formed which band in 1980? R.E.M Supp 2 Which actress wrote the autobiographies The Two Of Us in 2004 and Just Me in 2008? SHEILA HANCOCK ROUND EIGHT – HISTORY 1. The Seven Years War, The Napoleonic Wars and The Crimean War were all settled by treaties of………………………… which city? PARIS 2. What name was given to Hitler’s plan to invade Britain during World War Two? OPERATION SEALION 3. In 1930, who led a 240 mile march from Sabarmati to Dandi as a protest against a salt tax? MAHATMA GANDHI 4. Which of the 8 King Henrys that have ruled England had the longest reign? HENRY THE 3RD (56 years) 5. Camulodunum was the first capital of Britain under the Romans. What is its present-day name? COLCHESTER 6. What relation was Queen Victoria to the person that she succeeded on the British throne? NIECE (Of William IV) 7. Fought in Yorkshire on Palm Sunday 1461, which battle is said to be the bloodiest on English soil with an estimated 28,000 killed? TOWTON 8. In which century did Eleanor Of Castile, commemorated by the Eleanor Crosses, die? 13th CENTURY (1290) Supp 1 On which date do the French celebrate Bastille Day? 14th JULY Supp 2 The following died in consecutive years – poet John Keats, poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, scientist Edward Jenner and poet Lord Byron. Give one year in this 4-year period. You do not need to give the relevant death. 1821-1824 1 Who wrote the novel Of Mice and Men? John Steinbeck 2 Who wrote the seminal 1936 self-help book How to Win Friends and Influence People? Dale Carnegie 3 Which U.S. state’s nickname is The Old Dominion? Virginia 4 What is the land of giants called in Gulliver's Travels? Brobdingnag 5 Which Roman emperor was stabbed to death in a theatre and had his body flushed through the sewers of Rome? Caligula 6 Duke D'Mond, who died aged 66 in 2009, was lead singer of which successful UK comedy pop group? The Barron Knights 7 Which was the only country to be undefeated in the 2010 football World Cup finals? New Zealand 8 What name was given to the Chinese peasant uprising of 1900? Boxer Rebellion 9 Which musical features the songs Tradition and Sunrise Sunset? Fiddler on the Roof 10 On which island was Nelson Mandela incarcerated for 20 years, from 1962-82? Robben Island 11 Give a year in the reign of King Henry VI 1422-1461 12 From the Greek words for 'before’ and 'know', what medical term refers to the predicted course and outcome of an illness? Prognosis 13 In which organ of the body are the Islets of Langerhans? Pancreas 14 For which film did Kathryn Bigelow become the first female to win the Best Director Oscar? The Hurt Locker 15 By what name was Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, known before 1966? Leopoldville 16 What is the name of the small hammer with a circular rubber head used by doctors to test body reflexes, particularly at the knee? Plexor 17 In Greek mythology which king was punished by being compelled to eternally roll a huge boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down? Sisyphus 18 Jenny Shipley became the first female Prime Minister of which country in 1997? New Zealand 19 The Man of Property, In Chancery and To Let are the novels in which literary series? The Forsyte Saga (by John Galsworthy) 20 Name the Rochdale pensioner whom Gordon Brown was heard to call 'a sort of bigoted woman' after meeting her on a pre-election walkabout Gillian Duffy 21 Which former lead singer of the Equals had a solo number one hit in 1982 with the song I Don’t Wanna Dance? Eddy Grant 22 What word, from the Latin meaning 'I shall please' refers to a control substance used in drug trials which has no chemical effect? Placebo 23 By what name is the actor Carlos Estevez better known? Charlie Sheen 24 What is a famous make of car, a software company and the national flower of Egypt? Lotus 25 What type of animal is a pashmina? Goat 26 Which politician, buried in Westminster Abbey in 1833, campaigned for more than 50 years against British slavery? William Wilberforce 27 Who is the presenter of the BBC quiz show Only Connect? Victoria Coren 28 Amsterdam Vallon and William “Bill the Butcher” Cutting were characters in which 2002 Oscar winning film? Gangs of New York 29 Which linguistic term means the substitution of an expression that may offend or suggest something unpleasant with an agreeable or less offensive term? Euphemism 30 MP Cyril Smith died recently, for which northern town was he MP from 1972 to 1992? Rochdale 31 Also passing away this year was the singer best known for 1981 hit “The Oldest Swinger In Town“. Can you name him? Fred Wedlock 32 What title was shared by three different songs which achieved UK or US number one positions within a few months of each other during 1984-85? The Power Of Love (Jennifer Rush, Huey Lewis and the News and Frankie Goes to Hollywood) 33 In South Africa this summer Howard Webb became the first English referee to take charge of a World Cup Final since whom in 1974? Jack Taylor 34 What is the largest landlocked country in the world? Kazakhstan 35 Which Venetian artist painted the Three Ages of Man? Titian 36 Name the Commander of the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan who was dismissed in June 2010 by President Obama after making derogatory remarks about senior administration officials including the President himself Stan McChrystal 37 What name was given to the Samurai code of honour? Bushido 38 For which book, featuring the characters Hazel, Fiver and Bigwig, is the author Richard Adams best known? Watership Down 39 Who was the 2010 American Ryder Cup captain? Corey Pavin 40 Dead Mans Fingers, Dabberlocks and Sea Belt are all types of what? Seaweed 41 Nissan are scheduled to launch their new electric car in March 2011. What will the new model be called? Leaf 42 For what will Eyjafjallajokull be most remembered during 2010? Eruption causing volcanic ash cloud 43 In what area of medicine would a SNELLEN chart be used ? Optometry / Eye Test 44 Who wrote the poem 'The Owl and the Pussycat'? Edward Lear 45 Which country had a secret police force known as the Tonton Macoute? Haiti 46 Eric Spear is best known for composing the music to which long running TV show? Coronation Street 47 In `Coronation Street`, what was Stan Ogden`s occupation? Window cleaner 48 The song `Killing Me Softly With His Song` was written about which American singer-songwriter? Don McLean 49 What was Culture Club`s first number one in the UK? Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? 50 Name one of the two authors who had walk on parts in the film `Bridget Jones Diary`? Salman Rushdie / Jeffrey Archer 51 What is the name of the clockwork device used by musicians to measure time? Metronome 52 What do the initials HB on a pencil stand for? Hard Black 53 For what reason did Blackpool resident Wendy Lewis hit the national headlines in August 2009 Urinating on a war memorial 54 If you were at the Brickyard, what sport would you be watching? Motor racing (Indianapolis 500) 55 Where would you most commonly find the inscription `Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants`? Two pound coin 56 Excluding resigning, how many different moves does a player have the choice of at the start of a game of chess? 20 57 Which famous leader once said `I`m still at the crease, but the bowling is more hostile these days`? Margaret Thatcher 58 In language, what name is given to the study of meaning? Semantics 59 Gala, Jonagold and Pink Lady are varieties of which fruit? Apples 60 Who is the presenter of the BBC quiz show Pointless? Alexander Armstrong 61 The highest temperature ever recorded outside in the shade was recorded in Azizah, in Africa. In which country is this city located? Libya 62 Rothschild, Maasai and Reticulated are varieties of which type of animal? Giraffe 63 Who famously crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope in June 1859? Charles Blondin 64 By what name is the actor Michael Shalhoub better known? Omar Sharif 65 Who starred as Trampas in the 1960-70s TV series The Virginian before being left behind in The Land That Time Forgot? Doug McClure 66 Which former vocalist with Earth Wind & Fire duetted with Phil Collins on the 1985 number one hit Easy Lover? Philip Bailey 67 What is the boiling point of water using the scientific Kelvin scale of temperature measurement? 373 deg. 68 Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass are the 3 novels in which trilogy? His Dark Materials (by Philip Pullman) 69 What was the 1st human invention that broke the sound barrier? Whip 70 In Greek mythology, who was punished by being bound to a rock while a great eagle ate his liver every day only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next day? Prometheus 71 What was the pseudonym of French dramatist Jean-Baptiste Poquelin? Moliere 72 Give a year in the reign of King Edward I 1272-1307 73 What bridge connects Dawes Point to Milson's Point? Sydney Harbour Bridge 74 In which organ of the body is the Bowman’s Capsule? Kidney 75 What is the medical condition in which a person has an extreme tendency to fall asleep at inappropriate times? Narcolepsy 76 By what name did the Indian city of Chennai used to be known before 1996? Madras 77 Who wrote the 1955 novel Lolita? Vladimir Nabakov 78 Which musical features the songs “The Simple Joys Of Maidenhood” and “How To Handle A Woman”? Camelot 79 Name one of the two mascots chosen for the London 2012 Olympics? Wenlock or Mandeville 80 What was the name of the controversial football used in the 2010 World Cup finals? Jabulani 81 Fines of £5.3m, criticized as paltry and insulting, were imposed on Shell, Total and BP, five years after the huge 2005 explosion and fire at what UK oil storage depot? Buncefield 82 Which Roman emperor was murdered by his wife feeding him poisoned mushrooms? Claudius 83 Globo Esporte, which carried the headline 'HAHAHAHAHAHAHA' following Argentina's 4-0 defeat by Germany in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is a newspaper in which country? Brazil 84 The late 'Father of Chicago Blues', McKinley Morganfield, is better known by what name? Muddy Waters 85 Which artist painted the famous `Sunflowers` series of paintings? Van Gogh 86 Who wrote the novel Three Men in a Boat? Jerome K Jerome 87 Who had a hit in 1954 with the wonderfully titled Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen By The Sea? Max Bygraves 88 Which U.S. state is nicknamed the Land of Enchantment? New Mexico 89 Which battle took place in January 1879 and featured in a famous film starring Stanley Baker? Rorkes Drift 90 Whose band was the Tijuana Brass? Herb Alpert 91 Who painted The Rake's Progress? William Hogarth 92 Which 1986 film contained the line, “I feel the need…the need for speed”? Top Gun 93 What is the largest fresh water lake in North America? Superior 94 Which Hasbro `action figure` got its name from a Robert Mitchum film? G I Joe 95 What song does the main character wake up to every morning in Groundhog Day? I Got You Babe (Sonny & Cher) 96 How many rounds are there in an Olympic boxing match? 4 A What colour is the bullseye on a standard dartboard? Red B What was the name of the 2001 sequel to Silence Of The Lambs, in which Julianne Moore took over the role played in the original by Jodie Foster? Hannibal C Kriek Beer, a Belgian brew, is flavoured with which fruit? Cherries D Which organ of the body is affected by Bright's Disease? Kidney E Which current BBC drama is filmed in a disused school in Rochdale? Waterloo Road F Which snooker player, born in 1957, became the games first millionaire and is nicknamed The Nugget? Steve Davis	i don't know
Ligneous relates to which natural substance?	ligneous in a sentence - AZdictionary ligneous in a sentence Sentence Dictionary Link to this page And in the land and beneath it put he crude oil, grades one through six; and natural gas put he thereunder, and prehistoric carboniferous forests yielding anthracite and other ligneous matter; and all these called he Resources; and he made them Abundant. These trees produce ligneous roots which, when cooked, are excellent; from them, by fermentation, a very agreeable liquor is made. The manufacture of a hand-saw cost infinite trouble, but at last an instrument was obtained which, when vigorously handled, could divide the ligneous fibers of the wood. The Greeks left a soldier behind, pretending he was now a non-combatant, to convince the Trojans that if they didn't carry the ligneous steed back into fortified Troy, the Trojans themselves would risk the wrath of the goddess Athena. Each of the laminae can be seen to be composed of two, three, or four layers of ligneous tubes; but supposing each ring the growth of one year, and the semidiameter of a mowana of one hundred feet in circumference about seventeen feet, if the central point were in the centre of the tree, then its age would lack some centuries of being as old as the Much impressed by this family circumstance, and also by the friendly disposition of Mr Wegg, as exemplified in his so soon dropping into poetry, Mr Boffin again shook hands with that ligneous sharper, and besought him to name his hour. When, however, an animal is of large size, and feeds on substances of so thorny and ligneous a character as to be difficult of concoction, it may in consequence have several stomachs, as for instance is the case with the camel. Bare rock is found only in the river valleys, where the streams have cut their way down to the lime and sandstone, and in ligneous outcroppings, where flint, quartz and quartzite frequently found. The general aspect of the various species which compose this genus of labiate plants, although presenting very characteristic differences, merges gradually from one species to another; all are, in their native habitat, small ligneous undershrubs of from one to two feet in height, with a thin bark, which detaches itself in scales; the leaves are linear, persistent, and covered with numerous hairs, which give the plant a hoary appearance. The stems and branches of lavender being ligneous and strong are able to resist the force of the wind, and the plant thrives best in a perfectly open locality, where the air circulates freely; the oil and resin which it contains in abundance enable it to resist the parching action of the wind and sun. Cross Reference for &QUOT;ligneous&QUOT; ligneous galls Same Context for &QUOT;ligneous&QUOT; turned-off	Wood
The auto-biographical poem 'The Story of Suicide Sal' was written by which 1930s female outlaw?	ligneous - definition and meaning ligneous from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition adj. Consisting of or having the texture or appearance of wood; woody. from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License adj. Of, or resembling wood; woody. adj. Containing lignin or xylem. from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English adj. Made of wood; consisting of wood; of the nature of, or resembling, wood; woody. from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia Consisting of or resembling wood; wooden; woody; in botany, having a wood-like texture; woody, as distinguished from herbaceous. Also lignose. from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. adj. consisting of or containing lignin or xylem Etymologies from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition From Latin ligneus, from lignum, wood; see leg- in Indo-European roots. from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License lign-e-ous Examples And in the land and beneath it put he crude oil, grades one through six; and natural gas put he thereunder, and prehistoric carboniferous forests yielding anthracite and other ligneous matter; and all these called he Resources; and he made them Abundant. "Naming names and telling it like it is." Each of the laminae can be seen to be composed of two, three, or four layers of ligneous tubes; but supposing each ring the growth of one year, and the semidiameter of a mowana of one hundred feet in circumference about seventeen feet, if the central point were in the centre of the tree, then its age would lack some centuries of being as old as the Our Mutual Friend When, however, an animal is of large size, and feeds on substances of so thorny and ligneous a character as to be difficult of concoction, it may in consequence have several stomachs, as for instance is the case with the camel. A Case Of Conscience The general aspect of the various species which compose this genus of labiate plants, although presenting very characteristic differences, merges gradually from one species to another; all are, in their native habitat, small ligneous undershrubs of from one to two feet in height, with a thin bark, which detaches itself in scales; the leaves are linear, persistent, and covered with numerous hairs, which give the plant a hoary appearance. Scientific American Supplement, No. 799, April 25, 1891 The stems and branches of lavender being ligneous and strong are able to resist the force of the wind, and the plant thrives best in a perfectly open locality, where the air circulates freely; the oil and resin which it contains in abundance enable it to resist the parching action of the wind and sun.	i don't know
The Edgbaston Test Cricket Ground is in which English city?	BBC SPORT \| Cricket \| Test Match Special \| TMS ground guide: Edgbaston Test Match Special England v South Africa, First Test, 24-28 July 2003 County Cricket Ground, Edgbaston Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham Take a virtual tour of Edgbaston In the last decade Edgbaston has traditionally hosted the first Test in any major series, as it is in 2003. The ground was originally a meadow used as grazing land before its owner, Lord Calthorpe, authorised its lease for cricket purposes. Edgbaston was recognised as a Test venue in 1902, however it hosted only four matches up until 1957, two of which were against South Africa. But Warwickshire's 1951 Championship triumph provided new impetus, and with significant ground redevelopment, regular Test cricket finally arrived six years leter. Memorably so, as England's highest-ever partnership - a fourth wicket stand of 411 between Peter May and Colin Cowdrey against the West Indies - saved the match and contributed to Sonny Ramadhin's ultra-marathon match analysis of 129-51-229-9. Nearly 50 years on, Edgbaston is a regular on the Test rota, and is England's most successful home venue. As well as watching their fair share of Test victories, the Warwickshire county faithful have also been rewarded with a sustained spell of domestic success. A wonderful place to play a Test - everyone's close to the action and there's a great atmosphere Allan Donald on Edgbaston The county won seven trophies between 1993 and 1997, the most successful period in their history, when such luminaries as Brian Lara and the two South African stalwarts Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock gave good service to the side. Lara hit a first-class record score of 501 on the ground in 1994, the last summer Edgbaston was not given a Test, coincidentally when South Africa were touring. In total South Africa have played five Tests at Edgbaston but have yet to record a victory, losing two, with their last visit prior to the 2003 tour ending in a draw. Since then the impressive new Eric Hollies Stand, right next door to the lively Ryder Stand, has taken the capacity to 22,000. Stat pack England: 19 wins; 7 defeats; 13 draws Highest score: 285* Peter May; England v West Indies 1957 Best bowling (innings): 7-17 Wilfred Rhodes; England v Australia 1902 Best bowling (match): 12-119 Fred Trueman; England v West Indies 1963 Record partnership: 411 Peter May & Colin Cowdrey (4th wkt); England v W Indies 1957 FRINDALL'S FASCINATING FACT Venue of the first ball-by-ball radio commentary of a complete cricket match when BBC Radio broadcast the 1957 West Indies Test England: 2 wins; 3 draws Highest score: Eng: 156; Michael Vaughan 2003 SA: 277; Graeme Smith 2003 Best bowling figures: Eng: 6-7; Arthur Gilligan 1924 SA: 6-152; George Parker 1924 Best match figues: Eng: 11-90 (6-7 & 5-83) Arthur Gilligan 1924 SA: 8-119 (5-62 & 3-57) Neil Adcock 1960 Record partnership: Eng: 221 (2nd wkt); Herbert Sutcliffe & Walter Hammond 1929 SA: 338 (1st wkt); Herschelle Gibbs & Graeme Smith 2003 Directions Situated in the heart of Britain, England's second city is on the M5, M6, M40 and M42 and has direct coach connections to more than 500 destinations. Edgbaston is 1ï¿½ miles south of the city centre and is easily accesible from the M6 and the M40. To reach the ground from the M6, leave at junction six, following signs for the A38(M) City Centre and then A38 south west through Queensway Tunnel, turning left at first traffic lights and then right at the roundabout onto the A441 (Pershore Road). From the M40, join the M42 at junction three, taking the A435 through Kings Heath before turning left to Edgbaston. The home of the first steam engine has direct services to cities around the country coming into New Street Station. And for those arriving at New Street, there is a free shuttle bus to Edgbaston both before and after the day's action. A taxi would cost in the region of ï¿½8. Food & drink For food after the day's play it is best to head to Moseley where there are a plentiful supply of Indian and Balti restaurants. Further afield you could make the most of "local" delicacies and get lost in Sparkbrook's "Balti Triangle" - a choice of more than 50 restaurants just 10 minutes from the city centre. Edgbaston is not world renowned for its pubs and a better bet is to make the short trip to Moseley or Selly Oak. Equally you could head back into town and get lost in the world's largest canal system, which means a plentiful supply of waterside pubs in Brindley Place and Gas Street Basin. If it rains Aside from museums, galleries and a sealife centre - as if you are not wet enough already - venture to Bournville. Cadbury World, "The Ultimate Chocolate Experience", is a must for chocaholics.	Birmingham
The song 'San Quentin', about the California state prison, was written, and subsequently performed there, by which artist, recorded on a live album and British TV documentary?	Hospitality Jobs at Edgbaston News articles About Edgbaston Cricket Ground Edgbaston has a long and proud history of hosting domestic and International cricket matches. It is the only International Test stadium within the West Midlands and in an average year the ground attracts up to 200,000 spectators. Upcoming Events include: County Championship: Warwickshire v Yorkshire, 14-17 April 2017 County Championship: Warwickshire v Surrey, 21-24 April 2017 Royal London One Day Cup: Warwickshire v Durham, 1st May 2017 Royal London One Day Cup: Warwickshire v Nottinghamshire, 5th May 2017 Royal London One Day Cup: Warwickshire v Lancashire, 7th May 2017 Royal London One Day Cup: Warwickshire v Yorkshire, 14th May 2017 County Championship: Warwickshire v Lancashire, 26-29 June 2017 County Championship: Warwickshire v Middlesex, 3-6 July 2017 Natwest T20 Blast: Warwickshire v Nottinghamshire, 8th July 2017 Natwest T20 Blast: Warwickshire v Northamptonshire, 14th July 2017 Natwest T20 Blast: Warwickshire v Leicestershire, 21st July 2017 International Test Cricket: England v West Indies, 17-21 August 2017 Natwest T20 Blast Finals Day, 2nd September 2017 Levy Restaurants provides food service & hospitality at Edgbaston and recruits for the following positions: Hospitality and Cash Bar Staff Hospitality and VIP Waiting Staff Kitchen Porters Edgbaston Stadium, The County Ground, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7QU. From M6 Leave at Junction 6, follow signs for "A38(M) City Centre" and then "A38 South West" through Queensway Tunnel, turn left at 1st set of traffic lights and then right at the roundabout onto the A441 (Pershore Road). From M40 Join M42 (M42 west and M5), leaving at Junction 3. Follow A435 towards Birmingham, through Kings Heath and turn left to Edgbaston. By Public Transport The nearest mainline railway stations, situated approximately 1 mile from the ground, are Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Snow Hill. Bus numbers 45 and 47 from the City Centre run along Pershore Road (A441). Latest vacancies	i don't know
Established 1845, during British colonial rule, the top-selling Straits Times newspaper, and a similarly named stock market index (STI) belongs to which country?	Singapore facts, information, pictures \| Encyclopedia.com articles about Singapore Republic of Singapore CAPITAL: Singapore FLAG: The flag consists of a red stripe at the top and a white stripe on the bottom. On the red stripe, at the hoist, are a white crescent opening to the fly and five white stars. ANTHEM: Long Live Singapore. MONETARY UNIT: The Singapore dollar (s$) of 100 cents is a freely convertible currency. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 dollar and notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, and 10,000 dollars. s$1 = us$0.60606 (or us$1 = s$1.65) as of 2005. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force, but some local measures are used. HOLIDAYS: Major Western, Chinese, Malay, and Muslim holidays are celebrated, some of which fall on annually variable dates because of the calendars used. Major holidays include New Year's Day, 1 January; Chinese New Year; Good Friday; Vesak Day (Buddhist festival); Labor Day, 1 May; Hari Raya Puasa (Muslim festival); National Day, 9 August; Hari Raya Haji (Malay Muslim festival); Dewali; Christmas , 25 December. TIME: 8 pm = noon GMT. LOCATION, SIZE, AND EXTENT The Republic of Singapore, the second-smallest country in Asia , consists of Singapore Island and several smaller adjacent islets. Situated in the Indian Ocean off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore has an area of 693 sq km (268 sq mi). Comparatively, the area occupied by Singapore is slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C. Singapore Island extends 41.8 km (26 mi) ene–wsw and 22.5 km (14 mi) sse–nnw and has a coastline of 193 km (120 mi), including about 84 km (52 mi) along the water channel between the island and the Malay Peninsula. Singapore is connected to the nearby western portion of Malaysia by a causeway 1,056 m (3,465 ft) in length across the narrow Johore Strait. Singapore's position at the eastern end of the Strait of Malacca, which separates western Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra, has given it economic and strategic importance out of proportion to its small size. Singapore's capital city, Singapore, is located on the country's southern coast. TOPOGRAPHY Singapore Island is mostly low-lying, green, undulating country with a small range of hills at the center. The highest point of the island is Bukit Timah (166 m/545 ft). There are sections of rain forest in the center and large mangrove swamps along the coast, which has many inlets, particularly in the north and west. Singapore's harbor is wide, deep, and well protected. The longest river, the Seletar, is only 14 km (9 mi) long. CLIMATE The climate is tropical, with heavy rainfall and high humidity. The range of temperature is slight; the average annual maximum is 31°c (88°f), and the average minimum 24°c (75°f). The annual rainfall of 237 cm (93 in) is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, ranging from 39 cm (15 in) in December to 28 cm (11 in) in May. It rains about one day in two. FLORA AND FAUNA Singapore Island is mostly denuded, the dense tropical forest that originally covered it being mostly cleared. There is some rain forest in the central area of the island, however, as well as extensive mangrove swamps along the coast. The greatest concentration of plant life can be found in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, one of the largest areas of primary rain forest in the country. Urban development has limited animal life. As of 2002, there were at least 85 species of mammals, 142 species of birds, and over 2,200 species of plants throughout the country. ENVIRONMENT Environmental responsibility for Singapore is vested in the Ministry of the Environment and its Anti-Pollution Unit. Air quality is protected by the Clean Air Act, as adopted in 1971 and amended in 1975 and 1980, and by the Clean Air (Standards) Regulations of 1975. Regulations limiting the lead content of gasoline were imposed in 1981, and emissions standards for motor vehicles were tightened in 1986. Air pollution from transportation vehicles is a problem in the nation's growing urban areas. In 1992, Singapore was among 50 nations with the world's highest levels of industrial carbon dioxide emissions, which totaled 49.8 million metric tons, a per capita level of 17.99 metric tons. In 2000, the total of carbon dioxide emissions was at 59 million metric tons. Water quality is regulated through the Water Pollution Control and Drainage Act of 1975 and the Trade Effl uent Regulations of 1976. Singapore does not have enough water to support the needs of its people. In total, the nation about has about 0.1 cu mi of water. Four percent of the annual withdrawal is used for farming and 51% for industrial purposes. Pollution from the nation's oil industry is also a significant problem, and the cities produce about 0.9 million tons of solid waste per year. Wastewater is treated and recycled to conserve water supplies. In 2003, only about 4.9% of the total land area was protected. According to a 2006 report issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), threatened species included 3 types of mammals, 10 species of birds, 4 types of reptiles, 13 species of fish, 1 species of invertebrate, and 54 species of plants. Threatened species in Singapore include the Ridley's leaf-nosed bat, Chinese egret, yellow-crested cockatoo, batagur, tigers, and the Singapore roundleaf horseshoe bat. POPULATION The population of Singapore in 2005 was estimated by the United Nations (UN) at 4,296,000, which placed it at number 119 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In 2005, approximately 8% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 20% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 101 males for every 100 females in the country. According to the UN, the annual population rate of change for 2005–10 was expected to be 0.6%, a rate the government viewed as too low. The projected population for the year 2025 was 5,108,000. The population density was 6,929 per sq km (17,946 per sq mi). Singapore is virtually a city-state, and the entire population (100%) is considered urban. MIGRATION Singapore had only a few Malay fishermen as inhabitants at the time of its founding as a British trading post in 1819. It was subsequently and quite rapidly populated by immigrant peoples, primarily Chinese but also Malays (from Sumatra as well as adjacent Malaya) and Indians (who took advantage of common British governance to migrate to Singapore in search of better employment). Thus immigration, rather than natural increase, was the major factor in Singapore's fast population growth through the mid-20th century. In November 1965, following separation from Malaysia, Singapore's newly independent government introduced measures to restrict the flow of Malaysians entering the country in search of work. These immigrants, who averaged 10,000 a year up to 1964, had to establish residence for several years to qualify for citizenship. In addition, all noncitizens were required to apply for a work permit or employment pass. Immigration is now generally restricted to those with capital or with special skills. There were 1,352,000 migrants living in Singapore in 2000. The number of foreign workers in Singapore jumped from 70,000 in 1975 to 600,000 in 2003. The share of foreigners in the workforce rose from 7% in 1975 to 25% in 2003. In 2004, there was a single refugee in Singapore and there were three asylum seekers. In 2000, the net migration rate was 19.6 migrants per 1,000 population. This rate was significantly reduced by 2005 to an estimated 10.3 migrants per 1,000 population. LANGUAGES There are four official languages in Singapore: Chinese (Mandarin dialect), Malay, English, and Tamil . English is the principal medium of government and is widely used in commerce; it is spoken by about 23% of the population. In 1987, under a government mandate, English was made the primary language of the school system. Mandarin is the most widely known language, spoken by about 35% of the population. Malay is spoken by 14% and Tamil by 3%. Other languages include Hokkien (11%), Cantonese (6%), and Teochew (5%). RELIGIONS The Chinese adhere in varying degrees to Buddhism , Taoism , and Confucianism. According to a 2000 census, these faiths, as well as traditional ancestor worship, were practiced by about 51% of the population. Malays and persons with origins in the Pakistani and Bangladeshi portions of the Indian subcontinent are almost exclusively Muslim. About 15% of the total population practices Islam . About 15% of the population is Christian, with Protestants outnumbering Roman Catholics by about two to one. Most of the Indian minority (4%) are Hindus. There are also small Sikh, Jewish, Zoroastrian, and Jain communities. There is complete separation of state and religion in Singapore and freedom of religion is constitutionally guaranteed. However, all religious groups must be registered under the Societies Act, and the government has maintained a ban on the registration of Jehovah 's Witnesses and the Unification Church. The government also has a semiofficial relationship with the Islamic Religious Council. One holiday from each of the nation's major religions (Islam, Christianity , Hinduism , and Buddhism) is recognized as a national holiday. TRANSPORTATION Singapore's history is partly the history of the island country's important regional role as a transportation link between East and West and between the mainland and insular portions of Southeast Asia . As long ago as 1822—only three years after the establishment of a British colonial presence on the island—1,575 ships called at the new port of Singapore from nearby islands, Europe , India , and China . With a natural deepwater harbor that is open year-round, Singapore now ranks as the largest container port in the world, with anchorage facilities that can accommodate supertankers. Ships of some 600 shipping lines, flying the flags of nearly all the maritime nations of the world regularly call at Singapore. In 2005, Singapore's merchant fleet comprised 923 ships of 1,000 GRT or more, totaling 23,065,290 GRT. Commercial air service was inaugurated in Singapore in 1930. In 2004, there were 10 airports, 9 of which had paved runways as of 2005. The two principal air facilities are Changi International and Seletar Airport. Singapore's own carrier is Singapore Airlines. In 2003, about 14.737 million passengers were carried on scheduled domestic and international flights. There were 3,130 km (1,947 mi) of roadways in 2002, all of which were paved, including 150 km (93 mi) of expressways. In 2003, there were 600,550 motor vehicles, of which 414,300 were automobiles and 186,250 were commercial vehicles. Singapore's sole rail facility is a 38.6-km (24-mi) section of the Malayan Railways, which links Singapore to Kuala Lumpur . There is also an 83km (52-mi) mass transit system with 48 stations. HISTORY Some historians believe a town was founded on the Singapore Island as early as the 7th century, while other sources claim that "Singapura" (Lion City) was established by an Indian prince in 1299. Historians believe that during the 13th and 14th centuries, a thriving trading center existed until it was devastated by a Javanese attack in 1377. Singapore, however, was virtually uninhabited when Sir Stamford Raffl es, in 1819, established a trading station of the British East India Company on the island. In 1824, the island was ceded outright to the company by the Sultan of Johore, the Malay state at the extreme southern end of the peninsula. In 1826, it was incorporated with Malacca (Melaka, Malaysia) and Penang (Pinang, Malaysia) to form the Straits Settlements, a British Crown colony until World War II . The trading center grew into the city of Singapore and attracted large numbers of Chinese, many of whom became merchants. With its excellent harbor, Singapore also became a flourishing commercial center and the leading seaport of Southeast Asia, handling the vast export trade in tin and rubber from British-ruled Malaya. In 1938, the British completed construction of a large naval base on the island, which the Japanese captured in February 1942 during World War II, following a land-based attack from the Malay Peninsula to the north. Recaptured by the United Kingdom in 1945, Singapore was detached from the Straits Settlements to become a separate Crown colony in 1946. Under a new constitution, on 3 June 1959, Singapore became a self-governing state, and on 16 September 1963, it joined the new Federation of Malaysia (formed by bringing together the previously independent Malaya and Singapore and the formerly British-ruled northern Borneo territories of Sarawak and Sabah ). However, Singapore, with its predominantly urban Chinese population and highly commercial economy, began to find itself at odds with the Malay-dominated central government of Malaysia. Frictions mounted, and on 9 August 1965, Singapore separated from Malaysia to become wholly independent as the Republic of Singapore. Harry Lee Kuan Yew, a major figure in the move toward independence, served as the country's prime minister from 1959 until 1990. Singapore, Indonesia , Malaysia, the Philippines , and Thailand formed the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967. The People's Action Party (PAP), founded in 1954, has been the dominant political party, winning every general election since 1959. The PAP's popular support rested on law-and-order policies buttressed by economic growth and improved standards of living. Although the PAP regularly carried 60–75% of the popular vote, it managed to capture virtually all seats repeatedly in the National Assembly. The PAP won all parliamentary seats in the general elections from 1968 to 1980. In the 1981 by-election, J. B. Jeyaretnam, secretary-general of the Workers' Party, won a seat; he maintained it in the 1984 general election. Chiam See Tong, leader of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), won another seat for the opposition in the same election. In March 1985, the third state president, Devan Nair, former trade unionist and member of the Singapore's "old guard," resigned from office under allegations related to alcoholism. The new president, Wee Kim Wee, took office in August. In May and June 1987, the government detained 22 persons under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for alleged involvement in a "Marxist conspiracy." These detentions triggered international protests by those critical of the government's abuse of human rights, including detention without trial and allegations of torture. Most of the alleged conspirators were released by December, but eight were rearrested in April 1988 after issuing a joint press statement regarding the circumstances of their detention. Two of the eight remained in custody until June 1990. The September 1988 general election took place under an altered electoral system that increased the total seats in parliament from 79 to 81. The new constituencies consisted of 42 singlemember districts and the reorganization of the other 39 seats into 13 group representation constituencies (GRCs). Teams of three representatives for each party contested the GRCs, at least one of which must be from an ethnic minority, i.e., non-Chinese. Ostensibly, these changes were to ensure minority participation, but at the same time small and/or resource-poor opposition parties were handicapped by the requirement to field three candidates. In November 1992, the media announced that Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (son of Lee Kuan Yew) and Ong Teng Cheong had been diagnosed with cancer. (The former was pronounced fully cured in 1994 but has been little seen in political circles.) On 28 November 1990, Lee Kuan Yew, prime minister of Singapore for over 31 years, transferred power to Goh Chok Tong, the former first deputy prime minister. Lee remained in the cabinet as senior minister to the prime minister's office and retained the position of secretary-general of the PAP. Singapore's first direct presidential elections were held on 28 August 1993, with Ong Teng Cheong becoming the first elected president. An incident that garnered worldwide attention was the Singapore government's October 1993 arrest of nine foreign youths charged with vandalism involving the spray painting of some 70 cars. Michael Fay, an 18-year-old American student and the oldest in the group, was suspected to be the leader. Under police interrogation Fay admitted his guilt and pleaded guilty in court to two counts of vandalism and one count of receiving stolen property. In March 1994, Fay was sentenced to four months in prison, a fine of us$2,230, and six strokes of the cane. On 7 March 1994, President Bill Clinton urged Singapore to reconsider the flogging of Fay amid a failed appeal. A plea to the Singaporean president for clemency was rejected, but as a "goodwill gesture towards President Clinton," the sentence of caning was reduced from six strokes to four. The sentence was carried out on 5 May 1994. In 1994, Singapore made international news when the government sued the International Herald Tribune for libel over an editorial the paper published suggesting that Prime Minister Goh was simply a figurehead and that ultimate power rested, as it always had, with Senior Minister and former Prime Minister Lee. The Singapore High Court, in a move that halted critical comments from the press, ruled in favor of the government and ordered the Herald Tribune to pay $667,000 in damages to Goh, Lee, and Deputy Prime Minister Lee. In 1995, the government was again criticized in the international press, this time in the New York Times, in which columnist William Safire called the country a dictatorship. Singaporean leaders took center stage in the international arena and proclaimed their right to reject Western values. They claimed that Asian values eschewed the precedence of individual liberty over social stability and that these values promoted an increasingly wealthy, clean, and hospitable city-state devoid of social pathologies that plagued both the West and other large Asian cities. The subsequent sentencing, on 1 December 1995 of Nick Leeson, an investment banker who single-handedly destroyed Barings through speculative investments in the Japanese stock market, seemed to confirm the bankruptcy of individual greed. Parliamentary elections were held in 1997 and, unsurprisingly, the PAP retained its vast majority—opposition parties won only 2 of 83 seats. One seat, that won by Tang Liang Hong, remained vacant in 1997 as Tang fled the country fearing government persecution—including lawsuits, freezing of bank accounts, and restrictions on travel—which began in earnest after his election. Tang's victory was seen as especially threatening to the rigid regime of the PAP because during the campaign, Tang had suggested that the English-speaking section of the ruling class monopolized power and that the Chinese needed to assert more control. These statements branded Tang as a Chinese chauvinist, an inflammatory label in the ethnically divided country. From 1998 to 2005, an international piracy wave disturbed shipping in the Malacca Straits and Singapore Straits. Vulnerable small "feeder" ships that ferry cargo from massive container vessels too large to visit many ports were subjected to an increased number of incidents, an increase in violence, and the death of crew members. In 2000, while some tax cuts were rescinded, Singapore announced positive economic growth, coming after two years of budgetary uncertainty related to the Asian economic crisis. The government also announced a budget surplus. However, other directives were exerted in 2000 when the government controlled media banned an episode of an American television show in which the lead female character kisses another woman. Broadcasters' responsibilities extended to taking "action against overtly sexy or alternative themes." On 28 April 2001, an unprecedented antigovernment rally was held, the first legally sanctioned demonstration outside of an election campaign. Over 2,000 people gathered in support of opposition leader J. B. Jeyaretnam, who faced bankruptcy and thus expulsion from parliament. Jeyaretnam owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in defamation lawsuits brought by senior government officials and their supporters. In September 2001, Malaysia and Singapore came to a series of agreements over issues that had strained relations between them for years. Largely prodded by concern over the growing influence of Islam in Malaysian politics, Singapore agreed to a Malaysian proposal that the causeway linking the two countries be demolished and replaced by a bridge and undersea tunnel after 2007. Malaysia agreed to supply water to Singapore after two water agreements expire in 2011 and 2061. Also discussed were disputes over the use of Malaysian-owned railway land in Singapore, and requests by Singapore to use Malaysian airspace. On 3 November 2001, parliamentary elections were held in which the PAP won 82 out of 84 seats. Opposition candidates contested only 29 of the seats. The next elections were to be held 25 June 2007. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States , the United States urged countries around the world to increase antiterrorist measures. Southeast Asia was a primary focus of attention. In May 2002, the 10 members of ASEAN pledged to form a united antiterror front and to set up a strong regional security framework. The steps included introducing national laws to govern the arrest, investigation, prosecution, and extradition of suspects. As well, they agreed to exchange intelligence information and to establish joint training programs, such as bomb detection and airport security. As of December 2002, five of the ASEAN nations (Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand) had acceded to the Agreement on Information Exchange and Establishment of Communication Procedures to fight terrorism and other transnational crime. Singapore said it was not ready to join the pact. In December 2001, Singapore arrested 15 individuals believed to be part of a terrorist cell with links to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network. Two suspects were released, but the others belonged to Jemaah Islamiya (JI), an Islamic organization with cells in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The cell's plot was to destroy key buildings in Singapore, including the American Embassy. JI's ambition was initially to create an Islamic Indonesia. However, the group expanded its goals to include an Islamic archipelago, Dauliah Islam Nusantara, to include Malaysia, the southern Philippines, and Singapore in a larger Islamic Indonesia. In August 2002, Singapore arrested 21 terrorist suspects who had allegedly carried out "reconnaissance and surveys" of potential terrorist attack targets in Singapore. They were purportedly members of Jemaah Islamiyah. In 2003, Singapore was shaken medically and financially by SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. As the disease was identified, Singapore took stringent precautions—closing markets, screening air passengers with thermal imaging, and establishing quarantines. About 33 people in Singapore died from SARS. A sharp economic contraction occurred as the illness also hit the economy hard. The service sector was worst hit as tourists stayed away and local people stayed home. Also in 2003, an unprecedented medical procedure to separate two adult Iranian sisters joined at the head was undertaken in Singapore by an international team of neurosurgeons. These efforts ended in failure, as the sisters died within one and a half hours of each other postoperatively as their circulation failed. Also in 2003, subsequent to Singapore's support of US policies on the war on terror and in Iraq , Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong signed a free trade agreement with the United States. Depicted as the "gold standard" for free trade agreements, it helped Singapore fix its position as a leading financial and trading nation in the region, especially after the Asian financial crisis of 1997 and 1998 and the effect of SARS in the region. Linked to Singapore's economic recovery from SARS, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong announced he would step down after the recovery. He also named his successor, Lee Hsien Loong, the elder son of Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew. On 12 August 2004, Lee Hsien Loong took office as prime minister of Singapore in this planned handover of power. In this shuffl e, Goh Chok Tong became senior minister and Lee Kuan Yew filled the newly created post of minister mentor, overseeing the cabinet. Indonesia and Singapore pledged in 2005 to finalize their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Batam Island. In August 2005, a prominent Hong Kong journalist, chief China correspondent for the Straits Times newspaper of Singapore, was formally charged by China for spying. In a continuing effort to promote tourism, in April 2005, a controversial plan to legalize casino gambling was approved, paving the way for the construction of two multi-billion dollar casino resorts. As an added attraction, Singapore announced plans to build a giant Ferris wheel, the Singapore Flyer, 558 feet tall, towering over the 450-foot London Eye. On 1 September 2005, Singapore's President S.R. Nathan was sworn in for his second term of office without running for reelection because Singapore's Presidential Election Committee had ruled that he was the only candidate fit for presidency. Three rivals had submitted candidacy papers to the committee, but they were disqualified as ineligible, thus canceling elections that would have been held on 27 August. GOVERNMENT The constitution of the Republic of Singapore, as amended in 1965, provides for a unicameral parliamentary form of government, with a president who, prior to 1991, served as titular head of state. Singapore practices universal suffrage, and voting has been compulsory for all citizens over 21 since 1959. In 1993, the unicameral legislature consisted of an 81 elected member parliament and six nominated members (NMPs) appointed by the president. The maximum term for parliamentary sessions is five years, although elections may be called at any time within that period. A general election is held within three months of dissolution. The number of parliamentary seats has increased with each general election since the seating of Singapore's first parliament, from 58 seats (1968) to 60 seats (1972), 69 seats (1976), 75 seats (1980), 79 seats (1984), 81 seats (1988), and 84 seats (2002). Until the 1988 election, all constituencies were single-member constituencies. In 1988, 60 of the original 81 constituencies (out of the increased number for 1988, i.e., from 79 in 1984 to 81 in 1988) were reorganized into 13 group representation constituencies (GRCs). In each GRC teams of three candidates must be fielded, one of who must be from a minority community, i.e., of an ethnic minority group, Malay, Indian, or an "Other" (all persons other than Chinese, Malay, or Indian). A 1984 constitutional amendment allowed for the presence of at least three opposition representatives as nonconstituency (nominated) members of parliament (NMPs), and in 1990, a law increasing their number was passed. Accordingly, up to six NMPs could be appointed from among opposition candidates who were unsuccessful in an election; these NMPs are given limited voting rights. In the 1991 general election, 60 members were elected from the 15 four-member GRCs, 21 from single-member constituencies, and the president appointed 6 nominated members of parliament. Changes to the electoral procedures included the increase to a minimum of four candidates to contest a GRC and the maintenance of minority qualification for the one person representing the minority community. The prime minister, who commands the confidence of a majority of parliament, acts as effective head of government. The prime minister appoints a cabinet that, in 1993, consisted of a senior minister, two deputy prime ministers, and 11 other ministers. Prior to 29 November 1991, the president of the republic was elected by parliament to a four-year term. Since 1991, under an amendment to the constitution passed by parliament, the president is no longer elected by parliament but by the electorate, and has custodial powers over the country's reserves, as well as a major role in deciding key appointments to the judiciary, civil service, and statutory boards. The president is elected for a term of six years. The first direct presidential elections were held on 28 August 1993, electing Ong Teng Cheong. In July 1999, as his wife was dying of cancer, Ong announced he was not seeking a second term. Ong himself had been diagnosed with lymphoma in 1992, when he was deputy prime minister. He underwent treatment but the illness recurred in July 1998. Sellapan Rama (S. R.) Nathan was elected president unopposed on 28 August 1999. Ong died 7 February 2002. On 17 August 2005 Singapore's President Nathan was formally reelected for a second term as president without a ballot cast. Similar to 1999, election officials disqualified other potential candidates on a range of technicalities. Several constitutional reforms were enacted in 1996 and 1997. In 1996, parliament enacted governmental reforms limiting the power of the president, curtailing his veto power—only granted in 1991. Under the new rules, parliament can call a referendum if the president vetoes constitutional changes or other measures. In 1997, the number of nominated members of parliament increased from six to nine. However, the government also moved to tighten control over the political process in 1999 with the PAP filing a petition to close the Workers Party for failure to pay damages and costs associated with a defamation case. Earlier in 1998, the government banned all political parties from producing videos and appearing on television to discuss politics. For the scheduled 17 August 2005 presidential elections, the Singapore Malay National Organization called for a Malay president. The only Malay president, Yusof Ishak, held the office from 1965 to 1970. The elected presidency replaced a rotational process in 1993. Strict qualification rules make it difficult for many to qualify. POLITICAL PARTIES Singapore in the late 1980s was effectively a single-party state. The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) of former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew has dominated the country since 1959. In 1961, the radical wing of the PAP split from Lee's majority faction to form a new party, the Socialist Front (SF), also known as the Barisan Socialis. In 1966, 11 SF members resigned their seats in parliament, and 2 others joined the underground opposition to the Lee government, leaving the PAP as the sole party represented in parliament. In the general elections of 1972, 1976, and 1980, the PAP won all seats in parliament but carried a declining percentage of the total votes: 65 seats (84.4%); 69 seats (72.4%); and 75 seats (75.5%) (Far Eastern Economic Review—FEER, 77.7%), respectively. The Workers' Party (WP), the strongest opposition party, won its first parliamentary seat in a 1981 by-election; under its leader, Joshua B. Jeyaretnam, the WP has been critical of undemocratic practices within the PAP government. In the 1984 general elections, the PAP won 77 of the 79 seats, even though it captured only 62.9% of the popular vote, compared with 75.5% in 1980. In the 1984, 1988, and 1991 general elections, opposition parties gained small ground, and the PAP continued to garner a declining percentage of the total votes: 77 seats (62.9%) PAP [FEER 64.8%], 1 seat Workers Party (WP), 1 seat Singapore Democratic Party (SDP); 80 seats (61.7%) PAP [FEER 63.2%], 1 seat SDP; 77 (61%) PAP [FEER 61%], 1 seat WP, 3 seats SDP, respectively. In the 1991 elections, Chiam See Tong was again the winner for the SDP, along with Ling How Doong and Cheo Chai Chen. The Workers' Party MP was Low Thai Khiang. The two other seats went to J. B. Jeyaretnam (WP) and to Chiam See Tong of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), the two main opposition parties, which are tolerated but subject to almost continual harassment by the government. For instance, in 1984, Jeyaretnam was accused of making false statements involving irregularities in the collection of the WP's funds; he was acquitted of two of three charges and fined. In 1986, the government appealed the case and the higher court set aside the initial judgment; Jeyaretnam was again fined and jailed for one month, enough to disqualify him from parliament and ban him from contesting elections for five years. On the basis of his criminal convictions he was disbarred and denied a pardon. He was refused permission to appeal against the conviction and sentence that resulted in his disqualification as an MP. But on appeal to the Privy Council against the decision to disbar him, he was vindicated and allowed to practice law again. In October 1991, Jeyaretnam avoided bankruptcy by paying legal costs in a defamation suit he lost, filed by Lee Kuan Yew over remarks made by Jeyaretnam in a 1988 election rally. On 10 November 1991, the ban on Jeyaretnam standing election expired. By avoiding bankruptcy, he would be able to contest the by-elections that Prime Minister Goh had promised to hold in the next 12–18 months. However, the WP failed to field the four required candidates for a group represented constituency (GRC). Then, in March 1993, Dr. Chee Soon Juan, an opposition politician from the SDP who ran against Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in the 1992 by-election, was expelled from his post as lecturer in the Department of Social Work and Psychology at the National University of Singapore (NUS) based on claims of "dishonest conduct" for using us$138 out of his research grant to courier his wife's doctoral thesis to a US university. In the end, Dr. Chee ended up losing his case to be reinstated. The main opposition parties are the SDP and the WP. Smaller minority parties are the United People's Front, which is also critical of antidemocratic aspects of the government rule and pro-Malaysian; the Singapore Malays' National Organization; and the Singapore Solidarity Party, formed in 1986 by three former leaders of the SDP. There were 22 registered political parties at the beginning of 1993: The Singapore Chinese Party; Persatuan Melayu Singapura; Partai Rakyat, Singapore State Division; Angkatan Islam; The Workers' Party; Pertubohan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura; People's Action Party (PAP); United People's Party; Barisan Socialis (BS), Socialist Front (SF); Parti Kesatuan Ra'ayat (United Democratic Party); Singapore Indian Congress; Alliance Party Singapura; United National Front; National Party of Singapore; People's Front; Justice Party, Singapore; Democratic Progressive Party; People's Republican Party; United People's Front; Singapore Democratic Party (SDP); National Solidarity Party (NSP); Singapore National Front. The Malay Communist Party and the underground Malayan National Liberation Front are illegal. In 1997, parliamentary elections were held and, again, the PAP maintained its virtual monopoly of seats. Of 83 seats up for election, the long-ruling party captured 81, with 47 unopposed. The opposition leaders Jeyaretnam and Tang Liang Hong, both with the WP, won seats. After the election, in a move that has been commonplace in Singapore, leaders of the PAP, including Prime Minister Goh and Senior Minister (and longtime leader) Lee, sued Tang for defamation. Tang promptly fled the country, saying he feared for his safety as the government froze his assets and imposed travel restrictions on his family. Jeyaretnam continued to face bankruptcy and the loss of his parliamentary seat as well, from a defamation payment awarded against him for allegedly defaming a PAP parliamentarian and nine other members of the Tamil community in an article written by a colleague in 1995. In the 1997 elections, the SDP lost all three seats it had won in the 1991 round. In parliamentary elections held on 3 November 2001, the PAP won 82 out of 84 seats with 75.3% of the vote. Opposition candidates contested only 29 of the seats. The WP took one seat, as did the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA), which includes the Singapore People's Party (SPP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), National Solidarity Party, Singapore Justice Party, and Singapore Malay National Organization. The opposition parties complained that constituency changes and a range of regulations imposed by the PAP made it more difficult for them to win votes. The Parliamentary Elections Act was amended, curbing the use of the Internet for political campaigning and banning the publication of opinion polls during elections. The next parliamentary elections were to be held 25 June 2007. LOCAL GOVERNMENT Singapore, veritably a city-state, has no local government divisions. When the People's Action Party (PAP) came to power in 1959, the postcolonial city council was abolished. The former city council and rural board were integrated into departments of the central government. The Town Councils Act, enacted in June 1988, reintroduced a local organizational structure. Town councils were formed to take over the management and maintenance of the common properties of housing estates within towns. As of 1 March 1991, 27 town councils had been formed. After the general elections of August 1991, five town councils were dissolved and three new town councils were established, bringing the number of town councils to 25. In 1997, the number of town councils was reduced to 16. Prime Minister Goh announced the creation of Community Development Councils (CDCs) in 1996. Set up after the 1997 general election as social parallels to the town councils, the CDCs were established to improve community bonding and to manage a spectrum of social services, from child care centers to public welfare assistance. Originally nine CDCs were established; in November 2001, their number was reduced to five. They are South West, North West, Central Singapore, South East, and North East. They are managed by a council comprising a mayor and between 12 and 80 council members. In 2005, a Campaign Against Dengue was launched in Singapore, with town councils playing a major oversight role. Town councils stepped up checks for mosquitoes, as dengue cases soared to 9,540 cases by mid-September, already surpassing the 2004 total of 9,459. JUDICIAL SYSTEM Singapore's legal system is based on British common law. The judiciary includes the Supreme Court as well as subordinate courts. The subordinate courts include the magistrates' courts, trying civil and criminal offenses with maximum penalties of three years' imprisonment or a fine of s$60,000; the district courts, trying cases with maximum penalties of 10 years' imprisonment or a fine of s$250,000; the juvenile courts, for offenders below the age of 16; the coroners' courts; and the small claims courts, which hear civil and commercial claims for sums of less than s$10,000. The Supreme Court is headed by a chief justice and is divided into the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Court of Criminal Appeal. The High Court has unlimited original jurisdiction in both criminal and civil cases but ordinarily chooses to exercise such jurisdictional authority only in major cases. In its appellate jurisdiction, the High Court hears criminal and civil appeals from the magistrates' and district courts. Appeal in a civil case heard by the High Court in its original jurisdiction goes to the Court of Appeal, and in a criminal case, to the Court of Criminal Appeal. In 1993, the former Court of Appeal (for civil cases) and the Court of Criminal Appeal were combined to form a single Court of Appeal. This reform was part of an overall plan for the eventual elimination of referrals to the Privy Council in London. All appeals to the Privy Council in London were eliminated in 1994. The president appoints judges of the Supreme Court on the recommendation of the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice. A Legal Service Commission supervises and assigns the placement of the subordinate court judges and magistrates who have the status of civil servants; however, the president appoints subordinate courts judges on the recommendation of the chief justice. While the constitution provides for an independent judiciary and the judicial system provides a fair and efficient judicial process, the Internal Security Act allows the government to arrest, detain, and prosecute those who are deemed to threaten national security. Defendants have the right to be present at the trials, to have an attorney, and to confront witnesses against them. ARMED FORCES In 2005, Singapore's armed forces numbered 72,500 active personnel, supported by 312,500 reservists. The Army had 50,000 personnel, including a single Rapid Deployment division and three combined arms divisions. Equipment included 100 main battle tanks, 350 light tanks, 294 armored infantry fighting vehicles, over 1,280 armored personnel carriers, and more than 286 artillery pieces. The Navy had 4,000 active personnel. The fleet's major units included three tactical submarines, six corvettes, and 17 patrol/coastal vessels. The Air Force totaled 13,500 personnel with 111 combat-capable aircraft that included 43 fighters, 44 fighter ground attack aircraft, and 28 attack helicopters. Paramilitary forces numbered 93,800 active members and included the Singapore Police Force (12,000), an 81,800-member civil defense force, and a 1,500-man contingent of gurkha troops. The 2005 defense budget totaled $5.57 billion. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Having joined the United Nations (UN) on 21 September 1965, Singapore participates in ESCAP and several nonregional specialized agencies, such as the IAEA, the World Bank, ILO, UNCTAD, and the WHO. Singapore served on the UN Security Council in 2001–02. It is a participant in APEC, the Asian Development Bank, the Colombo Plan, the WTO, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), and G-77. Probably its most important international association is its membership—along with Cambodia, Laos , Myanmar , Vietnam , Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Brunei—in ASEAN, the Association of South-East Asian Nations. Singapore has played a leading part in this important regional grouping, which has sought to maximize economic cooperation among its member states, to regularize political consultation on the part of the constituent governments, and to limit foreign political and military interference in the area. Singapore is part of the Nonaligned Movement. In environmental cooperation, Singapore is part of the Basel Convention, the Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES, the Montréal Protocol, MARPOL, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and the UN Conventions on the Law of the Sea, Climate Change, and Desertification. ECONOMY Historically, Singapore's economy was based primarily on its role as an entrepôt for neighboring countries due to its strategic geographic location at the entrance to the Strait of Malacca. It did not have minerals or other primary products of its own to export, but it served a major economic function by processing and transshipping the goods of nearby lands. Its most significant natural resource is a deep water harbor. As a result of these circumstances, Singapore became highly active in shipbuilding and repair, tin smelting, and rubber and copra milling. Until about 1960, however, its economy was frequently shaken by major fluctuations in its export earnings (particularly from rubber and tin) as a consequence of often adverse commodity and price trends. Since the early 1960s, Singapore has attempted to break away from this economic pattern. Its government embarked on an ambitious and largely successful program of promoting industrial investment (both from abroad and locally), developing industrial estates, and providing industrial financing and technical services. By the early 1980s, Singapore had built a much stronger and diversified economy, which gave it an economic importance in Southeast Asia out of proportion to its small size. Government plans during the first half of the 1980s called for realigning industrial activities from traditional labor-intensive, low-wage activities to capital-intensive, high-wage and high-technology activities, notably the electronic industries and oil refining. In 1985, however, Singapore's economy declined for the first time in 20 years. One of the reasons for the decline was high wages, which made Singaporean products less competitive on the world market. Other reasons for the economic downturn included a slumping demand for oil and electronic products and the economic woes of Malaysia, Indonesia, and other important trading partners. By the late 1980s, Singapore had begun to further diversify its economy, making it capable of providing manufacturing, financial, and communications facilities for multinational firms. In the late 1980s, one of the fastest-growing sectors of Singapore's economy was international banking and finance, accounting for some 25% of GDP . It ranked behind Tokyo and Hong Kong among financial service centers in the Southeast Asia region. In 1989, earnings from manufacturing accounted for 30% of GDP. Manufacturing accounted for 24.3% of GDP in 2002. In the 1990s, productivity increased, as did labor costs. Export growth in high-technology manufactured goods signaled Singapore's success in shifting to higher value added production. The electronics industry accounted for the largest share of value-added in manufacturing. Manufacturing was dominated by the production of computer peripherals and oil processing. Between 1992 and 1995, property prices doubled, reaching their peak in 1996. In the five years 1993 to 1997, GDP growth averaged 8.84%. In June 1997, Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule, which was one trigger for the Asian financial crisis. In Singapore, GDP growth dropped to 1.5% in 1998 and residential property prices fell 40%. Singapore's sensitivity to the external economic environment, with trade running 300% of GDP, is extreme. Nevertheless, Singapore weathered the crisis without a contraction, and in 1999, growth recovered to 5.4%. Driven by the worldwide boom in information technology (IT) demand and robust recoveries in domestic consumption and investment, GDP growth soared to 9.9% in 2000. However, the dot.com bust in 2001 led to the economy's first yearly contraction since 1985, 2%. Recovery began in the second quarter of 2002, and though weak because of continued low export demand, growth was a positive 2.2% for the year. GDP growth in 2003 was a sluggish 0.8%, but in 2004 it soared to an estimated 8.4%, thanks to the recovery of the tourism sector, double-digit retail sales gains, rising investment rates, increased manufacturing production, and the construction industry's recovery from a two-year slump, among other factors. Real GDP growth was estimated at a more moderate 4.9% in 2005, due to a global electronics downturn and a slowdown of the US economy. GDP growth was forecast to average 4.5% a year in 2006–07. GDP growth averaged 3.1% over the 2001–05 period. Constraints on Singapore's economic performance are labor shortages, rising labor costs, and declines in productivity. Singapore maintains one of the most liberal trading regimes in the world, and has regularly been ranked one of the least corrupt and most competitive countries. The government is a major and active player in the economy, owning substantial productive assets (land and capital). The government directs and targets the economy through laws, regulations, and incentives and participates in business ventures through Singapore's unique hybrid, the government linked company (GLC). Unemployment rose to 4.7% in 2001 and remained above 4% throughout 2002, a high level for Singapore. Unemployment stood at 4.8% in 2003 and was estimated at 3.4% in 2004. Inflation over the 2001–05 period averaged 0.6%. INCOME The US Central Intelligence Agency ( CIA ) reports that in 2005 Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at $131.3 billion. The CIA defines GDP as the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year and computed on the basis of purchasing power parity (PPP) rather than value as measured on the basis of the rate of exchange based on current dollars. The per capita GDP was estimated at $29,700. The annual growth rate of GDP was estimated at 4.5%. The average inflation rate in 2005 was 0.3%. It was estimated that agriculture accounted for 0% of GDP, industry 33.6%, and services 66.4%. Foreign aid receipts amounted to $7 million (about $2 per capita) and accounted for approximately 0.0% of the gross national income (GNI). The World Bank reports that in 2003 household consumption in Singapore totaled $39.41 billion (about $9,272 per capita) based on a GDP of $92.4 billion, measured in current dollars rather than PPP. Household consumption includes expenditures of individuals, households, and nongovernmental organizations on goods and services, excluding purchases of dwellings. It was estimated that for the period 1990 to 2003, household consumption grew at an average annual rate of 5.4%. Approximately 15% of household consumption was spent on food, 5% on fuel, 3% on health care, and 14% on education. LABOR In 2005, Singapore's workforce was estimated at 2.19 million. In 2003, manufacturing accounted for 18%; construction 6%; transportation and communication 11%; financial, business, and other services 49%; and other undefined occupations at 16%. About 24% of the labor force consists of some 600,000 foreign workers. The unemployment rate was estimated at 3.4% in 2005. In 2001, there were 72 registered trade unions in Singapore, with some 350,000 members. All but nine were affiliated with Singapore's National Trade Unions Congress (which represents, as a result, about 99% of the country's organized workers). The government generally asserts a strong influence over trade policies. Workers have the right to strike but rarely do so. Collective bargaining is utilized. The standard legal workweek is 44 hours, with one day off each week. An annual bonus equal to at least one month's salary is customarily paid. Minors as young as 12 may work with the permission of the commissioner of labor, but there are few applications for such permission and one has never been granted. In practice, the minimum working age is 14 and violations of this regulation are very rare. The government has set minimum workplace health and safety regulations that are effectively enforced. There is no minimum wage. AGRICULTURE Urbanization and industrialization have taken ever larger amounts of land away from agricultural activity in post–World War II Singapore. (World War II was fought 1939–45.) Many of the rubber and coconut plantations that dominated Singapore's landscape before the war have disappeared altogether. Housing for a growing population—and factories for its employment—stand where rubber and coconut trees used to grow. Nonetheless, agriculture remains part of Singapore's total economic activity. Growing methods on the island are the most intensive in all of Southeast Asia. About 3% of the land area is used for farming, and vegetables remain a significant source of income. Remarkably, through the decades of the 1960s and 1970s and into the 1980s, Singapore was able to increase its primary produce annually through intensification. In 2004, production of fresh vegetables totaled 5,000 tons, resulting in a decreased need to rely on foreign produce imports. Singapore's trade deficit in agricultural products was us$1.36 billion in 2004. Orchids are grown for export. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY Singapore has been self-sufficient (or nearly so) in the production of pork, poultry, and eggs since 1964, a notable achievement considering the modest amount of land available and the demands of growing urbanization and industrialization. The bird flu virus, which has affected a number of chicken-producing countries in East Asia since 2004, has created an atmosphere of uncertainty for chicken traders in Singapore. Hog and poultry farming together constitute Singapore's largest primary products industry. However, hog farming is being phased out because of environmental pollution; domestic pork requirements are increasingly being met by imports. In 2005, the livestock population included two million chickens and 200,000 pigs. That year, about 22,000 tons of eggs were produced. The Pig and Poultry Research and Training Institute and Lim Chu Kang Veterinary Experimental Station conduct research on feeding, housing, breeding, management, and disease control. FISHING Local fishermen operate chiefly in inshore waters, but some venture into the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. Traditional fishing methods are in use along coastal waters, but there is a trend toward mechanization in both offshore and deep-sea fishing. In 2003, Singapore's fishermen caught 7,109 tons of fish (71% aquaculture). All fresh fish are auctioned at the Jurong Central Fish Market or at the Punggol Fishing Port and Wholesale Fish Market. The Jurong facility provides modern shore-support assistance and processing plants. Aquaculture concentrates on the breeding of grouper, sea bass, mussels, and prawns. A marine fish-farming scheme to encourage aquaculture in designated coastal waters was implemented in 1981; by the end of 1985, 60 marine fish farms were in operation. In 2003, exports of fish products were valued at us$315 million. FORESTRY In 2000, about 3.3% of Singapore's land area was classified as forest. There is little productive forestry left on the island, but Singapore continues to have a fairly sizable sawmilling industry, processing timber imported largely from Malaysia (with some additional imports from Indonesia). Both Malaysia and Indonesia are expanding their processing capacities, however, and the industry is declining in Singapore in the face of the government's policy shift to high-technology industries. Roundwood imports totaled 34,900 cu m (1,232,000 cu ft) in 2004. Imports of forestry products totaled us$533.1 million, while exports amounted to us$451.3 million. MINING There is no mining in Singapore. However, although the city-state has limited natural resources, it is one of the most important shipping centers in the world. Singapore has the world's third-largest oil-refining center, behind Houston and Rotterdam, and the major oil and metal futures trading market in Asia. The production of chemicals was the second leading industry in 2002, and the manufacture of oil drilling equipment and petroleum refining ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. Chemicals, mineral fuels, and petroleum products ranked among the top five export commodities. Singapore has no integrated cement plant and local operations ground imported clinker to produce cement. ENERGY AND POWER Singapore's total electrical generating capacity in 2002 was estimated at 7.657 million kW. All power was generated thermally, largely from imported mineral fuels. Production of electricity generated in 2002 totaled 32.585 billion kWh, with demand put at 30.304 billion kWh. Three subsidiaries of Singapore Power (PowerSeraya, Senoko Power and Tuas Power) generate 90% of Singapore's power. Another subsidiary of Singapore Power (PowerGrid) operates and maintains the country's electric power distribution and transmission system. Although Singapore must import all the oil and natural gas it consumes, the country is a major petroleum-refining center. As of 1 January 2005, Singapore's crude oil refining capacity was estimated at 1.3 million barrels per day. In 2002, refined oil product output averaged 814,100 barrels per day. All petroleum product imports in 2002 averaged 1,619,810 barrels per day, of which 813,210 barrels per day were crude oil. Exports of refined petroleum products in 2002 averaged 917,900 barrels per day. Domestic demand for refined oil products averaged 698,050 barrels per day. Consumption and imports of natural gas in 2002 each totaled 41.67 billion cu ft. Imports of coal in 2002 totaled 11,000 short tons. INDUSTRY Singapore's major industries were once rubber milling and tin smelting. The modern industrialization of Singapore began in 1961 with the creation of the Economic Development Board to formulate and implement an ambitious manufacturing scheme. Most of the first factories set up under this program were of an import-substitute nature requiring tariff protection, but many such protective tariffs were subsequently withdrawn. Large-scale foreign manufacturing operations in Singapore commenced in 1967 with the establishment of plants by several major multinational electronics corporations. The Jurong Town Corporation was established under the Jurong Town Corporation Act of 1968 to develop and manage industrial estates and sites in Singapore. The emphasis was on upgrading facilities to attract high-technology and skill-intensive industries. The manufacturing sector grew by an average annual rate of about 20% during the 1962–74 period, and it registered an average annual increase of over 10% from 1975 to 1981. Industry's share of GDP rose from 12% in 1960 to 29% in 1981. Such dramatic achievements were in large measure made possible by the existence of one of the most developed economic infrastructures in Southeast Asia, as well as by government efforts to provide a skilled, disciplined, and highly motivated workforce. Labor-intensive operations are encouraged to move offshore by the government, and service and high-technology industries are encouraged. Major industries are electronics, financial services, oil-drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, and biotechnology. The most important manufacturing sector is electronics. During the 1990s, Singapore was the world's leading producer of computer disk drives, and as of the mid-2000s, there has been significant investments in wafer-fabrication plants. However, this dependence upon electronics can have negative consequences as well as positive ones: When world demand for electronics declines, Singapore is hard hit. In 1998, industry accounted for 35% of GDP, and manufacturing for 22%. In 2001, industry contributed 33% of GDP and employed about 33% of the labor force. In 2004, industry contributed 36.2% of GDP and employed about 24% of the labor force. Of the components of the industrial sector, manufacturing contributes about 25% to GDP and construction about 6.8%. Within manufacturing, electronics account for about half of manufactured output, with chemicals second. The electronics sector accounts for about 48% of investment in manufacturing; chemicals about 24%; engineering, 17%; and the biomedical sector about 9%. Petroleum refining is a well-established industry in Singapore. After Rotterdam and Houston, Singapore is the world's third-largest refining center. Production capacity from its three main refineries (capable of processing 40 different types of crude oil) was 1.3 million barrels per day in 2005. The petrochemical industry has grown rapidly as a direct result of Singapore's refinery capacity. A large project to reclaim seven islands to form a 12-sq mi petrochemical complex on Jurong Island was due to be completed in mid-2006. A $200 million synthetic gas plant has been built on Jurong Island by the Messer Group of Germany and Texaco of the United States. Also, Singapore's second naptha cracking plant was launched in 2002 by the Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore and its partners, Phillips Petroleum, the Polyolefin Co., Hoechst, and Seraya Chemicals. The Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore is a government-linked company (GLC). GLCs are majority government owned but operate commercially, unlike traditional parastatals. GLCs account for more than 60% of Singapore's GDP. Industrial GLCs include Singapore Technologies (aerospace and electronics manufacturer); Keppel Corporation (oil drilling and related equipment manufacturer); Sembawang Corporation (construction and environmental engineering); Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing; Singapore Telecom Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore; and Singapore Refining Corporation. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY The Science Council, established in 1967, advises the minister for trade and industry on scientific and technological matters relating to research and development (R&D) and to the training and utilization of manpower. The Singapore National Academy of Science promotes the advancement of science and technology, and the Singapore Association for the Advancement of Science, founded in 1976, disseminates science and technology. Other major scientific and technical learned societies and research facilities include an academy of medicine, an institute of physics, an institute of technical education, botanical gardens, a mathematical society, and a medical association. Scientific education is stressed at the university level and supported by training programs for more than 20,000 students (1990) in the nation's technical and vocational institutes. Special centers have been established for research on cancer, human reproduction, viruses, and immunology. Two new research institutions were established in 1985: the Institute of Systems Science, which does research in the area of information technology, and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, a center for biotechnological research. The Singapore Science Park, located near the National University of Singapore, was developed in 1987. In 1993, the National Computer Board announced an effort to create an "intelligent island" through an information infrastructure linking all of Singapore. In 2002, there were 4,352 scientists and engineers and 381 technicians engaged in R&D per million people. In that same year, high-technology exports were valued at $63.792 billion and accounted for 60% of the country's manufactured exports. In 1991, the government announced a s$250 million spending program to create science and high-technology parks. Expenditures for R&D in 2002 totaled $2,188.905 million, or 2.19% of GDP. Of that amount, the business sector accounted for the largest portion at 49.9%, followed by the government at 41.8%. Higher education, private nonprofit organizations, and foreign sources accounted for 0.7%, 0.5%, and 7.2%, respectively. Courses in basic and applied sciences are offered at Nanyang Technical University (founded in 1981), the National University of Singapore (founded in 1980 by merger), Ngee Ann Polytechnic (founded in 1963), Singapore Polytechnic (founded in 1954), and Temasek Polytechnic (founded in 1990). DOMESTIC TRADE Marketing has always been an activity in which Singapore's Chinese, Indian and Arab merchants have played a major role. Their participation has increased in recent years as local branches of European firms have become less important. Warehousing, packaging, freight forwarding, and related services are of a high standard. A wide range of consumer goods, such as luxury, electronic, handicraft, and food items, are available in Singapore from international department stores, brand name specialty stores, local department store chains, and neighborhood shops and markets. Prices are fixed in most larger retail establishments; however, haggling is still common in smaller shops. Within the industrial sector, prices are inflated to account for bargaining. Advertising is done by radio and television, outdoor displays, slides in motion picture theaters, and newspapers. There are several advertising agencies. Consumers are highly brand conscious, and advertising concentrates considerably on product trademarks. Usual business hours are 9 am to 5 pm, with many businesses closed from 1 pm to 2 pm. Most major enterprises and foreign firms operate Monday through Friday and are open a half day on Saturday. A number of Chinese and Indian businesses maintain longer hours, with some open seven days a week. Bank hours are 9:30 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 9:30 am to 1 pm. Government offices are open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, and 8 am to 1 pm on Saturday. Retail stores are open from 10 am to 9 pm Monday through Saturday, with most shops also open on Sunday. FOREIGN TRADE Since World War II, Singapore has changed from an entrepôt center for the incoming and outgoing traffic of its neighbors in Southeast Asia to an exporting power in its own right. The leading exports of the mid-1960s—rubber, coffee, pepper, and palm oil—were replaced in the early 1980s by a variety of capital-intensive manufactures. Except for an occasional slowdown, annual levels of trade regularly record double-digit expansion. During the late 1990s, expansion in the high-end manufacturing and services sectors began replacing capital-intensive production. The total value of trade in goods (exports and imports) was equivalent to 273% of GDP in 2002. This figure included a large volume of reexport trade, which is encouraged by Singapore's favorable location in the Strait of Malacca and its excellent port facilities. Re-exports accounted for 47% of total exports in 2002. Exports reached Country -6,679.0 (…) data not available or not significant. 168% of GDP in 2004. (Exports can count for more than 100% of GDP because most of the components used to produce them are imported.) Most of the advanced electronics that Singapore exports also make up a substantial percentage of the world export market. Because electronics are vulnerable to the vagaries of world demand, however, Singpore has taken steps to revive domestic consumption. Singapore's main trading partners are the ASEAN group—principally Malaysia—the United States, China and Hong Kong, and Japan. Singpore's main exports in 2004 were electronics (22.7% of total exports); oil (11.1%); petroleum products (9.4%); and telecommunications apparatus (1.6%). Major imports in 2004 included machinery and equipment (58.6% of total imports); oil (15%); manufactured goods (6.7%); and chemicals and chemical products (6.5%). BALANCE OF PAYMENTS The traditional current account surplus is largely due to demand for non-oil exports (especially electronics) from the United States, Japan, and regional countries with electronics production facilities. The account also benefits from high net investment income receipts. Total official reserves are estimated to be equal to 8.8 months of imports. A sharp contraction of imports in 1998 due to the financial crisis caused a high current account surplus, while the devalued currency caused an even larger outflow of cash from the financial accounts. Singapore's balance of payments weakened in 2001, largely due to that year's decline in trade. Singapore's recorded trade surplus in 2003 was $28.1 billion. Exports totaled $158.4 billion, and imports stood at $130.3 billion. The current account surplus averaged 22.8% of GDP over the 2001–05 period. The current account surplus stood at an estimated $8.8 billion in 2004. BANKING AND SECURITIES Singapore was founded as a trading outpost by Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffl es of the East India Co. in 1819. The country's rigid development was closely linked to the government's efficient financial management. Conservative fiscal and monetary policies generated high savings, which, along with high levels of foreign investment, allowed growth without the accumulation of external debt. The banking system was opened to foreign banks in the late 1960s. In 1988, Singapore had foreign reserves worth about $533 billion, which, per capita, put it ahead of Switzerland , Saudi Arabia , and Taiwan . Many sources of finance are available to organizations doing business in Singapore. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) requires banks to observe its policy of discouraging the internalization of the Singapore dollar. The MAS performs the functions of a central bank, except for the issuing of currency. The Board of Commissioners of Currency deals with currency issues. The MAS seeks to strike a balance between supervision on the one hand, and development of the financial markets on the other. Singapore has not encouraged the freewheeling financial services culture of Hong Kong, nor has it resorted to a divigiste approach, as in South Korea or Taiwan. Until quite recently, Singapore has tried to enjoy the best of both worlds. This is now starting to change, as Singapore's own major banks, long regarded as complacent due to their domestic oligopoly, are beginning to venture overseas. The International Monetary Fund reports that in 2001, currency and demand deposits—an aggregate commonly known as M1—were equal to $20.1 billion. In that same year, M2—an aggregate equal to M1 plus savings deposits, small time deposits, and money market mutual funds—was $101.0 billion. The money market rate, the rate at which financial institutions lend to one another in the short term, was 1.99%. As of 1999, Singapore had more than 700 financial institutions, including approximately 230 commercial and merchant banks, 142 of them commercial banks. Some 9 of the 31 banks with full banking licenses were locally incorporated; the remainder were branches of various overseas banks. Since 1971, the government has sought to attract representation by a variety of foreign banks in terms of countries and geographical regions. Most of the new foreign banks allowed into Singapore have been offshore banks that concentrated on foreign exchange transactions. The Post Office Savings Bank (POS-Bank) is the national savings bank (est. 1877). Thirteen commercial banks have restricted licenses, and 98 banks operate offshore. Singapore's four largest banks—DBS Bank, United Overseas Bank (UOB), OCBC Bank, and Overseas Union Bank Ltd. (OUB)—had a 90% jump in profits in 1999 over 1998, recovering from the financial crisis quickly. In October 1992, the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange severed all links with the Singapore Stock Exchange. All the Singapore stocks moved to the Singapore exchange and the Malaysian companies moved to the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. As of 2004, a total of 489 companies were listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, which had a market capitalization of $171.555 billion. In that same year, the STI index rose 17.1% to 2,066.1. The Singapore International Monetary Exchange (SIMEX) opened in 1984. SIMEX traded, as of the end of 1985, futures contracts in gold, eurodollar time deposit interest rates, and US/deutschemark and US/yen currency exchanges. Trading in Japanese stock index and sterling futures began in 1986. In 1989, SIMEX also became Asia's first energy market with the introduction of the High-Sulphur Fuel Oil futures, the world's most active contract of its kind. In 1999, SIMEX achieved its second-highest annual volume of 25.8 million contracts. It was voted International Exchange of the Year in 1989, 1992, 1993, and 1998. INSURANCE Most insurance firms are branches or agencies of UK (or other Commonwealth), European, and US companies, although local participation in insurance, particularly business insurance, is increasing. Marine and warehouse insurance constitutes most of the business insurance, but almost all types of commercial insurance are available. Workers' compensation, third-party automobile liability, and professional liability are all compulsory insurance in Singapore, and must be placed with local companies. The regulatory authority is the insurance commissioner of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. In 1998, total insurance premiums amounted to s$7.8 billion. As of 30 June 1999, there were a total of 160 registered insurers. In 2003, the value of all direct insurance premiums written totaled $8.898 billion, of which $5.561 billion was accounted for by life insurance premiums. In that same year, the top nonlife insurer was NTUC Income, with gross written nonlife premiums (including personal accident and healthcare) of $208.1 million, while the nation's leading life insurer was AIA, with gross written life insurance premiums of $1,042.5. PUBLIC FINANCE The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) estimated that in 2005 Singapore's central government took in revenues of approximately us$18.6 billion and had expenditures of us$18.2 billion. Revenues minus expenditures totaled approximately us$460 million. Public debt in 2005 amounted to 102% of GDP. Total external debt was us$24.67 billion. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that in 2002, the most recent year for which it had data, central government Revenue and Grants 4.2% (…) data not available or not significant. revenues in millions of Singapore dollars were 35,100 and expenditures were 29,741. The value of revenues in millions of US dollars was $19,602 and expenditures $17,129, based on a market exchange rate for 2002 of 1.7906 as reported by the IMF. Government outlays by function were as follows: general public services, 8.8%; defense, 28.5%; public order and safety, 5.9%; economic affairs, 12.3%; housing and community amenities, 10.8%; health, 5.6%; recreation, culture, and religion, 3.7%; education, 23.4%; and social protection, 4.2%. TAXATION Individual and commercial incomes are taxed whether derived in Singapore or from outside sources. Types of direct taxation include income, property, estate duty, and payroll taxes; the Inland Revenue Department is responsible for the assessment and collection of all such levies. As of 2006, the top marginal personal tax rate was 21%. In 2007, the top personal rate is to be reduced to 20%. As of 1 January 2004, foreign income received by a resident individual was exempted from Singapore's personal income tax. However, foreign income received via a partnership in Singapore is taxed. Also, nonresidents working in Singapore more than 60 days but less than 183 days in a calendar year are taxed at a 15% rate on gross employment income or taxed on employment income as a resident, whichever is higher. As of 2005, Singapore had a standard corporate income tax rate of 20%. Industrial establishments, companies, and various other businesses are eligible to deduct from their gross profits varying and usually generous depreciation allowances for building, plants, and machinery. There are tax holidays of 5 to 15 years on qualifying profits for approved "pioneer" industries. Companies whose "pioneer" status has expired or who do not qualify, but still engage in high value operations, can receive a reduced rate of 5% for a period of 10 years and with extensions, up to 25 years. Other taxes include a goods and services tax (GST) at a rate of 5%, a stamp tax, and a property tax. CUSTOMS AND DUTIES Prior to the 1960s, Singapore was essentially a free port, with import duties levied only on alcoholic beverages, tobacco and tobacco products, petroleum products, and certain soaps. In 1959, however, a law was passed empowering the government to levy import duties on other products to protect local industries. In the 1960s, many new tariffs were established with the primary aim of helping to support development of local manufacturing firms. In the early 1970s, many items were withdrawn from the tariff list, and by 1982 there were only 176 items on the list, compared with 349 in 1972. In 1985, excise duties on sugar and sugar substitutes and import and excise duties on fuel oil were lifted. By 1993, there were almost no import tariffs except for duties on alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, petroleum products, and a few other items. Duties ranged from 5–45%. There are no export duties. As of 2002, the average tariff in Singapore was below 1%, as more than 99% of goods entered duty free. In 2000, duties were levied on tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, gasoline, automobiles (31%), and motorcycles (12%). Singapore has six free trade zones, five for seaborne cargo (in the five gateways of the port) and one for air cargo. The GST (goods and service tax) of 5%, which is levied on all imports, is not levied on goods stored in the free trade zones. FOREIGN INVESTMENT Legislation to attract new foreign investments, the Economic Incentives Act, was passed in 1967; it granted exemption from taxation for a five-year period to investors for export development and provided inducements and guarantees with respect to repatriation of profits and capital. Overseas offices were set up to promote such foreign investment in New York , Chicago , San Francisco , London, Paris , Frankfurt, Zürich, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Stockholm , and Melbourne. The Capital Participation Scheme, adopted in 1973, permitted high-technology industries to set up branches in Singapore with 50% equity participation by the government. With changes in Singapore's industrial development, there have also been alterations in incentives. In the early 1980s, the main criteria for granting tax incentives were capital investment ratios (including training costs) per worker, value added per worker, and the ratio of technical personnel and skilled workers to the total workforce. Major investment activity focused on petroleum refining, general manufacturing, electronics, and hotel construction, as well as on traditional endeavors. Since the mid-1980s the government's incentive policies have broadened to include Singapore's development as a total international business center, an international air-sea cargo center, a location for the regional operational headquarters of multinational corporations, and a major exporter of services. Investment in the manufacturing sector is encouraged in areas of medium-range or higher technology, or the design and production of higher valueadded products. Singapore does not require that foreign investors take on private-sector or government joint-venture partners. In 2000, foreign companies' net investment commitments in manufacturing were $4.2 billion, somewhat ahead of the $4.016 billion reached in 1997 before the Asian financial crisis, and $1 billion more than the level in 1998. US companies accounted for 51% of the total; European companies, 23.8%; Japan, 21%; and all other countries, 4.26%. As of 1999, cumulative foreign investment in Singapore was a little over $31 billion, of which $12.2 billion (39%) was from US companies; 31.6% from Japanese companies; and 25% from Europe. Foreign investments account for about one-quarter of cumulative gross fixed assets in the manufacturing sector. In 2002, the total stock of foreign direct investment (FDI) stood at approximately $137.4 billion, or 1.51% of GDP. Some $49.9 billion of that figure was invested in the manufacturing sector. The United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom were the primary investors. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Technological change and political considerations in the post–World War II period—not least of all the nationalism that accompanied the quest for independence among the region's European colonies—have combined to alter dramatically the economic self-perception and public policies of this diminutive island state. By the late 1950s, it was obvious that prospects for economic growth would be severely limited if Singapore remained bound by its old economic role as entrepôt. The decision to industrialize—and to do so rapidly—was deliberate policy. The initial emphasis in the government's economic development program was on employment. The increasing trend toward economic self-sufficiency in neighboring Indonesia and Malaysia—and the steady retreat of the United Kingdom from defense responsibilities in the region as a whole (centered on its large Singapore naval and air facilities)—prompted the government to focus completely on finding alternative employment for the island's highly skilled and disciplined workforce. By the end of the 1960s, this problem was effectively solved, with Singapore boasting one of the lowest unemployment rates in all of Asia. Emphasis in the mid-1970s was on labor skills and technology, especially as these were identified with such modern industries as machine tools, petrochemicals, electronics, and other precision work. A high level of participation by private foreign capital provided an important cornerstone to this development. In 1979, the government abandoned its earlier policy of stimulating low-wage industries and adopted a policy of encouraging capital-intensive and technologically sophisticated industries. Especially targeted for investment promotion in the 1980s were computers, computer peripherals, electronic medical instruments, automotive components, specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and optical and photocopying equipment. Following the recession of 1985–86, the government concentrated on developing new markets and on turning Singapore into a manufacturing, financial, and communications center for multinational corporations. In the 1990s, the economic development strategy emphasized both the manufacturing and service sectors. The Economic Development Board (EDB), formed in 1961, has guided Singapore's industrialization. Early emphasis was placed on promoting investment in manufacturing. The Strategic Economic Plan (SEP), announced in 1991, focused on education and human resources to enhance export competitiveness. Emphasis on developing the service sector has been supported and enhanced by the Operational Headquarters (OHQ) program, encouraging companies to use Singapore as regional headquarters or as a central distribution center. The Creative Business Program promotes investment in the film, media, publishing, arts and entertainment, textile, fashion and design sectors. The EDB works toward Singapore's vision of its future as a developed country through the promotion of business. Singapore's globalization strategy hinges on making a transformation from a production-driven economy to an innovation-driven one. Other key elements of this strategy are the reversal of downward trends in productivity, and sustaining foreign investment in Singapore's capital investment. Singapore initiated the formation of a growth triangle, linking Johor, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia's Riau Province, focusing on Batam Island. Singapore benefits by tapping into a supply of low-wage workers and offshore land to sustain its more labor-intensive industries. The Asian financial crisis was only a temporary setback for the healthy economy of Singapore. Roadblocks to further economic development include rising labor costs, which have threatened investment in Singapore's industrial sector, causing the government to implement strategies to cut costs and increase productivity. The rise of Singapore's currency also prompted the dispersion of new industrial enterprises from the country, which the government answered by promoting the development of high-capital industries. The collapse of the dot.com bubble in 2001 presented a more serious challenge, particularly as subsequent events—the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and global uncertainties attending the war with Iraq—resulted in continued low export demand. As of the end of 2005, the Singapore economy was growing at a healthy clip of around 5%. At that point, Singapore's central bank (the Monetary Authority of Singapore) stated that its policy of allowing the Singpore dollar to strengthen against a basket of currencies would be maintained. This effective monetary tightening reflected continued confidence in the health of the local economy. The government is seeking to encourage innovation and to diversify the economy toward new services and consumer industries. Singapore wants to foster the development of a knowledge-based economy. Protected sectors, such as financial services, were in the process of being liberalized in 2006, in an effort to increase overall efficiency. Certain bilateral free-trade agreements, including one with the United States, which came into force in 2004, were negotiated in order to improve market access and encourage foreign investment inflows. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT The provident fund system was updated in 2004, and covers most employed persons and the self-employed. It provides benefits for old age, disability, death, sickness, and maternity. Retirement is at age 55 subject to conditions. Employee contributions are based on income; employers pay 10% of monthly earnings. There is a special system for public employees, and employers may choose a private plan if approved. Employers also fund workers' compensation benefits for job-related injuries. In addition, employers are required to provide 14 days of paid sick leave and eight weeks of paid maternity leave to their employees. Women's legal rights are equal to those of men in most areas, including civil liberties, employment, business, and education. Women comprise 42% of the labor force and are well represented in the professions. Despite the legal principle of equal pay for equal work, women earn approximately less then men. This is due in part to the fact that most women work in lower-paying administrative jobs. In 2004, the constitution was amended to remove the inequality that a female citizen could not automatically convey citizenship to her children, but a man could. Spousal abuse and domestic violence are not widespread problems and the laws provide protection to women. Prison conditions are considered to be good, but there are reports of the mistreatment of detainees. Caning is a common form of punishment for many different offenses. Cases of police abuse are generally investigated by the government and reported in the media. Freedom of assembly and association are restricted. HEALTH Singapore's population enjoys one of the highest health levels in all of Southeast Asia. This achievement is largely attributed to good housing, sanitation, and water supply, as well as the best hospitals and other medical facilities in the region. Fully 100% of the population had access to safe drinking water and 99% had adequate sanitation in 1994–95. Nutritional standards are among the highest in Asia. Singapore is financing medical care with a combination of personal contribution and government assistance. In 1984, Singapore initiated a Medisave scheme, a compulsory savings plan for medical expenses. About half the population pays hospital bills through this plan, although as of 1990, the plan did not cover outpatient expenses. Workers must contribute 3–4% of their earnings to a medical savings account to be used for medical expenses. The contribution of workers is matched by employers. Total health care expenditures were estimated at 3.2% of GDP. There are 19 hospitals, five of which were administered by the government, and five were "government restructured." The remaining nine hospitals are privately run. The main multidisciplinary hospitals are Alexandra Hospital, Changi Hospital, and Tan Tock Hospital (all government run), and National University Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, and Toa Payoh Hospital (all government restructured). In 2004, there were an estimated 140 physicians, 26 dentists, and 424 nurses per 100,000 people. An estimated 74% of married women (ages 15 to 49) used contraception. The fertility rate was 1.5 children per woman during her childbearing years. As of 2002, the crude birth rate and overall mortality rate were estimated at 12.8 and 4.3 per 1,000 people, respectively. Life expectancy in 2005 was 81.62 years. That year, the infant mortality was 2.29 per 1,000 live births, the lowest in the world. The entire population has access to health care services. Leading causes of death per were communicable diseases and maternal/perinatal causes, noncommunicable diseases, and injuries. Vaccination rates for children up to one year old were as follows: tuberculosis, 97%; diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, 95%; polio, 93%; measles, 88%; and hepatitis B, 91%. Rates for DPT and measles were 94% and 93%, respectively. The slow growth of the HIV epidemic in Singapore may be attributed to general awareness and programs promoting condom use at STD clinics. The HIV/AIDS prevalence was 0.20 per 100 adults in 2003. As of 2004, there were approximately 4,100 people living with HIV/AIDS in the country. There were an estimated 200 deaths from AIDS in 2003. HOUSING Sustained rapid population growth in the years preceding and following World War II provided Singapore with an acute housing shortage. In 1947, a housing committee determined that, with a squatter problem worsening each year, 250,000 persons required immediate housing, while another 250,000 people would need new housing by the late 1950s. In 1960, the Housing and Development Board was established by the new PAP government. During its first five-year building program (1960–65), the board spent s$230 million to construct 53,000 dwelling units for more than 250,000 people. It was in this period that Queens Town, Singapore's first satellite community, was developed. By the mid-1970s, Queens Town had a total of 27,000 living units in seven neighborhood complexes, housing upwards of 150,000 people. In the second five-year building program (1966–70), 67,000 additional units, accommodating 350,000 persons and costing s$305 million, were built. About 113,000 more units were erected by the board in the third building program (1971–75), and over 130,000 in the fourth building program (1976–80). Another 100,000 units were constructed in the fifth building program (1981–85), and 160,000 were planned for the sixth building program (1986–90). In 1985, as a result of these government-sponsored efforts, 2,148,720 persons—or 84% of the total population of Singapore—lived in 551,767 apartments under the management of the Housing and Development Board. Some 397,180 units were sold to the public. As of the 2000 census, there were about 964,138 occupied housing units nationwide. About 79% of all dwellings were built by the Housing and Development Board. About 93% of all dwellings were owner occupied. As of 2003, about 84% of the population resided in flats constructed through Housing and Development Board programs. The demand for purchase of home ownership flats was at about 13,846 units. EDUCATION All children who are citizens are entitled to free primary education. Primary schooling is available in all four official languages. Primary school is compulsory and covers a six-year program of study. Secondary school lasts for four years. Based on their primary school final examinations, students are placed in secondary school for general or technical studies. Students eligible to consider university studies enter a three-year preparatory program to complete their secondary education. In 1996, there were 269,668 students 198 primary schools, with 10,618 teachers. The student-to-teacher ratio stood at 25 to 1, where it remained as of 1999. In 1996, secondary schools had 207,719 students and 10,354 teachers. Fifteen vocational institutes offered training courses in the metalworking, woodworking, electrical, electronic, and building trades. The National University of Singapore was established on 8 August 1980, through the merger of the University of Singapore and Nanyang University. In addition, there are the Singapore Technical Institute, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, and Nanyang Polytechnic. In 1996, all institutions of higher education had 6,689 teaching staff and enrolled a total of 92,140 students. The adult literacy rate for 2004 was estimated at about 92.5%, with 96.6% for men and 88.6% for women. As of 2003, public expenditures on education were estimated at 3.7% of GDP. LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS The National Library of Singapore (founded in 1844 and known, until 1960, as Raffl es National Library) contains 5.6 million volumes, including books in the four official languages. The National Library houses the government archives and serves as a repository for official publications printed in Singapore since 1946. The library has nine full-time branches, and a mobile library service for rural portions of the island. The National University of Singapore Library contains almost 2.2 million volumes, including extensive medical and science/technology collections. (The National University of Singapore was formed in 1980 with the merger of the former University of Singapore and Nanyang University.) Singapore Polytechnic holds 196,000 volumes, and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies holds 140,000. The National Library Board, established in 1995, maintains a three-tiered public library network that includes 3 regional libraries, 19 community libraries, and 18 community children's libraries. The Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, also sponsored by the National Library Board, has a collection of about 530,000 materials. The National Museum (formerly Raffl es Museum), established in 1849, has collections of natural history, ethnology, and archaeology. Since 1965, it has also specialized in the art, culture, and way of life of Singapore's multiracial communities. The National Art Gallery, established in 1976, features works by the peoples of Southeast Asia, and is a part of the National Museum. The Art Museum and Exhibition Gallery of the National University of Singapore includes in its collections Asian art objects and contemporary Singaporean and Malaysian painting and textiles. The new Singapore Art Museum opened in 1996 with a permanent collection of more than 3,000 contemporary paintings and sculptures from Southeast Asian artists. The Asian Civilizations Museum, concerning ethnology, at Empress Place, opened in 2003 and is the largest museum in Singapore. The Lee Kong Chian Art Museum, the Centre of Fine Arts, and Singapore Science Center are also found in the city-state. MEDIA Postal, telephone, and telegraph services in Singapore are among the most efficient in Southeast Asia. National and international telecommunications services are administered by the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore. Service is available on a 24-hour basis for worldwide telegraph, telephone, and telex communication. In 2003, there were an estimated 450 mainline telephones for every 1,000 people. The same year, there were approximately 852 mobile phones in use for every 1,000 people. Virtually all broadcasting services are operated by the government-linked MediaCorp. Radio and television broadcasts are available in Mandarin, Malay, Chinese, and English. In 2004, the only independent radio station was sponsored by British Broadcasting Corporation World Service. As of 2003, there were nine FM radio stations and seven television stations. In 2003, there were an estimated 672 radios and 303 television sets for every 1,000 people. The same year, there were 622 personal computers for every 1,000 people and 509 of every 1,000 people had access to the Internet. There were 981 secure Internet servers in the country in 2004. Singapore Press Holdings, a corporation linked to the ruling party, controls most of the press. There are English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil daily newspapers. Foreign publications reporting on Southeast Asian political and social affairs must obtain an annual permit to distribute more than 300 copies of each edition in Singapore. Singapore has 10 daily newspapers, with at least one printed in each of the four official languages. The oldest and most widely circulated daily is the English-language Straits Times, founded in 1845. In 2002, Singapore's largest newspapers, with their language of publication and estimated daily circulations, were as follows: Straits Times, Chinese/Malay/English, 392,600; Lianhe Zaobao, Chinese, 205,160; The New Paper, English, 121,000; Shin Min Daily News, Chinese, 120,130; Lianhe Wanbao, Chinese/English, 85,500; Berita Harian, Malay/English, 60,000; Business Times, Chinese/English, 36,000; and Tamil Murasu, Tamil, 14,000. The Sunday Times, published in all four of the major languages, had a weekly circulation of 387,000 in 2002. Although freedom of the press is guaranteed by law, the International Press Institute has on various occasions cited Singapore for interference with press freedom. Magazines, motion pictures, and plays are censored for sexual content and presentation of ethnically sensitive matters. ORGANIZATIONS There are Chinese, Indian, and Malay chambers of commerce and a multicommunal Singapore chamber of commerce. There is also an active National Trades Union Congress. The Consumers' Association of Singapore was founded in 1971. There are several professional associations covering a variety of fields. In 1960, the government established the People's Association to organize and promote mass participation in social, cultural, educational, and recreational activities. In Singapore, there is a comprehensive network of about 133 community centers throughout the country set up by the People's Association. Management, women's, youth, and senior citizen subcommittees exist as active units of the association. National youth organizations include the Singapore Scout Association, Singapore Girl Guides, Youth for Christ, Student Christian Movement of Singapore, the Association of Singapore Students in Economics and Commerce, YMCA/YWCA, Junior Chamber, and the Singapore Boy's Brigade and Girl's Brigade. Women's organizations include the Association of Women for Action and Research, Singapore Council of Women's Organizations, and the Singapore International Foundation. Culture and arts organizations are represented by the Indian Fine Arts Society and the Singapore Art Society. There are several sports associations and clubs available, as well as clubs for hobbyists and games enthusiasts, such as the Photo Art Association of Singapore and the Othello Association Singapore. The Academy of Medicine, the Singapore National Academy of Science, and the Institute of Physics serve to promote public interest and education as well as professional advancement in various branches of science. There are several other associations dedicated to research and education for specific fields of medicine and particular diseases and conditions. The National Council of Social Service assists in coordinating volunteer services through member service organizations, professional associations, retirement homes, and children's homes. There are service clubs belonging to international associations, such as national chapters of Lions Clubs, Kiwanis International, the Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity. TOURISM, TRAVEL, AND RECREATION The tradition of bargaining makes shopping in Singapore a major tourist attraction. Points of interest include the Van Kleef Aquarium at Fort Canning Park, the Singapore Zoological and Botanical Gardens, and the resort island of Sentosa. Singapore has a number of other attractions, including an amusement park at Haw Par Village, site of historic Chinese statues, and the restoration of the Alkaff Mansion. Singapore has many sports clubs and associations, notably in the areas of badminton (in which Singaporeans have distinguished themselves internationally), basketball, boxing, cricket, cycling, golf, hockey, horse racing, motoring, polo, swimming, tennis, and yachting. All visitors to Singapore must carry a passport valid for at least six months upon entry. Proof of sufficient funds and an onward/return ticket are also necessary and checked by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Visas are required for nationals of 32 countries, including Russia , Egypt , and Iraq. A vaccination against yellow fever is required if traveling from an infected country. In 2003, about 6.1 million visitors arrived in Singapore, mostly from East Asia and the Pacific. There were a total of 35,930 hotel rooms, filled to 76% of capacity. The average visit was three nights. According to 2005 US Department of State estimates, the cost of staying in Singapore was approximately us$210 per day. FAMOUS SINGAPOREANS Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffl es (1781–1826) played a major role in the establishment of a British presence on Singapore Island in 1819; he introduced policies that greatly enhanced Singapore's wealth, and he suppressed the slave trade. Raffl es also distinguished himself as a collector of historical and scientific information. The English writer and educator Cyril Northcote Parkinson (1909–93), formerly a professor at the University of Singapore, became internationally known as the originator of Parkinson's Law. Singapore's dominant contemporary figure is Lee Kuan Yew (b.1923), prime minister of the Republic of Singapore from 1965 to 1990. His son, Lee Hsien Loong (b.1952), became the nation's third prime minister and second from the same family in 2004. Altbach, Philip G. and Toru Umakoshi (eds.). Asian Universities: Historical Perspectives and Contemporary Challenges. Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004. Aspalter, Christian. Conservative Welfare State Systems in East Asia. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2001. Barr, Michael D. Lee Kuan Yew, the Beliefs Behind the Man. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2000. Chiu, Stephen Wing-kai. City States in the Global Economy: Industrial Restructuring in Hong Kong and Singapore. Boulder, Colo.: Westview Press, 1997. Chua, Beng Huat. Communitarian Ideology and Democracy in Singapore. London: Routledge, 1995. ——. Culture, Multiracialism and National Identity in Singapore. Singapore: Dept. of Sociology, National University of Singapore, 1995. Dumargay, Jacques. Cultural Sites of Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. Haas, Michael. The Singapore Puzzle. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 1999. Leibo, Steven A. East and Southeast Asia, 2005. 38th ed. Harpers Ferry, W.Va.: Stryker-Post Publications, 2005. Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Oakland, Calif.: Lonely Planet, 1999. Managing Political Change in Singapore: The Elected Presidency. Edited by Kevin Tan and Peng Er Lam. London: Routledge, 1997. Mulliner, K. Historical Dictionary of Singapore. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 1991. Murray, Geoffrey. Singapore: The Global City-State. Kent, U.K.: China Library, 1996. Peebles, Gavin. The Singapore Economy. Cheltenham, U.K.: Edward Elgar, 1996. Rahim, Lily Z. The Singapore Dilemma: The Political and Educational Marginality of the Malay Community. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. Cite this article Jurong EDITOR'S NOTE This chapter was adapted from the Department of State Post Report for Singapore. Supplemental material has been added to increase coverage of minor cities, facts have been updated, and some material has been condensed. Readers are encouraged to visit the Department of State's web site at http://travel.state.gov/ for the most recent information available on travel to this country. INTRODUCTION Since the dynamic, modern metropolis of SINGAPORE attained its independence in August 1965, its capable leadership has been molding it into a model of social and economic progress and multi-racial harmony. A former British colony, and later a self-governing member of the British Commonwealth and (for two years) of the Federation of Malaysia , the Republic of Singapore remains a major port of the East, and one of the world's great commercial centers. Singapore ranks with Japan and Brunei as one of the most prosperous countries in Asia . One of the busiest and cleanest ports in the world, it throbs with activity. It is a melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western cultures, each endeavoring to maintain its own identity and rich heritage. MAJOR CITY Singapore Singapore is both a city and a republic. The entire country is almost entirely urban and suburban in nature and, because of this, the distinction between Singapore and Singapore City is disappearing. Therefore, all national information applies to the city as well. The modern city was established in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company. Centuries earlier, it had been known as Temasek, or "Sea Town." According to legend, its current name was given by a prince of the Srivijaya (Hindu-Malayan) empire who, upon landing at Temasek, saw an animal resembling a lion; hence, Singa Pura, or Lion City. The settlement begun here by Raffles attracted enterprising merchants and industrious immigrants from throughout the Malay peninsula and the islands of the Indonesian archipelago. Soon came the Chinese, Indians, British, Arabs, and Ceylonese whose descendants comprise today's Singaporean population. Separate areas were designated for the many and varied ethnic groups who came to seek new and better lives and, although there has been considerable assimilation and resettlement, Singapore retains areas where traditions of the past continue. Narrow roads, vibrant street activity, mosques and temples, and unique sights and sounds all add to the color and fascination of this exotic city. The harbor, the parks and gardens, and the colonial heart of Singapore create still another, but equally interesting, aspect of this Southeast Asian melange. Singapore, which became part of the Straits Settlements (British crown colony) in 1826, was made a separate British colony in 1946. It was a Malaysian state from 1963 to 1965, when it established its independence as a republic. During World War II , Singapore was under Japanese occupation for three-and-a-half years. Clothing Lightweight trousers, shirt (long-or short-sleeved) and tie are appropriate office wear. Many men keep a jacket and tie on hand only for more formal events. Suitable fabrics for trousers and suits are lightweight dacron, cotton blends, or other washable fabrics. Ready-to-wear shorts, worn for sports, and trousers are available in Singapore. Some men have their clothing tailor-made at about the same cost as a better quality ready-to-wear suit in the U.S. Workmanship is generally good. A variety of British and U.S. men's items, such as shirts, socks, underwear, handkerchiefs, ties, and accessories, are sold in Singapore. U.S. items are usually more expensive here—size 34 waist and above are not easily obtained. U.S.-made shoes, however, are not available. Some men, especially those with small feet, have found locally acquired shoes comfortable and well fitting; lasts tend to be wider than U.S. styles. European shoes also are available, but costlier. American sizes nine and above are scarce and at times difficult to find. Cool and washable cottons and cotton blends are the best fabric choices for women in Singapore's heat and humidity. Frequent laundering is necessary, and clothes fade and wear more rapidly here than in the U.S. Clothing that requires dry cleaning is not recommended, as few facilities meet U.S. standards. Light colors are cooler for day, although both dark and light colors are worn. Short-or long-sleeved and sleeveless dresses can be worn, depending on air conditioning and personal preference. In the office, women wear dresses or pantsuits; a sweater is useful because of the air conditioning. Casual, summer daytime wear is appropriate for other everyday activities. Singaporeans dress conservatively but stylishly and are not usually seen in bare-shoulder or bare-midriff dresses during the day. Shorts and pants are worn for most sports; shorts are considered inappropriate on the street or for shopping, but culottes, knee-length shorts, or slacks are popular. Skirts and blouses are comfortable for golf; tennis outfits for tennis and squash are available or can be made. Leather, patent leather, linen, and silk shoes are worn as in the U.S. Low-heeled sandals are most comfortable, as closed shoes may be warm. Ready-made shoes are available, but sizes eight or larger and narrow widths are available only in expensive European imports. Shoes can be made, but often with disappointing results. If proper fit is a problem for you, bring a good supply. Remember, feet might swell in tropical heat. All schools, including the American School, require locally made uniforms for children. Play clothes for outside activities and some dress clothes for parties and church should be brought from home. Generally, available ready-to-wear clothing includes some U.S. brands, but parents usually rely on local ready-made play clothes. Children's dress clothes can be made here inexpensively. Food Several major supermarkets in Singapore are comparable to small U.S. supermarkets. Most families also have a grocer who takes daily telephone orders and delivers goods to the home. These items cost more than in the supermarket but, for many, the service is timesaving and convenient. Fresh fruits and vegetables are abundant. Local, tropical varieties, as well as those imported from either the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, depending on the season, are available. Oranges and apples shipped from the U.S. and elsewhere are of high quality. Orange juice is expensive. Canned goods are imported from Australia , New Zealand , Taiwan , the People's Republic of China , the U.S., and Europe . A limited variety of frozen foods can be purchased. Baby foods and formulas, both U.S. and Australian brands, are available but more expensive than in the U.S. Fresh milk and other dairy products are imported from Australia and are expensive. Most resident Americans buy reconstituted, canned, or powdered milk at considerable savings. Good meat is imported from Australia and New Zealand. Australian beef has a slightly different taste and texture, as the cattle are grass-fed rather than corn-fed. Domestic chickens are less expensive than other meats and are of good quality. Food spoils quickly in this hot, humid climate. Airtight containers (which are available here) prolong freshness and keep ants and weevils out of flour, sugar, crackers, and cookies. Supplies & Services Singapore offers many types of repair services. Local craftsmanship ranks higher in quality and considerably lower in cost than that in the U.S. In the Eastern tradition, china , furniture, shoes, etc., are repaired time and again; nothing that can be salvaged is discarded. Quality dry cleaning varies, and even a firm one has come to trust may eventually prove undependable. Prices are high. Singapore has commercial laundries, but an amah (a domestic) will probably do the washing at home. Amahs are thorough, but not always gentle; they are among the reasons that clothes fade and wear out quickly. Many beauty shops offer services comparable with those of an average quality U.S. shop. Some stylists and services are excellent, and most women eventually make satisfactory arrangements. Most electronic equipment can be repaired locally; workmanship is reliable. U.S. equipment is more expensive to repair than Japanese and European brands. One of the few genuine bargains in Singapore—picture framing—is of good quality and inexpensive. Non-reflecting glass and acid free matting are available. Religious Activities Most major Christian religions are represented here. English services are held at Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Anglican, Mormon, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist , Christian Scientist, or Seventh Day Adventist churches. One Sephardic synagogue conducts "Baghdad-tradition" services, which is not easily understood by most American Jews . It is the custom for those visiting mosques and temples to remove their shoes before entering. Modest dress is expected. Domestic Help Household domestics are difficult to find. Increasingly, both Americans and Singaporeans are employing foreigners—Filipinos, Indonesians, Thais, Sri Lankans, Indians, Bangladeshis, and Malaysians—which often means cumbersome and expensive hiring arrangements, as they must be approved by the government before they are permitted to work or enter the country. Americans here often employ at least one general domestic called an amah, whose duties usually include cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing and, sometimes, baby-sitting. Singles or those without children need only a part-time amah who works a few days a week. Some families employ more than one domestic, in varying combinations of cook, amah, cook/ amah, gardener, etc. These may be live-in or live-out, and either full-or part-time. Monthly wages vary from S$300 for a part-time amah to S$600 for a full-time live-in cook/ amah. A foreign maid is paid less than a Singaporean maid. In addition to basic salary, a food allowance is usually paid. For a Singaporean or foreign amah, the employer makes a monthly payment based on salary to the Central Provident Fund (CPF), a form of social security. No CPF payment is required for a domestic who is employed less than 14 hours per week. The employer usually gives an annual bonus of one month's salary to Chinese employees at Chinese New Year, to Malay employees at Hari Raya Puasa, and to Christian employees at Christmas . Education Since 1956, the Singapore American School has provided an U.S.-style education to the international community. The aim of the school is to educate and equip children of any race, religion, or nationality with academic, social and interpersonal skills to help insure success in adult life. A wide range of electives and extracurricular activities are offered. Nonprofit and community supported, the Singapore American School has children from over 40 nationalities in attendance, although more than 60 percent of the student body are U.S. citizens. The current total enrollment is over 2,000. Classes for preschool (three year olds), pre-kindergarten through grade eight are at the Ulu Pandan Campus, grades nine through 12 use the King's Road Campus. The school year consists of two semesters, with vacations at Christmas and spring break. Full accreditation is given by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. In addition to the intramural program, the school is the venue for many Singapore American Community Action Council (SACAC) programs, which include American football, gymnastics, baseball, and T-ball. Through grade eight, the classrooms are designed for multi-age groupings with a continuous educational progress program. The high school compares to a comprehensive U.S. high school, but does not offer an extensive vocational education program. The program of study is mainly, though not exclusively, college preparatory. The address of Singapore American School is 60 King's Road, Singapore 1026, Republic of Singapore, (high school); 201 Ulu Pandan Road, Singapore 2159, Republic of Singapore (elementary school). The International School of Singapore opened in September 1981 and is committed to a complete academic program stressing the basics of education. A standardized testing program, using both American and British materials, insures that students are progressing at a rate that compares to that of their peers in their homeland. English is the dominant language but, for the large number of non-English speaking students, a separate program—English as a Second Language—is offered. This program enables students of any nationality to participate in class with little difficulty. The school's educational program helps students successfully complete O-and A-level examinations as well as the Scholastic Achievement Test, which prepares them to enter American colleges and universities. International School is located 15 minutes from downtown Singapore. Facilities include two campuses, 54 classrooms, cafeteria, playing fields, science laboratories, computer room, and a 6,000-volume library. The school is completely air-conditioned. International's mailing address is Preston Road, Singapore 0410. Two excellent schools, the United World College of Southeast Asia and the Dover Court Preparatory School, offer a British curriculum and are highly accredited. The United World College of South East Asia is an international day and boarding school for students in grades six through 12. It seeks to foster international understanding through education and also to provide schooling adapted to today's special needs. Its pupils represent some 40 different nationalities, but share a common academic and activities curriculum. Equivalence agreements exist with most countries represented at the school, so that departing pupils may obtain admission to universities of their choice in their own countries. Some 1,350 students are generally enrolled; about 50 are American. United World College was designed as the first of a number of international schools that offer students of different nationalities a two-year course of study before entering a university or starting a career. Course work is geared to the British school system, but a record of study credits is maintained for all American students and for others who may require it during grades nine through 12. Arrangements are made for students considering application to U.S. universities to take the Scholastic Aptitude and Achievement Tests set by the College Entrance Examination Board. The school year, beginning in September, comprises three terms. An eight-week vacation begins in early July, and two shorter vacations of about two weeks each are taken in December and late March. Queries should be directed to the school at Pasir Panjang, P.O. Box 15, Singapore 9111, Republic of Singapore. Dover Court Preparatory School is an international boarding and day preparatory school for children in pre-kindergarten through grade nine. Current enrollment numbers some 900 students; Americans represent a small percentage. Classrooms are large, light, airy, and well equipped. The buildings are set in 12 acres of park land, and the school has ample playing areas. A tennis court and facilities for swimming, athletics, and football are available. The school year, comprised of three terms, begins in September and ends in July. A limited number of boarding facilities are offered to children of all nationalities from ages six through 13. A Child Guidance Center at the Dover Court site provides individual therapy. The center offers a full psycho-educational testing program and individual therapy for children who have learning disabilities or emotional and behavioral problems. There are some boarding facilities. Further information is available from the school at Dover Road, Singapore 0513, Republic of Singapore. Another institution with a British curriculum is the Tanglin Trust Schools located six miles from the city center, near the National University of Singapore. The coeducational, day school for children ages three to 11 has a definite British focus; no Americans attend. The address is Portsdown Road, Singapore 0513, Republic of Singapore. Singapore universities enroll some foreign students. The Chinese Language and Research Center, located on the Nanyang Campus of the National University of Singapore (NUS), is popular with Chinese language specialists. American students cannot enroll in degree programs. The National University of Singapore has a non-credit, evening lecture series on a variety of subjects. The Vocational Industrial Training Board offers a number of practical courses such as boat handling, interior decorating, Japanese flower arranging, silk screen printing, photography, and woodworking; these are open to Americans upon application. Courses in Chinese cooking, yoga, painting, mah-jongg, etc., are available through the YWCA. The American Women's Association, the Pan Pacific South-East Asian Women's Association, the Chinese Women's Association, and other groups offer similar programs. Language-study programs are available. The Alliance Française offers a complete range of courses in French. Both the NUS and the Vocational Industrial Training Board teach several languages in evening classes. NUS offers full-time Mandarin instruction. A commercial language center features up-to-date language equipment. Recreation Opportunities for touring and sight-seeing in the Singapore area are nearly limitless. Some of the most interesting places are: The Botanical Gardens. Singapore is famous for these gardens, where the first rubber saplings of Southeast Asia were brought from South America and planted. Today, thousands of exotic tropical plants flourish, including rare orchid hybrids. Black swans float on a tranquil lake. It is a gorgeous park and well worth a Sunday afternoon's stroll. The Mandai Orchid Gardens, truly a land of orchids. In these gardens alone are thousands of colorful hybrids, many of which have won acclaim in international flower shows, but commercial shipments often strip the gardens of their flowers. Jurong Bird Park, the world's largest and most colorful aviary, inhabited by thousands of feathered creatures, including dozens of rare species. Electric tram cars take visitors around the park, and to the world's tallest man-made waterfall as well. Singapore Zoological Gardens, one of the most modern zoos in existence. Here, most animals live in a natural setting—a promontory with lawns, trees, and shrubs. An electric train takes visitors around the gardens. Mount Faber—Sentosa Island. If one wishes to escape from Singapore proper, the cable car at Mount Faber can be taken to the Island of Sentosa. Mount Faber is 385 feet above sea level, the perfect spot to watch the sun go down and lights come up in the city. Telescopes are provided for an excellent view of the harbor, the Southern Islands and, on a clear day, the Indonesian Archipelago. Sentosa is a lush unspoiled island with a natural forest and a quiet village. Features include a superb 18-hole golf course on the sea, the world's first coralarium, and a swimming lagoon and picnic area. The Surrender Chamber is also located on this island; this is a replica of the site of the original surrendering of Singapore by the Japanese Occupation Forces to the Allied Forces after World War II. The range of sight-seeing in Singapore also includes Tiger Balm Gardens, which features grotesque plaster and stone figures representing demons, grottos, and scenes from Chinese myth and legend. Chinatown lies in and around New Bridge Road and, although many of the old shop houses are being demolished, visitors can still see medicine men and fortune tellers on the sidewalk. There are more than 500 Chinese and Indian temples in Singapore, notable among them the exotic Sri Mariamman Hindu temple on South Bridge Road, the Sultan Mosque, and the Buddhist Temple of One Thousand Lights. Other interesting places to visit are Chinese and Japanese Gardens, Van Kleef Aquarium and the Kranji War Memorial. A small National Museum features a limited study of the natural history of the region and houses an impressive jade collection. The National University of Singapore maintains a small but excellent collection of Oriental ceramics which presently is on long-term loan to the National Museum. The National Art Gallery presents exhibits by local and international artists. As a duty free port, Singapore offers many imported items below European prices. Movie cameras, calculators, watches, household appliances, sporting equipment, and leather goods are some products which may be purchased at discount, although prices can vary widely between establishments. Good, but expensive, jade and antiques from Burma , China, and Thailand may be purchased in some of the elegant shops in the Tanglin Road area. In the North Bridge Road, Arab Street, and Serangoon Road districts, crafts such as Chinese figurines, rattan and cane furniture, batik, and silk are available. The best places for casual shopping are the large shopping centers on Orchard and Tanglin Roads and People's Park on New Bridge Road. In general, Americans in Singapore rely on Malaysia for weekend excursions or more extended trips. The Malaysian macadam, two-lane roads are good, although narrow, and frequent congestion often results in extended delays on the causeway into Malaysia. Rest houses, run by the government, are inexpensive, usually clean and comfortable (if unglamorous), and are found throughout Malaysia. Dining facilities provide Chinese, Indian, and Malay food, as well as simple Western dishes. The Safari Park, north of Singapore in Johore State, Malaysia, features wild animals roaming freely in an enclosed area. Visitors drive through the park in cars to observe the animals in their natural habitat. Malaysia's east coast, up to the northern border, has roads that are passable during dry months. However, in the rainy season, allowances must be made for flooded road conditions. A few streams and rivers still have unreliable ferry systems, although modern bridges are presently being constructed. A three-hour drive up the east coast will lead to Mersing, where visitors can stay at the rest house, rent boats, and visit the uninhabited paradise-type islands with clear blue water, palm trees, and white beaches. Instruction or participation in most sports is available, but may require membership in a club. Golf, bowling, tennis, squash, rugby, soccer, softball, swimming, sailing, horseback riding, scuba diving, judo, yoga, and ice skating are among those available here. The Singapore Swimming Club has a large saltwater pool, and badminton is also available. The American Club is noted for its bowling lanes, and offers opportunities to join leagues; the pool here is small, but excellent for children. Tennis, squash, and racquetball facilities are available. The Cricket Club features tennis (eight grass courts), squash, and cricket. Golf is popular. The Singapore Island Country Club has four excellent courses at two separate locations, but membership is expensive and the waiting period is usually several years. Other golf clubs are the Warren, Changi, Seletar, Keppel, Sembawang, Jurong, and Tengah. These are nine-hole courses, less expensive, and with shorter waiting periods for membership. Non-members can play on weekdays by paying greens fees. The Singapore Tennis Center, with nine outdoor and three indoor courts operating on the principle of U.S. tennis centers, is open to the public for hourly and seasonal rental. The Singapore Sports Council operates several swimming pools, a dozen or so squash courts, more than 30 tennis courts, and a short seven-hole golf course. All are open to the public for a nominal fee. The YMCA and YWCA offer tennis, squash, martial arts such as karate and Tai Kwon Do, yoga, and other sports and recreational activities for a nominal charge. Boating is popular; sailboats and motor-boats are available, as are opportunities for water-skiing and scuba diving. Surprisingly, beaches are poor and scarce; the best are located offshore and in Malaysia, and can be reached only by boat. Singapore has several yacht clubs, including the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, the Singapore Sailing Club in Changi, and the Singapore Armed Forces Yacht Club. Dinghies and motor-boats are available for daily and monthly charter at most clubs for nominal fee. Malaysia is no longer good hunting country, and game conservation efforts are being made. Wild pig is about the only game bagged, despite occasional reports in the press of tigers and rogue elephants. Import and licensing of firearms is strictly controlled, and a permit for possession is obtained only after considerable delay. Some surf fishing is done off the Malaysian coast. Taman Negara National Park, north of Kuala Lumpur , is well stocked for stream and river fishing. The park is accessible only by river. Because of the heat and the beating sun, hiking is not an enjoyable sport here; however, a men's cross-country running club meets in the evening. Jungle hiking is quite pleasant in the cool hill country of Malaysia. Farther up the east coast are beaches and good accommodations. From May to September, one can see the sea turtles which come up at night to lay their eggs on most of the beaches along the east coast. However, in Malaysia, as elsewhere in the world today, some of the beaches are polluted. Two popular spots on the west coast are Malacca, the old Dutch and Portuguese trading center, once the hub of trade before Singapore was founded in 1819; and Port Dickson, a beach resort which has fishing, swimming, sailing, and water-skiing facilities. Both are five to six hours by car from Singapore and have good accommodations. Trips to Kuala Lumpur and Penang take more than two days, except by air. Also, a longer journey is required to visit one of the hill stations in Malaysia. Fraser's Hill (about two hours' drive from Kuala Lumpur) and Cameron Highlands (five hours' drive), have a definite colonial atmosphere. A resort with high-rise hotel and gambling facilities is located at Genting Highlands (one hour). A visit to any of these places provides a refreshing climatic change, since they are 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Singapore. They offer golf and hiking. Entertainment Several air-conditioned, first-run movie theaters show most recent American, British, and Chinese films. High quality but less popular art films are shown at the Goethe Institut. Some private clubs and film societies offer members a wide spectrum of classic, popular films. A number of commercial video-tape rental shops exist (PAL system). All films and videos are censored. The government-sponsored Singapore Symphony Orchestra made its debut in early 1979 and features both guest conductors and soloists. Instrumental and choral groups, and solo musicians also give public recitals. Popular artists and groups frequently appear at various hotels and in large outdoor concerts. Musical programs are contributed by Singapore's various ethnic groups, ranging from Western ensemble to traditional Malay kronchong (orchestra) music. Those who wish to participate in musical activities have many opportunities to do so. A number of capable amateur groups present plays. Impresarios sponsor an occasional one-man show or small theatre troupe. Traditional Chinese opera and Indian and Malay dances are popular in Singapore. The Singapore National Library, considered one of the best in the area, has more than 400,000 English-language books, plus a smaller number in the other official languages. The National University of Singapore's extensive library facilities may be used with permission granted on individual application. Small libraries are maintained in the American Club and the Tanglin Club for members' use, as well as a number of small specialized collections scattered throughout the city. Singapore has many well-stocked bookstores. A good selection of both American and British paperbacks are available at prices somewhat higher than in the U.S. Selection is good at Singapore's many record and tape stores, but new releases are not always available. Dining is a pleasure here. Singapore has a variety of inexpensive restaurants and, with concerted attempts to lure tourists and the resultant hotel boom, the number of good eating places has multiplied. Variety in style, quality, and price is infinite—from outdoor stalls to elegant continental dining. Every type of Chinese, Indian, Malay, and Indonesian food is available in Singapore. The food at outdoor night markets and also at daytime food stalls near Telok Ayer Market is excellent, and visitors need not worry about unhygienic preparation. Curries and Indian vegetarian food can be found, and there also are establishments where Nonya food—a unique mixture of Chinese ingredients and Malay cooking—is served. Western food is also available. The local Tiger beer is excellent, and Singapore is one of only a few places in Asia where water can be consumed safely. Opportunities abound to devote time to charity. Many institutions for orphans and for the handicapped welcome volunteers. The Singapore American Community Action Council (SACAC), created in 1973, works with the American schools here to combat drug abuse and promote a healthy home environment by providing counseling and sponsoring activities for singles, families and young people. The American Women's Association (AWA) is a large and active organization whose monthly meetings usually feature a speaker. The AWA sponsors many trips, courses, and activities, and provides outreach opportunities for volunteers. The American Business Council, a large group of resident Americans representing most of the U.S. companies in Singapore, discusses business matters through specialized committees. Singapore offers an interesting and varied social life; an individual's work and personal wishes determine the degree of involvement. Singaporeans are friendly and sociable; opportunities to meet members of the large and growing multi-national business community are numerous. The Singapore Tourist Promotion Board is located at Raffles City Tower 36-04, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 0617. OTHER CITY JURONG , in the western section of Singapore, is one of the largest industrial sites in Southeast Asia. Jurong is not a separate city, but is known as an "industrial town." Over 3,000 companies are situated in 20 industrial estates, employing almost 70 percent of the country's work force. Industries include shipbuilding yards, a steel pipe factory, and an oil refinery. The National Iron and Steel Mill is the city's industrial center. Jurong has a short history, dating only to the early 1960s. Singapore's secession from the Malaysia federation in 1965 slowed the suburb's growth. Jurong Bird Park, with the world's largest walk-in aviary, and the Chinese and Japanese Gardens—the Japanese being one of the largest such gardens outside of Japan—are among tourist spots. The Singapore Science Center, located here, covers physical and life sciences, specifically for younger visitors. Jurong Town has a university, and all social amenities. COUNTRY PROFILE Geography and Climate Singapore is a small and almost entirely urbanized island (225 square miles at high tide). It lies 85 miles north of the equator, off the tip of the Malay Peninsula, from which it is separated by the Straits of Johore. A causeway, with both a road and a railway, crosses the three-quarters of a mile to the Malay mainland. Relatively flat (highest elevation 581 feet), the maximum distance from east to west is 26 miles and from north to south, 14 miles. The Republic of Singapore consists of Singapore Island and 54 smaller islands. Vegetation is lush and tropical. Seasons are nonexistent. Here in the "Land of Eternal Summer," the mean high is 82°F and the mean low, 77°F. For its location, however, Singapore is not as hot as might be expected and, at times, it is surprisingly cool because of sea breezes. Humidity is high (average 70%) and annual rainfall is 96 inches. Wet and dry seasons are somewhat indistinct, but November through February are wetter than the other months and tend to be cooler. Over a period of time, the climate can be oppressive. Depending on the length of one's stay, the lack of climatic variation coupled with the difficulty of leaving the island may cause psychological weariness. For this reason regular exercise and frequent vacations are important here. Even in a clean city like Singapore, the tropical climate seems to foster diseases; germs and viruses thrive here. Many people who have scant history of illness complain of recurring colds and other infections. Enthusiastic air conditioning probably contributes to respiratory problems. Many restaurants and shops are uncomfortably overcooled. Humidity makes mildew a problem—books, records, leather items, or anything that is not used or aired regularly or stored in air conditioning is vulnerable. Closets and bureau drawers take on a musty odor that is difficult to eliminate. Rust is also a problem; metal items that are not painted or tropicalized begin to rust in a short time. Singapore, like every other tropical area, has its share of cockroaches, water bugs, small pesky ants, and termites. Flies are almost nonexistent. Mosquitoes can be annoying despite strenuous efforts to control them, but malaria is not a problem. Population Singapore's population is almost 4.3 million (2001 est.). The average annual growth rate is 3.5%. Most of the population (77%) is ethnically Chinese; Malays comprise 14% of the population; and Indians 7.9% A fascinating melange of cultures fulfills the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board promise of "Instant Asia." Because of the multi-racial character of the society, there are many sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the East. Chinese, English, Malay, and Tamil (the language of southeastern India ) are official languages. Most Chinese are descendants of immigrants from China's southern provinces, and their main dialects are Hokkien, Teochew, and Cantonese. The government is stressing the learning of Mandarin by all Singaporeans, particularly the Chinese. English is used for administration; about 75 percent of Singapore's citizens speak and understand at least rudimentary English. A knowledge of one of the other tongues is not necessary, but Chinese and Malay can be useful—the latter, especially, for traveling in Malaysia. Singapore is a secular state with considerable religious tolerance. The main religions are Taoism , Islam , Buddhism (mostly Mahayana), Christianity (almost equally divided between Catholic and Protestant), and Hinduism . Two holidays of each of the major groups in Singapore are set aside for national observance. Sikhs, Jews, Zoroastrians, and Jains are also represented. The cultural patterns are equally rich in variety. In a multi-racial society, each ethnic group stresses its traditions to preserve its individuality. For example, Thaipusam, a Hindu religious observance, is dying out in India, but is celebrated with fervor in Singapore. Chinese New Year, in January or February, is a two-week festival marked by feasting and home celebration. Muslims celebrate Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji with equal enthusiasm. Multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural—herein lies some of the fascination of Singapore. Except for Muslim or Hindu dietary restrictions, which generally must be honored when entertaining Malays or Indians, few taboos differ markedly from those in America. Government Singapore's parliamentary democracy government is based on full adult suffrage. Voting is compulsory. Parliament's 83 members are elected for a maximum of five years. Members usually speak English but may speak in any of the four official languages, and simultaneous translation is provided. Before the constitution was amended in 1991, Singapore's largely ceremonial president was elected to a four-year term by the Parliament. The amended constitution retains the term length, but the president is now elected by the people. In addition, the president gained control over the spending of the country's significant monetary reserves and over certain civil service appointments. In 1996, however, the Parliament enacted governmental reforms that curtailed the president's veto power. Ong Teng Cheong was elected in 1993 in Singapore's first popular presidential election. The current president is Sellapan Ramanathan (1999). The president appoints as new prime minister the member of Parliament with the most support. The cabinet is also chosen by the president, but with the advice of the prime minister. Most governmental affairs are handled by the prime minister and cabinet. Lee Kuan Yew had been the only prime minister in the country's history when he left office (1959-1990). Goh Chok Tong succeeded him. The three major political parties are the People's Action Party (authoritarian), the Workers' Party of Singapore (social-democratic) and the Singapore Democratic Alliance. Singapore's government has long been known as restrictive, with social stability often taking precedence over individual liberty. Examples of this government authoritarianism include: the management and control of all television and radio broadcasting, control over news publications, and maintaining the power to interfere with the activities of opposition political parties. The government's policy of flogging criminals received international attention in 1993 when an American was sentenced for vandalism and receiving stolen goods. Singapore is a land of the entrepreneur, a free port, and a significant importer of food and agricultural products. However, as the major trading center for Southeast Asia, it trades or transships 75 percent of its imports to neighboring markets. The government is committed to a mixed policy allowing a high degree of free enterprise, but also is heavily involved in commerce and industry. In addition, an extensive social development program of education, housing, medical care, and social welfare has been instituted. One of the most impressive achievements is low-cost public housing. Some 86 percent of Singapore's population live in high-rise apartments built by the government. The flag of Singapore consists of red and white horizontal divisions; in the upper left canton are a white crescent and five white stars. Arts, Science, Education Education is not compulsory, but primary education is free for the children of Singapore citizens, and is universally available. The government endeavors to provide at least 10 years of education for each child. Literacy is at 93.5% (1999). In line with the government policy on bilingualism, each child must learn two languages, English and a choice of one of the other official languages—Chinese, Malay, or Tamil. Thus, the multi-lingual aspect of Singapore is being preserved. The cost of secondary education is nominal. The government promotes technical and vocational education at the secondary level to enhance employment opportunities for the younger generation. The Vocational and Industrial Training Board (VITB) was established in 1979 to provide vocational training and to conduct continuing education and training. It offers about 50 courses to approximately 20,000 students in applied arts, commercial, industrial, and service skills at its 15 training institutes. Singapore has six institutions of higher learning: the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological Institute, Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, the Institute of Education, and the College of Physical Education. The NUS offers courses leading to bachelor degrees in eight faculties; namely, arts and social sciences, law, science, medicine, dentistry, engineering, architecture and building, accounting and business administration. Graduate degrees are available in most faculties. The Nanyang Technological Institute conducts practice-oriented engineering courses at university level. The Institute of Education, in conjunction with the NUS, offers graduate-degree programs in education. Singapore Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic are two institutions that provide courses mainly at technician level. These institutions offer courses comparable to those at U.S. junior colleges. Each year, a large number of Singaporean students go abroad to the U.S., Canada , Australia, New Zealand, or Great Britain for higher studies. Government policy is to preserve and nurture the traditions of the various ethnic communities. Hence, the arts in Singapore are as varied as its cultural heritage. Amateur organizations regularly use dance, drama, and musical performances to reflect the diverse cultures of various ethnic groups. In addition, foreign troupes and companies and popular recording artists have performed to full houses and appreciative audiences. The Cultural Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Community Development, and, to a lesser extent, the National Theater Trust, are the principal impresarios, with sponsorship from the government, diplomatic missions, the business community, and foundations. The premier cultural event is the Festival of Arts, held biennially since 1977. The month-long festival features outstanding local, regional, and international productions, representing all facets of the performing arts. The Houston Ballet, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Magic Theater of San Francisco , and jazz greats Ellis Marsalis, Billy Taylor, and Herbie Mann are some of the American groups that have participated in previous festivals. The Ministry organizes annual jazz, drama, and choral festivals. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), a full-time professional orchestra, performs regularly at the Victoria Concert Hall and occasionally gives outdoor performances at parks and community centers. The Symphony's season is divided into four quarterly series, each consisting of six to eight pairs of concerts. The SSO also performs familiar favorites concerts, featuring lighter music. The Orchestra often features renowned conductors and soloists as guest performers. The National Museum offers handsome displays of Singapore's social and culture history, and an audiovisual show to bring it all up to date. The National Museum Art Gallery, which houses a permanent collection of contemporary works by local and Malaysian artists, regularly organizes short-term exhibitions by Singaporean artists, and hosts quality exhibitions from abroad. The Young People's Gallery displays students' arts and crafts and holds workshops for schoolchildren. The Singapore Science Centre, established in 1970, is rated as one of the most outstanding institutions of its kind in the world. Its five exhibition galleries contain over 500 exhibits, many of them "participatory," which are regularly updated. The center has research facilities and hosts public lectures and scientific conferences. Its Omni-Theater, opened in 1987, houses a 274-seat omniplanetarium where images are projected onto a curved viewing area, extending over the audience's heads and beyond their peripheral vision, giving the illusion of a ride through space. Commerce and Industry Singapore is one of the world's smallest nations and also one of the most prosperous. Factors responsible for this prosperity include: a strategic location; availability of skilled, well-paid labor; tax and other financial incentives; and upto-date telecommunications. Singapore is a free trading country and a significant importer of food and agricultural products. The government is committed to a policy of free enterprise but is involved in commerce and industry. During the past 20 years, Singapore's economic growth has been rapid. Per capita gross domestic product ( GDP ) was $26,500 in 2000, one of the highest in Asia. The commercial and industrial structure has diversified from a primarily entrepôt trading base to include a wide range of manufacturing services and financial activities. Today, Singapore ranks as a significant oil refining center, one of the world's busiest ports, and a major financial, communications, transportation, and medical services center. The government is making a concerted effort to move the economy away from labor-intensive manufacturing to a more high tech and service orientation. The service sector accounts for 70% of the GDP, with 35% of the workforce involved; industry is 30% of the GDP with over 20% of the workforce involved. Singapore's economic policies are attractive to foreign investors and have led to a significant multinational business presence here. The U.S. is the largest foreign investor in Singapore, accounting for about 54% of investment commitments. U.S. interests are primarily in petroleum refining, offshore oil exploration, diversified manufacturing, and electronics. The activities of U.S. firms also include shipping, banking, hotels, insurance, importing, and exporting. The resident American community numbers over 7,000. The European Union and Japan are next in line in terms foreign investors. The U.S., Japan and Malaysia are Singapore's major trading partners. Trade with Indonesia is also substantial. Entrepôt trade, Singapore's traditional role in the region, now provides a smaller percentage of the Gross National Product (GNP), but has continued to increase in value. Singapore imports mainly capital goods and raw materials for industry, and exports a variety of locally manufactured products, crude rubber, electrical machinery, and finished textile goods. The American Business Council of Singapore is located at 354 Orchard Road, #10-12 Shaw House, Singapore 0923; the telephone number is (65) 235-0077. The Singapore Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry is at 03-01 Chinese Chamber of Commerce Building, 47 Hill Street, Singapore 0617; telephone: (65) 338-9761. Transportation Singapore, a hub of air and sea transportation, is served by more than 40 airlines and about 250 shipping lines. Air flights link neighboring countries, and distances are thought of in terms of air miles (e.g., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 204; Jakarta , Indonesia, 557; Bangkok , Thailand, 897; Manila , Philippines , 1,481; Hong Kong , 1,607). Air travel between Singapore and other cities in the region is expensive by U.S. standards. United and Northwest have connecting flights from the U.S. via either Hong Kong or Tokyo . Singapore's Changi International Airport is one of the best airports in the world. The Singapore terminus of the Malayan National Railroad has service to Kuala Lumpur and Penang, and connections through to Bangkok and other points in Thailand. Service is good, and cars are clean and sometimes air-conditioned. Second-and third-class travel is recommended to only the hardiest of souls. The trip from Singapore to Penang takes 20 to 22 hours. Taxis are plentiful, except during rush hour and when it rains. Taxis are affordable, clean, and safe. Bus service is frequent and cheap; however, many buses are not air conditioned. MRT, the underground rapid transit system, is one of the world's best. Recently completed, the central city is well served by this inexpensive, fast transportation. Singapore's major roads and streets are, by Asian standards, excellent. They are continually being widened to accommodate increasing traffic. A causeway connects Singapore with western Malaysia, which also has a good road system and many interesting places to visit. However, extended delays are encountered on weekends and holidays, and driving in Malaysia is frequently hazardous. As a result of increasing traffic congestion on the island, several restrictive measures have been imposed in an effort to control private ownership of automobiles. Road taxes have been raised, an Area License Scheme placed into effect, and a surcharge imposed on cars over 10 years old. These road taxes are levied on motor cubic-centimeter capacity. Driving is on the left, and right-hand-drive cars are used universally. A Singapore driver's license may be obtained on presentation of a valid license and a passport. Third party liability insurance is mandatory. Small cars are easier to maneuver in Singapore's traffic and on Malaysia's narrow roads. European, Japanese, and Australian models are available. U.S. made cars are practically nonexistent in Singapore. The used car market is substantial. Auto repairs generally cost about the same as in the U.S. Spare parts for U.S. manufactured cars are not available. Cars may be rented daily, weekly, or monthly. Communications Telephone service is better in Singapore than in other major Southeast Asian cities. Direct dialing is available to most major cities. It is easy to call the U.S. from Singapore; connections are usually excellent and rates are relatively inexpensive. Commercial telegraph service to the U.S. is available and reliable. International mail service is efficient. Airmail between Singapore and the U.S. is less than a week in transit. Mail within Southeast Asia is sometimes less dependable. The state-owned Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) operates nine radio channels and broadcasts daily on AM and FM from 6 a.m. to midnight, with programs in English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil on separate frequencies. Programs are varied and news is reported on the hour. A 24-hour FM (stereo) popular music station broadcasts in English. Voice of America (VOA) morning and evening newscasts can be heard on shortwave; British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) "World Service" broadcasts are relayed on FM 24 hours a day. Listeners can also receive a 24-hour FM (stereo) popular music station from a nearby Indonesian island that broadcasts in English and Indonesian. Three Singaporean (government controlled) and three Malaysian color television channels are received here. Weekday telecasts begin in late afternoon and end about midnight. Sunday and holiday telecasts begin at 9 a.m.; Saturday telecasts start at 1 p.m. Programming is in English, Mandarin, Tamil, and Malay. Many American programs are shown, including popular series and documentaries, although they are generally a year or so old. Channel 12, which shows cultural, educational, and informational programs (mainly in English), begins transmission at 7:30 p.m. daily for four hours. The TV system is 625 PAL; American sets will not operate in Singapore without expensive, and sometimes unsuccessful, alterations. TV rentals are available. TV's, video players, and all types of radios can be purchased locally at reasonable prices. Three English-language daily newspapers are published in Singapore: the Straits Times, the Business Times, and the New Paper, an afternoon tabloid. International news coverage in the Straits Times is excellent. The International Herald Tribune and USA Today are printed in Singapore via satellite and are available on newsstands the same day of U.S. distribution. The Asian Wall Street Journal and the Far Eastern Economic Review are not sold in Singapore. In 1987, the government accused both of interfering in local politics and sales were curbed. Later, the publications ceased distribution altogether. International editions of Time and Newsweek are on the stands every Thursday, and the Asian edition of Reader's Digest is also available. American magazines are available on newsstands, but are a month or so late and cost two or three times their U.S. price; highly specialized and most general interest magazines are not available. Often U.K. or Australian magazines are more readily available. Health and Medicine Facilities are adequate for most health problems. For outpatient care, Americans usually go to doctors at commercial clinics. Competent specialists in almost every field can be found in Singapore. Most doctors have been trained in Singapore, England , Australia, the U.S., or Canada. Adequate pediatric and obstetric services also are available. Most Americans use Mt. Elizabeth, Gleneagles, Mt. Alvernia, American Hospital, Thomson Medical Center, Youngberg Memorial Adventist, or Jurong Hospitals. All are well managed and efficient. Excellent dental and ophthalmologic care is available. Prescriptions can be filled locally. Singapore is probably the cleanest city in Asia. Sewage and garbage disposal is never a problem. Daily trash collection is efficient. Water is potable and normally in good supply, although rationing may be imposed during prolonged drought. The government keeps up a constant battle against mosquitoes and other insects. Flies have been all but eradicated. Ants and cockroaches are more of a problem here than in temperate climates. Americans have found the typical overseas precautions in food preparation unnecessary in Singapore. Locally packaged food causes no ill effects. Most local restaurants, including hawker stalls, are safe. Singapore has few health hazards. Malaria has been eradicated, although it may be picked up in Malaysia or Indonesia. Dengue fever is more of a problem. It, too, is transmitted by mosquitoes and is enervating, lasting two or three months. Occasionally, there is a case of cholera, but such cases are few and are immediately isolated. Children sometimes contract tropical fevers of unknown origin which may last from one to three days but, in general, Singapore provides a good environment for young children. Serious dysentery is rare. Respiratory ailments, however, are quite common. The heat and humidity increase the incidence of skin problems; treatment should be sought at the first sign of trouble, since infections spread quickly. The yellow fever shot is the only vaccination required for entry into Singapore, and only for those arriving from infected areas. Cholera and smallpox immunizations are not necessary. NOTES FOR TRAVELERS Passage, Customs & Duties Singapore is about halfway around the world from Washington, DC, and is served by numerous air and shipping lines. Two American carriers, Northwest and United, provide service between the U.S. and Singapore. A valid passport is required. U.S. citizens do not need a visa if their visit is for business or pleasure and their stay is for 90 days or less. The Government of Singapore generally allows Americans to enter with less than six months of validity remaining on their passport, but some neighboring countries, particularly Indonesia, do not. Specific information about entry requirements for Singapore may be sought from the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore at 3501 International Place, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 537-3100. Please see also the Singapore Government home page on the Internet at http://www.gov.sg/ . Singapore customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Singapore of items such as firearms, illegal drugs, certain religious materials, chewing gum, videotapes, CD's, and software (for censorship or pirating reasons). It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Singapore in Washington, D.C. for specific information regarding customs requirements. Singapore customs officials encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA carnet headquarters, located at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York , N.Y. 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA carnet in the United States . For additional information, please call (212) 354-4480, or send e-mail to [email protected] or visit http://www.uscib.org for details. Visitors should be aware of Singapore's strict laws and penalties for a variety of actions that might not be illegal or might be considered minor offenses in the United States, including jaywalking, littering and spitting, failure to flush at public toilets, and the importation, sale or personal use of chewing gum. Singapore has a mandatory caning sentence for vandalism offenses. Caning may also be imposed for immigration violations and other offenses. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Singapore has a mandatory death penalty for many narcotics offenses. Commercial disputes that may be handled as civil suits in the United States can escalate to criminal cases in Singapore and result in heavy fines and prison sentences. There are no jury trials in Singapore. Judges hear cases and decide sentencing. The Government of Singapore does not provide legal assistance except in capital cases. Pets The Immigration Department of the Government of Singapore requests six weeks' notice of intent to import a cat or dog. Dogs and cats are quarantined for a minimum of 30 days from the date of arrival and regardless of certificate of rabies immunization will be given a rabies vaccination upon arrival. Other animals are classified differently. Quarantine facilities are modern and adequate. Visiting hours are liberal, and pet owners may see their animals at the Animal Quarantine Station, 51 Jalan Buroh, Jurong Town, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The station is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Firearms & Ammunition Stringent controls are imposed on the importation of firearms. Licenses are issued only to members of the Singapore Gun Club or the Singapore Rifle Association. Currency, Banking and Weights and Measures The Singapore dollar currency is based on the decimal system. Singapore uses the metric system of weights and measures. The time in Singapore is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus eight. LOCAL HOLIDAYS Jan. 1 …New Year's Day Feb. … Chinese New Year* *variable RECOMMENDED READING The following titles are provided as a general indication of the material published on this country: Barber, Noel. Sinister Twilight: The Fall and Rise Again of Singapore. London: W. Collins, 1968. ——. Tanamera. New York: Macmillan, 1981. Bedlington, Stanley S. Malaysia and Singapore: The Building of New States. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1978. Bloodworth, Dennis. The Tiger and the Trojan Horse. Singapore: Times Books International, 1986. Chen, Peter S.J., ed. Singapore Development Policies and Trends. Singapore: Oxford University Press, 1983. Chew, Ernest C.T., and Edwin Lee, eds. A History of Singapore. Singapore: Oxford University Press, 1991. Clutterbuck, R. Riot and Revolution in Singapore. London: Faber, 1973. Collis, Maurice. Raffles. New York:J. Day, 1968. Drysdale, John. Singapore: The Struggle for Success. Singapore: Times Books International, 1984. George, Thayil Jacob Sony. Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore. London: A. Deutsch, 1973. Kirby, S.W. Singapore: The Chain of Disaster. London: Cassell, 1971. Lim Chong Yah. Economic Restructuring in Singapore. Singapore: Federal Publications, 1984. Moore, Donald, and Joanna Moore. The First 150 Years of Singapore. Singapore: Donald Moore Press, 1969. Saw, Swee-hock, and R.S. Bathal, eds. Singapore Towards the Year 2000. Singapore: Singapore University Press for Singapore Association for the Advancement of Science, 1981. The Singapore Economy: The New Direction; Reports of the Economics Committee. Singapore: Ministry of Trade & Industry, 1986. Cite this article Primary: 93% History & Background Singapore has a total area of about 224.5 square miles. It includes one principal island and 58 islets. It is located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula at the end of the Straits of Malacca. A substantial amount of shipping passes through the Straits, which serves as a passage between the Indian and the Pacific oceans. Singapore is connected to Johore, a province of the Federation of Malaysia , by a half-mile long causeway. Its historic connections with Malaya account for a large part of its ethnic Malay population, its partial Malay culture, its investments in Malaya's tin, its service to Malaysia as a principal port for the latter's exports and imports in its (Singapore's) corporate sector, and its dependence on water and food supplies from Johore. Singapore's port facilities are crucial for the economic well-being of many nearby countries, notably Japan . Singapore is well connected by sea and air to most countries of the world. Singapore is a modern, industrial nation that emerged from a century and a half of British colonial rule in 1965. Singapore decided to change from a free port marketing economy to a manufacturing and service industry economy. It soon advanced to become the regional hub of Southeast Asia in a number of fields, including economy, communications, and education. Since the 1980s, Singapore has aspired to be a global leader in specific areas, particularly in information technology. Its leadership has, since the 1960s, focused on education as a way of reaching their goals. Its citizens have placed a high priority on education and have demonstrated their readiness to invest heavily in education. The Republic of Singapore's ambition to be the regional leader in education has been realized by the location of several prestigious institutions and organizations in the island nation. The Regional Language Center (RELC) offers education in many languages to students from the member countries of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). In 1970, the governments and universities in the region established the Regional Institute of Higher Education and Development (RIHED) in Singapore. The country also houses the Colombo Plan Staff College for Technical Education (CPSC), which offers technical training to 27 Colombo Plan countries. Singapore's first census was taken in 1871. The 1990 census was the third since Singapore's independence. In 1995, Singapore conducted a mid-decade census, based on annual projections. In 1996, the total population was 3,044,300 people, of which 1,531,100 were males and an almost equal number (1,513,200) were females. The population belonged principally to three ethnic communities: Chinese about 78 percent, Malays about 14 percent, and Indians about 7 percent. The predominant Chinese population comes from almost all parts of China , Hong Kong , and Taiwan . Although other Chinese languages are spoken, Mandarin Chinese has emerged as a common Chinese language for instructional and official purposes. The Malays, though predominantly from the Malay Peninsula, also include immigrants from the numerous Indonesian islands. The largest group of Indians is the Tamilspeaking peoples from South India. The official languages of Singapore for education are Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil, and English. The language most used for official and business purposes is English. The census figures included only regular citizens and those granted permanent residence in Singapore. The transient population of ships' crew and passengers, tourists, and those in transit is enormous, almost twice the number of its regular inhabitants. Singapore's struggle since its independence has been to establish a balance between national integration with a common identity and the opportunity for the different ethnic groups to maintain their individual heritage. Education, particularly at the primary and secondary levels, is regarded in this context as an essential vehicle to achieve harmony and separate ethnic identities. Before the founding of Singapore in 1819 as a free port by Sir Stamford Raffles, it was a fishing village with a population of barely 500. Within a year of its establishment as a free port, the population jumped to 5,000. Its growth continued exponentially and, in the process, attracted people from everywhere, particularly China, Malaya, and South India. Noting the potential strategic significance of Singapore in the region for East-West trade and shipping, Raffles reported to his superiors in England : Our object is not territory but trade: a great commercial emporium and a fulcrum whence we may extend our influence politically as circumstances may hereafter require....One free port in these seas must eventually destroy the spell of Dutch monopoly; and what Malta is in the West, that may Singapore be in the East. Following the liberal economic philosophy of Adam Smith , the free port status of Singapore offered facilities to shipping of all nations; this tradition has been maintained by Singapore. The status of a free port became the foundation of Singapore's prosperity. In 1826, Singapore became part of the Straits Settlements, along with two other British port acquisitions on the Malay Peninsula (Melaka [Malacca] and Penang) with Singapore as its capital. In 1867, the Straits Settlements were turned, like Hong Kong, into a "crown colony," which meant that it served special imperial interests and its progress towards self-government would be slower than in the colonies. Known for his excellent administrative acumen, Raffles opened the first school, the Singapore Free School, in 1823, with its goal being to train clerks for the commercial houses of Singapore. The liberal Raffles wanted the school to admit students from the different ethnic communities on a basis of equality. The opening of the Free School was, however, delayed until 1834, because Raffles was recalled to England. When it opened, the school fulfilled Raffles' dream of providing education to everyone, without regard to religion or ethnic origins. However, the Chinese community stayed away from it, preferring to educate their children in the Chinese-language schools funded and managed by Chinese philanthropists. Such schools were patterned on the traditional schools in China, where the curriculum included the writing of Chinese characters, the use of the abacus in mathematics, and the study of Confucian literature. In 1840, the Singapore Free School was renamed the Singapore Institution Free School. In the year following its takeover by the Colonial Office in 1868, it was renamed the Raffles Institution. Between 1819 and 1867, the brunt of the responsibility for primary and secondary education was assumed by missionaries: the London Missionary Society, the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions, and the French Society of Foreign Missions. Its graduates found ready employment in the growing city where commercial houses and government bureaucracy needed personnel with knowledge of English, local language, and mathematics for clerical and other subordinate positions. Although these were private schools, the government gave them financial support through a grants-in-aid program. In 1867, when the Straits Settlements (including Singapore) were transferred from the jurisdiction of the India Office in London to that of the Colonial Office with the status of a "Crown Colony," Singapore received more attention. The government opened a number of "branch schools" in the three Straits Settlements of Singapore, Melaka, and Penang, offering a special three-year training in English language through Malay, Chinese, and Tamil. In 1885, special incentives were offered in the form of Queen's Scholarships to gifted students who had the potential for higher-level education in Britain . Following the decision to hold the Cambridge examinations in Singapore from 1891, some of the government schools switched to English as the language of instruction to improve the chances of its candidates who wanted to take these examinations. From 1874, British interests in the Malay states increased because of the development of the tin mining industry. Labor for the tin mining was almost exclusively Chinese, which contributed to the growth of Singapore's "China town." After the introduction of the resident system in some Malay states and the establishment of the Federated Malay States (FMS) in 1895, Singapore governors doubled as Resident-General for the FMS, and Singapore emerged as the capital of the British interests in the Malay region. Except for three and a half years of Japanese occupation during World War II , Singapore was, until 1965, under British rule. With the British decision to give Malaya independence in 1957, an internal self-government was also granted to Singapore two years later. In 1963, Singapore was included in the Federation of Malaysia. Friction developed between two ambitious leaders, Tunku Abdul Rahman and Lee Kuan Yew, respectively Malaysia and Singapore, which led to Singapore quitting the Federation and establishing itself in August 1965 as a separate sovereign state. In the same year, Singapore joined the United Nations and was admitted as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. In the following year, Singapore became a founding member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Thanks to the dynamic leadership of Lee Kuan Yew as Prime Minister, Singapore has developed into a viable, stable, and prosperous nation. Lee was a brilliant barrister with socialist leanings whose party, the People's Action Party (PAP), claimed in the late 1950s to be socialist. Lee, nonetheless, favored entrepreneurship and international investment, which led to the phenomenal growth of Singapore's economy. At the same time, the government assumed responsibility in many social areas, including education and housing. Singapore has, since the 1970s, boasted the largest government-sponsored housing projects for its citizens. It also offers them, over a reasonable period of time, ownership of their tenements; more than 88 percent of the tenants in these housing colonies own their homes. Constitutional & Legal Foundations Singapore's constitution provides for a parliamentary democracy on the British pattern. Theoretically, any political party winning a majority in the nation's parliament is entitled to form the government. In reality, Singapore is a single party "democracy," with the PAP in power consistently since 1959. Until 1981 the PAP held all seats in the parliament. During the election in 1981, J.B. Jeyaratnam of the Workers Party shook the government; he was charged him with fraud because of his failure to account for a few hundred dollars in contributions to his party. By the end of the decade, however, the government itself felt the need for healthy opposition. The PAP obtained the parliament's approval to such a measure that the first six parliamentary elections' losers were seated as members of the parliament. This makes Singapore's electoral system unique, since no other electoral system rewards "losers." Lee Kuan Yew stepped down as Prime Minister in 1984 but has since held the specially-created position of "Senior Minister" of the Cabinet. His advice is regarded as indispensable by the government. In 1985 his son, Brigadier General Lee Hsien Loong, became a cabinet member, and in 1991 he became deputy Prime Minister. Lee's influence in Singapore's politics, both domestic and international and in political and economic matters, has been great since 1959. Under Singapore's constitution, the responsibility for education lies with the Minister of Education, a member of the Cabinet. The Cabinet makes policy education and submits it to the parliament for approval. The annual budget for education is prepared by the Ministry of Education and included in the overall budget. Several ordinances and acts have provided the legal basis for certain major initiatives and for the founding of institutions of higher learning. They are the Singapore Polytechnic Ordinance (1954), the Nanyang University Ordinance (1959), the University of Singapore Ordinance (1961), and the Ngee Ann College Act (1967). Also, transferring university education from private to public management are the Ngee Ann Technical College Act (1968), the Institute of Education Act (1973), and the National University of Singapore Act (1980), while the Edu-Save Account Act (1993) and the Open University Act (1994) merged Nanyang University and the University of Singapore. Educational System—Overview Singapore provides a 10-year education at the primary and secondary levels. Two major revampings of these levels took place in 1979 and 1991. In 1991, the Ministry of Education issued "The Next Lap: Singapore 1991," which outlined the basic goals of education. These were: to educate each individual to his/her "maximum potential" to develop thinking individuals with "creative and flexible skills" to nurture leadership qualities and good work ethics to cultivate civic and moral values. Primary education covers the first six years of education, at the end of which there is an examination. At this stage, the aim is to give a good proficiency in English, the mother tongue, and mathematics. Those who pass the examination become eligible to enter the secondary level of education, which lasts four years. Those who fail the primary school examination and have reached the age of 14 may leave school and take a two-year course provided by the Adult Education Board. Primary education is organized into two stages—the Foundation Stage and the Orientation Stage. The Foundation Stage extends over the first four years. At this stage, the emphasis is on basic literacy and arithmetic. Eighty percent of the classroom time is given to acquiring a working knowledge of English and a good grounding in the mother tongue. The study of English includes general information on health education and social studies. Instruction is provided in the mother tongue in civics and moral education. Some time is devoted to teaching music, arts and crafts, science, physical education, and extracurricular activities. Science is taught beginning in year three and social studies in year four. At the end of the third year, parents are informed of their children's performance in languages—mother tongue and English—and mathematics, and are given recommendations made for channeling the students at the end of year four to go along appropriate "streams." At the end of four years of primary schooling, students take the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). This determines a student's ability and places him/her in the appropriate secondary school courses to suit his/her "learning pace and aptitude." The secondary education may take four to five years depending on a student's ability. Those in the Special and Express courses take the General Certificate of Education "Ordinary" Level (GCE "O" Level) Examination at the end of their fourth year. Students in the "Normal Course" may take the Normal (Academic) or Normal (Technical) course, both of them leading to the GCE "N" Level examination at the end of their fourth year. Those who do well at the "N" Level may take a fifth year in preparation for the GCE "O" Level. In 1996, for postsecondary and pre-university education, there were seven "Pre-U Centres and Centralized Institutes" with an enrollment of 2,193 of whom 796 were males and 1,397 were females. There were 149 teachers of whom 54 were males and 95 females. In the 14 junior colleges, there were 20,202 students, with 9,580 males and 10,622 females. Of the 1,426 teachers, 566 were males and 860 were females. The general literacy rate in Singapore was fairly high and had been improving. In 1986, it was 86.3 percent for residents aged 15 years and older. It climbed to 92.2 for the same age group in 1996. The primary school enrollment ratio of children aged 6 to 17 years in 1996 was 92.5 percent. Preprimary & Primary Education The preschool education provided in kindergarten classes, daytime nurseries, and children's centers, falls outside the regular system of education and, therefore, does not come under the purview of the Ministry of Education. However, that ministry provides strict and clear "guidelines" for the curriculum and management of the kindergartens. Another wing of the government, namely, the Ministry of Community Development (MCD) is responsible for the administration of the child-care centers. Given an annual birthrate of about 50,000, the total number of children below six requiring childcare facilities and/or preschool education may be estimated at about 300,000. In 2000, there were childcare facilities under the MCD, some of them conveniently located close to the industrial plants or major workplaces making it possible for young mothers to work on a full-time basis. Compared to childcare centers, kindergartens are run mostly by private agencies charging fairly high fees. Singaporean parents, though, are aware of the importance of such regular preschool education and almost all the children in Singapore go through one to three years of preschool education in either private kindergartens or the MCD's childcare centers. The part-time and full-time childcare centers are subsidized by the state. Over the years, notably in the 1990s, there have been efforts to "streamline" preschool education and bring it under increased supervision by the Ministry of Education (MOE). In collaboration with the National Institute of Education (NIE), MOE, and MCD have instituted programs at the NIE for the training of teachers and supervisors for the childcare centers and kindergartens. NIE offers the Basic or Intermediate Certificates for teachers and the Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Education for administrators. Besides this, the NIE trains senior teachers who, in turn, train junior teachers on site at the childcare centers. The primary aim of preschool education is to prepare children for the formal education of primary school. The other goals include development of social skills and easier transition of infants from the sheltered home environment to a semiformal setting. The childcare centers teach children in two languages, the mother tongue and English. Parents, therefore, choose a pre-education facility that offers their home language, whether Chinese, Malay, or Tamil. Besides languages, the centers have multiple activities including story telling, music, physical education, and outdoor games. In 1996, there were 198 primary schools with a total enrollment of 269,688 students and 10,163 teachers. Of these, 151 schools (with 196,438 students and 7,790 teachers) were run by the government. Forty-six were government-aided, with an enrollment of 73,152 students and 2,373 teachers. There was 1 private school with 98 students. The teacher-student ratio at the primary level stood at 1:27 in 1996. Secondary Education The first two years of the secondary school level are common to all secondary school students and have the same curriculum. Those who want to quit the regular secondary education after the first two years may join the industrial training centers or vocational institutes for job training and become part of the labor market. The third and fourth year secondary level provide specialization in different "streams"—academic, technical, or business education. On completing the GCE, students may attend a junior college for a two-year, pre-university course or a centralized institute for a three-year course in arts, science, commerce, or technology. At the end of the preuniversity course, students may take the GCE "Advanced" or "A" Level examination. The outcome determines eligibility for admission to an institution for higher learning. In 1996, there were 151 secondary schools with 185,324 students of which 96,860 were males and 88,464 females. There were 8,779 teachers of whom 3,174 were males and 5,605 females. Of the 151 secondary schools, 97 were government-run with 118,687 students and 5,368 teachers; 26 were government-aided with an enrollment of 29,744 students and 1,579 teachers; and 18 schools were "Autonomous," with an enrollment of 25,038 and 1,092 teachers. Begun in 1994, "autonomous" schools tripled from six in 1994 to 18 in 1996. Enrollment rose from 8,833 to 25,038 and the number of teachers from 403 in 1986 to 1,092 in 1996. There were eight "Independent" schools in 1996 with a student enrollment of 11,257 and 684 teachers. Additionally, there were two private schools with an enrollment of 598 and 56 teachers. The teacher-student ratio in government schools in 1996 was 1:21. Besides the Ngee Ann and the Singapore Polytechnics, a large part of responsibility for the technical and vocational education is assumed by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). The ITE has assumed some of the functions previously carried out by the Vocational and Industrial Training Board. As a postsecondary institution, the ITE's primary goal is to create a pool of skilled manpower for the economic development of the country. According to the Ministry of Education, the ITE gives equal emphasis on postsecondary training to equip teenagers with the skills to enter the labor market as well as to provide continuing education and training for those who are already a part of the labor force and who would like to upgrade or acquire new skills. There are three programs for upgrading skills of existing workers who take evening courses on a part time basis. The Certificate of Competency (COC) and national Technical Certificate (NTC) are awarded to those existing workers who acquire a new skill or upgrade an old one. Special programs address specific kinds of workers. The Modular Skills Training (MOST) is meant for workers with a Primary School Leaving Examination. Training Initiative for Mature Employees (TIME) is meant for workers of the age of 40 and above, while its counterpart for 20 to 40 years old is called Adult Cooperative Training Scheme (ACTS). The ITE provides fulltime training to those who hold a GCE "O" and "N" level qualifications. It provides technical training, leading to the Industrial Technician Certificate (ITC) and the National Technical Certificate Grade 2 (NTC-2). Those who take business courses get the Certificate in Business Studies (CBS) and the Certificate in Office Skills (COS). Students who leave school with fewer than 10 years of education or who do not pass the examination at the end of 10 years of schooling still are rewarded. The ITE awards the National Technical Certificate-3 (NTC-3) to those who complete their training at the Vocational Training Center. These students may also join an apprenticeship scheme that allows them to learn while they earn. Such on-and off-the-job training is provided either in ITE's centers or in those managed by private companies approved by the ITE. Most apprenticeship courses lead to the National Technical Certificate examinations. The holders of the certificates are absorbed by industry at the appropriate level of skilled work. Besides industrial apprenticeships, there are also those leading to a Certificate in Health Care, Certificate in Travel Services, and Certificate in Retailing (Sales and Customer service), all awarded by the Institute of Technical Education. In 1996, the ITE had 11 centers with a combined full-time enrollment of 8,233, of which 5,968 were males and 2,265 were females. There were 1,212 on the teaching staff of whom 891 were males and 321 were females. Higher Education When Singapore became independent in 1965 there was only one university, the University of Singapore. Its predecessor was the University of Malaya which was established in 1949 with the merger of two institutions—The King Edward VII College of Medicine and the Raffles College: which had been established in 1928 for the study of arts and science. In 1958, in anticipation of the grant of full internal self-government to Singapore, two joint committees were appointed to examine the possibility of creating two autonomous organizations respectively for Malaya and Singapore. Accordingly, in 1959, the university was restructured into two autonomous divisions located in Malaya's capital, Kuala Lumpur , and in Singapore. Two years later, the division was formalized. On the New Year's Day in 1962, the University of Singapore was formally launched. In response to the demands of the Chinese community to retain their culture and tradition, the Nanyang University was established as a private university in 1956. Although a government ordinance of 1959 gave the university a statutory status, its diplomas and degrees fell short of full recognition by the governments of the Federation of Malaya and Singapore for its civil service recruitment. Consequently, the generally success-oriented Singaporeans did not encourage their children to attend Nanyang University. By 1962, however, the government of Singapore, which was then controlled by the People's Action Party (PAP), decided to restore government grants to Nanyang University as a political measure. In the 1960s, the government used the Nanyang University for technological education, and in 1980 it was merged with the University of Singapore. The new entity was called the National University of Singapore. Since 1965 education at all levels, including higher education, has grown exponentially. In 2000, Singapore had six Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). First, is the National University of Singapore (NUS) regarded as the flag ship of Singapore's educational system. It has 8 faculties, 50 departments, 4 graduate schools (medicine, dentistry, business management, and engineering), and 7 "specialist research institutes" for advanced study and research in areas of "strategic importance to the nation's development." They are: Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology Institute of Micro-Electronics Institute of Molecular Agro-Biology Data Storage Institute and the Institute for Materials Engineering and Research The NUS has also established several centers of excellence and institutes where its faculty is involved in research and development for "specific applications to industry and business." It also runs the National Super-computing Centre for the advancement of Information Technology and computer and computational technology in Singapore. In these endeavors, the university gives a high priority to multi-disciplinary R&D projects, often in collaboration with industry. The eight faculties are Architecture and Building, Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration, Dentistry, Engineering, Law, Medicine, and Science. All faculties offer courses leading to a bachelor's degree and some have graduate (post-graduate) courses leading to a master's and a doctorate degree. In 1996, the NUS had 37,791 students, of whom 20,507 were males and 17,284 were females, with a teaching faculty of 3,059, of which 2,290 were males and 769 were females. A large majority of the faculty is highly qualified, holding doctorates from some of the best universities in the United Kingdom , Australia , and the United States . Most of them feel frustrated over the lack of research environment at the NUS, though most of them are happy that academic rewards and remuneration are not necessarily linked to research and publication. The faculty is also frustrated because, with a few exceptions, the NUS does not provide graduate education, which reduces the NUS faculty to the level of undergraduate teachers. Some departments have begun to grant master's degrees, but student enrollment is small. Without the challenge of graduate students the faculty feels they are being under-utilized in terms of skills they acquired while working on their doctorates. The NUS does provide financial support for research during the faculty's sabbatical year if it is spent overseas at a major university or research institution. Compared to similarly trained faculty in HEIs in the United States, the research output of the NUS faculty is far from impressive. Most of the Singapore graduates pursue their graduate work in major universities, notably in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand , the United States, and Canada . The Singapore government and people prefer to send students overseas for several reasons. First, they feel the graduates need exposure outside the confines of their small state, which they regard as essential for Singapore's leadership role, regionally and globally. Secondly, there is some justification in their fear that the pursuit of graduate education under the same faculty may promote inbreeding. Thirdly, education abroad offers an opportunity for students to develop contacts in business and industry, which may be found useful later in their careers. Formerly called the Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was formally granted the status of an independent university on July 1, 1991. The NTI itself was established in 1981 as an engineering institution, which was to have a more practical orientation than the NUS. Located in Yunnan Garden, it has six schools: civil and structural engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical and production engineering, communications studies, applied science, and accountancy and business. The NTI and NUS have a common curriculum for first-year engineering students followed by a three-year course at either institution—depending on the academic standing of the student. NUS gets the superior students. The degree in engineering was, however, awarded to both the NTI and NUS students by the National University of Singapore. During the decade following its establishment, the NTI determined its policies in regards to admission, curriculum, and examination requirements in close consultation with the NUS departments. The NTI developed collaborative links for research and teaching with local industry as well as with corporations, research institutes, and universities overseas. Regular internship programs were established with several local firms involved in civil, structural, and electronic fields for final year students. In 1991 the NTI had about 3,000 students and a fairly well qualified faculty. The government decided to transform it into a full-fledged university. The NTU has exchange and collaborative arrangements with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Sloan School of Management and the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory (MEL) in Japan. The National Institute of Education (NIE) was established in 1973. At that time, the Teachers' Training College (TTC), founded in 1950, was the only institution providing teacher-training facilities in Singapore. NIE trained primary school teachers and non graduate secondary school teachers. After 1973, the NIE became a comprehensive teacher-training institution, providing facilities for training preprimary, primary, secondary, and junior college teachers. The institute is located in Bukit Timah. The NIE attracts students from Singapore and the entire Southeast Asian region. The NIE merged with the Institute of Education and the College of Physical Education in 1991. It has four schools: science, arts, education, and physical education. Since 1991, NIE has offered four-year courses leading either to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree with a Diploma in Education. It also offers the Postgraduate Diploma in Education programs for university graduates and the two-year Diploma in Education and Diploma in Physical Education programs for holders of GCE "A" level. Additionally, the NIE offers a number of in-service training programs. The postgraduate work in education at the master's and doctorate levels at NIE is rewarded with degrees by the NUS. The high quality and range of research conducted by the NIE is reflected in Research and Evaluation Abstracts for Classroom Teachers (REACT), and numerous other reports. In 1996, NIE had 3,095 students, of whom 857 were males and 2,238 were females. The faculty numbered 420, of whom 204 were males and 216 were females. There are four major polytechnics in Singapore: Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, and Nanyang Polytechnic. Ngee Ann was established in 1963. It gives diploma courses in electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and repair technology, building construction and maintenance, business and computer studies. Although the Singapore Legislative Council approved Singapore Polytechnic Ordinance in 1954, Singapore Polytechnic did not begin to function until four years later in 1958. It offers two types of technician diplomas awarded after either a three-year or a five-year course. It also has a two-year certificate course. The fields covered are: civil, structural, mechanical and marine engineering, land surveying, architectural draftsmanship, nautical technology, aeronautical maintenance, and many other specialties of practical value to industry. Its students are linked with industrial plants, construction companies, and other businesses for practical training. The Singapore Polytechnic also provides graduate education in land surveying, process plant engineering design, plastics design, industrial management, and maritime studies. Of note is the Polytechnic's Department of Continuing Education, which offers evening classes for full-time workers who would like to obtain higher technical and management skills. The Temasek Polytechnic was established in April 1990, and the Nanyang Polytechnic in April 1992 to meet the rising demands of industry and students. In 1996, the four polytechnics had a combined enrollment of 51,254 students of whom 29,736 were males and 21,518 were females. The combined strength of the teaching staff was 3,410 of whom 2,272 were males and 1,138 were females. Administration, Finance, & Educational Research Except for preschool education, the entire system of education from the primary to the university levels comes under the administrative control of the Ministry of Education. This includes government, government-aided, and even nonassisted private schools. Education is regarded as one of the most important areas of general concern to the society and of tremendous value to the economy. Therefore, the government has from the inception of Singapore as a free state and, more so since 1973, melded education with the industrial development of the country. It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education to implement the government's educational policy as approved by the parliament from time to time. The Minister of Education is aided by a minister of state (who is not a member of the Cabinet), a parliamentary secretary, and a Permanent Secretary (Education), who is a high-level member of the civil service. There is a Director of Education although the Permanent Secretary carries out most of those functions. The Director of Education coordinates all the academic and professional aspects of primary and secondary level education. Assisting the Permanent Secretary are five directors each in charge of a division. The five divisions are administration, education services, planning research and testing, schools, and personnel. The administration division has five branches. Finance and accounts are in charge of preparation of the annual budget and administration of funds to the schools. The planning and development branch prepares plans for the physical and other infrastructure needs of the schools, and monitors supplies of equipment and other material. The office services branch handles legal matters, the international and statutory organization branch deals with international bodies assisting education in Singapore or which seek statistical or other data, and the public relations branch deals with the members of parliament and the public. The Educational Services Division has three branches. The pupils service branch deals with scholarships, counseling, and advisement on career. The extracurricular activities branch handles activities outside the classroom. The textbooks and libraries branch selects textbooks for class use and supplies books and materials for school libraries. The Planning and Review Division has four branches. Planning and systems evaluates the educational system and suggests reforms. The central testing branch reviews current tests, devises new ones, and monitors statewide examinations. A research and monitoring branch reviews and conducts research on educational matters. There is also a computer service branch. The Schools Division is the largest. It is responsible for developing curriculum, keeping in touch with new teaching methodologies abroad, and suggesting changes throughout Singapore's school system. It works closely with the Curriculum Development Institute of Singapore. An inspection branch in the Schools Division organizes inspection of schools in order to ensure the standards set down by the Ministry are met. The Personnel Division deals with appointment and promotion of the teachers and other staff. It has four branches, each dealing with a staffing issue: the Appointment Branch, the Service Conditions Branch, the Staff Development Branch, and the Training Branch. The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)—the universities, polytechnics, the Singapore Science Center and the National Institute of Education—each with a governing council or board of governors come under the overall responsibility of the Statutory Board of Higher Education. Though the Statutory Board of Higher Education and the HEIs function with relative autonomy and independence, the final responsibility still rests with the Minister of Education who is responsible to the people through the parliament. There have been numerous instances when the Minister has intervened, in particular instances of administrative decisions. Public education in Singapore is almost entirely financed by the government from the general revenues, although schools and universities are encouraged to raise funds particularly for capital expenditure for construction of buildings or major facilities. The importance of education in government and public expenditure is illustrated by the annual allocations to education which are nearly 25 percent (23.7 percent in 1996) of the entire budget. Besides the annual allocation, the parliament approves a developmental expenditure on the capital account. Education also accounts for the highest number of employees under the government—nearly two out of five public employees in 2000. Teachers and administrative staff are paid salaries and allowances at government rates applicable to all public employees and are entitled to all programs and benefits, including housing. Universities and other HEIs prepare their own budgets, submit them to the Ministry of Education, and receive block grants annually for their expenditures. Primary education is free. There is a nominal fee for secondary and junior college level education of less than US$5.00 per month. The preschool education is subsidized by the state to the extent of about 50 percent of the cost. The government-aided schools receive a subsidy up to 50 percent of the costs of development and a portion of their operating budgets depending on the number of students enrolled. As for higher education, there are a number of scholarships and "bursaries" provided by the Ministry of Education to those who cannot afford the cost. A major initiative in educational finance involving planning and cooperation by parents has been the EduSave Account introduced in 1993. Under the scheme, the Ministry of Education deposited a certain amount of subsidy, approved by the parliament from year to year in the child's Edu-Save Account, which could be used by the child's parents to pay for enrichment and remedial classes or saved for the child's higher education. Children covered by the scheme range from 6 to 16 years of age. Nonformal Education A program called the Basic Education for Skills Training (BEST) formerly run jointly by The National Trades Union Congress and the Vocational and Industrial training Board was taken over by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). Additionally, the ITE offers the Worker Improvement through Secondary Education (WISE) program. Both programs help workers who have far less than the ten-year primary and secondary education to achieve functional competence in English and mathematics. The ITE also offers continuing education for mature workers to upgrade their general education on a part time basis to the three GCE levels. In 1994, Ministry of Education appointed the Singapore Institute of Management to run the Open University Degree Programme (OUDP). It offered courses leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in English, English Literature, English with Economics, English with Management, and Bachelor of Science degrees in Mathematics, Mathematics with Economics, Mathematics with Management, Computer Science, Computer Science with Economics, and Computer Science with Management. In 1997, OUDP began offering courses leading to a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Technology with Electronics. The OUDP's undergraduate programs are accredited and examined to match the standards established by the Open University in the United Kingdom. In Singapore, the degrees are accepted by the Singapore Public Service Commission for government employment while the private sector recognizes them "on par with the British degrees." Teaching Profession Until 1973, the only teachers' training facility in Singapore was the Teachers' Training College established in 1950. Thereafter, Singapore legislated that all teachers had to be registered with the Ministry of Education, which formalized certification requirements. The Institute of Education (IE), which was established in 1973, assumed the functions previously carried out by the Teachers' Training College and the Department of Education of the University of Singapore. The IE soon became a comprehensive teacher-training facility for training of preprimary, primary, secondary, and junior college teachers. In 1982, the IE opened the Department of Education for Children with Special Needs to train teachers for slow learners as well as for the unusually gifted children. In 1991, the College of Physical Education was merged into the IE and was renamed the National Institute of Education (NIE). Its scope of activities widened to include more research and evaluation functions. The NIE provides in-service training and a wide range of refresher courses to keep trained teachers abreast of new initiatives in education in the advanced countries of the world. The NIE provides training in all four language streams of education: Chinese, Malay, Tamil, and English. It provides facilities for a one-year diploma in education for those who already have a bachelor's degree and a two-year certificate in education for those who do not have a degree. Its in-service programs enable primary school teachers to obtain a one-year Professional Certificate in Education (FPCE). Those of the primary and secondary teachers who hold a bachelor's degree and a diploma in education may enroll for in-service courses leading to the master's degree in education. Summary Singapore's educational system deserves recognition for its educational achievements. The society and the government are supremely aware of the small size of the state and what needs to be done particularly in education to establish and maintain a position of importance in a fast-developing world. The island nation has also attempted and succeeded to a large extent in making itself the "hub" of the Southeast Asian region in the fields of economy and education. In this, Singapore has made the use of computer technology almost universal in all its business establishments, government, and academic institutions at all levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Singapore has a strong priority to business and industry. The academic institutions, particularly in the tertiary sector: universities, polytechnics, institutes of education and technical education, and the few research institutes are all aware of their need to cater to industry's needs in trained human resources as well as in R&D. Most of the educational facilities in Singapore have a highly trained faculty expertise reinforced periodically by visits and training programs abroad and through the establishment of academic ties with well-known institutions in Japan and the West, notably in the United Kingdom and the United States. The inadequacies of Singapore's educational system are a lack of sufficient incentive to its faculty in the form of advanced graduate programs and rewards to those who publish their research. The teaching and research staff at all levels is well paid and the infrastructure is well provided for efficient performance. Singapore's immense success is based on an understanding of the needs and aspirations of its government, people, industry, and businesses. Its good fortune has been the consistently dynamic leadership provided by Lee Kuan Yew and the fairly smooth transition of power sharing since he stepped down from his position as Prime Minister. A problem that remains to be solved is the political future of a system that has, so far, been based on the domination by a single party, the People's Action Party (PAP). It must be conceded, however, that there are more supporters than detractors of the system. The second area of concern has been the deterioration of Confucianism, particularly the relationship between generations from the impact of Westernization, which, in the eyes of the establishment, has been progressively weakening the moral fiber of the young. Even discounting the usual criticisms of the younger generation by the older generation, there is validity to this area of concern. The progression of Western influence could seriously affect Singapore's self-identity. The question is what the education system can do to reverse the trend of Westernization. Bibliography Chong, Sylvia. "Policies Affecting Arts Education: The Heart of the Matter." Arts Education Policy Review, IC, 3 (January-February 1998), 22-25. Doraiswamy, T.R., ed. 150 Years of Education in Singapore. Singapore: TTC Publications Board, Teachers Training College, 1969. Kuo, Eddie C.Y. A Quantitative Approach to the Study of Socio-linguistic Situations in Multilingual Societies. Singapore: SEAMEO Regional Language Centre, 1985. Ministry of Education. Education Statistics Digest. Singapore: Ministry of Education, 2000. National Arts Council. Catalogue of Arts-in-Education Programs. Singapore: National Arts Council, 1996. Tham, Seong Chee. Multi-lingualism in Singapore: Two Decades of Development. Singapore: Department of Statistics, 1996. Wilson, Harold E. Social Engineering in Singapore: Educational Policies and Social Change, 1819-1972. Singapore: Singapore University Press, 1978. —D. R. SarDesai COUNTRY OVERVIEW LOCATION AND SIZE. Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia , located about 137 kilometers (85 miles) north of the Equator. It consists of 1 major island and 59 small islands. Singapore lies at the center of a major sea route connecting the Far East to Asia , Europe , and the Middle East , which gives the country its strategic importance. It is separated from Malaysia to the north by the narrow Johore Strait and from Indonesia to the south by the wider Singapore Strait. The country has a land area of 637.5 square kilometers (247 square miles), but no land boundaries, and its total coastline is 193 kilometers (120 miles). The territory of Singapore covers a slightly smaller area than that of New York City. POPULATION. The population of Singapore, which is entirely urban, was estimated at 4,151,264 in July 2000. In 2000, the birth rate stood at 12.79 per 1000 people, a low level attributed to urbanization and birth control policies, and the death rate stood at 4.21 per 1000. The estimated population growth rate is 3.54 percent. Such a high rate is due to the high net immigration rate, which stood at 26.8 immigrants per 1000 people. These immigrants form a large community of foreign temporary workers estimated at about 10 percent of the total population. Singapore has one of the highest population densities in the world, with about 6,500 people per square kilometer (or 16,800 per square mile). The Singaporean population is diverse and represents 3 major ethnic groups. Ethnic Chinese make up almost 77 percent of the population, Malays make up 14 percent, Indians 7.6 percent, and other ethnic groups 1.4 percent. Around 18 percent of the population is below the age of 14, and just 7 percent is older than 65. The current ethnic distribution was formed in the 19th century when the British administration encouraged people to migrate to Singapore from neighboring Malacca, the Indonesian islands, India and especially China . In 1957, Singapore's population was approximately 1.45 million, and there was a relatively high birth rate. Aware of the country's extremely limited natural resources and small territory, the government introduced birth control policies in the late 1960s. In the late 1990s, the population was aging, with fewer people entering the labor market and a shortage of skilled workers. In a dramatic reversal of policy, the Singapore government now plans to introduce a "baby bonus" scheme in 2001 that will encourage couples to have more children. Singapore wants to limit the inflow of illegal immigrants. The effect of drugs and drug trafficking is another important issue, since Singapore lies near the "Golden Triangle," an area between Burma , Laos , and Thailand that is the world's largest producer of illicit drugs such as opium. Singapore is among the few countries in the world to have adopted the death penalty for possession and sale of drugs. New chronic diseases like AIDS are also of great concern to the Singaporean government, since the country is a busy tourist destination. OVERVIEW OF ECONOMY Manufacturing and services are the 2 main features of the modern Singaporean economy, but the economy's main economic engine is its seaport, one of the world's busiest. Singapore also has one of the largest commercial shipping registers in the world. In 1819, when the British East India Company leased this territory from the Sultan of Johore to establish a trade and communication post, it was a small settlement in a swampy area. However, the British administration quickly cleared jungles, reclaimed marshes, and established a merchant seaport. This port expanded into a major regional trading post due to its strategic and convenient location along the main sea route connecting the Far East to British India and to Europe. The rise of Singapore as a communication hub would prove a foundation for its future prosperity. As a free port and a major British naval base in East Asia, Singapore enjoyed a special status within the British protectorate for a long time. In 1959, Singapore achieved full self-governance, and in 1963, it joined the Federation of Malaysia. However, sharp political disagreements arose with the federal government, and in 1965, Singapore left the Federation and became an independent state. Having a small territory and no natural resources, the government staked everything on the transformation of the country's economic base from a trade mediator and regional transport hub to a manufacturing center, specializing in capital-intensive industries, high technologies, and financial services. Singapore's government promoted a free-market economy and export oriented industrialization (EOI), combined with a measure of state intervention, subsidized credits to selected industries, and high public investment in applied research and certain export targets. Export to the international market promoted efficient use of resources and generated hard currency , which was necessary for catching up with further development of technologies and industrial innovation. This policy brought unprecedented economic expansion, with an annual average growth rate of 6.4 percent from the 1960s through the 1980s. This development transformed Singapore into one of the "economic tigers" of Asia. There are different interpretations about the causes of this high performance. A World Bank report argued that this success was because of a mix of private investors and available human resources. Others argue that state initiatives and government economic policies were important. In Singapore's transformation, the Economic Development Board, which is the government agency responsible for the formulation and implementation of economic and industrial development strategies established in 1961, played a crucial role. The country's major export products are electronic goods, machinery, and equipment produced by major multinational corporations . Tourism is important. In 1996, Singapore hosted 4,795 international and regional conventions and received more than 7 million tourists, providing revenues of about 9 percent of gross domestic product ( GDP ). Finance and business services are other important sectors of the economy, accounting for almost 30 percent of GDP in 1996. Transport and communications contributed an estimated 10 percent of GDP in 1996. The Singapore government is persistent in the promotion of initiatives to keep the country competitive in the international arena. One of these initiatives is IT2000, which depends on a vision of Singapore as an "Intellectual Island" where information technologies penetrate all aspects of life. Another initiative is Jurong Town Corporation, which offers ready-built factories and manages 33 industrial parks housing 7,000 companies. The government supported the selected sectors in manufacturing and other industries through different means. It owns the Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) that operate as commercial entities. Singapore has the second highest number of state-controlled firms (45 percent) in the world, higher than Korea or Japan . One of the important features of the Singaporean economy is that the financial sector has been guided by conservative fiscal policies . In 1998, in response to the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the Singapore government announced financial reforms to improve the country's international competitiveness, which included further liberalization of the financial sector and tax initiatives. High economic performance and development kept unemployment at a low level during the last decades of the 20th century in all sectors of the economy including manufacturing, tourism, and finance. In 1999 unemployment was just 3.2 percent (by comparison, unemployment in the United States was 4.2 percent in the same year). Because of the speed of its economic expansion, Singapore began to experience shortages of skilled labor in the late 1990s and early 2000s. POLITICS, GOVERNMENT, AND TAXATION Singapore is a parliamentary democracy with a president as the constitutional head of state. The president plays a ceremonial role in the political life of the country and until 1991 was elected by the parliament. In 1991, the constitution was amended, allowing citizens to vote for their president in direct popular elections. Current president S. R. Nathan took office for a 6-year term in 1999. Singapore's unicameral (one house) parliament has 83 members elected by popular vote. Executive power rests with the cabinet, led by the prime minister who is responsible to the parliament. Several political parties have been active since Singapore's independence in 1965. Five of these parties have a high profile and influence in the country. These are: People's Action Party (PAP); National Solidarity Party (NSP); Singapore Democratic Party (SDP); Singapore People's Party (SPP); and Worker's Party (WP). Unlike many neighboring countries, the Communist Party does not have mass support in Singapore, and there has been no violent confrontation with communists. The military has never been an influential force in the political arena of the country. Politically, Singapore has remained remarkably stable and nearly untouched by political violence since independence. Since the end of World War II , the major issues shaping political competition in Singapore have been the promotion of political stability, economic growth, and maintaining a balance among the 3 main ethnic groups. The PAP came to power spreading an ideal of national consolidation, economic growth, and state paternalism. It has remained the country's dominant political force for the past 40 years, controlling parliament in every election since independence. The PAP's strong man, Lee Kuan Yew, became prime minister in 1959 when Singapore acquired self-governance, and retained this position until 1990. After his resignation, Goh Chok Tong, Lee's chosen successor, became the new prime minister. One of the unique features of Singaporean political development is the governing by a single party since gaining independence in 1965. This has led prominent human rights groups to criticize the Singaporean government over its failure to promote and protect the political and civil rights of its citizens. Since the early 1960s, under the leadership of both Lee Kuan Yew and then Goh Chok Tong, the Singapore government has promoted a free-market and export-oriented economy. This policy has been successful and the country has experienced unprecedented economic growth and prosperity. Leading technocrats were able to capture major trends in technological change in the modern world and utilize the benefits of globalization. In 1992, as a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Singapore created a regional free trade zone , to be known as the ASEAN Free Trade Zone (AFTA). Singapore managed to minimize the negative effects of the oil crisis of 1979 and the Asian financial meltdown in 1997. The country has continually attracted foreign direct investment and technological transfers from developed countries such as Japan and the United States. One of the important tools in the hands of the government has been its taxation policy and its initiatives. With few exceptions, capital gains are not taxed in Singapore. Both resident and non-resident companies are taxed at the same rate as the corporate tax rate, which stays at 25.5 percent. The typical withholding tax rate on interest payable to non-residents stays at 15 percent, but this could be reduced or even exempted by tax treaties in the future. A Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced in April 1994 at 3 percent, but was accompanied by compensatory reductions in direct taxation . Qualified employees may enjoy tax exemptions of 50 percent for up to S$10 million of stock option gains arising over a period of 10 years for stock options granted after June 2000. INFRASTRUCTURE, POWER, AND COMMUNICATIONS Singapore inherited from the colonial era a superior infrastructure and well-developed transport network. After independence, the Singaporean government made many efforts and sizable investments to improve these even further. This small city-state is served by a network of 3,122 kilometers (1,940 miles) of highways, 99 percent of which are paved. In the 1970s and 1980s, there was a steep increase in private car ownership, which led to traffic congestion and rising air pollution. The government reacted swiftly, investing significant sums in public transport, especially the mass transit system. It also restricted private car usage on Singaporean roads, using different measures, including taxes and Certificates of Entitlement. By the 1990s, 83 kilometers (51 miles) Communications aData are from International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report 1999 and are per 1,000 people. bData are from the Internet Software Consortium ( http://www.isc.org ) and are per 10,000 people. SOURCE: World Bank. World Development Indicators 2000. of mass rapid transit system, and 11 kilometers (6 miles) of light rapid transit system had been built, and the country could boast of an excellent public transport system, praised for its safety, quality of service, and punctuality. In 1998, the government launched a S$1.7 billion project to build a new transit line. There were at that time 681,924 registered motor vehicles, including 378,090 cars, 11,410 buses, 133,382 motorcycles and scooters, and other vehicles. Throughout the colonial era, the port of Singapore was an important military base and commercial seaport. After gaining independence, Singapore maintained its status as an important regional transport hub. Its seaport is believed to be one of the world's busiest ports in tonnage terms, with 140,922 vessels making up a shipping weight of 858 gross tons calling at the port and total container traffic of 15.14 million 20-foot equivalent units. It also has one of the largest commercial shipping registers in the world. Its merchant marine included 891 ships (1,000 gross registered tonnage and over) in 1998. Singapore also houses the third-largest oil refinery in the world with a capacity of 1 million barrels a day (1998). Major petroleum companies, including Shell, ESSO, Caltex, British Petroleum, and Mobil, operate there. The government has invested heavily in the development of aviation, signing air service agreements with 90 countries, including "open skies" agreements with the United States, New Zealand , and Brunei Darussalam. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) oversees and regulates development in this sector. There were 9 airports in Singapore in 1999. The largest is Changi airport (a subsidiary of CAAS), which hosted 61 airlines and handled 23.8 million passengers in 1998 alone, making Singapore one of the major airports in the region. The 47-hectare (116-acre) Changi Airfreight Center handled 1.43 million tons of air freight movement in 1998. The government planned to invest a further S$1.5 billion in upgrading the airport facilities in the first decade of the 21st century. Singapore Airline (SIA) was created in 1972 after the split of Malaysia-Singapore Airline. SIA and its subsidiary, SilkAir, operated 87 aircraft, employed 18,800 people, and carried 12 million passengers a year in 1998. In 1998, SIA was ranked fourth in terms of international freight measured in ton-kilometers, and eighth in international passenger-kilometers. Singapore is fully reliant on imports of mineral fuel for domestic consumption, and these imports accounted for 9.3 percent of merchandise imports in 1996. This makes the country vulnerable to unfavorable fluctuations in world oil prices. Electric power is produced from fossil fuel at 3 power stations. Electricity production was recorded at 28.586 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 1998. Telecommunication services in Singapore remain under state control. Telephone service is provided by the state-controlled Singapore Telecom (ST). The country had 54.6 million telephone lines and 1.02 million mobile cellular telephones in 1998. The government has attempted to end ST's monopoly . In 1993, it sold about 7 percent of its share to private companies and, in 1997, ST's monopoly on mobile and pager services came to an end. In 1998, there were 8 Internet service providers in the country and 458.4 computers per 1,000 people, which is more than in the United States. In 2000, the Singapore government announced a S$1.5 billion investment over 3 years into the e-Government Action Plan, which should enable Singaporeans to access a wide range of online services. ECONOMIC SECTORS Singapore's separation from the Federation of Malaysia in 1965 had advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, its economic development has been constrained by its small territory, small population, and extremely limited natural resources, and the country has always been fully reliant on the importation of foodstuffs. Yet Singapore has a huge advantage in its location in a major sea route connecting the Far East to South Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The country has a well-trained, well-educated, disciplined labor force and has attracted major multinational corporations from Europe, Japan, and the United States. Many of them, such as Sony, NEC, Matsushita, Texas Instruments, and others, have established their manufacturing and assembly plants or distribution centers there. Singapore has fully used the advantage of its superior location, reinventing itself as a major communication hub in Southeast Asia. The policy of encouraging private entrepreneurship, giving priority to the development of an export-oriented economy, and encouraging capital intensive industries combined with selective state intervention, brought Singapore unprecedented economic growth from the 1960s through the 1990s. By 2000, industry and services had become the 2 largest sectors of the modern Singaporean economy, contributing 30 percent and 70 percent of GDP, respectively, in 2000. (Agriculture's contribution was negligible.) Although there was a substantial slowing down in economic growth in all sectors of the economy after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Singapore managed to avoid economic decline like neighboring Indonesia or Thailand. AGRICULTURE Agriculture, including fishery, is an insignificant part of Singapore's economy, accounting for just 0.2 percent of GDP and employing 0.2 percent of the workforce. Since the 19th century Singapore has been fully reliant on the import of foodstuffs, obtained from its neighbors. The country has a small fishing industry consisting of a small fleet and marine fish farms. There has been some interest in the greenhouse production of certain fruits and vegetables for domestic consumption, but it has not developed and remains small. Singapore does cultivate orchids for domestic and export markets. In the late 1990s, Singapore businessmen expressed interest in biotechnology and genetically modified food production. The public outcry in Europe and the United States over genetically modified food has cooled this interest for the time being. Some private entrepreneurs invested in the agricultural sector in neighboring Malaysia and Thailand, aiming to export the products back to Singapore. INDUSTRY Singapore belongs to the "New Industrialized States" (NIS), the countries that underwent rapid industrialization from the 1960s to the 1980s. During these 2 decades, Singapore managed to attract technology transfers from the developed world as well as sizable foreign direct investment (FDI). The island has a small mining industry that is of no importance in the national economy. MANUFACTURING. Singapore has a diverse, well-established, and economically important manufacturing sector, which contributed 28 percent to GDP and provided employment for 417,300 people, or 21.6 percent of the workforce, in 1999. Since the early 1990s, the manufacturing sector's share in GDP has been slowly declining due to the steady rise in competition from neighboring countries and the expansion of its own service sector. The United States remains the single largest investor in Singapore's economy. In 1999, about 57 percent of FDI commitments came from the United States. Singapore began its industrial sector in the 1960s, using its superior location and well-trained and educated labor force. The industrial sector initially consisted of electrical assembly, oil refining, and shipping facilities. The electronic sector became the country's most important manufacturing element. This sector underwent a rapid expansion in the late 1960s when Texas Instruments and other multinational corporations established assembly plants in Singapore. In the 1990s, there was further growth in the manufacturing of different electronic products and computer components. In the late 1990s, Singapore became the world's largest producer of computer disk drives. In 1999, electronics accounted for 43.4 percent of value-added manufacturing in the country, making Singapore vulnerable to downturns in the international market. Most of these goods are produced in foreign-owned plants for export to the United States, Europe, and East Asia. Electronics manufacture was affected by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, although the Singaporean government supported the sector by tax breaks and other initiatives. After 1997, several multinational corporations such as Seagate, Western Digital of the United States, and others laid off staff and began restructuring their production capacity. Some considered moving their manufacturing operations to neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines , where wages are lower than in Singapore. Chemical production, petroleum production, and printing are also important contributors to the country's economy. Singapore has a well-developed chemical and chemical production sector. This sector experienced steady growth in the 1980s and 1990s by attracting substantial FDI. Chemical production contributed 18.1 percent of valued-added manufacturing in 1999. Petroleum production underwent rapid expansion in the 1960s and 1970s, benefiting from the country's large and efficient seaport and modern oil refining facilities. This sector produces 18.8 million metric tons (20.68 million tons) of distillate fuel oils and 15.7 million metric tons (17.27 million tons) of residual fuel oil, and other petroleum-based products. Singapore has the world's third largest oil-refining industry. Petroleum production contributes 4.4 percent of valued-added manufacturing. Singapore has developed high-quality color printing processes, producing several publications for major clients from the United States and Europe. Printing and publishing contributes 4.0 percent of value-added manufacturing (1999). The other manufacturing sectors produce transport equipment, machinery, and fabricated metal products. SERVICES TOURISM. Tourism is an important sector of Singapore's economy, providing employment for 118,900 people. Although Singapore was long known as a tourist destination for sailors, business people, and adventurers, mass tourism began in earnest in the 1970s and 1980s with the increase in international air travel. The number of tourists visiting the country rose steadily throughout the 1980s and 1990s, reaching 7.29 million in 1996. There was a decline of about 1.3 percent in 1997 and 13.3 percent in 1998, due to economic turmoil in the region. In response to this decline, the Singapore Tourism Board started "Tourism Unlimited," a program promoting regional tourism and developing tourist projects near Singapore. In 1999, about 6.96 million tourists visited the country, contributing S$11.2 billion dollars to the national economy. Singapore promotes itself as a "dream destination," offering excellent service, a multicultural environment, local hospitality, exotic festivals, and tax-free shopping. To boost its competitiveness it has also signed visa-free agreements with most countries in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. According to the national authorities, in 1998 Singapore had 108 hotels with total room capacity of 32,000. Most visitors come from the ASEAN countries, Japan, Taiwan , Australia , the United Kingdom , and the United States. In the 1990s, Singapore reinvented itself as Asia's convention city. In 1996, the capital hosted 4,795 international and regional conventions with 426,000 foreign participants. According to the Union des Associations Internationales, Singapore ranks seventh among the world's major convention cities. FINANCIAL SERVICES. The financial and business services sector is one of the most important sectors to the Singapore economy and provides employment for 266,000 people. Finance rests on the traditional foundations of the banking system, investments, insurance, and foreign exchange. There were 154 commercial banks in 1997, although banking was dominated by the "Big Four": the DBS Bank, the United Overseas Bank (UOB), the Overseas Union Bank (OUB), and the Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBS). According to the IMF, Singapore is the world's fourth-largest global exchange center. The financial sector, particularly its banking component, has been tightly regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), prompting sharp criticism from the United States and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Although the 1997 Asian financial crisis affected the financial sector, there were no major bank collapses or bankruptcies. In 1997, Singapore's benchmark Strait Times Industrial Index (STII) fell 30 percent, leading to the STII being replaced by the simplified Straits Times Index (STI) in August of 1997. In 1999, the STI experienced some recovery due to an upturn in the manufacturing sector. The MAS reinforced its strict policy against internationalizing the Singapore dollar by limiting overseas lending and borrowing by non-residents. This policy restricts use of the currency outside the country for activities unrelated to the domestic economic development. However, economic recovery has improved the Singapore government's fiscal position, and it intends to deregulate and gradually liberalize the financial sector. The business services sector (including property services, accountancy, and information technology), the fourth-most important economic sector in 1999, experienced difficult times in the late 1990s. During this period, economic recession and declining investments in neighboring countries led to less demand for financial and business services and brought a sharp decline in spending in the property market. RETAIL. Singapore's well-developed retail sector provides excellent service to the local population and to foreign tourists. Large, state-of-the-art supermarkets are complemented by thousands of small retail shops where tourists and local consumers can buy different products. Singapore has long been recognized as a major tourist shopping destination offering, among other things, the latest electronic products free of tax. In 1998, there were 281,200 people employed in the wholesale and retail trades. After the decline of 1997 and 1998 this sector recovered, with the value of retail sales up by 12.1 percent and their volume up by 14.1 percent. INTERNATIONAL TRADE Since the 1960s, Singapore has adopted a policy of export-oriented industrialization, promoting the export of goods and services in the international markets. It has few barriers against the import of goods and services, although the government's well-known interventionist policy in the regulation and ownership of many Singapore companies has been widely criticized. Singapore more than doubled its exports, from US$52.752 billion in 1990 to US$118.268 billion, in 1995. Exports dipped after 1997, but recovered to reach US$137 billion in 2000. The United States is Singapore's single largest trading partner, accounting for 19 percent of all exports in 1999, primarily from the sale of manufactured electronics and computer peripherals. A large part of these exports originates from U.S.-owned companies, which are traditionally the largest investors in the Singapore economy. Neighboring Malaysia is the second largest export market, accounting for 17 percent of total exports. Hong Kong and Japan are also important export destinations, accounting for 8 percent and 7 percent of exports respectively. Other important partners include Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands , China, South Korea, and Germany . The United States and Japan are the largest suppliers of imports to Singapore, with both countries supplying 17 percent of imports. Malaysia remained one of the traditional sources of imports, accounting for 16 percent Trade (expressed in billions of US$): Singapore Exports 104.719 SOURCE: International Monetary Fund. International Financial Statistics Yearbook 1999. of the total. Major imports from Malaysia include consumer goods like foodstuffs and raw materials. China (5 percent), Thailand (5 percent), Taiwan (4.0 percent), Saudi Arabia (3 percent), and Germany (3 percent) are other major sources of imports. In 2000, the value of imports totaled US$127 billion. Singapore's government considers the development of free trade as an important factor for the country's future economic growth. Singapore strongly supported free trade negotiations between the members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation organization (APEC), which tried to remove trade barriers between member countries, including the United States, Canada , Japan, Australia, and others. Singapore also strongly supported the creation of a regional free trade zone for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), to be known as the ASEAN Free Trade Zone (AFTA). In 2001, Singapore announced its intention to discuss bilateral free-trade arrangements with Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States. Singapore's international trade rose during the last 3 decades of the 20th century, when the country managed its trade balance to achieve a trade surplus of US$10 billion by 2000. Singapore demonstrated its immunity to the sharp oil price rises in 2000 and 2001; however, it faces increasing competition from neighboring countries and has become vulnerable to changes in global market demands for electronic products. Nevertheless, political and economic uncertainty in neighboring Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand have strengthened Singapore's position, confirming its image as one of the most stable and business-friendly countries in the region. MONEY Over the last 2 decades, the value of the Singapore dollar showed remarkable stability because of the country's steady economic growth. During this period of unprecedented growth, Singapore managed to avoid high inflation or economic recession. The Asian financial crisis Exchange rates: Singapore 1.4100 SOURCE: CIA World Factbook 2001 [ONLINE]. of 1997 did affect Singapore's economy, but the country was able to avoid the political and economic calamities that brought high inflation and sizable recession to neighboring Indonesia and Thailand. There was slowdown of the Singapore economy in 1997 and 1998, affecting all sectors and bringing a small rise in inflation. In 1999 and 2000, the country overcame the difficulties and produced significant growth. Inflation stabilized at about 0.4 percent and GDP growth at about 5.5 percent in 1999. According to the IMF classification, the Singapore dollar is a freely floating currency determined by the foreign exchange market. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), which acts as the central bank, closely monitors the exchange rate and ensures the stability of the currency against international currency speculators. Due to the regional economic downturn, the value of the Singapore dollar declined slightly against the U.S. dollar, from 1.4174 in 1995 to 1.6733 in January 2000. This stability was supported by Singapore's huge stocks of foreign reserves, the world's largest in per capita terms (US$23,864 per head against US$14,070 per head in Hong Kong). These foreign reserves are even larger than those of the United States. Singapore is also the world's fourth-largest global exchange center after London, New York , and Tokyo , with Chase Manhattan Bank, Citibank, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Guaranty, and others, operating in this market. Singapore has a single stock market, which until 1997 was known as the Strait Times Industrial Index (STII). In August 1997, it was replaced by the Straits Times Index (STI). In 1997 and 1998 the STI was affected by the regional recession, recovering in 1999 and 2000. According to the Singapore Exchange (SGX) statistics, 388 companies, representing total capitalization of S$389.5 billion (US$236 billion), were listed in the SGX main board in December 2000. POVERTY AND WEALTH Extraordinary economic growth during the past 3 decades brought wealth and prosperity to Singapore. This GDP per Capita (US$) 42,081 SOURCE: United Nations. Human Development Report 2000; Trends in human development and per capita income. growth was impressive during the 1980s and 1990s. In 1959, when Singapore gained self-governance, its per capita GDP was just US$400. In 2000, Singapore was ranked fifth in the world in terms of per capita GDP, ahead of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In 2000, the per capita GDP, figured at purchasing power parity , was US$26,500. A Central Provident Fund, to which employers and employees pay compulsory contributions, provides benefits in case of work injury, old age, and disability. Most people live in small apartments in high-rise buildings. Social polarization is visible in education. The social prestige of a good education is traditionally very high in Singapore society. Private schools are very expensive and those who can spend a considerable part of their income on providing the best education for their children. Although the government is trying to encourage the development of a "knowledge society," education is not compulsory, and the poorer members of Singaporean society are disadvantaged, while the wealthy send their children to leading British, Australian, and North American universities. In Singapore's society, as elsewhere, some people acquire wealth while others need to work hard merely to maintain a decent life. There are no statistics on the distribution of income, and therefore it is difficult to assess socio-economic and social division in the country. Traditionally, recent immigrants, both legal and illegal, have been the most disadvantaged members of the society. There is evidence, too, that social polarization exists along ethnic lines, with the ethnic Chinese community considered better off than the Malay community. In formulating social policy, the government has to take the importance of ethnic issues into consideration. The Singapore government supports such traditional values as a strong work ethic and the importance of family, promoting them as "Asian values" in opposition to the perceived "individualism" of Western societies. The National Council of Social Services, with the help of 150 voluntary bodies, provides most of the welfare services to individuals and families in need. The government also provides services for families in distress, with mandatory Household Consumption in PPP Terms Country Data represent percentage of consumption in PPP terms. aExcludes energy used for transport. bIncludes government and private expenditures. SOURCE: World Bank. World Development Indicators 2000. counseling in cases of family violence, monthly subsidies for working mothers with children in child-care centers, and financial assistance to low-income families. All residents, regardless of social status, are eligible for low-cost medical care. WORKING CONDITIONS In 1998, Singapore's labor force was 1.932 million people, with the unemployment rate about 3.2 percent, or 61,700 people. Over the last 3 decades of the 20th century, unemployment has never been high, thanks to the country's robust economic performance across almost all sectors of the economy. Singapore's economy experienced 2 difficult years in 1997 and 1998, when unemployment rose, but since the beginning of economic recovery in 1999 and 2000 there has been strong demand in the labor market. The Employment Act established a 44-hour working week, although there is no official minimum wage or unemployment compensation. Singapore's economy demands a highly trained and flexible workforce. The government strongly promotes the acquisition of different skills, supporting several higher education centers, and vocational and technical institutes. Facing shortages in the workforce, the government encourages women to work by providing different initiatives and support for working mothers. Women made up about 40 percent of the workforce in 1999. Due to the nature of the labor market and the nation's growing prosperity, there is no child labor problem. The law prohibits employment of children under age 12. Due to labor shortages, there is a growing number of foreign workers in Singapore, unskilled and concentrated in the service and construction sectors. The activities of trade unions are allowed in the country within the framework of the Societies Act, labor laws, and other regulations. According to the U.S. State Department, in the late 1990s there were 255,020 union members, organized into 83 unions. Most of them are affiliated with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), which is closely associated with the ruling People's Action Party. Strikes, slow-downs, and other workers' protests are rare in Singapore. Collective bargaining is common in management-labor relations, but most disagreements are solved through informal consultations and, in disputed cases, through the Industrial Arbitration Court. The rise of the "new economy" caused a surge in demand for information technology (IT) workers. It is expected that, with annual growth of 10 percent in the IT sector, manpower in this area will need to more than double from 95,000 in 2000 to 220,000 in 2008. The government intends to develop the existing workforce rather than rely on immigration for the acquisition of skilled personnel in the sector. To facilitate retraining, in April 2000 the Ministry of Manpower and the Infocomm Development Authority jointly launched the Strategic Manpower Conversion Program, emphasizing information technologies and "technopreneurship." COUNTRY HISTORY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1819. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company leases a small territory from the Sultan of Johore and founds Singapore. 1821. First large group of Chinese migrants arrive from Xiamen . 1826. Singapore is incorporated into the Straits Settlements, a British colony. 1860. First census indicates a population of 80,792 in Singapore. 1858. Straits Settlements become a British Crown colony under the jurisdiction of the Colonial Office in London. 1914. Indentured labor system abolished. 1921. Singapore becomes a principal naval base for the British Navy in East Asia. 1942. The country is occupied by Japan during World War II. 1945. Allied forces liberate Singapore from Japanese occupation. 1946. Singapore becomes a Crown colony separate from Malaysia. 1955. A new constitution is adopted, introducing a measure of self-government. 1959. Singapore gains full self-governance under Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. 1961. Establishment of the Economic Development Board, a government agency responsible for the formulation and implementation of economic and industrial development strategies. 1963. Singapore joins the Federation of Malaysia. 1965. Singapore withdraws from the Federation of Malaysia and becomes independent. 1965. Singapore joins the United Nations. 1967. Singapore becomes a founding member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). 1970. Independent Monetary Authority of Singapore is established. 1971. Final withdrawal of British troops from Singapore. 1973. Last major ties with Malaysia renounced. 1979. Government begins a program of economic restructuring in response to the shock of the oil crisis. 1987. English is made the language of instruction in schools. 1990. Lee Kuan Yew resigns. 1991. The constitution is amended to allow Singapore citizens to directly elect their president. 1995. Huge losses made by a Singapore-based derivatives trader causes the collapse of Barings, the oldest British banking group. 1997. The ruling People's Action Party wins parliamentary elections, capturing 81 of 83 parliamentary seats. 1998. In response to the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the government announces financial reforms to improve the country's international competitiveness. 1999. The "Industry 21" Program, a new economic blueprint for the development of Singapore in the 21st century, is launched. FUTURE TRENDS Singapore has benefited from the globalization of the world economy and experienced 3 decades of extraordinary economic growth, which has brought prosperity and confidence to the people of this small city-state. Able to withstand economic turmoil such as the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the surge in world oil prices at the beginning of the 21st century, Singapore has proved that its economy has grown on a sustainable and strong basis. Inflation remains under control and the Singaporean exchange rate is stable. The quality of life has improved steadily and society has benefited from rising prosperity. The government's policies aim to maintain political and social stability by promoting economic growth from capital-and skill-intensive technologies, although it has been criticized for restricting freedom of press and associations, and for its interventionist economic policies. In the long term, Singapore needs to maintain its international edge against growing competition from neighboring countries. It is also exposed to economic, political, and environmental developments in the neighboring countries of Indonesia and Malaysia. Continuous political turmoil and social unrest in Indonesia might threaten Singapore by causing an influx of refugees and regional instability. Recent forest fires in the Indonesian part of Borneo brought air pollution to dangerous levels, affecting tourism and the health of the Singapore population. DEPENDENCIES Singapore has no territories or colonies. BIBLIOGRAPHY The East Asian Miracle: Economic Growth and Public Policy. Washington, DC: The World Bank, 1993. Economist Intelligence Unit. Country Profile: Singapore. London: Economist Intelligence Unit, 2001. Economist Intelligence Unit. Country Report: Singapore. London: Economist Intelligent Unit, January 2001. Eliot, Joshua, and Jane Bickersteth. Singapore Handbook. NTCPublishing Group, 1999. Kuan Yew, Lee. From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2000. Monetary Authority of Singapore. <http://www.mas.gov.sg> .Accessed October 2001. Peebles, Gavin, and Peter Wilson. The Singapore Economy. NewYork: Edward Elgar, 1996. Singapore Exchange. <http://www.ses.com.sg> . AccessedOctober 2001. Singapore Government Web Site. <http://www.gov.sg> . AccessedOctober 2001. Singapore: Selected Issues. IMF Staff Country Report No. 00/83. Washington, DC: International Monetary Fund, July 2000. Singapore: Your Compelling Global Hub for Business and Investment. <http://www.sedb.com/edbcorp/index.jsp>. Accessed October 2001. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. World Factbook 2001. <http:// www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html>. Accessed September 2001. —Rafis Abazov Singapore. MONETARY UNIT: Singapore dollar (S$). One dollar equals 100 cents. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, and 1 dollar. There are notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, and 10,000 dollars. CHIEF EXPORTS: Machinery and equipment (including electronics), chemicals, and mineral fuels. CHIEF IMPORTS: Machinery and equipment, mineral fuel, chemicals, and foodstuffs. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT: 279.0 Background & General Characteristics The Republic of Singapore consists of a 240-square-mile island and several other surrounding smaller ones located in Southeast Asia. The main island (whose territory also includes some land reclaimed from the sea) is connected to Johor, the southernmost state of peninsular Malaysia , by a causeway. Close by and directly south are the many islands that make up the Republic of Indonesia . Singapore is a multiethnic, cosmopolitan state with a population consisting overwhelmingly of Chinese (77 percent), followed by Malays (15 percent) and Indians (6 percent); Eurasians and others constitute the rest. Singapore is city-state with a highly concentrated urbanized population and no rural areas or peasant population to speak of. Most Singaporeans live in government controlled, though individually owned, apartments (through the Housing and Development Board, a statutory agency) in multi-story high rise buildings that dot the urban landscape. Singapore originated as a small Malay fishing village that belonged to the Sultan of Johor. A British colonialist, Stamford Raffles, purchased it on behalf of the East India Company and began the course of its contemporary development. Raffles saw potential for setting up a trading post on the island given Singapore's deep, natural harbor. Following increased immigration (primarily from China , and India ) and the expansion of trade, Singapore became a Crown Colony, administered directly by the British government. It was occupied briefly by the Japanese following the surrender of British forces in Southeast Asia during World War II . After the British returned there were increasing calls for local self-government. In 1959, an elected government led by the People's Action Party (PAP) and its leader, Lee Kuan Yew, achieved internal power, although external affairs and defense continued to rest with the British Government. Singapore joined the newly formed Federation of Malaysia in 1963 along with former British colonies Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo . After a brief and rocky association it left the Federation in 1965 through a mutual agreement to become an independent country. The emergence of Singapore from an obscure Southeast Asian island dependent on entrepot trade derived from its neighbors (primarily, Malaysia and Indonesia) to an internationally known hub for the global economy in the short span of three decades has been nothing short of spectacular. Geoffrey Murray and Audrey Perera in their book, Singapore: The Global City-State trace what is often described as Singapore's economic miracle to "a five pronged policy—free trade, high savings, full employment and an equitable wage policy, a foreign-investment friendly environment and a development-oriented government." Beginning with rapid industrialization in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Singapore successfully moved its infrastructure and population into various highly skilled business and financial services, the high technology, as well as information technology sectors of the international economy; the hallmarks, arguably, of a flourishing post-industrial economy. Its major trading partners range from all over the world and are led by the United States , followed by Japan , Malaysia, Hong Kong , Thailand , Australia and Germany . Singapore is therefore almost always classified in international economic and human development rankings as having achieved the status of an affluent developed country (e.g., per capita gross national product for the year 2000 is estimated at US$21,828). Singapore has four official languages, namely English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay and Tamil. These principal languages are used in all governmental communication with members of the public, imprinted on national currency, taught in government-run or recognized primary and secondary schools, and allowed to be used in radio and television broadcasts. However, English is predominant in all legislative, bureaucratic and judicial matters, tertiary education institutions, and major commercial transactions. It is considered the language of national integration. English is spoken by 20.3 percent of the population and even more widely understood; Mandarin is spoken by 26 percent while 36.7 percent are conversant in other Chinese dialects (e.g., Hokkien, Cantonese etc). The linguistic minorities consist of 13.4 percent of the population who speak Malay and 2.9 percent who speak Tamil. In school, following an official policy of bilingualism, all students are required to study and take public examinations that include tests in English and their respective mother tongues. Although the Chinese speak many dialects, and Indians different languages, it is assumed that the "mother tongues" they will be learning in school are Mandarin Chinese and Tamil, respectively. This policy which effectively ensures that all Singaporeans (regardless of ethnic background) will learn English, along with the nation's increasing participation in the international economy, accounts for the continued predominance of English on the island. Modern Press Given its high rates of affluence and literacy, it is no surprise that Singapore has had and continues to enjoy equally high rates of newspaper readership for its technically well laid out and attractive newspapers. It is estimated that in 1998, total newspaper circulation stood at 1,056,000. The press in Singapore publishes in all four of its official languages. The English press has captured almost half (49.1 percent) of the total circulation, with Chinese newspapers (43.9 percent) following closely behind. Malay (6.2 percent) and Tamil (0.8 percent) newspapers rank far below. The most important players in the Singapore press scene are therefore, the English and Chinese newspapers. The major newspapers and their 1998 circulations in rank order are as follows: The Straits Times, an English daily morning newspaper that was founded in 1845, had a circulation of 369,773. The Lianhe Zaobao (United Morning News), a Chinese morning daily with a circulation of 202,063 and its afternoon counterpart the Lianhe Wamboa (United Evening News) with a circulation of 129,715, are next in rank order. Both of these newspapers were established in 1983 as a result of the government-influenced merger of two other competing older Chinese newspapers (the Nanyang Siang Pau and the Sin Chew Jit Poh ). In fourth place is a slightly older (established in 1967) Chinese newspaper, the Shin Min Daily, an afternoon newspaper with a circulation of 112,497. Fifth is an afternoon English daily established in 1988, The New Paper, with a circulation of 107,080. Other smaller published newspapers include a Malay morning daily, Berita Harian (1957; Daily News), a trade and commerce-oriented English daily, Business Times, and a Tamil morning daily, Tamil Murasu (1935; Tamil Herald). A recent entrant is the English morning newspaper Today, which is said to be distributed to nearly 100,000 homes and offices, and as far as can be determined, free of charge. It provides shorter and pithier articles for individual readers whose busy schedules presumably make it difficult for them to peruse weightier newspapers leisurely. As may be expected, the Sunday editions of all of the newspapers mentioned above generally enjoy somewhat higher circulation numbers than their daily counterparts. In general, the morning newspapers are thought to constitute the elite or quality press. Newspapers published in the afternoon are more popular or sensation-oriented, catering less to long-term subscribers and more to those buying on a whim. However, in the Singaporean context, sensationalism (primarily using large, bold headlines and photographs combined with news and features that focus on sports, movies, personalities, "human interest," and sex) has a much tamer and more restrictive definition in comparison to similarly oriented publications in Japan, India or the West. Economic Framework Until the early 2000s all of the local daily newspapers that circulated on the island of Singapore were owned and operated by one entity, the publicly owned Singapore Press Holdings (SPH). While the company's stocks are publicly traded, there are two types of shares whose monetary value is similar: ordinary and management shares. SPH monopolizes the daily newspaper market with a combined circulation of more than one million copies in the various languages, morning and afternoon. SPH also publishes several periodicals such as Home and Decor (English; focuses on home design and interior decoration), Her World (English; intended for women) and You Weekly (Chinese; entertainment, lifestyle and television). In addition, it has diversified and become involved in other businesses: these include other communication-related areas such as cable television, cellular phone and Internet services, as well as in other sectors such as commercial real estate property investments. Eddie Kuo and Peng Hwa Ang declare that SPH is a highly profitable company that employs 3,000 workers. If SPH's publication patterns are examined closely, it will be noticed that with minor exceptions, newspapers in their stable do not necessarily compete with each other in terms of language of publication and time of day. The sole exception to this is the competition in the afternoon for Chinese readers between the Lianhe Wambao and the Shin Min. In an effort to provide a modicum of competition to various publications belonging to the SPH, the government has licensed the entry of a newspaper (Today ) from the newly formed Media Corporation of Singapore (MCS). This corporation is the result of the conversion of Singapore's previously government-owned organization (originally formed as a government department) that runs all of its television channels and radio stations into a private corporation. Both groups will continue to retain their near monopoly over their core businesses (print publications for SPH and broadcast outlets in the case of MCS). However, in return for facing the new competition in the newspaper sector, SPH is being allowed to own and operate two direct to air television channels and two radio stations. Both companies were also expected to expand their presence on the Internet and into multimedia content delivery. It is assumed that the resulting competition between the two groups in the various forms of mass communication will be beneficial in two ways. First, it would help raise the overall quality of locally produced content and second, ensure that Singaporeans continue to retain their preference for news, features and other content that focuses on their immediate environment as delivered to them by locally owned organizations. In 2002, the Minister of Information, Communications and the Arts announced that a new agency, the Media Development Authority (MDA) would supervise all forms of media operating in Singapore, including newspapers. In addition to helping develop local media content and encouraging investment, the MDA would ensure that communication outlets pay attention to the twin national goals of maintaining social harmony and furthering economic growth. Further, this agency will help enhance competition between, and the maintenance of quality by, the two major media groups, the SPH and the MCS. Similar to newspapers in other countries, the bulk of newspaper earnings in Singapore come from advertising and not from the sale of papers either individually or by subscription. Unlike other countries, however, newspapers in the republic continue to dominate other media in terms of advertising revenue earnings. This can be contrasted to the experience of countries such as the US, where over time, television in its various forms surged to become the main forum by which advertisers reach consumers. It is estimated that half the total advertising dollars (US $689 million in 1998) spent in Singapore are for advertising in newspapers, as opposed to slightly more than a third for television advertising. Until recently advertising in The Straits Times, the English newspaper of record, was so popular that it found itself in the enviable position of turning away advertisers for lack of space in its daily and Sunday editions. Other forms of media (radio, magazines, and movies) typically score percentages of advertising dollars in the single digits. The distribution of newspapers in Singapore is carried out by both traditional and contemporary means. Traditional means include the extensive use of vendors (these are usually contractors, although attempts are being made to convert them to employee status) who distribute newspapers to home subscribers in specified territories. Reputedly, some of these areas were demarcated in the past with the help of criminal gangs or secret societies. Typically, a vendor would distribute around 1,000 copies of all newspapers belonging to SPH to homes in the multistory apartment buildings of a given area. This is complemented by sales at newsstands, mainly for impulse buyers (there is overlap between these two methods, i.e., vendors may be associated with running a particular newsstand). This existing network has been supplemented by more contemporary means of distributing newspapers that include selling them at gasoline filling stations, neighborhood convenience stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies. Interestingly, SPH has also experimented with selling newspapers using solar powered vending machines in the busier parts of Singapore. Press Laws The press in Singapore, in addition to functioning on the basis of the expectation that it help foster national interests as defined by the government, is also under the latter's strict supervision, as it has to operate within a number of legal constraints. The principal and most comprehensive piece of legislation that affects print publications is the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (1974) or NPPA. This legislation (derived from the colonial Printing Presses Act of 1920) allows the Singapore government to wield a three-pronged strategy in controlling the press, its ownership, personnel and ultimately, published content. First, it requires that all publications (local and foreign), printers, and the primary personnel associated with those publications, to be registered with and licensed by the government and to have those permits renewed every year. Thus, it would not be difficult for the government to deny licenses to particular individuals or groups, or to refuse to renew permits for those publications that were deemed to have overstepped their bounds in terms of critical or offensive content. Second, any given individual or group can only own three percent or less of the total stock of a newspaper company. This was a way of breaking up the family-owned newspapers that had existed earlier and ensuring that such concentrations of ownership does not return. Third, the NPPA envisages two types of shareholders. Only persons approved by the government are allowed to buy what are referred to as "management shares" while others may buy ordinary shares. The difference between the two is in terms of voting power, specifically on editorial policy and personnel decisions. Each "management share" vote is worth two hundred times the vote of an ordinary share. By possessing the power of approval over who may own or buy these "management shares" the Singapore government indirectly exercises control and direction over those allowed to have a say in the editorial governance of all local newspapers and magazines. A 1986 amendment to the NPPA allows the government's Ministry of Communication to reduce the number of copies circulated in Singapore of any foreign publication that was labeled as engaging in domestic politics. This gives the government broad latitude in terms of reducing the availability of a particular publication within the republic without seeming to suppress or eliminate it completely. It is also an effective mechanism for hitting a publication where it hurts, its circulation figures and consequently, its advertising revenues. Over the years several international and regional newsweeklies such as Time, Asian Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Far Eastern Economic Review, and the now defunct Asiaweek, have fallen victim to this provision of the NPPA. Typically, the charge of interfering in domestic politics followed that publication's critical coverage of the government's political actions (e.g., alleged unfair treatment of the miniscule opposition parties or its members) or business news defined as negative. This usually went along with the refusal or reluctance of the concerned publication to publish letters on the disputed matter from government officials in their entirety and without editing. In some instances, following conciliatory actions, the circulations of some affected publications were partially or completely restored. Although not enforced in every case, foreign publications are also required to post a bond of nearly $500,000 (Singapore) "in case of future journalistic indiscretions." In addition to specific laws that deal with libel and defamation (over the years, many Singapore leaders have gone to court on these grounds and won several judgments and large financial damages against publications and journalists) and copyright infringement, there are a few other important laws that affects press operations. One is the Undesirable Publications Act that prohibits the sale, importation or dissemination of foreign publications defined as contrary to the public interest. Although broadly defined, the specific targets of this law have often been publications construed as publishing obscene, pornographic material or seen as advocating alternative sexual lifestyles. An earlier piece of legislation from before Singapore's independence, the Internal Security Act, has rarely been used against the press in recent times; however, it allows the government to detain journalists without judicial review in the interests of national security, broadly defined. In contrast and rather unexpectedly, the Official Secrets Act that generally targets espionage has been used against financial journalists belonging to the Business Times who reported on economic growth figures before the numbers were officially released by the government. In addition to these legal weapons, it should be understood that the likelihood of winning cases in court in which the government is the opposing party is generally slim in Singapore. As a result, it is fair to say that local newspapers have adapted themselves to their specified functions of providing education and information within the existing setup in Singapore. They are therefore, not likely to challenge continuing restrictions on the basis of the need for greater freedom of the press. Foreign publications that may do so face consequences such as suffering circulation cuts that that are almost equivalent to an outright ban and strictures on the entry and work of their correspondents. Consequently, some foreign publications have withdrawn from active, continuous coverage of Singapore. Censorship It is important to note that censorship in its most blatant form, prior screening of the content of publications by a designated government or statutory agency, does not exist in Singapore, although radio, television and movies have historically been subject to such censorship. However, as noted earlier, the government exerts a variety of means of control over newspaper personnel, functioning and distribution. These include, among others, official criticism (hectoring and scolding newspapers for the nature, style and tone of certain content along with the insistence of an automatic right of reply) as well as administrative and managerial (e.g., a senior and long standing government intelligence official was placed in charge of a major newspaper), commercial (management shares can only be owned by government approved individuals) and legal (licensing; the threat of libel lawsuits) weapons. Both former Prime Minister Lee and current Prime Minister Goh Chok Thong, many ministries and ministers, government departments, statutory bodies and their senior officials have not hesitated to comment and criticize newspapers for various "lapses." Given the range of powers that these government entities and representatives command, newspapers and journalists on their own do not generally engage in published criticism of national leaders or their actions. Two additional factors need to be taken into account. First, surveys of Singaporeans have shown repeatedly that a large majority is happy with the current content and coverage of their country by the local press, and do not necessarily want aggressive, combative or crusading journalism. Next, the government alone is seen (by both journalists and ruling politicians alike) as having the right to set the national agenda and priorities, by virtue of having won elections and repeatedly received a mandate for its policies from the people. A relatively new, though important, anti-censorship force is the rise of the Internet and electronic communication. Singapore became the second country (after Malaysia) in Asia to provide Internet service access to its citizens in mid-1994 and subscriptions are said to have grown to around 670,000 users in mid-1999. The major newspapers belonging to SPH have developed their own separate news-oriented websites, partly in response to reports that newspaper readership among those below 30 is declining. Singapore's officially expressed desire to move forward to become a wired, knowledge-based economy or what is often called an "intelligent island" drives the dilemma faced by those who may wish to restrict the flow of "undesirable" information and content from elsewhere. This means that unlike earlier times and with other media, given the global structure, libertarian culture and democratic ethos of the Internet, censorship would be difficult, if not impossible. While official guidelines and filtering systems are in place, Singapore's leaders have begun to acknowledge that education of, and self-regulation by, the individual subscriber may be the only answer to this dilemma. Already, government officials have begun discussing the difficulties of formulating and deploying top down, stringent controls over the far-flung and variegated information and education sources that characterize the information age. For example, they have decided to review the ban on satellite dishes which are currently available only to foreign embassies, financial institutions and other selected agencies and not to the public. This ban is particularly ironic in that several regional satellite television companies have located themselves in Singapore, but can only broadcast to other countries. They have also made suggestions that, unlike the past, attempting to block the publication of what it does not like by targeting a particular newspaper or magazine may not be productive. Instead, government may be better served by insisting strenuously to the newspaper or other content provider that the former's views and versions of events be also carried and given equal weight. Under this scenario, the newspaper subscriber reads and learns the facts and arguments from both viewpoints and decides on his or her own what to believe. State-Press Relations Politically, the government continues to be dominated by the People's Action Party (PAP), which has won every election since independence, and which generally espouses highly interventionist governmental policies and an iron grip over various spheres of Singapore's social and cultural life (including mass communication media). In its earlier days, the party campaigned as a socialist entity. However, in the 1970s and later, it generally abandoned socialism in order to embrace "free trade" and to spur investments by foreign multinational corporations. Although the PAP's proportionate share of total votes cast in regularly held elections has declined somewhat (the high point being 76 percent in 1980) it has generally enjoyed supermajorities in Parliament, usually holding 90 to 100 percent of the seats. During election campaigns, it is not uncommon for the PAP to suggest or state that given the impossibility of the small opposition coming to power, constituencies that elected members of the latter would not be allotted government funded improvements. Critics have also decried the PAP and its leaders for their authoritarian and paternalistic tendencies. However, unlike many other developing countries dominated or controlled by a single party, the PAP's governance of Singapore has also earned kudos and respect for its stability, farsightedness, efficiency, competence, and the general absence of corruption. For more than three decades, the PAP-led government of Singapore has played an active role in controlling and directing the mass communication media of the country by making sure that they did not become focal points for criticism and opposition. Radio and television in the early years of Singapore's independence were already under direct government control, although newspapers were privately owned (often by families). Two English language daily newspapers, Eastern Sun (accused of being backed by Communists) and Singapore Herald (accused of being overly critical of various government policies such as compulsory national service) were closed down. Personnel associated with the Chinese language daily Nanyang Siang Pau were detained for stirring up racial prejudice. Later, pressure was brought to bear on local newspapers against covering or publicizing the tiny opposition parties and their leaders. Some newspapers were required to merge, and some to cease publication while new ones were created. Foreign publications regarded as meddling in local politics were targeted for reductions in circulation, sued for libel and their correspondents not given work visas. The general approach to the press by the Singapore government can be seen to embody features of what many observers characterize as its customary and unapologetic "soft authoritarianism" on all sectors of, and matters pertaining to, the republic. To justify such an approach, Singaporeans are often reminded of riots and disturbances that took place in the past as a result of alleged adverse or chauvinistic newspaper coverage and interpretation of inter-ethnic matters. In recent times, several Singaporean leaders and intellectuals have attempted to articulate a formal rationale for the continued existence of strict political control and legal constraints over constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of association, assembly, speech and expression. Allowing members of the public and the press the unfettered exercise of these rights, they have argued, is inimical to the interests of maintaining order in a highly sensitive multiethnic Singaporean society that possesses only a fragile and recently acquired sense of nationhood. In particular, they have proposed that in contrast to the highly individualistic Western democracies that are the source of these "individualistic" ideas, Singapore needs to be guided by "Asian values," defined by Michael Haas as: "(1) community before self, (2) the family as the basic unit of society, (3) consensus rather than competition to resolve conflicts, (4) racial and religious tolerance and harmony, and (5) community support for the individual." Members of Singapore's ruling elite often use these identified values (said to be derived from Confucianism and also shared by other Asian cultures) to distance Singaporean society from the "decadence" of, and to proclaim its superiority to, the West, where these values do not hold sway. Thus, open and forceful criticism of the government as well as any portrayal of its members in a negative light are seen as luxuries that Singapore (and, by implication, other Asian societies) cannot afford to indulge in. This not only because these pursuits fritter away energies better spent fostering government-led economic development, but also because such criticism violates the important values of consensus, harmony, and communitarianism. However, critics are quick to point out that these arguments are clearly self-serving for those in power and serve more to reinforce the existing status quo. The constant harping on Asian values and the denigration of individual rights and freedoms is used, according to Haas, to "persuade the public that any deviation from PAP rule would bring economic disaster to Singapore," and for "telling the people what to think." Singapore media are regularly placed by Freedom House's annual international rankings of press freedom in the category "not free." For the republic's media, the concept of Asian values, as promoted by the government translates as follows. The press and other communication outlets are expected to function as responsible team players putting national and governmental interests over the freedom to disseminate anything and everything that they may wish to publish or broadcast. In contrast to the Western notion of the press as an active watchdog over the government and its officials, in Singapore its pro-government role is to faithfully communicate national plans, priorities and pronouncements to the public and "to promote numerous campaigns, initiated and managed by the government." Thus, casual visitors to the country are likely to be struck by the notable absence of political controversy, criticism and bickering in the pages of Singapore's newspapers, and their uniform toeing of the governmental line in terms of viewpoints on almost all national and international issues. Broadcast Media For a variety of reasons, the broadcast media (radio and television) have historically been under government control in Singapore. In 1994, the government's broadcast holdings were spun off as a corporation, Singapore International Media, whose name was changed in 1999 to Media Corporation of Singapore (MCS). As noted previously, MCS has recently entered the newspaper market to compete with SPH, which previously monopolized this sector. MCS currently runs four core direct-to-air television stations (broadcasting programs in the four official languages), a regional news channel (Channel News Asia), a teletext service, an outdoor television channel for commuters and public areas, and is in the process of introducing digital broadcasting. In terms of its radio holdings, it controls 11 core stations (programming in all official languages), another that broadcasts specifically to certain groups within Singapore's expatriate population (Japanese, German, and French programming) and a foreign service, Radio Singapore International. Further, it is expanding into digital audio broadcasting. The earlier broadcasting monopoly of MCS is also being challenged by the entry of SPH into the television market in 2001 with two news channels in English and Chinese. Summary The press in Singapore has a history that is more than 150 years old. Similar to the republic's population, it is both modern and efficient in its setup, operations, and layout. At the same time, it continues to be subject to strict government policies and legal restraints that have served to constrain it in the interests of national development and communal harmony. Given the expansion of sources and options for Singaporeans to be informed, educated, and entertained, today, the press can be characterized accurately as being in the throes of transition and change. This change process encompasses both Singapore's media (e.g., managed competition between multimedia companies that were previously protected sectoral monopolies) and its government (e.g., rethinking of official policies designed historically to curb the flow of "undesirable" information). Bibliography Haas, Michael, ed. The Singapore Puzzle. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 1999. Kuo, Eddie C. Y. "The role of the media in the management of ethnic relations." In Goonasekera, Anura and Youichi Ito, eds., Mass Media and Cultural Identity: Ethnic Reporting in Asia. London: Pluto Press, 1999. Kuo, Eddie C. Y., and Peng Hwa Ang. "Singapore" Pp. 402-428 In Gunaratne, Shelton A., ed. Handbook of the Media in Asia. New Delhi: Sage Publications, 2000. Murray, Geoffrey, and Audrey Perera. Singapore: The Global City-State. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1996. N. Prabha Unnithan Official name: Republic of Singapore Area: 648 square kilometers (250 square miles) Highest point on mainland: Bukit Timah (166 meters/545 feet) Lowest point on land: Sea level Hemispheres: Northern and Eastern Time zone: 8 p.m. = noon GMT Longest distances: 42 kilometers (26 miles) from east-northeast to west-southwest; 23 kilometers (14 miles) from south-southeast to north-northwest Land boundaries: None Coastline: 193 kilometers (120 miles) Territorial sea limits: 5.6 kilometers (3 nautical miles) 1 LOCATION AND SIZE The Republic of Singapore consists of a main island and sixty-three islets just south of the tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia . Singapore, the second smallest country in Asia , is often described as a city-state. The diamond-shaped main island, which accounts for all but about 38 square kilometers (15 square miles) of the republic's area, is almost entirely urban. With a total area of 648 square kilometers (250 square miles), Singapore is nearly 3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C. 2 TERRITORIES AND DEPENDENCIES Singapore has no territories or dependencies. 3 CLIMATE Singapore has a humid, rainy, tropical climate, with temperatures moderated by the seas surrounding the islands. Temperatures are nearly uniform throughout the year, averaging 25°C (77°F) in January and 27°C (81°F) in June. Although the island lies between 1 and 2 degrees north of the equator, the maritime influences moderate the heat of the region. The highest temperature ever recorded in Singapore is only 36°C (97°F). Singapore is very humid, with heavy rainfall all year. Annual rainfall averages 237 centimeters (93 inches). The northeast monsoon that occurs between November and March brings the heaviest rainfall of the year. 4 TOPOGRAPHIC REGIONS The main island has three major geographic divisions: an elevated, hilly area in the center; a section of lower, rolling land to the west; and flatlands to the east. Singapore's smaller islands are low-lying with coastal beaches. 5 OCEANS AND SEAS Singapore is located between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Seacoast and Undersea Features The coastal waters surrounding Singapore are generally less than 30 meters (100 feet) deep. Sea Inlets and Straits Singapore is bordered on the north by the Johore Strait, which separates it from the Malay Peninsula, on the southeast by the Singapore Strait, and on the southwest by the Strait of Malacca. Islands and Archipelagos After Singapore Island, the next-largest island in the country is Pulau Tekong Besar to the northeast, with an area of only 18 square kilometers (7 square miles). Coastal Features The easternmost part of the coastline is smooth, but the rest has many indentations; the most important of these is the deep natural harbor at the mouth of the Singapore River on the southern coast. 6 INLAND LAKES Singapore has no significant natural lakes, but it has fourteen artificial bodies of water that were created by the construction of reservoirs. 7 RIVERS AND WATERFALLS Singapore's rivers are all short, including its main river, which has the same name as the island itself. The Singapore River flows into the wide harbor on the island's southeastern coast. Other rivers include the Seletar (at 14 Singapore's kilometers/9 miles, the longest on the island), Jurong, Kalang, Kranji, and Serangoon. 8 DESERTS There are no deserts in Singapore. 9 FLAT AND ROLLING TERRAIN Aside from Bukit Timah Hill, the main island's highest point, Singapore's central hills include Mandai and Panjang. Lower ridges extend northwest-to-southeast in the western and southern parts of the island. 10 MOUNTAINS AND VOLCANOES The highest land on Singapore is a ridge of rugged hills in the center of the island. The highest is Bukit Timah Hill, at 165 meters (545 feet). 11 CANYONS AND CAVES Singapore has no significant caves or canyons. 12 PLATEAUS AND MONOLITHS The eastern part of the main island is a low, eroded plateau. 13 MAN-MADE FEATURES The Johore Causeway, built in the 1920s, is fewer than 3 kilometers (1 mile) long. It bridges the Johore Strait, connecting Singapore to the Malaysian state of Johore. A second causeway opened in 1999. Land reclamation has added almost 15 square kilometers (6 square miles) to Singapore's total territory since 1966, mostly along the southeast coast, including reclamation on nearby islands. Fourteen reservoirs have been built on Singapore's rivers for flood control as well as for private and industrial water use. Almost all the reservoirs are located in the center of the island or at the mouths of rivers on the northeastern or western coasts. Among the largest are Seretar and Upper Pierce, both of which are situated in the center of the island. 14 FURTHER READING Fuller, Barbara. Berlitz: Discover Singapore. Oxford, England : Berlitz Publishing, 1993. Rowthorn, Chris, et al. Malaysia , Singapore and Brunei. Oakland, CA: Lonely Planet, 1999. Singapore and Malaysia. Knopf Guides. New York : Knopf, 1996. Warren, William. Singapore, City of Gardens. Hong Kong : Periplus Editions, 2000. Web Sites Lonely Planet: Destination Singapore. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/south_east_asia/singapore (accessed April 15, 2003). Singapore Tourism Board: North America site. http://www.tourismsingapore.com/ (accessed April 15, 2003). Cite this article Singaporean Orientation Identification. The place name "Singapore" is derived from Singa-pura ("City of the Lion"), a commonly used term since the fourteenth century. The main cultural traditions are Malay, Indian, Chinese, and to some extent Western (British). The different communities do not regard themselves as sharing a culture; instead, they consider themselves parts of a whole. This is illustrated by reference to a popular local dish, Rojak, a salad in which the various ingredients are covered by the same peanut sauce, forming a distinct whole with each ingredient clearly discernible. The peanut sauce is Singaporeanness; the other ingredients are the different cultural traditions. Location and Geography. Singapore lies at the tip of the Malay peninsula. It borders Malaysia , Indonesia , and Brunei. Its area is 248 square miles (642 square kilometers), including the main island and some sixty islets. The main island is flat with a hilly region in the middle. The highest point is Bukit Timah, feet (206 meters) above sea level. The climate is tropical with high humidity and abundant rainfall, especially during the northeast monsoon in December to March. The period of the southwest monsoon (June to September) is usually the driest. The main island is fully urbanized with a dense commercial city center to the south. Around the city center are new townships that house about 86 percent of the population. The townships are self-contained and have high-rise apartment blocks, shops, medical and social service buildings, religious buildings, and schools; they are well connected by the Mass Rapid Transport System (MRT), which circles the island. Demography. Singapore has a population of about three million, 2.7 million of whom are citizens and permanent residents. The other three hundred thousand are mainly foreign workers. The Chinese constitute about 78 percent, the Malays 14 percent, the Indians 7 percent, and others 1 percent of the population. The ethnic composition of the population has been relatively stable. Linguistic Affiliation. Singapore is a multilingual state. The national language is Malay, and the four official languages are Malay, English, Indian ( Tamil ), and Chinese (Mandarin). English is the administrative language and the medium of instruction in schools. Pupils also choose one of the "mother tongues": Malay, Tamil, and Chinese. There are various subdialects of the different languages. Symbolism. Economic prosperity and political stability are associated with the national culture, as is the Singaporean concept kiasu. Kiasu means "afraid to lose" and refers to the wish to come in first in lines, competitions, negotiations, and so forth. Some say kiasu keeps standards high, but others claim it leads to a graceless society. The flag is divided into equal red and white horizontal sections symbolizing unity and purity. A white crescent moon and five stars in a circle symbolize a growing nation and the ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality. The national anthem and national motto are in Malay. Other symbols draw on the distinct ethnic traditions. Chinese, Malays, and Indians draw on symbolic materials and ritual practices from their own traditions and for their own purposes. History and Ethnic Relations Emergence of the Nation. Singapore emerged as a nation after 1965. For nearly one hundred fifty years it had been a British colony that was intimately linked to the whole Malay peninsula. Singapore came into being as a British trade port in 1819 and continued as one of the three British "Strait Settlements." In that period, Malays from nearby areas, large numbers of immigrants from China , and later Indian convict laborers moved into the island. The British did little to integrate the population, largely leaving each community to itself. Singapore gained independence in 1959 and joined the Union of Malaya in 1963 but was expelled in 1965. The next five years were marked by the "policy of survival." From 1945 until the early 1970s, the island had severe housing shortages and a poor infrastructure, high criminality and unemployment, racial riots, and communist uprisings. The "survival policy" was based on the attraction of foreign investment through low taxes, the development of an efficient infrastructure, a disciplined workforce, and strict political control. In thirty years Singapore changed from a rough trading port to a rich, orderly, industrialized society. The remembrance of social and economic difficulties influenced the development of a national culture with a focus on wealth and stability and the idea of multiculturalism. National Identity. There is no single dominant national identity. Instead, there are complex identities that draw on a variety of sources and are relevant in different situations, although ethnic identity takes precedence in most situations. Ethnic Relations. Cultural links to India , China, Malaysia, and Indonesia give Singaporeans orientations and loyalties that stretch far beyond the national borders. These differences are superseded by an identification with Singapore as a homeland with wealth and stability. Distance and distinction mark ethnic relations within the country. Urbanism, Architecture, and the Use of Space Singapore is a green city, but it has a very groomed greenness. There are two small national parks. Only at the fringes of the island and on the islets is there rural life, and it is disappearing fast. Highways crisscrossing the island, the huge port on the southern tip, vast industrial areas to the west, and the airport to the east create an air of swift efficiency. The most striking features of the landscape are the high-rise buildings. This is a distinctly modern architecture with roots in the functionalism of the 1960s. In the 1980s and 1990s, there was more diversity in building styles. The typical domicile is a small apartment off the ground. Ethnicity is not an issue in the public use of space; communal differences are clearly discernible in the layout of the interiors of homes and certain town areas. Food and Economy Food in Daily Life. Rice, fish, chicken, and vegetables are the staples. When these ingredients are mixed with a rich variety of spices, chilis, coconuts, lime, and tamarind, the variations are endless. Food is often eaten outside the home in food centers where food is cheap, tasty, and freshly made. There are many cafés, coffeehouses and teahouses, and formal restaurants. Forks and spoons are used, but Chinese food is eaten with chopsticks, and Indian and Malay food may be eaten with the hand. The three main meals are breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most meals are eaten hot. Malays do not eat pork, Indians do not eat beef, and many Buddhist Chinese are part-time vegetarians. Many people do not drink alcohol. Food Customs at Ceremonial Occasions. Special dishes are eaten during the major ceremonial occasions of all three ethnic groups, but none are connected to national celebrations. Basic Economy. Singapore has a fully developed industrial international economy. The country depends heavily on imports, as there are few natural resources on the island. There has been a consistent surplus in the overall balance of payments. There is a large degree of state control of the economy. Land Tenure and Property. There is a large degree of private ownership of houses and apartments. Land tenure is firmly regulated by the government and there are government plans for the use of every inch of the island's territory. Foreigners usually are allowed only to lease land, but they may buy apartments. Commercial Activities, Major Industries, and Trade. Manufacturing is the most important economic sector, followed by financial and business services, commerce, transportation, and communications. Production is mainly for export. The main exports are electronics, refined petroleum products, natural rubber, and palm oil. The main trading partners are Malaysia, the European Union (EU), the United States , Hong Kong , and Japan . Division of Labor. About two-thirds of the resident population is employed. Only 0.2 percent of the members of the workforce are employed in the primary sector, and about 37 percent of employed persons work in commerce and finance and the business sector. Twenty-three percent work in manufacturing, 21 percent in other services, and 18 percent in transportation and communications and construction. The unemployment rate has long been below 3 percent but increased during the recent economic downturn. Chinese are over-represented in professional, technical, administrative, and managerial jobs, whereas Malays are the most underrepresented in highly skilled jobs, with Indians in the middle. The substantial numbers of foreign workers are overrepresented in production and related work. Social Stratification Classes and Castes. There are wide income and wealth differences, but the country is more differentiated by ethnicity than by class. All the ethnic groups have experienced upward occupational mobility. There is an intense focus on education. Good marks are a sure path to good positions with good wages. In this respect, Singapore is a meritocracy. Symbols of Social Stratification. Singaporeans jokingly refer to their desire for the "five C's": car, condominium, credit card, club membership, and career. These are important symbols of wealth and status regardless of ethnicity. There is no national costume, but the orchid is used as a national symbol, and textiles with orchid patterns may be employed as a national symbol on formal occasions. Political Life Government. Singapore is a republic with a parliamentary system. The head of state is the president, who is elected for a fixed term of six years. The parliament is elected in a general compulsory election every five years. There are also six nominated members of the parliament. The cabinet is the executive organ of the state, and execution of government policies is carried out by ministries and statutory boards. Leadership and Political Officials. The People's Action Party (PAP) has maintained a large majority in the parliament since 1965, with only a few seats held by politicians from opposition parties. The road to a political position through the cadre system of the PAP lies in educational and professional merit as well as loyalty. The other parties are led by politicians with strong personalities. Social Problems and Control. The crime rate is low. The judiciary system is based on the British legal system. The death penalty is imposed for drug smuggling, and caning is still used as a punishment. In addition, there are fines or other penalties for a wide range of transgressions, such as throwing litter on the floor, urinating in the elevator, and engaging in politics outside registered political parties. Military Activity. Both military and civil defense are well developed, and the armed forces are equipped. Two and a half years of compulsory military service are required for males. Social Welfare and Change Programs Social welfare is financed through the Central Provident Fund (CPF), a public savings scheme. Employees under age 55 and their employers contribute a fixed amount of a worker's salary into an individual account administered by the CPF. This account provides financial security for old age and can be drawn on for housing and medical and educational costs. Charity is an important aspect of the financing of social welfare. Care of the old, sick, and disabled is in the hands of families and relatives. Three different agencies provide some social services for members of the three ethnic groups. Independent social work units also carry out some social work. Nongovernmental Organizations and Other Associations Many of the nearly five thousand registered societies are directly or indirectly linked to the government. Among the rest, very few can be defined as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in a strict sense, but they form the basis of the civil society. A pattern of division according to ethnic distinction exists, but there are many nonethnic associations and societies. Gender Roles and Statuses Nearly 80 percent of men and about 50 percent of women are employed. Women have joined the workforce in large numbers but are underrepresented in leadership positions in all areas and institutions. Marriage, Family, and Kinship Marriage. Polygamy is allowed among Muslim Malays, but otherwise monogamy is the rule. Interethnic marriages are not common. Divorce is becoming more common. The average age at first marriage has increased, and it is customary for young people to live with their parents until they marry. Domestic Unit. The basic household unit is the nuclear family, which constituted 85 percent of resident households in 1990. Close links with relatives on both the husband's and the wife's sides are usually maintained. The proportion of households without a family nucleus shrank from 26 percent in 1957 to 8 percent in 1980, reflecting the changes from an immigrant to a settled population. Males dominate as heads of households. Inheritance. Traditionally, sons inherited family assets, while daughters were expected to marry out of the family. This pattern is less common today. Kin Groups. Kin groups play a significant role in all ethnic groups, and people often move within wide networks of relatives. Privately, kin groups are important, but politically and economically, they play a marginal role. Socialization Infant Care. Children are brought along in most situations except business and very formal events. Small children are showered with affection. Generally, children are expected to be quiet and obedient and may be physically punished for misbehaving. There is very little free space where children can play and few areas designed specially for children. Child Rearing and Education. Children are thought to hold the key not only to their own future but also to the future of their families, and education is regarded as extremely important. There is a range of private and public nurseries, kindergartens, and play schools. Children start school at age six. Higher Education. There is a great emphasis on higher education. Children spend six years in primary school and four years in secondary school and then go on to a vocational school or university, depending on their grades (a sure way to higher education in Singapore) or money (a university education abroad). Competition for entrance to the best schools is fierce. Etiquette Older people ideally are treated with respect, but wealth and status may supersede age distinctions. A social superior or an authority is treated with much formality. There are great differences between formal and informal events, situations, and places. In social interaction, a certain physical distance is kept, especially between men and women. Food rules of the ethnic groups are always respected. Religion Religious Beliefs. There is freedom of religion with some exceptions. Singapore has been described as one of the most religious countries in the world. The major religions are Islam (Malay), Hinduism (Indians), Buddhism , Taoism , and folk religion (Chinese), along with a substantial number of Christians of various denominations. Religious Practitioners. Religious experts vary from formally installed priests and teachers representing the institutionalized religions to self-ordained shamans, healers, and sorcerers. Rituals and Holy Places. The many Chinese and Indian temples, Malay mosques, and Christian churches are the main public arenas for religious activities. Much religious activity is also carried out in the home. There are different "street festivals" according to the ritual calendars of the different ethnic groups Death and the Afterlife. A funeral is a major ritual for all ethnic group. The idea of an afterlife is generally shared. Medicine and Health Care A well-developed modern medical system consists of private and public clinics and hospitals. Traditional medical beliefs and practices are also common. Secular Celebrations The national holiday is on 31 August and is celebrated with military parades and culture shows at the national stadium. The ethnic public holidays are divided nearly equally among Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Christian holidays. The most important ethnic holidays are the Chinese New Year and the Malay Muslim Rahmadan, both celebrated in January–February, and the Indian Deepavali or Festival of the Light, celebrated around September–October. The Arts and Humanities Literature, Graphic Arts, and Performance Arts. A common complaint is that Singapore has no culture, and the fine arts have a limited public. The government subsidizes some art institutions and events, but generally there is little public funding. The different ethnic groups have their own artistic traditions and focus on arts. The contemporary generation is more focused on contemporary art forms. The State of the Physical and Social Sciences Singapore has well-developed scientific institutions. Priority is given to technology and applied science. There are two universities: the National University of Singapore, a full-scale university with all disciplines, and the Nanyang Technical University. Bibliography Bloodworth, Dennis. The Tiger and the Trojan Horse, 1986. Brazil, David. Street Smart Singapore, 1991. Census of Population, Monograph No. 5. Singapore, 1990. Cheng, Lim Keak. Geographical Analysis of the Singapore Population, 1995. Chua, Beng Huat. Political Legitimacy and Housing. Stake-holding in Singapore, 1997. Clammer, John. The Sociology of Singapore Religion: Studies in Christianity and Chinese Culture, 1991. Craig, JoAnn. Culture Shock: Singapore and Malaysia, 1979. Drysdale, John. Singapore: Struggle for Success, 1984. Hill, Michael, and Kwee Fee Lian. The Politics of Nation Building and Citizenship in Singapore, 1995. Ho, Kong Chong, and Chua Beng Huat. Cultural, Social and Leisure Activities in Singapore, 1995. Huff, W. G. The Economic Growth of Singapore: Trade and Development in the Twentieth Century, 1994. Kuo, Eddie C. Y., and Tong Chee Kiong. Religion in Singapore, 1995. Lai, Ah Eng. Meanings of Multiethnicity: A Case-Study of Ethnicity and Ethnic Relations in Singapore, 2nd ed., 1995. Lee, Edwin. "Community, Family and Household." In Chew C. T. Ernest and Edwin Lee, eds., A History of Singapore, 2nd ed., 1996. Lim, Catherine. Little Ironies: Stories of Singapore, 1978. Pugalenthi Sr. Elections in Singapore, 1996. Tamney, Joseph B. The Struggle over Singapore's Soul: Western Modernization and Asian Culture, 1995. Toh, Mun Heng, and Tay Boon Nga. Households and Housing in Singapore, 1995. Turnbull, C. M. A History of Singapore, 1819–1988, 1989. Yeoh, B. S. A., and L. Kong, eds. Portraits of Places. History, Community and Identity in Singapore, 1995. —Benedicte BrØgger	Singapore
The Scandinavian raw dish gravlax is made from which creature?	Singapore facts, information, pictures \| Encyclopedia.com articles about Singapore Republic of Singapore CAPITAL: Singapore FLAG: The flag consists of a red stripe at the top and a white stripe on the bottom. On the red stripe, at the hoist, are a white crescent opening to the fly and five white stars. ANTHEM: Long Live Singapore. MONETARY UNIT: The Singapore dollar (s$) of 100 cents is a freely convertible currency. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 dollar and notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, and 10,000 dollars. s$1 = us$0.60606 (or us$1 = s$1.65) as of 2005. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force, but some local measures are used. HOLIDAYS: Major Western, Chinese, Malay, and Muslim holidays are celebrated, some of which fall on annually variable dates because of the calendars used. Major holidays include New Year's Day, 1 January; Chinese New Year; Good Friday; Vesak Day (Buddhist festival); Labor Day, 1 May; Hari Raya Puasa (Muslim festival); National Day, 9 August; Hari Raya Haji (Malay Muslim festival); Dewali; Christmas , 25 December. TIME: 8 pm = noon GMT. LOCATION, SIZE, AND EXTENT The Republic of Singapore, the second-smallest country in Asia , consists of Singapore Island and several smaller adjacent islets. Situated in the Indian Ocean off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore has an area of 693 sq km (268 sq mi). Comparatively, the area occupied by Singapore is slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C. Singapore Island extends 41.8 km (26 mi) ene–wsw and 22.5 km (14 mi) sse–nnw and has a coastline of 193 km (120 mi), including about 84 km (52 mi) along the water channel between the island and the Malay Peninsula. Singapore is connected to the nearby western portion of Malaysia by a causeway 1,056 m (3,465 ft) in length across the narrow Johore Strait. Singapore's position at the eastern end of the Strait of Malacca, which separates western Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra, has given it economic and strategic importance out of proportion to its small size. Singapore's capital city, Singapore, is located on the country's southern coast. TOPOGRAPHY Singapore Island is mostly low-lying, green, undulating country with a small range of hills at the center. The highest point of the island is Bukit Timah (166 m/545 ft). There are sections of rain forest in the center and large mangrove swamps along the coast, which has many inlets, particularly in the north and west. Singapore's harbor is wide, deep, and well protected. The longest river, the Seletar, is only 14 km (9 mi) long. CLIMATE The climate is tropical, with heavy rainfall and high humidity. The range of temperature is slight; the average annual maximum is 31°c (88°f), and the average minimum 24°c (75°f). The annual rainfall of 237 cm (93 in) is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, ranging from 39 cm (15 in) in December to 28 cm (11 in) in May. It rains about one day in two. FLORA AND FAUNA Singapore Island is mostly denuded, the dense tropical forest that originally covered it being mostly cleared. There is some rain forest in the central area of the island, however, as well as extensive mangrove swamps along the coast. The greatest concentration of plant life can be found in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, one of the largest areas of primary rain forest in the country. Urban development has limited animal life. As of 2002, there were at least 85 species of mammals, 142 species of birds, and over 2,200 species of plants throughout the country. ENVIRONMENT Environmental responsibility for Singapore is vested in the Ministry of the Environment and its Anti-Pollution Unit. Air quality is protected by the Clean Air Act, as adopted in 1971 and amended in 1975 and 1980, and by the Clean Air (Standards) Regulations of 1975. Regulations limiting the lead content of gasoline were imposed in 1981, and emissions standards for motor vehicles were tightened in 1986. Air pollution from transportation vehicles is a problem in the nation's growing urban areas. In 1992, Singapore was among 50 nations with the world's highest levels of industrial carbon dioxide emissions, which totaled 49.8 million metric tons, a per capita level of 17.99 metric tons. In 2000, the total of carbon dioxide emissions was at 59 million metric tons. Water quality is regulated through the Water Pollution Control and Drainage Act of 1975 and the Trade Effl uent Regulations of 1976. Singapore does not have enough water to support the needs of its people. In total, the nation about has about 0.1 cu mi of water. Four percent of the annual withdrawal is used for farming and 51% for industrial purposes. Pollution from the nation's oil industry is also a significant problem, and the cities produce about 0.9 million tons of solid waste per year. Wastewater is treated and recycled to conserve water supplies. In 2003, only about 4.9% of the total land area was protected. According to a 2006 report issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), threatened species included 3 types of mammals, 10 species of birds, 4 types of reptiles, 13 species of fish, 1 species of invertebrate, and 54 species of plants. Threatened species in Singapore include the Ridley's leaf-nosed bat, Chinese egret, yellow-crested cockatoo, batagur, tigers, and the Singapore roundleaf horseshoe bat. POPULATION The population of Singapore in 2005 was estimated by the United Nations (UN) at 4,296,000, which placed it at number 119 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In 2005, approximately 8% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 20% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 101 males for every 100 females in the country. According to the UN, the annual population rate of change for 2005–10 was expected to be 0.6%, a rate the government viewed as too low. The projected population for the year 2025 was 5,108,000. The population density was 6,929 per sq km (17,946 per sq mi). Singapore is virtually a city-state, and the entire population (100%) is considered urban. MIGRATION Singapore had only a few Malay fishermen as inhabitants at the time of its founding as a British trading post in 1819. It was subsequently and quite rapidly populated by immigrant peoples, primarily Chinese but also Malays (from Sumatra as well as adjacent Malaya) and Indians (who took advantage of common British governance to migrate to Singapore in search of better employment). Thus immigration, rather than natural increase, was the major factor in Singapore's fast population growth through the mid-20th century. In November 1965, following separation from Malaysia, Singapore's newly independent government introduced measures to restrict the flow of Malaysians entering the country in search of work. These immigrants, who averaged 10,000 a year up to 1964, had to establish residence for several years to qualify for citizenship. In addition, all noncitizens were required to apply for a work permit or employment pass. Immigration is now generally restricted to those with capital or with special skills. There were 1,352,000 migrants living in Singapore in 2000. The number of foreign workers in Singapore jumped from 70,000 in 1975 to 600,000 in 2003. The share of foreigners in the workforce rose from 7% in 1975 to 25% in 2003. In 2004, there was a single refugee in Singapore and there were three asylum seekers. In 2000, the net migration rate was 19.6 migrants per 1,000 population. This rate was significantly reduced by 2005 to an estimated 10.3 migrants per 1,000 population. LANGUAGES There are four official languages in Singapore: Chinese (Mandarin dialect), Malay, English, and Tamil . English is the principal medium of government and is widely used in commerce; it is spoken by about 23% of the population. In 1987, under a government mandate, English was made the primary language of the school system. Mandarin is the most widely known language, spoken by about 35% of the population. Malay is spoken by 14% and Tamil by 3%. Other languages include Hokkien (11%), Cantonese (6%), and Teochew (5%). RELIGIONS The Chinese adhere in varying degrees to Buddhism , Taoism , and Confucianism. According to a 2000 census, these faiths, as well as traditional ancestor worship, were practiced by about 51% of the population. Malays and persons with origins in the Pakistani and Bangladeshi portions of the Indian subcontinent are almost exclusively Muslim. About 15% of the total population practices Islam . About 15% of the population is Christian, with Protestants outnumbering Roman Catholics by about two to one. Most of the Indian minority (4%) are Hindus. There are also small Sikh, Jewish, Zoroastrian, and Jain communities. There is complete separation of state and religion in Singapore and freedom of religion is constitutionally guaranteed. However, all religious groups must be registered under the Societies Act, and the government has maintained a ban on the registration of Jehovah 's Witnesses and the Unification Church. The government also has a semiofficial relationship with the Islamic Religious Council. One holiday from each of the nation's major religions (Islam, Christianity , Hinduism , and Buddhism) is recognized as a national holiday. TRANSPORTATION Singapore's history is partly the history of the island country's important regional role as a transportation link between East and West and between the mainland and insular portions of Southeast Asia . As long ago as 1822—only three years after the establishment of a British colonial presence on the island—1,575 ships called at the new port of Singapore from nearby islands, Europe , India , and China . With a natural deepwater harbor that is open year-round, Singapore now ranks as the largest container port in the world, with anchorage facilities that can accommodate supertankers. Ships of some 600 shipping lines, flying the flags of nearly all the maritime nations of the world regularly call at Singapore. In 2005, Singapore's merchant fleet comprised 923 ships of 1,000 GRT or more, totaling 23,065,290 GRT. Commercial air service was inaugurated in Singapore in 1930. In 2004, there were 10 airports, 9 of which had paved runways as of 2005. The two principal air facilities are Changi International and Seletar Airport. Singapore's own carrier is Singapore Airlines. In 2003, about 14.737 million passengers were carried on scheduled domestic and international flights. There were 3,130 km (1,947 mi) of roadways in 2002, all of which were paved, including 150 km (93 mi) of expressways. In 2003, there were 600,550 motor vehicles, of which 414,300 were automobiles and 186,250 were commercial vehicles. Singapore's sole rail facility is a 38.6-km (24-mi) section of the Malayan Railways, which links Singapore to Kuala Lumpur . There is also an 83km (52-mi) mass transit system with 48 stations. HISTORY Some historians believe a town was founded on the Singapore Island as early as the 7th century, while other sources claim that "Singapura" (Lion City) was established by an Indian prince in 1299. Historians believe that during the 13th and 14th centuries, a thriving trading center existed until it was devastated by a Javanese attack in 1377. Singapore, however, was virtually uninhabited when Sir Stamford Raffl es, in 1819, established a trading station of the British East India Company on the island. In 1824, the island was ceded outright to the company by the Sultan of Johore, the Malay state at the extreme southern end of the peninsula. In 1826, it was incorporated with Malacca (Melaka, Malaysia) and Penang (Pinang, Malaysia) to form the Straits Settlements, a British Crown colony until World War II . The trading center grew into the city of Singapore and attracted large numbers of Chinese, many of whom became merchants. With its excellent harbor, Singapore also became a flourishing commercial center and the leading seaport of Southeast Asia, handling the vast export trade in tin and rubber from British-ruled Malaya. In 1938, the British completed construction of a large naval base on the island, which the Japanese captured in February 1942 during World War II, following a land-based attack from the Malay Peninsula to the north. Recaptured by the United Kingdom in 1945, Singapore was detached from the Straits Settlements to become a separate Crown colony in 1946. Under a new constitution, on 3 June 1959, Singapore became a self-governing state, and on 16 September 1963, it joined the new Federation of Malaysia (formed by bringing together the previously independent Malaya and Singapore and the formerly British-ruled northern Borneo territories of Sarawak and Sabah ). However, Singapore, with its predominantly urban Chinese population and highly commercial economy, began to find itself at odds with the Malay-dominated central government of Malaysia. Frictions mounted, and on 9 August 1965, Singapore separated from Malaysia to become wholly independent as the Republic of Singapore. Harry Lee Kuan Yew, a major figure in the move toward independence, served as the country's prime minister from 1959 until 1990. Singapore, Indonesia , Malaysia, the Philippines , and Thailand formed the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967. The People's Action Party (PAP), founded in 1954, has been the dominant political party, winning every general election since 1959. The PAP's popular support rested on law-and-order policies buttressed by economic growth and improved standards of living. Although the PAP regularly carried 60–75% of the popular vote, it managed to capture virtually all seats repeatedly in the National Assembly. The PAP won all parliamentary seats in the general elections from 1968 to 1980. In the 1981 by-election, J. B. Jeyaretnam, secretary-general of the Workers' Party, won a seat; he maintained it in the 1984 general election. Chiam See Tong, leader of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), won another seat for the opposition in the same election. In March 1985, the third state president, Devan Nair, former trade unionist and member of the Singapore's "old guard," resigned from office under allegations related to alcoholism. The new president, Wee Kim Wee, took office in August. In May and June 1987, the government detained 22 persons under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for alleged involvement in a "Marxist conspiracy." These detentions triggered international protests by those critical of the government's abuse of human rights, including detention without trial and allegations of torture. Most of the alleged conspirators were released by December, but eight were rearrested in April 1988 after issuing a joint press statement regarding the circumstances of their detention. Two of the eight remained in custody until June 1990. The September 1988 general election took place under an altered electoral system that increased the total seats in parliament from 79 to 81. The new constituencies consisted of 42 singlemember districts and the reorganization of the other 39 seats into 13 group representation constituencies (GRCs). Teams of three representatives for each party contested the GRCs, at least one of which must be from an ethnic minority, i.e., non-Chinese. Ostensibly, these changes were to ensure minority participation, but at the same time small and/or resource-poor opposition parties were handicapped by the requirement to field three candidates. In November 1992, the media announced that Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (son of Lee Kuan Yew) and Ong Teng Cheong had been diagnosed with cancer. (The former was pronounced fully cured in 1994 but has been little seen in political circles.) On 28 November 1990, Lee Kuan Yew, prime minister of Singapore for over 31 years, transferred power to Goh Chok Tong, the former first deputy prime minister. Lee remained in the cabinet as senior minister to the prime minister's office and retained the position of secretary-general of the PAP. Singapore's first direct presidential elections were held on 28 August 1993, with Ong Teng Cheong becoming the first elected president. An incident that garnered worldwide attention was the Singapore government's October 1993 arrest of nine foreign youths charged with vandalism involving the spray painting of some 70 cars. Michael Fay, an 18-year-old American student and the oldest in the group, was suspected to be the leader. Under police interrogation Fay admitted his guilt and pleaded guilty in court to two counts of vandalism and one count of receiving stolen property. In March 1994, Fay was sentenced to four months in prison, a fine of us$2,230, and six strokes of the cane. On 7 March 1994, President Bill Clinton urged Singapore to reconsider the flogging of Fay amid a failed appeal. A plea to the Singaporean president for clemency was rejected, but as a "goodwill gesture towards President Clinton," the sentence of caning was reduced from six strokes to four. The sentence was carried out on 5 May 1994. In 1994, Singapore made international news when the government sued the International Herald Tribune for libel over an editorial the paper published suggesting that Prime Minister Goh was simply a figurehead and that ultimate power rested, as it always had, with Senior Minister and former Prime Minister Lee. The Singapore High Court, in a move that halted critical comments from the press, ruled in favor of the government and ordered the Herald Tribune to pay $667,000 in damages to Goh, Lee, and Deputy Prime Minister Lee. In 1995, the government was again criticized in the international press, this time in the New York Times, in which columnist William Safire called the country a dictatorship. Singaporean leaders took center stage in the international arena and proclaimed their right to reject Western values. They claimed that Asian values eschewed the precedence of individual liberty over social stability and that these values promoted an increasingly wealthy, clean, and hospitable city-state devoid of social pathologies that plagued both the West and other large Asian cities. The subsequent sentencing, on 1 December 1995 of Nick Leeson, an investment banker who single-handedly destroyed Barings through speculative investments in the Japanese stock market, seemed to confirm the bankruptcy of individual greed. Parliamentary elections were held in 1997 and, unsurprisingly, the PAP retained its vast majority—opposition parties won only 2 of 83 seats. One seat, that won by Tang Liang Hong, remained vacant in 1997 as Tang fled the country fearing government persecution—including lawsuits, freezing of bank accounts, and restrictions on travel—which began in earnest after his election. Tang's victory was seen as especially threatening to the rigid regime of the PAP because during the campaign, Tang had suggested that the English-speaking section of the ruling class monopolized power and that the Chinese needed to assert more control. These statements branded Tang as a Chinese chauvinist, an inflammatory label in the ethnically divided country. From 1998 to 2005, an international piracy wave disturbed shipping in the Malacca Straits and Singapore Straits. Vulnerable small "feeder" ships that ferry cargo from massive container vessels too large to visit many ports were subjected to an increased number of incidents, an increase in violence, and the death of crew members. In 2000, while some tax cuts were rescinded, Singapore announced positive economic growth, coming after two years of budgetary uncertainty related to the Asian economic crisis. The government also announced a budget surplus. However, other directives were exerted in 2000 when the government controlled media banned an episode of an American television show in which the lead female character kisses another woman. Broadcasters' responsibilities extended to taking "action against overtly sexy or alternative themes." On 28 April 2001, an unprecedented antigovernment rally was held, the first legally sanctioned demonstration outside of an election campaign. Over 2,000 people gathered in support of opposition leader J. B. Jeyaretnam, who faced bankruptcy and thus expulsion from parliament. Jeyaretnam owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in defamation lawsuits brought by senior government officials and their supporters. In September 2001, Malaysia and Singapore came to a series of agreements over issues that had strained relations between them for years. Largely prodded by concern over the growing influence of Islam in Malaysian politics, Singapore agreed to a Malaysian proposal that the causeway linking the two countries be demolished and replaced by a bridge and undersea tunnel after 2007. Malaysia agreed to supply water to Singapore after two water agreements expire in 2011 and 2061. Also discussed were disputes over the use of Malaysian-owned railway land in Singapore, and requests by Singapore to use Malaysian airspace. On 3 November 2001, parliamentary elections were held in which the PAP won 82 out of 84 seats. Opposition candidates contested only 29 of the seats. The next elections were to be held 25 June 2007. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States , the United States urged countries around the world to increase antiterrorist measures. Southeast Asia was a primary focus of attention. In May 2002, the 10 members of ASEAN pledged to form a united antiterror front and to set up a strong regional security framework. The steps included introducing national laws to govern the arrest, investigation, prosecution, and extradition of suspects. As well, they agreed to exchange intelligence information and to establish joint training programs, such as bomb detection and airport security. As of December 2002, five of the ASEAN nations (Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand) had acceded to the Agreement on Information Exchange and Establishment of Communication Procedures to fight terrorism and other transnational crime. Singapore said it was not ready to join the pact. In December 2001, Singapore arrested 15 individuals believed to be part of a terrorist cell with links to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network. Two suspects were released, but the others belonged to Jemaah Islamiya (JI), an Islamic organization with cells in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The cell's plot was to destroy key buildings in Singapore, including the American Embassy. JI's ambition was initially to create an Islamic Indonesia. However, the group expanded its goals to include an Islamic archipelago, Dauliah Islam Nusantara, to include Malaysia, the southern Philippines, and Singapore in a larger Islamic Indonesia. In August 2002, Singapore arrested 21 terrorist suspects who had allegedly carried out "reconnaissance and surveys" of potential terrorist attack targets in Singapore. They were purportedly members of Jemaah Islamiyah. In 2003, Singapore was shaken medically and financially by SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. As the disease was identified, Singapore took stringent precautions—closing markets, screening air passengers with thermal imaging, and establishing quarantines. About 33 people in Singapore died from SARS. A sharp economic contraction occurred as the illness also hit the economy hard. The service sector was worst hit as tourists stayed away and local people stayed home. Also in 2003, an unprecedented medical procedure to separate two adult Iranian sisters joined at the head was undertaken in Singapore by an international team of neurosurgeons. These efforts ended in failure, as the sisters died within one and a half hours of each other postoperatively as their circulation failed. Also in 2003, subsequent to Singapore's support of US policies on the war on terror and in Iraq , Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong signed a free trade agreement with the United States. Depicted as the "gold standard" for free trade agreements, it helped Singapore fix its position as a leading financial and trading nation in the region, especially after the Asian financial crisis of 1997 and 1998 and the effect of SARS in the region. Linked to Singapore's economic recovery from SARS, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong announced he would step down after the recovery. He also named his successor, Lee Hsien Loong, the elder son of Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew. On 12 August 2004, Lee Hsien Loong took office as prime minister of Singapore in this planned handover of power. In this shuffl e, Goh Chok Tong became senior minister and Lee Kuan Yew filled the newly created post of minister mentor, overseeing the cabinet. Indonesia and Singapore pledged in 2005 to finalize their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Batam Island. In August 2005, a prominent Hong Kong journalist, chief China correspondent for the Straits Times newspaper of Singapore, was formally charged by China for spying. In a continuing effort to promote tourism, in April 2005, a controversial plan to legalize casino gambling was approved, paving the way for the construction of two multi-billion dollar casino resorts. As an added attraction, Singapore announced plans to build a giant Ferris wheel, the Singapore Flyer, 558 feet tall, towering over the 450-foot London Eye. On 1 September 2005, Singapore's President S.R. Nathan was sworn in for his second term of office without running for reelection because Singapore's Presidential Election Committee had ruled that he was the only candidate fit for presidency. Three rivals had submitted candidacy papers to the committee, but they were disqualified as ineligible, thus canceling elections that would have been held on 27 August. GOVERNMENT The constitution of the Republic of Singapore, as amended in 1965, provides for a unicameral parliamentary form of government, with a president who, prior to 1991, served as titular head of state. Singapore practices universal suffrage, and voting has been compulsory for all citizens over 21 since 1959. In 1993, the unicameral legislature consisted of an 81 elected member parliament and six nominated members (NMPs) appointed by the president. The maximum term for parliamentary sessions is five years, although elections may be called at any time within that period. A general election is held within three months of dissolution. The number of parliamentary seats has increased with each general election since the seating of Singapore's first parliament, from 58 seats (1968) to 60 seats (1972), 69 seats (1976), 75 seats (1980), 79 seats (1984), 81 seats (1988), and 84 seats (2002). Until the 1988 election, all constituencies were single-member constituencies. In 1988, 60 of the original 81 constituencies (out of the increased number for 1988, i.e., from 79 in 1984 to 81 in 1988) were reorganized into 13 group representation constituencies (GRCs). In each GRC teams of three candidates must be fielded, one of who must be from a minority community, i.e., of an ethnic minority group, Malay, Indian, or an "Other" (all persons other than Chinese, Malay, or Indian). A 1984 constitutional amendment allowed for the presence of at least three opposition representatives as nonconstituency (nominated) members of parliament (NMPs), and in 1990, a law increasing their number was passed. Accordingly, up to six NMPs could be appointed from among opposition candidates who were unsuccessful in an election; these NMPs are given limited voting rights. In the 1991 general election, 60 members were elected from the 15 four-member GRCs, 21 from single-member constituencies, and the president appointed 6 nominated members of parliament. Changes to the electoral procedures included the increase to a minimum of four candidates to contest a GRC and the maintenance of minority qualification for the one person representing the minority community. The prime minister, who commands the confidence of a majority of parliament, acts as effective head of government. The prime minister appoints a cabinet that, in 1993, consisted of a senior minister, two deputy prime ministers, and 11 other ministers. Prior to 29 November 1991, the president of the republic was elected by parliament to a four-year term. Since 1991, under an amendment to the constitution passed by parliament, the president is no longer elected by parliament but by the electorate, and has custodial powers over the country's reserves, as well as a major role in deciding key appointments to the judiciary, civil service, and statutory boards. The president is elected for a term of six years. The first direct presidential elections were held on 28 August 1993, electing Ong Teng Cheong. In July 1999, as his wife was dying of cancer, Ong announced he was not seeking a second term. Ong himself had been diagnosed with lymphoma in 1992, when he was deputy prime minister. He underwent treatment but the illness recurred in July 1998. Sellapan Rama (S. R.) Nathan was elected president unopposed on 28 August 1999. Ong died 7 February 2002. On 17 August 2005 Singapore's President Nathan was formally reelected for a second term as president without a ballot cast. Similar to 1999, election officials disqualified other potential candidates on a range of technicalities. Several constitutional reforms were enacted in 1996 and 1997. In 1996, parliament enacted governmental reforms limiting the power of the president, curtailing his veto power—only granted in 1991. Under the new rules, parliament can call a referendum if the president vetoes constitutional changes or other measures. In 1997, the number of nominated members of parliament increased from six to nine. However, the government also moved to tighten control over the political process in 1999 with the PAP filing a petition to close the Workers Party for failure to pay damages and costs associated with a defamation case. Earlier in 1998, the government banned all political parties from producing videos and appearing on television to discuss politics. For the scheduled 17 August 2005 presidential elections, the Singapore Malay National Organization called for a Malay president. The only Malay president, Yusof Ishak, held the office from 1965 to 1970. The elected presidency replaced a rotational process in 1993. Strict qualification rules make it difficult for many to qualify. POLITICAL PARTIES Singapore in the late 1980s was effectively a single-party state. The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) of former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew has dominated the country since 1959. In 1961, the radical wing of the PAP split from Lee's majority faction to form a new party, the Socialist Front (SF), also known as the Barisan Socialis. In 1966, 11 SF members resigned their seats in parliament, and 2 others joined the underground opposition to the Lee government, leaving the PAP as the sole party represented in parliament. In the general elections of 1972, 1976, and 1980, the PAP won all seats in parliament but carried a declining percentage of the total votes: 65 seats (84.4%); 69 seats (72.4%); and 75 seats (75.5%) (Far Eastern Economic Review—FEER, 77.7%), respectively. The Workers' Party (WP), the strongest opposition party, won its first parliamentary seat in a 1981 by-election; under its leader, Joshua B. Jeyaretnam, the WP has been critical of undemocratic practices within the PAP government. In the 1984 general elections, the PAP won 77 of the 79 seats, even though it captured only 62.9% of the popular vote, compared with 75.5% in 1980. In the 1984, 1988, and 1991 general elections, opposition parties gained small ground, and the PAP continued to garner a declining percentage of the total votes: 77 seats (62.9%) PAP [FEER 64.8%], 1 seat Workers Party (WP), 1 seat Singapore Democratic Party (SDP); 80 seats (61.7%) PAP [FEER 63.2%], 1 seat SDP; 77 (61%) PAP [FEER 61%], 1 seat WP, 3 seats SDP, respectively. In the 1991 elections, Chiam See Tong was again the winner for the SDP, along with Ling How Doong and Cheo Chai Chen. The Workers' Party MP was Low Thai Khiang. The two other seats went to J. B. Jeyaretnam (WP) and to Chiam See Tong of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), the two main opposition parties, which are tolerated but subject to almost continual harassment by the government. For instance, in 1984, Jeyaretnam was accused of making false statements involving irregularities in the collection of the WP's funds; he was acquitted of two of three charges and fined. In 1986, the government appealed the case and the higher court set aside the initial judgment; Jeyaretnam was again fined and jailed for one month, enough to disqualify him from parliament and ban him from contesting elections for five years. On the basis of his criminal convictions he was disbarred and denied a pardon. He was refused permission to appeal against the conviction and sentence that resulted in his disqualification as an MP. But on appeal to the Privy Council against the decision to disbar him, he was vindicated and allowed to practice law again. In October 1991, Jeyaretnam avoided bankruptcy by paying legal costs in a defamation suit he lost, filed by Lee Kuan Yew over remarks made by Jeyaretnam in a 1988 election rally. On 10 November 1991, the ban on Jeyaretnam standing election expired. By avoiding bankruptcy, he would be able to contest the by-elections that Prime Minister Goh had promised to hold in the next 12–18 months. However, the WP failed to field the four required candidates for a group represented constituency (GRC). Then, in March 1993, Dr. Chee Soon Juan, an opposition politician from the SDP who ran against Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in the 1992 by-election, was expelled from his post as lecturer in the Department of Social Work and Psychology at the National University of Singapore (NUS) based on claims of "dishonest conduct" for using us$138 out of his research grant to courier his wife's doctoral thesis to a US university. In the end, Dr. Chee ended up losing his case to be reinstated. The main opposition parties are the SDP and the WP. Smaller minority parties are the United People's Front, which is also critical of antidemocratic aspects of the government rule and pro-Malaysian; the Singapore Malays' National Organization; and the Singapore Solidarity Party, formed in 1986 by three former leaders of the SDP. There were 22 registered political parties at the beginning of 1993: The Singapore Chinese Party; Persatuan Melayu Singapura; Partai Rakyat, Singapore State Division; Angkatan Islam; The Workers' Party; Pertubohan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura; People's Action Party (PAP); United People's Party; Barisan Socialis (BS), Socialist Front (SF); Parti Kesatuan Ra'ayat (United Democratic Party); Singapore Indian Congress; Alliance Party Singapura; United National Front; National Party of Singapore; People's Front; Justice Party, Singapore; Democratic Progressive Party; People's Republican Party; United People's Front; Singapore Democratic Party (SDP); National Solidarity Party (NSP); Singapore National Front. The Malay Communist Party and the underground Malayan National Liberation Front are illegal. In 1997, parliamentary elections were held and, again, the PAP maintained its virtual monopoly of seats. Of 83 seats up for election, the long-ruling party captured 81, with 47 unopposed. The opposition leaders Jeyaretnam and Tang Liang Hong, both with the WP, won seats. After the election, in a move that has been commonplace in Singapore, leaders of the PAP, including Prime Minister Goh and Senior Minister (and longtime leader) Lee, sued Tang for defamation. Tang promptly fled the country, saying he feared for his safety as the government froze his assets and imposed travel restrictions on his family. Jeyaretnam continued to face bankruptcy and the loss of his parliamentary seat as well, from a defamation payment awarded against him for allegedly defaming a PAP parliamentarian and nine other members of the Tamil community in an article written by a colleague in 1995. In the 1997 elections, the SDP lost all three seats it had won in the 1991 round. In parliamentary elections held on 3 November 2001, the PAP won 82 out of 84 seats with 75.3% of the vote. Opposition candidates contested only 29 of the seats. The WP took one seat, as did the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA), which includes the Singapore People's Party (SPP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), National Solidarity Party, Singapore Justice Party, and Singapore Malay National Organization. The opposition parties complained that constituency changes and a range of regulations imposed by the PAP made it more difficult for them to win votes. The Parliamentary Elections Act was amended, curbing the use of the Internet for political campaigning and banning the publication of opinion polls during elections. The next parliamentary elections were to be held 25 June 2007. LOCAL GOVERNMENT Singapore, veritably a city-state, has no local government divisions. When the People's Action Party (PAP) came to power in 1959, the postcolonial city council was abolished. The former city council and rural board were integrated into departments of the central government. The Town Councils Act, enacted in June 1988, reintroduced a local organizational structure. Town councils were formed to take over the management and maintenance of the common properties of housing estates within towns. As of 1 March 1991, 27 town councils had been formed. After the general elections of August 1991, five town councils were dissolved and three new town councils were established, bringing the number of town councils to 25. In 1997, the number of town councils was reduced to 16. Prime Minister Goh announced the creation of Community Development Councils (CDCs) in 1996. Set up after the 1997 general election as social parallels to the town councils, the CDCs were established to improve community bonding and to manage a spectrum of social services, from child care centers to public welfare assistance. Originally nine CDCs were established; in November 2001, their number was reduced to five. They are South West, North West, Central Singapore, South East, and North East. They are managed by a council comprising a mayor and between 12 and 80 council members. In 2005, a Campaign Against Dengue was launched in Singapore, with town councils playing a major oversight role. Town councils stepped up checks for mosquitoes, as dengue cases soared to 9,540 cases by mid-September, already surpassing the 2004 total of 9,459. JUDICIAL SYSTEM Singapore's legal system is based on British common law. The judiciary includes the Supreme Court as well as subordinate courts. The subordinate courts include the magistrates' courts, trying civil and criminal offenses with maximum penalties of three years' imprisonment or a fine of s$60,000; the district courts, trying cases with maximum penalties of 10 years' imprisonment or a fine of s$250,000; the juvenile courts, for offenders below the age of 16; the coroners' courts; and the small claims courts, which hear civil and commercial claims for sums of less than s$10,000. The Supreme Court is headed by a chief justice and is divided into the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Court of Criminal Appeal. The High Court has unlimited original jurisdiction in both criminal and civil cases but ordinarily chooses to exercise such jurisdictional authority only in major cases. In its appellate jurisdiction, the High Court hears criminal and civil appeals from the magistrates' and district courts. Appeal in a civil case heard by the High Court in its original jurisdiction goes to the Court of Appeal, and in a criminal case, to the Court of Criminal Appeal. In 1993, the former Court of Appeal (for civil cases) and the Court of Criminal Appeal were combined to form a single Court of Appeal. This reform was part of an overall plan for the eventual elimination of referrals to the Privy Council in London. All appeals to the Privy Council in London were eliminated in 1994. The president appoints judges of the Supreme Court on the recommendation of the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice. A Legal Service Commission supervises and assigns the placement of the subordinate court judges and magistrates who have the status of civil servants; however, the president appoints subordinate courts judges on the recommendation of the chief justice. While the constitution provides for an independent judiciary and the judicial system provides a fair and efficient judicial process, the Internal Security Act allows the government to arrest, detain, and prosecute those who are deemed to threaten national security. Defendants have the right to be present at the trials, to have an attorney, and to confront witnesses against them. ARMED FORCES In 2005, Singapore's armed forces numbered 72,500 active personnel, supported by 312,500 reservists. The Army had 50,000 personnel, including a single Rapid Deployment division and three combined arms divisions. Equipment included 100 main battle tanks, 350 light tanks, 294 armored infantry fighting vehicles, over 1,280 armored personnel carriers, and more than 286 artillery pieces. The Navy had 4,000 active personnel. The fleet's major units included three tactical submarines, six corvettes, and 17 patrol/coastal vessels. The Air Force totaled 13,500 personnel with 111 combat-capable aircraft that included 43 fighters, 44 fighter ground attack aircraft, and 28 attack helicopters. Paramilitary forces numbered 93,800 active members and included the Singapore Police Force (12,000), an 81,800-member civil defense force, and a 1,500-man contingent of gurkha troops. The 2005 defense budget totaled $5.57 billion. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Having joined the United Nations (UN) on 21 September 1965, Singapore participates in ESCAP and several nonregional specialized agencies, such as the IAEA, the World Bank, ILO, UNCTAD, and the WHO. Singapore served on the UN Security Council in 2001–02. It is a participant in APEC, the Asian Development Bank, the Colombo Plan, the WTO, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), and G-77. Probably its most important international association is its membership—along with Cambodia, Laos , Myanmar , Vietnam , Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Brunei—in ASEAN, the Association of South-East Asian Nations. Singapore has played a leading part in this important regional grouping, which has sought to maximize economic cooperation among its member states, to regularize political consultation on the part of the constituent governments, and to limit foreign political and military interference in the area. Singapore is part of the Nonaligned Movement. In environmental cooperation, Singapore is part of the Basel Convention, the Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES, the Montréal Protocol, MARPOL, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and the UN Conventions on the Law of the Sea, Climate Change, and Desertification. ECONOMY Historically, Singapore's economy was based primarily on its role as an entrepôt for neighboring countries due to its strategic geographic location at the entrance to the Strait of Malacca. It did not have minerals or other primary products of its own to export, but it served a major economic function by processing and transshipping the goods of nearby lands. Its most significant natural resource is a deep water harbor. As a result of these circumstances, Singapore became highly active in shipbuilding and repair, tin smelting, and rubber and copra milling. Until about 1960, however, its economy was frequently shaken by major fluctuations in its export earnings (particularly from rubber and tin) as a consequence of often adverse commodity and price trends. Since the early 1960s, Singapore has attempted to break away from this economic pattern. Its government embarked on an ambitious and largely successful program of promoting industrial investment (both from abroad and locally), developing industrial estates, and providing industrial financing and technical services. By the early 1980s, Singapore had built a much stronger and diversified economy, which gave it an economic importance in Southeast Asia out of proportion to its small size. Government plans during the first half of the 1980s called for realigning industrial activities from traditional labor-intensive, low-wage activities to capital-intensive, high-wage and high-technology activities, notably the electronic industries and oil refining. In 1985, however, Singapore's economy declined for the first time in 20 years. One of the reasons for the decline was high wages, which made Singaporean products less competitive on the world market. Other reasons for the economic downturn included a slumping demand for oil and electronic products and the economic woes of Malaysia, Indonesia, and other important trading partners. By the late 1980s, Singapore had begun to further diversify its economy, making it capable of providing manufacturing, financial, and communications facilities for multinational firms. In the late 1980s, one of the fastest-growing sectors of Singapore's economy was international banking and finance, accounting for some 25% of GDP . It ranked behind Tokyo and Hong Kong among financial service centers in the Southeast Asia region. In 1989, earnings from manufacturing accounted for 30% of GDP. Manufacturing accounted for 24.3% of GDP in 2002. In the 1990s, productivity increased, as did labor costs. Export growth in high-technology manufactured goods signaled Singapore's success in shifting to higher value added production. The electronics industry accounted for the largest share of value-added in manufacturing. Manufacturing was dominated by the production of computer peripherals and oil processing. Between 1992 and 1995, property prices doubled, reaching their peak in 1996. In the five years 1993 to 1997, GDP growth averaged 8.84%. In June 1997, Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule, which was one trigger for the Asian financial crisis. In Singapore, GDP growth dropped to 1.5% in 1998 and residential property prices fell 40%. Singapore's sensitivity to the external economic environment, with trade running 300% of GDP, is extreme. Nevertheless, Singapore weathered the crisis without a contraction, and in 1999, growth recovered to 5.4%. Driven by the worldwide boom in information technology (IT) demand and robust recoveries in domestic consumption and investment, GDP growth soared to 9.9% in 2000. However, the dot.com bust in 2001 led to the economy's first yearly contraction since 1985, 2%. Recovery began in the second quarter of 2002, and though weak because of continued low export demand, growth was a positive 2.2% for the year. GDP growth in 2003 was a sluggish 0.8%, but in 2004 it soared to an estimated 8.4%, thanks to the recovery of the tourism sector, double-digit retail sales gains, rising investment rates, increased manufacturing production, and the construction industry's recovery from a two-year slump, among other factors. Real GDP growth was estimated at a more moderate 4.9% in 2005, due to a global electronics downturn and a slowdown of the US economy. GDP growth was forecast to average 4.5% a year in 2006–07. GDP growth averaged 3.1% over the 2001–05 period. Constraints on Singapore's economic performance are labor shortages, rising labor costs, and declines in productivity. Singapore maintains one of the most liberal trading regimes in the world, and has regularly been ranked one of the least corrupt and most competitive countries. The government is a major and active player in the economy, owning substantial productive assets (land and capital). The government directs and targets the economy through laws, regulations, and incentives and participates in business ventures through Singapore's unique hybrid, the government linked company (GLC). Unemployment rose to 4.7% in 2001 and remained above 4% throughout 2002, a high level for Singapore. Unemployment stood at 4.8% in 2003 and was estimated at 3.4% in 2004. Inflation over the 2001–05 period averaged 0.6%. INCOME The US Central Intelligence Agency ( CIA ) reports that in 2005 Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at $131.3 billion. The CIA defines GDP as the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year and computed on the basis of purchasing power parity (PPP) rather than value as measured on the basis of the rate of exchange based on current dollars. The per capita GDP was estimated at $29,700. The annual growth rate of GDP was estimated at 4.5%. The average inflation rate in 2005 was 0.3%. It was estimated that agriculture accounted for 0% of GDP, industry 33.6%, and services 66.4%. Foreign aid receipts amounted to $7 million (about $2 per capita) and accounted for approximately 0.0% of the gross national income (GNI). The World Bank reports that in 2003 household consumption in Singapore totaled $39.41 billion (about $9,272 per capita) based on a GDP of $92.4 billion, measured in current dollars rather than PPP. Household consumption includes expenditures of individuals, households, and nongovernmental organizations on goods and services, excluding purchases of dwellings. It was estimated that for the period 1990 to 2003, household consumption grew at an average annual rate of 5.4%. Approximately 15% of household consumption was spent on food, 5% on fuel, 3% on health care, and 14% on education. LABOR In 2005, Singapore's workforce was estimated at 2.19 million. In 2003, manufacturing accounted for 18%; construction 6%; transportation and communication 11%; financial, business, and other services 49%; and other undefined occupations at 16%. About 24% of the labor force consists of some 600,000 foreign workers. The unemployment rate was estimated at 3.4% in 2005. In 2001, there were 72 registered trade unions in Singapore, with some 350,000 members. All but nine were affiliated with Singapore's National Trade Unions Congress (which represents, as a result, about 99% of the country's organized workers). The government generally asserts a strong influence over trade policies. Workers have the right to strike but rarely do so. Collective bargaining is utilized. The standard legal workweek is 44 hours, with one day off each week. An annual bonus equal to at least one month's salary is customarily paid. Minors as young as 12 may work with the permission of the commissioner of labor, but there are few applications for such permission and one has never been granted. In practice, the minimum working age is 14 and violations of this regulation are very rare. The government has set minimum workplace health and safety regulations that are effectively enforced. There is no minimum wage. AGRICULTURE Urbanization and industrialization have taken ever larger amounts of land away from agricultural activity in post–World War II Singapore. (World War II was fought 1939–45.) Many of the rubber and coconut plantations that dominated Singapore's landscape before the war have disappeared altogether. Housing for a growing population—and factories for its employment—stand where rubber and coconut trees used to grow. Nonetheless, agriculture remains part of Singapore's total economic activity. Growing methods on the island are the most intensive in all of Southeast Asia. About 3% of the land area is used for farming, and vegetables remain a significant source of income. Remarkably, through the decades of the 1960s and 1970s and into the 1980s, Singapore was able to increase its primary produce annually through intensification. In 2004, production of fresh vegetables totaled 5,000 tons, resulting in a decreased need to rely on foreign produce imports. Singapore's trade deficit in agricultural products was us$1.36 billion in 2004. Orchids are grown for export. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY Singapore has been self-sufficient (or nearly so) in the production of pork, poultry, and eggs since 1964, a notable achievement considering the modest amount of land available and the demands of growing urbanization and industrialization. The bird flu virus, which has affected a number of chicken-producing countries in East Asia since 2004, has created an atmosphere of uncertainty for chicken traders in Singapore. Hog and poultry farming together constitute Singapore's largest primary products industry. However, hog farming is being phased out because of environmental pollution; domestic pork requirements are increasingly being met by imports. In 2005, the livestock population included two million chickens and 200,000 pigs. That year, about 22,000 tons of eggs were produced. The Pig and Poultry Research and Training Institute and Lim Chu Kang Veterinary Experimental Station conduct research on feeding, housing, breeding, management, and disease control. FISHING Local fishermen operate chiefly in inshore waters, but some venture into the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. Traditional fishing methods are in use along coastal waters, but there is a trend toward mechanization in both offshore and deep-sea fishing. In 2003, Singapore's fishermen caught 7,109 tons of fish (71% aquaculture). All fresh fish are auctioned at the Jurong Central Fish Market or at the Punggol Fishing Port and Wholesale Fish Market. The Jurong facility provides modern shore-support assistance and processing plants. Aquaculture concentrates on the breeding of grouper, sea bass, mussels, and prawns. A marine fish-farming scheme to encourage aquaculture in designated coastal waters was implemented in 1981; by the end of 1985, 60 marine fish farms were in operation. In 2003, exports of fish products were valued at us$315 million. FORESTRY In 2000, about 3.3% of Singapore's land area was classified as forest. There is little productive forestry left on the island, but Singapore continues to have a fairly sizable sawmilling industry, processing timber imported largely from Malaysia (with some additional imports from Indonesia). Both Malaysia and Indonesia are expanding their processing capacities, however, and the industry is declining in Singapore in the face of the government's policy shift to high-technology industries. Roundwood imports totaled 34,900 cu m (1,232,000 cu ft) in 2004. Imports of forestry products totaled us$533.1 million, while exports amounted to us$451.3 million. MINING There is no mining in Singapore. However, although the city-state has limited natural resources, it is one of the most important shipping centers in the world. Singapore has the world's third-largest oil-refining center, behind Houston and Rotterdam, and the major oil and metal futures trading market in Asia. The production of chemicals was the second leading industry in 2002, and the manufacture of oil drilling equipment and petroleum refining ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. Chemicals, mineral fuels, and petroleum products ranked among the top five export commodities. Singapore has no integrated cement plant and local operations ground imported clinker to produce cement. ENERGY AND POWER Singapore's total electrical generating capacity in 2002 was estimated at 7.657 million kW. All power was generated thermally, largely from imported mineral fuels. Production of electricity generated in 2002 totaled 32.585 billion kWh, with demand put at 30.304 billion kWh. Three subsidiaries of Singapore Power (PowerSeraya, Senoko Power and Tuas Power) generate 90% of Singapore's power. Another subsidiary of Singapore Power (PowerGrid) operates and maintains the country's electric power distribution and transmission system. Although Singapore must import all the oil and natural gas it consumes, the country is a major petroleum-refining center. As of 1 January 2005, Singapore's crude oil refining capacity was estimated at 1.3 million barrels per day. In 2002, refined oil product output averaged 814,100 barrels per day. All petroleum product imports in 2002 averaged 1,619,810 barrels per day, of which 813,210 barrels per day were crude oil. Exports of refined petroleum products in 2002 averaged 917,900 barrels per day. Domestic demand for refined oil products averaged 698,050 barrels per day. Consumption and imports of natural gas in 2002 each totaled 41.67 billion cu ft. Imports of coal in 2002 totaled 11,000 short tons. INDUSTRY Singapore's major industries were once rubber milling and tin smelting. The modern industrialization of Singapore began in 1961 with the creation of the Economic Development Board to formulate and implement an ambitious manufacturing scheme. Most of the first factories set up under this program were of an import-substitute nature requiring tariff protection, but many such protective tariffs were subsequently withdrawn. Large-scale foreign manufacturing operations in Singapore commenced in 1967 with the establishment of plants by several major multinational electronics corporations. The Jurong Town Corporation was established under the Jurong Town Corporation Act of 1968 to develop and manage industrial estates and sites in Singapore. The emphasis was on upgrading facilities to attract high-technology and skill-intensive industries. The manufacturing sector grew by an average annual rate of about 20% during the 1962–74 period, and it registered an average annual increase of over 10% from 1975 to 1981. Industry's share of GDP rose from 12% in 1960 to 29% in 1981. Such dramatic achievements were in large measure made possible by the existence of one of the most developed economic infrastructures in Southeast Asia, as well as by government efforts to provide a skilled, disciplined, and highly motivated workforce. Labor-intensive operations are encouraged to move offshore by the government, and service and high-technology industries are encouraged. Major industries are electronics, financial services, oil-drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, and biotechnology. The most important manufacturing sector is electronics. During the 1990s, Singapore was the world's leading producer of computer disk drives, and as of the mid-2000s, there has been significant investments in wafer-fabrication plants. However, this dependence upon electronics can have negative consequences as well as positive ones: When world demand for electronics declines, Singapore is hard hit. In 1998, industry accounted for 35% of GDP, and manufacturing for 22%. In 2001, industry contributed 33% of GDP and employed about 33% of the labor force. In 2004, industry contributed 36.2% of GDP and employed about 24% of the labor force. Of the components of the industrial sector, manufacturing contributes about 25% to GDP and construction about 6.8%. Within manufacturing, electronics account for about half of manufactured output, with chemicals second. The electronics sector accounts for about 48% of investment in manufacturing; chemicals about 24%; engineering, 17%; and the biomedical sector about 9%. Petroleum refining is a well-established industry in Singapore. After Rotterdam and Houston, Singapore is the world's third-largest refining center. Production capacity from its three main refineries (capable of processing 40 different types of crude oil) was 1.3 million barrels per day in 2005. The petrochemical industry has grown rapidly as a direct result of Singapore's refinery capacity. A large project to reclaim seven islands to form a 12-sq mi petrochemical complex on Jurong Island was due to be completed in mid-2006. A $200 million synthetic gas plant has been built on Jurong Island by the Messer Group of Germany and Texaco of the United States. Also, Singapore's second naptha cracking plant was launched in 2002 by the Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore and its partners, Phillips Petroleum, the Polyolefin Co., Hoechst, and Seraya Chemicals. The Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore is a government-linked company (GLC). GLCs are majority government owned but operate commercially, unlike traditional parastatals. GLCs account for more than 60% of Singapore's GDP. Industrial GLCs include Singapore Technologies (aerospace and electronics manufacturer); Keppel Corporation (oil drilling and related equipment manufacturer); Sembawang Corporation (construction and environmental engineering); Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing; Singapore Telecom Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore; and Singapore Refining Corporation. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY The Science Council, established in 1967, advises the minister for trade and industry on scientific and technological matters relating to research and development (R&D) and to the training and utilization of manpower. The Singapore National Academy of Science promotes the advancement of science and technology, and the Singapore Association for the Advancement of Science, founded in 1976, disseminates science and technology. Other major scientific and technical learned societies and research facilities include an academy of medicine, an institute of physics, an institute of technical education, botanical gardens, a mathematical society, and a medical association. Scientific education is stressed at the university level and supported by training programs for more than 20,000 students (1990) in the nation's technical and vocational institutes. Special centers have been established for research on cancer, human reproduction, viruses, and immunology. Two new research institutions were established in 1985: the Institute of Systems Science, which does research in the area of information technology, and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, a center for biotechnological research. The Singapore Science Park, located near the National University of Singapore, was developed in 1987. In 1993, the National Computer Board announced an effort to create an "intelligent island" through an information infrastructure linking all of Singapore. In 2002, there were 4,352 scientists and engineers and 381 technicians engaged in R&D per million people. In that same year, high-technology exports were valued at $63.792 billion and accounted for 60% of the country's manufactured exports. In 1991, the government announced a s$250 million spending program to create science and high-technology parks. Expenditures for R&D in 2002 totaled $2,188.905 million, or 2.19% of GDP. Of that amount, the business sector accounted for the largest portion at 49.9%, followed by the government at 41.8%. Higher education, private nonprofit organizations, and foreign sources accounted for 0.7%, 0.5%, and 7.2%, respectively. Courses in basic and applied sciences are offered at Nanyang Technical University (founded in 1981), the National University of Singapore (founded in 1980 by merger), Ngee Ann Polytechnic (founded in 1963), Singapore Polytechnic (founded in 1954), and Temasek Polytechnic (founded in 1990). DOMESTIC TRADE Marketing has always been an activity in which Singapore's Chinese, Indian and Arab merchants have played a major role. Their participation has increased in recent years as local branches of European firms have become less important. Warehousing, packaging, freight forwarding, and related services are of a high standard. A wide range of consumer goods, such as luxury, electronic, handicraft, and food items, are available in Singapore from international department stores, brand name specialty stores, local department store chains, and neighborhood shops and markets. Prices are fixed in most larger retail establishments; however, haggling is still common in smaller shops. Within the industrial sector, prices are inflated to account for bargaining. Advertising is done by radio and television, outdoor displays, slides in motion picture theaters, and newspapers. There are several advertising agencies. Consumers are highly brand conscious, and advertising concentrates considerably on product trademarks. Usual business hours are 9 am to 5 pm, with many businesses closed from 1 pm to 2 pm. Most major enterprises and foreign firms operate Monday through Friday and are open a half day on Saturday. A number of Chinese and Indian businesses maintain longer hours, with some open seven days a week. Bank hours are 9:30 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 9:30 am to 1 pm. Government offices are open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, and 8 am to 1 pm on Saturday. Retail stores are open from 10 am to 9 pm Monday through Saturday, with most shops also open on Sunday. FOREIGN TRADE Since World War II, Singapore has changed from an entrepôt center for the incoming and outgoing traffic of its neighbors in Southeast Asia to an exporting power in its own right. The leading exports of the mid-1960s—rubber, coffee, pepper, and palm oil—were replaced in the early 1980s by a variety of capital-intensive manufactures. Except for an occasional slowdown, annual levels of trade regularly record double-digit expansion. During the late 1990s, expansion in the high-end manufacturing and services sectors began replacing capital-intensive production. The total value of trade in goods (exports and imports) was equivalent to 273% of GDP in 2002. This figure included a large volume of reexport trade, which is encouraged by Singapore's favorable location in the Strait of Malacca and its excellent port facilities. Re-exports accounted for 47% of total exports in 2002. Exports reached Country -6,679.0 (…) data not available or not significant. 168% of GDP in 2004. (Exports can count for more than 100% of GDP because most of the components used to produce them are imported.) Most of the advanced electronics that Singapore exports also make up a substantial percentage of the world export market. Because electronics are vulnerable to the vagaries of world demand, however, Singpore has taken steps to revive domestic consumption. Singapore's main trading partners are the ASEAN group—principally Malaysia—the United States, China and Hong Kong, and Japan. Singpore's main exports in 2004 were electronics (22.7% of total exports); oil (11.1%); petroleum products (9.4%); and telecommunications apparatus (1.6%). Major imports in 2004 included machinery and equipment (58.6% of total imports); oil (15%); manufactured goods (6.7%); and chemicals and chemical products (6.5%). BALANCE OF PAYMENTS The traditional current account surplus is largely due to demand for non-oil exports (especially electronics) from the United States, Japan, and regional countries with electronics production facilities. The account also benefits from high net investment income receipts. Total official reserves are estimated to be equal to 8.8 months of imports. A sharp contraction of imports in 1998 due to the financial crisis caused a high current account surplus, while the devalued currency caused an even larger outflow of cash from the financial accounts. Singapore's balance of payments weakened in 2001, largely due to that year's decline in trade. Singapore's recorded trade surplus in 2003 was $28.1 billion. Exports totaled $158.4 billion, and imports stood at $130.3 billion. The current account surplus averaged 22.8% of GDP over the 2001–05 period. The current account surplus stood at an estimated $8.8 billion in 2004. BANKING AND SECURITIES Singapore was founded as a trading outpost by Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffl es of the East India Co. in 1819. The country's rigid development was closely linked to the government's efficient financial management. Conservative fiscal and monetary policies generated high savings, which, along with high levels of foreign investment, allowed growth without the accumulation of external debt. The banking system was opened to foreign banks in the late 1960s. In 1988, Singapore had foreign reserves worth about $533 billion, which, per capita, put it ahead of Switzerland , Saudi Arabia , and Taiwan . Many sources of finance are available to organizations doing business in Singapore. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) requires banks to observe its policy of discouraging the internalization of the Singapore dollar. The MAS performs the functions of a central bank, except for the issuing of currency. The Board of Commissioners of Currency deals with currency issues. The MAS seeks to strike a balance between supervision on the one hand, and development of the financial markets on the other. Singapore has not encouraged the freewheeling financial services culture of Hong Kong, nor has it resorted to a divigiste approach, as in South Korea or Taiwan. Until quite recently, Singapore has tried to enjoy the best of both worlds. This is now starting to change, as Singapore's own major banks, long regarded as complacent due to their domestic oligopoly, are beginning to venture overseas. The International Monetary Fund reports that in 2001, currency and demand deposits—an aggregate commonly known as M1—were equal to $20.1 billion. In that same year, M2—an aggregate equal to M1 plus savings deposits, small time deposits, and money market mutual funds—was $101.0 billion. The money market rate, the rate at which financial institutions lend to one another in the short term, was 1.99%. As of 1999, Singapore had more than 700 financial institutions, including approximately 230 commercial and merchant banks, 142 of them commercial banks. Some 9 of the 31 banks with full banking licenses were locally incorporated; the remainder were branches of various overseas banks. Since 1971, the government has sought to attract representation by a variety of foreign banks in terms of countries and geographical regions. Most of the new foreign banks allowed into Singapore have been offshore banks that concentrated on foreign exchange transactions. The Post Office Savings Bank (POS-Bank) is the national savings bank (est. 1877). Thirteen commercial banks have restricted licenses, and 98 banks operate offshore. Singapore's four largest banks—DBS Bank, United Overseas Bank (UOB), OCBC Bank, and Overseas Union Bank Ltd. (OUB)—had a 90% jump in profits in 1999 over 1998, recovering from the financial crisis quickly. In October 1992, the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange severed all links with the Singapore Stock Exchange. All the Singapore stocks moved to the Singapore exchange and the Malaysian companies moved to the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. As of 2004, a total of 489 companies were listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, which had a market capitalization of $171.555 billion. In that same year, the STI index rose 17.1% to 2,066.1. The Singapore International Monetary Exchange (SIMEX) opened in 1984. SIMEX traded, as of the end of 1985, futures contracts in gold, eurodollar time deposit interest rates, and US/deutschemark and US/yen currency exchanges. Trading in Japanese stock index and sterling futures began in 1986. In 1989, SIMEX also became Asia's first energy market with the introduction of the High-Sulphur Fuel Oil futures, the world's most active contract of its kind. In 1999, SIMEX achieved its second-highest annual volume of 25.8 million contracts. It was voted International Exchange of the Year in 1989, 1992, 1993, and 1998. INSURANCE Most insurance firms are branches or agencies of UK (or other Commonwealth), European, and US companies, although local participation in insurance, particularly business insurance, is increasing. Marine and warehouse insurance constitutes most of the business insurance, but almost all types of commercial insurance are available. Workers' compensation, third-party automobile liability, and professional liability are all compulsory insurance in Singapore, and must be placed with local companies. The regulatory authority is the insurance commissioner of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. In 1998, total insurance premiums amounted to s$7.8 billion. As of 30 June 1999, there were a total of 160 registered insurers. In 2003, the value of all direct insurance premiums written totaled $8.898 billion, of which $5.561 billion was accounted for by life insurance premiums. In that same year, the top nonlife insurer was NTUC Income, with gross written nonlife premiums (including personal accident and healthcare) of $208.1 million, while the nation's leading life insurer was AIA, with gross written life insurance premiums of $1,042.5. PUBLIC FINANCE The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) estimated that in 2005 Singapore's central government took in revenues of approximately us$18.6 billion and had expenditures of us$18.2 billion. Revenues minus expenditures totaled approximately us$460 million. Public debt in 2005 amounted to 102% of GDP. Total external debt was us$24.67 billion. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that in 2002, the most recent year for which it had data, central government Revenue and Grants 4.2% (…) data not available or not significant. revenues in millions of Singapore dollars were 35,100 and expenditures were 29,741. The value of revenues in millions of US dollars was $19,602 and expenditures $17,129, based on a market exchange rate for 2002 of 1.7906 as reported by the IMF. Government outlays by function were as follows: general public services, 8.8%; defense, 28.5%; public order and safety, 5.9%; economic affairs, 12.3%; housing and community amenities, 10.8%; health, 5.6%; recreation, culture, and religion, 3.7%; education, 23.4%; and social protection, 4.2%. TAXATION Individual and commercial incomes are taxed whether derived in Singapore or from outside sources. Types of direct taxation include income, property, estate duty, and payroll taxes; the Inland Revenue Department is responsible for the assessment and collection of all such levies. As of 2006, the top marginal personal tax rate was 21%. In 2007, the top personal rate is to be reduced to 20%. As of 1 January 2004, foreign income received by a resident individual was exempted from Singapore's personal income tax. However, foreign income received via a partnership in Singapore is taxed. Also, nonresidents working in Singapore more than 60 days but less than 183 days in a calendar year are taxed at a 15% rate on gross employment income or taxed on employment income as a resident, whichever is higher. As of 2005, Singapore had a standard corporate income tax rate of 20%. Industrial establishments, companies, and various other businesses are eligible to deduct from their gross profits varying and usually generous depreciation allowances for building, plants, and machinery. There are tax holidays of 5 to 15 years on qualifying profits for approved "pioneer" industries. Companies whose "pioneer" status has expired or who do not qualify, but still engage in high value operations, can receive a reduced rate of 5% for a period of 10 years and with extensions, up to 25 years. Other taxes include a goods and services tax (GST) at a rate of 5%, a stamp tax, and a property tax. CUSTOMS AND DUTIES Prior to the 1960s, Singapore was essentially a free port, with import duties levied only on alcoholic beverages, tobacco and tobacco products, petroleum products, and certain soaps. In 1959, however, a law was passed empowering the government to levy import duties on other products to protect local industries. In the 1960s, many new tariffs were established with the primary aim of helping to support development of local manufacturing firms. In the early 1970s, many items were withdrawn from the tariff list, and by 1982 there were only 176 items on the list, compared with 349 in 1972. In 1985, excise duties on sugar and sugar substitutes and import and excise duties on fuel oil were lifted. By 1993, there were almost no import tariffs except for duties on alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, petroleum products, and a few other items. Duties ranged from 5–45%. There are no export duties. As of 2002, the average tariff in Singapore was below 1%, as more than 99% of goods entered duty free. In 2000, duties were levied on tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, gasoline, automobiles (31%), and motorcycles (12%). Singapore has six free trade zones, five for seaborne cargo (in the five gateways of the port) and one for air cargo. The GST (goods and service tax) of 5%, which is levied on all imports, is not levied on goods stored in the free trade zones. FOREIGN INVESTMENT Legislation to attract new foreign investments, the Economic Incentives Act, was passed in 1967; it granted exemption from taxation for a five-year period to investors for export development and provided inducements and guarantees with respect to repatriation of profits and capital. Overseas offices were set up to promote such foreign investment in New York , Chicago , San Francisco , London, Paris , Frankfurt, Zürich, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Stockholm , and Melbourne. The Capital Participation Scheme, adopted in 1973, permitted high-technology industries to set up branches in Singapore with 50% equity participation by the government. With changes in Singapore's industrial development, there have also been alterations in incentives. In the early 1980s, the main criteria for granting tax incentives were capital investment ratios (including training costs) per worker, value added per worker, and the ratio of technical personnel and skilled workers to the total workforce. Major investment activity focused on petroleum refining, general manufacturing, electronics, and hotel construction, as well as on traditional endeavors. Since the mid-1980s the government's incentive policies have broadened to include Singapore's development as a total international business center, an international air-sea cargo center, a location for the regional operational headquarters of multinational corporations, and a major exporter of services. Investment in the manufacturing sector is encouraged in areas of medium-range or higher technology, or the design and production of higher valueadded products. Singapore does not require that foreign investors take on private-sector or government joint-venture partners. In 2000, foreign companies' net investment commitments in manufacturing were $4.2 billion, somewhat ahead of the $4.016 billion reached in 1997 before the Asian financial crisis, and $1 billion more than the level in 1998. US companies accounted for 51% of the total; European companies, 23.8%; Japan, 21%; and all other countries, 4.26%. As of 1999, cumulative foreign investment in Singapore was a little over $31 billion, of which $12.2 billion (39%) was from US companies; 31.6% from Japanese companies; and 25% from Europe. Foreign investments account for about one-quarter of cumulative gross fixed assets in the manufacturing sector. In 2002, the total stock of foreign direct investment (FDI) stood at approximately $137.4 billion, or 1.51% of GDP. Some $49.9 billion of that figure was invested in the manufacturing sector. The United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom were the primary investors. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Technological change and political considerations in the post–World War II period—not least of all the nationalism that accompanied the quest for independence among the region's European colonies—have combined to alter dramatically the economic self-perception and public policies of this diminutive island state. By the late 1950s, it was obvious that prospects for economic growth would be severely limited if Singapore remained bound by its old economic role as entrepôt. The decision to industrialize—and to do so rapidly—was deliberate policy. The initial emphasis in the government's economic development program was on employment. The increasing trend toward economic self-sufficiency in neighboring Indonesia and Malaysia—and the steady retreat of the United Kingdom from defense responsibilities in the region as a whole (centered on its large Singapore naval and air facilities)—prompted the government to focus completely on finding alternative employment for the island's highly skilled and disciplined workforce. By the end of the 1960s, this problem was effectively solved, with Singapore boasting one of the lowest unemployment rates in all of Asia. Emphasis in the mid-1970s was on labor skills and technology, especially as these were identified with such modern industries as machine tools, petrochemicals, electronics, and other precision work. A high level of participation by private foreign capital provided an important cornerstone to this development. In 1979, the government abandoned its earlier policy of stimulating low-wage industries and adopted a policy of encouraging capital-intensive and technologically sophisticated industries. Especially targeted for investment promotion in the 1980s were computers, computer peripherals, electronic medical instruments, automotive components, specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and optical and photocopying equipment. Following the recession of 1985–86, the government concentrated on developing new markets and on turning Singapore into a manufacturing, financial, and communications center for multinational corporations. In the 1990s, the economic development strategy emphasized both the manufacturing and service sectors. The Economic Development Board (EDB), formed in 1961, has guided Singapore's industrialization. Early emphasis was placed on promoting investment in manufacturing. The Strategic Economic Plan (SEP), announced in 1991, focused on education and human resources to enhance export competitiveness. Emphasis on developing the service sector has been supported and enhanced by the Operational Headquarters (OHQ) program, encouraging companies to use Singapore as regional headquarters or as a central distribution center. The Creative Business Program promotes investment in the film, media, publishing, arts and entertainment, textile, fashion and design sectors. The EDB works toward Singapore's vision of its future as a developed country through the promotion of business. Singapore's globalization strategy hinges on making a transformation from a production-driven economy to an innovation-driven one. Other key elements of this strategy are the reversal of downward trends in productivity, and sustaining foreign investment in Singapore's capital investment. Singapore initiated the formation of a growth triangle, linking Johor, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia's Riau Province, focusing on Batam Island. Singapore benefits by tapping into a supply of low-wage workers and offshore land to sustain its more labor-intensive industries. The Asian financial crisis was only a temporary setback for the healthy economy of Singapore. Roadblocks to further economic development include rising labor costs, which have threatened investment in Singapore's industrial sector, causing the government to implement strategies to cut costs and increase productivity. The rise of Singapore's currency also prompted the dispersion of new industrial enterprises from the country, which the government answered by promoting the development of high-capital industries. The collapse of the dot.com bubble in 2001 presented a more serious challenge, particularly as subsequent events—the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and global uncertainties attending the war with Iraq—resulted in continued low export demand. As of the end of 2005, the Singapore economy was growing at a healthy clip of around 5%. At that point, Singapore's central bank (the Monetary Authority of Singapore) stated that its policy of allowing the Singpore dollar to strengthen against a basket of currencies would be maintained. This effective monetary tightening reflected continued confidence in the health of the local economy. The government is seeking to encourage innovation and to diversify the economy toward new services and consumer industries. Singapore wants to foster the development of a knowledge-based economy. Protected sectors, such as financial services, were in the process of being liberalized in 2006, in an effort to increase overall efficiency. Certain bilateral free-trade agreements, including one with the United States, which came into force in 2004, were negotiated in order to improve market access and encourage foreign investment inflows. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT The provident fund system was updated in 2004, and covers most employed persons and the self-employed. It provides benefits for old age, disability, death, sickness, and maternity. Retirement is at age 55 subject to conditions. Employee contributions are based on income; employers pay 10% of monthly earnings. There is a special system for public employees, and employers may choose a private plan if approved. Employers also fund workers' compensation benefits for job-related injuries. In addition, employers are required to provide 14 days of paid sick leave and eight weeks of paid maternity leave to their employees. Women's legal rights are equal to those of men in most areas, including civil liberties, employment, business, and education. Women comprise 42% of the labor force and are well represented in the professions. Despite the legal principle of equal pay for equal work, women earn approximately less then men. This is due in part to the fact that most women work in lower-paying administrative jobs. In 2004, the constitution was amended to remove the inequality that a female citizen could not automatically convey citizenship to her children, but a man could. Spousal abuse and domestic violence are not widespread problems and the laws provide protection to women. Prison conditions are considered to be good, but there are reports of the mistreatment of detainees. Caning is a common form of punishment for many different offenses. Cases of police abuse are generally investigated by the government and reported in the media. Freedom of assembly and association are restricted. HEALTH Singapore's population enjoys one of the highest health levels in all of Southeast Asia. This achievement is largely attributed to good housing, sanitation, and water supply, as well as the best hospitals and other medical facilities in the region. Fully 100% of the population had access to safe drinking water and 99% had adequate sanitation in 1994–95. Nutritional standards are among the highest in Asia. Singapore is financing medical care with a combination of personal contribution and government assistance. In 1984, Singapore initiated a Medisave scheme, a compulsory savings plan for medical expenses. About half the population pays hospital bills through this plan, although as of 1990, the plan did not cover outpatient expenses. Workers must contribute 3–4% of their earnings to a medical savings account to be used for medical expenses. The contribution of workers is matched by employers. Total health care expenditures were estimated at 3.2% of GDP. There are 19 hospitals, five of which were administered by the government, and five were "government restructured." The remaining nine hospitals are privately run. The main multidisciplinary hospitals are Alexandra Hospital, Changi Hospital, and Tan Tock Hospital (all government run), and National University Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, and Toa Payoh Hospital (all government restructured). In 2004, there were an estimated 140 physicians, 26 dentists, and 424 nurses per 100,000 people. An estimated 74% of married women (ages 15 to 49) used contraception. The fertility rate was 1.5 children per woman during her childbearing years. As of 2002, the crude birth rate and overall mortality rate were estimated at 12.8 and 4.3 per 1,000 people, respectively. Life expectancy in 2005 was 81.62 years. That year, the infant mortality was 2.29 per 1,000 live births, the lowest in the world. The entire population has access to health care services. Leading causes of death per were communicable diseases and maternal/perinatal causes, noncommunicable diseases, and injuries. Vaccination rates for children up to one year old were as follows: tuberculosis, 97%; diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, 95%; polio, 93%; measles, 88%; and hepatitis B, 91%. Rates for DPT and measles were 94% and 93%, respectively. The slow growth of the HIV epidemic in Singapore may be attributed to general awareness and programs promoting condom use at STD clinics. The HIV/AIDS prevalence was 0.20 per 100 adults in 2003. As of 2004, there were approximately 4,100 people living with HIV/AIDS in the country. There were an estimated 200 deaths from AIDS in 2003. HOUSING Sustained rapid population growth in the years preceding and following World War II provided Singapore with an acute housing shortage. In 1947, a housing committee determined that, with a squatter problem worsening each year, 250,000 persons required immediate housing, while another 250,000 people would need new housing by the late 1950s. In 1960, the Housing and Development Board was established by the new PAP government. During its first five-year building program (1960–65), the board spent s$230 million to construct 53,000 dwelling units for more than 250,000 people. It was in this period that Queens Town, Singapore's first satellite community, was developed. By the mid-1970s, Queens Town had a total of 27,000 living units in seven neighborhood complexes, housing upwards of 150,000 people. In the second five-year building program (1966–70), 67,000 additional units, accommodating 350,000 persons and costing s$305 million, were built. About 113,000 more units were erected by the board in the third building program (1971–75), and over 130,000 in the fourth building program (1976–80). Another 100,000 units were constructed in the fifth building program (1981–85), and 160,000 were planned for the sixth building program (1986–90). In 1985, as a result of these government-sponsored efforts, 2,148,720 persons—or 84% of the total population of Singapore—lived in 551,767 apartments under the management of the Housing and Development Board. Some 397,180 units were sold to the public. As of the 2000 census, there were about 964,138 occupied housing units nationwide. About 79% of all dwellings were built by the Housing and Development Board. About 93% of all dwellings were owner occupied. As of 2003, about 84% of the population resided in flats constructed through Housing and Development Board programs. The demand for purchase of home ownership flats was at about 13,846 units. EDUCATION All children who are citizens are entitled to free primary education. Primary schooling is available in all four official languages. Primary school is compulsory and covers a six-year program of study. Secondary school lasts for four years. Based on their primary school final examinations, students are placed in secondary school for general or technical studies. Students eligible to consider university studies enter a three-year preparatory program to complete their secondary education. In 1996, there were 269,668 students 198 primary schools, with 10,618 teachers. The student-to-teacher ratio stood at 25 to 1, where it remained as of 1999. In 1996, secondary schools had 207,719 students and 10,354 teachers. Fifteen vocational institutes offered training courses in the metalworking, woodworking, electrical, electronic, and building trades. The National University of Singapore was established on 8 August 1980, through the merger of the University of Singapore and Nanyang University. In addition, there are the Singapore Technical Institute, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, and Nanyang Polytechnic. In 1996, all institutions of higher education had 6,689 teaching staff and enrolled a total of 92,140 students. The adult literacy rate for 2004 was estimated at about 92.5%, with 96.6% for men and 88.6% for women. As of 2003, public expenditures on education were estimated at 3.7% of GDP. LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS The National Library of Singapore (founded in 1844 and known, until 1960, as Raffl es National Library) contains 5.6 million volumes, including books in the four official languages. The National Library houses the government archives and serves as a repository for official publications printed in Singapore since 1946. The library has nine full-time branches, and a mobile library service for rural portions of the island. The National University of Singapore Library contains almost 2.2 million volumes, including extensive medical and science/technology collections. (The National University of Singapore was formed in 1980 with the merger of the former University of Singapore and Nanyang University.) Singapore Polytechnic holds 196,000 volumes, and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies holds 140,000. The National Library Board, established in 1995, maintains a three-tiered public library network that includes 3 regional libraries, 19 community libraries, and 18 community children's libraries. The Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, also sponsored by the National Library Board, has a collection of about 530,000 materials. The National Museum (formerly Raffl es Museum), established in 1849, has collections of natural history, ethnology, and archaeology. Since 1965, it has also specialized in the art, culture, and way of life of Singapore's multiracial communities. The National Art Gallery, established in 1976, features works by the peoples of Southeast Asia, and is a part of the National Museum. The Art Museum and Exhibition Gallery of the National University of Singapore includes in its collections Asian art objects and contemporary Singaporean and Malaysian painting and textiles. The new Singapore Art Museum opened in 1996 with a permanent collection of more than 3,000 contemporary paintings and sculptures from Southeast Asian artists. The Asian Civilizations Museum, concerning ethnology, at Empress Place, opened in 2003 and is the largest museum in Singapore. The Lee Kong Chian Art Museum, the Centre of Fine Arts, and Singapore Science Center are also found in the city-state. MEDIA Postal, telephone, and telegraph services in Singapore are among the most efficient in Southeast Asia. National and international telecommunications services are administered by the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore. Service is available on a 24-hour basis for worldwide telegraph, telephone, and telex communication. In 2003, there were an estimated 450 mainline telephones for every 1,000 people. The same year, there were approximately 852 mobile phones in use for every 1,000 people. Virtually all broadcasting services are operated by the government-linked MediaCorp. Radio and television broadcasts are available in Mandarin, Malay, Chinese, and English. In 2004, the only independent radio station was sponsored by British Broadcasting Corporation World Service. As of 2003, there were nine FM radio stations and seven television stations. In 2003, there were an estimated 672 radios and 303 television sets for every 1,000 people. The same year, there were 622 personal computers for every 1,000 people and 509 of every 1,000 people had access to the Internet. There were 981 secure Internet servers in the country in 2004. Singapore Press Holdings, a corporation linked to the ruling party, controls most of the press. There are English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil daily newspapers. Foreign publications reporting on Southeast Asian political and social affairs must obtain an annual permit to distribute more than 300 copies of each edition in Singapore. Singapore has 10 daily newspapers, with at least one printed in each of the four official languages. The oldest and most widely circulated daily is the English-language Straits Times, founded in 1845. In 2002, Singapore's largest newspapers, with their language of publication and estimated daily circulations, were as follows: Straits Times, Chinese/Malay/English, 392,600; Lianhe Zaobao, Chinese, 205,160; The New Paper, English, 121,000; Shin Min Daily News, Chinese, 120,130; Lianhe Wanbao, Chinese/English, 85,500; Berita Harian, Malay/English, 60,000; Business Times, Chinese/English, 36,000; and Tamil Murasu, Tamil, 14,000. The Sunday Times, published in all four of the major languages, had a weekly circulation of 387,000 in 2002. Although freedom of the press is guaranteed by law, the International Press Institute has on various occasions cited Singapore for interference with press freedom. Magazines, motion pictures, and plays are censored for sexual content and presentation of ethnically sensitive matters. ORGANIZATIONS There are Chinese, Indian, and Malay chambers of commerce and a multicommunal Singapore chamber of commerce. There is also an active National Trades Union Congress. The Consumers' Association of Singapore was founded in 1971. There are several professional associations covering a variety of fields. In 1960, the government established the People's Association to organize and promote mass participation in social, cultural, educational, and recreational activities. In Singapore, there is a comprehensive network of about 133 community centers throughout the country set up by the People's Association. Management, women's, youth, and senior citizen subcommittees exist as active units of the association. National youth organizations include the Singapore Scout Association, Singapore Girl Guides, Youth for Christ, Student Christian Movement of Singapore, the Association of Singapore Students in Economics and Commerce, YMCA/YWCA, Junior Chamber, and the Singapore Boy's Brigade and Girl's Brigade. Women's organizations include the Association of Women for Action and Research, Singapore Council of Women's Organizations, and the Singapore International Foundation. Culture and arts organizations are represented by the Indian Fine Arts Society and the Singapore Art Society. There are several sports associations and clubs available, as well as clubs for hobbyists and games enthusiasts, such as the Photo Art Association of Singapore and the Othello Association Singapore. The Academy of Medicine, the Singapore National Academy of Science, and the Institute of Physics serve to promote public interest and education as well as professional advancement in various branches of science. There are several other associations dedicated to research and education for specific fields of medicine and particular diseases and conditions. The National Council of Social Service assists in coordinating volunteer services through member service organizations, professional associations, retirement homes, and children's homes. There are service clubs belonging to international associations, such as national chapters of Lions Clubs, Kiwanis International, the Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity. TOURISM, TRAVEL, AND RECREATION The tradition of bargaining makes shopping in Singapore a major tourist attraction. Points of interest include the Van Kleef Aquarium at Fort Canning Park, the Singapore Zoological and Botanical Gardens, and the resort island of Sentosa. Singapore has a number of other attractions, including an amusement park at Haw Par Village, site of historic Chinese statues, and the restoration of the Alkaff Mansion. Singapore has many sports clubs and associations, notably in the areas of badminton (in which Singaporeans have distinguished themselves internationally), basketball, boxing, cricket, cycling, golf, hockey, horse racing, motoring, polo, swimming, tennis, and yachting. All visitors to Singapore must carry a passport valid for at least six months upon entry. Proof of sufficient funds and an onward/return ticket are also necessary and checked by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Visas are required for nationals of 32 countries, including Russia , Egypt , and Iraq. A vaccination against yellow fever is required if traveling from an infected country. In 2003, about 6.1 million visitors arrived in Singapore, mostly from East Asia and the Pacific. There were a total of 35,930 hotel rooms, filled to 76% of capacity. The average visit was three nights. According to 2005 US Department of State estimates, the cost of staying in Singapore was approximately us$210 per day. FAMOUS SINGAPOREANS Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffl es (1781–1826) played a major role in the establishment of a British presence on Singapore Island in 1819; he introduced policies that greatly enhanced Singapore's wealth, and he suppressed the slave trade. Raffl es also distinguished himself as a collector of historical and scientific information. The English writer and educator Cyril Northcote Parkinson (1909–93), formerly a professor at the University of Singapore, became internationally known as the originator of Parkinson's Law. Singapore's dominant contemporary figure is Lee Kuan Yew (b.1923), prime minister of the Republic of Singapore from 1965 to 1990. His son, Lee Hsien Loong (b.1952), became the nation's third prime minister and second from the same family in 2004. Altbach, Philip G. and Toru Umakoshi (eds.). Asian Universities: Historical Perspectives and Contemporary Challenges. Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004. Aspalter, Christian. Conservative Welfare State Systems in East Asia. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2001. Barr, Michael D. Lee Kuan Yew, the Beliefs Behind the Man. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2000. Chiu, Stephen Wing-kai. City States in the Global Economy: Industrial Restructuring in Hong Kong and Singapore. Boulder, Colo.: Westview Press, 1997. Chua, Beng Huat. Communitarian Ideology and Democracy in Singapore. London: Routledge, 1995. ——. Culture, Multiracialism and National Identity in Singapore. Singapore: Dept. of Sociology, National University of Singapore, 1995. Dumargay, Jacques. Cultural Sites of Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. Haas, Michael. The Singapore Puzzle. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 1999. Leibo, Steven A. East and Southeast Asia, 2005. 38th ed. Harpers Ferry, W.Va.: Stryker-Post Publications, 2005. Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Oakland, Calif.: Lonely Planet, 1999. Managing Political Change in Singapore: The Elected Presidency. Edited by Kevin Tan and Peng Er Lam. London: Routledge, 1997. Mulliner, K. Historical Dictionary of Singapore. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 1991. Murray, Geoffrey. Singapore: The Global City-State. Kent, U.K.: China Library, 1996. Peebles, Gavin. The Singapore Economy. Cheltenham, U.K.: Edward Elgar, 1996. Rahim, Lily Z. The Singapore Dilemma: The Political and Educational Marginality of the Malay Community. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. Cite this article Jurong EDITOR'S NOTE This chapter was adapted from the Department of State Post Report for Singapore. Supplemental material has been added to increase coverage of minor cities, facts have been updated, and some material has been condensed. Readers are encouraged to visit the Department of State's web site at http://travel.state.gov/ for the most recent information available on travel to this country. INTRODUCTION Since the dynamic, modern metropolis of SINGAPORE attained its independence in August 1965, its capable leadership has been molding it into a model of social and economic progress and multi-racial harmony. A former British colony, and later a self-governing member of the British Commonwealth and (for two years) of the Federation of Malaysia , the Republic of Singapore remains a major port of the East, and one of the world's great commercial centers. Singapore ranks with Japan and Brunei as one of the most prosperous countries in Asia . One of the busiest and cleanest ports in the world, it throbs with activity. It is a melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western cultures, each endeavoring to maintain its own identity and rich heritage. MAJOR CITY Singapore Singapore is both a city and a republic. The entire country is almost entirely urban and suburban in nature and, because of this, the distinction between Singapore and Singapore City is disappearing. Therefore, all national information applies to the city as well. The modern city was established in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company. Centuries earlier, it had been known as Temasek, or "Sea Town." According to legend, its current name was given by a prince of the Srivijaya (Hindu-Malayan) empire who, upon landing at Temasek, saw an animal resembling a lion; hence, Singa Pura, or Lion City. The settlement begun here by Raffles attracted enterprising merchants and industrious immigrants from throughout the Malay peninsula and the islands of the Indonesian archipelago. Soon came the Chinese, Indians, British, Arabs, and Ceylonese whose descendants comprise today's Singaporean population. Separate areas were designated for the many and varied ethnic groups who came to seek new and better lives and, although there has been considerable assimilation and resettlement, Singapore retains areas where traditions of the past continue. Narrow roads, vibrant street activity, mosques and temples, and unique sights and sounds all add to the color and fascination of this exotic city. The harbor, the parks and gardens, and the colonial heart of Singapore create still another, but equally interesting, aspect of this Southeast Asian melange. Singapore, which became part of the Straits Settlements (British crown colony) in 1826, was made a separate British colony in 1946. It was a Malaysian state from 1963 to 1965, when it established its independence as a republic. During World War II , Singapore was under Japanese occupation for three-and-a-half years. Clothing Lightweight trousers, shirt (long-or short-sleeved) and tie are appropriate office wear. Many men keep a jacket and tie on hand only for more formal events. Suitable fabrics for trousers and suits are lightweight dacron, cotton blends, or other washable fabrics. Ready-to-wear shorts, worn for sports, and trousers are available in Singapore. Some men have their clothing tailor-made at about the same cost as a better quality ready-to-wear suit in the U.S. Workmanship is generally good. A variety of British and U.S. men's items, such as shirts, socks, underwear, handkerchiefs, ties, and accessories, are sold in Singapore. U.S. items are usually more expensive here—size 34 waist and above are not easily obtained. U.S.-made shoes, however, are not available. Some men, especially those with small feet, have found locally acquired shoes comfortable and well fitting; lasts tend to be wider than U.S. styles. European shoes also are available, but costlier. American sizes nine and above are scarce and at times difficult to find. Cool and washable cottons and cotton blends are the best fabric choices for women in Singapore's heat and humidity. Frequent laundering is necessary, and clothes fade and wear more rapidly here than in the U.S. Clothing that requires dry cleaning is not recommended, as few facilities meet U.S. standards. Light colors are cooler for day, although both dark and light colors are worn. Short-or long-sleeved and sleeveless dresses can be worn, depending on air conditioning and personal preference. In the office, women wear dresses or pantsuits; a sweater is useful because of the air conditioning. Casual, summer daytime wear is appropriate for other everyday activities. Singaporeans dress conservatively but stylishly and are not usually seen in bare-shoulder or bare-midriff dresses during the day. Shorts and pants are worn for most sports; shorts are considered inappropriate on the street or for shopping, but culottes, knee-length shorts, or slacks are popular. Skirts and blouses are comfortable for golf; tennis outfits for tennis and squash are available or can be made. Leather, patent leather, linen, and silk shoes are worn as in the U.S. Low-heeled sandals are most comfortable, as closed shoes may be warm. Ready-made shoes are available, but sizes eight or larger and narrow widths are available only in expensive European imports. Shoes can be made, but often with disappointing results. If proper fit is a problem for you, bring a good supply. Remember, feet might swell in tropical heat. All schools, including the American School, require locally made uniforms for children. Play clothes for outside activities and some dress clothes for parties and church should be brought from home. Generally, available ready-to-wear clothing includes some U.S. brands, but parents usually rely on local ready-made play clothes. Children's dress clothes can be made here inexpensively. Food Several major supermarkets in Singapore are comparable to small U.S. supermarkets. Most families also have a grocer who takes daily telephone orders and delivers goods to the home. These items cost more than in the supermarket but, for many, the service is timesaving and convenient. Fresh fruits and vegetables are abundant. Local, tropical varieties, as well as those imported from either the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, depending on the season, are available. Oranges and apples shipped from the U.S. and elsewhere are of high quality. Orange juice is expensive. Canned goods are imported from Australia , New Zealand , Taiwan , the People's Republic of China , the U.S., and Europe . A limited variety of frozen foods can be purchased. Baby foods and formulas, both U.S. and Australian brands, are available but more expensive than in the U.S. Fresh milk and other dairy products are imported from Australia and are expensive. Most resident Americans buy reconstituted, canned, or powdered milk at considerable savings. Good meat is imported from Australia and New Zealand. Australian beef has a slightly different taste and texture, as the cattle are grass-fed rather than corn-fed. Domestic chickens are less expensive than other meats and are of good quality. Food spoils quickly in this hot, humid climate. Airtight containers (which are available here) prolong freshness and keep ants and weevils out of flour, sugar, crackers, and cookies. Supplies & Services Singapore offers many types of repair services. Local craftsmanship ranks higher in quality and considerably lower in cost than that in the U.S. In the Eastern tradition, china , furniture, shoes, etc., are repaired time and again; nothing that can be salvaged is discarded. Quality dry cleaning varies, and even a firm one has come to trust may eventually prove undependable. Prices are high. Singapore has commercial laundries, but an amah (a domestic) will probably do the washing at home. Amahs are thorough, but not always gentle; they are among the reasons that clothes fade and wear out quickly. Many beauty shops offer services comparable with those of an average quality U.S. shop. Some stylists and services are excellent, and most women eventually make satisfactory arrangements. Most electronic equipment can be repaired locally; workmanship is reliable. U.S. equipment is more expensive to repair than Japanese and European brands. One of the few genuine bargains in Singapore—picture framing—is of good quality and inexpensive. Non-reflecting glass and acid free matting are available. Religious Activities Most major Christian religions are represented here. English services are held at Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Anglican, Mormon, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist , Christian Scientist, or Seventh Day Adventist churches. One Sephardic synagogue conducts "Baghdad-tradition" services, which is not easily understood by most American Jews . It is the custom for those visiting mosques and temples to remove their shoes before entering. Modest dress is expected. Domestic Help Household domestics are difficult to find. Increasingly, both Americans and Singaporeans are employing foreigners—Filipinos, Indonesians, Thais, Sri Lankans, Indians, Bangladeshis, and Malaysians—which often means cumbersome and expensive hiring arrangements, as they must be approved by the government before they are permitted to work or enter the country. Americans here often employ at least one general domestic called an amah, whose duties usually include cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing and, sometimes, baby-sitting. Singles or those without children need only a part-time amah who works a few days a week. Some families employ more than one domestic, in varying combinations of cook, amah, cook/ amah, gardener, etc. These may be live-in or live-out, and either full-or part-time. Monthly wages vary from S$300 for a part-time amah to S$600 for a full-time live-in cook/ amah. A foreign maid is paid less than a Singaporean maid. In addition to basic salary, a food allowance is usually paid. For a Singaporean or foreign amah, the employer makes a monthly payment based on salary to the Central Provident Fund (CPF), a form of social security. No CPF payment is required for a domestic who is employed less than 14 hours per week. The employer usually gives an annual bonus of one month's salary to Chinese employees at Chinese New Year, to Malay employees at Hari Raya Puasa, and to Christian employees at Christmas . Education Since 1956, the Singapore American School has provided an U.S.-style education to the international community. The aim of the school is to educate and equip children of any race, religion, or nationality with academic, social and interpersonal skills to help insure success in adult life. A wide range of electives and extracurricular activities are offered. Nonprofit and community supported, the Singapore American School has children from over 40 nationalities in attendance, although more than 60 percent of the student body are U.S. citizens. The current total enrollment is over 2,000. Classes for preschool (three year olds), pre-kindergarten through grade eight are at the Ulu Pandan Campus, grades nine through 12 use the King's Road Campus. The school year consists of two semesters, with vacations at Christmas and spring break. Full accreditation is given by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. In addition to the intramural program, the school is the venue for many Singapore American Community Action Council (SACAC) programs, which include American football, gymnastics, baseball, and T-ball. Through grade eight, the classrooms are designed for multi-age groupings with a continuous educational progress program. The high school compares to a comprehensive U.S. high school, but does not offer an extensive vocational education program. The program of study is mainly, though not exclusively, college preparatory. The address of Singapore American School is 60 King's Road, Singapore 1026, Republic of Singapore, (high school); 201 Ulu Pandan Road, Singapore 2159, Republic of Singapore (elementary school). The International School of Singapore opened in September 1981 and is committed to a complete academic program stressing the basics of education. A standardized testing program, using both American and British materials, insures that students are progressing at a rate that compares to that of their peers in their homeland. English is the dominant language but, for the large number of non-English speaking students, a separate program—English as a Second Language—is offered. This program enables students of any nationality to participate in class with little difficulty. The school's educational program helps students successfully complete O-and A-level examinations as well as the Scholastic Achievement Test, which prepares them to enter American colleges and universities. International School is located 15 minutes from downtown Singapore. Facilities include two campuses, 54 classrooms, cafeteria, playing fields, science laboratories, computer room, and a 6,000-volume library. The school is completely air-conditioned. International's mailing address is Preston Road, Singapore 0410. Two excellent schools, the United World College of Southeast Asia and the Dover Court Preparatory School, offer a British curriculum and are highly accredited. The United World College of South East Asia is an international day and boarding school for students in grades six through 12. It seeks to foster international understanding through education and also to provide schooling adapted to today's special needs. Its pupils represent some 40 different nationalities, but share a common academic and activities curriculum. Equivalence agreements exist with most countries represented at the school, so that departing pupils may obtain admission to universities of their choice in their own countries. Some 1,350 students are generally enrolled; about 50 are American. United World College was designed as the first of a number of international schools that offer students of different nationalities a two-year course of study before entering a university or starting a career. Course work is geared to the British school system, but a record of study credits is maintained for all American students and for others who may require it during grades nine through 12. Arrangements are made for students considering application to U.S. universities to take the Scholastic Aptitude and Achievement Tests set by the College Entrance Examination Board. The school year, beginning in September, comprises three terms. An eight-week vacation begins in early July, and two shorter vacations of about two weeks each are taken in December and late March. Queries should be directed to the school at Pasir Panjang, P.O. Box 15, Singapore 9111, Republic of Singapore. Dover Court Preparatory School is an international boarding and day preparatory school for children in pre-kindergarten through grade nine. Current enrollment numbers some 900 students; Americans represent a small percentage. Classrooms are large, light, airy, and well equipped. The buildings are set in 12 acres of park land, and the school has ample playing areas. A tennis court and facilities for swimming, athletics, and football are available. The school year, comprised of three terms, begins in September and ends in July. A limited number of boarding facilities are offered to children of all nationalities from ages six through 13. A Child Guidance Center at the Dover Court site provides individual therapy. The center offers a full psycho-educational testing program and individual therapy for children who have learning disabilities or emotional and behavioral problems. There are some boarding facilities. Further information is available from the school at Dover Road, Singapore 0513, Republic of Singapore. Another institution with a British curriculum is the Tanglin Trust Schools located six miles from the city center, near the National University of Singapore. The coeducational, day school for children ages three to 11 has a definite British focus; no Americans attend. The address is Portsdown Road, Singapore 0513, Republic of Singapore. Singapore universities enroll some foreign students. The Chinese Language and Research Center, located on the Nanyang Campus of the National University of Singapore (NUS), is popular with Chinese language specialists. American students cannot enroll in degree programs. The National University of Singapore has a non-credit, evening lecture series on a variety of subjects. The Vocational Industrial Training Board offers a number of practical courses such as boat handling, interior decorating, Japanese flower arranging, silk screen printing, photography, and woodworking; these are open to Americans upon application. Courses in Chinese cooking, yoga, painting, mah-jongg, etc., are available through the YWCA. The American Women's Association, the Pan Pacific South-East Asian Women's Association, the Chinese Women's Association, and other groups offer similar programs. Language-study programs are available. The Alliance Française offers a complete range of courses in French. Both the NUS and the Vocational Industrial Training Board teach several languages in evening classes. NUS offers full-time Mandarin instruction. A commercial language center features up-to-date language equipment. Recreation Opportunities for touring and sight-seeing in the Singapore area are nearly limitless. Some of the most interesting places are: The Botanical Gardens. Singapore is famous for these gardens, where the first rubber saplings of Southeast Asia were brought from South America and planted. Today, thousands of exotic tropical plants flourish, including rare orchid hybrids. Black swans float on a tranquil lake. It is a gorgeous park and well worth a Sunday afternoon's stroll. The Mandai Orchid Gardens, truly a land of orchids. In these gardens alone are thousands of colorful hybrids, many of which have won acclaim in international flower shows, but commercial shipments often strip the gardens of their flowers. Jurong Bird Park, the world's largest and most colorful aviary, inhabited by thousands of feathered creatures, including dozens of rare species. Electric tram cars take visitors around the park, and to the world's tallest man-made waterfall as well. Singapore Zoological Gardens, one of the most modern zoos in existence. Here, most animals live in a natural setting—a promontory with lawns, trees, and shrubs. An electric train takes visitors around the gardens. Mount Faber—Sentosa Island. If one wishes to escape from Singapore proper, the cable car at Mount Faber can be taken to the Island of Sentosa. Mount Faber is 385 feet above sea level, the perfect spot to watch the sun go down and lights come up in the city. Telescopes are provided for an excellent view of the harbor, the Southern Islands and, on a clear day, the Indonesian Archipelago. Sentosa is a lush unspoiled island with a natural forest and a quiet village. Features include a superb 18-hole golf course on the sea, the world's first coralarium, and a swimming lagoon and picnic area. The Surrender Chamber is also located on this island; this is a replica of the site of the original surrendering of Singapore by the Japanese Occupation Forces to the Allied Forces after World War II. The range of sight-seeing in Singapore also includes Tiger Balm Gardens, which features grotesque plaster and stone figures representing demons, grottos, and scenes from Chinese myth and legend. Chinatown lies in and around New Bridge Road and, although many of the old shop houses are being demolished, visitors can still see medicine men and fortune tellers on the sidewalk. There are more than 500 Chinese and Indian temples in Singapore, notable among them the exotic Sri Mariamman Hindu temple on South Bridge Road, the Sultan Mosque, and the Buddhist Temple of One Thousand Lights. Other interesting places to visit are Chinese and Japanese Gardens, Van Kleef Aquarium and the Kranji War Memorial. A small National Museum features a limited study of the natural history of the region and houses an impressive jade collection. The National University of Singapore maintains a small but excellent collection of Oriental ceramics which presently is on long-term loan to the National Museum. The National Art Gallery presents exhibits by local and international artists. As a duty free port, Singapore offers many imported items below European prices. Movie cameras, calculators, watches, household appliances, sporting equipment, and leather goods are some products which may be purchased at discount, although prices can vary widely between establishments. Good, but expensive, jade and antiques from Burma , China, and Thailand may be purchased in some of the elegant shops in the Tanglin Road area. In the North Bridge Road, Arab Street, and Serangoon Road districts, crafts such as Chinese figurines, rattan and cane furniture, batik, and silk are available. The best places for casual shopping are the large shopping centers on Orchard and Tanglin Roads and People's Park on New Bridge Road. In general, Americans in Singapore rely on Malaysia for weekend excursions or more extended trips. The Malaysian macadam, two-lane roads are good, although narrow, and frequent congestion often results in extended delays on the causeway into Malaysia. Rest houses, run by the government, are inexpensive, usually clean and comfortable (if unglamorous), and are found throughout Malaysia. Dining facilities provide Chinese, Indian, and Malay food, as well as simple Western dishes. The Safari Park, north of Singapore in Johore State, Malaysia, features wild animals roaming freely in an enclosed area. Visitors drive through the park in cars to observe the animals in their natural habitat. Malaysia's east coast, up to the northern border, has roads that are passable during dry months. However, in the rainy season, allowances must be made for flooded road conditions. A few streams and rivers still have unreliable ferry systems, although modern bridges are presently being constructed. A three-hour drive up the east coast will lead to Mersing, where visitors can stay at the rest house, rent boats, and visit the uninhabited paradise-type islands with clear blue water, palm trees, and white beaches. Instruction or participation in most sports is available, but may require membership in a club. Golf, bowling, tennis, squash, rugby, soccer, softball, swimming, sailing, horseback riding, scuba diving, judo, yoga, and ice skating are among those available here. The Singapore Swimming Club has a large saltwater pool, and badminton is also available. The American Club is noted for its bowling lanes, and offers opportunities to join leagues; the pool here is small, but excellent for children. Tennis, squash, and racquetball facilities are available. The Cricket Club features tennis (eight grass courts), squash, and cricket. Golf is popular. The Singapore Island Country Club has four excellent courses at two separate locations, but membership is expensive and the waiting period is usually several years. Other golf clubs are the Warren, Changi, Seletar, Keppel, Sembawang, Jurong, and Tengah. These are nine-hole courses, less expensive, and with shorter waiting periods for membership. Non-members can play on weekdays by paying greens fees. The Singapore Tennis Center, with nine outdoor and three indoor courts operating on the principle of U.S. tennis centers, is open to the public for hourly and seasonal rental. The Singapore Sports Council operates several swimming pools, a dozen or so squash courts, more than 30 tennis courts, and a short seven-hole golf course. All are open to the public for a nominal fee. The YMCA and YWCA offer tennis, squash, martial arts such as karate and Tai Kwon Do, yoga, and other sports and recreational activities for a nominal charge. Boating is popular; sailboats and motor-boats are available, as are opportunities for water-skiing and scuba diving. Surprisingly, beaches are poor and scarce; the best are located offshore and in Malaysia, and can be reached only by boat. Singapore has several yacht clubs, including the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, the Singapore Sailing Club in Changi, and the Singapore Armed Forces Yacht Club. Dinghies and motor-boats are available for daily and monthly charter at most clubs for nominal fee. Malaysia is no longer good hunting country, and game conservation efforts are being made. Wild pig is about the only game bagged, despite occasional reports in the press of tigers and rogue elephants. Import and licensing of firearms is strictly controlled, and a permit for possession is obtained only after considerable delay. Some surf fishing is done off the Malaysian coast. Taman Negara National Park, north of Kuala Lumpur , is well stocked for stream and river fishing. The park is accessible only by river. Because of the heat and the beating sun, hiking is not an enjoyable sport here; however, a men's cross-country running club meets in the evening. Jungle hiking is quite pleasant in the cool hill country of Malaysia. Farther up the east coast are beaches and good accommodations. From May to September, one can see the sea turtles which come up at night to lay their eggs on most of the beaches along the east coast. However, in Malaysia, as elsewhere in the world today, some of the beaches are polluted. Two popular spots on the west coast are Malacca, the old Dutch and Portuguese trading center, once the hub of trade before Singapore was founded in 1819; and Port Dickson, a beach resort which has fishing, swimming, sailing, and water-skiing facilities. Both are five to six hours by car from Singapore and have good accommodations. Trips to Kuala Lumpur and Penang take more than two days, except by air. Also, a longer journey is required to visit one of the hill stations in Malaysia. Fraser's Hill (about two hours' drive from Kuala Lumpur) and Cameron Highlands (five hours' drive), have a definite colonial atmosphere. A resort with high-rise hotel and gambling facilities is located at Genting Highlands (one hour). A visit to any of these places provides a refreshing climatic change, since they are 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Singapore. They offer golf and hiking. Entertainment Several air-conditioned, first-run movie theaters show most recent American, British, and Chinese films. High quality but less popular art films are shown at the Goethe Institut. Some private clubs and film societies offer members a wide spectrum of classic, popular films. A number of commercial video-tape rental shops exist (PAL system). All films and videos are censored. The government-sponsored Singapore Symphony Orchestra made its debut in early 1979 and features both guest conductors and soloists. Instrumental and choral groups, and solo musicians also give public recitals. Popular artists and groups frequently appear at various hotels and in large outdoor concerts. Musical programs are contributed by Singapore's various ethnic groups, ranging from Western ensemble to traditional Malay kronchong (orchestra) music. Those who wish to participate in musical activities have many opportunities to do so. A number of capable amateur groups present plays. Impresarios sponsor an occasional one-man show or small theatre troupe. Traditional Chinese opera and Indian and Malay dances are popular in Singapore. The Singapore National Library, considered one of the best in the area, has more than 400,000 English-language books, plus a smaller number in the other official languages. The National University of Singapore's extensive library facilities may be used with permission granted on individual application. Small libraries are maintained in the American Club and the Tanglin Club for members' use, as well as a number of small specialized collections scattered throughout the city. Singapore has many well-stocked bookstores. A good selection of both American and British paperbacks are available at prices somewhat higher than in the U.S. Selection is good at Singapore's many record and tape stores, but new releases are not always available. Dining is a pleasure here. Singapore has a variety of inexpensive restaurants and, with concerted attempts to lure tourists and the resultant hotel boom, the number of good eating places has multiplied. Variety in style, quality, and price is infinite—from outdoor stalls to elegant continental dining. Every type of Chinese, Indian, Malay, and Indonesian food is available in Singapore. The food at outdoor night markets and also at daytime food stalls near Telok Ayer Market is excellent, and visitors need not worry about unhygienic preparation. Curries and Indian vegetarian food can be found, and there also are establishments where Nonya food—a unique mixture of Chinese ingredients and Malay cooking—is served. Western food is also available. The local Tiger beer is excellent, and Singapore is one of only a few places in Asia where water can be consumed safely. Opportunities abound to devote time to charity. Many institutions for orphans and for the handicapped welcome volunteers. The Singapore American Community Action Council (SACAC), created in 1973, works with the American schools here to combat drug abuse and promote a healthy home environment by providing counseling and sponsoring activities for singles, families and young people. The American Women's Association (AWA) is a large and active organization whose monthly meetings usually feature a speaker. The AWA sponsors many trips, courses, and activities, and provides outreach opportunities for volunteers. The American Business Council, a large group of resident Americans representing most of the U.S. companies in Singapore, discusses business matters through specialized committees. Singapore offers an interesting and varied social life; an individual's work and personal wishes determine the degree of involvement. Singaporeans are friendly and sociable; opportunities to meet members of the large and growing multi-national business community are numerous. The Singapore Tourist Promotion Board is located at Raffles City Tower 36-04, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 0617. OTHER CITY JURONG , in the western section of Singapore, is one of the largest industrial sites in Southeast Asia. Jurong is not a separate city, but is known as an "industrial town." Over 3,000 companies are situated in 20 industrial estates, employing almost 70 percent of the country's work force. Industries include shipbuilding yards, a steel pipe factory, and an oil refinery. The National Iron and Steel Mill is the city's industrial center. Jurong has a short history, dating only to the early 1960s. Singapore's secession from the Malaysia federation in 1965 slowed the suburb's growth. Jurong Bird Park, with the world's largest walk-in aviary, and the Chinese and Japanese Gardens—the Japanese being one of the largest such gardens outside of Japan—are among tourist spots. The Singapore Science Center, located here, covers physical and life sciences, specifically for younger visitors. Jurong Town has a university, and all social amenities. COUNTRY PROFILE Geography and Climate Singapore is a small and almost entirely urbanized island (225 square miles at high tide). It lies 85 miles north of the equator, off the tip of the Malay Peninsula, from which it is separated by the Straits of Johore. A causeway, with both a road and a railway, crosses the three-quarters of a mile to the Malay mainland. Relatively flat (highest elevation 581 feet), the maximum distance from east to west is 26 miles and from north to south, 14 miles. The Republic of Singapore consists of Singapore Island and 54 smaller islands. Vegetation is lush and tropical. Seasons are nonexistent. Here in the "Land of Eternal Summer," the mean high is 82°F and the mean low, 77°F. For its location, however, Singapore is not as hot as might be expected and, at times, it is surprisingly cool because of sea breezes. Humidity is high (average 70%) and annual rainfall is 96 inches. Wet and dry seasons are somewhat indistinct, but November through February are wetter than the other months and tend to be cooler. Over a period of time, the climate can be oppressive. Depending on the length of one's stay, the lack of climatic variation coupled with the difficulty of leaving the island may cause psychological weariness. For this reason regular exercise and frequent vacations are important here. Even in a clean city like Singapore, the tropical climate seems to foster diseases; germs and viruses thrive here. Many people who have scant history of illness complain of recurring colds and other infections. Enthusiastic air conditioning probably contributes to respiratory problems. Many restaurants and shops are uncomfortably overcooled. Humidity makes mildew a problem—books, records, leather items, or anything that is not used or aired regularly or stored in air conditioning is vulnerable. Closets and bureau drawers take on a musty odor that is difficult to eliminate. Rust is also a problem; metal items that are not painted or tropicalized begin to rust in a short time. Singapore, like every other tropical area, has its share of cockroaches, water bugs, small pesky ants, and termites. Flies are almost nonexistent. Mosquitoes can be annoying despite strenuous efforts to control them, but malaria is not a problem. Population Singapore's population is almost 4.3 million (2001 est.). The average annual growth rate is 3.5%. Most of the population (77%) is ethnically Chinese; Malays comprise 14% of the population; and Indians 7.9% A fascinating melange of cultures fulfills the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board promise of "Instant Asia." Because of the multi-racial character of the society, there are many sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the East. Chinese, English, Malay, and Tamil (the language of southeastern India ) are official languages. Most Chinese are descendants of immigrants from China's southern provinces, and their main dialects are Hokkien, Teochew, and Cantonese. The government is stressing the learning of Mandarin by all Singaporeans, particularly the Chinese. English is used for administration; about 75 percent of Singapore's citizens speak and understand at least rudimentary English. A knowledge of one of the other tongues is not necessary, but Chinese and Malay can be useful—the latter, especially, for traveling in Malaysia. Singapore is a secular state with considerable religious tolerance. The main religions are Taoism , Islam , Buddhism (mostly Mahayana), Christianity (almost equally divided between Catholic and Protestant), and Hinduism . Two holidays of each of the major groups in Singapore are set aside for national observance. Sikhs, Jews, Zoroastrians, and Jains are also represented. The cultural patterns are equally rich in variety. In a multi-racial society, each ethnic group stresses its traditions to preserve its individuality. For example, Thaipusam, a Hindu religious observance, is dying out in India, but is celebrated with fervor in Singapore. Chinese New Year, in January or February, is a two-week festival marked by feasting and home celebration. Muslims celebrate Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji with equal enthusiasm. Multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural—herein lies some of the fascination of Singapore. Except for Muslim or Hindu dietary restrictions, which generally must be honored when entertaining Malays or Indians, few taboos differ markedly from those in America. Government Singapore's parliamentary democracy government is based on full adult suffrage. Voting is compulsory. Parliament's 83 members are elected for a maximum of five years. Members usually speak English but may speak in any of the four official languages, and simultaneous translation is provided. Before the constitution was amended in 1991, Singapore's largely ceremonial president was elected to a four-year term by the Parliament. The amended constitution retains the term length, but the president is now elected by the people. In addition, the president gained control over the spending of the country's significant monetary reserves and over certain civil service appointments. In 1996, however, the Parliament enacted governmental reforms that curtailed the president's veto power. Ong Teng Cheong was elected in 1993 in Singapore's first popular presidential election. The current president is Sellapan Ramanathan (1999). The president appoints as new prime minister the member of Parliament with the most support. The cabinet is also chosen by the president, but with the advice of the prime minister. Most governmental affairs are handled by the prime minister and cabinet. Lee Kuan Yew had been the only prime minister in the country's history when he left office (1959-1990). Goh Chok Tong succeeded him. The three major political parties are the People's Action Party (authoritarian), the Workers' Party of Singapore (social-democratic) and the Singapore Democratic Alliance. Singapore's government has long been known as restrictive, with social stability often taking precedence over individual liberty. Examples of this government authoritarianism include: the management and control of all television and radio broadcasting, control over news publications, and maintaining the power to interfere with the activities of opposition political parties. The government's policy of flogging criminals received international attention in 1993 when an American was sentenced for vandalism and receiving stolen goods. Singapore is a land of the entrepreneur, a free port, and a significant importer of food and agricultural products. However, as the major trading center for Southeast Asia, it trades or transships 75 percent of its imports to neighboring markets. The government is committed to a mixed policy allowing a high degree of free enterprise, but also is heavily involved in commerce and industry. In addition, an extensive social development program of education, housing, medical care, and social welfare has been instituted. One of the most impressive achievements is low-cost public housing. Some 86 percent of Singapore's population live in high-rise apartments built by the government. The flag of Singapore consists of red and white horizontal divisions; in the upper left canton are a white crescent and five white stars. Arts, Science, Education Education is not compulsory, but primary education is free for the children of Singapore citizens, and is universally available. The government endeavors to provide at least 10 years of education for each child. Literacy is at 93.5% (1999). In line with the government policy on bilingualism, each child must learn two languages, English and a choice of one of the other official languages—Chinese, Malay, or Tamil. Thus, the multi-lingual aspect of Singapore is being preserved. The cost of secondary education is nominal. The government promotes technical and vocational education at the secondary level to enhance employment opportunities for the younger generation. The Vocational and Industrial Training Board (VITB) was established in 1979 to provide vocational training and to conduct continuing education and training. It offers about 50 courses to approximately 20,000 students in applied arts, commercial, industrial, and service skills at its 15 training institutes. Singapore has six institutions of higher learning: the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological Institute, Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, the Institute of Education, and the College of Physical Education. The NUS offers courses leading to bachelor degrees in eight faculties; namely, arts and social sciences, law, science, medicine, dentistry, engineering, architecture and building, accounting and business administration. Graduate degrees are available in most faculties. The Nanyang Technological Institute conducts practice-oriented engineering courses at university level. The Institute of Education, in conjunction with the NUS, offers graduate-degree programs in education. Singapore Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic are two institutions that provide courses mainly at technician level. These institutions offer courses comparable to those at U.S. junior colleges. Each year, a large number of Singaporean students go abroad to the U.S., Canada , Australia, New Zealand, or Great Britain for higher studies. Government policy is to preserve and nurture the traditions of the various ethnic communities. Hence, the arts in Singapore are as varied as its cultural heritage. Amateur organizations regularly use dance, drama, and musical performances to reflect the diverse cultures of various ethnic groups. In addition, foreign troupes and companies and popular recording artists have performed to full houses and appreciative audiences. The Cultural Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Community Development, and, to a lesser extent, the National Theater Trust, are the principal impresarios, with sponsorship from the government, diplomatic missions, the business community, and foundations. The premier cultural event is the Festival of Arts, held biennially since 1977. The month-long festival features outstanding local, regional, and international productions, representing all facets of the performing arts. The Houston Ballet, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Magic Theater of San Francisco , and jazz greats Ellis Marsalis, Billy Taylor, and Herbie Mann are some of the American groups that have participated in previous festivals. The Ministry organizes annual jazz, drama, and choral festivals. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), a full-time professional orchestra, performs regularly at the Victoria Concert Hall and occasionally gives outdoor performances at parks and community centers. The Symphony's season is divided into four quarterly series, each consisting of six to eight pairs of concerts. The SSO also performs familiar favorites concerts, featuring lighter music. The Orchestra often features renowned conductors and soloists as guest performers. The National Museum offers handsome displays of Singapore's social and culture history, and an audiovisual show to bring it all up to date. The National Museum Art Gallery, which houses a permanent collection of contemporary works by local and Malaysian artists, regularly organizes short-term exhibitions by Singaporean artists, and hosts quality exhibitions from abroad. The Young People's Gallery displays students' arts and crafts and holds workshops for schoolchildren. The Singapore Science Centre, established in 1970, is rated as one of the most outstanding institutions of its kind in the world. Its five exhibition galleries contain over 500 exhibits, many of them "participatory," which are regularly updated. The center has research facilities and hosts public lectures and scientific conferences. Its Omni-Theater, opened in 1987, houses a 274-seat omniplanetarium where images are projected onto a curved viewing area, extending over the audience's heads and beyond their peripheral vision, giving the illusion of a ride through space. Commerce and Industry Singapore is one of the world's smallest nations and also one of the most prosperous. Factors responsible for this prosperity include: a strategic location; availability of skilled, well-paid labor; tax and other financial incentives; and upto-date telecommunications. Singapore is a free trading country and a significant importer of food and agricultural products. The government is committed to a policy of free enterprise but is involved in commerce and industry. During the past 20 years, Singapore's economic growth has been rapid. Per capita gross domestic product ( GDP ) was $26,500 in 2000, one of the highest in Asia. The commercial and industrial structure has diversified from a primarily entrepôt trading base to include a wide range of manufacturing services and financial activities. Today, Singapore ranks as a significant oil refining center, one of the world's busiest ports, and a major financial, communications, transportation, and medical services center. The government is making a concerted effort to move the economy away from labor-intensive manufacturing to a more high tech and service orientation. The service sector accounts for 70% of the GDP, with 35% of the workforce involved; industry is 30% of the GDP with over 20% of the workforce involved. Singapore's economic policies are attractive to foreign investors and have led to a significant multinational business presence here. The U.S. is the largest foreign investor in Singapore, accounting for about 54% of investment commitments. U.S. interests are primarily in petroleum refining, offshore oil exploration, diversified manufacturing, and electronics. The activities of U.S. firms also include shipping, banking, hotels, insurance, importing, and exporting. The resident American community numbers over 7,000. The European Union and Japan are next in line in terms foreign investors. The U.S., Japan and Malaysia are Singapore's major trading partners. Trade with Indonesia is also substantial. Entrepôt trade, Singapore's traditional role in the region, now provides a smaller percentage of the Gross National Product (GNP), but has continued to increase in value. Singapore imports mainly capital goods and raw materials for industry, and exports a variety of locally manufactured products, crude rubber, electrical machinery, and finished textile goods. The American Business Council of Singapore is located at 354 Orchard Road, #10-12 Shaw House, Singapore 0923; the telephone number is (65) 235-0077. The Singapore Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry is at 03-01 Chinese Chamber of Commerce Building, 47 Hill Street, Singapore 0617; telephone: (65) 338-9761. Transportation Singapore, a hub of air and sea transportation, is served by more than 40 airlines and about 250 shipping lines. Air flights link neighboring countries, and distances are thought of in terms of air miles (e.g., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 204; Jakarta , Indonesia, 557; Bangkok , Thailand, 897; Manila , Philippines , 1,481; Hong Kong , 1,607). Air travel between Singapore and other cities in the region is expensive by U.S. standards. United and Northwest have connecting flights from the U.S. via either Hong Kong or Tokyo . Singapore's Changi International Airport is one of the best airports in the world. The Singapore terminus of the Malayan National Railroad has service to Kuala Lumpur and Penang, and connections through to Bangkok and other points in Thailand. Service is good, and cars are clean and sometimes air-conditioned. Second-and third-class travel is recommended to only the hardiest of souls. The trip from Singapore to Penang takes 20 to 22 hours. Taxis are plentiful, except during rush hour and when it rains. Taxis are affordable, clean, and safe. Bus service is frequent and cheap; however, many buses are not air conditioned. MRT, the underground rapid transit system, is one of the world's best. Recently completed, the central city is well served by this inexpensive, fast transportation. Singapore's major roads and streets are, by Asian standards, excellent. They are continually being widened to accommodate increasing traffic. A causeway connects Singapore with western Malaysia, which also has a good road system and many interesting places to visit. However, extended delays are encountered on weekends and holidays, and driving in Malaysia is frequently hazardous. As a result of increasing traffic congestion on the island, several restrictive measures have been imposed in an effort to control private ownership of automobiles. Road taxes have been raised, an Area License Scheme placed into effect, and a surcharge imposed on cars over 10 years old. These road taxes are levied on motor cubic-centimeter capacity. Driving is on the left, and right-hand-drive cars are used universally. A Singapore driver's license may be obtained on presentation of a valid license and a passport. Third party liability insurance is mandatory. Small cars are easier to maneuver in Singapore's traffic and on Malaysia's narrow roads. European, Japanese, and Australian models are available. U.S. made cars are practically nonexistent in Singapore. The used car market is substantial. Auto repairs generally cost about the same as in the U.S. Spare parts for U.S. manufactured cars are not available. Cars may be rented daily, weekly, or monthly. Communications Telephone service is better in Singapore than in other major Southeast Asian cities. Direct dialing is available to most major cities. It is easy to call the U.S. from Singapore; connections are usually excellent and rates are relatively inexpensive. Commercial telegraph service to the U.S. is available and reliable. International mail service is efficient. Airmail between Singapore and the U.S. is less than a week in transit. Mail within Southeast Asia is sometimes less dependable. The state-owned Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) operates nine radio channels and broadcasts daily on AM and FM from 6 a.m. to midnight, with programs in English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil on separate frequencies. Programs are varied and news is reported on the hour. A 24-hour FM (stereo) popular music station broadcasts in English. Voice of America (VOA) morning and evening newscasts can be heard on shortwave; British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) "World Service" broadcasts are relayed on FM 24 hours a day. Listeners can also receive a 24-hour FM (stereo) popular music station from a nearby Indonesian island that broadcasts in English and Indonesian. Three Singaporean (government controlled) and three Malaysian color television channels are received here. Weekday telecasts begin in late afternoon and end about midnight. Sunday and holiday telecasts begin at 9 a.m.; Saturday telecasts start at 1 p.m. Programming is in English, Mandarin, Tamil, and Malay. Many American programs are shown, including popular series and documentaries, although they are generally a year or so old. Channel 12, which shows cultural, educational, and informational programs (mainly in English), begins transmission at 7:30 p.m. daily for four hours. The TV system is 625 PAL; American sets will not operate in Singapore without expensive, and sometimes unsuccessful, alterations. TV rentals are available. TV's, video players, and all types of radios can be purchased locally at reasonable prices. Three English-language daily newspapers are published in Singapore: the Straits Times, the Business Times, and the New Paper, an afternoon tabloid. International news coverage in the Straits Times is excellent. The International Herald Tribune and USA Today are printed in Singapore via satellite and are available on newsstands the same day of U.S. distribution. The Asian Wall Street Journal and the Far Eastern Economic Review are not sold in Singapore. In 1987, the government accused both of interfering in local politics and sales were curbed. Later, the publications ceased distribution altogether. International editions of Time and Newsweek are on the stands every Thursday, and the Asian edition of Reader's Digest is also available. American magazines are available on newsstands, but are a month or so late and cost two or three times their U.S. price; highly specialized and most general interest magazines are not available. Often U.K. or Australian magazines are more readily available. Health and Medicine Facilities are adequate for most health problems. For outpatient care, Americans usually go to doctors at commercial clinics. Competent specialists in almost every field can be found in Singapore. Most doctors have been trained in Singapore, England , Australia, the U.S., or Canada. Adequate pediatric and obstetric services also are available. Most Americans use Mt. Elizabeth, Gleneagles, Mt. Alvernia, American Hospital, Thomson Medical Center, Youngberg Memorial Adventist, or Jurong Hospitals. All are well managed and efficient. Excellent dental and ophthalmologic care is available. Prescriptions can be filled locally. Singapore is probably the cleanest city in Asia. Sewage and garbage disposal is never a problem. Daily trash collection is efficient. Water is potable and normally in good supply, although rationing may be imposed during prolonged drought. The government keeps up a constant battle against mosquitoes and other insects. Flies have been all but eradicated. Ants and cockroaches are more of a problem here than in temperate climates. Americans have found the typical overseas precautions in food preparation unnecessary in Singapore. Locally packaged food causes no ill effects. Most local restaurants, including hawker stalls, are safe. Singapore has few health hazards. Malaria has been eradicated, although it may be picked up in Malaysia or Indonesia. Dengue fever is more of a problem. It, too, is transmitted by mosquitoes and is enervating, lasting two or three months. Occasionally, there is a case of cholera, but such cases are few and are immediately isolated. Children sometimes contract tropical fevers of unknown origin which may last from one to three days but, in general, Singapore provides a good environment for young children. Serious dysentery is rare. Respiratory ailments, however, are quite common. The heat and humidity increase the incidence of skin problems; treatment should be sought at the first sign of trouble, since infections spread quickly. The yellow fever shot is the only vaccination required for entry into Singapore, and only for those arriving from infected areas. Cholera and smallpox immunizations are not necessary. NOTES FOR TRAVELERS Passage, Customs & Duties Singapore is about halfway around the world from Washington, DC, and is served by numerous air and shipping lines. Two American carriers, Northwest and United, provide service between the U.S. and Singapore. A valid passport is required. U.S. citizens do not need a visa if their visit is for business or pleasure and their stay is for 90 days or less. The Government of Singapore generally allows Americans to enter with less than six months of validity remaining on their passport, but some neighboring countries, particularly Indonesia, do not. Specific information about entry requirements for Singapore may be sought from the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore at 3501 International Place, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 537-3100. Please see also the Singapore Government home page on the Internet at http://www.gov.sg/ . Singapore customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Singapore of items such as firearms, illegal drugs, certain religious materials, chewing gum, videotapes, CD's, and software (for censorship or pirating reasons). It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Singapore in Washington, D.C. for specific information regarding customs requirements. Singapore customs officials encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA carnet headquarters, located at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York , N.Y. 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA carnet in the United States . For additional information, please call (212) 354-4480, or send e-mail to [email protected] or visit http://www.uscib.org for details. Visitors should be aware of Singapore's strict laws and penalties for a variety of actions that might not be illegal or might be considered minor offenses in the United States, including jaywalking, littering and spitting, failure to flush at public toilets, and the importation, sale or personal use of chewing gum. Singapore has a mandatory caning sentence for vandalism offenses. Caning may also be imposed for immigration violations and other offenses. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Singapore has a mandatory death penalty for many narcotics offenses. Commercial disputes that may be handled as civil suits in the United States can escalate to criminal cases in Singapore and result in heavy fines and prison sentences. There are no jury trials in Singapore. Judges hear cases and decide sentencing. The Government of Singapore does not provide legal assistance except in capital cases. Pets The Immigration Department of the Government of Singapore requests six weeks' notice of intent to import a cat or dog. Dogs and cats are quarantined for a minimum of 30 days from the date of arrival and regardless of certificate of rabies immunization will be given a rabies vaccination upon arrival. Other animals are classified differently. Quarantine facilities are modern and adequate. Visiting hours are liberal, and pet owners may see their animals at the Animal Quarantine Station, 51 Jalan Buroh, Jurong Town, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The station is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Firearms & Ammunition Stringent controls are imposed on the importation of firearms. Licenses are issued only to members of the Singapore Gun Club or the Singapore Rifle Association. Currency, Banking and Weights and Measures The Singapore dollar currency is based on the decimal system. Singapore uses the metric system of weights and measures. The time in Singapore is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus eight. LOCAL HOLIDAYS Jan. 1 …New Year's Day Feb. … Chinese New Year* *variable RECOMMENDED READING The following titles are provided as a general indication of the material published on this country: Barber, Noel. Sinister Twilight: The Fall and Rise Again of Singapore. London: W. Collins, 1968. ——. Tanamera. New York: Macmillan, 1981. Bedlington, Stanley S. Malaysia and Singapore: The Building of New States. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1978. Bloodworth, Dennis. The Tiger and the Trojan Horse. Singapore: Times Books International, 1986. Chen, Peter S.J., ed. Singapore Development Policies and Trends. Singapore: Oxford University Press, 1983. Chew, Ernest C.T., and Edwin Lee, eds. A History of Singapore. Singapore: Oxford University Press, 1991. Clutterbuck, R. Riot and Revolution in Singapore. London: Faber, 1973. Collis, Maurice. Raffles. New York:J. Day, 1968. Drysdale, John. Singapore: The Struggle for Success. Singapore: Times Books International, 1984. George, Thayil Jacob Sony. Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore. London: A. Deutsch, 1973. Kirby, S.W. Singapore: The Chain of Disaster. London: Cassell, 1971. Lim Chong Yah. Economic Restructuring in Singapore. Singapore: Federal Publications, 1984. Moore, Donald, and Joanna Moore. The First 150 Years of Singapore. Singapore: Donald Moore Press, 1969. Saw, Swee-hock, and R.S. Bathal, eds. Singapore Towards the Year 2000. Singapore: Singapore University Press for Singapore Association for the Advancement of Science, 1981. The Singapore Economy: The New Direction; Reports of the Economics Committee. Singapore: Ministry of Trade & Industry, 1986. Cite this article Primary: 93% History & Background Singapore has a total area of about 224.5 square miles. It includes one principal island and 58 islets. It is located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula at the end of the Straits of Malacca. A substantial amount of shipping passes through the Straits, which serves as a passage between the Indian and the Pacific oceans. Singapore is connected to Johore, a province of the Federation of Malaysia , by a half-mile long causeway. Its historic connections with Malaya account for a large part of its ethnic Malay population, its partial Malay culture, its investments in Malaya's tin, its service to Malaysia as a principal port for the latter's exports and imports in its (Singapore's) corporate sector, and its dependence on water and food supplies from Johore. Singapore's port facilities are crucial for the economic well-being of many nearby countries, notably Japan . Singapore is well connected by sea and air to most countries of the world. Singapore is a modern, industrial nation that emerged from a century and a half of British colonial rule in 1965. Singapore decided to change from a free port marketing economy to a manufacturing and service industry economy. It soon advanced to become the regional hub of Southeast Asia in a number of fields, including economy, communications, and education. Since the 1980s, Singapore has aspired to be a global leader in specific areas, particularly in information technology. Its leadership has, since the 1960s, focused on education as a way of reaching their goals. Its citizens have placed a high priority on education and have demonstrated their readiness to invest heavily in education. The Republic of Singapore's ambition to be the regional leader in education has been realized by the location of several prestigious institutions and organizations in the island nation. The Regional Language Center (RELC) offers education in many languages to students from the member countries of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). In 1970, the governments and universities in the region established the Regional Institute of Higher Education and Development (RIHED) in Singapore. The country also houses the Colombo Plan Staff College for Technical Education (CPSC), which offers technical training to 27 Colombo Plan countries. Singapore's first census was taken in 1871. The 1990 census was the third since Singapore's independence. In 1995, Singapore conducted a mid-decade census, based on annual projections. In 1996, the total population was 3,044,300 people, of which 1,531,100 were males and an almost equal number (1,513,200) were females. The population belonged principally to three ethnic communities: Chinese about 78 percent, Malays about 14 percent, and Indians about 7 percent. The predominant Chinese population comes from almost all parts of China , Hong Kong , and Taiwan . Although other Chinese languages are spoken, Mandarin Chinese has emerged as a common Chinese language for instructional and official purposes. The Malays, though predominantly from the Malay Peninsula, also include immigrants from the numerous Indonesian islands. The largest group of Indians is the Tamilspeaking peoples from South India. The official languages of Singapore for education are Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil, and English. The language most used for official and business purposes is English. The census figures included only regular citizens and those granted permanent residence in Singapore. The transient population of ships' crew and passengers, tourists, and those in transit is enormous, almost twice the number of its regular inhabitants. Singapore's struggle since its independence has been to establish a balance between national integration with a common identity and the opportunity for the different ethnic groups to maintain their individual heritage. Education, particularly at the primary and secondary levels, is regarded in this context as an essential vehicle to achieve harmony and separate ethnic identities. Before the founding of Singapore in 1819 as a free port by Sir Stamford Raffles, it was a fishing village with a population of barely 500. Within a year of its establishment as a free port, the population jumped to 5,000. Its growth continued exponentially and, in the process, attracted people from everywhere, particularly China, Malaya, and South India. Noting the potential strategic significance of Singapore in the region for East-West trade and shipping, Raffles reported to his superiors in England : Our object is not territory but trade: a great commercial emporium and a fulcrum whence we may extend our influence politically as circumstances may hereafter require....One free port in these seas must eventually destroy the spell of Dutch monopoly; and what Malta is in the West, that may Singapore be in the East. Following the liberal economic philosophy of Adam Smith , the free port status of Singapore offered facilities to shipping of all nations; this tradition has been maintained by Singapore. The status of a free port became the foundation of Singapore's prosperity. In 1826, Singapore became part of the Straits Settlements, along with two other British port acquisitions on the Malay Peninsula (Melaka [Malacca] and Penang) with Singapore as its capital. In 1867, the Straits Settlements were turned, like Hong Kong, into a "crown colony," which meant that it served special imperial interests and its progress towards self-government would be slower than in the colonies. Known for his excellent administrative acumen, Raffles opened the first school, the Singapore Free School, in 1823, with its goal being to train clerks for the commercial houses of Singapore. The liberal Raffles wanted the school to admit students from the different ethnic communities on a basis of equality. The opening of the Free School was, however, delayed until 1834, because Raffles was recalled to England. When it opened, the school fulfilled Raffles' dream of providing education to everyone, without regard to religion or ethnic origins. However, the Chinese community stayed away from it, preferring to educate their children in the Chinese-language schools funded and managed by Chinese philanthropists. Such schools were patterned on the traditional schools in China, where the curriculum included the writing of Chinese characters, the use of the abacus in mathematics, and the study of Confucian literature. In 1840, the Singapore Free School was renamed the Singapore Institution Free School. In the year following its takeover by the Colonial Office in 1868, it was renamed the Raffles Institution. Between 1819 and 1867, the brunt of the responsibility for primary and secondary education was assumed by missionaries: the London Missionary Society, the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions, and the French Society of Foreign Missions. Its graduates found ready employment in the growing city where commercial houses and government bureaucracy needed personnel with knowledge of English, local language, and mathematics for clerical and other subordinate positions. Although these were private schools, the government gave them financial support through a grants-in-aid program. In 1867, when the Straits Settlements (including Singapore) were transferred from the jurisdiction of the India Office in London to that of the Colonial Office with the status of a "Crown Colony," Singapore received more attention. The government opened a number of "branch schools" in the three Straits Settlements of Singapore, Melaka, and Penang, offering a special three-year training in English language through Malay, Chinese, and Tamil. In 1885, special incentives were offered in the form of Queen's Scholarships to gifted students who had the potential for higher-level education in Britain . Following the decision to hold the Cambridge examinations in Singapore from 1891, some of the government schools switched to English as the language of instruction to improve the chances of its candidates who wanted to take these examinations. From 1874, British interests in the Malay states increased because of the development of the tin mining industry. Labor for the tin mining was almost exclusively Chinese, which contributed to the growth of Singapore's "China town." After the introduction of the resident system in some Malay states and the establishment of the Federated Malay States (FMS) in 1895, Singapore governors doubled as Resident-General for the FMS, and Singapore emerged as the capital of the British interests in the Malay region. Except for three and a half years of Japanese occupation during World War II , Singapore was, until 1965, under British rule. With the British decision to give Malaya independence in 1957, an internal self-government was also granted to Singapore two years later. In 1963, Singapore was included in the Federation of Malaysia. Friction developed between two ambitious leaders, Tunku Abdul Rahman and Lee Kuan Yew, respectively Malaysia and Singapore, which led to Singapore quitting the Federation and establishing itself in August 1965 as a separate sovereign state. In the same year, Singapore joined the United Nations and was admitted as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. In the following year, Singapore became a founding member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Thanks to the dynamic leadership of Lee Kuan Yew as Prime Minister, Singapore has developed into a viable, stable, and prosperous nation. Lee was a brilliant barrister with socialist leanings whose party, the People's Action Party (PAP), claimed in the late 1950s to be socialist. Lee, nonetheless, favored entrepreneurship and international investment, which led to the phenomenal growth of Singapore's economy. At the same time, the government assumed responsibility in many social areas, including education and housing. Singapore has, since the 1970s, boasted the largest government-sponsored housing projects for its citizens. It also offers them, over a reasonable period of time, ownership of their tenements; more than 88 percent of the tenants in these housing colonies own their homes. Constitutional & Legal Foundations Singapore's constitution provides for a parliamentary democracy on the British pattern. Theoretically, any political party winning a majority in the nation's parliament is entitled to form the government. In reality, Singapore is a single party "democracy," with the PAP in power consistently since 1959. Until 1981 the PAP held all seats in the parliament. During the election in 1981, J.B. Jeyaratnam of the Workers Party shook the government; he was charged him with fraud because of his failure to account for a few hundred dollars in contributions to his party. By the end of the decade, however, the government itself felt the need for healthy opposition. The PAP obtained the parliament's approval to such a measure that the first six parliamentary elections' losers were seated as members of the parliament. This makes Singapore's electoral system unique, since no other electoral system rewards "losers." Lee Kuan Yew stepped down as Prime Minister in 1984 but has since held the specially-created position of "Senior Minister" of the Cabinet. His advice is regarded as indispensable by the government. In 1985 his son, Brigadier General Lee Hsien Loong, became a cabinet member, and in 1991 he became deputy Prime Minister. Lee's influence in Singapore's politics, both domestic and international and in political and economic matters, has been great since 1959. Under Singapore's constitution, the responsibility for education lies with the Minister of Education, a member of the Cabinet. The Cabinet makes policy education and submits it to the parliament for approval. The annual budget for education is prepared by the Ministry of Education and included in the overall budget. Several ordinances and acts have provided the legal basis for certain major initiatives and for the founding of institutions of higher learning. They are the Singapore Polytechnic Ordinance (1954), the Nanyang University Ordinance (1959), the University of Singapore Ordinance (1961), and the Ngee Ann College Act (1967). Also, transferring university education from private to public management are the Ngee Ann Technical College Act (1968), the Institute of Education Act (1973), and the National University of Singapore Act (1980), while the Edu-Save Account Act (1993) and the Open University Act (1994) merged Nanyang University and the University of Singapore. Educational System—Overview Singapore provides a 10-year education at the primary and secondary levels. Two major revampings of these levels took place in 1979 and 1991. In 1991, the Ministry of Education issued "The Next Lap: Singapore 1991," which outlined the basic goals of education. These were: to educate each individual to his/her "maximum potential" to develop thinking individuals with "creative and flexible skills" to nurture leadership qualities and good work ethics to cultivate civic and moral values. Primary education covers the first six years of education, at the end of which there is an examination. At this stage, the aim is to give a good proficiency in English, the mother tongue, and mathematics. Those who pass the examination become eligible to enter the secondary level of education, which lasts four years. Those who fail the primary school examination and have reached the age of 14 may leave school and take a two-year course provided by the Adult Education Board. Primary education is organized into two stages—the Foundation Stage and the Orientation Stage. The Foundation Stage extends over the first four years. At this stage, the emphasis is on basic literacy and arithmetic. Eighty percent of the classroom time is given to acquiring a working knowledge of English and a good grounding in the mother tongue. The study of English includes general information on health education and social studies. Instruction is provided in the mother tongue in civics and moral education. Some time is devoted to teaching music, arts and crafts, science, physical education, and extracurricular activities. Science is taught beginning in year three and social studies in year four. At the end of the third year, parents are informed of their children's performance in languages—mother tongue and English—and mathematics, and are given recommendations made for channeling the students at the end of year four to go along appropriate "streams." At the end of four years of primary schooling, students take the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). This determines a student's ability and places him/her in the appropriate secondary school courses to suit his/her "learning pace and aptitude." The secondary education may take four to five years depending on a student's ability. Those in the Special and Express courses take the General Certificate of Education "Ordinary" Level (GCE "O" Level) Examination at the end of their fourth year. Students in the "Normal Course" may take the Normal (Academic) or Normal (Technical) course, both of them leading to the GCE "N" Level examination at the end of their fourth year. Those who do well at the "N" Level may take a fifth year in preparation for the GCE "O" Level. In 1996, for postsecondary and pre-university education, there were seven "Pre-U Centres and Centralized Institutes" with an enrollment of 2,193 of whom 796 were males and 1,397 were females. There were 149 teachers of whom 54 were males and 95 females. In the 14 junior colleges, there were 20,202 students, with 9,580 males and 10,622 females. Of the 1,426 teachers, 566 were males and 860 were females. The general literacy rate in Singapore was fairly high and had been improving. In 1986, it was 86.3 percent for residents aged 15 years and older. It climbed to 92.2 for the same age group in 1996. The primary school enrollment ratio of children aged 6 to 17 years in 1996 was 92.5 percent. Preprimary & Primary Education The preschool education provided in kindergarten classes, daytime nurseries, and children's centers, falls outside the regular system of education and, therefore, does not come under the purview of the Ministry of Education. However, that ministry provides strict and clear "guidelines" for the curriculum and management of the kindergartens. Another wing of the government, namely, the Ministry of Community Development (MCD) is responsible for the administration of the child-care centers. Given an annual birthrate of about 50,000, the total number of children below six requiring childcare facilities and/or preschool education may be estimated at about 300,000. In 2000, there were childcare facilities under the MCD, some of them conveniently located close to the industrial plants or major workplaces making it possible for young mothers to work on a full-time basis. Compared to childcare centers, kindergartens are run mostly by private agencies charging fairly high fees. Singaporean parents, though, are aware of the importance of such regular preschool education and almost all the children in Singapore go through one to three years of preschool education in either private kindergartens or the MCD's childcare centers. The part-time and full-time childcare centers are subsidized by the state. Over the years, notably in the 1990s, there have been efforts to "streamline" preschool education and bring it under increased supervision by the Ministry of Education (MOE). In collaboration with the National Institute of Education (NIE), MOE, and MCD have instituted programs at the NIE for the training of teachers and supervisors for the childcare centers and kindergartens. NIE offers the Basic or Intermediate Certificates for teachers and the Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Education for administrators. Besides this, the NIE trains senior teachers who, in turn, train junior teachers on site at the childcare centers. The primary aim of preschool education is to prepare children for the formal education of primary school. The other goals include development of social skills and easier transition of infants from the sheltered home environment to a semiformal setting. The childcare centers teach children in two languages, the mother tongue and English. Parents, therefore, choose a pre-education facility that offers their home language, whether Chinese, Malay, or Tamil. Besides languages, the centers have multiple activities including story telling, music, physical education, and outdoor games. In 1996, there were 198 primary schools with a total enrollment of 269,688 students and 10,163 teachers. Of these, 151 schools (with 196,438 students and 7,790 teachers) were run by the government. Forty-six were government-aided, with an enrollment of 73,152 students and 2,373 teachers. There was 1 private school with 98 students. The teacher-student ratio at the primary level stood at 1:27 in 1996. Secondary Education The first two years of the secondary school level are common to all secondary school students and have the same curriculum. Those who want to quit the regular secondary education after the first two years may join the industrial training centers or vocational institutes for job training and become part of the labor market. The third and fourth year secondary level provide specialization in different "streams"—academic, technical, or business education. On completing the GCE, students may attend a junior college for a two-year, pre-university course or a centralized institute for a three-year course in arts, science, commerce, or technology. At the end of the preuniversity course, students may take the GCE "Advanced" or "A" Level examination. The outcome determines eligibility for admission to an institution for higher learning. In 1996, there were 151 secondary schools with 185,324 students of which 96,860 were males and 88,464 females. There were 8,779 teachers of whom 3,174 were males and 5,605 females. Of the 151 secondary schools, 97 were government-run with 118,687 students and 5,368 teachers; 26 were government-aided with an enrollment of 29,744 students and 1,579 teachers; and 18 schools were "Autonomous," with an enrollment of 25,038 and 1,092 teachers. Begun in 1994, "autonomous" schools tripled from six in 1994 to 18 in 1996. Enrollment rose from 8,833 to 25,038 and the number of teachers from 403 in 1986 to 1,092 in 1996. There were eight "Independent" schools in 1996 with a student enrollment of 11,257 and 684 teachers. Additionally, there were two private schools with an enrollment of 598 and 56 teachers. The teacher-student ratio in government schools in 1996 was 1:21. Besides the Ngee Ann and the Singapore Polytechnics, a large part of responsibility for the technical and vocational education is assumed by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). The ITE has assumed some of the functions previously carried out by the Vocational and Industrial Training Board. As a postsecondary institution, the ITE's primary goal is to create a pool of skilled manpower for the economic development of the country. According to the Ministry of Education, the ITE gives equal emphasis on postsecondary training to equip teenagers with the skills to enter the labor market as well as to provide continuing education and training for those who are already a part of the labor force and who would like to upgrade or acquire new skills. There are three programs for upgrading skills of existing workers who take evening courses on a part time basis. The Certificate of Competency (COC) and national Technical Certificate (NTC) are awarded to those existing workers who acquire a new skill or upgrade an old one. Special programs address specific kinds of workers. The Modular Skills Training (MOST) is meant for workers with a Primary School Leaving Examination. Training Initiative for Mature Employees (TIME) is meant for workers of the age of 40 and above, while its counterpart for 20 to 40 years old is called Adult Cooperative Training Scheme (ACTS). The ITE provides fulltime training to those who hold a GCE "O" and "N" level qualifications. It provides technical training, leading to the Industrial Technician Certificate (ITC) and the National Technical Certificate Grade 2 (NTC-2). Those who take business courses get the Certificate in Business Studies (CBS) and the Certificate in Office Skills (COS). Students who leave school with fewer than 10 years of education or who do not pass the examination at the end of 10 years of schooling still are rewarded. The ITE awards the National Technical Certificate-3 (NTC-3) to those who complete their training at the Vocational Training Center. These students may also join an apprenticeship scheme that allows them to learn while they earn. Such on-and off-the-job training is provided either in ITE's centers or in those managed by private companies approved by the ITE. Most apprenticeship courses lead to the National Technical Certificate examinations. The holders of the certificates are absorbed by industry at the appropriate level of skilled work. Besides industrial apprenticeships, there are also those leading to a Certificate in Health Care, Certificate in Travel Services, and Certificate in Retailing (Sales and Customer service), all awarded by the Institute of Technical Education. In 1996, the ITE had 11 centers with a combined full-time enrollment of 8,233, of which 5,968 were males and 2,265 were females. There were 1,212 on the teaching staff of whom 891 were males and 321 were females. Higher Education When Singapore became independent in 1965 there was only one university, the University of Singapore. Its predecessor was the University of Malaya which was established in 1949 with the merger of two institutions—The King Edward VII College of Medicine and the Raffles College: which had been established in 1928 for the study of arts and science. In 1958, in anticipation of the grant of full internal self-government to Singapore, two joint committees were appointed to examine the possibility of creating two autonomous organizations respectively for Malaya and Singapore. Accordingly, in 1959, the university was restructured into two autonomous divisions located in Malaya's capital, Kuala Lumpur , and in Singapore. Two years later, the division was formalized. On the New Year's Day in 1962, the University of Singapore was formally launched. In response to the demands of the Chinese community to retain their culture and tradition, the Nanyang University was established as a private university in 1956. Although a government ordinance of 1959 gave the university a statutory status, its diplomas and degrees fell short of full recognition by the governments of the Federation of Malaya and Singapore for its civil service recruitment. Consequently, the generally success-oriented Singaporeans did not encourage their children to attend Nanyang University. By 1962, however, the government of Singapore, which was then controlled by the People's Action Party (PAP), decided to restore government grants to Nanyang University as a political measure. In the 1960s, the government used the Nanyang University for technological education, and in 1980 it was merged with the University of Singapore. The new entity was called the National University of Singapore. Since 1965 education at all levels, including higher education, has grown exponentially. In 2000, Singapore had six Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). First, is the National University of Singapore (NUS) regarded as the flag ship of Singapore's educational system. It has 8 faculties, 50 departments, 4 graduate schools (medicine, dentistry, business management, and engineering), and 7 "specialist research institutes" for advanced study and research in areas of "strategic importance to the nation's development." They are: Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology Institute of Micro-Electronics Institute of Molecular Agro-Biology Data Storage Institute and the Institute for Materials Engineering and Research The NUS has also established several centers of excellence and institutes where its faculty is involved in research and development for "specific applications to industry and business." It also runs the National Super-computing Centre for the advancement of Information Technology and computer and computational technology in Singapore. In these endeavors, the university gives a high priority to multi-disciplinary R&D projects, often in collaboration with industry. The eight faculties are Architecture and Building, Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration, Dentistry, Engineering, Law, Medicine, and Science. All faculties offer courses leading to a bachelor's degree and some have graduate (post-graduate) courses leading to a master's and a doctorate degree. In 1996, the NUS had 37,791 students, of whom 20,507 were males and 17,284 were females, with a teaching faculty of 3,059, of which 2,290 were males and 769 were females. A large majority of the faculty is highly qualified, holding doctorates from some of the best universities in the United Kingdom , Australia , and the United States . Most of them feel frustrated over the lack of research environment at the NUS, though most of them are happy that academic rewards and remuneration are not necessarily linked to research and publication. The faculty is also frustrated because, with a few exceptions, the NUS does not provide graduate education, which reduces the NUS faculty to the level of undergraduate teachers. Some departments have begun to grant master's degrees, but student enrollment is small. Without the challenge of graduate students the faculty feels they are being under-utilized in terms of skills they acquired while working on their doctorates. The NUS does provide financial support for research during the faculty's sabbatical year if it is spent overseas at a major university or research institution. Compared to similarly trained faculty in HEIs in the United States, the research output of the NUS faculty is far from impressive. Most of the Singapore graduates pursue their graduate work in major universities, notably in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand , the United States, and Canada . The Singapore government and people prefer to send students overseas for several reasons. First, they feel the graduates need exposure outside the confines of their small state, which they regard as essential for Singapore's leadership role, regionally and globally. Secondly, there is some justification in their fear that the pursuit of graduate education under the same faculty may promote inbreeding. Thirdly, education abroad offers an opportunity for students to develop contacts in business and industry, which may be found useful later in their careers. Formerly called the Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was formally granted the status of an independent university on July 1, 1991. The NTI itself was established in 1981 as an engineering institution, which was to have a more practical orientation than the NUS. Located in Yunnan Garden, it has six schools: civil and structural engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical and production engineering, communications studies, applied science, and accountancy and business. The NTI and NUS have a common curriculum for first-year engineering students followed by a three-year course at either institution—depending on the academic standing of the student. NUS gets the superior students. The degree in engineering was, however, awarded to both the NTI and NUS students by the National University of Singapore. During the decade following its establishment, the NTI determined its policies in regards to admission, curriculum, and examination requirements in close consultation with the NUS departments. The NTI developed collaborative links for research and teaching with local industry as well as with corporations, research institutes, and universities overseas. Regular internship programs were established with several local firms involved in civil, structural, and electronic fields for final year students. In 1991 the NTI had about 3,000 students and a fairly well qualified faculty. The government decided to transform it into a full-fledged university. The NTU has exchange and collaborative arrangements with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Sloan School of Management and the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory (MEL) in Japan. The National Institute of Education (NIE) was established in 1973. At that time, the Teachers' Training College (TTC), founded in 1950, was the only institution providing teacher-training facilities in Singapore. NIE trained primary school teachers and non graduate secondary school teachers. After 1973, the NIE became a comprehensive teacher-training institution, providing facilities for training preprimary, primary, secondary, and junior college teachers. The institute is located in Bukit Timah. The NIE attracts students from Singapore and the entire Southeast Asian region. The NIE merged with the Institute of Education and the College of Physical Education in 1991. It has four schools: science, arts, education, and physical education. Since 1991, NIE has offered four-year courses leading either to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree with a Diploma in Education. It also offers the Postgraduate Diploma in Education programs for university graduates and the two-year Diploma in Education and Diploma in Physical Education programs for holders of GCE "A" level. Additionally, the NIE offers a number of in-service training programs. The postgraduate work in education at the master's and doctorate levels at NIE is rewarded with degrees by the NUS. The high quality and range of research conducted by the NIE is reflected in Research and Evaluation Abstracts for Classroom Teachers (REACT), and numerous other reports. In 1996, NIE had 3,095 students, of whom 857 were males and 2,238 were females. The faculty numbered 420, of whom 204 were males and 216 were females. There are four major polytechnics in Singapore: Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, and Nanyang Polytechnic. Ngee Ann was established in 1963. It gives diploma courses in electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and repair technology, building construction and maintenance, business and computer studies. Although the Singapore Legislative Council approved Singapore Polytechnic Ordinance in 1954, Singapore Polytechnic did not begin to function until four years later in 1958. It offers two types of technician diplomas awarded after either a three-year or a five-year course. It also has a two-year certificate course. The fields covered are: civil, structural, mechanical and marine engineering, land surveying, architectural draftsmanship, nautical technology, aeronautical maintenance, and many other specialties of practical value to industry. Its students are linked with industrial plants, construction companies, and other businesses for practical training. The Singapore Polytechnic also provides graduate education in land surveying, process plant engineering design, plastics design, industrial management, and maritime studies. Of note is the Polytechnic's Department of Continuing Education, which offers evening classes for full-time workers who would like to obtain higher technical and management skills. The Temasek Polytechnic was established in April 1990, and the Nanyang Polytechnic in April 1992 to meet the rising demands of industry and students. In 1996, the four polytechnics had a combined enrollment of 51,254 students of whom 29,736 were males and 21,518 were females. The combined strength of the teaching staff was 3,410 of whom 2,272 were males and 1,138 were females. Administration, Finance, & Educational Research Except for preschool education, the entire system of education from the primary to the university levels comes under the administrative control of the Ministry of Education. This includes government, government-aided, and even nonassisted private schools. Education is regarded as one of the most important areas of general concern to the society and of tremendous value to the economy. Therefore, the government has from the inception of Singapore as a free state and, more so since 1973, melded education with the industrial development of the country. It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education to implement the government's educational policy as approved by the parliament from time to time. The Minister of Education is aided by a minister of state (who is not a member of the Cabinet), a parliamentary secretary, and a Permanent Secretary (Education), who is a high-level member of the civil service. There is a Director of Education although the Permanent Secretary carries out most of those functions. The Director of Education coordinates all the academic and professional aspects of primary and secondary level education. Assisting the Permanent Secretary are five directors each in charge of a division. The five divisions are administration, education services, planning research and testing, schools, and personnel. The administration division has five branches. Finance and accounts are in charge of preparation of the annual budget and administration of funds to the schools. The planning and development branch prepares plans for the physical and other infrastructure needs of the schools, and monitors supplies of equipment and other material. The office services branch handles legal matters, the international and statutory organization branch deals with international bodies assisting education in Singapore or which seek statistical or other data, and the public relations branch deals with the members of parliament and the public. The Educational Services Division has three branches. The pupils service branch deals with scholarships, counseling, and advisement on career. The extracurricular activities branch handles activities outside the classroom. The textbooks and libraries branch selects textbooks for class use and supplies books and materials for school libraries. The Planning and Review Division has four branches. Planning and systems evaluates the educational system and suggests reforms. The central testing branch reviews current tests, devises new ones, and monitors statewide examinations. A research and monitoring branch reviews and conducts research on educational matters. There is also a computer service branch. The Schools Division is the largest. It is responsible for developing curriculum, keeping in touch with new teaching methodologies abroad, and suggesting changes throughout Singapore's school system. It works closely with the Curriculum Development Institute of Singapore. An inspection branch in the Schools Division organizes inspection of schools in order to ensure the standards set down by the Ministry are met. The Personnel Division deals with appointment and promotion of the teachers and other staff. It has four branches, each dealing with a staffing issue: the Appointment Branch, the Service Conditions Branch, the Staff Development Branch, and the Training Branch. The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)—the universities, polytechnics, the Singapore Science Center and the National Institute of Education—each with a governing council or board of governors come under the overall responsibility of the Statutory Board of Higher Education. Though the Statutory Board of Higher Education and the HEIs function with relative autonomy and independence, the final responsibility still rests with the Minister of Education who is responsible to the people through the parliament. There have been numerous instances when the Minister has intervened, in particular instances of administrative decisions. Public education in Singapore is almost entirely financed by the government from the general revenues, although schools and universities are encouraged to raise funds particularly for capital expenditure for construction of buildings or major facilities. The importance of education in government and public expenditure is illustrated by the annual allocations to education which are nearly 25 percent (23.7 percent in 1996) of the entire budget. Besides the annual allocation, the parliament approves a developmental expenditure on the capital account. Education also accounts for the highest number of employees under the government—nearly two out of five public employees in 2000. Teachers and administrative staff are paid salaries and allowances at government rates applicable to all public employees and are entitled to all programs and benefits, including housing. Universities and other HEIs prepare their own budgets, submit them to the Ministry of Education, and receive block grants annually for their expenditures. Primary education is free. There is a nominal fee for secondary and junior college level education of less than US$5.00 per month. The preschool education is subsidized by the state to the extent of about 50 percent of the cost. The government-aided schools receive a subsidy up to 50 percent of the costs of development and a portion of their operating budgets depending on the number of students enrolled. As for higher education, there are a number of scholarships and "bursaries" provided by the Ministry of Education to those who cannot afford the cost. A major initiative in educational finance involving planning and cooperation by parents has been the EduSave Account introduced in 1993. Under the scheme, the Ministry of Education deposited a certain amount of subsidy, approved by the parliament from year to year in the child's Edu-Save Account, which could be used by the child's parents to pay for enrichment and remedial classes or saved for the child's higher education. Children covered by the scheme range from 6 to 16 years of age. Nonformal Education A program called the Basic Education for Skills Training (BEST) formerly run jointly by The National Trades Union Congress and the Vocational and Industrial training Board was taken over by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). Additionally, the ITE offers the Worker Improvement through Secondary Education (WISE) program. Both programs help workers who have far less than the ten-year primary and secondary education to achieve functional competence in English and mathematics. The ITE also offers continuing education for mature workers to upgrade their general education on a part time basis to the three GCE levels. In 1994, Ministry of Education appointed the Singapore Institute of Management to run the Open University Degree Programme (OUDP). It offered courses leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in English, English Literature, English with Economics, English with Management, and Bachelor of Science degrees in Mathematics, Mathematics with Economics, Mathematics with Management, Computer Science, Computer Science with Economics, and Computer Science with Management. In 1997, OUDP began offering courses leading to a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Technology with Electronics. The OUDP's undergraduate programs are accredited and examined to match the standards established by the Open University in the United Kingdom. In Singapore, the degrees are accepted by the Singapore Public Service Commission for government employment while the private sector recognizes them "on par with the British degrees." Teaching Profession Until 1973, the only teachers' training facility in Singapore was the Teachers' Training College established in 1950. Thereafter, Singapore legislated that all teachers had to be registered with the Ministry of Education, which formalized certification requirements. The Institute of Education (IE), which was established in 1973, assumed the functions previously carried out by the Teachers' Training College and the Department of Education of the University of Singapore. The IE soon became a comprehensive teacher-training facility for training of preprimary, primary, secondary, and junior college teachers. In 1982, the IE opened the Department of Education for Children with Special Needs to train teachers for slow learners as well as for the unusually gifted children. In 1991, the College of Physical Education was merged into the IE and was renamed the National Institute of Education (NIE). Its scope of activities widened to include more research and evaluation functions. The NIE provides in-service training and a wide range of refresher courses to keep trained teachers abreast of new initiatives in education in the advanced countries of the world. The NIE provides training in all four language streams of education: Chinese, Malay, Tamil, and English. It provides facilities for a one-year diploma in education for those who already have a bachelor's degree and a two-year certificate in education for those who do not have a degree. Its in-service programs enable primary school teachers to obtain a one-year Professional Certificate in Education (FPCE). Those of the primary and secondary teachers who hold a bachelor's degree and a diploma in education may enroll for in-service courses leading to the master's degree in education. Summary Singapore's educational system deserves recognition for its educational achievements. The society and the government are supremely aware of the small size of the state and what needs to be done particularly in education to establish and maintain a position of importance in a fast-developing world. The island nation has also attempted and succeeded to a large extent in making itself the "hub" of the Southeast Asian region in the fields of economy and education. In this, Singapore has made the use of computer technology almost universal in all its business establishments, government, and academic institutions at all levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Singapore has a strong priority to business and industry. The academic institutions, particularly in the tertiary sector: universities, polytechnics, institutes of education and technical education, and the few research institutes are all aware of their need to cater to industry's needs in trained human resources as well as in R&D. Most of the educational facilities in Singapore have a highly trained faculty expertise reinforced periodically by visits and training programs abroad and through the establishment of academic ties with well-known institutions in Japan and the West, notably in the United Kingdom and the United States. The inadequacies of Singapore's educational system are a lack of sufficient incentive to its faculty in the form of advanced graduate programs and rewards to those who publish their research. The teaching and research staff at all levels is well paid and the infrastructure is well provided for efficient performance. Singapore's immense success is based on an understanding of the needs and aspirations of its government, people, industry, and businesses. Its good fortune has been the consistently dynamic leadership provided by Lee Kuan Yew and the fairly smooth transition of power sharing since he stepped down from his position as Prime Minister. A problem that remains to be solved is the political future of a system that has, so far, been based on the domination by a single party, the People's Action Party (PAP). It must be conceded, however, that there are more supporters than detractors of the system. The second area of concern has been the deterioration of Confucianism, particularly the relationship between generations from the impact of Westernization, which, in the eyes of the establishment, has been progressively weakening the moral fiber of the young. Even discounting the usual criticisms of the younger generation by the older generation, there is validity to this area of concern. The progression of Western influence could seriously affect Singapore's self-identity. The question is what the education system can do to reverse the trend of Westernization. Bibliography Chong, Sylvia. "Policies Affecting Arts Education: The Heart of the Matter." Arts Education Policy Review, IC, 3 (January-February 1998), 22-25. Doraiswamy, T.R., ed. 150 Years of Education in Singapore. Singapore: TTC Publications Board, Teachers Training College, 1969. Kuo, Eddie C.Y. A Quantitative Approach to the Study of Socio-linguistic Situations in Multilingual Societies. Singapore: SEAMEO Regional Language Centre, 1985. Ministry of Education. Education Statistics Digest. Singapore: Ministry of Education, 2000. National Arts Council. Catalogue of Arts-in-Education Programs. Singapore: National Arts Council, 1996. Tham, Seong Chee. Multi-lingualism in Singapore: Two Decades of Development. Singapore: Department of Statistics, 1996. Wilson, Harold E. Social Engineering in Singapore: Educational Policies and Social Change, 1819-1972. Singapore: Singapore University Press, 1978. —D. R. SarDesai COUNTRY OVERVIEW LOCATION AND SIZE. Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia , located about 137 kilometers (85 miles) north of the Equator. It consists of 1 major island and 59 small islands. Singapore lies at the center of a major sea route connecting the Far East to Asia , Europe , and the Middle East , which gives the country its strategic importance. It is separated from Malaysia to the north by the narrow Johore Strait and from Indonesia to the south by the wider Singapore Strait. The country has a land area of 637.5 square kilometers (247 square miles), but no land boundaries, and its total coastline is 193 kilometers (120 miles). The territory of Singapore covers a slightly smaller area than that of New York City. POPULATION. The population of Singapore, which is entirely urban, was estimated at 4,151,264 in July 2000. In 2000, the birth rate stood at 12.79 per 1000 people, a low level attributed to urbanization and birth control policies, and the death rate stood at 4.21 per 1000. The estimated population growth rate is 3.54 percent. Such a high rate is due to the high net immigration rate, which stood at 26.8 immigrants per 1000 people. These immigrants form a large community of foreign temporary workers estimated at about 10 percent of the total population. Singapore has one of the highest population densities in the world, with about 6,500 people per square kilometer (or 16,800 per square mile). The Singaporean population is diverse and represents 3 major ethnic groups. Ethnic Chinese make up almost 77 percent of the population, Malays make up 14 percent, Indians 7.6 percent, and other ethnic groups 1.4 percent. Around 18 percent of the population is below the age of 14, and just 7 percent is older than 65. The current ethnic distribution was formed in the 19th century when the British administration encouraged people to migrate to Singapore from neighboring Malacca, the Indonesian islands, India and especially China . In 1957, Singapore's population was approximately 1.45 million, and there was a relatively high birth rate. Aware of the country's extremely limited natural resources and small territory, the government introduced birth control policies in the late 1960s. In the late 1990s, the population was aging, with fewer people entering the labor market and a shortage of skilled workers. In a dramatic reversal of policy, the Singapore government now plans to introduce a "baby bonus" scheme in 2001 that will encourage couples to have more children. Singapore wants to limit the inflow of illegal immigrants. The effect of drugs and drug trafficking is another important issue, since Singapore lies near the "Golden Triangle," an area between Burma , Laos , and Thailand that is the world's largest producer of illicit drugs such as opium. Singapore is among the few countries in the world to have adopted the death penalty for possession and sale of drugs. New chronic diseases like AIDS are also of great concern to the Singaporean government, since the country is a busy tourist destination. OVERVIEW OF ECONOMY Manufacturing and services are the 2 main features of the modern Singaporean economy, but the economy's main economic engine is its seaport, one of the world's busiest. Singapore also has one of the largest commercial shipping registers in the world. In 1819, when the British East India Company leased this territory from the Sultan of Johore to establish a trade and communication post, it was a small settlement in a swampy area. However, the British administration quickly cleared jungles, reclaimed marshes, and established a merchant seaport. This port expanded into a major regional trading post due to its strategic and convenient location along the main sea route connecting the Far East to British India and to Europe. The rise of Singapore as a communication hub would prove a foundation for its future prosperity. As a free port and a major British naval base in East Asia, Singapore enjoyed a special status within the British protectorate for a long time. In 1959, Singapore achieved full self-governance, and in 1963, it joined the Federation of Malaysia. However, sharp political disagreements arose with the federal government, and in 1965, Singapore left the Federation and became an independent state. Having a small territory and no natural resources, the government staked everything on the transformation of the country's economic base from a trade mediator and regional transport hub to a manufacturing center, specializing in capital-intensive industries, high technologies, and financial services. Singapore's government promoted a free-market economy and export oriented industrialization (EOI), combined with a measure of state intervention, subsidized credits to selected industries, and high public investment in applied research and certain export targets. Export to the international market promoted efficient use of resources and generated hard currency , which was necessary for catching up with further development of technologies and industrial innovation. This policy brought unprecedented economic expansion, with an annual average growth rate of 6.4 percent from the 1960s through the 1980s. This development transformed Singapore into one of the "economic tigers" of Asia. There are different interpretations about the causes of this high performance. A World Bank report argued that this success was because of a mix of private investors and available human resources. Others argue that state initiatives and government economic policies were important. In Singapore's transformation, the Economic Development Board, which is the government agency responsible for the formulation and implementation of economic and industrial development strategies established in 1961, played a crucial role. The country's major export products are electronic goods, machinery, and equipment produced by major multinational corporations . Tourism is important. In 1996, Singapore hosted 4,795 international and regional conventions and received more than 7 million tourists, providing revenues of about 9 percent of gross domestic product ( GDP ). Finance and business services are other important sectors of the economy, accounting for almost 30 percent of GDP in 1996. Transport and communications contributed an estimated 10 percent of GDP in 1996. The Singapore government is persistent in the promotion of initiatives to keep the country competitive in the international arena. One of these initiatives is IT2000, which depends on a vision of Singapore as an "Intellectual Island" where information technologies penetrate all aspects of life. Another initiative is Jurong Town Corporation, which offers ready-built factories and manages 33 industrial parks housing 7,000 companies. The government supported the selected sectors in manufacturing and other industries through different means. It owns the Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) that operate as commercial entities. Singapore has the second highest number of state-controlled firms (45 percent) in the world, higher than Korea or Japan . One of the important features of the Singaporean economy is that the financial sector has been guided by conservative fiscal policies . In 1998, in response to the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the Singapore government announced financial reforms to improve the country's international competitiveness, which included further liberalization of the financial sector and tax initiatives. High economic performance and development kept unemployment at a low level during the last decades of the 20th century in all sectors of the economy including manufacturing, tourism, and finance. In 1999 unemployment was just 3.2 percent (by comparison, unemployment in the United States was 4.2 percent in the same year). Because of the speed of its economic expansion, Singapore began to experience shortages of skilled labor in the late 1990s and early 2000s. POLITICS, GOVERNMENT, AND TAXATION Singapore is a parliamentary democracy with a president as the constitutional head of state. The president plays a ceremonial role in the political life of the country and until 1991 was elected by the parliament. In 1991, the constitution was amended, allowing citizens to vote for their president in direct popular elections. Current president S. R. Nathan took office for a 6-year term in 1999. Singapore's unicameral (one house) parliament has 83 members elected by popular vote. Executive power rests with the cabinet, led by the prime minister who is responsible to the parliament. Several political parties have been active since Singapore's independence in 1965. Five of these parties have a high profile and influence in the country. These are: People's Action Party (PAP); National Solidarity Party (NSP); Singapore Democratic Party (SDP); Singapore People's Party (SPP); and Worker's Party (WP). Unlike many neighboring countries, the Communist Party does not have mass support in Singapore, and there has been no violent confrontation with communists. The military has never been an influential force in the political arena of the country. Politically, Singapore has remained remarkably stable and nearly untouched by political violence since independence. Since the end of World War II , the major issues shaping political competition in Singapore have been the promotion of political stability, economic growth, and maintaining a balance among the 3 main ethnic groups. The PAP came to power spreading an ideal of national consolidation, economic growth, and state paternalism. It has remained the country's dominant political force for the past 40 years, controlling parliament in every election since independence. The PAP's strong man, Lee Kuan Yew, became prime minister in 1959 when Singapore acquired self-governance, and retained this position until 1990. After his resignation, Goh Chok Tong, Lee's chosen successor, became the new prime minister. One of the unique features of Singaporean political development is the governing by a single party since gaining independence in 1965. This has led prominent human rights groups to criticize the Singaporean government over its failure to promote and protect the political and civil rights of its citizens. Since the early 1960s, under the leadership of both Lee Kuan Yew and then Goh Chok Tong, the Singapore government has promoted a free-market and export-oriented economy. This policy has been successful and the country has experienced unprecedented economic growth and prosperity. Leading technocrats were able to capture major trends in technological change in the modern world and utilize the benefits of globalization. In 1992, as a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Singapore created a regional free trade zone , to be known as the ASEAN Free Trade Zone (AFTA). Singapore managed to minimize the negative effects of the oil crisis of 1979 and the Asian financial meltdown in 1997. The country has continually attracted foreign direct investment and technological transfers from developed countries such as Japan and the United States. One of the important tools in the hands of the government has been its taxation policy and its initiatives. With few exceptions, capital gains are not taxed in Singapore. Both resident and non-resident companies are taxed at the same rate as the corporate tax rate, which stays at 25.5 percent. The typical withholding tax rate on interest payable to non-residents stays at 15 percent, but this could be reduced or even exempted by tax treaties in the future. A Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced in April 1994 at 3 percent, but was accompanied by compensatory reductions in direct taxation . Qualified employees may enjoy tax exemptions of 50 percent for up to S$10 million of stock option gains arising over a period of 10 years for stock options granted after June 2000. INFRASTRUCTURE, POWER, AND COMMUNICATIONS Singapore inherited from the colonial era a superior infrastructure and well-developed transport network. After independence, the Singaporean government made many efforts and sizable investments to improve these even further. This small city-state is served by a network of 3,122 kilometers (1,940 miles) of highways, 99 percent of which are paved. In the 1970s and 1980s, there was a steep increase in private car ownership, which led to traffic congestion and rising air pollution. The government reacted swiftly, investing significant sums in public transport, especially the mass transit system. It also restricted private car usage on Singaporean roads, using different measures, including taxes and Certificates of Entitlement. By the 1990s, 83 kilometers (51 miles) Communications aData are from International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report 1999 and are per 1,000 people. bData are from the Internet Software Consortium ( http://www.isc.org ) and are per 10,000 people. SOURCE: World Bank. World Development Indicators 2000. of mass rapid transit system, and 11 kilometers (6 miles) of light rapid transit system had been built, and the country could boast of an excellent public transport system, praised for its safety, quality of service, and punctuality. In 1998, the government launched a S$1.7 billion project to build a new transit line. There were at that time 681,924 registered motor vehicles, including 378,090 cars, 11,410 buses, 133,382 motorcycles and scooters, and other vehicles. Throughout the colonial era, the port of Singapore was an important military base and commercial seaport. After gaining independence, Singapore maintained its status as an important regional transport hub. Its seaport is believed to be one of the world's busiest ports in tonnage terms, with 140,922 vessels making up a shipping weight of 858 gross tons calling at the port and total container traffic of 15.14 million 20-foot equivalent units. It also has one of the largest commercial shipping registers in the world. Its merchant marine included 891 ships (1,000 gross registered tonnage and over) in 1998. Singapore also houses the third-largest oil refinery in the world with a capacity of 1 million barrels a day (1998). Major petroleum companies, including Shell, ESSO, Caltex, British Petroleum, and Mobil, operate there. The government has invested heavily in the development of aviation, signing air service agreements with 90 countries, including "open skies" agreements with the United States, New Zealand , and Brunei Darussalam. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) oversees and regulates development in this sector. There were 9 airports in Singapore in 1999. The largest is Changi airport (a subsidiary of CAAS), which hosted 61 airlines and handled 23.8 million passengers in 1998 alone, making Singapore one of the major airports in the region. The 47-hectare (116-acre) Changi Airfreight Center handled 1.43 million tons of air freight movement in 1998. The government planned to invest a further S$1.5 billion in upgrading the airport facilities in the first decade of the 21st century. Singapore Airline (SIA) was created in 1972 after the split of Malaysia-Singapore Airline. SIA and its subsidiary, SilkAir, operated 87 aircraft, employed 18,800 people, and carried 12 million passengers a year in 1998. In 1998, SIA was ranked fourth in terms of international freight measured in ton-kilometers, and eighth in international passenger-kilometers. Singapore is fully reliant on imports of mineral fuel for domestic consumption, and these imports accounted for 9.3 percent of merchandise imports in 1996. This makes the country vulnerable to unfavorable fluctuations in world oil prices. Electric power is produced from fossil fuel at 3 power stations. Electricity production was recorded at 28.586 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 1998. Telecommunication services in Singapore remain under state control. Telephone service is provided by the state-controlled Singapore Telecom (ST). The country had 54.6 million telephone lines and 1.02 million mobile cellular telephones in 1998. The government has attempted to end ST's monopoly . In 1993, it sold about 7 percent of its share to private companies and, in 1997, ST's monopoly on mobile and pager services came to an end. In 1998, there were 8 Internet service providers in the country and 458.4 computers per 1,000 people, which is more than in the United States. In 2000, the Singapore government announced a S$1.5 billion investment over 3 years into the e-Government Action Plan, which should enable Singaporeans to access a wide range of online services. ECONOMIC SECTORS Singapore's separation from the Federation of Malaysia in 1965 had advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, its economic development has been constrained by its small territory, small population, and extremely limited natural resources, and the country has always been fully reliant on the importation of foodstuffs. Yet Singapore has a huge advantage in its location in a major sea route connecting the Far East to South Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The country has a well-trained, well-educated, disciplined labor force and has attracted major multinational corporations from Europe, Japan, and the United States. Many of them, such as Sony, NEC, Matsushita, Texas Instruments, and others, have established their manufacturing and assembly plants or distribution centers there. Singapore has fully used the advantage of its superior location, reinventing itself as a major communication hub in Southeast Asia. The policy of encouraging private entrepreneurship, giving priority to the development of an export-oriented economy, and encouraging capital intensive industries combined with selective state intervention, brought Singapore unprecedented economic growth from the 1960s through the 1990s. By 2000, industry and services had become the 2 largest sectors of the modern Singaporean economy, contributing 30 percent and 70 percent of GDP, respectively, in 2000. (Agriculture's contribution was negligible.) Although there was a substantial slowing down in economic growth in all sectors of the economy after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Singapore managed to avoid economic decline like neighboring Indonesia or Thailand. AGRICULTURE Agriculture, including fishery, is an insignificant part of Singapore's economy, accounting for just 0.2 percent of GDP and employing 0.2 percent of the workforce. Since the 19th century Singapore has been fully reliant on the import of foodstuffs, obtained from its neighbors. The country has a small fishing industry consisting of a small fleet and marine fish farms. There has been some interest in the greenhouse production of certain fruits and vegetables for domestic consumption, but it has not developed and remains small. Singapore does cultivate orchids for domestic and export markets. In the late 1990s, Singapore businessmen expressed interest in biotechnology and genetically modified food production. The public outcry in Europe and the United States over genetically modified food has cooled this interest for the time being. Some private entrepreneurs invested in the agricultural sector in neighboring Malaysia and Thailand, aiming to export the products back to Singapore. INDUSTRY Singapore belongs to the "New Industrialized States" (NIS), the countries that underwent rapid industrialization from the 1960s to the 1980s. During these 2 decades, Singapore managed to attract technology transfers from the developed world as well as sizable foreign direct investment (FDI). The island has a small mining industry that is of no importance in the national economy. MANUFACTURING. Singapore has a diverse, well-established, and economically important manufacturing sector, which contributed 28 percent to GDP and provided employment for 417,300 people, or 21.6 percent of the workforce, in 1999. Since the early 1990s, the manufacturing sector's share in GDP has been slowly declining due to the steady rise in competition from neighboring countries and the expansion of its own service sector. The United States remains the single largest investor in Singapore's economy. In 1999, about 57 percent of FDI commitments came from the United States. Singapore began its industrial sector in the 1960s, using its superior location and well-trained and educated labor force. The industrial sector initially consisted of electrical assembly, oil refining, and shipping facilities. The electronic sector became the country's most important manufacturing element. This sector underwent a rapid expansion in the late 1960s when Texas Instruments and other multinational corporations established assembly plants in Singapore. In the 1990s, there was further growth in the manufacturing of different electronic products and computer components. In the late 1990s, Singapore became the world's largest producer of computer disk drives. In 1999, electronics accounted for 43.4 percent of value-added manufacturing in the country, making Singapore vulnerable to downturns in the international market. Most of these goods are produced in foreign-owned plants for export to the United States, Europe, and East Asia. Electronics manufacture was affected by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, although the Singaporean government supported the sector by tax breaks and other initiatives. After 1997, several multinational corporations such as Seagate, Western Digital of the United States, and others laid off staff and began restructuring their production capacity. Some considered moving their manufacturing operations to neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines , where wages are lower than in Singapore. Chemical production, petroleum production, and printing are also important contributors to the country's economy. Singapore has a well-developed chemical and chemical production sector. This sector experienced steady growth in the 1980s and 1990s by attracting substantial FDI. Chemical production contributed 18.1 percent of valued-added manufacturing in 1999. Petroleum production underwent rapid expansion in the 1960s and 1970s, benefiting from the country's large and efficient seaport and modern oil refining facilities. This sector produces 18.8 million metric tons (20.68 million tons) of distillate fuel oils and 15.7 million metric tons (17.27 million tons) of residual fuel oil, and other petroleum-based products. Singapore has the world's third largest oil-refining industry. Petroleum production contributes 4.4 percent of valued-added manufacturing. Singapore has developed high-quality color printing processes, producing several publications for major clients from the United States and Europe. Printing and publishing contributes 4.0 percent of value-added manufacturing (1999). The other manufacturing sectors produce transport equipment, machinery, and fabricated metal products. SERVICES TOURISM. Tourism is an important sector of Singapore's economy, providing employment for 118,900 people. Although Singapore was long known as a tourist destination for sailors, business people, and adventurers, mass tourism began in earnest in the 1970s and 1980s with the increase in international air travel. The number of tourists visiting the country rose steadily throughout the 1980s and 1990s, reaching 7.29 million in 1996. There was a decline of about 1.3 percent in 1997 and 13.3 percent in 1998, due to economic turmoil in the region. In response to this decline, the Singapore Tourism Board started "Tourism Unlimited," a program promoting regional tourism and developing tourist projects near Singapore. In 1999, about 6.96 million tourists visited the country, contributing S$11.2 billion dollars to the national economy. Singapore promotes itself as a "dream destination," offering excellent service, a multicultural environment, local hospitality, exotic festivals, and tax-free shopping. To boost its competitiveness it has also signed visa-free agreements with most countries in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. According to the national authorities, in 1998 Singapore had 108 hotels with total room capacity of 32,000. Most visitors come from the ASEAN countries, Japan, Taiwan , Australia , the United Kingdom , and the United States. In the 1990s, Singapore reinvented itself as Asia's convention city. In 1996, the capital hosted 4,795 international and regional conventions with 426,000 foreign participants. According to the Union des Associations Internationales, Singapore ranks seventh among the world's major convention cities. FINANCIAL SERVICES. The financial and business services sector is one of the most important sectors to the Singapore economy and provides employment for 266,000 people. Finance rests on the traditional foundations of the banking system, investments, insurance, and foreign exchange. There were 154 commercial banks in 1997, although banking was dominated by the "Big Four": the DBS Bank, the United Overseas Bank (UOB), the Overseas Union Bank (OUB), and the Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBS). According to the IMF, Singapore is the world's fourth-largest global exchange center. The financial sector, particularly its banking component, has been tightly regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), prompting sharp criticism from the United States and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Although the 1997 Asian financial crisis affected the financial sector, there were no major bank collapses or bankruptcies. In 1997, Singapore's benchmark Strait Times Industrial Index (STII) fell 30 percent, leading to the STII being replaced by the simplified Straits Times Index (STI) in August of 1997. In 1999, the STI experienced some recovery due to an upturn in the manufacturing sector. The MAS reinforced its strict policy against internationalizing the Singapore dollar by limiting overseas lending and borrowing by non-residents. This policy restricts use of the currency outside the country for activities unrelated to the domestic economic development. However, economic recovery has improved the Singapore government's fiscal position, and it intends to deregulate and gradually liberalize the financial sector. The business services sector (including property services, accountancy, and information technology), the fourth-most important economic sector in 1999, experienced difficult times in the late 1990s. During this period, economic recession and declining investments in neighboring countries led to less demand for financial and business services and brought a sharp decline in spending in the property market. RETAIL. Singapore's well-developed retail sector provides excellent service to the local population and to foreign tourists. Large, state-of-the-art supermarkets are complemented by thousands of small retail shops where tourists and local consumers can buy different products. Singapore has long been recognized as a major tourist shopping destination offering, among other things, the latest electronic products free of tax. In 1998, there were 281,200 people employed in the wholesale and retail trades. After the decline of 1997 and 1998 this sector recovered, with the value of retail sales up by 12.1 percent and their volume up by 14.1 percent. INTERNATIONAL TRADE Since the 1960s, Singapore has adopted a policy of export-oriented industrialization, promoting the export of goods and services in the international markets. It has few barriers against the import of goods and services, although the government's well-known interventionist policy in the regulation and ownership of many Singapore companies has been widely criticized. Singapore more than doubled its exports, from US$52.752 billion in 1990 to US$118.268 billion, in 1995. Exports dipped after 1997, but recovered to reach US$137 billion in 2000. The United States is Singapore's single largest trading partner, accounting for 19 percent of all exports in 1999, primarily from the sale of manufactured electronics and computer peripherals. A large part of these exports originates from U.S.-owned companies, which are traditionally the largest investors in the Singapore economy. Neighboring Malaysia is the second largest export market, accounting for 17 percent of total exports. Hong Kong and Japan are also important export destinations, accounting for 8 percent and 7 percent of exports respectively. Other important partners include Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands , China, South Korea, and Germany . The United States and Japan are the largest suppliers of imports to Singapore, with both countries supplying 17 percent of imports. Malaysia remained one of the traditional sources of imports, accounting for 16 percent Trade (expressed in billions of US$): Singapore Exports 104.719 SOURCE: International Monetary Fund. International Financial Statistics Yearbook 1999. of the total. Major imports from Malaysia include consumer goods like foodstuffs and raw materials. China (5 percent), Thailand (5 percent), Taiwan (4.0 percent), Saudi Arabia (3 percent), and Germany (3 percent) are other major sources of imports. In 2000, the value of imports totaled US$127 billion. Singapore's government considers the development of free trade as an important factor for the country's future economic growth. Singapore strongly supported free trade negotiations between the members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation organization (APEC), which tried to remove trade barriers between member countries, including the United States, Canada , Japan, Australia, and others. Singapore also strongly supported the creation of a regional free trade zone for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), to be known as the ASEAN Free Trade Zone (AFTA). In 2001, Singapore announced its intention to discuss bilateral free-trade arrangements with Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States. Singapore's international trade rose during the last 3 decades of the 20th century, when the country managed its trade balance to achieve a trade surplus of US$10 billion by 2000. Singapore demonstrated its immunity to the sharp oil price rises in 2000 and 2001; however, it faces increasing competition from neighboring countries and has become vulnerable to changes in global market demands for electronic products. Nevertheless, political and economic uncertainty in neighboring Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand have strengthened Singapore's position, confirming its image as one of the most stable and business-friendly countries in the region. MONEY Over the last 2 decades, the value of the Singapore dollar showed remarkable stability because of the country's steady economic growth. During this period of unprecedented growth, Singapore managed to avoid high inflation or economic recession. The Asian financial crisis Exchange rates: Singapore 1.4100 SOURCE: CIA World Factbook 2001 [ONLINE]. of 1997 did affect Singapore's economy, but the country was able to avoid the political and economic calamities that brought high inflation and sizable recession to neighboring Indonesia and Thailand. There was slowdown of the Singapore economy in 1997 and 1998, affecting all sectors and bringing a small rise in inflation. In 1999 and 2000, the country overcame the difficulties and produced significant growth. Inflation stabilized at about 0.4 percent and GDP growth at about 5.5 percent in 1999. According to the IMF classification, the Singapore dollar is a freely floating currency determined by the foreign exchange market. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), which acts as the central bank, closely monitors the exchange rate and ensures the stability of the currency against international currency speculators. Due to the regional economic downturn, the value of the Singapore dollar declined slightly against the U.S. dollar, from 1.4174 in 1995 to 1.6733 in January 2000. This stability was supported by Singapore's huge stocks of foreign reserves, the world's largest in per capita terms (US$23,864 per head against US$14,070 per head in Hong Kong). These foreign reserves are even larger than those of the United States. Singapore is also the world's fourth-largest global exchange center after London, New York , and Tokyo , with Chase Manhattan Bank, Citibank, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Guaranty, and others, operating in this market. Singapore has a single stock market, which until 1997 was known as the Strait Times Industrial Index (STII). In August 1997, it was replaced by the Straits Times Index (STI). In 1997 and 1998 the STI was affected by the regional recession, recovering in 1999 and 2000. According to the Singapore Exchange (SGX) statistics, 388 companies, representing total capitalization of S$389.5 billion (US$236 billion), were listed in the SGX main board in December 2000. POVERTY AND WEALTH Extraordinary economic growth during the past 3 decades brought wealth and prosperity to Singapore. This GDP per Capita (US$) 42,081 SOURCE: United Nations. Human Development Report 2000; Trends in human development and per capita income. growth was impressive during the 1980s and 1990s. In 1959, when Singapore gained self-governance, its per capita GDP was just US$400. In 2000, Singapore was ranked fifth in the world in terms of per capita GDP, ahead of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In 2000, the per capita GDP, figured at purchasing power parity , was US$26,500. A Central Provident Fund, to which employers and employees pay compulsory contributions, provides benefits in case of work injury, old age, and disability. Most people live in small apartments in high-rise buildings. Social polarization is visible in education. The social prestige of a good education is traditionally very high in Singapore society. Private schools are very expensive and those who can spend a considerable part of their income on providing the best education for their children. Although the government is trying to encourage the development of a "knowledge society," education is not compulsory, and the poorer members of Singaporean society are disadvantaged, while the wealthy send their children to leading British, Australian, and North American universities. In Singapore's society, as elsewhere, some people acquire wealth while others need to work hard merely to maintain a decent life. There are no statistics on the distribution of income, and therefore it is difficult to assess socio-economic and social division in the country. Traditionally, recent immigrants, both legal and illegal, have been the most disadvantaged members of the society. There is evidence, too, that social polarization exists along ethnic lines, with the ethnic Chinese community considered better off than the Malay community. In formulating social policy, the government has to take the importance of ethnic issues into consideration. The Singapore government supports such traditional values as a strong work ethic and the importance of family, promoting them as "Asian values" in opposition to the perceived "individualism" of Western societies. The National Council of Social Services, with the help of 150 voluntary bodies, provides most of the welfare services to individuals and families in need. The government also provides services for families in distress, with mandatory Household Consumption in PPP Terms Country Data represent percentage of consumption in PPP terms. aExcludes energy used for transport. bIncludes government and private expenditures. SOURCE: World Bank. World Development Indicators 2000. counseling in cases of family violence, monthly subsidies for working mothers with children in child-care centers, and financial assistance to low-income families. All residents, regardless of social status, are eligible for low-cost medical care. WORKING CONDITIONS In 1998, Singapore's labor force was 1.932 million people, with the unemployment rate about 3.2 percent, or 61,700 people. Over the last 3 decades of the 20th century, unemployment has never been high, thanks to the country's robust economic performance across almost all sectors of the economy. Singapore's economy experienced 2 difficult years in 1997 and 1998, when unemployment rose, but since the beginning of economic recovery in 1999 and 2000 there has been strong demand in the labor market. The Employment Act established a 44-hour working week, although there is no official minimum wage or unemployment compensation. Singapore's economy demands a highly trained and flexible workforce. The government strongly promotes the acquisition of different skills, supporting several higher education centers, and vocational and technical institutes. Facing shortages in the workforce, the government encourages women to work by providing different initiatives and support for working mothers. Women made up about 40 percent of the workforce in 1999. Due to the nature of the labor market and the nation's growing prosperity, there is no child labor problem. The law prohibits employment of children under age 12. Due to labor shortages, there is a growing number of foreign workers in Singapore, unskilled and concentrated in the service and construction sectors. The activities of trade unions are allowed in the country within the framework of the Societies Act, labor laws, and other regulations. According to the U.S. State Department, in the late 1990s there were 255,020 union members, organized into 83 unions. Most of them are affiliated with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), which is closely associated with the ruling People's Action Party. Strikes, slow-downs, and other workers' protests are rare in Singapore. Collective bargaining is common in management-labor relations, but most disagreements are solved through informal consultations and, in disputed cases, through the Industrial Arbitration Court. The rise of the "new economy" caused a surge in demand for information technology (IT) workers. It is expected that, with annual growth of 10 percent in the IT sector, manpower in this area will need to more than double from 95,000 in 2000 to 220,000 in 2008. The government intends to develop the existing workforce rather than rely on immigration for the acquisition of skilled personnel in the sector. To facilitate retraining, in April 2000 the Ministry of Manpower and the Infocomm Development Authority jointly launched the Strategic Manpower Conversion Program, emphasizing information technologies and "technopreneurship." COUNTRY HISTORY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1819. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company leases a small territory from the Sultan of Johore and founds Singapore. 1821. First large group of Chinese migrants arrive from Xiamen . 1826. Singapore is incorporated into the Straits Settlements, a British colony. 1860. First census indicates a population of 80,792 in Singapore. 1858. Straits Settlements become a British Crown colony under the jurisdiction of the Colonial Office in London. 1914. Indentured labor system abolished. 1921. Singapore becomes a principal naval base for the British Navy in East Asia. 1942. The country is occupied by Japan during World War II. 1945. Allied forces liberate Singapore from Japanese occupation. 1946. Singapore becomes a Crown colony separate from Malaysia. 1955. A new constitution is adopted, introducing a measure of self-government. 1959. Singapore gains full self-governance under Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. 1961. Establishment of the Economic Development Board, a government agency responsible for the formulation and implementation of economic and industrial development strategies. 1963. Singapore joins the Federation of Malaysia. 1965. Singapore withdraws from the Federation of Malaysia and becomes independent. 1965. Singapore joins the United Nations. 1967. Singapore becomes a founding member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). 1970. Independent Monetary Authority of Singapore is established. 1971. Final withdrawal of British troops from Singapore. 1973. Last major ties with Malaysia renounced. 1979. Government begins a program of economic restructuring in response to the shock of the oil crisis. 1987. English is made the language of instruction in schools. 1990. Lee Kuan Yew resigns. 1991. The constitution is amended to allow Singapore citizens to directly elect their president. 1995. Huge losses made by a Singapore-based derivatives trader causes the collapse of Barings, the oldest British banking group. 1997. The ruling People's Action Party wins parliamentary elections, capturing 81 of 83 parliamentary seats. 1998. In response to the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the government announces financial reforms to improve the country's international competitiveness. 1999. The "Industry 21" Program, a new economic blueprint for the development of Singapore in the 21st century, is launched. FUTURE TRENDS Singapore has benefited from the globalization of the world economy and experienced 3 decades of extraordinary economic growth, which has brought prosperity and confidence to the people of this small city-state. Able to withstand economic turmoil such as the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the surge in world oil prices at the beginning of the 21st century, Singapore has proved that its economy has grown on a sustainable and strong basis. Inflation remains under control and the Singaporean exchange rate is stable. The quality of life has improved steadily and society has benefited from rising prosperity. The government's policies aim to maintain political and social stability by promoting economic growth from capital-and skill-intensive technologies, although it has been criticized for restricting freedom of press and associations, and for its interventionist economic policies. In the long term, Singapore needs to maintain its international edge against growing competition from neighboring countries. It is also exposed to economic, political, and environmental developments in the neighboring countries of Indonesia and Malaysia. Continuous political turmoil and social unrest in Indonesia might threaten Singapore by causing an influx of refugees and regional instability. Recent forest fires in the Indonesian part of Borneo brought air pollution to dangerous levels, affecting tourism and the health of the Singapore population. DEPENDENCIES Singapore has no territories or colonies. BIBLIOGRAPHY The East Asian Miracle: Economic Growth and Public Policy. Washington, DC: The World Bank, 1993. Economist Intelligence Unit. Country Profile: Singapore. London: Economist Intelligence Unit, 2001. Economist Intelligence Unit. Country Report: Singapore. London: Economist Intelligent Unit, January 2001. Eliot, Joshua, and Jane Bickersteth. Singapore Handbook. NTCPublishing Group, 1999. Kuan Yew, Lee. From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2000. Monetary Authority of Singapore. <http://www.mas.gov.sg> .Accessed October 2001. Peebles, Gavin, and Peter Wilson. The Singapore Economy. NewYork: Edward Elgar, 1996. Singapore Exchange. <http://www.ses.com.sg> . AccessedOctober 2001. Singapore Government Web Site. <http://www.gov.sg> . AccessedOctober 2001. Singapore: Selected Issues. IMF Staff Country Report No. 00/83. Washington, DC: International Monetary Fund, July 2000. Singapore: Your Compelling Global Hub for Business and Investment. <http://www.sedb.com/edbcorp/index.jsp>. Accessed October 2001. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. World Factbook 2001. <http:// www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html>. Accessed September 2001. —Rafis Abazov Singapore. MONETARY UNIT: Singapore dollar (S$). One dollar equals 100 cents. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, and 1 dollar. There are notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, and 10,000 dollars. CHIEF EXPORTS: Machinery and equipment (including electronics), chemicals, and mineral fuels. CHIEF IMPORTS: Machinery and equipment, mineral fuel, chemicals, and foodstuffs. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT: 279.0 Background & General Characteristics The Republic of Singapore consists of a 240-square-mile island and several other surrounding smaller ones located in Southeast Asia. The main island (whose territory also includes some land reclaimed from the sea) is connected to Johor, the southernmost state of peninsular Malaysia , by a causeway. Close by and directly south are the many islands that make up the Republic of Indonesia . Singapore is a multiethnic, cosmopolitan state with a population consisting overwhelmingly of Chinese (77 percent), followed by Malays (15 percent) and Indians (6 percent); Eurasians and others constitute the rest. Singapore is city-state with a highly concentrated urbanized population and no rural areas or peasant population to speak of. Most Singaporeans live in government controlled, though individually owned, apartments (through the Housing and Development Board, a statutory agency) in multi-story high rise buildings that dot the urban landscape. Singapore originated as a small Malay fishing village that belonged to the Sultan of Johor. A British colonialist, Stamford Raffles, purchased it on behalf of the East India Company and began the course of its contemporary development. Raffles saw potential for setting up a trading post on the island given Singapore's deep, natural harbor. Following increased immigration (primarily from China , and India ) and the expansion of trade, Singapore became a Crown Colony, administered directly by the British government. It was occupied briefly by the Japanese following the surrender of British forces in Southeast Asia during World War II . After the British returned there were increasing calls for local self-government. In 1959, an elected government led by the People's Action Party (PAP) and its leader, Lee Kuan Yew, achieved internal power, although external affairs and defense continued to rest with the British Government. Singapore joined the newly formed Federation of Malaysia in 1963 along with former British colonies Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo . After a brief and rocky association it left the Federation in 1965 through a mutual agreement to become an independent country. The emergence of Singapore from an obscure Southeast Asian island dependent on entrepot trade derived from its neighbors (primarily, Malaysia and Indonesia) to an internationally known hub for the global economy in the short span of three decades has been nothing short of spectacular. Geoffrey Murray and Audrey Perera in their book, Singapore: The Global City-State trace what is often described as Singapore's economic miracle to "a five pronged policy—free trade, high savings, full employment and an equitable wage policy, a foreign-investment friendly environment and a development-oriented government." Beginning with rapid industrialization in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Singapore successfully moved its infrastructure and population into various highly skilled business and financial services, the high technology, as well as information technology sectors of the international economy; the hallmarks, arguably, of a flourishing post-industrial economy. Its major trading partners range from all over the world and are led by the United States , followed by Japan , Malaysia, Hong Kong , Thailand , Australia and Germany . Singapore is therefore almost always classified in international economic and human development rankings as having achieved the status of an affluent developed country (e.g., per capita gross national product for the year 2000 is estimated at US$21,828). Singapore has four official languages, namely English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay and Tamil. These principal languages are used in all governmental communication with members of the public, imprinted on national currency, taught in government-run or recognized primary and secondary schools, and allowed to be used in radio and television broadcasts. However, English is predominant in all legislative, bureaucratic and judicial matters, tertiary education institutions, and major commercial transactions. It is considered the language of national integration. English is spoken by 20.3 percent of the population and even more widely understood; Mandarin is spoken by 26 percent while 36.7 percent are conversant in other Chinese dialects (e.g., Hokkien, Cantonese etc). The linguistic minorities consist of 13.4 percent of the population who speak Malay and 2.9 percent who speak Tamil. In school, following an official policy of bilingualism, all students are required to study and take public examinations that include tests in English and their respective mother tongues. Although the Chinese speak many dialects, and Indians different languages, it is assumed that the "mother tongues" they will be learning in school are Mandarin Chinese and Tamil, respectively. This policy which effectively ensures that all Singaporeans (regardless of ethnic background) will learn English, along with the nation's increasing participation in the international economy, accounts for the continued predominance of English on the island. Modern Press Given its high rates of affluence and literacy, it is no surprise that Singapore has had and continues to enjoy equally high rates of newspaper readership for its technically well laid out and attractive newspapers. It is estimated that in 1998, total newspaper circulation stood at 1,056,000. The press in Singapore publishes in all four of its official languages. The English press has captured almost half (49.1 percent) of the total circulation, with Chinese newspapers (43.9 percent) following closely behind. Malay (6.2 percent) and Tamil (0.8 percent) newspapers rank far below. The most important players in the Singapore press scene are therefore, the English and Chinese newspapers. The major newspapers and their 1998 circulations in rank order are as follows: The Straits Times, an English daily morning newspaper that was founded in 1845, had a circulation of 369,773. The Lianhe Zaobao (United Morning News), a Chinese morning daily with a circulation of 202,063 and its afternoon counterpart the Lianhe Wamboa (United Evening News) with a circulation of 129,715, are next in rank order. Both of these newspapers were established in 1983 as a result of the government-influenced merger of two other competing older Chinese newspapers (the Nanyang Siang Pau and the Sin Chew Jit Poh ). In fourth place is a slightly older (established in 1967) Chinese newspaper, the Shin Min Daily, an afternoon newspaper with a circulation of 112,497. Fifth is an afternoon English daily established in 1988, The New Paper, with a circulation of 107,080. Other smaller published newspapers include a Malay morning daily, Berita Harian (1957; Daily News), a trade and commerce-oriented English daily, Business Times, and a Tamil morning daily, Tamil Murasu (1935; Tamil Herald). A recent entrant is the English morning newspaper Today, which is said to be distributed to nearly 100,000 homes and offices, and as far as can be determined, free of charge. It provides shorter and pithier articles for individual readers whose busy schedules presumably make it difficult for them to peruse weightier newspapers leisurely. As may be expected, the Sunday editions of all of the newspapers mentioned above generally enjoy somewhat higher circulation numbers than their daily counterparts. In general, the morning newspapers are thought to constitute the elite or quality press. Newspapers published in the afternoon are more popular or sensation-oriented, catering less to long-term subscribers and more to those buying on a whim. However, in the Singaporean context, sensationalism (primarily using large, bold headlines and photographs combined with news and features that focus on sports, movies, personalities, "human interest," and sex) has a much tamer and more restrictive definition in comparison to similarly oriented publications in Japan, India or the West. Economic Framework Until the early 2000s all of the local daily newspapers that circulated on the island of Singapore were owned and operated by one entity, the publicly owned Singapore Press Holdings (SPH). While the company's stocks are publicly traded, there are two types of shares whose monetary value is similar: ordinary and management shares. SPH monopolizes the daily newspaper market with a combined circulation of more than one million copies in the various languages, morning and afternoon. SPH also publishes several periodicals such as Home and Decor (English; focuses on home design and interior decoration), Her World (English; intended for women) and You Weekly (Chinese; entertainment, lifestyle and television). In addition, it has diversified and become involved in other businesses: these include other communication-related areas such as cable television, cellular phone and Internet services, as well as in other sectors such as commercial real estate property investments. Eddie Kuo and Peng Hwa Ang declare that SPH is a highly profitable company that employs 3,000 workers. If SPH's publication patterns are examined closely, it will be noticed that with minor exceptions, newspapers in their stable do not necessarily compete with each other in terms of language of publication and time of day. The sole exception to this is the competition in the afternoon for Chinese readers between the Lianhe Wambao and the Shin Min. In an effort to provide a modicum of competition to various publications belonging to the SPH, the government has licensed the entry of a newspaper (Today ) from the newly formed Media Corporation of Singapore (MCS). This corporation is the result of the conversion of Singapore's previously government-owned organization (originally formed as a government department) that runs all of its television channels and radio stations into a private corporation. Both groups will continue to retain their near monopoly over their core businesses (print publications for SPH and broadcast outlets in the case of MCS). However, in return for facing the new competition in the newspaper sector, SPH is being allowed to own and operate two direct to air television channels and two radio stations. Both companies were also expected to expand their presence on the Internet and into multimedia content delivery. It is assumed that the resulting competition between the two groups in the various forms of mass communication will be beneficial in two ways. First, it would help raise the overall quality of locally produced content and second, ensure that Singaporeans continue to retain their preference for news, features and other content that focuses on their immediate environment as delivered to them by locally owned organizations. In 2002, the Minister of Information, Communications and the Arts announced that a new agency, the Media Development Authority (MDA) would supervise all forms of media operating in Singapore, including newspapers. In addition to helping develop local media content and encouraging investment, the MDA would ensure that communication outlets pay attention to the twin national goals of maintaining social harmony and furthering economic growth. Further, this agency will help enhance competition between, and the maintenance of quality by, the two major media groups, the SPH and the MCS. Similar to newspapers in other countries, the bulk of newspaper earnings in Singapore come from advertising and not from the sale of papers either individually or by subscription. Unlike other countries, however, newspapers in the republic continue to dominate other media in terms of advertising revenue earnings. This can be contrasted to the experience of countries such as the US, where over time, television in its various forms surged to become the main forum by which advertisers reach consumers. It is estimated that half the total advertising dollars (US $689 million in 1998) spent in Singapore are for advertising in newspapers, as opposed to slightly more than a third for television advertising. Until recently advertising in The Straits Times, the English newspaper of record, was so popular that it found itself in the enviable position of turning away advertisers for lack of space in its daily and Sunday editions. Other forms of media (radio, magazines, and movies) typically score percentages of advertising dollars in the single digits. The distribution of newspapers in Singapore is carried out by both traditional and contemporary means. Traditional means include the extensive use of vendors (these are usually contractors, although attempts are being made to convert them to employee status) who distribute newspapers to home subscribers in specified territories. Reputedly, some of these areas were demarcated in the past with the help of criminal gangs or secret societies. Typically, a vendor would distribute around 1,000 copies of all newspapers belonging to SPH to homes in the multistory apartment buildings of a given area. This is complemented by sales at newsstands, mainly for impulse buyers (there is overlap between these two methods, i.e., vendors may be associated with running a particular newsstand). This existing network has been supplemented by more contemporary means of distributing newspapers that include selling them at gasoline filling stations, neighborhood convenience stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies. Interestingly, SPH has also experimented with selling newspapers using solar powered vending machines in the busier parts of Singapore. Press Laws The press in Singapore, in addition to functioning on the basis of the expectation that it help foster national interests as defined by the government, is also under the latter's strict supervision, as it has to operate within a number of legal constraints. The principal and most comprehensive piece of legislation that affects print publications is the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (1974) or NPPA. This legislation (derived from the colonial Printing Presses Act of 1920) allows the Singapore government to wield a three-pronged strategy in controlling the press, its ownership, personnel and ultimately, published content. First, it requires that all publications (local and foreign), printers, and the primary personnel associated with those publications, to be registered with and licensed by the government and to have those permits renewed every year. Thus, it would not be difficult for the government to deny licenses to particular individuals or groups, or to refuse to renew permits for those publications that were deemed to have overstepped their bounds in terms of critical or offensive content. Second, any given individual or group can only own three percent or less of the total stock of a newspaper company. This was a way of breaking up the family-owned newspapers that had existed earlier and ensuring that such concentrations of ownership does not return. Third, the NPPA envisages two types of shareholders. Only persons approved by the government are allowed to buy what are referred to as "management shares" while others may buy ordinary shares. The difference between the two is in terms of voting power, specifically on editorial policy and personnel decisions. Each "management share" vote is worth two hundred times the vote of an ordinary share. By possessing the power of approval over who may own or buy these "management shares" the Singapore government indirectly exercises control and direction over those allowed to have a say in the editorial governance of all local newspapers and magazines. A 1986 amendment to the NPPA allows the government's Ministry of Communication to reduce the number of copies circulated in Singapore of any foreign publication that was labeled as engaging in domestic politics. This gives the government broad latitude in terms of reducing the availability of a particular publication within the republic without seeming to suppress or eliminate it completely. It is also an effective mechanism for hitting a publication where it hurts, its circulation figures and consequently, its advertising revenues. Over the years several international and regional newsweeklies such as Time, Asian Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Far Eastern Economic Review, and the now defunct Asiaweek, have fallen victim to this provision of the NPPA. Typically, the charge of interfering in domestic politics followed that publication's critical coverage of the government's political actions (e.g., alleged unfair treatment of the miniscule opposition parties or its members) or business news defined as negative. This usually went along with the refusal or reluctance of the concerned publication to publish letters on the disputed matter from government officials in their entirety and without editing. In some instances, following conciliatory actions, the circulations of some affected publications were partially or completely restored. Although not enforced in every case, foreign publications are also required to post a bond of nearly $500,000 (Singapore) "in case of future journalistic indiscretions." In addition to specific laws that deal with libel and defamation (over the years, many Singapore leaders have gone to court on these grounds and won several judgments and large financial damages against publications and journalists) and copyright infringement, there are a few other important laws that affects press operations. One is the Undesirable Publications Act that prohibits the sale, importation or dissemination of foreign publications defined as contrary to the public interest. Although broadly defined, the specific targets of this law have often been publications construed as publishing obscene, pornographic material or seen as advocating alternative sexual lifestyles. An earlier piece of legislation from before Singapore's independence, the Internal Security Act, has rarely been used against the press in recent times; however, it allows the government to detain journalists without judicial review in the interests of national security, broadly defined. In contrast and rather unexpectedly, the Official Secrets Act that generally targets espionage has been used against financial journalists belonging to the Business Times who reported on economic growth figures before the numbers were officially released by the government. In addition to these legal weapons, it should be understood that the likelihood of winning cases in court in which the government is the opposing party is generally slim in Singapore. As a result, it is fair to say that local newspapers have adapted themselves to their specified functions of providing education and information within the existing setup in Singapore. They are therefore, not likely to challenge continuing restrictions on the basis of the need for greater freedom of the press. Foreign publications that may do so face consequences such as suffering circulation cuts that that are almost equivalent to an outright ban and strictures on the entry and work of their correspondents. Consequently, some foreign publications have withdrawn from active, continuous coverage of Singapore. Censorship It is important to note that censorship in its most blatant form, prior screening of the content of publications by a designated government or statutory agency, does not exist in Singapore, although radio, television and movies have historically been subject to such censorship. However, as noted earlier, the government exerts a variety of means of control over newspaper personnel, functioning and distribution. These include, among others, official criticism (hectoring and scolding newspapers for the nature, style and tone of certain content along with the insistence of an automatic right of reply) as well as administrative and managerial (e.g., a senior and long standing government intelligence official was placed in charge of a major newspaper), commercial (management shares can only be owned by government approved individuals) and legal (licensing; the threat of libel lawsuits) weapons. Both former Prime Minister Lee and current Prime Minister Goh Chok Thong, many ministries and ministers, government departments, statutory bodies and their senior officials have not hesitated to comment and criticize newspapers for various "lapses." Given the range of powers that these government entities and representatives command, newspapers and journalists on their own do not generally engage in published criticism of national leaders or their actions. Two additional factors need to be taken into account. First, surveys of Singaporeans have shown repeatedly that a large majority is happy with the current content and coverage of their country by the local press, and do not necessarily want aggressive, combative or crusading journalism. Next, the government alone is seen (by both journalists and ruling politicians alike) as having the right to set the national agenda and priorities, by virtue of having won elections and repeatedly received a mandate for its policies from the people. A relatively new, though important, anti-censorship force is the rise of the Internet and electronic communication. Singapore became the second country (after Malaysia) in Asia to provide Internet service access to its citizens in mid-1994 and subscriptions are said to have grown to around 670,000 users in mid-1999. The major newspapers belonging to SPH have developed their own separate news-oriented websites, partly in response to reports that newspaper readership among those below 30 is declining. Singapore's officially expressed desire to move forward to become a wired, knowledge-based economy or what is often called an "intelligent island" drives the dilemma faced by those who may wish to restrict the flow of "undesirable" information and content from elsewhere. This means that unlike earlier times and with other media, given the global structure, libertarian culture and democratic ethos of the Internet, censorship would be difficult, if not impossible. While official guidelines and filtering systems are in place, Singapore's leaders have begun to acknowledge that education of, and self-regulation by, the individual subscriber may be the only answer to this dilemma. Already, government officials have begun discussing the difficulties of formulating and deploying top down, stringent controls over the far-flung and variegated information and education sources that characterize the information age. For example, they have decided to review the ban on satellite dishes which are currently available only to foreign embassies, financial institutions and other selected agencies and not to the public. This ban is particularly ironic in that several regional satellite television companies have located themselves in Singapore, but can only broadcast to other countries. They have also made suggestions that, unlike the past, attempting to block the publication of what it does not like by targeting a particular newspaper or magazine may not be productive. Instead, government may be better served by insisting strenuously to the newspaper or other content provider that the former's views and versions of events be also carried and given equal weight. Under this scenario, the newspaper subscriber reads and learns the facts and arguments from both viewpoints and decides on his or her own what to believe. State-Press Relations Politically, the government continues to be dominated by the People's Action Party (PAP), which has won every election since independence, and which generally espouses highly interventionist governmental policies and an iron grip over various spheres of Singapore's social and cultural life (including mass communication media). In its earlier days, the party campaigned as a socialist entity. However, in the 1970s and later, it generally abandoned socialism in order to embrace "free trade" and to spur investments by foreign multinational corporations. Although the PAP's proportionate share of total votes cast in regularly held elections has declined somewhat (the high point being 76 percent in 1980) it has generally enjoyed supermajorities in Parliament, usually holding 90 to 100 percent of the seats. During election campaigns, it is not uncommon for the PAP to suggest or state that given the impossibility of the small opposition coming to power, constituencies that elected members of the latter would not be allotted government funded improvements. Critics have also decried the PAP and its leaders for their authoritarian and paternalistic tendencies. However, unlike many other developing countries dominated or controlled by a single party, the PAP's governance of Singapore has also earned kudos and respect for its stability, farsightedness, efficiency, competence, and the general absence of corruption. For more than three decades, the PAP-led government of Singapore has played an active role in controlling and directing the mass communication media of the country by making sure that they did not become focal points for criticism and opposition. Radio and television in the early years of Singapore's independence were already under direct government control, although newspapers were privately owned (often by families). Two English language daily newspapers, Eastern Sun (accused of being backed by Communists) and Singapore Herald (accused of being overly critical of various government policies such as compulsory national service) were closed down. Personnel associated with the Chinese language daily Nanyang Siang Pau were detained for stirring up racial prejudice. Later, pressure was brought to bear on local newspapers against covering or publicizing the tiny opposition parties and their leaders. Some newspapers were required to merge, and some to cease publication while new ones were created. Foreign publications regarded as meddling in local politics were targeted for reductions in circulation, sued for libel and their correspondents not given work visas. The general approach to the press by the Singapore government can be seen to embody features of what many observers characterize as its customary and unapologetic "soft authoritarianism" on all sectors of, and matters pertaining to, the republic. To justify such an approach, Singaporeans are often reminded of riots and disturbances that took place in the past as a result of alleged adverse or chauvinistic newspaper coverage and interpretation of inter-ethnic matters. In recent times, several Singaporean leaders and intellectuals have attempted to articulate a formal rationale for the continued existence of strict political control and legal constraints over constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of association, assembly, speech and expression. Allowing members of the public and the press the unfettered exercise of these rights, they have argued, is inimical to the interests of maintaining order in a highly sensitive multiethnic Singaporean society that possesses only a fragile and recently acquired sense of nationhood. In particular, they have proposed that in contrast to the highly individualistic Western democracies that are the source of these "individualistic" ideas, Singapore needs to be guided by "Asian values," defined by Michael Haas as: "(1) community before self, (2) the family as the basic unit of society, (3) consensus rather than competition to resolve conflicts, (4) racial and religious tolerance and harmony, and (5) community support for the individual." Members of Singapore's ruling elite often use these identified values (said to be derived from Confucianism and also shared by other Asian cultures) to distance Singaporean society from the "decadence" of, and to proclaim its superiority to, the West, where these values do not hold sway. Thus, open and forceful criticism of the government as well as any portrayal of its members in a negative light are seen as luxuries that Singapore (and, by implication, other Asian societies) cannot afford to indulge in. This not only because these pursuits fritter away energies better spent fostering government-led economic development, but also because such criticism violates the important values of consensus, harmony, and communitarianism. However, critics are quick to point out that these arguments are clearly self-serving for those in power and serve more to reinforce the existing status quo. The constant harping on Asian values and the denigration of individual rights and freedoms is used, according to Haas, to "persuade the public that any deviation from PAP rule would bring economic disaster to Singapore," and for "telling the people what to think." Singapore media are regularly placed by Freedom House's annual international rankings of press freedom in the category "not free." For the republic's media, the concept of Asian values, as promoted by the government translates as follows. The press and other communication outlets are expected to function as responsible team players putting national and governmental interests over the freedom to disseminate anything and everything that they may wish to publish or broadcast. In contrast to the Western notion of the press as an active watchdog over the government and its officials, in Singapore its pro-government role is to faithfully communicate national plans, priorities and pronouncements to the public and "to promote numerous campaigns, initiated and managed by the government." Thus, casual visitors to the country are likely to be struck by the notable absence of political controversy, criticism and bickering in the pages of Singapore's newspapers, and their uniform toeing of the governmental line in terms of viewpoints on almost all national and international issues. Broadcast Media For a variety of reasons, the broadcast media (radio and television) have historically been under government control in Singapore. In 1994, the government's broadcast holdings were spun off as a corporation, Singapore International Media, whose name was changed in 1999 to Media Corporation of Singapore (MCS). As noted previously, MCS has recently entered the newspaper market to compete with SPH, which previously monopolized this sector. MCS currently runs four core direct-to-air television stations (broadcasting programs in the four official languages), a regional news channel (Channel News Asia), a teletext service, an outdoor television channel for commuters and public areas, and is in the process of introducing digital broadcasting. In terms of its radio holdings, it controls 11 core stations (programming in all official languages), another that broadcasts specifically to certain groups within Singapore's expatriate population (Japanese, German, and French programming) and a foreign service, Radio Singapore International. Further, it is expanding into digital audio broadcasting. The earlier broadcasting monopoly of MCS is also being challenged by the entry of SPH into the television market in 2001 with two news channels in English and Chinese. Summary The press in Singapore has a history that is more than 150 years old. Similar to the republic's population, it is both modern and efficient in its setup, operations, and layout. At the same time, it continues to be subject to strict government policies and legal restraints that have served to constrain it in the interests of national development and communal harmony. Given the expansion of sources and options for Singaporeans to be informed, educated, and entertained, today, the press can be characterized accurately as being in the throes of transition and change. This change process encompasses both Singapore's media (e.g., managed competition between multimedia companies that were previously protected sectoral monopolies) and its government (e.g., rethinking of official policies designed historically to curb the flow of "undesirable" information). Bibliography Haas, Michael, ed. The Singapore Puzzle. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 1999. Kuo, Eddie C. Y. "The role of the media in the management of ethnic relations." In Goonasekera, Anura and Youichi Ito, eds., Mass Media and Cultural Identity: Ethnic Reporting in Asia. London: Pluto Press, 1999. Kuo, Eddie C. Y., and Peng Hwa Ang. "Singapore" Pp. 402-428 In Gunaratne, Shelton A., ed. Handbook of the Media in Asia. New Delhi: Sage Publications, 2000. Murray, Geoffrey, and Audrey Perera. Singapore: The Global City-State. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1996. N. Prabha Unnithan Official name: Republic of Singapore Area: 648 square kilometers (250 square miles) Highest point on mainland: Bukit Timah (166 meters/545 feet) Lowest point on land: Sea level Hemispheres: Northern and Eastern Time zone: 8 p.m. = noon GMT Longest distances: 42 kilometers (26 miles) from east-northeast to west-southwest; 23 kilometers (14 miles) from south-southeast to north-northwest Land boundaries: None Coastline: 193 kilometers (120 miles) Territorial sea limits: 5.6 kilometers (3 nautical miles) 1 LOCATION AND SIZE The Republic of Singapore consists of a main island and sixty-three islets just south of the tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia . Singapore, the second smallest country in Asia , is often described as a city-state. The diamond-shaped main island, which accounts for all but about 38 square kilometers (15 square miles) of the republic's area, is almost entirely urban. With a total area of 648 square kilometers (250 square miles), Singapore is nearly 3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C. 2 TERRITORIES AND DEPENDENCIES Singapore has no territories or dependencies. 3 CLIMATE Singapore has a humid, rainy, tropical climate, with temperatures moderated by the seas surrounding the islands. Temperatures are nearly uniform throughout the year, averaging 25°C (77°F) in January and 27°C (81°F) in June. Although the island lies between 1 and 2 degrees north of the equator, the maritime influences moderate the heat of the region. The highest temperature ever recorded in Singapore is only 36°C (97°F). Singapore is very humid, with heavy rainfall all year. Annual rainfall averages 237 centimeters (93 inches). The northeast monsoon that occurs between November and March brings the heaviest rainfall of the year. 4 TOPOGRAPHIC REGIONS The main island has three major geographic divisions: an elevated, hilly area in the center; a section of lower, rolling land to the west; and flatlands to the east. Singapore's smaller islands are low-lying with coastal beaches. 5 OCEANS AND SEAS Singapore is located between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Seacoast and Undersea Features The coastal waters surrounding Singapore are generally less than 30 meters (100 feet) deep. Sea Inlets and Straits Singapore is bordered on the north by the Johore Strait, which separates it from the Malay Peninsula, on the southeast by the Singapore Strait, and on the southwest by the Strait of Malacca. Islands and Archipelagos After Singapore Island, the next-largest island in the country is Pulau Tekong Besar to the northeast, with an area of only 18 square kilometers (7 square miles). Coastal Features The easternmost part of the coastline is smooth, but the rest has many indentations; the most important of these is the deep natural harbor at the mouth of the Singapore River on the southern coast. 6 INLAND LAKES Singapore has no significant natural lakes, but it has fourteen artificial bodies of water that were created by the construction of reservoirs. 7 RIVERS AND WATERFALLS Singapore's rivers are all short, including its main river, which has the same name as the island itself. The Singapore River flows into the wide harbor on the island's southeastern coast. Other rivers include the Seletar (at 14 Singapore's kilometers/9 miles, the longest on the island), Jurong, Kalang, Kranji, and Serangoon. 8 DESERTS There are no deserts in Singapore. 9 FLAT AND ROLLING TERRAIN Aside from Bukit Timah Hill, the main island's highest point, Singapore's central hills include Mandai and Panjang. Lower ridges extend northwest-to-southeast in the western and southern parts of the island. 10 MOUNTAINS AND VOLCANOES The highest land on Singapore is a ridge of rugged hills in the center of the island. The highest is Bukit Timah Hill, at 165 meters (545 feet). 11 CANYONS AND CAVES Singapore has no significant caves or canyons. 12 PLATEAUS AND MONOLITHS The eastern part of the main island is a low, eroded plateau. 13 MAN-MADE FEATURES The Johore Causeway, built in the 1920s, is fewer than 3 kilometers (1 mile) long. It bridges the Johore Strait, connecting Singapore to the Malaysian state of Johore. A second causeway opened in 1999. Land reclamation has added almost 15 square kilometers (6 square miles) to Singapore's total territory since 1966, mostly along the southeast coast, including reclamation on nearby islands. Fourteen reservoirs have been built on Singapore's rivers for flood control as well as for private and industrial water use. Almost all the reservoirs are located in the center of the island or at the mouths of rivers on the northeastern or western coasts. Among the largest are Seretar and Upper Pierce, both of which are situated in the center of the island. 14 FURTHER READING Fuller, Barbara. Berlitz: Discover Singapore. Oxford, England : Berlitz Publishing, 1993. Rowthorn, Chris, et al. Malaysia , Singapore and Brunei. Oakland, CA: Lonely Planet, 1999. Singapore and Malaysia. Knopf Guides. New York : Knopf, 1996. Warren, William. Singapore, City of Gardens. Hong Kong : Periplus Editions, 2000. Web Sites Lonely Planet: Destination Singapore. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/south_east_asia/singapore (accessed April 15, 2003). Singapore Tourism Board: North America site. http://www.tourismsingapore.com/ (accessed April 15, 2003). Cite this article Singaporean Orientation Identification. The place name "Singapore" is derived from Singa-pura ("City of the Lion"), a commonly used term since the fourteenth century. The main cultural traditions are Malay, Indian, Chinese, and to some extent Western (British). The different communities do not regard themselves as sharing a culture; instead, they consider themselves parts of a whole. This is illustrated by reference to a popular local dish, Rojak, a salad in which the various ingredients are covered by the same peanut sauce, forming a distinct whole with each ingredient clearly discernible. The peanut sauce is Singaporeanness; the other ingredients are the different cultural traditions. Location and Geography. Singapore lies at the tip of the Malay peninsula. It borders Malaysia , Indonesia , and Brunei. Its area is 248 square miles (642 square kilometers), including the main island and some sixty islets. The main island is flat with a hilly region in the middle. The highest point is Bukit Timah, feet (206 meters) above sea level. The climate is tropical with high humidity and abundant rainfall, especially during the northeast monsoon in December to March. The period of the southwest monsoon (June to September) is usually the driest. The main island is fully urbanized with a dense commercial city center to the south. Around the city center are new townships that house about 86 percent of the population. The townships are self-contained and have high-rise apartment blocks, shops, medical and social service buildings, religious buildings, and schools; they are well connected by the Mass Rapid Transport System (MRT), which circles the island. Demography. Singapore has a population of about three million, 2.7 million of whom are citizens and permanent residents. The other three hundred thousand are mainly foreign workers. The Chinese constitute about 78 percent, the Malays 14 percent, the Indians 7 percent, and others 1 percent of the population. The ethnic composition of the population has been relatively stable. Linguistic Affiliation. Singapore is a multilingual state. The national language is Malay, and the four official languages are Malay, English, Indian ( Tamil ), and Chinese (Mandarin). English is the administrative language and the medium of instruction in schools. Pupils also choose one of the "mother tongues": Malay, Tamil, and Chinese. There are various subdialects of the different languages. Symbolism. Economic prosperity and political stability are associated with the national culture, as is the Singaporean concept kiasu. Kiasu means "afraid to lose" and refers to the wish to come in first in lines, competitions, negotiations, and so forth. Some say kiasu keeps standards high, but others claim it leads to a graceless society. The flag is divided into equal red and white horizontal sections symbolizing unity and purity. A white crescent moon and five stars in a circle symbolize a growing nation and the ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality. The national anthem and national motto are in Malay. Other symbols draw on the distinct ethnic traditions. Chinese, Malays, and Indians draw on symbolic materials and ritual practices from their own traditions and for their own purposes. History and Ethnic Relations Emergence of the Nation. Singapore emerged as a nation after 1965. For nearly one hundred fifty years it had been a British colony that was intimately linked to the whole Malay peninsula. Singapore came into being as a British trade port in 1819 and continued as one of the three British "Strait Settlements." In that period, Malays from nearby areas, large numbers of immigrants from China , and later Indian convict laborers moved into the island. The British did little to integrate the population, largely leaving each community to itself. Singapore gained independence in 1959 and joined the Union of Malaya in 1963 but was expelled in 1965. The next five years were marked by the "policy of survival." From 1945 until the early 1970s, the island had severe housing shortages and a poor infrastructure, high criminality and unemployment, racial riots, and communist uprisings. The "survival policy" was based on the attraction of foreign investment through low taxes, the development of an efficient infrastructure, a disciplined workforce, and strict political control. In thirty years Singapore changed from a rough trading port to a rich, orderly, industrialized society. The remembrance of social and economic difficulties influenced the development of a national culture with a focus on wealth and stability and the idea of multiculturalism. National Identity. There is no single dominant national identity. Instead, there are complex identities that draw on a variety of sources and are relevant in different situations, although ethnic identity takes precedence in most situations. Ethnic Relations. Cultural links to India , China, Malaysia, and Indonesia give Singaporeans orientations and loyalties that stretch far beyond the national borders. These differences are superseded by an identification with Singapore as a homeland with wealth and stability. Distance and distinction mark ethnic relations within the country. Urbanism, Architecture, and the Use of Space Singapore is a green city, but it has a very groomed greenness. There are two small national parks. Only at the fringes of the island and on the islets is there rural life, and it is disappearing fast. Highways crisscrossing the island, the huge port on the southern tip, vast industrial areas to the west, and the airport to the east create an air of swift efficiency. The most striking features of the landscape are the high-rise buildings. This is a distinctly modern architecture with roots in the functionalism of the 1960s. In the 1980s and 1990s, there was more diversity in building styles. The typical domicile is a small apartment off the ground. Ethnicity is not an issue in the public use of space; communal differences are clearly discernible in the layout of the interiors of homes and certain town areas. Food and Economy Food in Daily Life. Rice, fish, chicken, and vegetables are the staples. When these ingredients are mixed with a rich variety of spices, chilis, coconuts, lime, and tamarind, the variations are endless. Food is often eaten outside the home in food centers where food is cheap, tasty, and freshly made. There are many cafés, coffeehouses and teahouses, and formal restaurants. Forks and spoons are used, but Chinese food is eaten with chopsticks, and Indian and Malay food may be eaten with the hand. The three main meals are breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most meals are eaten hot. Malays do not eat pork, Indians do not eat beef, and many Buddhist Chinese are part-time vegetarians. Many people do not drink alcohol. Food Customs at Ceremonial Occasions. Special dishes are eaten during the major ceremonial occasions of all three ethnic groups, but none are connected to national celebrations. Basic Economy. Singapore has a fully developed industrial international economy. The country depends heavily on imports, as there are few natural resources on the island. There has been a consistent surplus in the overall balance of payments. There is a large degree of state control of the economy. Land Tenure and Property. There is a large degree of private ownership of houses and apartments. Land tenure is firmly regulated by the government and there are government plans for the use of every inch of the island's territory. Foreigners usually are allowed only to lease land, but they may buy apartments. Commercial Activities, Major Industries, and Trade. Manufacturing is the most important economic sector, followed by financial and business services, commerce, transportation, and communications. Production is mainly for export. The main exports are electronics, refined petroleum products, natural rubber, and palm oil. The main trading partners are Malaysia, the European Union (EU), the United States , Hong Kong , and Japan . Division of Labor. About two-thirds of the resident population is employed. Only 0.2 percent of the members of the workforce are employed in the primary sector, and about 37 percent of employed persons work in commerce and finance and the business sector. Twenty-three percent work in manufacturing, 21 percent in other services, and 18 percent in transportation and communications and construction. The unemployment rate has long been below 3 percent but increased during the recent economic downturn. Chinese are over-represented in professional, technical, administrative, and managerial jobs, whereas Malays are the most underrepresented in highly skilled jobs, with Indians in the middle. The substantial numbers of foreign workers are overrepresented in production and related work. Social Stratification Classes and Castes. There are wide income and wealth differences, but the country is more differentiated by ethnicity than by class. All the ethnic groups have experienced upward occupational mobility. There is an intense focus on education. Good marks are a sure path to good positions with good wages. In this respect, Singapore is a meritocracy. Symbols of Social Stratification. Singaporeans jokingly refer to their desire for the "five C's": car, condominium, credit card, club membership, and career. These are important symbols of wealth and status regardless of ethnicity. There is no national costume, but the orchid is used as a national symbol, and textiles with orchid patterns may be employed as a national symbol on formal occasions. Political Life Government. Singapore is a republic with a parliamentary system. The head of state is the president, who is elected for a fixed term of six years. The parliament is elected in a general compulsory election every five years. There are also six nominated members of the parliament. The cabinet is the executive organ of the state, and execution of government policies is carried out by ministries and statutory boards. Leadership and Political Officials. The People's Action Party (PAP) has maintained a large majority in the parliament since 1965, with only a few seats held by politicians from opposition parties. The road to a political position through the cadre system of the PAP lies in educational and professional merit as well as loyalty. The other parties are led by politicians with strong personalities. Social Problems and Control. The crime rate is low. The judiciary system is based on the British legal system. The death penalty is imposed for drug smuggling, and caning is still used as a punishment. In addition, there are fines or other penalties for a wide range of transgressions, such as throwing litter on the floor, urinating in the elevator, and engaging in politics outside registered political parties. Military Activity. Both military and civil defense are well developed, and the armed forces are equipped. Two and a half years of compulsory military service are required for males. Social Welfare and Change Programs Social welfare is financed through the Central Provident Fund (CPF), a public savings scheme. Employees under age 55 and their employers contribute a fixed amount of a worker's salary into an individual account administered by the CPF. This account provides financial security for old age and can be drawn on for housing and medical and educational costs. Charity is an important aspect of the financing of social welfare. Care of the old, sick, and disabled is in the hands of families and relatives. Three different agencies provide some social services for members of the three ethnic groups. Independent social work units also carry out some social work. Nongovernmental Organizations and Other Associations Many of the nearly five thousand registered societies are directly or indirectly linked to the government. Among the rest, very few can be defined as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in a strict sense, but they form the basis of the civil society. A pattern of division according to ethnic distinction exists, but there are many nonethnic associations and societies. Gender Roles and Statuses Nearly 80 percent of men and about 50 percent of women are employed. Women have joined the workforce in large numbers but are underrepresented in leadership positions in all areas and institutions. Marriage, Family, and Kinship Marriage. Polygamy is allowed among Muslim Malays, but otherwise monogamy is the rule. Interethnic marriages are not common. Divorce is becoming more common. The average age at first marriage has increased, and it is customary for young people to live with their parents until they marry. Domestic Unit. The basic household unit is the nuclear family, which constituted 85 percent of resident households in 1990. Close links with relatives on both the husband's and the wife's sides are usually maintained. The proportion of households without a family nucleus shrank from 26 percent in 1957 to 8 percent in 1980, reflecting the changes from an immigrant to a settled population. Males dominate as heads of households. Inheritance. Traditionally, sons inherited family assets, while daughters were expected to marry out of the family. This pattern is less common today. Kin Groups. Kin groups play a significant role in all ethnic groups, and people often move within wide networks of relatives. Privately, kin groups are important, but politically and economically, they play a marginal role. Socialization Infant Care. Children are brought along in most situations except business and very formal events. Small children are showered with affection. Generally, children are expected to be quiet and obedient and may be physically punished for misbehaving. There is very little free space where children can play and few areas designed specially for children. Child Rearing and Education. Children are thought to hold the key not only to their own future but also to the future of their families, and education is regarded as extremely important. There is a range of private and public nurseries, kindergartens, and play schools. Children start school at age six. Higher Education. There is a great emphasis on higher education. Children spend six years in primary school and four years in secondary school and then go on to a vocational school or university, depending on their grades (a sure way to higher education in Singapore) or money (a university education abroad). Competition for entrance to the best schools is fierce. Etiquette Older people ideally are treated with respect, but wealth and status may supersede age distinctions. A social superior or an authority is treated with much formality. There are great differences between formal and informal events, situations, and places. In social interaction, a certain physical distance is kept, especially between men and women. Food rules of the ethnic groups are always respected. Religion Religious Beliefs. There is freedom of religion with some exceptions. Singapore has been described as one of the most religious countries in the world. The major religions are Islam (Malay), Hinduism (Indians), Buddhism , Taoism , and folk religion (Chinese), along with a substantial number of Christians of various denominations. Religious Practitioners. Religious experts vary from formally installed priests and teachers representing the institutionalized religions to self-ordained shamans, healers, and sorcerers. Rituals and Holy Places. The many Chinese and Indian temples, Malay mosques, and Christian churches are the main public arenas for religious activities. Much religious activity is also carried out in the home. There are different "street festivals" according to the ritual calendars of the different ethnic groups Death and the Afterlife. A funeral is a major ritual for all ethnic group. The idea of an afterlife is generally shared. Medicine and Health Care A well-developed modern medical system consists of private and public clinics and hospitals. Traditional medical beliefs and practices are also common. Secular Celebrations The national holiday is on 31 August and is celebrated with military parades and culture shows at the national stadium. The ethnic public holidays are divided nearly equally among Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Christian holidays. The most important ethnic holidays are the Chinese New Year and the Malay Muslim Rahmadan, both celebrated in January–February, and the Indian Deepavali or Festival of the Light, celebrated around September–October. The Arts and Humanities Literature, Graphic Arts, and Performance Arts. A common complaint is that Singapore has no culture, and the fine arts have a limited public. The government subsidizes some art institutions and events, but generally there is little public funding. The different ethnic groups have their own artistic traditions and focus on arts. The contemporary generation is more focused on contemporary art forms. The State of the Physical and Social Sciences Singapore has well-developed scientific institutions. Priority is given to technology and applied science. There are two universities: the National University of Singapore, a full-scale university with all disciplines, and the Nanyang Technical University. Bibliography Bloodworth, Dennis. The Tiger and the Trojan Horse, 1986. Brazil, David. Street Smart Singapore, 1991. Census of Population, Monograph No. 5. Singapore, 1990. Cheng, Lim Keak. Geographical Analysis of the Singapore Population, 1995. Chua, Beng Huat. Political Legitimacy and Housing. Stake-holding in Singapore, 1997. Clammer, John. The Sociology of Singapore Religion: Studies in Christianity and Chinese Culture, 1991. Craig, JoAnn. Culture Shock: Singapore and Malaysia, 1979. Drysdale, John. Singapore: Struggle for Success, 1984. Hill, Michael, and Kwee Fee Lian. The Politics of Nation Building and Citizenship in Singapore, 1995. Ho, Kong Chong, and Chua Beng Huat. Cultural, Social and Leisure Activities in Singapore, 1995. Huff, W. G. The Economic Growth of Singapore: Trade and Development in the Twentieth Century, 1994. Kuo, Eddie C. Y., and Tong Chee Kiong. Religion in Singapore, 1995. Lai, Ah Eng. Meanings of Multiethnicity: A Case-Study of Ethnicity and Ethnic Relations in Singapore, 2nd ed., 1995. Lee, Edwin. "Community, Family and Household." In Chew C. T. Ernest and Edwin Lee, eds., A History of Singapore, 2nd ed., 1996. Lim, Catherine. Little Ironies: Stories of Singapore, 1978. Pugalenthi Sr. Elections in Singapore, 1996. Tamney, Joseph B. The Struggle over Singapore's Soul: Western Modernization and Asian Culture, 1995. Toh, Mun Heng, and Tay Boon Nga. Households and Housing in Singapore, 1995. Turnbull, C. M. A History of Singapore, 1819–1988, 1989. Yeoh, B. S. A., and L. Kong, eds. Portraits of Places. History, Community and Identity in Singapore, 1995. —Benedicte BrØgger	i don't know
Triops Cancriformis, discovered in Scotland in July 2010 and said by scientists to have the oldest pedigree (over 200m years) of any living animal on Earth is what type of creature?	There's a new polar bear in the world... II \| M3GA V 7.1 There's a new polar bear in the world... II Post by Big Bunny on May 30, 2010 23:15:49 GMT -5 Two New Frog Species Discovered in Panama's Fungal War Zone Top: Pristimantis educatoris, collected in El Cope, in Panama's Omar Torrijos National Park, is about 2-4 centimeters long and has expanded, round and even finger disks and toes that distinguish it from other, closely related species. Its eye color varies from blood red to yellow-orange above and dark purple to dark grey below. The pupil is horizontal. Bottom: Pristimantis adnus, collected on Cerro Piña in the Serrania de Sapo, Pacific coast of Darien Province, Panama. Males are about 2 centimeters long. Length of females: unknown. The skin of the back is shagreen in color with scattered, enlarged granules. It has a small, supratympanic ridge, areolate venter and unconcealed tympanic membrane. Iris may be a rosy-gold color. (Credit: Andrew Crawford / STRI) ScienceDaily (May 26, 2010) — Trying to stay ahead of a deadly disease that has wiped out more than 100 species, scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute continue to discover new frog species in Panama: Pristimantis educatoris, from Omar Torrijos National Park, and P. adnus from Darien Province near the Colombian border. In 1989 researchers realized that frogs were dying around the world. Then they identified the cause: a fungal disease called chytridiomycosis. In 2004 Karen Lips, associate professor at the University of Maryland, sounded the alarm that the disease was devastating highland frogs in Central Panama and spreading across the country to the east. "We are working as hard as we can to find and identify frogs before the disease reaches them, and to learn about a disease that has the power to ravage an entire group of organisms," said Roberto Ibanez, research scientist at STRI and local director of the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project. Since 2005 research institutions and zoos from Panama and the United States have scrambled to collect healthy frogs east of the infected area -- to save them from extinction. The Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project unites eight institutions including STRI and the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, along with Panama's environmental authority, ANAM, in a new effort to raise captive frogs in Panama at Summit Nature Park with support from the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center. While collecting at Omar Torrijos National Park, Lips' team noticed a common frog much bigger than specimens collected elsewhere. Mason Ryan and Tom Giermakowski, from the Museum of Southwestern Biology and the University of New Mexico, compared the frogs' feet and toes with frogs in museum collections, concluding that the bigger frogs were actually a new species. They named this new species P. educatoris. The species name, educatoris, honors Jay M. Savage, emeritus professor of biology at the University of Miami, who taught several generations of students about tropical frogs. Educatoris actually has a double meaning, because females of this species also nurture and care for their developing eggs. In 2008, researchers first detected the fungus to the east of the Panama Canal. During a collecting trip in November 2009 to Chagres National Park, even further to the east, researchers were dismayed to find that most of the frogs there were already infected and dying. On May 20, researchers from the PARC project returned to what they hope are still fungus-free, healthy frog habitats in Darien Province. On an earlier trip organized by members of Eldredge Bermingham's lab at the Smithsonian, another new frog species was collected by researchers from STRI, the University of Panama and the Círculo Herpetológico de Panamá. Its name is based on ADN, the acronym for the Spanish acido deoxiribonucleico, meaning deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, in English. "We chose this name to underscore the usefulness of genetic techniques as we identify these new frog species and determine the relationships between tropical frogs that may look very similar," said Andrew Crawford, professor at University of the Andes and research associate at STRI. These two reports bring the total number of frog species described in Panama and Costa Rica to 197. Nearly 15 percent of these new frogs have been described in the past seven years. The species collection and identification work was supported by Sigma Xi, the American Society of Ichthyology and Herpetology Gaige Fund, Idea Wild, the U.S. National Science Foundation, the Bay and Paul Foundation and the Smithsonian Institution. Both publications credit Panama's ANAM for research and collecting permits. Journal References: 1. Mason J. Ryan, Karen R. Lips, J. Tomasz Giermakowski. New Species of Pristimantis (Anura: Terrarana: Strabomantinae) from Lower Central America. Journal of Herpetology, 2010; 44 (2): 193 DOI: 10.1670/08-280.1 2. A.J. Crawford, M.J. Ryan, C.J. Jaramillo. A New Species of Pristimantis (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the Pacific Coast of the Darien Province, Panama, with a Molecular Analysis of its Phylogenetic Position. Herpetologica, 2010; 66 (2): 192 DOI: 10.1655/09-018R1.1 "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher, 1788-1860 "In the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, breathe the same air, and we all cherish our children’s future." John F. Kennedy Post by Big Bunny on Jun 3, 2010 9:50:35 GMT -5 New, Pink, and Rare Photograph courtesy Karen Gowlett-Holmes Using its fins to walk, rather than swim, along the ocean floor in an undated picture, the pink handfish is one of nine newly named species described in a recent scientific review of the handfish family. Only four specimens of the elusive four-inch (ten-centimeter) pink handfish have ever been found, and all of those were collected from areas around the city of Hobart (map), on the Australian island of Tasmania. Though no one has spotted a living pink handfish since 1999, it's taken till now for scientists to formally identify it as a unique species. The new-species determinations were made based on a number of factors, including number of vertebrae and fin rays, coloration, the presence of scales and spines, and proportional body measurements, according to review author Daniel Gledhill of Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, or CSIRO. All of the world's 14 known species of handfish are found only in shallow, coastal waters off southeastern Australia, the review notes. Even among the previously known species, the fish are poorly studied, the review authors add, and little is known about their biology or behavior. "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher, 1788-1860 "In the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, breathe the same air, and we all cherish our children’s future." John F. Kennedy Post by Big Bunny on Jun 3, 2010 10:01:07 GMT -5 Also Available in Purple Photograph courtesy Andrew Maver Newly described as its own species, the Ziebell's handfish typically has yellow fins, as seen above in a file photo, but the species can also appear with a mottled purplish coloration. Ziebell's handfish is found only in small, isolated populations off Tasmania and is listed as vulnerable in Australia. Today all handfish are found only around southeastern Australia. But about 50 million years ago the animals likely inhabited regions around the world, the CSIRO scientists note. Fossils of the curious creatures have been discovered in the Mediterranean, for example. "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher, 1788-1860 "In the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, breathe the same air, and we all cherish our children’s future." John F. Kennedy Post by Big Bunny on Jun 13, 2010 23:48:27 GMT -5 New Species of Large Blue Butterfly Discovered Coloration of Phengaris xiushani. ( upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/R0010379.JPG/240px-R0010379.JPG ) Phengaris xiushani "Xiushan's Large Blue", the newly discovered species (3: male upper side, 4: under side; 5: female upper side, 6: under side) (Credit: Prof. Min Wang/South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou) ScienceDaily (June 13, 2010) — Chinese and German scientists have found a new butterfly species in the south of China. It is the first known species of the family of large blue butterflies found to live in mountain forests. The new species from northwestern Yunnan was discovered by Prof. Min Wang of the South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China and Dr. Josef Settele of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research -- UFZ, Halle, Germany. The species was described in the open access journal ZooKeys and was named Phengaris xiushani. The large blues belong to the most intensively studied group of butterflies in Eurasia, which is probably due to their "obscure" biology and ecology: They depend on specific plants for food, which in itself is not that surprising. But many of the known species also require a particular ant species to feed on during most of their lives as caterpillars. These specialized food requirements demand specific habitat requirements which have made them vulnerable to climate change and habitat alteration. The discovery of the new species at this time is quite surprising. Unlike the European species (which are well-known under their scientific name Maculinea) the Chinese species, which include both the Maculinea and the Phengaris blues, are not so well studied and monitored due to lack of financial and personnel resources. Consequently, nothing is known on the ecology of this new species, with the exception that it lives in undisturbed forested mountains, where it was discovered -- which makes it different from the other large blues which over the entire range of distribution live in grasslands. The discovery was made in the course of a Chinese-German workshop on butterfly conservation held in Guangzhou in December 2009, funded within the German-Chinese year of Science by BMBF (German Ministry for Science and Education; through the project LepiPub . This study was partly supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (30570211, 40971037) and the FP 6 BiodivERsA project CLIMIT (Climate change impacts on insects and their mitigation; . Reference specimens (the so-called types) are kept in the Insect Collection of the South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China, and the "Senckenberg Museum für Tierkunde" in Dresden, Germany. The name given to the new species refers: (a) to the beautiful mountain on the slopes of which it was found (Xiu-Shan in Chinese means "beautiful mountain"), and (b) the species name was dedicated to Dr. Xiushan Li who worked at UFZ for some years. Journal References: 1. Li et al. On the conservation biology of a Chinese population of the birdwing Troides aeacus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). Journal of Insect Conservation, 2010; 14 (3): 257 DOI: 10.1007/s10841-009-9254-x 2. Settele et al. Notes on and key to the genus Phengaris (s. str.) (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) from mainland China with description of a new species. ZooKeys, 2010; 48 (0): DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.48.415 "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher, 1788-1860 "In the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, breathe the same air, and we all cherish our children’s future." John F. Kennedy Post by Big Bunny on Jun 15, 2010 23:15:40 GMT -5 New to Nature No 10: Hemidactylus gujaratensis Found on a temple wall in Gujarat, this new species of gecko is likely to be one of many the environmentally diverse region yields over time, writes Quentin Wheeler * Quentin Wheeler * The Observer, Sunday 13 June 2010 The temple-dwelling Hemidactylus gujaratensis. Photograph: Aaron Bauer A 24-year-old reptile enthusiast leading a nature tour near Junagadh, India, noticed a gecko on the loose boulders of the walls of the Vagheshwari Mata temple that he recognised as unusual. It proved to be a species new to science, Hemidactylus gujaratensis. Although primarily nocturnal, the species was common at the site which is a popular tourist destination located in disturbed forest (a forest habitat which has been affected by human activity) near the city. The genus is the second largest of the gecko family with 85 species, 24 of which occur in India where the group remains incompletely explored. It's named after the state of Gujarat where diverse habitats are likely to yield additional new reptiles. "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher, 1788-1860 "In the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, breathe the same air, and we all cherish our children’s future." John F. Kennedy Back to Top Post by Big Bunny on Jul 7, 2010 12:24:44 GMT -5 Scientists, including researchers from the University of Aberdeen, have returned from a survey of deep-sea life in the Atlantic Ocean with more than 10 species that are possibly new to science, such as this enteropneust. "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher, 1788-1860 "In the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, breathe the same air, and we all cherish our children’s future." John F. Kennedy Post by Big Bunny on Jul 8, 2010 0:26:59 GMT -5 Rare Creatures from the Deep: Findings May Revolutionize Thinking About Deep-Sea Life in Atlantic Ocean Three putative new species of Enteropneust from the North Atlantic Ocean. (Credit: David Shale) ScienceDaily (July 6, 2010) — Scientists have just returned from a voyage with samples of rare animals and more than 10 possible new species in a trip which they say has revolutionised their thinking about deep-sea life in the Atlantic Ocean. One group of creatures they observed -- and captured -- during their six weeks in the Atlantic aboard the RRS James Cook is believed to be close to the missing evolutionary link between backboned and invertebrate animals. Using the latest technology they also saw species in abundance that until now had been considered rare. Researchers were also surprised to discover such diversity in habitat and marine life in locations just a few miles apart. Scientists were completing the last leg of MAR-ECO -- an international research programme, part of the Census of Marine Life, which is enhancing our understanding of the occurrence, distribution and ecology of animals along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between Iceland and the Azores. The University of Aberdeen is leading the UK contribution to the project which involves scientists from 16 nations. Key collaborators in the UK include Newcastle University and the National Oceanography Centre. During more than 300 hours of diving -- using Isis the UK's deepest diving remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to depths of between 700m right down to 3,600m -- researchers surveyed flat plains, cliff faces and slopes of the giant mountain range that divides the Atlantic Ocean into two halves, east and west. The research was focused in two areas -- beneath the cold waters north of the Gulf Stream and the warmer waters to the south. Professor Monty Priede, Director of the University of Aberdeen's Oceanlab, said: "We were surprised at how different the animals were on either side of the ridge which is just tens of miles apart. "In the west the cliffs faced east and in the east the cliffs faced west. The terrain looked the same, mirror images of each other, but that is where the similarity ended. It seemed like we were in a scene from Alice Through the Looking Glass. "In the north-east, sea urchins were dominant on the flat plains and the cliffs were colourful and rich with sponges, corals and other life. "In the north-west, the cliffs were dull grey bare rock with much less life. The north-west plains were the home of deep-sea enteropneust acorn worms. Only a few specimens, from the Pacific Ocean, were previously known to science. "These worms are members of a little-known group of animals close to the missing link in evolution between backboned and invertebrate animals. "The creatures were observed feeding and leaving characteristic spiral traces on the sea floor. "They have no eyes, no obvious sense organs or brain but there is a head end, tail end and the primitive body plan of back-boned animals is established. One was observed showing rudimentary swimming behaviour. "By the end of the expedition three different species were discovered each with a different colour, pink, purple and white with distinctly different shapes." Using the remotely operated vehicle, high quality complete specimens of all three different-coloured species were captured and will be sent to specialists for further investigations. Sea cucumbers, or holothurians, normally seen crawling incredibly slowly over the flat abyssal plains of the ocean floor, were found on steep slopes, small ledges and rock faces of the underwater mountain range. Comb jellyfish Holothurian Trachymedusa Researchers were also surprised to see that they were very able and fast moving swimmers and unique video sequences were recorded of swimming holothurians. Professor Priede said: "This expedition has revolutionised our thinking about deep-sea life in the Atlantic Ocean. It shows that we cannot just study what lives around the edges of the ocean and ignore the vast array of animals living on the slopes and valleys in the middle of the Ocean. "Using new technology and precise navigation we can access these regions and discover things we never suspected existed." Dr Andrey Gebruk, Shirshov Institute, Moscow, said: "We were surprised how species, elsewhere considered rare, were found in abundance on the Mid Atlantic Ridge and we were finding new species up to the last minute of the last dive in the voyage." Dr Dan Jones, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, surveyed over 50,000 square metres of sea floor in high definition detail and said: "We successfully completed one of the most detailed video surveys of the deep sea ever attempted. The Isis ROV with its cutting-edge technology gives us the potential to understand more and more of the mysterious deep sea environment." Newcastle University's Dr Ben Wigham has been working on the project for the past four years studying the biology of animals living on the ridge. "We are interested in how these animals are feeding in areas of the deep-sea where food is often scarce" he said. "The differences we see in the diversity of species and numbers of individuals may well be related to how they are able to process and share out a rather common but meagre food supply, we certainly see indications that there are differences between the north and south regions of the ridge." "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher, 1788-1860 "In the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, breathe the same air, and we all cherish our children’s future." John F. Kennedy Post by Big Bunny on Jul 19, 2010 12:20:01 GMT -5 Found: Sri Lankan primate thought to be extinct for 60 years Researchers photograph and measure the Horton Plains slender loris, but fear there could be fewer than 100 left alive * Lewis Smith * The Guardian, Monday 19 July 2010 The Horton Plains slender loris was pictured in central Sri Lanka by the Zoological Society of London and Sri Lankan researchers. Photograph: London Zoo A mysterious primate driven to the brink of extinction by Britain's taste for tea has been photographed for the first time. The Horton Plains slender loris, found only in Sri Lanka, was for more than 60 years believed to be extinct. Then one was spotted fleetingly in 2002 when a light shone in its eyes and was reflected. Researchers have now managed to get the world's first pictures of the animal. More than 1,000 night surveys were carried out in 120 forested regions by Sri Lankan researchers working in partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). The loris was found in half a dozen regions and researchers managed to capture three live specimens long enough to measure them. The prime reason for the animal's rarity is the loss of its natural forest habitat, which has been largely destroyed by the drive to create tea plantations. The loss of land to other crops also contributed. Estimates suggest there are just 100 left, putting it among the world's top five most threatened primates. But so little is known about the animal that numbers could be below 60 – which would make it the rarest species. Dr Craig Turner of ZSL said: "There's been a lot of loss of habitat historically. Forest covered much of the south-west area of Sri Lanka, but it's been cleared for agriculture and tea estates. "More recently they've been cleared for firewood collection. We are now left with a very few islands of forest that aren't connected. "Because they [lorises] are so rare and because for many years they were thought to be extinct, virtually nothing is known about them." www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/19/horton-plains-slender-loris-found Last Edit: Jul 19, 2010 19:19:38 GMT -5 by Big Bunny "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher, 1788-1860 "In the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, breathe the same air, and we all cherish our children’s future." John F. Kennedy Post by Big Bunny on Jul 31, 2010 10:25:28 GMT -5 World's most ancient creatures found in Scottish field Two colonies of age-old and endangered tadpole shrimps discovered alive and well near Solway coast * Ian Sample, science correspondent * guardian.co.uk, Thursday 29 July 2010 19.55 BST The tadpole shrimp, Triops cancriformis, which was part of two colonies found at Caerlaverock on the Solway Coast of Dumfriesshire. Photograph: Edmund Fellowes/PA A field near Gretna in Dumfriesshire might not be an obvious place to find the world's oldest living creatures, but a team of scientists has done just that. Two colonies of a prehistoric shrimp that evolved when the dinosaurs ruled the Earth have been found alive and well in the Caerlaverock nature reserve on the Solway coast. The discovery has led experts to think there could be more of the little crustaceans, which are listed as endangered species, elsewhere in the area. The ancient creatures, known as Triops cancriformis or tadpole shrimps, are thought to have the oldest pedigree of any living animal. Fossil evidence suggests they have hardly changed in the more than 200m years that they have been around. Wild tadpole shrimps can grow to more than 10cm long and are remarkable in surviving three major extinctions in the Earth's history. The shrimps have an extraordinary lifecycle. They live in temporary pools of water in which they lay eggs. When the pools dry out, the adults die off, but their eggs remain dormant until the pools fill up again. Researchers at Glasgow University discovered the rare shrimps after collecting samples of mud, which were dried out and then made wet again before being placed in glass tanks. A fortnight later Elaine Benzies, a research student, noticed a tadpole shrimp swimming around in one of the aquariums. "I hadn't expected to find it and was just going in to check on the heat and lights. It was great to see everyone in the lab gathering round and peering into the tank to look at this ancient survivor from the past," she said. Until recently, researchers believed the ancient shrimps lived only in a single pond in the New Forest in Hampshire. Six years ago, Larry Griffin, a scientist at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, discovered what appeared to be an isolated colony of the creatures in a pool at Caerlaverock. "At the time it seemed that the Caerlaverock colony was a vulnerable historic outlier," he said. "But now that we know how this curious creature survives, we have realised that there's a good chance there are more populations out there. "Triops matures rapidly and produces hundreds of eggs in just a couple of weeks. The pond they live in may dry out, but the eggs can survive in the mud for many years. Although in the UK they are all females, they have both male and female reproductive parts, so just one egg needs to survive to regenerate a whole population." "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher, 1788-1860 "In the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, breathe the same air, and we all cherish our children’s future." John F. Kennedy Post by Big Bunny on Aug 1, 2010 9:29:52 GMT -5 Biologists Help Save Endangered Pallid Sturgeon TTU graduate student Michelle Casto-Yerty releasing a likely pallid sturgeon after taking some measurements and a fin clip for genetic analysis. (Credit: Image courtesy of Tennessee Technological University) www.fisheries.org/units/AFSmontana/SSCpages/SSC.htm ScienceDaily (July 23, 2010) — Fisheries researchers at Tennessee Tech University found one piece of a scientific puzzle that just may help save an endangered species from extinction. The pallid sturgeon is known as the "dinosaur" of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers and has been on the endangered species list since 1990. This primitive species has been around since the late Cretaceous period 70 million years ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Today, there are believed to be fewer than 10,000 left in the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to make a determination in September whether to invoke the "Similarity of Appearance" provision under the Endangered Species Act to protect the pallid sturgeon from incidental catch by commercial fishermen. Doing so will end commercial fishing for the more abundant shovelnose sturgeon in the Tennessee waters of the Mississippi River. The shovelnose sturgeon fishery is a valuable one in Tennessee. Female shovelnose sturgeon are harvested for their eggs, which are processed for caviar. A pound of the pre-processed eggs wholesales for about $100, and an average mature female shovelnose sturgeon can produce about half a pound of eggs. Scientists believe the endangered pallid sturgeon is no longer reproducing in its natural habitat in sustainable numbers because the rivers have been so altered by dams and channelization. TTU scientists have now proven that commercial fishing is having a direct and detrimental impact on the species as well. "Biologists elsewhere were concerned because endangered pallid sturgeon was showing up in fish markets occasionally. Those same biologists began noticing that wherever you allow fishing for the common shovelnose sturgeon, you don't see large, old pallid sturgeon," said Phil Bettoli, a TTU biology professor and assistant unit leader for the U.S. Geological Survey's Cooperative Fishery Research Unit based at Tech. State wildlife officials asked Bettoli's team to research the problem of incidental catch of pallid sturgeon. To do so, he and his graduate student accompanied commercial fishermen in Tennessee during the 2007 fishing season and documented several occasions where the endangered fish was being harvested in gill nets alongside the more plentiful shovelnose sturgeon. The incidental catch rate in the Mississippi River was about 2 percent, Bettoli said. The endangered species also was being captured and killed in "ghost nets" lost or left behind in the river. "It turns out that unless it's a big pallid sturgeon with its distinctive pale coloration, they're really hard to tell apart from the shovelnose sturgeon," he said. "We often had to take a tissue sample and send it to a genetics lab in order to positively identify them after the fact." The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published its initial proposed rule announcement in the Federal Register Sept. 22, 2009, and the public comment period closed in February 2010. A determination whether to close the fishery is expected in late August or early September and should be published in the register by Sept. 22, 2010. "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher, 1788-1860 "In the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, breathe the same air, and we all cherish our children’s future." John F. Kennedy Post by Big Bunny on Aug 3, 2010 21:30:49 GMT -5 Australian waters ranked most biologically diverse By Dani Cooper for ABC Science Online Updated Tue Aug 3, 2010 2:51pm AEST Researchers estimate about 250,000 species of marine life in Australian waters remain unknown. (Reuters: Ho New) Australia's waters have been ranked as being the most biologically diverse in the world, yet up to 80 per cent of the species in it have yet to be discovered, a new study has shown. In one of the final studies of the International Census of Marine Life, a survey of Australian waters has revealed it contains 32,889 known species, just pipping Japan with 32,777 known species. The authors also estimate another 17,000-odd named species are also believed to occur in Australian waters, but have yet to be included in databases. The findings appear in a series of papers published today in PLoS One, in the lead-up to the close of the 10-year census due on October 4. Involving more than 2,000 scientists from more than 80 nations, the census is one of the largest global scientific collaborations yet undertaken, according to organisers. Australian study lead author Dr Alan Butler, of CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, says the survey of Australia's marine jurisdictional area, included offshore and sub-Antarctic islands and stretched to the tropical waters of the north. The 9 million square kilometre zone includes 36,000 kilometres of coastline, 12,000 islands and spans 5000 kilometres from temperate to tropical latitudes. "This constitutes a vast array of highly diverse habitats and ocean features; many have received limited, if any, exploration," Dr Butler and colleagues write. 'Needle in a haystack' Dr Butler says trying to determine exactly what lies beneath Australia's territorial waters is akin to "finding a needle in a haystack". He says although technology is improving researchers will probably never document every piece of ocean life. "Imagine trying to study the flora and fauna of the Blue Mountains by flying over it in a helicopter in the dark with a hook on a line hanging down; it's a needle in a haystack." Dr Butler and colleagues "crudely estimate" about 250,000 species of marine life in Australian waters currently remain unknown. He says this figure is based on the findings of fieldwork that shows "whenever we do sampling about 80 per cent of what we find is new". The paper draws upon field work and databases of the Australian Faunal Directory, Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota, Online Zoological Collections of Australian Museums, and the Australian node of the Ocean Biogeographic Information System to come to its conclusions. Dr Butler says most of the known species live above two kilometres down in the ocean, with the vast majority of explored areas along the shallower waters of the continental shelf. He says the deepest ocean that has been surveyed is four kilometres deep, using equipment borrowed from the United States. The greatest depth in Australian waters lies between five kilometres and six kilometres. Marine diversity In the Australian study, the largest group of known species is the mollusc family, with 8,525 species. But Dr Butler says this might not reflect the relative percentage of molluscs in Australia's oceans. "We may have a lot of molluscs known because we had a good expertise in the field," he said. The study identified 5,184 species of fish, and although the Great Barrier Reef has been widely studied, Dr Butler says new species of fish are still being found. The survey shows most of Australia's endemic sea life lives in the south and has evolved since the split with Gondawana about 80 million years ago, says Dr Butler. The north is a major "biodiversity hotspot" with a vast number of species that are common to south-east Asian waters. Dr Butler says although the paper shows a challenge remains, he hopes it "heightens the feeling that we should look after what we have". "We are custodians of a huge zone with a huge number of species," he said, adding that it is important to protect "whole systems" rather than single species. "More and more the evidence shows [that] if you replace a jungle with a wheat field you make it impoverished and more vulnerable to collapse." www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/03/2972318.htm First posted Tue Aug 3, 2010 4:31pm AEST "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher, 1788-1860 "In the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, breathe the same air, and we all cherish our children’s future." John F. Kennedy Back to Top Post by Big Bunny on Aug 5, 2010 12:42:29 GMT -5 What Lives in the Sea? Census of Marine Life Publishes Historic Roll Call of Species in 25 Key World Areas Imagine living in the sea where it is permanently dark, cold, and food is hard to find. For many animals at depth it may be weeks to months between meals. If you find something to eat, you have to hang on to it. This is why so many deep-sea fishes have lots of big teeth. This dragonfish even has teeth on its tongue! They would be terrifying animals if they weren't the size of a banana. (Credit: Dr. Julian Finn, Museum Victoria) ScienceDaily (Aug. 3, 2010) — Representing the most comprehensive and authoritative answer yet to one of humanity's most ancient questions -- "what lives in the sea?" -- Census of Marine Life scientists today released an inventory of species distribution and diversity in key global ocean areas. Scientists combined information collected over centuries with data obtained during the decade-long Census to create a roll call of species in 25 biologically representative regions -- from the Antarctic through temperate and tropical seas to the Arctic. Their papers help set a baseline for measuring changes that humanity and nature will cause. Published by the open access journal PLoS ONE, the landmark collection of papers and overview synthesis will help guide future decisions on exploration of still poorly-explored waters, especially the abyssal depths, and provides a baseline for still thinly-studied forms, especially small animals. Australian and Japanese waters, which each feature almost 33,000 forms of life that have earned the status of "species" (and thus a scientific name such as Carcharodon carcharias, a.k.a. the great white shark), are by far the most biodiverse. The oceans off China, the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico round out the top five areas most diverse in known species. In a prelude to the ultimate summary of the landmark, decade-long marine census, to be released Oct. 4 in London, national and regional committees of the Census compiled the inventory of known and new species in the 25 key marine regions. The 13 committees include over 360 scientists whose collective knowledge, including published and unpublished data, was assembled to create the initial profile of known marine biodiversity in Antarctica, Atlantic Europe, Australia, Baltic Sea, Brazil, Canada (East, West and Arctic), Caribbean Sea, China, Indian Ocean, Japan, Mediterranean Sea, New Zealand, South Africa, South America (Tropical East Pacific and Tropical West Atlantic), South Korea, the Humboldt Current, the Patagonian Shelf, and the USA (Northeast, Southeast, Hawaii, Gulf of Mexico, and California). Major inventories continue in highly diverse areas such as Indonesia, Madagascar and the Arabian Sea, which have yet to report. Scientists find that the number of known, named species contained in the 25 areas ranged from 2,600 to 33,000 and averaged about 10,750, which fall into a dozen groups. On average, about one-fifth of all species were crustaceans which, with mollusks and fish, make up half of all known species on average across the regions. The full breakdown follows: * 19% Crustaceans (including crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill and barnacles), * 17% Mollusca (including squid, octopus, clams, snails and slugs) * 12% Pisces (fish, including sharks) * 10% Protozoa (unicellular micro-organisms) * 10% algae and other plant-like organisms * 7% Annelida (segmented worms) * 5% Cnidaria (including sea anemones, corals and jellyfish) * 3% Platyhelminthes (including flatworms) * 3% Echinodermata (including starfish, brittle stars, sea urchins, sand dollars and sea cucumbers) * 3% Porifera (including sponges) * 2% Bryozoa (mat or 'moss animals') * 1% Tunicata (including sea squirts) The rest are other invertebrates (5%) and other vertebrates (2%). The scarce 2% of species in the "other vertebrates" category includes whales, sea lions, seals, sea birds, turtles and walruses. Thus some of the best-known marine animals comprise a tiny part of marine biodiversity. The authors note that their work constitutes a roll call of marine plant and animal species -- either present or unknown in 25 regions. It does not represent their abundance or biomass. The most cosmopolitan species Many species appear in more than one region. Current holders of the title "most cosmopolitan" marine species are two opposite kinds: microscopic plants (algae) and single-celled animals called protozoa and copepod in the plankton, and the seabirds and marine mammals that traverse the oceans throughout their lives. Among fish, the manylight viperfish (Chauliodus sloani) can be considered the Everyman of the deep ocean. Census data shows the fish has been recorded in more than one-quarter of the world's marine waters. How the microscopic species can be cosmopolitan is still a subject of research, and may be due to their ability to survive unsuitable environmental conditions and then reach enormous abundance in a suitable environment. Says Patricia Miloslavich of Universidad Simón Bolívar, Venezuela, co-senior scientist of the Census and leader of the regional studies: "To create this baseline, the Census of Marine Life explored new areas and new ecosystems, discovering new species and records of species in new places. "We reviewed what had been documented through the huge efforts of scientists in years past. However, most of this information was scattered or unavailable except at a very local level. The Census has made a tremendous contribution by bringing order to chaos. This previously scattered information is now all reviewed, analyzed and presented in a collection of papers at an open access journal." Says lead author of the summary, Mark Costello of the Leigh Marine Laboratory, University of Auckland, New Zealand: "Sparse, uneven marine sampling in much of the world underlies this initial inventory, and future research will undoubtedly alter the profile presented today." He adds that finding such great difference in the proportions of species across regions challenges assumptions that scientists can extrapolate knowledge of biodiversity from one location to another. "This inventory was urgently needed for two reasons," says Dr. Costello. "First, dwindling expertise in taxonomy impairs society's ability to discover and describe new species. And secondly, marine species have suffered major declines -- in some cases 90% losses -- due to human activities and may be heading for extinction, as happened to many species on land." Regional results (please see full details in the table appended below): * Even less diverse regions such as the Baltic or Northeast USA still have about 4,000 known species. * Relative to its volume of water, the Baltic, followed by China, has some of the highest known diversity. * Relative to their seabed area, South Korea, China, South Africa and the Baltic, had most species. * The relative contribution of different kinds of life to the species in each region varied greatly and enigmatically. While variation in research effort may be part of the explanation, it also seems that species have not flourished equally around the world. * Crustaceans (including crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill and barnacles) contributed 22% to 35% of species for Alaska, Antarctica, Arctic, Brazil, California, Caribbean, and Humboldt regions, but only 10% for the Baltic. * Mollusks (clams, snails, squid and slugs) contributed 26% of the species in Australia and Japan, but only 5% to 7% of the species in the Baltic, California, Arctic, and eastern and western Canada. * Fish comprised 28% of species in the Tropical West Atlantic and Southeast USA, but only 3% to 6% for the Arctic, Antarctica, Baltic, and Mediterranean; * Of the less species-rich groups, Annelida (worms) contributed 28% of the species for the Tropical Eastern Pacific, but only 3% for Japan. * Plants and algae (mostly algae) contributed about one third of species in the Baltic, Arctic, Atlantic Europe, and Western Canada, but few in Antarctica, Caribbean, China, Humboldt, Tropical Eastern Pacific, and Tropical Western Atlantic. Where to find unique, "endemic" or alien invasive species * The number of unique "endemic" species seen nowhere else on Earth provides another measure of biodiversity. The relatively isolated regions Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and South Africa have the most endemic species. They may have suffered fewer extinctions from climate cooling thousands of years ago during glaciation. Or, species from regions that escaped glaciers may have reached them more easily when the glaciers melted. * Endemics comprise about half of New Zealand and Antarctic marine species and a quarter of those in Australian and South Africa. The waters of the Caribbean, China, Japan, and Mediterranean each have less than 2,000 endemic species, and the Baltic only 1 -- a seaweed (Fucus radicans). * To encounter invasive species, visit the Mediterranean. It had the most alien species among the 25 regions with over 600 (4% of the all species inventoried), most of which arrived from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. * Many aliens have also invaded the European Atlantic, New Zealand, Australian Pacific, and Baltic waters. Mollusks, crustaceans, and fish were the most common invading aliens. Says Dr. Ian Poiner, CEO of the Australian Institute for Marine Science and Chair of the Census Scientific Steering Committee: "Consider that a well-informed person walking along a familiar seashore might identify 20 species or so; a fish monger perhaps 100. Even in the world's least diverse marine regions, there are 50 to 100 times as many named species than an expert would know without resorting to field guides." Many of the species records used for the report are part of the 10-year-old Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS), a massive global database of what/where records and a major Census legacy. An interested person can find precise places on a world map where a marine organism has been reliably observed. OBIS has consolidated almost 30 million records from the Census projects and more than 800 databases contributed by institutions around the world." Says Edward Vanden Berghe, who leads development and management of the database: "A map of records in OBIS today underlines the uneven sampling of oceanic regions," he adds. "So even as records accumulate, the importance of orderly sampling grows." Almost all the species in the key regional areas are included in the unprecedented list of 185,000 marine species created by the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), an affiliate of the Census of Marine Life. How much is unknown? In October, the Census will release its latest estimate of all marine species known to science, including those still to be added to WoRMS and OBIS. This is likely to exceed 230,000. According to a recent open access Census of Marine Life paper in Zootaxa by US expert Bill Eschmeyer and colleagues, the number of marine fish species in mid-February stood at 16,764, and was growing at a rate of 100 to 150 per year. They estimate about 5,000 marine fish species have yet to be discovered and described -- twice the number described in the last 19 years -- for a projected total of approximately 21,800 marine fish species around the world. And for every marine species of all kinds known to science, Census scientists estimate that at least four have yet to be discovered. In a few taxonomic groups, like fish, scientists believe more than 70% of species have been discovered, but for most other groups likely less than one-third are known. Scientists believe that the tropics, deep-seas and southern hemisphere hold the most undiscovered marine species. The proportion of species not yet described is estimated at 39 to 58% in Antarctica, 38% for South Africa, 70% for Japan, 75% for the Mediterranean deep-sea, and more than 80% for Australia. New Zealand has more than 4,100 undescribed species in its specimen collections, which would comprise 25% of the country's known marine species, but clearly is a minimum estimate because many species have not been collected and distinguished in collections. Citizens of the Sea "At the end of the Census of Marine Life, most ocean organisms still remain nameless and their numbers unknown," says renowned biologist Nancy Knowlton of the Smithsonian Institution, leader of the Census' coral reef project and author of a new book published by the National Geographic Society for release September 14. "Citizens of the Sea: Wondrous Creatures from the Census of Marine Life" is one of three books marking the Census' conclusion. "This is not an admission of failure. The ocean is simply so vast that, after 10 years of hard work, we still have only snapshots, though sometimes detailed, of what the sea contains. But it is an important and impressive start." Dr. Knowlton's book, written in everyday language and populated with scores of images, draws on discoveries of Census scientists and their colleagues, past and present. It chronicles "the variety, beauty, weirdness and wonder that characterizes life in the sea." "The sea today is in trouble," says Dr. Knowlton. "Its citizens have no vote in any national or international body, but they are suffering and need to be heard. Much has changed just in the few decades that I have spent on and under the sea, but it remains a wondrous and enriching place, and with care it can become even more so." Greatest threats According to the Census studies published in PLoS ONE, the main threats to marine life to date have been overfishing, lost habitat, invasive species and pollution, although the relative importance of the threats varied among regions. Emerging threats include rising water temperature and acidification, and the enlargement of areas characterized by low oxygen content (called hypoxia) of seawater. These too will vary regionally (surface temperature, for example) whereas others are more global (such as acidification). Overfishing not only depletes the exploited fish themselves but also depletes other species like turtles, albatrosses, sharks and mammals, caught unintentionally. It alters food webs within ecosystems. Coastal urbanization, sediment runoff and nutrients in sewage and fertilizer washed from the land and causing eutrophication and hypoxia are destroying marine habitats. The more enclosed seas -- Mediterranean, Gulf of Mexico, China's shelves, Baltic, and Caribbean -- were reported to have the most threatened biodiversity. State-of-knowledge index Census scientists created a relative "state-of-knowledge index," grading each region according to how well it was known, including the availability of guides to the identification of species and their number of taxonomic experts. In a nutshell, the studies found that while the depth of knowledge varies across regions, knowledge in all regions is inadequate. Australia, China and all three European regions scored the highest index results while the Tropical West Atlantic, Tropical East Pacific and Canadian Arctic were well below average. But, even in regions with the highest index scores, knowledge of marine biodiversity is poor. In Australia it is estimated that only about 10% of marine life in its Exclusive Economic Zone is known. Scientists say the availability of comprehensive species identification guides strongly boost the discovery and management of marine biodiversity resources. "We must increase our knowledge of unknown biodiversity more quickly, lest much of it is lost without even being discovered," says Dr. Miloslavich. "International sharing of data, expertise and resources, as has been accomplished through the Census of Marine Life, is the most cost-effective way of achieving this." The Census papers collection, freely available Aug. 2 at PLoS ONE (www.coml.org/plos-one-collections), includes links to maps, databases and a suite of the first nine regional papers on which the summary drew, with several more to be added in weeks to come. And there are Census reports on several more regions anticipated in years to come. An exploration currently underway in the species-rich Timor and Arafura Seas, facilitated by Dr. Antonio (Tonny) Wagey, leader of the Census' National Committee in Indonesia, will enrich the Indonesian report. Another this past spring, led by Philippe Bouchet of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, discovered a vast array of marine life in the Deep South of Madagascar. Journal References: 1. Ron O'Dor, Patricia Miloslavich, Kristen Yarincik. Marine Biodiversity and Biogeography - Regional Comparisons of Global Issues, an Introduction. PLoS ONE: Overview, published 02 Aug 2010, 2010; DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011871 2. Mark John Costello, Marta Coll, Roberto Danovaro, Pat Halpin, Henn Ojaveer, Patricia Miloslavich Patricia Miloslavich. A Census of Marine Biodiversity Knowledge, Resources, and Future Challenges. PLoS ONE, 2010; DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012110 Post by Big Bunny on Aug 5, 2010 22:58:20 GMT -5 Dragonfish, Fireworm, More Found by Sea Surveys Fang-Tongued Fish Photograph courtesy Julian Finn, Museum Victoria Australia's "terrifying" dragonfish (pictured) uses its many fangs—which even stud its tongue—to hook hard-to-find prey in the cold, dark depths, scientists say. The banana-size fish is one of tens of thousands of both known and new species included in a new inventory released today by the Census of Marine Life, a decade-long ocean-exploration project. The first-of-its-kind "roll call" of marine species from 25 diverse ocean regions is a prelude to the census's final summary of up to 230,000 species to be released October 4, census scientists say. To create the inventory—published Monday in the journal PloS One—scientists combined years of census data with previous research on the richness of ocean species. Species counts in each of the 25 areas ranged from 2,600 to 33,000, with an average of about 10,750 per region. Altogether census scientists found more than a hundred thousand species in the 25 regions. "This inventory was urgently needed for two reasons," report lead author Mark Costello, of the Leigh Marine Laboratory at New Zealand's University of Auckland, said in a statement. First, not knowing what species ply the oceans "impairs society's ability to discover and describe new species," Costello said. The research may also serve as a base line, helping scientists to track future extinctions: "Marine species have suffered major declines—in some cases 90 percent losses—due to human activities and may be heading for extinction—as happened to many species on land." August 2, 2010 Spider Conch Photograph courtesy Shaoqing Wang Found in China, the spider conch (pictured) is a mollusk, one of the most common groups of species in the new Census of Marine Life inventory. Mollusks such as squid, octopus, snails, and slugs make up 17 percent of the named species found. Only crustaceans, such as crabs and lobsters, were more plentiful, at 19 percent, the report says. Well-known marine vertebrates such as whales and sea lions make up less than 2 percent of the survey, scientists noted. Corpse Nursery Photograph courtesy H. Bahena, Felder, D. L. and Camp, D. K. (eds.) 2009. Gulf of MexicoOrigins, Waters, and Biota. Vol. 1. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas. Phronima sedentaria sets up house by attacking and then hollowing out a transparent jellyfish-like animal called a salpa (as pictured). The tiny crustacean then lays its eggs inside the "barrel," according to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. When the babies hatch inside, the female, now outside the barrel, "watches over" her babies by pulling the makeshift nursery around via hooked claws. Phronima's native Gulf of Mexico is among the five most diverse areas surveyed in the new inventory, along with China, the Mediterranean Sea, Australia, and Japan, according to the new Census of Marine Life report. For instance, Australia and Japan are each home to about 33,000 species. By contrast less diverse regions such as the Baltic or the northeastern U.S. each have about 4,000 known species. Venus Flytrap of the Sea Photograph by I. MacDonald, Felder, D. L. and Camp, D. K. (eds.) 2009. Gulf of MexicoOrigins, Waters, and Biota. Vol. 1. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas. "Stunningly beautiful but deadly," the Gulf of Mexico's Venus flytrap anemone (pictured) acts much like its terrestrial namesake, stinging its prey with an array of tentacles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The species' native Gulf—along with the Mediterranean, China, the Baltic, and the Caribbean—are most under threat from human activities, the Census of Marine Life report noted. For instance, nutrients in sewage and fertilizer washed from the land are degrading these marine habitats by creating oxygen-free "dead zones," the report says. What's more, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill may worsen these dead zones, as well as wield untold damage to the animals at the bottom of the food chain. Bearded Fireworm Photo courtesy Eduardo Klein The bearded fireworm's rows of white bristles (pictured) are filled with venom that easily penetrates flesh and creates an "intense burning irritation"—hence the species' name—according to the Census of Marine Life report. The worm lives in the Caribbean Sea, one of the ocean regions with the fewest native species, according to the new report. Native species make up about half of New Zealand and Antarctica's marine species and a quarter of those in Australia and South Africa. Flashing Jellyfish Photo courtesy JAMSTEC Japan's deep-dwelling jellyfish Atolla wyvillei (pictured) has developed a clever "burglar alarm": When attacked by a predator, the creature lights up in hopes of attracting a bigger predator that will eat the jellyfish's attacker, according to the Census of Marine Life report and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Eighty percent of all creatures known to produce light-emitting chemicals live in the oceans. The phenomenon of bioluminescence is still poorly understood. Unknown Octopus Photograph by I. MacDonald. Felder, D. L. and Camp, D. K. (eds.) 2009. Gulf of MexicoOrigins, Waters, and Biota. Vol. 1. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas. An as yet unnamed deepwater octopus species (pictured) of the Benthoctopus genus moves across an 8,600-foot-deep (2,700-meter-deep) Gulf of Mexico seafloor in an undated picture. In addition to the 25 ocean areas surveyed by Census of Marine Life scientists, major species inventories continue in highly diverse areas such as Indonesia, Madagascar, and the Arabian Sea, according to the new report. Red-Lined Paper Bubble Photograph courtesy Yoshihiro FUJIWARA/JAMSTEC A relative of the snail, the red-lined paper bubble (pictured) was found feeding on a sperm whale carcass off Japan's Kyushu Islands. The deep seas, the tropics, and the Southern Hemisphere hold the most undiscovered species, according to census scientists. "At the end of the Census of Marine Life, most ocean organisms still remain nameless and their numbers unknown," marine biologist Nancy Knowlton, leader of the the census's coral reef project, said in a statement. "This is not an admission of failure," added Knowlton, also of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California. "The ocean is simply so vast that, after ten years of hard work, we still have only snapshots, though sometimes detailed, of what the sea contains. But it is an important and impressive start." Post by Big Bunny on Aug 6, 2010 5:46:28 GMT -5 "Spectacular" Deep-Sea Species Found off Canada New Purple Octopus? Photograph courtesy Bedford Institute of Oceanography An unidentified purple octopus (pictured) is one of 11 potentially new species found this month during a deep-sea expedition off Canada's Atlantic coast, scientists say. Still at sea, a team of Canadian and Spanish researchers is using a remotely operated vehicle called ROPOS for dives off Newfoundland with a maximum depth of about 9,800 feet (3,000 meters). The 20-day expedition aims to uncover relationships between cold-water coral and other bottom-dwelling creatures in a pristine yet "alien" environment, according to the researchers' blog. "It's been really spectacular," Ellen Kenchington, research scientist with the Fisheries Department of Canada—one of the organizations involved in the project—told Canada's CTV News website. "It's really changing our perception of the diversity that's out there. ... We're seeing new species in deeper waters." Unidentified Sea Pen Photograph courtesy Bedford Institute of Oceanography An unidentified sea pen (pictured) belonging to the order Pennatulacea has been discovered during the July 2010 expedition on the Atlantic coast off Newfoundland. Actually soft corals, sea pens are so named because their rows of polyps resemble old-fashioned quill pens, according to the University of California Museum of Paleontology. Remotely Operated Vehicle Photograph courtesy Bedford Institute of Oceanography The expedition's remotely operated vehicle (vehicle arm pictured next to an unidentified object) observed and cataloged a deep seafloor region off the Flemish Cap (see map) that's never been subject to trawling or other human activities, according to the project blog. Punctuated by large rock outcrops, the seafloor is covered in coral and sponge species never, or only rarely, seen by scientists. Solitary Cup Coral Photograph courtesy Bedford Institute of Oceanography ROPOS, the expedition's remotely operated vehicle, had a high-definition digital camera, which captured several images of rare species, such as this flower-like solitary cup coral. These cup corals are also common off North America's Pacific Coast, according to Louisiana State University. Vase Sponge Photograph courtesy Bedford Institute of Oceanography A possibly new species of vase sponge was one of the bottom dwellers discovered during the expedition. The simplest multicellular animals, sponges have no organs but possess many "pores," which lead to canals and chambers, according to Bellarmine University. Coral With Sea Anemones Photograph courtesy Bedford Institute of Oceanography Bright pink anemones "decorate" polyps of coral in the Paramuricea species in a picture taken during the July 2010 expedition off Newfoundland. Sea anemones are coral relatives that usually attach to rock or coral. The animals have stinging tentacles that can paralyze and entangle small prey, according to the U.S. National Museum of Natural History. Unidentified Sponge Photograph courtesy Bedford Institute of Oceanography This unrecognizable sponge species (pictured) is among the "major biological highlights" found on volcanic mounds off Newfoundland on July 20, according to the project blog. "What an unexpected dive!" project scientists wrote after seeing this sponge, black corals, and other oddities. New Species of Bivalve Photograph courtesy Bedford Institute of Oceanography This recently identified species of bivalve mollusk was also discovered in the July survey of the Newfoundland depths. Bivalves—known for their "hinged," two-sided shells—can burrow into sediment or live on the ocean floor, according to the University of California Museum of Paleontology. Some species even snap their shells open and shut to swim. "Spectacular" Sponges Photograph courtesy Bedford Institute of Oceanography This "spectacularly dense" bed of large white sponges of the family Geodiidae was captured during the Newfoundland project's last dive, according to the expedition blog. The final dive, which covered a 4,000-foot-deep (1,200-meter-deep) span of water, revealed a vast array of habitats, from cliffside terraces full of sponges and corals to sandy bottoms nearly devoid of life. Post by Big Bunny on Aug 8, 2010 12:22:59 GMT -5 New to Nature No 17: Stiphrornis pyrrholaemus This flame-throated African forest robin comes from the dense forests of Gabon * Quentin Wheeler * The Observer, Sunday 8 August 2010 The flame-throated African forest robin of Gabon. Photograph: Brian K Schmidt/Smithsonian Institution A new African forest robin, Stiphrornis pyrrholaemus, has been discovered in the remote forests of Gabon. Although locally abundant, these unobtrusive birds are known primarily from their calls. They differ from related forest robins in their song, coloration and mitochondrial DNA and were discovered during a biodiversity inventory of the Gamba complex of protected areas. The striking orange plumage of the bird's throat is the most brilliant in the genus. The 9,990 described species of birds represent one of the best-known groups of animals, yet new species continue to be discovered. Quentin Wheeler is director of the International Institute for Species Exploration, Arizona State University	Shrimp
In cycling, what colour jersey is worn by the leader of the Tour of Italy?	Freethinker.nl • Toon onderwerp - in 200 milioen jaar geen mutatie? in 200 milioen jaar geen mutatie? World's most ancient creatures found in Scottish fieldTwo colonies of age-old and endangered tadpole shrimps discovered alive and well near Solway coast (138)Tweet this (108)Ian Sample, science correspondent guardian.co.uk, Thursday 29 July 2010 19.55 BST Article history The tadpole shrimp, Triops cancriformis, which was part of two colonies found at Caerlaverock on the Solway Coast of Dumfriesshire. Photograph: Edmund Fellowes/PA A field near Gretna in Dumfriesshire might not be an obvious place to find the world's oldest living creatures, but a team of scientists has done just that. Two colonies of a prehistoric shrimp that evolved when the dinosaurs ruled the Earth have been found alive and well in the Caerlaverock nature reserve on the Solway coast. The discovery has led experts to think there could be more of the little crustaceans, which are listed as endangered species, elsewhere in the area. The ancient creatures, known as Triops cancriformis or tadpole shrimps, are thought to have the oldest pedigree of any living animal. Fossil evidence suggests they have hardly changed in the more than 200m years that they have been around. Wild tadpole shrimps can grow to more than 10cm long and are remarkable in surviving three major extinctions in the Earth's history. The shrimps have an extraordinary lifecycle. They live in temporary pools of water in which they lay eggs. When the pools dry out, the adults die off, but their eggs remain dormant until the pools fill up again. Researchers at Glasgow University discovered the rare shrimps after collecting samples of mud, which were dried out and then made wet again before being placed in glass tanks. A fortnight later Elaine Benzies, a research student, noticed a tadpole shrimp swimming around in one of the aquariums. "I hadn't expected to find it and was just going in to check on the heat and lights. It was great to see everyone in the lab gathering round and peering into the tank to look at this ancient survivor from the past," she said. Until recently, researchers believed the ancient shrimps lived only in a single pond in the New Forest in Hampshire. Six years ago, Larry Griffin, a scientist at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, discovered what appeared to be an isolated colony of the creatures in a pool at Caerlaverock. "At the time it seemed that the Caerlaverock colony was a vulnerable historic outlier," he said. "But now that we know how this curious creature survives, we have realised that there's a good chance there are more populations out there. "Triops matures rapidly and produces hundreds of eggs in just a couple of weeks. The pond they live in may dry out, but the eggs can survive in the mud for many years. Although in the UK they are all females, they have both male and female reproductive parts, so just one egg needs to survive to regenerate a whole population." door doctorwho » 07 aug 2010 16:11 Jagang schreef: Waar stelt het artikel dat er geen sprake is geweest van mutatie? Oh, wacht: Dit wordt toch niet het "levende fossielen"-argument, hoop ik toch? Zeg me dat je niet een reeds 1000 keer weerlegde claim opnieuw gaat aanvoeren als "bewijs" tegen de evolutietheorie. ik word zo moe van dat soort mensen. Niet moe worden, in het stukje staat immers The ancient creatures, known as Triops cancriformis or tadpole shrimps, are thought to have the oldest pedigree of any living animal. Fossil evidence suggests they have hardly changed in the more than 200m years that they have been around. Geen reden tot narcoleptie dus Wie atheïsme een geloof noemt kan tot niets bekeerd worden The person who calls atheism a religion can be converted to nothing Re: in 200 milioen jaar geen mutatie? door Destinesia » 07 aug 2010 16:19 Deze discussie is een onbegonnen strijd voor evolutionisten. Hoe kun je immers als nietig mens op tegen het "Woord van God"? Het beste bewijs tegen de evolutie is simpel het verhaal van Adam uit de klei en Eva uit een rib, in de hof van Eden. Je weet wel, dat verhaal van die eerste twee mensen met die pratende slang enzo. Waar doen evolutionisten toch altijd zo moeilijk over? Alle antwoorden staan gewoon in de bijbel hoor. Misschien moeten creationisten eens broederlijk gaan samenwerken met evolutionisten om tot nóg betere resultaten te komen, hun krachten en (bijbel) kennis te bundelen en gezamenlijk zo nog véél meer wijsheid en zekerheid te vergaren. Is het raar wat ik zeg? ja he? En waarom? Re: in 200 milioen jaar geen mutatie? door Vilaine » 07 aug 2010 18:37 Ik weet niet wat de topicstarter bedoelt. Misschien helemaal niet als een anti-evolutionair argument. Zou ook niet kunnen. Volgens het evolutie geloof zouden er nog oudere levensvormen kunnen zijn. Sponsen bijvoorbeeld. Als een nieuwe soort ontstaat, hoeft zijn voorganger natuurlijk niet uit te sterven, zoals ze beweert. Verder kwam hierboven het Adam en Eva verhaal ter sprake. Dat is allang weerlegt, daar gelooft niemand meer in. Veel waarschijnlijker is, dat de Germanen het toch bij het juiste eind hadden. http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oudnoords_ ... ngsverhaal Het is dan ook te verwachten, dat met name in Amerika, op de scholen de Oud-noorse scheppingstheorie een plaats zal innemen naast de evolutietheorie en mogelijk zal vervangen. Want bijna niemand gelooft nog in de evolutie theorie. Met name de wetenschappers niet. Despite the high cost of living..... it remains popular. door siger » 07 aug 2010 18:47 bigal61 schreef: Ik blijf open denken, sorry, alhoewel ik besef dat ook mijn denken (net als een ieder) onderworpen is aan invloeden zoasl omgeving en informatiebronnen. Maar wat denk je dan, in het kort? Want dat zeg je nergens. Denk je dat deze "rare shrimps" een bewijs tegen evolutie zijn? Ze tonen alleen maar aan dat evolutie niet altijd even snel verloopt. Er zijn immers duizenden soorten die wél veranderden in dezelfde tijdspanne, aantoonbaar met dezelfde methode (fossielen) die je voor dit artikel wel als geldig beschouwt. Anders zou niemand deze garnaaltjes het vermelden waard vinden. Laatst bijgewerkt door siger op 07 aug 2010 18:55, in totaal 1 keer bewerkt. siger door bigal61 » 07 aug 2010 18:55 wat ik aangeef is dat jullie argumentatie volledig voor-ingenomen is. geen vrij-denken meer. Domme youtube filmpjes die je voor zowel creationeisten als evolutionisten kunt vinden en die de beller belachelijk maken. Is dat een argument? Dit artikel: welk bewijs of fossiel of idee er ook ontstaat, alles wordt direct gedraaid naar evolutie toe. Waarom? Hoeveel blunders zijn er gemaakt door evolutionisten? Hoeveel blunders door creationisten? Vrijwel ALLE argumenten die ik hier hoor inzake dit artikel zijn denigrerend naar creationisten. Terwijl ik dit artikel nu juist meer richting creationisme vind smaken. Waarom denken we hier niet vrij over? Is je uitgangspunt: mijn denken zit vast. Als er andere argumenten komen lach ik deze uit, maak ze belachelijk en weiger erover na te denken? nogmaals: ik wil vrij zijn in mijn denken: of ik nu evolutionist of creationist ben. Denk na, wees ALTIJD bereid je mening te herzien....wie zijn wij als mens uberhaupt....	i don't know
The green of London's Parliament Square was named what by activists during 2010, when sporadic protests developed into a large camp community?	July 2010 - my london diary July 2010 >Re:PHOTO My thoughts on photography All pictures Copyright © Peter Marshall 2010, all rights reserved. Hight res images available for reproduction - for licences to reproduce images or buy prints or other questions and comments, contact me . Selected images are also available from Alamy and Photofusion ENA/EDL March in London Again Tothill St - Duke of York Steps, London. Saturday 31 July 2010 Marchers wearing EDL St George's masks and carrying the Union Flag more pictures The English Nationalist Alliance, mainly the English Defence League, marched through central London today to deliver a further letter to Downing St following an unsatisfactory replay to their May letter. Like the previous 'Patriot March' in May, this London march was essentially a peaceful one, with marchers chanting and singing as they walked past Parliament Square and the Cenotaph to Downing St, before moving on to a rally on the Duke of York Steps. It was organised by the ENA, a group "founded in May 2010 by Bill Baker, Michael Johnson and Lynn Corrigan and supported by 800 marchers at the May Alliance protest in London." Police had apparently made clear to the organisers that they expected a disciplined march with and that in particular the marchers should respect the right of the press to photograph the event. It was a noticeably smaller march than the 'Patriot March' in May, possibly because there seemed to have been relatively little publicity in advance of the event. The organisers claimed 800 marchers at the previous march in their letter to Mr Cameron; this time there were a little over 150, including a number of young children with their parents. While still in Tothill St one of the marchers was warned by police for the using bad language. The marchers halted on the road at Downing St and exchanged insults with a small group of counter-protesters, some with Palestinian flags. While those against the march largely shouted "Racist Scum", the retorts from the ENA marchers were more varied; the politer of them accused the counter-demonstrators of being no longer English. A few marchers tried to leave the march and go across the road but were quickly stopped by police, and one was arrested and taken to a police van. The counter-demonstrators followed the march as it went up Whitehall and at one point attempted to climb over the small wall in the pavement and rush towards the march. Police soon stopped them. The letter delivered to Downing St pointed out the unsatisfactory reply they had received from the Ministry of Justice to their previous letter and complained about the change in the coalition's policy. Before the elecion David Cameron had promised that the use of Sharia law courts in mosques was unacceptable to the Conservatives, but ENA claim that since the election Sharia law has "become further entrenched in our legislative and judiciary system as a secondary legal system to deal with the issues of Islamic followers." They ask that the three issues they stated in the previous letter, Sharia Law and referendums over EU membership and an English Parliament should be dealt with and promises made by Conservatives beofre the election be kept. The letter was signed by the ENA and ten other groups, the EDL, Shieldwall, The British Society for Freedom of Speech, Christians for Democracy, England United (Weiran Ce Angelcynn), England St George, Acacia Freedom Fighters, Sikhs against Shariah, English Jewish League and Parents Against Shariah. Another group on the march was March for England, and along with the St George's flags and Union Jacks there were also a couple of Israeli flags and a placard from 'One Law for All.' As on previous events I found some of the shouting and chants offensive, and in contradiciton of the stated 'Aims and Objectives' of the ENA, one of which reads: "While no racism or Xenophobia will be tolerated in our society, no political or social favour will be given to any ethnic group." I've mentioned on previous occasions my objections to the slogan 'Muslim bombers off our streets' and also a song about Muslim Bombers. There are very few political extremists in the Muslim community in the UK - one informed source puts the number of supporters of the most publicised 'Muslims Against Crusades' whose demonstration at a military parades brought the EDL into being at a total of around 40 people. Police intelligence suggests that right-wing extremist bombers are currently more of a threat than Muslims, so perhaps the next march should chant "Right-wing bombers off our streets" instead. or we could all agree on "Keep all bombers off our streets" or "Keep the bombers off our streets." The march ended at Waterloo Place and where there was a rally. It was at this point that most of the problems with marchers harassing photographers occured in May, and there were also some unfortunate incidents today. One photographer who is Jewish met with some anti-semitic comments, and I was pointed out by one of the speakers, Blackburn with Darwen English Democrats Party councillor Michael Johnson, as an unwelcome guest and police stepped in as a number of people moved rather menacingly towards me. A couple of days earlier the ENA web site had published a feature which - among other things - wrongly accused me of publishing lies about the previous march, along with my picture and the statement "he must be confronted and chased away in all future events as a socialist collaborator who cannot tell the truth." The material they complained about had been published not by me but by another journalist, and earlier on the march I'd received a couple of apologies for the mistake, along with several compliments from other people taking part who had been there on the previous occasion and read my report. One of the things that make Britain great is freedom and in many ways its something we should be proud of but also have to keep striving to protect. The freedom to demonstrate is an important part of this, as so too is freedom of expression, and of course the freedom of the press. The article on the web site was an attack on that freedom, suggesting that the ENA should attempt to impose censorship and limit reporting to those who support it. Earlier during the event the relationships between the photographers and the marchers had seemed to be much improved, and I'd hoped that the ENA was at last coming to realise that journalists in general aim to report accurately (although often photographers are very unhappy about how their work is used - or not - by editors.) Members of the NUJ have varied political views but work under a clear ethical code demanding fair and accurate recording, and as at the previous march there were quite a few of us covering the event. That virtually no coverage appeared in the mainstream press, despite the story and pictures being available isn't the fault of journalists but reflects the values and interests of the editors and owners of what is, in the UK, largely a right-wing press, and certainly can't sensibly be blamed on 'socialist journalists'. My report of the event on Demotix - similar to this account - was one of few to appear. Pakistan High Commission & Whitehall, London. Sat 31 July 2010 Former Bishop of Rochester, Michael Nazir Ali, was the main speaker at Downing St more pictures The British Pakistani Christian Association and other Christians held a rally outside the Pakistan High Commission, delivering a letter calling for the end of persecution there, before marching to a rally at Downing St. There were just over 50 people at the High Commission on Saturday morning, representing a number of Christian groups, and the proceedings started with a short address by a Christian Party candidate, followed by prayers, short addresses and singing led by several pastors. The main address came from Bishop Mike Reid of 'Can do Ministries' and then a deputation presented a petition to the Pakistan High Commission, while the worship and speeches continued. The deputation was received politely by two men at the High Commission. But although the Pakistani government expresses its support for the rights of minorities, many feel that it does little if anything in practice to protect these rights. Blasphemy laws are being used in Pakistan to persecute minority religious groups, including Christians. But it is not only the laws, but also the attitudes that lie behind them and are encouraged by them. One story that was told was of two pastors who had been charged under these laws and taken to court. There the evidence - including that from the police and authorities - proved them innocent and they were acquitted. As they left court they were shot and killed. No one has been arrested or charged over the shooting. On 25 March 2010 the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution proposed by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, "combating defamation of religions." The UK government was one of those that voted against the resolution which was carried 20 to 17 with 8 abstentions and 2 absent and many governments and organisations had argued that the resolution is - in the words of a statement from the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) network, "fundamentally incompatible with the human right to freedom of expression, as protected by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It is also incompatible with Article 20 of the ICCPR, which only prohibits advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to violence, discrimination and hatred." Or, as one of the speakers put it more succintly, we need human rights to protect people, not systems of belief. From Knightsbridge the protesters marched to Downing Street, going post Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, carrying a large and very heavy wooden cross and stopping at three strategic points for prayers, including the Lords Prayer. Opposite Downing Street where roughly the same number of people were waiting to greet the marchers there was some fine singing from Diana Orfuri or the Christina Party and Holy Nation Church and an address by former Bishop of Rochester, Michael Nazir Ali, who then went with a small group to deliver the petition to Downing St. I didn't go with them, but returned to the rally which continued with a number of speeches, including Sikhs and Hindus supporting the campaign, but these had to be strictly limited in time as the event had to finish at 2pm. Fortunately there was enough time for me to eat one of the excellent samosas that were handed round. DPP's Office and Cornhill, London. Friday 30 July 2010 Anti-capitalist protestors outside the DPP's offices in Rose Court, Southwark Bridge Road more pictures Around two hundred people, including many of London's best-known anti-capitalists and anarchists, rallied outside the Director of Public Prosecution's office in protest at the shameful decision not to prosecute any police over the killing of Ian Tomlinson. After silence and speeches they marched to where he died in the City. London, UK. The crowd gathered with banners outside the offices on Southwark Bridge Road, spilling over from the pavement into the road. Present were many of those who actively campaign for freedom, human rights and justice in the capital. Among those who spoke were Professor Chris Knight, who talked of his first approach to Paul King, one of Ian Tomlinson's sons, shortly after the death of his father. Knight felt some personal responsibility as one of the organisers of the G20 event at the Bank of England at which Tomlinson, an innocent bystander walking home from work, was struck by PC Simon Harwood and, shortly after, died. Although at first King didn't want to talk to him, soon the family and the protesters were organising together in a campaign to get justice over the death, caused not by any action of the protesters but the result of a deliberately combative attitude by the police. Faced with a demonstration intended by its organisers to have a carnival atmosphere, the police went onto TV and radio, working up the tension and greatly exagerating the possibilities of civil disorder (a couple of days before some members of the police had even bought catapults and tried to plant them at a demonstration), with a paramilitary (or gangster) style response typified by the statement made by Commander Simon O'Brien of the Met, "We're up for it". The police response after the incidents - and particularly over the death of Tomlinson has shown a shocking disregard for the victim, with deliberate lies and attempts to pervert justice. At the time police impeded the efforts of people to give Tomlinson medical assistance and were slow to get an ambulance to the spot. Unbelievably they were unable to produce any CCTV evidence of the incident. They made sure that the first post-mortem by Dr Freddy Patel gave an incorrect and misleading result. In questioning people about what happened they - and the IPCC - showed far more interest in trying to get evidence against demonstrators - who seem to have reacted compassionately towards the injured man - than about the activities of the police who were intent on continuing their attacks against the crowds. The truth only came clearly to light because another bystander watching the events had filmed the support on his mobile phone and a few days later, realising the importance of this evidence had supplied it to The Guardian. What we have seen since then is a remarkably slow process involving the police, Crown Prosecution Service and the so-called Independent Police Complaints Commission, each going beyond the call of duty to ensure that justice would not be done. Enquiries that should have taken days or at most weeks have been dragged out to well over a year, presumably in the hope that the outcry when justice was clearly seen not to be done would be less with the passage of time. They kept the inquiry going so that once they had decided - for transparently spurious reasons - not to proceed with a murder charge it was too late to prosecute PC Simon Harwood (an officer who had previously been investigated for alleged aggressive behaviour) for any lesser charge. He faces a disciplinary hearing which will be held in private. As speakers at the rally pointed out, although since 1969 over a thousand people have died in police custody in the UK, not one single police officer has been charged with either manslaughter or murder in even a single case. Where this case differs from most is that Tomlinson was white rather than black and that it happened in public view rather than behind closed doors, and that there seems to be very clear evidence of a crime. Harwood had removed his badge and was wearing a balaclava to avoid identification. In the video he comes up behind Tomlinson and without any provocation hits him with his baton, and shoves him to the ground. Tomlinson manages to get up, staggers a few yards around the corner and then collapses and is dead when the ambulance arrives. If Harwood had not been a police officer it would surely have been an open and shut case. Although DPP Kier Starmer was apparently unable to distinguish between the evidence of a pathologist facing a disciplinary hearing for incompetence by the General Medical Council involving 26 cases and already found by the Home Office to have failed to detect clear evidence of injuries in three other cases and that of two other pathologists in agreement about the cause of death, it is inconceivable that any sane jury would have shared his difficulty in reaching a conclusion. As several speakers pointed out, the police rely on the cooperation and confidence of the public to carry out their job, and by behaving as if they are above the law they risk losing these. Several suggested that the people needed to take the law into their own hands as the police could no longer be trusted to uphold it. The most moving contribution came from Samantha Rigg-David, whose brother Sean Rigg died 90 minutes after being taken in to Brixton police station in August 2008. Almost two years later his family are still waiting for the result of the inquest. At the end of the rally outside the offices of the director of public prosecutions on the south side of Southwark Bridge, the protesters formed up on the roadway and marched across the bridge, turning into Cannon St and then up King William Street to Bank, with police stopping the traffic to allow them to proceed. They paused briefly on the Bank junction at the centre of the City, with one or two sitting down on the roadway before moving down Cornhill to where Ian Tomlinson spent his final moments. A small bunch of withered flowers tied to a post marked the spot. The marchers halted and after a short final address by Chris Knight held a final minute of silence which was also respected by city workers making their way along the street. Great George Street, Westminster, London. Wed 28 July 2010 Bright blue Avatar aliens protest against Vendanta destroying the Dongria in Orissa more pictures Human rights activists outside the AGM of Vedanta, owned by billionaire Anil Agarwal, demanded an end of the company's killings, displacement and wiping out of an ancient civilisation in the Niyamgiri Hills of India by bauxite mining. Among the demonstrators were actors from the James Cameron film 'Avatar' and there were two bright blue aliens from the tribe destroyed in in that film. Vedanta has already built an aluminium refinery in Lanjigarh amd has carried out preliminary work for bauxite mining in Orissa's Niyamgiri Hills which will destroy the ancient civilisation of the Dongria Kondh adivasi community for whom these mountains and forests are Gods. Already in Orissa, according to campaigning group Foil Vedanta, Vedanta have caused more than 100 deaths though accidents, police fire, forced displacement, injury and illness. More than a thousand people have already been displaced, with 8000 under threat, moved away from their traditional sources of income and dumped into shanty towns where there is no work. Thousands of acres of fertile agricultural land have been destroyed, rivers and streams disrupted and drinking water contaminated by fly ash and toxic red mud. Foil Vedanta have a simple answer to why this is happening: "Mega-profits for billionaires with blood on their hands." Various shareholders have been convinced by the arguments and have pulled out - the Church of England sold its £3.8m holding on February 5 this year, and the Joseph Rowntree Trust its £1.9 million, "due to serious concerns about its approach to human rights and the environment, particularly in the Indian state of Orissa." Earlier this month Action Aid reported that the Dutch pensions company PGGM had pulled out almost &11 million because of the "financial risk in investing a company that was ‘persistently ignoring’ environmental and human rights." Supporters of the campaign against Vedanta include Amnesty International, Survival International and Action Aid, for whom Bianca Jagger attended the AGM to "take a message from India’s threatened Kondh people direct to shareholders." Some of the other campaigners had also become shareholders and were able to enter the building; they and the other shareholders had to duck under the Foil Vedanta banner to reach the door. Action Aid point to a damning report on Vedanta by the investment consultants PIRC which recommends the AGM to oppose the "re-election of 3 non-executive directors on health, safety and environmental grounds." Vedanta was launched on the London Stock Exchange in 2003 with the help of the British Government's Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for International Development (DfID), and although the government has criticized its lack of a human rights policy, they have continued to actively support it's mining activities through the DfID Building Partnerships for Development programme and the Orissa 'Drivers for Change' research project. The company's directors have included many powerful figures including Indian ministers and former ambassadors and David Gore-Booth, former British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and High Commissioner of India. Vendanta and its billionaire CEO Anil Agarwal are said to have close links with the extremist umbrella group for Indian Hindu right-wing organistions, Sangh Parivar, said to be responsible for many attacks on Muslim and Christian communities in Orissa, Gujurat and other parts of India. The protest outside the AGM at The Institute of Civil Engineers in Great George Street, a few yards from Parliament Square, was organised by Foil Vedanta, and as well as the charities above was supported by South Asia Solidarity Group, South Asian Alliance, Brent Refugee and Migrant Forum and London Development Education Centre. Windsor and Dorney, Monday 26 July Walking through fields towards the castle more pictures I hadn't actually planned this walk - we were supposed to be going out with some others who had to call off at the last minute. But we ended up walking around another of the London 2012 Olympic sites, Dorney Lake, the Eton College rowing lake at Boveney, just to the west of Windsor on the opposite bank of the Thames. I don't know why this site was chosen in preference to using the old Royal Docks in Newham where the Albert Dock was developed as a 2000 metre Olympic standard rowing course with seven lanes and a return lane and opened in 1999. But certainly Eton sounds rather posher (and doubtless the college will benefit greatly from the use.) I didn't take many pictures of the actual lake, largely because I found it rather boring but it is a very large area opened by the college as a country park for public use. Unlike the Stratford site there are no tall electrified fences and security guards, but low fences with frequent gaps. Our ten mile or so walk took us around it usually a short distance away but on more interesting paths. Day of Protest against Stoning Trafalgar Square, London. Saturday 24 July 2010 'Islamic Regime = Terror Regime' more pictures Protests took place in London, including one in Trafalgar Square, as a part of an international day of protest against the sentence of execution passed on Iranian woman Sakine Mahamadi Ashtiani, falsely accused of adultery. The International Committee Against Stoning held events in many cities around the world including Frankfurt, Oslo, Amsterdam, Bremen, Gothenburg, Malmo, Toronto, Berlin, Tbilisi, Sydney, Ottawa, Venice, Paris, Berlin, Stockholm and London today to publicise this case that has shocked the world. In England there were protests in Birmingham, Chichester, Egham and Richmond as well as London Public pressure has already led to Iranian authorities to put the stoning of Sakine Mahamadi Ashtiani at least on hold, and it now seems more likely that they intend to carry out the death sentence by hanging, still there a slow strangulation by the noose. She was sentenced by a Shariah court on the basis of a 'confession' extracted under duress and which she has since retracted, and her son and daughter have led a campaign against the sentence, making appeals for international action to persuade the Iranian authorities to commute her sentence. She has already been held in prison for five years and punished with 99 lashes. Stoning is carried out by burying the victim up to her shoulders and hurling stones at her. Public repulsion for such a barbaric practice means that stoning is no longer carried out in public but inside a prison with the stones thrown by prison guards. The law clearly specifies that the stones should be large enough to inflict damage and pain, but not so large as to kill her instantly so that the stoning may continue for perhaps 30 minutes until death occurs. Disgusting and barbaric as the sentence on Sakine Mahamadi Ashtiani is, she is by no means an isolated case. Perhaps even more reprehensible is that of Azar Bagheri, forcibly married at 14 and charged with adultery and sentenced to stoning within a year of her marriage. At 15 she was too young under the law for the sentence to be carried out and she is still imprison, waiting for her stoning when she is 18. Already they have taken her out into the yard and carried out two mock stonings, burying her up to the neck but stopping before throwing the stones. German human rights activist Mina Ahadi who has reported her case has also had phone calls from the family of a third woman in the same Tabriz prison under sentence of stoning, Marian Ghorbanzadeh, age 25. According to The Guardian, Ahadi says the she knows of 12 other women sentenced to death by stoning currently held in Iranian prisons and estimates that there are some 40 or 50 others. A steady stream of people came to look at the demonstration on the north terrace of Trafalgar Square, and some joined in and stood holding placards for a few minutes along with the protesters, including a small group wearing coloured full body (Zentai) suits. I had to wait for a few minutes in a queue to sign the petition against stoning. Several people, including Maryam Namazie spoke at the event, calling for an end to these barbaric punishments and to the outdated law behind them. Parliament Sq. & Victoria Tower Gdns, London. Sat 24 July 2010 Brian Haw and Barbara Tucker with a new fence to display posters on more pictures Since the Democracy Village was evicted from the square in the early hours of last Tuesday and most of the grassed area of the square fenced off there has been considerable speculation about the future of demonstrations in the square. Many of us worried that the eviction would be an occasion for further harassment of the Parliament Square Peace Campaign, but in the event Brian Haw and Barbara Tucker received a visit by police and the Greater London Authority representative as the eviction started and were reassured that they would not be affected. The fence has been carefully routed a little way back around their area - and has created a further opportunity for their display. The decision on the eviction of the Democracy Village the previous Friday did not directly effect them, and restated their legal right to remain on the pavement while remitting their occupation of a small area of the green for a couple of tents to a High Court hearing. The two other currently permanent protests along the edge of the pavement, Maria Gallastegui's Peace Strike and the hunger strike by Len Miskulin, now on his 29th day, were also left in place. Len has campaigned for years for the rights of fathers and children, and has built up a dossier on illegal seizure of assets which he feels shows that the judicial system is totally corrupt and used by the state to deny our basic human rights. He has been denied contact to his two children for ten years and is the subject of a gagging order that means he cannot talk to the press about what has happened to him. So I had to look on the web to find out more about him. The Democracy Village had called a meeting on Saturday afternoon in Victoria Tower Gardens, next to the Thames and immediately south of the Houses of Parliament. Around 30 people turned up, including most of the more active members from the camp, and sat around in a large circle. The start of the meeting was delayed while one of them went to collect the small oak tree that had formed the centre-piece of the peace garden in the square and it was placed in the centre of the circle. Before the meeting officially started, Chris Coverdale (founder of Make Wars History and co-founder with Maria Gallastegui of the Peace Strike which suported the Democracy Village) stood up and informed all present that he had applied for and been granted permission by the Metropolitan Police for a continuing demonstration on either of the two pavements of the square for a year, but there were significant conditions attached. Police would be entitled to close the demonstration down if it created serious public disorder or serious damage to property and it "must not disrupt the life of the community" or risk the safety of members of the public. The news clearly received a very mixed welcome from those present and was presented before the meeting so it could be discussed, although one or two did not feel this was appropriate. The Parliament Square Peace Campaign were restricted to a 3 metre wide display by a court decision some years ago, and that appears to have become some kind of standard. The authorisation obtained by Coverdale covers an area of 3m x 3m and a height of 1.5 meters for any structures and would allow up to 20 people at any one time to protest within that area - and they could also hold banners and placards which could of course be taller. Maria Gallastegui already has a number of separate authorisations for four permanent displays and several ongoing 24-hour vigils on the square. The authorities appear to have conceded that the square will continue to be used for protests - both small permanent protests and larger short-term events. One of the Mayor and the court's justifications for clearing the Democracy Camp was indeed that its presence was restricting the rights of others to protest in the area. The meeting opened with those present standing and linking hands to sing Leon Rosselson's 'The World Turned Upside Down' (as sung by Billy Bragg) about the Diggers who in 1649 occupied and cultivated St George's Hill in Weybridge. They were eventually forced to move out following gang attacks on them organised by the land owners and a court case in which they were not allowed to present their defence (it happened to Barbara Tucker in the recent case too.) The discussion then began, and I had to leave to go elsewhere. Several hours later a number of those present made a number of token protests in Parliament Square, going inside the fence and being removed by police and bailiffs, some several times, flouting the court injunction. One man, sitting on the grass with a Peace flag, was arrested and told he would be charged with a breach of the peace, but I was told he was later released without charge. Apparently eventually the police lost interest and went away leaving a couple of young women sitting on the grass. So although some of the Democracy Village may take part in the authorised protest, others seem likely to continue with simiilar unauthorised activities in Parliament Square, and a further meeting has been called for next Saturday. National Portrait Gallery, London. Tuesday 20 July 2010 Brian Griffin listens as rower Katherine Grainger talks about being photographed by Bettina von Zwehl. more pictures I can't understand why the National Portrait Gallery called the event a breakfast launch as there was no breakfast on offer as they opened the latest phase of their Olympic project on Tuesday morning - the free show runs until 26 September 2010. As well as more pictures by Brian Griffin, there is also a set of images by Bettina von Zwehl. Later I was able to photograph Katherine Grainger standing beside the portrait of her by von Zwehl (all photographs in this review are © Peter Marshall 2010, but included works by the photographers in the show are © Bettina von Zwehl - National Portrait Gallery/BT Road to 2012 Project or © Brian Griffin - National Portrait Gallery/BT Road to 2012 Project respectively.) It and the similar pairing of young weightlifter Zoe Smith I think typify the problem I have with these portraits. Somehow to me they all look too much the same. And where I met the sitter they didn't look very much like the real people who were used to make them for those who were present. Of course portraits aren't just about a physical resemblance (though I think its a necessary starting point), but these all seem to me to have a particular look regardless of the personality. It's a look which I think best suits sullen adolescents and those I met were clearly not that. Grainger's portrait was apparently meant to portray her as something of a Greek goddess but I could see nothing of that, and she certainly seemed ill at ease in the black dress that she had been persuaded to wear for the portrait. All of von Zwehl's images seemed to show me more about the photographer than the sitter, which isn't what I want from a portrait. I've long been a fan of Brian Griffin's portraits, and there were several here that showed him still to be at the height of his powers, though just a few which I felt didn't quite come off, or where he seemed to be copying or even parodying some of his earlier work. But it's certainly a set of images worth seeing if you have any interest in photographic portraiture. You can read a longer piece about his work in particular and the show in general on >Re:PHOTO and I won't repeat it all here. But as I end with saying there, it may well be the best thing that comes out of the Olympics. Chertsey, Surrey to Windsor, Berks. Monday 19 July 2010 Uppers grapple with swans at Runnymede more pictures The annual census of swans and cygnets on the River Thames which began in the 12th century started today, when the Swan Uppers covered the river from Sunbury to Windsor. The swans on the River Thames are shared between the Queen and two London guilds, the Dyers and the Vintners. Although swans are no longer eaten, the Queen’s Swan Marker David Barber still makes a count of the number of cygnets on the river each year. It is probably the longest continuing environmental survey in the world, and its detailed records in the 20th century were important in getting legislation to ban the use of lead weights by anglers. A small flotilla of boats crewed by skilled waterman, all of whom have been winners of the annual Doggett's Coat and Badge race for watermen, makes its way upriver from Sunbury taking five days to cover the Thames as far as Abingdon. There are two boats crewed by the Queen's men, and two each from the Dyers and Vintners guild. As as well as the Queen's Swan Marker, each guild has its own marker. In the past swans were marked by notches on the beak to show which were owned by the guilds, but now all swans are ringed and the ownership recorded in the record books. One of the livery companies (who were granted the privilege of owning swans a few hundred years after upping began) still has its records dating back around 500 years, but those of the other were destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The Queen's men wear red, the Dyers are in blue and the Vintners in white (woad and white wine help me to remember which is which) and the boats with their swan flags make a colourful spectacle as they go up the river. Several motor cruisers also flying flags with swans on them come along behind them, and at times give the rowers a rest by towing the boats. Leading the flotilla, sometimes quite a distance ahead is a rather more ordinary boat with an outboard motor containing the Queen’s Swan Warden, Professor Christopher Perrins of the University of Oxford and his assistants, who spot the swans with cygnets and occasionally also look at other swans to check their rings. Once a swan with cygnets is found, the uppers quietly and carefully surround them with their boats, gradually closing in until there is no open water for them to escape, as swans need a very long clear run to actually take off. They draw closer and closer until the swans are trapped in a small area of water and men can then reach in and grab the adult birds by the necks and pull them from the water. The adult swans struggle fairly powerfully, but as soon as the uppers manage to get their legs behind their back they give up and lie still. Once the adults have been caught the cygnets are also grabbed and taken aboard. The uppers carry string on their belts to tie the legs together, and then carry the birds to the bank where they are lined up for inspection. All the birds get a quick health check, looking for any injuries or fishing hooks or line, and the cygnets are weighed and their head length measured. The cygnets and any un-ringed adult birds then have a ring with an identifying number fixed around one leg, and they are allocated either to the Queen or to one of the guilds and their details recorded in the appropriate book. After this the birds are carefully untied and returned to the water together, and a few seconds later are swimming again as a family as if nothing had happened. Apparently the swan uppers start their journey at Sunbury with a loyal toast and they also make one in the lock at Windsor, putting on their ceremonial jackets and standing up in their boats to drink the health of the Queen in whisky and water. The lock keeper also gets given a glass and joins in. A couple of hundred yards upstream from the lock the Dyers and Vinters boats pull to the sides of the river and the men stand with oars raised in salute to cheer the Queen's uppers as they pass between them, standing with oars raised in their boats to return the gesture. Wrayfield Road, North Cheam, London. Sunday 18 July 2010 A toast at the street lunch party more pictures Street parties for the 2010 'The Big Lunch' were held around the country on Sunday, part of a nationwide community building project promoted by the Eden project. One was in Wrayfield Road, a suburban street in North Cheam, typical of the 1930s developments around the edges of London, then in Surrey but now a part of the London Borough of Sutton. The wide tree-lined street is lined with solidly built semi-detached houses, well designed and built to include garages for prosperous middle-class families of the time. Built by Warner and Watson Ltd, the street was completed in 1933/4 although there are a few later additions. One of the first residents who moved in to those new semis in 1933 still lives there and was at Sunday's party, along with several who could recall their last street party held for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977 - and on the top of one garden wall were a set of colour photos from it. There was great interest in a framed copy of the original newspaper advertisement for the houses being shown around, in which they were advertised for sale at prices that now seem laughable. The 3 bed houses started at £775 for a house with rear entrance, and for £875 you also got a garage, coal store and a second WC. Some evern came with a 'tradesmen's entrance' and for £1,095 you got four bedrooms and a garage. All had a fitted kitchenette, a separate hot water boiler, store cupboards, a fitted washing machine and other fittings and your choice of decoration, and they were yours for a deposit of £45 with the balance to be paid off at 24/7d (£1.23) a week. Of course at the time the average wage for those in work was around £190 compared with £30,000 now (though most photographers earn much less!) but even allowing for this they still appear a bargain; allowing for the increase in wages, that £1.23 now would be a little under £200 a month. As well as the lunch, eaten at tables along the middle of the closed street, there were games for the kids and adults, including a tug of war and a highly contested ladies egg and spoon, as well as music from a young DJ, a very professional young woman singer and as I was leaving, a three man group. This was a private and relaxed street event, with almost everyone present living in the street (and a few of their relatives) and almost everyone on the street joined in, except for a few who were on holiday or away on business, and everyone certainly seemed to be having a good time. I was there as one of two invited 'official' photographers, and there were notices on the street reminding people that by taking part they had agreed to be photographed, and we were made very welcome. Particularly for those who organised the event but for everyone who took part it made them get to know the other people on the street very much more, no longer just faces seen in passing. And that is very much the idea behind ' the big lunch ', to build friendships and understanding between people across the generations and backgrounds. The project web site points the increasing number of single person households and class and ethnic ghettos and the continuing drop in trust between neighbours - social trust in the UK is now among the lowest in Europe. Events like this help to counter these trends and to cut down the social problems that arise from increasing isolation - crime, domestic violence, homelessness and child poverty. Several local businesses supported the event and the London Fire Service fire engine made a couple of brief visits, although they couldn't stay for long as there services were in demand - as well as emergency calls there were also two other street parties in the borough. Another visitor was the local MP Paul Burstow, named by the Evening Standard in 2005 as London's hardest working MP. Bring Troops Home Demo Halts Traffic Whitehall, London. Friday 16 Jul 2010 Demonstrators from the Democracy Village in front of Downing St more pictures Following the killing of 4 UK soldiers in one day i n Afghanistan, Stop the War called a demonstration opposite Downing St on Friday. They were joined by the Democracy Village who staged a sit down on Whitehall. Earlier in the day the Democracy campers had lost their court case to stay in Parliament Square. They were refused leave to appeal to the UK supreme court, although the case may well go to the European Court, where they would appear to have a very good chance of success. In the meantime the court order that they must leave the square is likely to be enforced, most probably in the early hours of Monday morning. [It actually happened a day later, early on Tuesday.] Although the court decision should not affect Brian Haw and his Parliament Square Peace Campaign, there since June 2001, it seems quite likely that police will use the occasion to further harass Mr Haw and his fellow demonstrators, as happened recently on the occasion of the State Opening of Parliament. His case to remain in the square is likely to come to court again before too long, and if the authorities can chose the same judge he would be very unlikely to win. Opinion polls show that only a small minority - less than one fifth in one recent poll - of the UK public now support the continuing engagement of UK forces in Afghanistan. Earlier in the week the news that three had been killed by one of the Afghan army they had been training shocked us all, and led Stop The War to call a demonstration at short notice to call for an end to the killing and bring the troops home. There were perhaps around a hundred Stop the War demonstrators chanting vociferously opposite Downing Street watched by a few rather bored looking police when around twenty Democracy campers from Parliament Square came marching down with their long banner "Soldiers Come Home Alive'" and began to protest on the pavement outside Downing St. After a short address by Chris Knight, Dean Puckett took the megaphone and called for the Stop The War demonstrators to leave the permitted area for demonstrations on the opposite side of the road and join their protest outside Downing St. After a while two of the demonstrators came across the road, and then others followed them. But one of the Democracy Camp decided on more radical action, walking out with a peace flag and sitting down in the middle of the south-bound roadway. Police quickly moved in to try and persuade him to get up, but by then the others were moving in to join him. The rush hour traffic was brought to a standstill at around 17.45pm for around 15 minutes before the protesters decided to move off. Police then threatened them with arrest unless they kept to the pavement, which seemed rather pointless as they were only walking for a couple of hundred yards before stopping traffic again as they crossed Parliament St and made their way back to Parliament Square. Just after they arrived back at Parliament Square we heard the siren as a police van full of Territorial Support Officers screamed up towards Downing St to deal with those protesters who had already left. The few recent showers have greatly improved the state of the grass in Parliament Square, which now looks fairly green again at least in parts. It has never been in good condition in the past five years or so, and will certainly soon recover to its previous state in a month or two if left untouched, assuming we get a decent amount of rain. However it looks from the comments in the press as if the Mayor will insist on dishing out a very lucrative contract to a gardening firm just to try and make a point over the occupation of the square. It will of course be a total waste of Londoner's council tax. Lower Marsh, Waterloo, London. Friday 16 Jul 2010 The carnival procession forms up outside Johanna School more pictures Lower Marsh, alongside London's Waterloo station a few years ago was a rather run down but vibrant street market; now it has gone considerably up-market, with a number of specialist shops, but still keeps something of its old character. It's perhaps the mix of old and new in the area, along with a few people dedicated to working to build community spirit that have led to the annual Waterloo carnival, now in its seventh year, based around the thriving primary school at its centre, being such a success. As well as school children, including some from another local school, other community groups also take part including senior citizens, toddlers and youth groups. And one of the two samba bands came from the charity Christian Aid whose offices are in Lower Marsh. From Johanna School, the procession made its noisy and colourful way along Lower Marsh before taking to the pavement along a short stretch of the busy Westminster Bridge Road (where it would have been preferable for police to hold up traffic for the few minutes it took to travel the short distance - less than 200 yards - to Baylis Road. From there it made its way to Frazier St and then through the council estate to Coral St and Waterloo Millennium Green opposite the Old Vic. In the gardens as a part of the festival there were stalls selling food and also a sound system providing music, as well as the amplification for a short address of thanks by local MP Kate Hooey who was followed by five-year-old Leo from Johanna School singing with some backing monkeys. After that performance the carnivalistas danced around the green for some minutes and things got pretty chaotic. The festival continued for the rest of the day, with more music in the gardens as well as outside at the Cubana restuarant across the road and later at the Walrus Social bar. The Carnival is a community event celebrating the creative talent of the Waterloo Community and run by Friends of Waterloo Carnival Supporters include Waterloo Quarter BID, BFI Southbank, Walrus Social, Cubana, Strudel, South Bank Employers’ Group, Blackfriars Settlement, Johanna Primary School, Living Streets, Bankside Open Spaces Trust, Coin Street Community Builders and Lambeth Council. Protest at Homophobic Daily Express Lower Thames St, London. Thursday 15 July 2010 Outside the Express Building more pictures A protest took place outside the newspaper offices in London calling for an apology and retraction for the homophobic views printed in The Daily Star, Daily Express and Daily Mail about gay asylum seekers. Following the UK supreme court decision a week ago which prevented the deportation of two gay asylum seekers on the grounds that immigration tribunals had to follow the 1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees when making decisions over the right to asylum here, the right-wing press had a field day with blatantly homophobic and anti-immigration headlines and reports. According to a letter to The Guardian signed by NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear, other trade union leaders and activists and MPs Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell and Caroline Lucas, "In reality, only one in 50 people who claim asylum on the basis of sexual orientation is admitted to the UK." Currently many are sent back to their country of origin and told to be "discreet" about their sexuality in countries where they may face prison or even the death penalty for being gay - to lie about their sexuality for the rest of their life. Many LGBT people seeking asylum here are fleeing from attempted murder, serious assault or rape. A longer statement on which the letter was based is available on the web and many more have added there support. A Facebook group was set up to organise a protest outside the Express offices in the city of London on Thursday evening, to demand "an apology and retraction of the vile views published in The Daily Star, Daily Express and Daily Mail and that they publish the truth about the persecution which LGBT refugees and asylum seekers face in their home countries, and about homophobia here in Britain." People arrived with banners and placards to attend the protest on the street outside the offices. There were speeches from representatives of a number of the organisations supporting the demonstration calling for an end to racism and homophobia in the press. NUJ members working for these papers are often appalled at the way their stories are edited to support the racist editorial line, and headlines added which misrepresent their reports. The organisers also urged people to write in complaint to the papers’ editors, post comments on-line and register a complaint with the Press Complaints Commission. The stories seem both to offend against Section 12 of the PCC's editor's code on discrimination, but also more importantly to Section 1 (i) on Accuracy of reporting, as the judge's comments about the freedom to go to Kylie concerts and drink multi-coloured cocktails" were clearly used in an entirely different context and with quite different intention. Town Hall, Croydon, London. Monday 12 July 2010 BWAC protesters on the steps of Croydon Town Hall more pictures Around 50 protesters were on the steps of Croydon Town Hall as I went past on Monday evening. Inside the building the London borough's "cabinet' were expected to ratify plans to stop funding for 41 out of the 47 voluntary organisations that were previously supported by the council. Roughly a third of these are expected to close because of the withdrawal of funding, and the rest will have to seriously reduce their services. Under what seems ironically named the "Stronger Communities Fund" support is being cut from £2 million to £625,000, with only 6 of the 167 applications being succesful. The cuts hit particularly hard against groups serving the ethnic communities and vulnerable groups including the poor and elderly. Some of the demonstrators held placards for the Bangladesh Welfare Association Croydon (BWAC) which a few months ago celebrated its 25th anniversary, but has now lost its £50,000 annual funding which among other things enabled to run an advice service using volunteers to give advice on employment, benefits and housing. Others were from the New Addington Women's Group, whose centre which has been running for 30 years will close, ending the Women's Health Group, play schemes and other activities. Thames Path: Battersea Park - Wandsworth London. Sunday 11 July 2010 Still unfinished development next to Wandsworth Bridge, a site occupied by 'The Land is Ours' in the 90s more pictures I left the French celebrations early and wandered across Battersea Park past the fountains (they switched them off abruptly as I photographed them) and the Buddhist temple to the Peace Pagoda where last month I attended its 25th anniversary celebrations. Then it had been damp with a biting cold wind, more like February than June, but today the heat was blazing, and standing out of the shade soon uncomfortable. But there was a little breeze and some white clouds in a deep blue sky. I've never been of the school that says you can't take pictures in the middle of the day. You can make pictures in any light, just different pictures, and digital actually makes it easier to tame the deep shadows when necessary. From there I walked up-river, deviating a few yards to go up Ransome's Creek in Battersea, before returning to the river. And further down as you approach the heliport another deviation is unavoidable, although short of a few signposts to take you back to the river. When I first walked along this way, rather less of the river was accessible, but what there was certainly was more interesting. What was once an industrial stretch of the Thames is now largely lined by often rather ugly blocks of expensive flats, with the odd hotel thrown in. Property developers have profited mightly from the river, and they may well be pleasant places in which to live, but the rest of us have lost out. Immediately past Wandsworth Bridge (a very busy road to cross, and the way under the bridge promised for Winter 2010 will be useful) is a sand and gravel yard still in use and of course the busy Ship pub. The path now skirts round that and along in front of more dreary flats to the Waste Transfer Station, which once had an overhead walkway open to the public. It still has a sign telling you to control your children on it, but the gate to it has long been kept locked. I walked around and on across the Wandle, taking advantage of the recently opened short stretch of temporary path to take a few views over the fence of the mouth of the Wandle. I'd come around 4 miles and the day was too hot for me to walk further, so I went up the path by the Wandle to catch a bus at Wandsworth Plain. Bastille Day Comes Early in Battersea Battersea Park, London. Sunday 11 July 2010 One of the Lido dancers in Battersea Park more pictures If your dream of France is can-can dancers, petanque, touch rugby and over-priced food and wine it was all there in Battersea Park for you on Sunday, with a diplomat to cut the blue, white and red tape and a wandering group of musicians who could well have been looking for a Metro carriage. The can-can dancers were fun to watch and there was also a performance by some improbably costumed young ladies from the Lido, but it did all seem a caricature of the worst aspects of Paris, which I generally manage to avoid completely when I visit there. Many of those present were French, and it was a reminder that London now qualifies as one of the larger French cities in the world. A small theatre group performed around the site, but there didn't seem to me to be a great deal happening to entertain the crowd. Perhaps things got going after I left, but there was nothing of the popular entertainment and dancing that I remember from the one Bastille Day I celebrated in France, more than 40 years ago in the square by the town hall in a small town on the edge of Paris. But perhaps nowadays it would be rather different there too. No To Executions, No To Stoning Trafalgar Square, London. Saturday 10 July 2010 Iran Solidarity setting up the demonstration on the North Terrace of Trafalgar Square more pictures I called in briefly at Trafalgar Square where Iran Solidarity were planning to start a caravan through London against stoning in Iran , raising awareness against the case of Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani, sentenced to death by stoning for alleged adultery, as well as the other prisoners in Iran who have been executed or are under threat of execution. The reaction around the world against this abhorrent sentence had already caused the Iranian government to announce she would not be stoned, and since Saturday they appear to have said she will not be executed, at least for the time being. If her execution goes ahead it will probably be by hanging, with a noose being put around the neck before she is pulled up carefully to die a slow death by strangulation. The demonstration was just setting up when I visited it just after the starting time and I agreed to return later. However the square had been cleared for another event by the time I came back, and the Iran Solidarity demonstration had been moved away. However there was another small demonstration, raising public awareness about the June 1996 mass killing of 1,200 political prisoners by the Libyan authorities in Tripoli's Abu Salim prison. There is more about this on the Human Rights Watch site. Somers Town Festival of Cultures Chalton St, London. Saturday 10 July 2010 One of the many stalls selling food on Chalton St more pictures The LCC's Ossulston Estate, to the north of the Euston Rd between Chalton St and Ossulton St in St Pancras was a showpiece of the late 1920s and early 1930s, based very much on the model of Vienniese social housing, and is still visually impressive today, although some years ago it seemed considerably more run down. A much-needed refurbishment programme began around 2005. Architecturally important and now listed Grade II, it offered for the time high standards of modern living including electricity throughout and some flats had central heating, and also represented an attempt to create a socially mixed environment, but the architects ideas of incorporating penthouse private flats to subsidize the social housing proved politically unacceptable. So too did their plans to install lifts and build up to nine floors, although the one building that was allowed seven floors was provided with a lift, but the rest were capped at five floors. Only a part of the orginal plan was built. The Somers Town Festival of Cultures started in the mid-90s and celebrates the very diverse population of the area, which also includes another pioneering area of social housing by the St Pancras Housing Trust as well as more modern developments by the LCC and Camden as well as some older buildings. I've visited the festival a few times over the years and always been impressed by the wide range of cultural activities and community groups that take part in what is Camden's largest annual street festival. Among the stalls was one for the proposed UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation on Brill Place (behind the British Library), a locally very contentious high rise development that will dwarf its surroundings, at the equivalent of 13 storeys, on a site previously earmarked for local housing. They also fear the risk of having work on many dangerous organisms located in the centre of an area of high-density housing. Currently the research that would take place in the centre is carried out on a much larger site on the fringes of London at Mill Hill, which seems to Somers Town residents to be a much more suitable location. There seems to be a much closer and more friendly relationship between Somers Town and its fairly recent neighbour, the British Library, moved here from its former home in the British Museum, who had organised their Fiesta! event in conjuction with the Festival of Cultures. The Brill Place site was originally intended to be a part of the library and it will almost certainly be seen at some later date as short-sighted that the possibility of its later expansion in this direction has not been retained. Somehow there seemed to be less happening at the festival this year than in previous years, perhaps with smaller crowds and less performances along the street. I found it hard to find things to photograph compared to my earlier visits. But possibly I was too occupied with events at the BL and elsewhere, and perhaps I simply went home too early, tired by the rather oppressive heat of London. British Library, London. Saturday 10 July 2010 Latin American dancers in the courtyard of the British Library more pictures The British Library joined in the celebrations of the local community in the Somers Town Festival of Cultures by holding a day of Latin American performances to mark 200 years since much of South America gained independence, also marked by their special exhibition 'Viva La Libertad!' From the side entrance of the Library in Ossulton St you can walk through the courtyard of one of the 1930s blocks to Chalton St where the Somers Town Festival was taking place just a couple of minutes away, so I was able to photograph both events, although I wasn't able to stay all through the day. PCSOs Move On Deaf Mute Round World Biker Parliament Square, London. Sunday 4 July 2010 Vladimir A Yarets from Minsk in Belarus greets PCSOs in Parliament Square more pictures Sixty-nine year old Vladimir A Yarets from Minsk in Belarus, a remarkable man who had the dream of being the first deaf mute to travel around the world on a motorbike. came to Parliament Square today. He started his bike travels in 1967 by riding around the whole of the USSR - and when he returned home with newspaper cuttings covering his journey the authorities who hadn't thought he could ride a bike safely finally relented and let him have a driving licence. His round the world trip started on May 27 2000, and unlike some other such travellers, Yarets beleives in doing things really thouroughly - so in the USA he visited every state except Alaska and Hawai. He stayed in the USA rather longer than expected when a crash which resulted in various fractures meant he was in Peoria for almost a year. And in Cuba he spent three months in jail for not having the correct papers. So far he has visited more than 69 countries, covering over 300,000 kilometres on his heavily loaded and sticker-covered BMW. This wasn't his first visit to the UK, he spent 47 days and rode 3000km here in 2000. London didn't give him a big welcome on Sunday afternoon, with only a handful of us watching as he drove onto the pavement below the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square, and began a balletic mime act. It was obvious that this was something out of the ordinary, although at the time I had no idea who this man was, the badges and printouts plastered all over his machine and the bags and boxes attached to it made clear what he was doing. The two PCSOs who hurried across the road to deal with him were not impressed, obviously unable to comprehend that he was deaf and able to understand little of what they were telling him. They didn't seem to have any interest at all in who he was or what he was doing, just that he had to move that bike. Yarets tried hard to communicate with them for several minutes, then opened up the box behind his seat and got out a newspaper cutting about his journeying. Unfortunately the PCSOs couldn't understand that either (I think it was posisbly in Portuguese), and they just wanted rid of him. One came and 'asked' me (in that police tone which means you'd better or else) to stop taking photographs, but as when I asked her for a reason she had no sensible answer, I continued, telling her that we were seeing an interesting and important event that should be recorded. I'm glad to have met Yarets, and pleased to have shaken his hand. But despite the evidence of Big Ben behind him, Yarets wasn't in London, but had landed on Planet Security, a make-believe world where a remarkable human travelling the world on a BMW is seen not as someone to be welcomed, admired and applauded but simply as a security risk. He loaded up his bike, unfortunately not allowed to show the people in Parliament his simple display about his ride, something which shows how people labelled as 'disabled' can do remarkable things, and rode just a little sadly up Whitehall, leaving me and the others standing around disgusted at the way he had been treated by the police. I went to say goodbye to the Parliament Square Peace campaign - Brian was having a little rest so I didn't disturb him, and to the others and made my way home. Waterloo had a new service to Yorkshire to offer me, and I photographed it but decided it would be a little out of may way. Chris Knight & March For England Democracy Village, Parliament Square, London. Sunday 4 July 2010 St George's Flag at the Democracy Village Peace Garden in Parliament Square Photographers Celebrate End of Section 44 New Scotland Yard, London. Sunday 4 July 2010 Jules Mattson, arrested a week earlier in Romford, photographs photographers at New Scotland Yard more pictures More than 50 of London's leading professional photographers celebrated last week's landmark ruling by the European Court of Human Rights aimed at preventing police abusing powers of stop and search outside New Scotland Yard. The 'flashmob' demonstration, organised at the last minute by the I'm a Photographer Not a Terrorist campaign called on the Government to repeal section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 which police have been abusing since it came into force. Four days after this demonstration, Home Secretary Teresa May announced that they would do so. The case was taken by photographers Kevin Gillan and Pennie Quinton, supported by the National Union of Journalists after they were stopped while on their way to a demonstration in east London. The court found that it was unlawful to use section 44 to search anyone unless there were ground for suspicion that they were engaged in terrorism. Although the Home Office and various ministers have over the years issued advice to police stating that they must has real and identifiable concerns before using s44, police have continued to apply it in a wholesale manner, particularly targetting both likely demonstrators and journalists in areas where protests were though likely to occur. Photographers gathered at New Scotland Yard at 12 noon and spent an hour on the pavement outside celebrating the court victory, and asking that the government take the obvious step of repealing this section of the act. Many of those taking part have been stopped and searched under s44 on various occasions, and all of us seem to have many tales of police harassment - often relatively minor but at times serious. One of those who attended was the young freelance who was last weekend arrested while photographing a military celebration in Romford, showing remarkable presence of mind in recording the event on his phone and also managing to take photographs while having one arm twisted behind his back. He was given a great welcome by all present for the way he continued to calmly insist on his rights, despite a number of ridiculous allegations made against him, and being pushed down some steps by the police. One of my colleagues who attends demonstrations more regularly was searched using s44 over 30 times in a single year. Another was stopped and searched three times in half an hour while photographing a single demonstration. Press photographers carry a press card, issued by an independent scheme approved by the police designed to limit them to genuine newsgatherers. It has a photograph and gives their name, and the scheme also allows police to check by a phone call using a pin-number scheme that the card and holder are genuine. London. Saturday 3 July 2010 Imaan supports LGBT Muslims - and Bears Against Bigotry back them in the march more pictures London's annual Gay Pride parade through London celebrated 40 years of the Gay Liberation Front, which first brought Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) rights into the public arena. At the head of the march was the London Gay Liberation Front (GLF) banner, along with activists including Peter Tatchell and other original members. In June 1970, the first Pride march took place in New York City, and in October that year the GLF was founded and called for an end to discrimination in law, in employment, in education and by society at large, and an end both to feelings of guilt and shame around homosexuality and the eradication of prejudice. As Lisa Power says on the Pride web site, the "GLF organised the first and the best gay demonstrations; they invented gay nuns, Gay Days, gay communes; they made demands instead of requests; and they improvised the first London Gay Pride." In 1970 when gay people in the GLF marched on the streets for the first Gay Pride it was the start of a new open and radical gay movement. Almost all of the groups in the parade of thousands of people today owe their existence to the GLF, and before its pioneering work the idea of such an event was truly unthinkable. Even into the 1990s, when I started photographing it (here is a selection of pictures from 1993-2002 , and pictures from later years in the appropriate months on this site), Gay Pride was very much a protest, a radical event that many people agonized about before coming out to take part. Now it is more of a carnival, attracting as corporate sponsors major companies who want to promote themselves in the gay community, chasing the "pink pound" as well as other commercial organisations providing more targeted services. But something of the old Pride still remains. Many of the unions that take part have played an important role in combating discrimination in employment, and there are still radical groups such as those calling for asylum for LGBT refugees, Unite Against Fascism and some student groups. Heroes Who Fought in Spain Remembered Jubillee Gardens, Waterloo, London. Saturday 3 July 2010 Miquel Caminal of Memorial Democràtic de Catalunya lays a wreath at the International Brigade Memorial more pictures The International Brigades, in particular those British volunteers who fought in the Spanish Civil War, were remembered at a ceremony in London today, and flowers were laid at the memorial. This was the first year that there were no veterans of the conflict at the annual celebration, although seven from Britain still survive and were awarded Spanish Passports by the Spanish Government in 2009 as a gesture of that nation's gratitude. But more than a hundred people did attend, including many whose parents and relatives responded to the call to save the Spanish Republic from the Fascists. The event opened with a song by Geoff Lawes about the eight men from Hull who went to fight in Spain - and four died there (and later he sang another about the greatest dirt track rider of the age who also died there.) Spanish diplomat Ambassador Ramón Gandarias spoke briefly, and Professor Paul Preston introduced Miquel Caminal, the head of Memorial Democràtic de Catalunya, a Catalonian regional government supported program to disinter, where possible identify, and then properly rebury the war victims, many of whom where thrown unrecorded into mass graves. Duncan Longstaff led all of those present in the singing of 'Jarama', and after a minute of silence to remember the dead, wreaths were laid in their memory. Traditionally the event concludes with the singing of the Internationale, always a stirring sound in this company, although today I had to leave before the end,and also missed the contributions by speakers whose fathers had fought in Spain.	Parliament Square
What is the method of dyeing fabric in which the parts not to be dyed are covered with removeable wax?	London Student V.32 Issue 9 by London Student - issuu issuu FEBRUARY 13 -FEBRUARY 26 2012 \| www.london-student.net \| VOLUME 32 \| ISSUE 09 THE GREAT DEBATE IS ‘PAGE 3’APPROPRIATE FOR STUDENT MEDIA? FREE WHAT IS ULU’S BDS POLICY ABOUT? 5 14 20 22 UCL Atheist Society President resigns following cartoon controversy Get a glimpse of life as a Study Abroad student in the States Why all the memes and what do they mean? Find out if this issue’s lucky couple found love on their date ULU election results suggest victory for “activist” candidates The University of London Union (ULU) election results have been announced, with the candidates running on strong political, anti-cuts manifestos coming out on top. ________________________________ Writer Hesham Zakai Editor Are there simply too many men? Research published earlier this month looks at the gender imbalance Photo: Powerhouse Museum Collection PAGE 19 Eviction costs SOAS £12,000 Writer Portia Roelofs SOAS The forceful eviction of the Bloomsbury Social Centre (BSC) from a SOAS-owned building at 53 Gordon Sq cost the School over £12,000 in legal fees and bailiff costs, it has been revealed. Priot to it being occupied, the building had been empty for three years. Building work was due to commence on a new postgraduate study centre the same week it became occupied. The occupiers claim they had been negotiating for a peaceful exit in early January, but SOAS obtained a court possession order, citing the almost £4,000 a week contract of deferment costs, resulting from postponing the building work. BSC allege that they were negotiating in good faith when the eviction had already been decided upon. The building is being redeveloped in time for September 2012 and the plans include space for SOAS offices, a seminar room, research and study space for postgraduate students and residential accommodation on the fourth floor. During the occupation, which lasted from November 23 to December 22 2011, the building was renamed the Bloomsbury Social Centre and was used to host political meetings, film screenings and discussion groups. The economic rationale behind the eviction has been disputed. In a statement, SOAS Press Officer, Johannah Flaherty said: “The total cost of the occupation, the eviction, the interruption to the building contract and the additional surveys that had to be carried out due to the damage, now stands at £80,000. “We calculated that the cost per day was £1,244 (exc. legal costs but inc. VAT). Had the occupation continued for another 14 days this would have totalled £17,416.” Documents obtained by London Student under Freedom of Information legislation show that the economic justification for the eviction is open to dispute. The occupation was costing SOAS £3,910 + VAT a week in deferment costs to Parkeray Ltd, and £2,025.78 + VAT in security costs, down from a higher level of security in the first week. The cost of waiting two weeks for a peaceful exit would have been £14,245.87. It is unclear where the other costs in the SOAS calculation come from. The eviction cost of £12,018.96 includes bailiff fees (£8,694) and legal fees (£2,770.80) associated with the eviction. It does not include the cost of any damage caused to the building in the course of the eviction. Current ULU vice-president Sean Rillo Raczka was elected as President; current Royal Holloway Students’ Union president Daniel Lemberger Cooper was elected to the post of Vice-President; and LSE postgraduate student Jen Izaakson was elected as the new London Student Editor. Alongside these three Sabbatical Oﬃcer positions, Craig Gent and Stef Newton were elected to the ULU Board of Trustees. Sean Rillo Raczka ran uncontested and won 737 of the 1234 votes cast in this category. Daniel Cooper defeated Ross Speer by 871 votes to 560 in the second round, a5er Abs Hassanli had been eliminated in the ﬁrst round with 217 votes. There were a total of 1591 votes in this category. The London Student Editor category was the most closely contested. There were ﬁve candidates running with Jen Izaakson triumphing a5er four rounds of eliminations. Izaakson had led from the ﬁrst round and eventually beat UCL Cheese Grater editor John Bell in the ﬁnal round by 637 votes to 572. Reﬂecting on the result, a gracious John Bell said: “Congratulations to Jen, she had the ULU demographic on her side, but ran a good, high energy campaign. I wish her all the best.” Whilst Rillo Raczka was running uncontested for the presidency, he faced a potentially diﬃcult chal- lenge in overcoming a Re-Open Nominations ‘candidate’ buoyed by voter disillusionment and a support campaign by King’s College London Students’ Union newspaper Roar! Roar! ran a message on its website saying: “We have decided to put the full weight of Roar!’s support behind reopening nominations for ULU President. “We just can’t support an election where there is only one person running for President .” Responding to the ‘Back RON’ campaign, Rillo Raczka said: “Roar! thought it was fair to do a RON campaign against the only presidential candidate; they didn’t contact me or ask me for any comment on that. “People want to vote RON against people who succeed in things. If I was under the radar and wasn’t doing anything that was interesting or controversial, I wouldn’t have got that many RONs. I’m very relaxed about the idea of people doing RON campaigns and things like that. “I think it is also dissatisfaction with ULU from colleges who are paying a lot of money and we need to work to rectify that.” All of the elected candidates deﬁne themselves as activists and have pledged to continue ULU’s campaigning work. All candidates will oﬃcially take up their new posts on August 1. You can ﬁnd all the voting ﬁgures on our website: www.london-student.net PLAY LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 www.london-student.net LONDON STUDENT Malet Street, ULU, London, WC1E 7HY Tel: 02076 642054 facebook.com/london-student twitter.com/london-student Your newly elected ULU Sabbatical Oﬃcers (2012-2013) Above: Sean Rillo Rackzka (right) and Jen Izaakson in the ULU oﬃce shortly a3er the results were announced. Le!: Daniel Lemberger Cooper. The three sabbaticals will take ofﬁce from August 1 2012. Photo: Alireza S. Nejad ON LS WEBSITE LONDON-STUDENT.NET Most viewed “Goldman Sachs rule the world” 1 – Alessio Rastani at ULU 2 ULU Election News: 75% increase in voting overnight 4 5 My Week in TV: Birdsong and Call the Midwife Zarina Bhimji at Whitechapel Gallery 3 Anselm Kiefer at White Cube YOUR ULU London Student is currently producing a video showcasing all the services the University of London Union has to oﬀer YOU. Guest readers Editorial team Editor Hesham Zakai [email protected] -- News Editors Hattie Williams Bassam Gergi [email protected] Comment Editors Rosa Wild Tom Chambers Abubakr Al-shamahi [email protected] Features Editors Amy Bowles Ingrida Kerusauskaite [email protected] Community Editor Victoria Yates [email protected] Science Editors Harriet Jarlett Rachel Mundy [email protected] Academia Editor Valeriya Nefyodova [email protected] Entrepreneurship Editor Ahmad Bakhiet [email protected] Sport Editor Hesham Zakai [email protected] London Loves Jessica Broadbent [email protected] Sub Editors Katie Lathan Niki Micklem Ayala Maurer Neha Srivastava Cathryn Parkes Jonathan Brunton [email protected] -- Art Director Rahim Hakimi [email protected] Designers Hesham Zakai Alireza S. Nejad Production & Development Manager Alireza S. Nejad Photo Editor Danielle Bergere Broadcast Editor Freya Pascall [email protected] Libel Checker Caz Parra London Student strives to be green, which is why our paper is printed on 100% recycled paper and all copies le3 over are recycled by our distributors. But you can do your bit too by recycling your copy once you're ﬁnished. London Student is printed by Print & Digital Associates. Iliﬀe Print Cambridge Winship Road Milton Cambridge CB24 6PP ___________________________ NEWSPAPER SUPPORT RECYCLING The recycled paper content of UK newspapers in 2010 was 77.4% Jyoti Panday, an MSc Public Policy student at Queen Mary, leans back and enjoys her copy of London Student! LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 KCL War Studies department celebrates 50 years SOAS to host ‘Where are the Women?’ conference Writer Eavan McKay Ha ie Williams News Editor King’s College London’s War Studies department is celebrating its 50th year a7er its establishment in 1962, having become a world leader in the study of war, peace, and security in the past, present and future. War Studies is now providing for over 400 students and 200 doctoral candidates with 13 MA programmes and a popular undergraduate course. The department employs around 100 staﬀ and associated researchers. A special event, ‘War Studies: a Department and a Discipline, Past, Present and Future’ was held on Friday January 27 in celebration of the landmark. Discussions and talks by current staﬀ and former heads of the Department, including its founder, Professor Sir Michael Howard, were followed by an evening reception. Professor Sir Michael said: “This is a Golden Jubilee well worth celebrating; that it should have grown so much speaks volumes for the dedi- Art by Animals at UCL cation of its staﬀ, the quality of its students, the political skills of its leadership and the urgency of the need it was created to ﬁll. “I ﬁnd it astonishing that it is 50 years since we started it all. When I was Prof. Frost “The Department is one of the very few in the UK devoted to exclusively to the multi-disciplinary study of war as a phenomenon.” here it consisted of a staﬀ of three and ten graduate students.” Professor Mervyn Frost, Head of Department, said: “The Department is unique in the UK and one of the very few university departments in the world devoted exclusively to the multi-disciplinary study of war as a phenomenon. “Wars challenge all aspects of the so- Jack Ashby Ha ie Williams News Editor The art exhibition, Art by Animals, featuring paintings by elephants, apes and several other species, launched at UCL’s Grant Museum of Zoology last week in collaboration with UCL Slade School of Fine Art graduate, Mike Tuck. The work was gathered from Samutprakarn Zoo, Thailand’s Erie Zoo, Saint Louis Zoo, Cheyenne Maountain Zoo Colorado, Pennsylvania and Missouri, USA by co-curators Mike and Will Tuck. Mike Tuck, said: “We believe the exhibition at the Grant Museum to be the ﬁrst to exhibit multiple species’ paintings and to a8empt to take a broad view of the phenomenon.” The exhibition aims to question visitors whether animals can make art cieties in which they occur and its study, therefore, deserves academic analysis like any other subject to deepen our understanding of war’s complex issues.” Fraser Bomford, 2003 MA International Relations graduate, said: “I enjoyed that I could dip into diﬀerent subjects – war in the media, intelligence, international relations – which allowed me to read a broad range of literature.” David Bradley. 1967 MA graduate, said: “Today’s 50th anniversary was a most enjoyable day with fascinating presentations and lectures, the opportunity to meet old friends, all rounded oﬀ by a great reception in the evening. “I for one thoroughly enjoyed myself and it was especially gratifying to see how the department had developed over the years and very encouraging to learn how it was dealing with new subjects and opportunities.” Art by Animals: Picture courtesy of UCL and be creative, and why some creations by the animal are considered more valuable, or skilful, than others. Will Tuck, co-curator, said: “Although it is fairly clear that any notion of art by animals is essentially anthropomorphic, it starts to raise very interesting questions about the nature of human art.” “Ape art is o7en compared to that of two or three year old children in the ‘scribble stage’,” he added. The painting of a ﬂowerpot by Boon Mee, a former logging elephant in Thailand, is a highlight of the exhibit. The handiwork of gorillas, orangutans and chimps stand alongside an historical documentation of ‘animal “Whether this is actually art is the big question.” art’. Painting and sculpture has been used as a leisure activity for animals in zoos since the mid-‘50s, raising funds for conservation by selling the works. Its popularity began with Granada TV’s 1956 Zoo Time, rising with the materialisation of the abstract expressionism movement. Jack Ashby, Manager of the Grant Museum of Zoology, said: “Whether this is actually art is the big question. While individual elephants are trained to always paint the same thing, art produced by apes is a lot more creative and is almost indistinguishable from abstract art by humans that use similar techniques.” Art by Animals is part of the Humanimals Season at the UCL Grant Museum of Zoology, and runs from February 1 to March 9 2012. The Museum is open to the public 1-5pm, Monday to Friday. Admission is free and there is no need to book. On the 18th February SOAS will be hosting a cross-university conference entitled ‘Where are the Women’. Organising the event are women’s oﬃcers from various university of London unions. The event aims to bring together students and key note speakers to discuss issues that aﬀect both female students in the UK as well as women internationally. The conference is timely due to recent statistics that say the UK education cuts are set to hit female students the hardest. This is likely party because humanities subjects both face the greatest decline in government funding and also are more favoured by women. Events at the conference will include self-defence classes, talks from speakers, including John McLaverty from Oxfam discussing women in Sierra Leon government and a talk on women in the media. There will also be a ﬁlm screening about women during the Arab spring by Egyptian activists. The a7ernoon debate “Where are the Women” will have representatives from diﬀerent ULU campuses on a penal discussion debating questions from the ﬂoor. There will also be poetry and choir performances. All university of London students are welcome to the conference. Sian Mcgee – SOAS Women’s Oﬃcer and key conference organiser told London student “We hope this will spark similar events away form the usual NUS conferences which are hindered by bureaucracy.” For more information on the conference there is a facebook event page entitled “Where are the Women” or alternatively contact Sian Mcgee on [email protected]. News round up NUS celebrates 90th birthday NATIONAL It was in a packed conference room at the University of London Club, Gower Street, on 11-12 February 1922, that the National Union of Students was created, and Ivison Macadam elected its ﬁrst president. Today, the Union celebrates its 90th birthday, led by current president Liam Burns. NUS have said there will be various events throughout the year celebrating the Union’s achievements. LSE dean issues alcohol warning LSE Jan Stockdale, Dean of Undergraduate Studies at LSE, has raised concerns to the School’s Personal Security Group about the intake of alcohol on campus. In an email, she expressed concern at the rise of alcohol-related incidents on campus over the past year. Her email stated that “the low cost of alcohol relative to incomes has been a factor in an increase in alcohol consumption with all its a8endant risks”. Security concerns at Queen Mary Queen Mary Queen Mary’s security is once more under scrutiny a7er one of its security staﬀ claimed the present reorganisation of its security services has le7 the campus “wide open”, according to a report by QMessenger. This latest revelation will fuel concerns already brimming from the end of last year, when £2,400 worth of SU equipment was stolen a7er a thief broke into QMSU oﬃces. LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 Love the Heart: Queen Mary’s makes St Valentine’s Day Medical Haie Williams News Editor Queen Mary, University of London is oﬀering an exclusive event this Valentine’s Day, asking the time-honoured question of artists, lovers and singletons: can you die from a broken heart? Queen Mary’s Pathology Museum at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithﬁeld is opening its doors tomorrow, Tuesday February 14, to those medically interested in the human heart, alongside those eager to avoid a clichéd Valentine’s night out. Following complimentary wine and chocolate, guests will be treated to a double-bill of Valentine’s-themed lectures from two medical heart specialists. Dr Alexander Lyon, Senior Lecturer in Cardiology Imperial College and Consultant Cardiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital, is speaking on stress cardiomyopathy, or “Broken University applications fall 8.7% Writer Zafer Khaak The number of UK students applying to start university this autumn has dropped by nearly 9%, oﬃcial ﬁgures show, a9er colleges were allowed to increase fees as part of the government’s plan to narrow the budget deﬁcit. Tuition fees for English universities are due to triple to a maximum of £9,000 this autumn. Overall application from all students, both home and abroad, are down by 7.4%, the ﬁgures show. The ﬁgures show that the number of applicants have fallen from all parts of the UK. In England the number of applicants has dropped by 9.9%, Northern Ireland 4%, Scotland 1.5% and Wales 1.9%. Education experts warned that the Government's plans to raise tuition fees could be having an impact on application ﬁgures. But UCAS chief Heart Syndrome”. Dr Lyon will expose the facts and ﬁctions of the condition: the rigorous decline of the heart muscles that can occur a9er emotional or physical trauma, such as strokes, seizures or the sudden loss of a loved one. Dr Samantha Warnakula, University of Cambridge, will talk on the health beneﬁts of chocolate. This National Pathology Year 2012 event is introduced by Dr Catherine Molyneux, Director of Anatomical Studies at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary. “The Museum is hosting this unique Valentines event as part of National Pathology Year – a series of events taking place across the UK to celebrate the medical achievements made through the study of disease,” said Dr Molyneux. “This is a unique opportunity for the public to come inside the museum, which is such a valuable resource for research and teaching. Compared with what a lot of other people may be doing on Valentine’s Day, it’s sure to be a fascinating and extremely different experience.” executive Mary Curnock Cook suggested that population changes could be a factor in the fall, and said the drop in demand was larger among wealthier students than poorer ones. And university leaders said the dip had been "far less dramatic" than had been predicted. For prospective students, it's important to remember that there is still time to apply. This is only the start of the admissions process. The important thing will be looking at how many of these, and subsequent applications, turn into acceptances in the coming months. Last week, the government announced that the number of university places for this autumn would be cut by 15,000. The move was detailed in a le:er from Vince Cable, the business secretary, and David Wille:s, the universities minister, to organisations that give out public funds to universities on behalf of the government. It also stated that funding for teaching in universities would be cut by 18%. Former SOAS Student detained in Iran in preelection crackdown Parastoo Dokouhaki, MA Media studies (SOAS 2007-8) Writer Portia Roelofs The Pathology Museum, usually closed to the public, is situated in the Robin Brook Centre at Bart's Hospital on Queen Mary’s West Smithﬁeld campus. Its collection concentrates on cardiovascular, reproduction and gynaecology, cancer and forensic medi- Readers banned from SOAS library Photos courtesy of Queen Mary’s cine. Anatomical heart specimens will be on display at the event and a cake rafﬂe – donated by the new tea shop and vintage store “Crimson Heart”, Shoreditch – will raise money for the British Heart Foundation. Writers Portia Roelofs There are daily reminders not to eat in the library, and occaisional disgruntled sounding tannoy announcements, but has anyone ever been thrown out for good for snacking between the stacks? It has been revealed that in 2011 an external visitor to the library was permanently banned for “striking a member of staﬀ”, according to Johannah Flaherty, SOAS’s Press Oﬃcer. More recently, someone was banned for a month for eating in the library despite “repeated requests” from library staﬀ, and another was banned for the same length of time for “fraudulently using a SOAS student's identity card”. Both were external visitors, not SOAS students. Asked if the library had ever had to exclude a SOAS student from the premises Flaherty replied: “SOAS Photo courtesy of SOAS students are only temporarily banned for serious breaches of our code of conduct. Depending on the circumstances, we would speak to the student and their academics to make special arrangements for study support.” “A:acks on any member of staﬀ will not be tolerated. SOAS will take the necessary measures to protect its staﬀ from verbal and physical abuse. The SOAS Library code of conduct was dra9ed to ensure the safety of all its users, to enable them to study without disruption and to protect all learning materials and facilities.” The library reminds students not to lend their cards to external users, in the interests of security. The Library Customer Charter is available on the library website. A SOAS alumni has been arrested in Iran as part of a wider crackdown on bloggers and journalists. Parastoo Dokouhaki, who studied for an MA in Media studies in 2007-8 was arrested in her home in Tehran on the 15th January this year. She has previously wri:en on women's rights for the magazine Zanan and her own blog Zan-Nevesht but had not been involved in political activity in the last few years. The European Commission, Amnesty International and the US State Department have all made calls for her release. Aki Elborzi, President of SOAS Iranian Society, said “We express our solidarity with Parastoo Dokouhaki and add our serious concern for her well-being and safety.” No oﬃcial explanation has been given for her detention. SOAS to host Middle East Conference Writer Ha*ie Williams News Editor SOAS is hosting a free, studentorganised conference, A9er the Spring, examining the future of the Middle East. Speakers for the event on February 25 will include Sami Zubaida, Charles Tripp, Brian Whitaker, Nadje El-Ali and other academics, journalists, and activists. SOAS have organised the conference “in the hopes of be:er understanding the hopeful opportunities and signiﬁcant challenges that lie ahead for the region and its people.” Panels will include Geopolitical Challenges to Political Change; Justice, Intervention, and the Rule of Law in Transition; Gender and Sexuality in Revolutionary Politics, and Transforming Societies? Social Change across the Region. LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 UCL Atheist Society Bill Gates tackles President resigns following World Poverty at cartoon controversy LSE Writers Hasnar Haidar The president of the University College London’s (UCL) Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society, Robbie Yellon, has resigned following controversy over a publication of a cartoon sketch depicting the Prophet Mohammed and Jesus Christ having a drink on the society’s facebook page. The society used the title page, from an online satirical comic book “Jesus and Mo”, by a pseudonymous British cartoonist called Mohammed Jones, to advertise a social event. UCL’s Union backed the protests of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Asso- ciation against the sketch. Following complaints from students, the society was advised by the union that it would be “prudent” to take the cartoon down. The society refused, launching an online petition to “defend freedom of expression at University College London” and criticising “a6empts to censor” the society. A UCL Union statement said: “The atheist society has agreed they will take more consideration when drawing up publicity for future events. The society was asked to remove the image because UCLU aims to foster good relations between different groups of students and create a safe environment where all students can beneﬁt from societies regardless of their religious or other beliefs.” The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Associa- tion is continuing with its protest against the image, saying it has wider implications. “The principle is more important than who is being attacked,” says Adam Walker, the association’s national spokesperson. “This time it is Muslims and Christians but in the future it could be atheists themselves.” The Secretary for the National Federation of Atheist, Humanist and Secular Student Societies, Michael Paynter said Yellon “stepped aside because he signed up as president to organise events and run a student society. He did not appreciate the stress he would be under when dealing with a controversy like this, so he wanted to make way for someone else.” Yellon will be replaced by former vice president Michael Thor. UCL’s Atheist Society President Robin Yellon has resigned in the aftermath of the contro versy which followed after his society posted a cartoon of the prophet Muhammed on its Facebook page. Image courtesy of UCL Ha#ie Williams News Editor Bill Gates, co-founder and chairman of Microso5 and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, expressed his views on the prevention of world poverty, conferencing at the LSE last week. Mr. Gates covered the key themes of his 2012 Annual Le6er, which he delivered alongside Hans Rosling, cofounder and chairman of the Gapminder Foundation and advisor to the Global Poverty Project. In the lecture, Gates concentrated on the magnitude of health and agriculture, describing it as “intrinsically connected” to the ba6le against global poverty. He determined that lack of development is “holding people back” in the developing world. Gates said that a be6er understanding of plant genes through scientiﬁc investigation may help lower crop impairment and aid research in the prevention of human diseases. He stressed the importance of scientiﬁc research into the protection of cassava, the developing world’s largest staple, from brown streak disease. “Most of the poor are people with very small farms who barely grow enough to feed their families. In tough years, they are extremely malnourished, so health ties very closely to agriculture,” he said. “The reason why kids die of diarrhoea and pneumonia is because their bodies aren’t very strong; if they had proper nutrition, the death rate would be dramatically lower.” On issues of health, Gates discussed the successes of an ongoing campaign to eliminate polio, launched in 1987. Today, only ten nations worldwide are le5 with the disease. These are the “toughest countries” in which to eradicate polio, said Gates. In India, once regarded as the greatest challenge, there have been no cases of polio in the last year. Photos courtesy of The Beaver Gates concluded: “There are many things going on in terms of the Eurozone crisis and budget cutbacks that would make it easy to turn inward and reduce ﬁnancing. People are reminded that donations and aid have a signiﬁcant impact on the lives of others overseas.” Gates added that we must “keep doing what we’re doing” to end poverty. He praised Great Britain’s commitment to poverty reduction as “actually quite exemplary.” Bill Gates, the most famous entrepreneur of the computer revolution, was greeted enthusiastically by students as he entered LSE. Student occupation protesters investigated for terrorist links Writers Portia Roelofs The Metropolitan Police's Counter-terrorism division, SO15, investigated the 53 Gordon Sq occupation for links to terrorist factions. Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show that SOAS Management were in communication with SO15 and Camden Council in the ﬁrst weeks of the occupation, which started on 23rd November last year. The SO15 was set up to “protect London and the UK from the threat of terrorism … providing a proactive and reactive response to terrorist, domestic extremist and related oﬀences.” The documents include a dra5 witness statement from Richard Poulson, Director of Estate at SOAS, which was presented to the High Court of Justice as part of the hearing for an expedited possession order for the occupied building on 15th December. It states that the School believed the occupation was “connected with the wider Occupy Movement and … the Government’s planned public spending cuts”. It reads, “The police were concerned that the occupation might have been linked to terrorist factions planning to inﬁltrate the [November 30th] march.” Contact was made with both the SO15 division and local Camden Police “in connection with these concerns.” However, a5er the original communications, police interest faded. The statement suggests this was because “there is no or insuﬃcient evidence linking the occupiers to any criminal activity of the sort they feared when the occupation commenced." The Metropolitan Police were unable to comment on their communications regarding the occupation. The occupiers called themselves the Bloomsbury Social Centre and said they were “[hoping] to use the space that SOAS have neglected as a hub of organising for students, workers and residents in the Bloomsbury area.” They held a daily schedule of events in the building including dinners, ﬁlm nights and information evenings for tenants, workers and beneﬁts claimants. A spokesman from Bloomsbury Social Centre, Robin from Birkbeck, said: “Domestic extremism is a term which has been applied to campaigners for social justice in the UK over the past few years. Were we campaigning for social justice? Certainly. If demanding wages and pensions people can actually live on is extreme, then we counted as such extremists.” Val Martin, a student at SOAS, said “"It comes to something when the state is so suspicious of people speaking against it - even in the form of peaceful student protest - that they look for links to terrorism." A motion condemning police presence on campus was passed by 2 votes short of unanimous at the SOAS UGM on 17th January this year. Proposed by Kristian Brunn, Vernon Square Oﬃcer on the Student Union and seconded by Keiko Ono, the International Students' Oﬃcer, the motion noted “The unnecessarily violent eviction of the Bloomsbury Fightback occupation at 53 Gordon Square by masked bailiﬀs in December 2011”. It also made reference to an incident in 2009 where police carried out a dawn raid against people working as cleaners in SOAS, which resulting in ﬁve deportations, including of a woman who was 6 months pregnant. The motion argues that “That the security of students and staﬀ (notably cleaners) has been neglected, whilst the security of 'management' at SOAS to make proﬁt and control property has been privileged.” and defend the School community from UK Border Agency, Police and Bailiﬀ presence. NEWS LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 Illustrator Nathan Clu erbuck Writer Bassam Gergi News Editor Marie Colvin 1957-2012 Courage in journalism To be a journalist in many parts of the world is not a ma8er lightly taken today. Anthony Shadid and Marie Colvin , two reputed foreign journalists, lost their lives in Syria last week as they tried to shed light on the a8rocities being perpetrated by the Assad regime. Their courage, their steadfast desire to bear witness to historic transformations in the Middle East, and their determined pursuit of the truth, no ma8er the cost, marked them apart. In an age where technology is supposed to make the world a more transparent place, journalists are increasingly coming under a8ack. The number of jailed journalists worldwide in 2011 reached the highest level since 1996. Imprisoned, intimidated, and targeted, journalists face a dangerous landscape. What too many journalists and their loved ones have discovered is the truth o7en comes at too dear price. This week, world news is highlighting a handful of courageous journalists who gave their lives to open a window through which the rest of us could look in. 1 1) Raul Quirino Garza MEXICO Just one day a7er the Viennabased press watchdog International Press Institute named Mexico as the world’s deadliest place for journalists to work - Raul Quirino Garza, a municipal employee who also worked for local weekly newspaper La Ultima Palabra, was gunned down. 15 bullet casings from high caliber weapons were found at the scene. A spokesman for the state detectives agency, speaking on condition of anonymity, reportedly told AP that Quirino Garza was shot while driving a new car in the municipality of Cadereyta. The spokesman also indicated that gunmen may have mistaken Quirino Garza for a rival or wanted the car. (IPI) Executive Director Alison Bethel McKenzie said: “We oﬀer our condolences to the family and colleagues of Mr. Quirino Garza and we urge Mexican authorities to conduct a full, swi7 and transparent investigation into his death. The murder of Mr. Quirino Garza is a grim reminder this early in the year of how dangerous it is to be a media worker in Mexico.” 2 2)Laecio de Souza BRAZIL Brazilian journalist Laecio de Souza was killed January 3 in Salvador, the largest city in Brazil's northeast. According to reports, he had received threatening phone calls prior to his murder, and local drug traﬃckers were reportedly dissatisﬁed with his a8empts to build a community center in a working class neighborhood. Souza was a local news reporter for the radio station Sucesso FM, and he aimed to run for city council, according to Correio 24 Horas. Witnesses said two men shot the journalist while he worked to construct a storage facility for the local community on his property, according to Agência Estado. Souza was shot three times and died on the spot. NEWS LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 3 Wael Mikhael EGYPT Mikhael, an Egyptian cameraman for the Coptic television broadcaster Al-Tareeq, wasshot while filming violent clashes between Coptic Christian protesters and the military in front of the headquarters of the Television and Radio Union, commonly referred to as Maspero, according to the broadcaster and other news reports. Mikhael was shot in the head, the station said. The source of fire was not immediately clear, although news accounts reported that military forces had fired on protesters during the demonstrations. The cameraman was one of at least 25 people killed in the clashes, during which hundreds of others were injured, local and international news outlets reported. Mikhael is survived by a wife and three children. Two gunmen killed broadcast reporter Aatif outside a mosque in Shabqadar, about 15 miles (25 kilometers) north of Peshawar, according to news reports. A correspondent for the private TV station Dunya News, Aatif also worked for Deewa Radio, a Pashtolanguage service of the U.S. government-funded Voice of America. The assailants struck as Aatif was leaving a mosque near his home a1er evening prayers. He was shot several times, and his a2ackers fled on motorcycles, police told reporters. Wounded in the head, Aatif died of his injuries at Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar. An imam at the mosque was also injured in the a2ack, according to news reports. Taliban spokesmen spoke to several news outlets, taking responsibility for the killing. Ihsanullah Ihsan told The Associated Press that Aatif had been warned "a number of times to stop anti-Taliban reporting, but he didn't do so. He finally met his fate." 5) Wisut "Ae" Tangwittayaporn THAILAND Wisut, 44, a reporter and owner of the newspaper Inside Phuket, was shot and killed by two motorcycle-riding assailants while driving with his wife, Jiraporn Hosakul, during morning rush hour on the southern island of Phuket, according to news reports. One of the assailants fired four times through the windshield of Wisut's car as the journalist was waiting to turn onto a main road, news reports said. Wisut died from gunshot injuries to the shoulder, chest, and throat at Vachira Hospital later that morning, according to the reports. His wife was unharmed. Wisut was likely targeted for his critical reporting. Wisut had reported on a series of controversial land claims for Inside Phuket. He was also a political activist with the United Front Against Dictatorship for Democracy, which is aligned with Thailand's ruling Peua Thai political party. COMMENT LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 Prof. Stefano Harney QMUL “No one really wants to be a number, or be rated by one. And yet this is exactly what the NSS does.” Anya Pearson UCL “Struggling to find a job or support your fam- ily? You’d better head to the workhouse with a new-found penchant for gruel.” W The National Student Survey turns us into statistics hat's wrong with giving someone your 'feedback'? What's wrong with telling someone what you enjoyed, what you didn't, what was helpful, what was not? Nothing, of course. But the way we give our feedback tells us a lot about our relationship with the other person. We could even say that the way we give our feedback helps to define what kind of relationship we are going to have with that person. If you went out last Saturday night, it is unlikely you called your boyfriend or girlfriend on Sunday morning and said I would like to give you some feedback 'from 1 to 5' on your dancing and sense of humour. Nor would you send them a form to fill out so that in the future you could serve them be2er. If your mother asks you how her cooking is, responding with '7 out of 10' is probably a mistake. It would also be a bad move to provide her with a summary graph. It's the same in the commercial world. No one likes filling out those stupid cards telling the restaurant what we thought of their service. But if a waiter asks how things are, we are usually happy to tell him. It is the same on-line. No one pays a2ention to how many stars a new song or flat screen television receives on Amazon. But we all want to read the comments, even though we suspect some are wri2en by bored employees and others are just plain weird. This is also why representative democracy can o1en feel so unsatisfactory, so hollow. Ticking a box, being just a number in a vote tally, is nothing like catching a politician in a supermarket and telling her what you really think of tuition fees. In short, no one really wants to be a number, or be rated by one. And yet this is exactly what the NSS does to lecturers, and to students. It emphasises big numbers, added together to give rankings, and it turns the relationship between students and lecturers not just into a customer relationship, but an impersonal customer relationship. Comments are chucked aside, and only the numbers survive. It is the numbers that count. And it is the numbers that define who you are as a student or a lecturer in the NSS. Once that relationship is established, it gets worse. Think about what you want from your relationship with a lecturer. You want feedback that is individual, that addresses your work specifically, and that helps you get be2er. The lecturer wants the same from you. But when you stop giving the lecturer anything but numbers, or more accurately when the NSS forces you into that relationship, the lecturer also reacts to this. Now you are not just her student, but her judge, her jury, and if things go badly, her executioner. This is not your fault. You would like to give real feedback and get real feedback. But that is not how she sees you because now you are just part of the NSS numbers game. She does to treat you now like an individual, but part of an aggregate number, and what she says to you, and how she gives you feedback may look personal, but she is not looking at you. She is looking at a number. And not just a number, but a customer number. I teach in a business school, and I can tell you that the first lesson we teach students is that the customer is to be manipulated. Okay, we don't always say it like that but when we talk about trying to sell something to a customer we are not concerned with whether that customer really t’s the bicentenary of Dickens' birth this year, but try telling that to Tory and Lib Dem MPs. As they reject all seven Lords amendments to the welfare reform bill, they’re twisting the knife in this already Draconian regime of cuts that are hitting the most vulnerable people in our society the hardest. It strikes me that the repressive Poor Law legislation of the 1830s will sound disturbingly familiar to anyone following the current debate on the proposed £26,000 benefit cap. Struggling to find a job or support your family? You’d better head to the workhouse with a new-found penchant for gruel. The benefit cap borrows heavily from the nineteenth-century principle of 'less eligibility'; that is, the condition of a person on welfare should not be seen as attractive to someone in work (or they'll quit their job, go on the dole and bathe in champagne and caviar, presumably). Thousands of unemployed and impoverished men, women and children were forced into the workhouses to slave for bread and board to serve as an example to the rest. It was a bit like Oliver Twist, but with less unbridled joy. And then there’s the discipline. 200 years ago, the elite were obsessed with disciplining the 'deviant' poor. In 1834 the Poor Law Amendment act endorsed the pernicious idea that poverty was a choice and therefore the sole responsibility of the individual. Fear of hunger and destitution would give these bond-idle, 'undeserving' poor the incentive they needed to find work. Employment was out there - they just had to wait for the penny farthing to be invented, and then get on it and look for a job. An Assistant Commissioner of the Poor Law complained with disgust about the "Discontented, surly, thoughtless pauper, who talks of ‘right and ‘income’ and will soon fight for these supposed rights”. Flash forward to October 2010 and Ian Duncan Smith is channelling the spirit of Norman Tebbit by telling the unemployed to stop demanding wel- fare in financially hard times, get on the bus and look for work. But, like the 1840s, unemployment is chronic and an average of 4.3 people are now chasing each job in the UK. The official count of unemployed people who are actively looking for work is 2.68 million. Another driving force of the Poor Law was to deny workingclass people the right to a family life and prevent them from having children, splitting up countless families. Once in the workhouse, mothers, fathers and children were not even allowed to communicate. Similarly, Duncan Smith assumes that people have children just to scrounge more benefits: "They are incentivised, many of these families, to find more children so that they can stay out of work. This is utterly wrong." Duncan Smith cannot countenance the idea that workingclass people may actually want – and deserve – a family of their own. Accordingly, the benefit cap will effectively break up families who can no longer afford to be together, especially if it includes needs something, only with how to make that customer want something. If I start to see you as a customer in my class I am no longer interested in what you need. I am interested in making you happy so you will say you like my service. In fact, I am not even concerned with you and what you need individually at all, because now you are a number to be satisfied, a number to be moved up the scale by making you like something, not by finding out what you really need. If we are to avoid looking at each other as numbers and treating each like numbers, we need an NSS without numbers, feedback that reflects the relationship we really want to have between lecturers and students. A workshop focusing on these issues, mobilising opposition to the NSS and designing a more productive form of student evaluation will be held in room 3C at ULU at 6pm on Wednesday 21 March. Speakers include Professor John Holmwood, Campaign for the Public University, Arianna Tassinari, Co President Welfare and Education, SOAS SU and many others. A dra% motion opposing the NSS is available from: [email protected] Benefits cap: the new Poor Law I child benefit in its £26,000 figure, which seems more than likely. As Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes says: "It will provide a financial incentive to be apart". These historical comparisons are not glib. We live in one of the richest countries in the world but studies show that 3 million children currently live below the poverty line in Britain and the daily experience of hunger is reappearing. To claim that our country is a more comfortable and less harsh place since Dickens’ time is not an excuse to regress, or sacrifice equality for misplaced austerity. Agree? Disagree? Your views: [email protected] Rachel Harger QMUL “Alfie was struck so hard on the headwith a police baton that he needed three hours of emergency brain surgery to save his life. ” Paul Haydon Like the war on drugs, the war on piracy is unwinnable; people will always ﬁnd a way to circumvent the law. “ COMMENT LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 Student demonstrations may have slowed but the ramifications are raging on O n December 9 2010, tens of thousands of students came from across the country to march and demonstrate their anger against MPs voting for the 9K hike in tuition fees. On the streets we experienced mass unity against this deeply unpopular policy, which the Liberal Democrats had pledged explicitly against. However, thousands who came to voice their anger that day were met with police charges on horseback, ke8ling and baton strikes. A senior doctor from Aberdeen Royal Inﬁrmary, who set up a ﬁeld hospital in Parliament Square on December 9, spoke of her experience being kettled later that night on Westminster Bridge: “It was the most disturbing thing I've ever seen – it must have been what Hillsborough was like. The crush was just so great. Repeatedly I tried to speak to oﬃcers, telling them that I was a doctor and that this was a serious health and safety risk.” She recorded people suﬀering from respiratory problems, chest pains and symptoms of severe crushing. Many who were present at the demonstration experienced police lashing out at protesters throughout the day. Activist and Journalist Jody McIntyre was hit with a baton whilst being pulled from his wheelchair and dragged along the pavement; this happened to him twice that day. Alﬁe Meadows came on the demonstration a7er being heavily involved in a campaign at Middlesex University, to save his Philosophy department from closure. The department was subsequently closed, ignoring the concerns of Philosophy students like Alﬁe. It was a8acks on education such as these which led many students like Alﬁe to demonstrate, yet Alﬁe was struck so hard on the he 18th January 2012 saw the Internet rise up and rear its head in an unprecedented show of force, with online giants such as Google, Wikipedia and Reddit leading a massive campaign against SOPA and PIPA - the planned anti-piracy bills being debated in the US Senate and Congress. Perhaps most hardhi8ing, especially to students, was the terrifying ‘black-out’ of Wikipedia, which asked hapless users to “imagine a world without free knowledge.” Social networking sites soon began to buzz with talk about the dangers of the planned piracy bills, and by the end of the day political support for the bills had crumbled. American lawmakers and politicians began to realise just how much they had underestimated the power of the internet. The criticism levelled against these anti-piracy bills was well-founded. The bills proposed to block access to any website which violated copyright law, meaning that sites which allow users to share information such as YouTube or Wikipedia could be shut down if just one user illegally uploaded copyrighted material. Backed by some of America’s most powerful lobbying groups representing big business and the entertainment industry, those dra7ing the bills did not even a8empt to consult representatives of the internet, and therefore failed to reﬂect some of their legitimate concerns. Namely, that these draconian laws would have severely restricted the free-ﬂow of information online, and in the process threatened the devel- opment of what has perhaps been the most proﬁtable and revolutionary invention in human history. Admi8edly, piracy is a huge problem that costs the entertainment industry billions of pounds in potential revenue each year. With music and ﬁlms so easily obtained for free online, many see li8le point in going out and purchasing them for the full price. Of course, this is not morally excusable, and is rightly classed as the7. Yet it is also partly explained by one of the ongoing mysteries of the digital age. Although the running costs associated with packaging, retail and marketing have been removed, many major companies have failed to adapt and still expect us to pay full price for what have eﬀectively become intangible goods. Should we really have to pay iTunes 99p per track, or channels such as Film4 £3.50 to watch a ﬁlm (once)? Unlike other areas of mass consumption, much of the entertainment industry just doesn’t seem to have matched its prices to the lower costs of production. However, others have shown how revenue can be sustained by taking a more pragmatic approach to online sales. Many bands have followed Radiohead’s example and are giving away albums in exchange for voluntary contributions. Meanwhile ondemand movie services such as LoveFilm, which oﬀer users unlimited access for a small monthly fee, are rapidly growing in popularity. In addition, revenue from online video advertising has rocketed, more than quadrupling since 2008. This shows how many people would prefer to pay a small but rea- T Drawn by imprisoned protester, James Heslip who is serving 12 months at Wandsworth Prison. For more of his drawings from prison visit: http://jamesheslip.blogspot.com/ head with a police baton, that he needed three hours of emergency brain surgery to save his life. As well as losing his university department and almost his life, Alﬁe has been charged with violent disorder and faces a trial on March 26. However the police who carried out a8acks on protesters throughout the day and evening are yet to face any charges. Many workers and trade unionists came down to Whitehall on the evening of 9th December, a7er ﬁnishing work, to stand in solidarity with the protesters being ke8led. We are asking for the same display of support for Alﬁe Meadows as he goes into court on March 26. We have already seen a number of protesters receive long custodial sentences of up to 36 months. Not only has this ripped many young people away from their families and friends, but it has o7en meant universities have a8empted to exclude and expel these students. This happened most recently to James Heslip, a third year student at Kingston. However he was immediately reinstated following a campaign by students and staﬀ who he was twinned with. We encourage supporters of the campaign to get involved with the twinning scheme. Your le8ers will not only ensure imprisoned protesters know they are not alone, but will also create the necessary political channels of solidarity, for those imprisoned who could suﬀer further victimisation. To twin with an imprisoned protester or ﬁnd out more, please email: [email protected] As part of the Defend the Right to Protest Campaign, we are calling for an end to political charging and sentencing of protesters. We must defend the right to protest; we must call on the authorities to drop all charges against Alﬁe Meadows and all criminalised student demonstrators. The internet strikes back over SOPA sonable fee, or simply watch a couple of adverts, in order to enjoy a reliable, high-quality service and avoid the guilt and risk of illegal piracy. Meanwhile in China, where pirated DVDs have long dominated the market, some companies such as Fox and Time Warner have started selling ﬁlms for as li8le as two dollars in order to recover some of their lost revenues. More recently, a deal was made between Fox and Chinese video website Youku, allowing online users to view the latest Hollywood ﬁlms for a tiny charge. Similarly in India, which also suﬀers from rampant piracy, ﬁrms have begun selling legitimate DVDs for cut-prices, beating the counterfeit competition by providing higherquality and risk-free goods. This shows how those powerful lobbying groups within the entertainment industries who pushed for the US anti-piracy bills have to adjust to the new realities of the information age. Whilst eﬀorts to legally clamp down on piracy are fully justiﬁed, they will never fully succeed in upholding copyright law, and should not come at the cost of the freedom of the internet. Like the war on drugs, the war on piracy is unwinnable; people will always ﬁnd a way to circumvent the law. The ﬁlm and music industry therefore need to ﬁnd more eﬀective ways of safeguarding their proﬁts, by lowering their prices, increasing ease of access or ﬁnding alternative sources of revenue such as advertising. The real way to beat piracy is not through legislation, but through the market. Boys will be boys Lawrence Wakefield Greenwich Panel shows 'Mock the Week' and 'QI' were among the BBC shows criticised this week for not putting enough women in their programme. It seems bizarre that such a objection could be raised after all, comedy is a male dominated business. It always has been, and will continue to be for the forseeable future. Why then, should shows that feature (primarily) comedians be forced to staff its teams in a way that is disproportionate to the business? Should a fear of being labelled as sexist really stop TV companies making their shows the way they want to? Perhaps we should ask the likes of ITV's Loose Women and Take Me Out to feature an equal amount of men and women? If Mock the Week and QI are to be criticised, I feel it should be on the merits of the shows themselves, rather than the gender count. Indeed, there's plenty to get worked up about. The infuriatingly faux-academic pretense of QI has us believing Stephen Fry is some sort of Einstein of our times, for simply being able to read off a card while his Oxbridge educated friends on the panel take it in turns to congratulate him for presenting knowledge that may or may not be hearsay. Mock the Week meanwhile, serves only as a slim framework for comedians to read out the same stand-up material they have been espousing across every other TV panel show that month, propped up by the occasional excitement of a Frankie Boyle joke that crosses into very bad taste territory. Maybe the BBC would be better advised to put quality content first on their agenda and difficult diversity issues second. Then the answer would be surely be simple employ the comedians that are the funniest - irrespective of their gender, age or race. COMMENT LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 THE GREAT DEBATE Agree? Disagree? Your views: [email protected] Should student newspapers have a page 3? Last month, KCLSU’s student newspaper, Roar!, announced their intention to run a page 3 feature, reigniting debates about whether or not page 3 is demeaning and what place – if any – it should have within student press. Meanwhile, at The Leveson Inquiry, The Sun’s editor, Dominic Mohan, launched a defence of page 3 in response to criticism from women’s groups. In this issue of The Great Debate, Roar!’s editor responds to the furore to clarify Roar!’s position, and we also hear from a student who believes page 3 has no place in the press. Writer Zoe Tipler KCL F YES or a one oﬀ Valentine’s special this issue of Roar! has a crop of buﬀ boys on our Page 3. As the only tabloid student newspaper in London our tongue-in-cheek a4itude towards something that happens daily in at least two newspapers across the country has been deemed inappropriate, but perhaps you can already tell that as Editor of Roar! I don’t agree. In fact I have to say that the question posed baﬄes me - we have run far more controversial stories this year, like a whole issue on Initiation that had nudity aplenty on display. And what about our Value for Money campaign comparing the costs per contact hour of diﬀerent degrees – isn’t that a bit of a stir-up? So it must be the mention of the dreaded Page 3 that makes hackles rise. Woe betide Roar! for enjoying ourselves. I suppose all the problems around standard Page 3s are related to women and concerns that, for whatever reason, they have been forced to do something that they may not be entirely comfortable with.... don’t think Jordan sees it that way, but you would have to ask her! The argument is that titillating pics of women degrade all women, and that growing teenage girls are damaged by comparing themselves to these images of seminaked perfection. Herein lies the problem for all the criticism of Roar!, we always intended our version of Page 3 to be boys only. Feel free to check back on our Facebook and Twi4er pages if you like – aren’t they gorgeous? Roar!’s Page 3 boys were all volunteers, we didn’t force anyone to do anything, they are adults who to come into the Skills room at KCLSU, have their picture taken and walk away. Grab a copy of Roar! or have a look on our website (www.roarnews.co.uk) you will see that two were so happy they even gave us their names. We tried for phone numbers but they were less keen! These are boys who are proud of their bodies, and they’ve got every right to be. Do you really think they would have got topless in their student newspaper if they weren’t? As for degradation, well it’s by no means a reliable sample but I did ask my two male housemates what they thought. Both said, if it were girls, we are looking at far more graphic stuﬀ on the internet than on Page 3, and because it’s boys they won’t be looking anyway! Neither felt in any way cheapened by having a page full of pictures of topless boys in their student newspaper. One went as far as to point out that sex sells and we are simply following a very well trodden path. Whether the images are harmful to people’s conﬁdence, well I would argue that the photos we have taken are of guys you bump into every day around Kings. They’re in the library, they are in your lectures, you cheer for them at Varsity. They aren’t models and they haven’t been airbrushed. How are pictures of them any more damaging than those of Beckham in his pants for H&M? Or Nadal doing Armani? If anything our true to life boys are a healthier site. I am sorry if our pictures of four topless boys cause any profound emotional trauma, but while body conﬁdence issues are no joke these are about as real as KCL guys come! I think everyone needs a reminder that students do have fun, and student journalism doesn’t always need to be hard hi4ing, serious and a bit dour. These are tough times, they’re going to get worse – so let’s have a laugh while we can. Ultimately, I’m afraid I take the view that if it’s good enough for The Sun then it’s good enough for Roar! Really all we have done is take a few pictures of some topless KCL men which just so happen to have been put on Page 3! Nothing too shocking in that is there? L NO Writer Stephanie Chan SOAS Ultimately, I’m I’m afraid I take the view that if it’s good enough for The Sun then it’s good enough for Roar! When was the last time you heard of a man being a4acked in the street for wearing too li4le clothing? et’s make a few things clear. We live in the 21st century. Women in the UK have come a long way in terms of equality. Women in the UK are relatively equal to men, at least more so than in many other countries outside the UK. We hold positions of power. We are all capable of forming our own opinions and deciding whether or not we want to pose topless in newspapers. We know men like to look at breasts. We know sex sells. We know we can use our bodies however they want. So it’s fine for a newspaper today to devote their third page every single day to showcasing naked breasts. All the men who read these papers obviously respect these women’s choices, otherwise they would boycott the papers immediately. It’s not like anyone forced these women to take off their tops. It could be so much worse; we could be getting stoned for showing our wrists, right? We should be proud of this freedom. Anyone who doesn’t agree is just a bitter flatchested, AA-cup bra-burning feminist stuck in the 60s who doesn’t want anyone. Right? Well, not exactly. It’s not quite that easy. Yes, I do agree we do have the choice to pose topless if we want. But should we also have the choice not to be reminded every single day about how many people would rather look at and judge our naked flesh than give a damn about what we think, or what we have done, or are capable of doing with our lives. Here’s another idea: would it be ok if we had a male version of Page 3 to objectify men’s torsos as well and show how equal we all are? Yay! Fun! On the surface, maybe. In reality, it’s a completely different story because men are not judged by their bodies or feel threatened by how they look in public anywhere as much as women in society. When was the last time a man complained or felt threatened for their dignity and lives about getting wolf-whistled at in the street for how his chest looked? When’s the last time you heard of a man being attacked in the street for wearing too little clothing? We don’t change the problem of women’s bodies being turned into pieces of meat by turning men into pieces of meat, too. This is the sort of superficial demonstration of equality that lets certain people claim that the pendulum has swung too far the other way – look, both sexes pose topless in newspapers, so sexism is dead, right? So what’s wrong with me making a few rape jokes? But possibly the most worrying thing is that this new all-male page 3 is being sold as humour. It’s slightly strange humour – the joke seems to be that men are doing something that’s normally considered a woman’s job. When a man does something womanly, it’s funny, because he’s humiliating himself by acting like the weaker sex. Yep – that’s hilarious. We’re definitely equal now. Why work at a bar? FEATURES LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 Writer Nicholas Erik Stewart Wilson SOAS Hello, my pecuniary-challenged fellow students. Fee hikes leaving you high and dry? Need a little spare wonga for a shiny new iPad or an awesome, rocking, fun-without-limits holiday in Latvia? Fancy something a little more fun and social than sign-holding, or charity mugging? If your answer to any or all of these increasingly silly questions is ‘Yes’, then perhaps you should consider the merits of working behind a bar: It’s interesting and uncomplicated work, you get to meet a lot of people, and you find yourself regularly scoring tips, free drinks, and perhaps even the occasional phone number – what’s not to like? Of course, having said this, the vast majority of professional bars probably won’t take you on straight away, as they are looking for people with at least a year’s solid experience. There are two kinds of places, however, that you can initially apply to and will train you from scratch: Large chains such as Wetherspoon’s or the Slug and Lettuce, or alternatively, your own university bar. If you’re interested, then at this point it’s worth considering what you’re looking for in a bar job, because whilst your job title at each of these will be nominally very similar, they couldn’t be more different in practical terms. The former is a more stable, professional affair – you work all year round, wear a uniform, and the tips are vastly better. You also receive training to a much higher standard, giving you the skills to be able to work at better, higher-paying bars in future (not to mention impress and woo the ladies with your incredible homemade mojitos - a seduction technique arguably overshadowed by the ability to mix up great frappuccinos, but then the alcohol does its best to close the gap…) By contrast, your university bar, is more relaxed and casual – you only have to work in term time, and the standards are lenient enough to excuse you upon occasion when you mispour the odd pint, drop something, or accidentally forget to ask that attractive young brunette to pay for her vodka cranberry because you were too busy making it a double (you smooth devil, you...) This is not to say you won’t be worked hard, of course. Those big clunky beer barrels won’t move themselves, you know. And it’s a fact that any good bar will live and die upon the willingness of its employees to perform several random and unanticipated errands at a moment’s notice without question. What’s that, boss? You want…28 pints of milk…? Well I suppose I’d better wheel out the granny shopper then… As established, it’s not all roses. You sometimes find yourself wishing you were on the other side of the bar on a Friday night. You often find it can get either very busy or very monotonous at a moment’s notice. And in either of these cases, you will always find something quietly soul-crushing about pouring the 50th pint of beer in a row. In times like these, mixing a cocktail or making pleasant chitchat with your coworkers or the customers really helps to break up the grind and remind you that the job is ultimately quite satisfying. Be that as it may, however, the experience of serving the customers can sometimes become dangerously surreal. You come to realise that the kind of bizarre caricatures of people that you had once previously believed to only exist in B-movies and really bad old American sitcoms/crime dramas (which, let’s face it, before the 90s more or less amounted to the same thing) actually exist in real life and are standing inches away from you, ordering a Gin and Tonic with just two ice cubes, please. JUST. TWO. You serve the gentleman in question and hand him back his change, meeting his terrifying bloodshot eyes with a pleasant, reassuring smile worth roughly £2.80 and the 357th identical ‘thank you’ of the afternoon, before promptly returning to your conversation with the person sitting at other end of the bar: a dewy-eyed aspiring singer-songwriter; a charmingly rough-edged London taxi driver; or a simply delightful, if somewhat homely middle-aged woman who you can smile and mildly flirt with, but should never, ever give your real name under any circumstances. The topic and quality of the conversation you get also varies immensely. You can be receiving an intense crash course on Iranian cuisine one minute, and throwing out dull affirmations to some bloke waxing on at length about his coin collection the next. But however much you appreciate the conversation, there’s something reassuring about knowing that the customers themselves will generally appreciate your simply giving them the opportunity to speak candidly a lot more. It’s right there – you can see it in their faces: it’s there in the warm, grateful smiles, and the open and sincere ‘thank you’s that they leave behind them. It’s also in the fiver they’ve left sitting What’s that, neatly on top of boss? You the tip tray, but want…28 pints that’s unimporof milk…? Well tant – it’s really I suppose I’d not about the better wheel money. Honout the granny est… shopper … S o then… having evaluated all these pros and cons, why ultimately work behind a bar? For those interested in the profession, and especially in mixology, it’s a no-brainer, but if you’re just looking for a little cash on the side as you slog through the jungles of academia, it’s still a pretty solid choice. Because whilst practicalities may not make this job espe- Photo: prayitno cially different from the supermarket checkouts and high street stores, there’s a whole other dimension to bar work that makes it worthwhile – Because to your coworkers and your regular customers (and this is especially true of university bars, where the clientele is basically the same every day,) you’re more than just a pair of hands – you’re a prominent member of a closely-knit microcommunity that has based itself around your humble bar. You’re the familiar and friendly face that serves them their coffee every week, smiles at them and is ever there to exchange a little casual banter over a pint, or listen to their deepest drunken musings on the human condition whilst nodding politely. You slowly get to know all their names, as they get to know yours, and before you know it, you’re a local celebrity. And if old whats-his-face ushering a million nameless people daily through the checkouts at ASDA can go home with that kind of job satisfaction at the end of the day, then I, for one, will eat my bar blade. FEATURES LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 BDS: Can three simple letters spell liberation for one of the world’s most polemical conflicts? The Israel-Palestine conflict is one fraught with passion. A$er ULU passed a motion endorsing BDS last year, colleges like King’s and LSE have come under greater scrutiny for their ties with companies such as Ahava and Technion. Ben White explains precisely what BDS is and how logical and morally necessary a strategy it is for resolving the conflict. Ben White Guest Writer “It is no longer enough to try and change Israel from within. Israel has to be pressured in the same way apartheid South Africa was forced to change.” T hose are the words of Yonatan Shapira, a former captain in the Israeli Air Force turned antiapartheid activist. The Boyco4, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign he supports has grown in just a few years to be a key strategy internationally for the advancement of Palestinian rights. BDS is straightforward: “the application of pressure in an eﬀort to change government and corporate practices”. The call from NGOs, trade unions, faith groups, and students in Palestine includes three demands that encompass the core rights denied Palestinians by Israel: ending the military occupation, equality for Palestinians inside Israel, the right of Palestinian refugees to their homes and properties. There are four main reasons for why BDS is necessary. The ﬁrst, most important reason is the reality of Israel’s ongoing policies of colonisation and apartheid. Israel’s se4lements in the Occupied West Bank are built in deﬁance of international law, a position clariﬁed in various UN resolutions, by the EU, UK government, and others. The Separation Wall has also been condemned, most notably by the International Court of Justice in The Hague in 2004. The Israeli government and military routinely carry out gross violations of rights: demolishing homes outside the context of military necessity; holding Palestinians without trial; controlling people’s freedom of movement based on what kind of ID they hold. In Occupied East Jerusalem – a territory Israel unilaterally and illegally annexed – Palestinian resi- Illustration by Millie K Nice dents suﬀer from harsh discriminatory practices, including the rescinding of their very ‘right’to live in the city. Meanwhile, millions of Palestinians remain refugees, the legacy of the ethnic cleansing that took place with Israel’s establishment in 1948, when the majority of Palestinians inside the new borders were excluded, forbidden from returning, and their property conﬁscated. Israel’s conduct has been slammed in numerous UN resolutions – and this leads us to the second reason for BDS: the absence of accountability. While groups like Amnesty, Human Rights Watch, and many others record the facts, what is missing at the governmental level is the will to enforce international norms. BDS is a response to this continued impunity, a way for Palestinians to seek support and solidarity that should be, but for now isn’t, given by Western governments. Thirdly, BDS educates. Palestine solidarity actions, including those using the tactics of boyco4 and divestment, stimulate debate and discussion on campus, and provide an invaluable opportunity to increase awareness about the facts on the ground. And fourthly, the BDS campaign empowers people to take action and make a diﬀerence. Just as students and non-students alike have answered the call from numerous oppressed groups in the past and through to today, the Palestinian call for action oﬀers an alternative to apathy or complicity. You might hear a number of objections to BDS. One claim is that it ‘singles out' Israel. Well, yes, it does: the Palestinians have not been dispossessed or occupied by Guatemala. Those making the point would not dream of accusing Tibetan activists of ‘singling out’China, or tell campaigners against child slavery to go focus on something else. In fact, this objection implies that Palestinians as a people are uniquely prohibited from resisting This is a their oppression cheap shot and seeking allies that seeks to in their struggle. smear stuAsecond objection dents commitis that BDS ‘creates ted to human tension' on camrights. Those pus, a criticism active in BDS sometimes accominclude Palespanied by the sugtinians, Jews, gestion that Jewish and many othstudents are being ers. ‘targeted’. This is a cheap shot that seeks to smear students commi4ed to human rights. Those active in BDS include Palestinians, Jews, and many others. Whenever injustice is challenged, a tension will occur: between those who seek to remove it, and those wanting to defend the status quo. BDS has also been criticised on the grounds that ‘it hasn’t worked’, i.e. its goals of implementing Palestinian rights has not been realised. I’m not sure if those making this argument understand how strange it sounds: thank goodness they weren’t around in the 1970s to tell antiapartheid activists, ‘Give up, this boyco4 SouthAfrica thing isn’t going anywhere’. A more substantial objection is that BDS alienates the Israeli peace camp. But who is in this ‘peace camp’? The Israelis who yearn for the days of Yitzhak Rabin, an Israeli leader commi4ed just like all Thank goodthe others to mainness they taining a regime of weren’t ethno-religious around in the discrimination and 1970s to tell colonisation? The anti-apartheid ‘peace camp’ that activists, calls for a with‘Give up, this drawal from some boycott South or all of the West Africa thing Bank – only in isn’t going order to secure anywhere’. Jewish privilege in the majority of the land? Thankfully, there are Israelis who genuinely believe in peace with justice, and who join Palestinians in co-resistance to the system of discrimination. Israelis like Shapira, who support the call for boyco4. The words of Martin Luther King, in his le4er from a jail in Birmingham, Ala- bama, resonate today: Lamentably, it is an historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily…We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. To emphasise: BDS is a tactic, not an end in and of itself. It is a response to a call from Palestinians, and makes a direct link between Israeli crimes and a response to them. It is a sign of hope, not despair.And it is a grassroots strategy steeped in a rich, historical tradition of opposition to all sorts of injustice. Boyco4 and divestment are not mysterious or new: BDS is a well-trodden path as a means of eﬀecting change and challenging the powerful. It is not the only means of showing solidarity with Palestinians, and BDS must be part of a bigger picture, one element in a broader programme for Palestinian liberation. But it is our part to play. It is our response to the call from Palestinians, and in taking action, we can make a vital contribution to the establishment of a just resolution to the conﬂict. Ben White is a freelance journalist who regularly speaks at UoL campuses. You can follow him: @benabyad Facebook.com/benwhite.org.uk FEATURES LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 THE LYRIC PIC Every issue, we open up a centre page to submissions from photographers in a competi tion called ‘The Lyric Pic’. The idea is to capture an image that you associate with one of your favourite lyrics. For example, you may choose to take a pastoral picture of forests to accompany Bob Dylan’s ‘upon four-legged forest clouds the cowboy angel rides’ lyric. Send your submissions to: [email protected] - the best submissions will feature in the paper throughout the year. NAME: CARTER WANG CAMERA SETTINGS: iPhone default LYRIC: "AND I'M ALWAYS PRETTY HAPPY WHEN I'M JUST KICKING BACK WITH YOU" 5 YEARS TIME - NOAH AND THE WHALE LOOKING THROUGH THE LENS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER: I took the pic in the Sahara Desert near a small town called Merzuoga in Morocco. I like this camel photograph because this camel had been my loyal companion throughout my adventure in the desert. It never complained and was so tame and helpful. I can still recall every single detail of the desert trip in Morocco and I believe a picture of my "friend" would be the best way of remembering this unique experience. I never thought that I could end up coming to Europe for University, so I have to grasp this chance to travel. FEATURES LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 Justice in super-diverse societies Res ea r ch S po t l ig h t Writer Preet Virdi SOAS When faced with family relationship breakdown, how, when and why do South Asian women access justice? As globalization and migration increasingly challenge the political and judicial systems of Western nations, my doctoral research contributes to current debates about access to justice in ‘super-diverse’ (Vertovec 2007) societies, concentrating on South Asian women’s access to family law. Sikh women involved in divorce proceedings in Ontario, Canada serve as a case study, investigating how they navigate their cultural and religious traditions, and the formal legal system. I am o6en asked, ‘why are you in the UK if your research is based on the Canadian context?’ As a secondyear research student at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), I am applying a deep understanding of South Asian law and society to the western multicultural context. There is an increasing need to discuss the signiﬁcance of access to justice in super-diverse societies. Although most people agree access to justice is a fundamental democratic right, discussion proceeds largely in the absence of reliable quantitative data (Genn 1999). Greater emphasis on alternative dispute resolution has raised concerns women may be unsuitably re-directed because they lack the resources needed to access the formal legal system. Observed in ﬁeldwork, huge increases in self-litiga- Study Abroad Diaries The US Writer Janna Jung-Irrgang KCL So it has been almost a month since I’m over in the new world, and I can say I’m starting to miss London badly. I miss cycling over the bridges at sunrise and sunset, these crazy colours of the sky tion place extra burdens on the legal system. Long trials have become commonplace and it appears the middle class are having problems ﬁnancially accessing the system. Despite common law’s institutional mechanisms to respond to the changing needs of society, emphasis on a falsely homogenous legal culture coloured by a Hellenistic and Christian view (Chiba 1986) ignores prevailing diversities (Shah 2005). Although an elaborate patchwork of access to justice programs exists, the legal needs of marginalized peoples are going unmet (Jacobs 2011). Exacerbating access to justice further, a 2010 Canadian report conﬁrms family relationship breakdown is the primary reason why most Ontarians enter the civil justice system (Currie 2009) and is among the most diﬃcult, complicated and time consuming problems (Sossin 2010). L--ack of a7ention to family law as a ﬁeld of study lies in its ‘low status’, which pervades all facets of the justice system resulting in inadequate levels of public resources (Wilson et al. 1993). The inherent gender bias of the legal system is making me stop each time and wonder how it is possible that the city is not taking notice this spectacle. I miss Soho at night, bustling with people looking for fun or good food. And I even miss King’s Campus and the way you fall onto Strand suddenly being surrounded by everyone but students. This wouldn’t happen here. Over the past few weeks I’ve learned to know and love Campus life, and as much as I miss the big city, this is certainly enjoyable for a semester. It means being able to get up fifteen minutes before class starts, there only being one bus that can take you home. It means all your friends living within minutes from you, making any meeting so rooted in standards of the male life experience, values and priorities, gendered division of labour and the traditional separation of public and private (Wilson et al. 1993). Given this complex meta-narrative, my second year of research has been spent preoccupied trying to secure necessary funding to carry out timeintensive qualitative research (a separate conversation to be had about the practicalities of a PhD in current times). Meanwhile, I am somewhat relieved to report the ﬁeldwork completed to-date has resulted in more than enough research material. Accordingly, my second year of research is being spent analyzing divorce cases, obtaining the expertise of various legal practitioners, and planning the second half of ﬁeldwork. Trained in the study of socio-legal theory, I examine access to justice for divorcing Sikhs employing legal pluralism, the study of multiple sometimes competing state laws, religious laws, customs and other normative orders (Chiba 1986; Griﬃths 1986; Merry 1988; Shah 2005, 2008; Menski 2006). I examine how non- much less stressful. And guess what, you actually find time to study if you don’t spend in on the Tube or the bike. The downsides of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, could be much more prominent if the neighbouring town (ehem, village) wasn’t the biggest hipster concentration I have ever encountered. Apart from several lovely cafes, great thrift stores and bars (which you aren’t allowed to enter, if you’re not...) it boasts the greatest small concert venue you could imagine. It is hardly believable, but I’ve been lucky enough to come to a place that is actually not a forgotten spot on the American map, contrary to my expectations. In Photo: orangesparrow Western understandings of law transform through immigration, settlement, integration and citizenship, since subjects o6en perceive state law as “an irrelevance in the real structure of social controls upon which order and harmony depend” (Co7errell 1984:31). Research and education on family law issues aﬀecting minority groups is needed since “[s]ome of the accepted principles of family law may be inappropriate or require modiﬁcation” (Wilson et al. 1993:213). In fact, Fournier’s (2001) research on Islamic marriages reveals judicial marginalization of cultural diﬀerences in family law decisions. Furthermore, the years 2003 to 2005 featured the so-called ‘Shari’a law debates’ in Ontario that led to the banning of religious laws in family arbitration. This debate sparked interesting Canadian research (Bakht 2005; Bunting 2004, 2007; Fournier 2006, 2010; Razack 2008a, Razack 2008b). However, it primarily focuses on religious Muslim and Jewish (Cohen 2000; Fournier in press) women. Looking beyond to examine the gen- the past Cat’s Cradly, the name of the place, has seen acts like Nirvana, Public Enemy and Beirut; just yesterday Theophilus London gave an ingenious performance and this semester ’s calendar includes Zee Avi, The Naked and Famous, Youth Lagoon and Of Montreal. I will not complain. Other than that, the South (as y’all will no, if you’ve ever been) offers not only the worst kinds of food it is also possible to get an easy 20 degrees outside on a January afternoon. And while I’m desperately trying to feel with the people fighting the snow chaos back home in Europe, I’m wearing summer dresses and eating ice cream on a sunny park bench. eral cultural frame from which these religious women come from has yet to be explored. Although monistic conceptions of law are not absent in Asian cultures, law is not immediately perceived as central (Menski 2006) and normative ordering takes place in the social sphere. Over 71% of Ontario’s South Asians are born outside Canada (Statistics Canada 2008). While all immigrants integrate to varying degrees this process is neither complete nor uniform. Primarily from Punjab, India, Sikhs are the subjects of this research because even though they are Canada’s oldest South Asian se7lers, less than one in three Canadians view Sikhs favourably (Geddes 2009). My master’s research reveals reluctance amongst immigrant Sikh women to approach legal institutions for justiceable family problems and conﬁrms oﬃcial Canadian laws modify existing South Asian legal understandings (Virdi 2010). Building on these ﬁndings, research questions include: What barriers exist to South Asian women’s access to justice? How are multiple conceptions of law negotiated? What makes Sikh divorce unique? When is alternative dispute resolution utilized? Lastly, what policy recommendations are proposed? It is hypothesized that culture, reiﬁed via the corporate family structure and izzat, a dynamic South Asian normative order that governs honour, respect and reputation, regulates, and possibly restricts, Sikh women’s access to justice. Accordingly, my goal is to contribute relevant and timely research and policy recommendations on improving access to justice for marginalized members of super-diverse societies. For more information or for a complete list of sources, please contact me at [email protected]. Photo: Rakka COMMUNITY As LIMUN 2012 comes and goes, we take a look at the enduring importance (and popularity) of Model United Nations conferences - page 16 Victoria Yates COMMUNITY EDITOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP Facebook’s impending launch onto the Stock Market presents one of technology’s most exciting IPO of recent times - page 17 Ahmad Bakhiet The Social Side to Fantasy Sports Writer Max Scoging UCL Fantasy sport is surprisingly social as an activity. Surprising because the idea of picking a team of sportspeople based on their ability to achieve statistical success does not seem like it could possibly have much of a social element. However, this ignores the element of competition. As soon as you have the opportunity to compete with your friends, it almost doesn't ma5er what you are doing, it will become a subject of conversation, as long as the competition is in some way close. Here should lie the rub, those people who know more about the chosen sport should dominate to such a great extent that it just becomes boring for the others and the competition should die. However, that is not entirely the case. Fantasy sports rarely perfectly reﬂect how well a player actually plays and the best players are usually known to all concerned. There is a large element of luck involved, especially with the vagaries of injuries and suspensions playing a role. This means that people who go into the competition with a less complete knowledge of the sport do not lose so much ground that they inevitably get disheartened and pack it in. It then comes down to identifying which players to get rid of and which to replace them with, which is a relatively simple aﬀair as you can replace those that have not got you many points with those that have scored well recently. This is unlikely to lead you to glory, but will allow you to do reasonably well. This relative simplicity means that Flickr User Anna Tesar the learning curve is not exactly steep for new players when competing against most people (there are people who are just really worryingly good at fantasy sports but they are few and far between). The fact that those friends who are less interested in sport can compete with those more interested in sport can engender a greater interest in the chosen sport among the less interested players. Suddenly watching a match has some kind of personal signiﬁcance. Where previously they might have simply tolerated going to the pub and watching a match, a game involving one of their players now involves them; in almost the same way, a supporter of a team is involved in that team's matches. Watching the matches leads to a greater ability to judge which players should be chosen and which should be avoided, increasing the chances of beating friends and so increasing the enjoyment of both the fantasy sport and the sport itself. The people who already knew something about the sport also gain greater enjoyment from those matches that they otherwise might not care about, thanks to the involvement of their players. Essentially, fantasy sport provides a brilliant excuse to go to the pub and enjoy sport, for those that feel the need for one. It can also help foster greater enjoyment of sport among people who would otherwise be le4 cold. The competitive element provides near constant conversation fodder, as people swap ideas and try to work out how beat the people at the top of the table. All in all, it is a surprisingly social activity. SCIENCE Recent research shows that unbalanced gender ratios not only impact social situations, they also hit men in the wallet. See our examination of Gender Spenders - page 19 ACADEMIA LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 With Valentine’s Day around the corner love is in the air, we turn our attention to issues of love in academia - page 20 PSYCHOLOGY Happiness is always said to be a state of mind, see Saul’s ten step tips to getting yourself a GREAT DREAM - page 21 COMMUNITY The Green Column The Corporate Environment Writer Ben Parfi, UCL London students have stormed a top UK competition to innovate a technology-focused solution to a real-world environmental problem, but the University of London is nowhere to be seen. South Bank is represented by one team in the semi-finals of BP’s ‘The Ultimate Field Trip 2012’ competition, while Imperial fields an impressive three teams. These Londoners com- prise a quarter of remaining teams tasked with the theoretical - but “It was great to practicallywork on somefocused thing that could challenge to make a differcreate the ence and be infirst zero teresting at the CO2 oil resame time." finery by 2030. The challenge asks students to use their imaginations to consider how to improve efficiency, how to capture and utilise CO2 and how to make use of lower carbon alternatives. TV science sensation, Professor Brian Cox has encouraged students to "get involved,” adding that this opportunity is " about as valuable as it gets". Overall winners will join teams on BP’s largest deep-water oil field in the Gulf of Mexico, which involves trips to New Orleans and the Caribbean. Imperial has a strong previous record in the competition, boasting previous winners. Imperial graduate, Lizzie Riley, won the inaugural competition. "It took a huge amount of our time," she explains, "but it was worth it. It was great to work on something that could make a difference and be interesting at the same time." Dig a little into the current state of engineering and corporate sentiment within the University of London, and the lack of representation begins to be explained. Last year, a UCL careers event hosting the oil giant was disrupted by a rally against education cuts. Elsewhere, King’s no longer offer undergraduate courses in engineering following recent decisions to Saul Hillman PSYCHOLOGIST IN RESIDENCE close the department. Strikingly, of 19 separate university institutions within the University of London, only UCL and Queen Mary still give undergraduates the opportunity to study engineering. A decline in engineering or an anti-corporate sentiment? If nothing else, this lack of involvement may draw attention to important questions about the role of corporate environmentalism within the University of London. For more information on “The Dig a little into the current state of engineering and corporate sentiment within the University of London, and the lack of representation begins to be explained Ultimate Field Trip” including rules, brief, and how to enter Flickr User Glenn E. Davis visit the bp.com website: follow links ‘Students and Graduates’‘UK’- ‘Ultimate Field Trip’ Adeleye Adewole -Member of 2011’s Winning Team “I’d advise students to go for it... If you’ve got an idea, don’t hesitate – even if you don’t win, whatever stage you reach, you will learn a lot.” Follow Ben on Twier @bparf COMMUNITY LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 A Model Future In light of LIMUN 2012 we consider the history and importance of Model United Nations In August 2011 Secretary General Ban Ki Moon delivered the key note address at the Third Global Model United Nations Conference on the promise and importance of youth engagement. Below is an excerpt. How the world looks in 2031 will depend largely on the decisions we make now, in 2011. Whatever decision you make now, whatever decision we make together, will determine the future in 20 years. Yes, technology oﬀers solutions. But I prefer to put my faith in people, young people in particular. That is why the United Nations needs your engagement on the challenges that will shape the world you leave to your children. I urge you to use the knowledge and skills you gain from this Model UN exercise and other pursuits to advance the objectives of the United Nations. A3er all, you will soon be the government oﬃcials who will negotiate peace, the community leaders who will help feed and shelter the vulnerable, the entrepreneurs and innovators who will get carbon emissions under control, the lawyers and human rights defenders who will ﬁght injustice, impunity and intolerance. Many of you are already making a diﬀerence. I am sure that one among you will become secretary-general, or president of the General Assembly, or a president, prime minister, foreign minister or ambassador. That will depend upon how you do today. That is why I am telling you the future of our world depends on your active engagement today. Recent events around the world have shown the power of young people to take the initiative and positively change the course of history. Increasingly, young people are saying to their elders, to their governments: “This is not the world we want.” We have all witnessed the peaceful protests in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain and elsewhere. But all of us have also seen terrible violence there and in Libya and Syria. Your generation is showing a growing resolve to change our world – and a capacity to make things happen, through peaceful means. I welcome this.The world must take account of your voices. It must take account of the legitimate aspirations of young people everywhere for opportunity and dignity. Please keep working with us, pushing us and inspiring us. Help shape our world for the be4er help us meet the collective tests of our times and help the United Nations deliver what the world needs at this crucial moment. Never underestimate the power of the individual to make a diﬀerence to change the world. For full text see www.un.org Writer Jenny Cobb KCL Model United Nations (MUN) is an academic imitation of the United Nations, which aims to educate members about current aﬀairs, international relations, diplomacy and the UN agenda by the participants re-enacting a UN conference. During an MUN conference, each participant acts as a representative for an individual country, and through de- “work together to ﬁnd solutions to international challenges, acquire new knowledge and skills, and build relationships that cross borders of background, culture and nationality.” Participants take on the role of a UN ambassador, allowing them to experience directly the intricacies of international policy formation. “Each delegate represents the viewpoint of a single Member State of the United Nations or non-governmental organisation (NGO), researching that country's or NGO's policy and ganisation that aims to “extend cultural empathy, understanding of international aﬀairs, and knowledge of the United Nations amongst young people through the organisation of an annual Model United Nations (MUN) conference.” Organised ex- The concept of MUN seems to date back to even before the United Nations itself existed: in the 1920s students in the USA are recorded as taking part in college simulations of the forerunner of the UN, the ‘League of Nations An Event For All Tastes 1/4 National Student Enterprise Conference [ENTREPREUNERSHIP] This year’s NSEC is the place to explore disruptive innovation and business models. The Ford Model T, the iTunes Store, hydraulics, cloud computing, Netflix…what do they all have in common? You guessed it – they’re disruptive innovations, and they turned their respective markets upside down. For two days, on February 18th and 19th, college students, university students and graduates will have the opportunity to tap into a wealth of expertise and hear from industry experts, innovators, personal branding gurus, angels and high-profile entrepreneurs. Be there! For more information see www.nacue.com 2/4 20th Medical Innovations [SCIENCE &TECH] bate and discussion, aim to resolve international problems faced by the UN in real life. The concept of MUN seems to date back to even before the United The UK’s LonNations itself don International Model existed: in the United Nations 1920s students (LIMUN) is the in the USA are largest univerrecorded as taksity-based coning part in colference in l e g e Europe simulations of the forerunner of the UN, the ‘League of Nations’. However, the ﬁrst oﬃcial MUN organisation claims to be the Model United Nations of the Far West, which began meeting annually in 1951 at Stanford University. Model United Nations groups have since spread to the international community, and in the current day there are many diﬀerent MUN organisations across the world and throughout all continents. The UK’s London International Model United Nations (LIMUN) is the largest university-based conference in Europe. The annual meeting o3en draws over 800 representatives from around the world, however this year’s conference being held on the 10th-12th February at the Institute of Education and Imperial College has expanded to 1,200 participants. The LIMUN aims to allow students to Youth Democrac y in Action at OxIMUN 2010 Photo: Travis Riley advocating these views to other delegates.” The conference debates the current issues faced by the UN, such as climate change, for example, and the discussion is controlled using the same rules and conventions that are followed at a genuine UN conference. The goal of these debates is to “reach consensus and pass a statement of the international community's response to a particular area of concern.” Each year the LIMUN conference also features a number of guest speakers to address the participants. This year’s Keynote Speaker will be Dr Jung Chang, best-selling author of Wild Swans - Three Daughters of China and Mao: The Unknown Story. LIMUN is similarly a charity or- clusively by students from various University of London colleges, the charity works towards building understanding of international current aﬀairs among young people. “LIMUN is commi4ed to extending knowledge of international aﬀairs to all young people. The outreach programme works with inner-London youth groups, extending access to those that would not otherwise have the opportunity of experiencing MUN.” The organisation’s leadership team consists of student volunteers, who are commi4ed to spreading knowledge of international aﬀairs. For more information www.limun.org.uk. visit The Royal Institution of Great Britain has two events in February about the key medical innovations of the 20th Century, presented by Kevin Fong and Richard Barnett. Heart to heart (Wed 15 Feb) will explore the history of heart transplants, with pioneering surgeon Sir Terence English, practitioner Francis Wells and ethicist Antonia Cronin. The second event, From Iron lungs to intensive care (Tue 28 Feb) looks at the surprisingly short and contentious history of intensive care, with ethicist Simon Yael and intensivists Nicholas Hirsch and Fiona Kelly. For more information see rigb.org 3/4 LSE Literary Festival [COMMUNITY] This year’s exciting and diverse programme explores the “relationship between the academic cultures of the arts and social sciences, as well as the interaction between global cultures, and the art of communication”. You will find an event for all tastes from the scientifically minded to the politically motivated or even those looking for a potential romance (‘Speed ‘book’ Dating’, Thursday 1st of March, 7pm). Speakers will debate, discuss, and enlighten, so be sure to book your ticket early! For more information see lse.ac.uk 4/4 Study Group Fair [ACADEMIA] Flickr: Didier Jansen This is an event for international students, currently based in the UK, who would like to graduate with a degree or masters from a UK university. Meet university representatives or advisors to discuss university entry and IELTS requirements, visa issues and UCAS applications. This event is from12-4pm at Park Plaza Victoria, 239 Vauxhall Bridge Road. For further information and to register in advance, see: www.unifis.co.uk ENTREPRENEURSHIP LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 The latest on the Facebook IPO We analyse some of the facts and figures behind what will probably be the most exciting IPO of 2012 Writers Ahmad Bakhiet Geppert Carey The startup world has been waiting for this for some time, and it is almost upon us. The Initial Public Offering of one of the most successful tech companies founded post millennium is imminent. Facebook Inc. filed for an initial public offering Wednesday that could value the social network between $75 billion and $100 billion. The financials released showed the company produced a $1 billion profit last year from $3.71 billion in revenues. The company derives 85% of those revenues from advertising, with the rest from social gaming and other fees. The company intends to raise $5 billion and if it is successful, it would top rival Google Inc.'s 2004 record for the largest U.S. Internet IPO (Google raised $1.9 billion at a valuation of $23 billion). Growing at an astonishing rate (845 million users globally, up 39% from a year earlier) Facebook hopes to continue significant growth post IPO. The company hasn't decided whether it will trade on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq Stock Market but has chosen the apt "FB" as its ticker symbol. For many this vanity ticker sym- bol has only bought up more questions. Until recently traders were able to tell at a glance whether a comOne of the pany was listed on top ten the NASDAQ or wealthiest NYSE: the former individuals used a four characin America. ter symbol con- share power. Assuming Facebook is worth $87.5 billion (given that estimates put it between $75 and $100 billion) Zuckerberg’s share equates to $24.7 billion or enough cash to make him one of the top ten wealthiest individuals in America! However, with great power comes great responsibility, and in vention and the latter accommodated for one to three character symbols. Understandably, most companies want a symbol that fits with their brand, like LNKD, AMZN, GRPN, AAPL, or NYT. Facebook has been shrewd and reserved the symbol “FB” for use “on either exchange,” Facebook’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg owns 28% of the company and holds 57% of its voting Mr. Zuckerberg’s case it is estimated through his IPO windfall he will have to pay around $2 billion in tax. Many claim that the intital Facebook critics have been proved wrong, not least for the fact that unlike some other Web companies, Facebook is profitable, with 2011 profit up 65% from the year earlier period. However, Facebook's costs and expenses are going up faster than revenue. Due to growth in employee head count and equity compensation the company has seen its research and development expenses skyrocket from $9 million in 2010 to $114 million in 2011. Facebook's revenue is still driven by online ads, but social gaming has become an increasingly important part of Facebook's business. The company generated over $500 million in revenue last year from partners such as Zynga who sell virtual goods on the platform. The IPO is a long expected ‘win’ for Facebook but the question remains just how the company will manage its “We don’t growth while build services keeping both adto make vertisers and money; we subscribers make money happy and balto build be)er ancing demands services” of privacy and profits. Mark Zuckerberg has partially pre-empted this question in his open letter where he states that he plans to continue focusing on building products, rather than sales growth. "We don't build services to make money; we make money to build better services," Mr. Zuckerberg wrote. Whether that will be the case, we will all just have to wait and see. to investigate the potential competition is to buy its products or use its services. For example, if your idea is to create an eco-friendly kitchen appliance, buy eco-friendly appliances that are already on the market and compare them to what you had in mind. Similarly, if you want to set up a new type of catering service, find a potential competitor that provides a service most similar to your idea and buy some of the food to review against your own thoughts. Investigating if potential competitors are profitable and how they started up would also be a worthwhile exercise. After researching similar companies and products already out there, you could draw up a theoretical business plan. Research how much the startup costs could be, work out how long it could take to get things moving and what kind of knowledge, experience and contacts you may need. Evolve the business plan and create profit projections based on the information you research. Doing this will enable you to assess viability, how much investment you’ll need and potential profitability. Get practical advice by talking to people who are entrepreneurs in the industry that your startup would potentially compete in. Discuss your idea with them and ask if they think it has the potential for success and how to proceed. You gain great contacts that may prove useful in the future this way as well. If the startup idea looks like it has potential and you want to do further research, you could seek work experience in a business similar to that of your startup. This way, you could learn the practicalities of the industry you may be taking on, as well as allowing you to work out if you would actually like working in the relevant sector. Another way to assess your idea would be to get in touch with the people to whom you intend to sell your product. The potential customers will be the people who will spend the cash and subsequently be the most important factor as to whether the business will be a success or a total failure. You could do this through organising focus groups or possibly setting up a small trial business. One of the most important questions you should ask yourself is: can I make this work? You may have the most incredible startup idea in the world but if it requires the contacts and someone with the ability to provide a large investment to make it work, then unless you happen to have these at hand, you don’t have much at all. Put it this way; if your idea is based around social media - you will need an amazing website and some marketing. If, however your idea is to start a new airline – you will need to acquire international flight routes and find the money to buy a fleet of Boeing 787’s. You’ll never really know if you have a great business idea until you actually set it up properly and try it out. And, if you fail, learn and move on. Here are some words of wisdom from Thomas J. Watson, a great American industrialist and founder of IBM: “If you want to increase your success rate, double your failure rate.” How to work out if your start-up idea is any good Writer Martyn Hopwood Ideas are cheap. Most people with a bit of commercial experience can come up with an idea for a business. With TV shows such as ‘Dragons’ Den’ and ‘The Apprentice’ transfixing the nation over the past few years, it wouldn’t be surprising if your Grandma had a brilliant start-up idea. The easy bit is the idea; the hard part is turning that idea into something that resembles a successful business. In a super-competitive and connected world, where ideas cross continents in seconds, it’s not easy to come up with an idea which will transform you into a Porsche driver. The reality is that, nine times out of ten, your idea will be unworkable, unoriginal and not worth pursuing. To know for sure if your idea is any good, you will have to do some research. So, how can you go about this? Firstly, check out the potential competition. The most obvious thing to do would be to simply Google the idea: this will tell you the basics and whether the idea is worth taking further. Another way Entrepreneurial Twist Writer Carolina Mostert It’s a New Year for entrepreneurs as well. Suspense. Expectations. Surprises. 2012 is a big, heavy, important year. The Olympics, for example. They are happening in London, and London is changing. New transport plans are being made, cable cars across the Thames are being promised, constructions go on day and night in front of Oxford Street’s Center Point. The city, now, is wonderland for entrepreneurs: from different fields and backgrounds, with new ideas. They are most welcome - as long as they bring life to London, as long as they aim for a change. An example of a twist: Anish Kapoor’s immense, towering, red creation. He borrowed the Tour Eiffel and broke it, made the tower bend its knees to touch its toes. Then painted it the colour of revolution, from top to bottom. When I saw it, I considered it quite ugly, weird and extremely rude. Londoners would wince to see Buckingham Palace turned into a knot and tangled up somewhere behind Montmartre. Yet, the tower is very interesting from an entrepreneurial point of view. First of all, it is expected to generate a revenue of £10m per year and to attract about 1 million visitors, again, each year. Secondly, it is a symbol of an event which brings the world together. The tower will stick to the memory of so-many-people, it will be turned into a story which will reach far away countries. It will call more visitors. To keep in mind: the Olympics will be amazing, but they will pass. The 377 feet tall building will remain, fixed to the ground, high in the sky. For this reason, the an “architecArcelorMittal tural start-up”. Orbit, as the It mixes busitower is offiness, engineercially called, is ing, art and an entrepreneurinnovation in a ial success, an sweet blend. “architectural start-up”. It mixes business, engineering, art and innovation in a sweet blend. In this way, Anish Kapoor built a tower of speaking steel, with a voice; an inspiration for all entrepreneurs. Its message: during Olympics 2012, take advantage of the time to build something new and unexpected, somewhat sensational for the present and which will last for the future. Take inspiration from Anish Kapoor. Create something with a twist. SCIENCE LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 Research in Brief Olympic Drugs KCL [MEDICAL SCIENCE] We’re all getting excited about the Olympics coming to London this summer, but is there a role for scientists in this colossal event? A team of more than 150 scientists from KCL will be part of an extensive 1,000-strong, anti-doping lab based in Harlow, Essex. The group are going to be working with pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline to test about 400 blood and urine samples a day - a total of 6,250 throughout the games. They’ll all be part of the effort to keep the 2012 Games fair and clean of drug cheats. And, in keeping with the drive for the Games to be a sustainable venture, the centre will be turned into a permanent sample-testing business. Magic ‘Shroom IMPERIAL COLLEGE [NEUROSCIENCE]] Magic mushrooms have proved extremely useful to scientists who investigate the effects of psychedelic drugs on the brain. Two studies have found that the drugs work by suppressing parts of the brain responsible for keeping the world rational and orderly. It was previously thought that they actually increased brain activity leading to hallucinations. The key regions that are suppressed are also overly active in depression, and the studies, published in PNAS and the British Journal of Psychiatry, may explain why the active ingredient of magic mushrooms has informed psychotherapy treatment since the 1950s. Global Heating QUEEN MARY [CLIMATE] Global warming could have an identical effect on all ecosystems it touches, scientists have found. Research published in Global Change Biology looked at the respiration rate in organisms living in very similar environments, but at different temperatures. They found respiration rates increased by very similar jumps when the temperature rose. This means that, if temperatures do rise on Earth, it will affect us all equally, and we all need to think about the consequences. The finding might help scientists to predict future effects of global warming on our planet more accurately. Breaking Heart QUEEN MARY [CARDIOLOGY] Is it possible to die of a broken heart? Is chocolate actually good for us? Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Queen Mary’s will be hosting a pair of lectures to answer these two questions. Dr Alexander Lyon from Imperial College is going to talk about Broken Heart Syndrome, known more formally as stress cardiomyopathy, which sometimes follows traumatic psychological and physical events. It leads to severe weakening in the heart. Dr Samantha Warnakula from the University of Cambridge is going to show that chocolate is good for our hearts. So, if you happen not to have a date for the 14th, why not get some complimentary wine and chocolate courtesy of Queen Mary’s Pathology Museum? Maria Botcharova The Science of... Love Writer Aamna Mohdin My lab partner tells me that science has limits. She tells me: "Science can't explain love." It was hard to argue with this. Love has previously been the territory of poets and artists, and any scientist who ventured into the realm would surely end up floundering. Not anymore. Pioneering work by Dr Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist at Rutgers University in New Jersey, has discovered the scientific basis for love - it's an addiction! "Romantic love is one of the most addictive substances on Earth," says Fisher. Fisher spent the past few years studying people in love by placing them in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanners. It appeared that people ‘in love’ have increased activity in an area called the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA). Such fMRI experiments have shown that the VTA is also active in the brains of drug addicts and people with obsessive behaviour disorders. However, normally this area is part of the brain's reward system - a system that makes us take huge risks when there are huge gains to be had. There are other chemicals involved in love, notably oxytocin, a hormone which is important in sexual arousal, pair bonding and maternal attachment. New research, published in the Journal of Neurophysiology, has found oxytocin can make ‘rude’ monkeys treat each other a little more kindly. Elizabeth Eisen Steve Chang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Centre of Cognitive Neuroscience and Department of Neurobiology at Duke University, speaks to the London Student about this infamous ‘love hormone’. “The most well-known role of oxytocin is in female reproduction. But, because of more recent work into its role mediating maternal behaviour, pair-bonding, and pro-social long-term memory formation. It is suggested that Orb2, in a clustered form called amyloid-like oligomer, achieves this by marking relevant synaptic sites during brain activity. Si and colleagues believe that such synaptic marks act as labels for brain activity as they only accumulate when there is synaptic activity. “We found that these Orb2 oligomers become more numerous in neurons whose synapses are stimulated, and that this increase in oligomers happens near synapses,” says lead author Amitabha Majumdar, a postdoctoral researcher in Si’s lab. Their results suggest that the majority of simple Orb2 is present in neuronal cell bodies, whereas clusters of Orb2 occur in the synaptic region. There is one important diﬀerence between simple and clustered forms of Orb2. The la4er seems to be much more stable, bearing the potential to remain and self-renew for decades, hence contributing to long-term memory maintenance. Not surprisingly, these results come from researchers aﬃliated with Eric Kandel, the Nobel Prize winning scientist who pioneered work on memory formation in the sea snail Aplysia. But for this study the researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research turned to the fruit ﬂy Drosophila to probe their theory. The group used ﬂy mutants in the Orb2A form, which is the Orb2 subtype necessary for amyloid-like oligomerisation. In the experiments, ﬂies lacking this type failed to stabilise memory beyond 48 hours. These results support the idea that amyloidlike oligomer clusters in neurons are critical for the persistence of long-term memory. “Self-sustaining populations of oligomers behaviours, it has come to be known as the love hormone,” says Chang. He goes on to explain: “A boost of oxytocin level in the brain increases trust and empathy toward a partner during social interactions in humans. In monogamous voles, a boost in oxytocin can directly promote pair-bonding between female and male voles upon introduction.” In giving the rhesus macaques the hormone, Steve Chang and the research team have shown that they pay more attention to each other and make choices that give another monkey a squirt of fruit juice, even when they don't get one themselves. During the research, the monkeys, under the influence of oxytocin, let their gaze linger a bit longer when they made their choices. Was this love at first sight? Chang explains that it’s not that simple: “Oxytocin promoted them to look more frequently at the face of another monkey in the reward donation context. Our data are consistent with the idea that oxytocin is critically involved in gazing attention toward other individuals, and this effect might be related to an enhanced interest in what happens to others. How this type of boost in other-oriented attention might be related to ‘attraction’ remains an open and interesting question.” Chang hopes that oxytocin can be used in a “therapeutic setting”, as it might be “greatly beneficial to individuals with neuropsychiatric conditions marked by social deficits”. Romance may seem inexplicable, but scientists have and are continuing to challenge that notion - more research is expected in this area. Proteins Promote Heart Pangs Writer Alina Strasser If you can remember the ﬁlm Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, you may be pleased to hear that protein clusters in your brain may well account for this recall, but also for painful memories too, such as those a4ached to your last breakup. Just two weeks before Valentine's Day, Kausik Si and colleagues presented their results on the process of long-term memory formation, in the journal Cell. Their goal was to discover something new about the molecular composition of synaptic sites. Synaptic sites are communication points between neurons, and hence are of tremendous interest to brain scientists. Previous experimental ﬁndings have already shown the relevance of clusters of the protein Orb2, a type of cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (CPEB) protein, in located at synapses may be the key to the long-term synaptic changes that underlie memory; in fact, our ﬁnding hints that oligomers play a wider role in the brain than has been thought,” says Si. What may be most intriguing is what these amyloid-like oligomers protein clusters resemble. Protein formations of this type have classically been associated with neurodegenerative and prion diseases. In humans, however, the potential role of protein clusters - similar to Orb2 for long-term memory remains to be established. Scientists will continue digging deeper, allowing us to keep some memories by stacking up proteins, but keep the level lower for others, just to relieve the pain of the heartbroken. So enjoy it while it lasts. Happy Valentine's Day. SCIENCE LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 The Cost of Too Many Men 60 seconds with... With this many men and so few women, men will seduce using cash incentives. Powerhouse Museum Collection Writer David Simpson Research published this month indicates that a shortage of women can convince men to spend and borrow more money in a bid to outcompete one another. A team of researchers led by Professor Vladas Griskevicius, from the Department of Marketing at the University of Minnesota, predicted that the perceived sex ratio (amount of available men per available a shortage of w o m a n ) women can within a comconvince men munity influto spend and ences the borrow more economic demoney in a bid cisions that to outcompete men make. one another. Reviewing a wealth of data from 134 US cities, the researchers found strong support for their predictions. They exemplified their theory by highlighting the case of two cities located less than 100 miles apart in the US state of Georgia, Macon and Columbus. Despite sharing a very similar historical and economic background, the average consumer debt of those living in Columbus was $3,479 higher than an individual living in Macon. It was observed that in Columbus there are 1.18 single men to every woman, and in Macon there are only 0.78 single men to every woman. Furthermore, the team devised experiments whereby participants read local news articles that described their immediate community as containing either more men or more women. These par- ticipants were given a monthly paycheck from which they asked how much they’d save versus how much they’d borrow, using credit cards for immediate expenditures. The men who believed themselves to be in a more male-biased community cut their monthly savings by 42% while their borrowing increased by 84%. With the findings comes the question of whether these men are aware of how many ‘competitors’ they have, and are deliberately acting more frivolously to outshine potential rivals. “In none of the experiments did the men know the true reasons for their behavior,” Griskevicius explains, “some of our behaviors are much more reflexive and subconscious. We see that there are more men than women in our environment and it automatically changes our desires, our With the findbehaviors, ings comes the and our enquestion of tire psycholwhether these ogy." men are aware Given the of how many current eco‘competitors’ nomic clithey have, and mate, how are deliberately might we acting more learn from frivolously to this research? outshine potenCould there tial rivals. be any take home messages here for the male dominated banking world, whose reckless short-term lending contributed to our financial downfall? “Yes, the studies in the paper do suggest that having more males in the workplace will lead to more impulsive and perhaps risky decisions,” Griskevicius asserts. “One implication is that employers might be more strategic about hiring decisions or more strategic about where they locate specific people in the office relative to the gender ratios of their immediate peer group.” This is by no means the full story. Looking east to China, a country which, compared to the US and the UK, currently has a stable economy, we find that there are 1.18 men for every women. In his paper, Griskevicius acknowledges that differences in mating strategy are important when comparing different cultures: “American men may be more likely to respond to male-biased sex ratios by wanting to spend money because, on average, they are more oriented toward a short-term mating strategy.” Our next, highly recommended, ideas to help you woo your date are two exhibitions displaying at the Wellcome Collection until February 26. Under the Miracles & Charms series, the gallery explores three themes of “faith, hope and amulets respectively. Both have been a huge hit with visitors. Entry is free and opening hours vary (check the Wellcome Collection website for more details). Events under the microscope: Writer Lucy Pereira A Special Valentine’s Edition Searching for days out for the geek in your life? Well look no further! This week’s column brings you some science date ideas for Valentine’s Day. Our star attraction is the Royal Observatory’s brand new planetarium show, ‘The Secret Lives of Stars’. Snuggle up together in the warm, dark planetarium and star gaze to the soothing tones of Sir Patrick Stewart of Star Trek. His narration leads viewers on a whirlwind tour following the life and history of stars like our very own Sun. Showing every weekday at 14.45, and on weekends and holidays at 11.45, 13.30 and 15.15 until the end of February (due to the Planetarium’s refurbishment), make sure you get in to see this super show soon. Entry costs £6.50 for adults but £4.50 for students. Flickr: HerArtSheloves chance”, ‘Infinitas Gracias’ and ‘Charmed Life.’ In particular make sure you get a look at the Mexican votive paintings and London Finally, Science London (a branch of the British Science Association) are holding an evening of crafty fun with pathogens in ‘SciCraft: Love Bugs’. Here, you can create your own ‘cuddly bacteria’ and hear entertaining talks on “things that you wouldn’t want to catch”. This is a one-off event being held on Valentine’s Day at the Hunterian Museum from 6 – 9 pm. Entry is free, but a £2 donation is suggested – and there’s a free face mask for every donation. Perhaps the ideal option if it’s a blind date! Writer Alex Badrick London Student speaks to Dr Qazi Rahman, a psychologist at Queen Mary, about the science of sexuality, love and a raction. LS Can a)raction and feelings like love be measured scientifically? QR There’s nothing really mystical about people’s experience of love, sexual arousal and romantic a2raction - they’re not unexplainable cognitive phenomena. Measures like a2raction can simply be recorded on a scale by assessing people’s responses on a questionnaire, asking whether they’re a2racted to people of the same or opposite gender. Or you can use techniques like brain imaging, where you show images of their preferred partners, or current romantic partner, and then look at their brain responses. Although this is a less robust measure.Another way is to look at physiological responses, like how much sweating there is in the palm in response to those pictures. Cognitive psychologists recently have been working on whether this is a good way of measuring and whether you can develop quick, automatic computer based tests that draw people’s a2ention to what they prefer. You might test gay men and straight men and show them pictures of nude men and women in quick succession - so quickly that it’s unconsciously processed. LS Like subliminal advertising? QR A bit like that, yes. A1erwards you’d have a nonsense task: “Decide if this shape is a square or a triangle.” People tend to get the answer right in the area of the screen where they saw more of their preferred image.. Our common sense understanding of love and a2raction in the real world is that you go into a bar or a cafe, someone draws your a2ention and you can’t take your eyes oﬀ of them. Feelings people describe as chemistry can be broken down into those sort of things. LS What is your area of research? QR I study the origins of sexual orientation... what makes people gay or straight. To do that we decipher the genetic and non-genetic mechanisms that lead to variations in sexuality. My research focuses less on romantic a2ractions but what makes people gay and links with mental health research. We have three strands of research, one is trying to understand the genetics of sexual orientation. We can use complicated maths to break it down and decide if those traits are due to genetic or environmental factors. This is quite controversial but parents have li2le sway in how their kids turn out, essentially parents don’t really ma2er. ACADEMIA LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 Lecture One: Love And Sex In Class. The two sides of the story Have you ever wondered what happens if a student fall in love with his/her teacher or visa versa? As St. Valentine’s Day is approaching, London Student is having a closer look at love inside Academia, namely at student-teacher relationship and the controversy around this issue. Is this kind of relationship simply a natural instinct one should follow, or is it not acceptable at all to be in love and be loved within the institution? Take a deep braeth of Valentine’s air, dive in and read. Writer Julie Jo UCL From my memories as a student in an all-girls school, the moment a young and decent looking male teacher arrived, he was the topic of heated conversation on every lunch table, creating excitement in, and out, of the classrooms. Although in most cases, these fantasies live only in films and in novels, as fictitious as these stories may be, it shows that it is an idea that is within the boundaries of human thought and imagination. Photo: wallyg A romantic relationship between a teacher and a student is a topic we simply accept as the wrong thing to do. The most obvious reason is that it may lead to special treatment and favouritism- failed pedagogy. As important as this reason is, this may not necessarily be the case. What only one kind of romantic love. And love, lust and sex are blind. It clouds our logical judgement and morality only to make us cross the boundaries. Another topic that puts negative light on a student- teacher relationship is the balance of power. A teacher may be abusing the position of authority and a student may be coerced. However, how can a student be forced into an emotional relationship? They can be forced into sex which would be rape, a different matter beyond this discussion. This would only be a point of concern if the feelings were not mutual. Are the practical values of taking precautions for such possibility more important than our natural human instinct to fall in love that we must about the grey area? The grey area is when the professor no longer teaches the student, never has nor will ever teach a student personally but is or was within one's own institution. We are not dealing with rape or an act of criminal offence with an under aged child or infidelity of a married professor in a mid-life crisis. We are looking into relationships between two similar aged singles that stand a chance outside the study environment: the ones that may prosper to love and be the real deal. Having said this, why should we generally accept that it is just morally the wrong thing to do? Like doctors to patients and lawyers to clients, teachers have a duty of care to the students. This type of care requires objectivity and guaranteed trust. Breaking this trust is, I guess, what people refer to as 'crossing the line'. Crossing the line would essentially be defying the very nature of their position in society and the general codes of conduct that come with it for both students and teachers. It would also jeopardise the practice of sound pedagogy and academic education in general. However, in the light of discussing one's position in society, we are humans before being a student or a teacher. It is human nature and an automatic instinct to seek love whereas being a teacher or a student is merely a social construct. I cannot explain the methodological breakdown of how this form of care transforms into the care one has for those they love romantically but the key point is that once it does, it is hard and even impossible to reverse the process. The fact is that there are many different kinds of care but set rules to forbid and punish those who do? The most grey area of all is when the relationship may be the real deal or the so called 'true love'. Perhaps this is the view of a naïve and an unrealistic romanticist but those who reject this idea could be a pessimist disguised as a realist. Therefore, it is only fair to explore the minds of the precedent case. If you are the latter, take a deep breath of the Valentine's air and read on. I learnt in psychology of relationships that people have limited options within their circle of lifestyle to find their match. As apparent as this may be, we do not have all the people in the world to find our true love and nature restricts our chances of finding 'the one'. I found this a sad fact. So, why exacerbate the pitfall of nature by further narrowing our probabilities? The key question is what if the two were meant for each other? It is impossible to give a definitive answer to this from the start of a flirtatious gesture or from an infatuation based on appearance. We cannot tell if a 'thing' will eventually end stitutions, as well as make the odd criticism of certain aspects of the ‘student experience’. Early a1ernoon on Sunday February 5, RHUL Memes uploaded the ﬁrst meme amongst universities in London on Facebook with the following quote: “Why do the international students pay the most and work the least?” But the creators of that page did not expect to see such signiﬁcant interest from their fellow Royal Holloway stu- dents. A1er three days, KCL, LSE, Imperial College, UCL, and Goldsmiths students were so impressed that they created a memes page as well. But what was the factor that persuaded over 3000 King’s College students to like their memes page within 72 hours? Perhaps it is their capability to lightly make serious points. By scouring through the hundreds of memes, it is not impossible to conclude that a new quasi-social movement on cyber space has been College’s Facebook memes; The key question is what if the two were meant for each other? I always remember this valuable quote from Napoleon Bonaparte: “Public opinion is the thermometer a monarch should constantly consult.” During the last week students from diﬀerent colleges in the University of London created Memes pages on Facebook to jestingly lampoon their student life and students at other in- It’s All About Arts And Music This Time! UC L UCL CHAMBER MUSIC CLUB CONCERT Photo: Kristen B up with the promise of the words, 'till death do us apart'. However, the basis of any romantic relationship is to take risks, tempt fate and put our hearts on the line to face the hurdles if you wish to find true love one day. People say that we cannot help how we feel but we can control our actions. As believable as this common phrase sounds, it is short of rational thought. The actions that we control are reasoned and committed by our sense of logic and morals. If these two factors are compromised by our emotions and feelings, which we do not have control over, then our actions too are subjects of our feelings. Therefore, it would be cruel to be condemned for the consequences of our actions that we did not have control over. It would be an over generalisation to conclude that I condone studentteacher relationships. I do not advocate lust and sex but I do support the exception. The reasons that support why this type of relationship should not be allowed still stand valid and important. What an individual chooses to prioritise between work, reputation and love depends on their culture and personal values among many other things. My belief is that everything comes at a price. Nevertheless, a part of me holds close to the line that 'the greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and be loved in return'. Happy St. Valentine’s Day, everyone! A quasi-social movement in cyber space? Writer Alireza S Nejad WHAT’S ON: initiated. Although much of what resides in these pages is purely for fun, from a social point of view they can come to serve an important function in bringing to the fore serious issues that can, in turn, draw the a2ention of journalists, College management, and those who are involved with education. To read this article in full, please visit the ‘Academia’ section of the London Student website: www.london-student.net An Evening of French Music: performed by members of UCLU Music Society, to complement and promote UCOpera's March production of Acante et CÃphise by Rameau. Time: February 23, 5.30pm Place: Haldane room, UCL Main Campus KCL ARTS & HUMANITIES ALUMNI CONCERT 2012 The King’s College London Symphony Orchestra warmly invites staff and students to the Arts & Humanities Alumni Concert 2012, one of the College’s artistic highlights of the year. Conductor Dominic Grier will be leading pieces such as Glazunov’s Violin Concerto in A Minor and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor. The concert will feature a full chorus from King’s and four soloists made up of current King’s students and alumni Time: February 19, 7.309.30pm Place: Duke’s Hall, The Royal Academy of Music, Marylebone Road, London NW1 5HT Tickets: Standard: £12.00, students: £5.00 LSE LSE ARTS LUNCHTIME CONCERT “An afternoon in Spain”, F.Sor; Variations on a Theme of Mozart Op.9, ?Miguel Llobet; Three Catalan Folk Songs, ?Francisco Tárrega; Capricho Árabe, ?Isaac Albéniz. A top prizewinner at international competitions, Morgan Szymanski has performed all over the world. "A player destined for future glories" (Classical Guitar Magazine) Sevilla – Mayorca – Granada – Asturias. Time: February 16, 1-2 pm Place: Shaw Library, Old Building, LSE COMMUNITY London Listens LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 Dr Saul Hillman works as a psychologist at The Anna Freud Centre/ University College London. He also has his own practice as a hypnotherapist/life coach/NLP practitioner. NEXT ISSUE ©iStockphoto.com/mickyates We will be looking at phobias and anxieties. Please email me with any letters or experiences you have in this or any other area Saul can be contacted on 07939 523 025 or [email protected]. For more information and resources visit www.saulhillmantherapy.com Ten Ways to Get Happy = GREAT DREAM We live in a society where the drive and focus tends to be on reducing negativity and misery rather than striving for a positive state of mind. In recent years there has been a strong movement with substantial evidence into the science of wellbeing. The language of ‘happiness’ is a simple and eﬀective one that even the Government has embraced since we now have the evidence on how we can make be2er choices to increase well-being in our lives. The notion that happiness is an important concept has roots in British history. Indeed, in the mid-18th century, the Sco2ish philosopher Frances Hutcheson was the ﬁrst to describe the best society as the one that had "the greatest happiness of the greatest number". But this concept was not restricted to Britain and Thomas Jeﬀerson asserted that "the care of human life and happiness… is the only legitimate objective of good government". Indeed, he also stated in the American Declaration of Independence about the entitlement to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Contemporary thoughts on ‘happiness’ are holistic and consider how we can improve overall satisfaction with our lives. Of Research consiscourse, our tently shows that ability to feel we need to change happy is inour priorities ﬂuenced by since happiness our genes, and fulfilment upbringing come less from and our cirmaterial wealth cumstances and more from reincluding ﬁlationships nancial, health and professional factors. However, it is now accepted that our choices, values and sense of purpose, make a greater contribution to our feeling of wellbeing. There are many things in life that ma2er to us - including health, freedom, autonomy and achievement. But if we ask why these individual concepts ma2er, we can generally give further answers - for example, that they make people feel be2er or more able to enjoy their lives. However, if we ask why it is important to feel happy and be2er, we tend to and tested ways to enhance our mental state. These 10 strategies spell GREAT DREAM. Giving - doing things for others can make us feel happier and healthier. This can allow us also to feel more connected to others whether they are fellow students or in the wider community. Remember, giving is not just about money, it may be about giving time and ideas. Jefferson argued that the care of human life and happiness is the only legitimate objective of good government. Flickr User Rishi Menon struggle to know what to say. It is self-evidently desirable. Our overall happiness - how we feel about our lives - is what ma2ers to us most. Research consistently shows that we need to change our priorities since happiness and fulﬁlment come less from material wealth and more from relationships; less from thinking about our own needs and more from reaching out to others. Research in the UK shows that people are no happier now than they were 60 years ago in spite of economic growth and more prosperous lifestyles. The ‘Action for Happiness’ have 10 tenets for happiness which are tried Relating – connecting with other people through all sorts of strong relationships is perhaps the most recognised way of enhancing our mood state. People with weak and narrow relationships tend to be less fulﬁlled and have a lower sense of belonging. It is indisputable that building and strengthening relationships will be helpful. Exercising - with our body and mind so interconnected, it is also highly recognised how physical activity will improve both physical and mental wellbeing. We can instantly increase our positive state even if this is restricted to brisk walking. Appreciating – in our everyday lives, we are constantly wired whether it’s being drowned in course work or simply bombarded by our phones, social media and other channels. What we have become worse at is simply to be more mindful and aware of the smaller things in life we take for granted. These still moments of contemplation and observation allow us to be grounded in the present rather than fre2ing about being comfortthe past or fuable with who ture. you are may Trying Out – seem a bit trite learning new but we are ininformation creasingly living through study in a world of soclearly aﬀects cial comparison our well-being which only in lots of posiserves to magnify tive ways our flaws since it exposes us to new ideas and maintains that state of being curious. Besides the obvious positive outcomes that come from accomplishing the work we do, it has a great boost to our self esteem. For further self-improvement, learning new skills or sharing skills with others has a great impact. Direction – we o1en need goals and purpose to motivate, challenge and stimulate. Clearly, these need to be realistic or they will have the reverse eﬀect. Resilience – an inevitability in our lives is that we will suﬀer knockbacks whether it’s in relationships, our studies or elsewhere. Our response to bounce back from these stresses is essential and one that can be learned. For example, if we are able to maintain a determined and positive a2itude a1er a relationship break-up, and allow ourselves not to feel immobilised, then we are demonstrating resilience. Emotion – experiencing strong In Conversation with the Doctor How do I get happy? I cycle every day and that keeps me ﬁt and active. (JJ, 21) I go to a Capoeira class twice a week with some mates. (TH, 19) I’ve got a really nice group of mates and we hang out the whole time. That keeps me happy. (YK, 19) I’m in a band and sing. (AW, 20) I go to a yoga class and practice it the whole time. (BB, 21) I sit in a local park by myself, have a cigare2e and just zone out. (MN, 19) I’m at the gym the whole time. (CW, 19) I do some voluntary work for a charity once a week. (AA, 18) I watch comedy DVDs. (BC, 20) I make sure I have holidays and things to look forward to. (JS, 20) positive emotions such as joy, pride and inspiration will be cumulative in terms of how we feel about ourselves. Acceptance - being comfortable with who you are may seem a bit trite but we are increasingly living in a world of social comparison which only serves to magnify our ﬂaws. If we can accept ourselves, warts and all, and being kinder to ourselves when things are not always perfect, we can feel more fulﬁlled and resilient. Meaning – students may o1en feel anonymous in a vast place and lack the sense of belonging and meaning in their lives. We can ﬁnd meaning and purpose through numerous areas whether it’s membership of a sports club, a religious group, or a political group. Most people will feel the beneﬁt of belonging to something bigger than themselves. LONDON LOVES with Aphrodite LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 Will, Will is 23 and studies at the London Katherine is a third year student study- Trop"). The three words to describe him are: Top notch guy! Finally, a convergance of some new colleges! This week sees QM meet “the Trop” as our couple hit the Battersea Pie Co. in Covent Garden. Let’s see if Love was in the Air in time for this Valentine’s Issue.... The Date: Will’s Report Being a bit of a regular reader of the Lonely Londoners, I had high expectations for a decent bit of Indian We seem ed t o have cuisine and e n o ugh in some good c o mm on to company. In wa r rant a po s t-dinner reality only dr i nk, and 50% of this a n o ther one was on offer, a n d another on e ... the venue now being Battersea Pie co. In my pre-date state of anxiety I rushed into what i thought was the only pie shop in Covent Garden and uttered the dreaded words, "hi, i'm here for the blind date". It turned out I was in the wrong pie store... After being escorted to the actual venue I was shortly followed by my date, Kathrine. We got off to a flying start, with some reassuring conversation about how we were both "in it for the experience" whilst on our way up to the pie counter. Whether she believed me or not, I don't know. The staff were friendly and eager to make our situation as easy as possible. The upgrade to a bottle of wine was highly appreciated! I opted for a tasty chicken 'n' mushroom option, whilst Katherine chose what I guess is considered the lady-like salad option in this establishment: a vegetarian pie. With pies in the oven, we settled into a lengthy conversation ranging from our uni courses to childhood memories of being chased by cows. The sporadic theme of conversation kept flowing and we seemed to have enough in common to warrant a post-dinner drink and another one and another one, I sensed i was being led astray... ing International Relations at Queen Mary. Funny, chatty and great at first impressions, she is the perfect person to get any conversation flowing. After bumbling from one bar to the next, inhibition was rapidly being shed and we eventually entered the student union (the shame). The time seemed to fly past and the last tube was approaching, so after a warm goodbye and a not too subtle number swap, we went our separate ways.. The Date: Katherine’s report Before I met Will I was really nervous, but I had nothing to worry about because he was so friendly and laid back. We met in the We chatted Battersea Pie co. in Covent Garden, which about the dangers of is a really nice place! the counWe talked about tryside our university courses, from jump- he is studying paraing cows to sitology (I think) and I jumping amstudying Internahay bales! tional relations so there was not much cross over, however as both of us have grown up in the countryside we Battersea Pie Co. Lower Ground Floor, 28 the Market, Covent Garden, WC2E 8RA Call on: 020 7240 9566 Deliveries Available! num bers S n School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine ("the LOVE-O-METRE chatted about the dangers of this, from jumping cows to jumping on hay bales..! After eating we went to a bar in Covent Garden for cocktails. We had lots to talk about and the conversation was easy however we ended up leaving swiftly after being given the ultimatum either to pick up our belongings or put it them in the cloakroom. We then went on a search for a Canadian pub also in Covent Garden. We were helped in our search by the giant maple flag outside. We had (another) drink and this time it was the stuffed black bear which aided our exit. We then decided to meet some of his friends and on the way we had a quick stop off at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and diced with death on the London roads, finally making it to ULU. His (“best friend”) Adam said I needed to mention him so, hello! All in all it was a lovely evening and Will was really fun to hang out with. London Haunts: Valentine’s Day romance... Valentine’s Day rolls around again and with it the incredibly crass overload of teddy bears and sterile roses and a whole lot of pink. Someone’s clearly having a joke on the consumer; you would be hard pressed to find anyone who thought a smiling and slightly rotund bear clutching a shiny heart was anything other than romantic and endearing. The market manages to reduce one of if not the founding factors of society: love, into a depersonalised and slightly twee mess. The natural reaction to all of this would of course be to retreat into an anti-romantic rut, tell your loved one that you are feeling under the weather and seek solace from the plethora of cuddliness. I am however convinced that Valentine’s Day can still be romantic and wonderful; all it takes is a little imagination, and an active escape from the expected. On this note, any notion of dinner, movie etc should be vetoed before they are even considered. If going out is the name of the game, a date to a pub, probably the Cross Keys in Covent Garden would be my suggestion, that way you can be completely incongruous. Otherwise why not stay in and cook? Maybe it sounds a bit middle aged and you wouldn’t see depictions of this cosy little scene in Clinton’s cards, but I am entirely convinced that the way to a happy Valentine’s Day is low pressure and defying convention. Flora Neville Afterthoughts from Aphrodite So the whiff of Valentine’s day hangs in the air like a cake baking in Cupid’s kitchen, and he sure did try his best to bake up a treat for this evening. Promising, positive....perfect? Might not go that far, but perhaps the Valentine’s day consumer-hungry aura gave this pair a little lift... Swapping cheesy roses and tacky heart-paraphernalia for modest, tasty pies and a good bottle of wine, maybe Flora is right - less fuss is more conducive to an enjoyable evening. If you are a Lonely Londoner and fancy some good old fashioned romance this Valentines- AND a free meal, do contact Aphrodite at: [email protected] with your name, age, university and 3 words to describe you. Find some romance today.... PLUS:Need some inspiration for a Valentine’s day meal with a twist? Look to Food now for Wahaca’s tasty Huevos Rancheros recipe! SPORT LONDON STUDENT VOLUME 32 ISSUE 9 The Inside Track: Disappointing developments Writer Daniel O’Donnell Royal Holloway Every issue, Daniel O’Donnell examines issues, triumphs and decisions made by various organizing commi ees. In trying to determine how well the Olympic games will run, why decisions have been made and how will it all aﬀect the city and the country next summer. Now I’ve had a fair bit of feedback when it comes to writing this column. I’m proud that people can read comment - everyone has a right to reply - it’s a fundamental and key part of journalism. There would be no point writing pieces that everyone agreed with, nodding, caps doﬀed and bowing to such amazing knowledge. That’s what academics are for isn’t it? No, journalism is a dialogue - hopefully a well researched article that gives balance and stirs argument, interest and debate. This sounds like a What makes BUCS so special to tennis players? Writer Freddie Clamp @2clamp A good friend of my mine, a sporting fanatic now crocked by injury, recently said to me “my biggest regret of University is not playing a British Universities and Colleges Sport fixture”. Having now experienced a season and a half of most. So I’ve tried to come up with sensible suggestions as to what could be done in light of these complaints - instead of just complaining. So in that vein I’m going to discuss a particularly painful issue. Recently I compiled a news report for EastLondonLines.co.uk in regards to a new temporary indoor-training facility for Olympic and Paralympic basketball teams that has now been approved to be built on Leyton Marsh on the borders of Waltham Forest and Hackney. I was dubious, as always being an impartial journalist, though what has been proposed by Olympic Development Authority (ODA) is nothing short of an atrocious decision that has immediately alienated a whole community from not only the development but also the idea of the games themselves. defence article so just to be clear, it isn’t. More of an admission that I may be slightly underwhelming when it comes to the games. To clarify, I can’t wait for the Olympics to come to this city. I’m a huge sport enthusiast - I even spent my undergraduate degree studying all about it; sociologically, politically, economically and psychologically - whether it be its eﬀects on the population or the individual. Sport has a massive role to play - and I’ll always advocate that. Though what would be the point of BUCS sport I struggle to imagine university life without it. Five days of my week are spent training for or competing in BUCS Tennis South-Eastern Division 2B, captaining the Queen Mary Tennis Team has become an integral part of my student life. The playing part aside, captaining a University team inevitably brings its own challenges. Over 220 people signed up for the tennis club at Fresher’s Fair of which roughly 85 turned up to our first trial session. Four courts, 85 people, our goal to reduce 85 to 16, you do the maths. With such little space we were left relying on everyone’s own opinions of themselves, hardly an infallible method. After three weeks of reducing 85 to 16 we had ourselves a team, although it seems certain that we will have let someone slip through the net such is the nature of a chaotic trial. The perennial battle with fresher’s flu is an ongoing nightmare for any BUCS captain. It can strike at anytime and is sure to mess with trainings and fixtures alike. One has no choice but to lie low if hit with this horrible student bashing illness. So what makes BUCS so special to students? This is difficult, but lets just telling everyone every couple of weeks how much I’m looking forward to a clean sweep in the cycling and sailing - and seeing whether we can win anything in the more upright sports - dispelling the Aussie banter about being good at si3ing down sports (throwing it back - Australia is the 3rd most obese country in the world so they can talk) and the rest that comes with such a sporting occasion. So I decided from the outset to look objectively at the Olympics - which has it’s critics from many - infact start by saying it isn’t the organisation of BUCS. It is difficult to envisage any other competition where it is deemed acceptable to play tennis in a mixture of sleet and snow, quite frankly, come rain or shine we are expected to compete. Last year against Canterbury Christchurch waiting for my teammates to complete their matches I saw the first signs of frost developing on my tennis racket – once back in the warmth of the car it was immediately clear why, -2C. Away matches are perhaps the pinnacle of university sport. The Wednesday afternoon battles with London Transport explain why the London Underground Song was once written. The camaraderie developed on these trips is something lovely to behold, the tense nervous journey to the fixture before the joyous celebratory return home is what we play sport for. Brilliant. BUCS is the facilitator for students of different universities to compete against each other and must be applauded for this. The competition between the London universities is often intense, rivalries develop, friendships are sometimes broken but far more often made. This is the beauty of BUCS competition. The marsh land is home to a Site of Special Scientiﬁc Interest and plenty of dog walkers, ramblers and runners. Having visited the site, it was clear how much of an aﬀect such a temporary three-storey indoor basketball court - complete with tarmac road - would have on the local residents and the look of the area - not to mention a lasting environmental impact. It’s a shame that the ODA have decided to go forward with this development - on land that had previously been unable to be built upon - temporary or not - because of a protected status called Metropolitan Open Land. Though due to the “special circumstances” of the games the plans are set to go ahead a2er successfully gaining planning permission earlier in the month. Though it’s not only the developContinued from page 24 John McEnroe before it had started. McEnroe had said “Brad Gilbert doesn’t swing at the ball hard enough to break an egg. He doesn’t hit the ball. He waves at it”. Gilbert was irate by this claim, and came into the match and tried to hit the cover oﬀ every ball. Needless to say, McEnroe comfortably won 6-4 6-4 and had the cheek to say in the post match press conference “Brad seemed to be playing a li3le more aggressive than usual. I think it hurt his game”. Pure genius from McEnroe. Currently in men’s tennis we don’t have a personality like John McEnroe or indeed Jimmy Connors, the current top 4 Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Murray are all very much sedate in the press and don’t engage in a verbal war of words and oﬀ court are very much friends, unlike Connors and McEnroe who loathed each other both oﬀ and on the court. Although we see no evidence of mind games in the press, without doubt, games go on behind closed doors, within the locker room, in the canteen, even at the stringers. Just how much of an eﬀect does it have on his opponent when Nadal walks into the locker room, and refuses to smile or make eye contact? Nadal’s opponent’s a3ention and focus has now changed, it is on Nadal and not on himself. Nadal has ment of this facility that has angered local residents - I spoke to councillors and local people - they were never consulted until very recently, citing unfair play by the ODA in trying to push through planning permission with as li3le public consultation as possible. This lack of communication, this decision, has not only distanced locals from ownership of their own community but also from the idea of the Olympic games themselves. What is damaging physically on the land is mirrored psychologically by the residents in their feeling and support of future sporting events. It is why communication is so vital when deciding these games. I would argue that no person would object to creating new jobs, regenerating an area, inspiring new initiatives and even ge3ing more people into sport and ﬁtness - though all of these aims seem to be a seldom resort to rhetoric with li3le evidence of any of those objectives being met. In terms of a solution, unfortunately it seems this one is past it. Though I would urge both Hackney and Waltham Forest Councils to urgently seek new grounds to build such a structure. For temporary or not, this will have a long-term aﬀect on the area, whether it be the marsh land or the residents themselves. It’s a shame the ODA couldn't just go out and speak to people. Daniel writes a blog to accompany pieces wri3en for London Student on his website www.daniel-odonnell.com Daniel writes a blog to accompany pieces wri en for the London Student on his website: www.daniel-odonnell.com the advantage already. Roger Federer has an aura that only Roger Federer could ever possess. As he walks into the locker room with his latest cardigan perfectly positioned on his chest, the sheer sight of him is enough to cause his opponent to buckle at the knees in fear. Like Nadal, Federer has an immediate advantage without saying a word. In 2011, the new world number 1, Novak Djokovic, has created an aura of invincibility, he has lost once in 50 matches, he doesn’t believe he can lose a set, let alone a tennis match, and this is noted by his opponents. His opponents already doubt if they can beat him, Djokovic is halfway to victory before a ball is struck. It is without doubt that a tennis match can be won or lost before setting foot on the court, but, is there some way not to become eﬀected by these mind games. SPORT	i don't know
Who was the first female film director to win a best film Oscar?	Oscars 2010: Kathryn Bigelow becomes first woman to win best director as Hurt Locker blasts ex-husband's Avatar with six gongs \| Daily Mail Online Oscars 2010: Kathryn Bigelow becomes first woman to win best director as Hurt Locker blasts ex-husband's Avatar with six gongs By BAZ BAMIGBOYE Bad night for James Cameron's $300m Avatar as it wins three low-key awards Sandra Bullock and Jeff Bridges win Best Actress and Best Actor Brits Helen Mirren, Colin Firth and Carey Mulligan miss out on big prizes Mo'Nique takes gong for Best Supporting Actress in Precious Kathryn Bigelow made history last night after becoming the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director - and trounced her ex-husband in the process. Her Iraq war thriller The Hurt Locker scooped six Oscars, including Best Picture, while Avatar, directed by James Cameron, won only three minor gongs. Avatar - the highest grossing film ever having already taken $2billion worldwide at the box office - won only for art direction, cinematography and visual effects. Trophies also went to runaway favourites Sandra Bullock, Best Actress for American football drama The Blind Side and Jeff Bridges, who collected the Best Actor award for his part in the country musical Crazy Heart. Scroll down to watch MailOnline video reports Making history: Kathryn Bigelow's Iraq war drama film The Hurt Locker won six Oscars. She is the first woman to win an Academy Award for best director, seen on stage last night at the 82nd Academy Awards Delighted: Screenwriter Mark Boal (left) and producer Greg Shapiro backstage with five of the six awards the movie raked in As she opened the envelope Barbra Streisand declared: 'It's about time', and then read Kathryn Bigelow's name for best director. Avatar had been widely expected to follow in the footsteps of Cameron's epic, Titanic, which won 11 Oscars in 1998.. As the Best Director award was announced, Cameron patted Bigelow on the back - she was sitting directly in front of him in the auditorium - and broke out into wild applause. She said on receiving the directing award: 'This really is, there’s no way to describe it. It’s the moment of a lifetime.' The director paid tribute to the work of members of the audience she had admired for decades. And praised the screenplay as 'courageous'. No hard feelings: James Cameron reacts to his ex-wife Kathryn's film winning one of six Oscars Applause: Cameron, sat behind his ex-wife, looked pleased as Avatar wins the Oscar for Cinematography Congratulations: But Bigelow beat her former husband hands down, with Cameron seen left jokingly moving his hands towards her neck and, right, the pair embrace She said: 'I would not be standing here if it wasn’t for Mark Boal, who risked his life for the words on the page.' And she dedicated the award to 'the people who risk their lives on a daily basis in Iraq and Afghanistan....may they come home safe.' Backstage she spoke about becoming the first female director to win: 'First of all, I hope I'm the first of many. 'And, of course, I'd love to just think of myself as a filmmaker, and I long for the day when a modifier can be a moot point. 'But I'm ever grateful if I can inspire some young, intrepid, tenacious male or female filmmaker and have them feel that the impossible is possible and never give up on your dream,' Bigelow said. Bigelow was the third of Cameron's five wives between 1989-1991 but the situation between them is very amicable and they have traded pleasantries at every stage of this year's award season. Sandra Bullock collects her award for best actress for the American football drama The Blind Side while Jeff Bridges makes his acceptance speech after being named best actor for musical film Crazy Heart As the victory turned into a procession of awards, Cameron joked as if to strangle his ex-wife before giving her a generous hug. It had become clear when The Hurt Locker, which had a budget of just $11million, clinched Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing that it was in with a shout of the top prize. The drama about a U.S. bomb disposal unit in Iraq did not fare so well at the box office and has just gone to DVD in the UK, but it caught on with the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Picture Arts and Sciences. And that despite producer Nicholas Chartrier being banned from the ceremony for sending an email to voters asking them not to vote for Avatar. Some Oscar voters may have taken against what some felt was an arrogance about 55-year-old Cameron. Graceful: Kate Winslet, who last year won best actress, presented Bridges with his award He made a public statement that it would be okay for Bigelow, 58, to win Best Director but that he should be given Best Picture to honour all his colleagues who worked on the sci-fi classic. The Academy clearly had other ideas. Bigelow dedicated the award to serving members of the military and said that she hoped she would be the first of many female directors to win best director Oscars. She said, 'It was a humbling experience' to be in the same category as Cameron and the other directors - but she remained dignified and wouldn't be drawn into directly commenting on Cameron. Grand: The best actor and best actress nominees line up inside the venue at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles On-stage appearance: British star Carey Mulligan failed to win best actress for An Education, seen earlier in the night with Avatar actress Zoe Saldana presenting the gong for best short film The other race that captured the most attention was best actress. Would it go to Meryl Streep, nominated for the 16th time but who hasn't won since 1982? Or to Sandra Bullock known as the 'prom queen', for The Blind Side? When Bullock won even she allowed herself some humility. She knows she's a good actress but not always the Best Actress. She plays the role of Leigh Anne Tuohy in American football drama which follows the story of Michael Oher (played by Quinton Aaron), a homeless and traumatised boy who became an All-American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman (Bullock) and her family. Good friends really: Bullock beat British competitor Helen Mirren to win the best actress award, while fellow Brit Colin Firth, seen with wife Livia Giuggioli, also lost out on the best actor award to Bridges Flashbulb frenzy: Sandra Bullock arrives at the ceremony in her stunning floor-length gown 'Did I really earn this or did I just wear you all down?' Bullock, stunning in a silver column gown from British designers Marchesa, praised her fellow nominees: 'Four of them that I've fallen deeply in love with I share this night with and I share this award with. 'Gabby, I love you so much. You are exquisite. You are beyond words to me. Carey, your grace and your elegance and your beauty and your talent makes me sick. 'Helen, I feel like we are family through family and I don't have the words to express just what I think of you. And Meryl, you know what I think of you and you are such a good kisser. Mo'Nique wins best supporting actress for her role in Precious and, right, Christoph Waltz took best supporting actor for Inglourious Basterds Rare victory: Designer Sandy Powell was one of only two British winners, for Best Costume Design for The Young Victoria 'I have so many people to thank for my good fortune in this lifetime and this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I know. To the family that allowed me to play them, the Tuohy family, I know they're in here and you'll probably hear her in a minute.' On Saturday night Bullock had showed she was a good sport by collecting in person her Worst Actress award at the infamous pre-Oscar Golden Raspberry (Razzie) Awards. She picked up the award for her other film of 2009 All About Steve and thanked the voters for 'ruining my career'. Back at the Oscars and veteran Jeff Bridges claimed Best Actor for playing a drunken country singer in musical drama Crazy Heart. The son of Hollywood star Lloyd Bridges held his trophy high over his head, looking to the heavens and thanking his deceased parents. 'Mom and Dad, yeah,' he shouted. 'Thank you Mom and Dad for turning me on to such a groovy profession.' Mo'Nique received a standing ovation as she collected the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the gritty film Precious, which also features Mariah Carey, about an illiterate and pregnant young girl in Brooklyn. Escorted: Best actor nominee Morgan Freeman still had his left arm in a gloved support following a recent car accident, pictured with Invictus producer Lori McCreary (left) and his daughter Morgana Freeman Actor Robin Williams came on stage to present the gong, making it two in a row for the gritty drama. Just prior, i had won Best Adapted Screenplay, adapted by Geoffrey Fletcher from the book Push. Mo'Nique, who played the role of an abusive parent in the flick, thanked the Academy as she collected her first Oscar for making it 'about the performance and not the politics'. Hosts: Steve Martin (left) and Alec Baldwin presented the show, seen here surrounded by scantily-clad women Feeling blue: Ben Stiller dressed up as a member of the Na'vi tribe from the film Avatar to present the award for best make-award which went to Mindy Hall of Star Trek AND THE WINNERS ARE...	Kathryn Bigelow
The inactive volcano, Mauna Kea (meaning 'white mountain' in the local native language), is in which US state?	Kathryn Bigelow becomes the first female director to win an Oscar - Mar 07, 2010 - HISTORY.com Kathryn Bigelow becomes the first female director to win an Oscar Share this: Kathryn Bigelow becomes the first female director to win an Oscar Author Kathryn Bigelow becomes the first female director to win an Oscar URL Publisher A+E Networks On this day in 2010, Kathryn Bigelow becomes the first woman to win an Academy Award for best director, for her movie “The Hurt Locker,” about an American bomb squad that disables explosives in Iraq in 2004. Prior to Bigelow, only three women had been nominated for a best director Oscar: Lina Wertmueller for 1975’s “Seven Beauties,” Jane Campion for 1993’s “The Piano” and Sofia Coppola for 2003’s “Lost in Translation.” Born in San Carlos, California, in 1951, Bigelow graduated from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1972 and later earned a master’s degree in film from Columbia University. She made her feature film debut with 1982’s “The Loveless,” which she co-wrote and co-directed. The film, about a motorcycle gang, starred Willem Dafoe. The next movie Bigelow directed, 1987’s “Near Dark,” was a western-horror hybrid that gained a cult following. She went on to helm 1990’s “Blue Steel,” starring Jamie Lee Curtis as a police officer stalked by a killer, and 1991’s “Point Break,” about bank-robbing surfers, featuring Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves. Bigelow’s other directing credits include 1995’s “Strange Days” with Ralph Fiennes, 2000’s “The Weight of Water” with Sean Penn and 2002’s “K-19: The Widowmaker” with Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson. At the 82nd Academy Awards in March 2010, Bigelow’s fellow best-director nominees included James Cameron (“Avatar”), whom she was married to from 1989 to 1991, along with Lee Daniels (“Precious”), Jason Reitman (“Up in the Air”) and Quentin Tarantino (“Inglorious Basterds”). After making history by winning the directing prize, Bigelow said, “I hope I’m the first of many [women], and of course, I’d love to just think of myself as a filmmaker. And I long for the day when that modifier can be a moot point.” Her movie “The Hurt Locker,” which starred Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty, also won Oscars for best picture, film editing, sound editing, sound mixing and original screenplay. Related Videos	i don't know
Who composed the music for the opera Porgy and Bess, about 1920s African American life in Charleston, South Carolina?	Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary \| IIP Digital Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary Beloved, once-controversial opera showcases America’s rich musical heritage By Lauren Monsen \| Staff Writer \| 01 February 2010 Eric Owens and Laquita Mitchell portrayed the title characters in the San Francisco Opera’s 2009 production of Porgy and Bess. Washington — The opera Porgy and Bess is now recognized as an American masterpiece, but when it was first performed in Boston and New York in 1935, it generated both controversy and acclaim. Composed by George Gershwin — a white, Jewish New Yorker with Russian immigrant roots — Porgy and Bess is part of the international operatic repertoire. Several of its songs, particularly “Summertime,” have become classics. Yet since its premiere 75 years ago, the opera has been viewed by some critics as perpetuating racial stereotypes. Set in a vibrant African-American community in Charleston, South Carolina, called Catfish Row, Porgy and Bess tells the story of a crippled beggar and the woman he loves. Their lives are touched by poverty, violence and, in Bess’ case, drugs. The work “was introduced as a folk opera, occupying a midway point between opera and Broadway musical,” according to John Edward Hasse, curator of American music at the Smithsonian Institution. At the time of its debut, the subject matter of Porgy and Bess was considered daring, Hasse said. During the era of racial segregation, U.S. audiences were unaccustomed to music that gave serious artistic expression to the lives of African Americans. Also, the principal roles were sung by black performers instead of white performers in black roles, the common practice then. Gershwin (whose brother Ira wrote the opera’s lyrics) considered Porgy his finest work. As it happened, the public enthusiastically embraced Porgy, while music critics were divided. The New York press, for the most part, disliked Gershwin’s unconventional approach, especially his incorporation of distinctly American musical elements (jazz, blues, traditional spirituals) into an operatic framework. However, The Christian Science Monitor proclaimed Porgy and Bess “Gershwin’s most important contribution to music,” and The Boston Transcript said, “Gershwin must now be accepted as a serious composer.” MIXED FEELINGS IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY African Americans often were ambivalent about Porgy and Bess. Some felt it was demeaning and promoted racial stereotypes, but others defended it as a work of surpassing beauty and tremendous emotional power. Classically trained African-American singers have wrestled with the question of whether to accept a role in the opera, and even now, “I think there’s still some sensitivity around it,” said Hasse. Duke Ellington, the legendary jazz musician and composer, complained that Porgy and Bess lacked social commentary, “and I think he also had some issues about its authenticity,” Hasse said. Harry Belafonte declined to play Porgy in the 1959 film version, and mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry expressed reservations about singing the role of Bess. When Gershwin decided to adapt the 1924 novel Porgy (by Southern writer DuBose Heyward) into an opera, he traveled to Charleston and spent a great deal of time absorbing and transcribing African-American music. He wanted to faithfully capture the feel of that music in Porgy and Bess, but his own background raised doubts in some quarters about his ability to convey the essence of African-American life in the Deep South. Among the opera’s admirers was the late William Warfield, an African-American bass-baritone considered one of the foremost interpreters of the role of Porgy. Warfield, who appeared in the 1952 revival of Porgy and Bess that toured internationally under the U.S. State Department’s sponsorship, told critic John Ardoin that Porgy and Bess never was intended as a social statement and should not be faulted for not being one. “To me, Porgy is mainly a beautiful and good story,” he said. “You don’t see Porgy and think ‘this is wrong’ or ‘this is right.’ You are touched by the tale of a cripple who falls in love with a wayward woman and tries to save her with his love. I do think, however, audiences today see Porgy in a different way than they did in the 1930s,” because the social landscape has been transformed. “Americans have produced many fine things when it comes to opera — [such as] Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah and Samuel Barber’s Vanessa,” said Warfield. “But to me, Porgy towers over all of them.” With its references to jazz, blues and spirituals, “this piece of music could only have been produced by an American,” Hasse said. “Porgy and Bess is not supposed to be a pure sampling of the music that African-Americans created” in the 1920s, “any more than [Georges Bizet’s opera] Carmen is a sampling of Spanish Gypsy music,” he said. Rather, “it’s a new creation that interprets the music of African Americans through the lens of a white, Jewish, big-city composer who is well versed in ragtime, jazz and popular song, and well trained in classical music.” Hasse said Porgy’s recognition as an operatic masterpiece was prompted by several decades of dramatic change in U.S. society, especially the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. When the Houston Grand Opera unveiled its production in 1976, the verdict was nearly unanimous: Gershwin’s most ambitious work was a magnificent achievement that could hold its own in any opera hall. The Houston production was followed by an equally triumphant staging at New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1985. If he were addressing people who are seeing Porgy and Bess for the first time, Hasse said, he would offer this advice: “Open your ears, heart and soul to the melodies — at times haunting, at times soaring, and at almost all times memorable.” Sportin’ Life (Chauncey Packer, from the San Francisco Opera’s 2009 staging of Porgy and Bess) is the gambler who leads Bess astray. Keywords:	George Gershwin
The mineral and ore pitchblende is rich in what radioactive element, after which it is now named?	Haunting, Soaring, Controversial Porgy and Bess \| IIP Digital Haunting, Soaring, Controversial Porgy and Bess 02 April 2010 The opera Porgy and Bess is now recognized as an American masterpiece, but when it was first performed in Boston and New York in 1935, it generated both controversy and acclaim. Composed by George Gershwin — a white, Jewish New Yorker with Russian immigrant roots — Porgy and Bess is part of the international operatic repertoire. Several of its songs, particularly “Summertime,” have become classics. Yet since its premiere 75 years ago, the opera has been viewed by some critics as perpetuating racial stereotypes. With its references to jazz, blues and spirituals, “this piece of music could only have been produced by an American,” says John Edward Hasse, curator of American music at the Smithsonian Institution. If he were addressing people who were seeing Porgy and Bess for the first time, Hass says, he would offer this advice: “Open your ears, heart and soul to the melodies — at times haunting, at times soaring, and at almost all times memorable.” Above, Eric Owens and Laquita Mitchell in the San Francisco Opera’s 2009 production of Porgy and Bess The Full Story Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary Beloved, once-controversial opera showcases America’s rich musical heritage By Lauren Monsen Staff Writer Washington — The opera Porgy and Bess is now recognized as an American masterpiece, but when it was first performed in Boston and New York in 1935, it generated both controversy and acclaim. Composed by George Gershwin — a white, Jewish New Yorker with Russian immigrant roots — Porgy and Bess is part of the international operatic repertoire. Several of its songs, particularly “Summertime,” have become classics. Yet since its premiere 75 years ago, the opera has been viewed by some critics as perpetuating racial stereotypes. Set in a vibrant African-American community in Charleston, South Carolina, called Catfish Row, Porgy and Bess tells the story of a crippled beggar and the woman he loves. Their lives are touched by poverty, violence and, in Bess’ case, drugs. The work “was introduced as a folk opera, occupying a midway point between opera and Broadway musical,” according to John Edward Hasse, curator of American music at the Smithsonian Institution. At the time of its debut, the subject matter of Porgy and Bess was considered daring, Hasse said. During the era of racial segregation, U.S. audiences were unaccustomed to music that gave serious artistic expression to the lives of African Americans. Also, the principal roles were sung by black performers instead of white performers in black roles, the common practice then. Gershwin (whose brother Ira wrote the opera’s lyrics) considered Porgy his finest work. As it happened, the public enthusiastically embraced Porgy, while music critics were divided. The New York press, for the most part, disliked Gershwin’s unconventional approach, especially his incorporation of distinctly American musical elements (jazz, blues, traditional spirituals) into an operatic framework. However, The Christian Science Monitor proclaimed Porgy and Bess “Gershwin’s most important contribution to music,” and The Boston Transcript said, “Gershwin must now be accepted as a serious composer.” MIXED FEELINGS IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY African Americans often were ambivalent about Porgy and Bess. Some felt it was demeaning and promoted racial stereotypes, but others defended it as a work of surpassing beauty and tremendous emotional power. Classically trained African-American singers have wrestled with the question of whether to accept a role in the opera, and even now, “I think there’s still some sensitivity around it,” said Hasse. Duke Ellington, the legendary jazz musician and composer, complained that Porgy and Bess lacked social commentary, “and I think he also had some issues about its authenticity,” Hasse said. Harry Belafonte declined to play Porgy in the 1959 film version, and mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry expressed reservations about singing the role of Bess. When Gershwin decided to adapt the 1924 novel Porgy (by Southern writer DuBose Heyward) into an opera, he traveled to Charleston and spent a great deal of time absorbing and transcribing African-American music. He wanted to faithfully capture the feel of that music in Porgy and Bess, but his own background raised doubts in some quarters about his ability to convey the essence of African-American life in the Deep South. Among the opera’s admirers was the late William Warfield, an African-American bass-baritone considered one of the foremost interpreters of the role of Porgy. Warfield, who appeared in the 1952 revival of Porgy and Bess that toured internationally under the U.S. State Department’s sponsorship, told critic John Ardoin that Porgy and Bess never was intended as a social statement and should not be faulted for not being one. “To me, Porgy is mainly a beautiful and good story,” he said. “You don’t see Porgy and think ‘this is wrong’ or ‘this is right.’ You are touched by the tale of a cripple who falls in love with a wayward woman and tries to save her with his love. I do think, however, audiences today see Porgy in a different way than they did in the 1930s,” because the social landscape has been transformed. “Americans have produced many fine things when it comes to opera — [such as] Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah and Samuel Barber’s Vanessa,” said Warfield. “But to me, Porgy towers over all of them.” With its references to jazz, blues and spirituals, “this piece of music could only have been produced by an American,” Hasse said. “Porgy and Bess is not supposed to be a pure sampling of the music that African-Americans created” in the 1920s, “any more than [Georges Bizet’s opera] Carmen is a sampling of Spanish Gypsy music,” he said. Rather, “it’s a new creation that interprets the music of African Americans through the lens of a white, Jewish, big-city composer who is well versed in ragtime, jazz and popular song, and well trained in classical music.” Hasse said Porgy’s recognition as an operatic masterpiece was prompted by several decades of dramatic change in U.S. society, especially the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. When the Houston Grand Opera unveiled its production in 1976, the verdict was nearly unanimous: Gershwin’s most ambitious work was a magnificent achievement that could hold its own in any opera hall. The Houston production was followed by an equally triumphant staging at New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1985. If he were addressing people who are seeing Porgy and Bess for the first time, Hasse said, he would offer this advice: “Open your ears, heart and soul to the melodies — at times haunting, at times soaring, and at almost all times memorable.” (This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov) Keywords:	i don't know
Bianca is the younger sister of Katherina in which Shakespeare comedy play?	Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew \| Study.com Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew Watch short & fun videos Start Your Free Trial Today Instructor: John Gonzales John has 20+ years experience teaching at the college level in areas that include English and American literature, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Add to Add to Add to Want to watch this again later? Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. Custom Courses are courses that you create from Study.com lessons. Use them just like other courses to track progress, access quizzes and exams, and share content. Teachers Organize and share selected lessons with your class. Make planning easier by creating your own custom course. Students Create a new course from any lesson page or your dashboard. From any lesson page: Click "Add to" located below the video player and follow the prompts to name your course and save your lesson. 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Meet Bianca Milano from William Shakespeare's raucous comedy, ~'The Taming of the Shrew.~' This lesson discusses Bianca's character evolution in the play and invites you to consider who the shrew really is when the curtain closes in the final act. Sisters Going Different Directions The character Bianca Minola in William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew appears to be a perfect opposite to her older sister Katherina/Kate, the shrew of the play's title. Kate is willful, outspoken, and rebellious, whereas Bianca appears to be a model of obedience and modesty. This opposition holds true in a surprising way over the course of the play. As Kate becomes more cooperative and more compliant, Bianca grows bolder, more confident, and more shrewish. By the end of the play, a complete reversal occurs. Shakespeare, being Shakespeare, has gratified the male egos in his audience by taming one shrew while also perpetuating the theme of the battle of the sexes with Bianca's contrasting character evolution. The Innocent Introduction Little sister/favorite daughter Bianca seems too good to be true in the opening scene of the play. Even her name, which means 'white,' implies purity, virtue, and goodness. Her humble acceptance of her father Baptista's decree that she will not be allowed to marry until her temperamental older sister Katherina does is almost martyr-like. She wishes Kate contentment in her own discontent, and tells her father that she will be obedient, and focus on her studies and personal development until Kate finds, or is found by, that elusive fiancée. An Idealized Bianca She is similarly sympathetic and seemingly perfect in the next scene. Kate has her tied up and is being downright abusive, demanding that Bianca reveal which of her many suitors she desires most. Bianca replies that none so far has caught her eye and that Kate is welcome to any of them. She reminds Kate that she hurts them both by her mistreatment and proclaims her respect and obedience to Kate as her elder sister (Hmm . . . could that be a subtle little moment of snark, implying that Kate is an unmarried old maid? Nah, it's perfect little Bianca). As she departs the scene, it is clear that her father dotes especially on his younger daughter. It seems Bianca can do no wrong. Signs of Willfulness In Act 3, however, we begin to see another aspect of Bianca. A local bachelor, Hortensio, and a young visitor from Pisa, Lucentio, have both finagled their way into the Minola household disguised as tutors in order to sneak under Baptista's radar. While Katherina is busy dealing with Petruchio, Bianca is left to her own devices for the first time in the play. She tells her new 'tutors' that she will learn as she chooses and not at their direction. Along with this first sign of an independent spirit, we see a flirtatious and manipulative side. She strings along Hortensio by repeatedly telling him his instrument is out of tune while she listens to Lucentio reveal his true identity and his love for her. If we weren't so completely convinced of Bianca's innocence, we might wonder at what could be implied by the idea that Hortensio is courting her with an out-of-tune instrument. As Act 3 concludes, Bianca has stopped even pretending to be the devoted younger sister. When asked her opinion on the sequence of events that turned Kate's wedding day into a bizarre spectacle of public humiliation, ending with Petruchio carrying her off like a bundle of newly purchased merchandise, Bianca replies, 'That, being mad herself, she's madly mated.' In Act 4, we see that Bianca has finally made her choice, and it is Lucentio. She does wish Hortensio well in his pursuit of a widow he knows, but now that we have a taste of her witty and catty side, this might be a sarcastic hint that the widow could be more than Hortensio bargained for. That certainly turns out to be the case in the final scene of the play. Does Bianca know something more? Why not? She has already shown layers and depths that nobody seemed to expect from the angelic darling she first appeared to be. ×	The Taming of the Shrew
On which item of dress would a cockade normally be worn?	Auditions for Taming of the Shrew Auditions for Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare Tuesday, February 17, from 7:30-9:30pm in Bldg 2, Storybook Theatre at KVPAC Performances scheduled in the Magyar Main Theatre at KVPAC on the Kennedy Grand Stage Performance dates are April 10, 11 and 12, 2015 All shows begin at 8:00pm, except for Sunday which is a matinee beginning at 2:00pm Show Synopsis: The courtship between the headstrong shrewish, Kate, and the not-so-gentlemanly fortune hunter, Petruchio, ignites the stage with masquerade, misdirection, and a look at the roles we must play. The Taming of the Shrew is Shakespeare’s most outrageously funny and controversial comedy. 18 roles: 3 women, 14 men, additional roles assigned Katherina (Kate) Minola – the "shrew" of the title Bianca – younger sister of Katherine Baptista Minola – father of Katherina and Bianca Petruchio – suitor of Katherina Gremio – elderly suitor of Bianca Lucentio – suitor of Bianca (spends some of play disguised as Cambio, a Latin tutor) Hortensio – suitor of Bianca and friend to Petruchio (spends some of the play disguised as Litio, a music tutor) Grumio – servant of Petruchio Tranio – servant of Lucentio (spends some of the play disguised as Lucentio) Biondello – servant of Lucentio A Widow – wooed by Hortensio A Pedant – pretends to be Vincentio A Haberdasher Please prepare a 1-2 minute comedic monologue (Shakespeare is preferred) Auditions to be held Tuesday, February 17 from 7:30-9:30pm. Call backs will be held Feb 19th only if needed. Please email KVPAC ( [email protected] ) to set up an appointment time or call 281.829.2787. Audition location is KVPAC, Building 2, in the Grand Vision Storybook Theatre at 2501 S Mason Rd # 290, Katy, TX 77450. Bring headshot/ resume if you have one. Participants must be age 17 or older unless otherwise stated on cast list. Read-thru is Feb 22 at 7:30 PM Rehearsal schedule is Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings Performances are in Magyar Main Theatre at KVPAC February 10, 2015 at 8:00pm (evening) February 11, 2015 at 8:00pm (evening) February 12, 2015 at 2:00pm (matinee)	i don't know
Natives of which English city are known as Loiners?	England travel guide - Wikitravel Cities[ edit ] England has many large cities. Listed below are nine of the most popular: London — largest metropolitan area in Western Europe, and a global capital of finance, fashion and culture. Birmingham — the UK's second largest city (by population) in the industrial heartland. Bristol — vibrant music and art scene, lovely historic buildings, an attractive waterfront and a laid back, friendly, amiable, mellow atmosphere in the West Country's largest city. Brighton — regency seaside resort and university town with quirky shopping, good eating, rich culture and vibrant gay nightlife. Liverpool — "The home of the Beatles", a booming cosmopolitan city famous for its vibrant nightlife, rich cultural heritage, magnificent waterfront, superb architecture, and excellence in music and sport. Manchester — third most visited city in the UK, a cultural, sporting, entertainment, shopping and media hub. Nottingham — "Queen of the Midlands", home of Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest and Nottingham Castle. Newcastle upon Tyne — a thriving northern city with world-famous nightlife. York — ancient capital of Yorkshire, with Roman, Viking and Medieval remains. Other destinations[ edit ] England has many outstanding landmarks and sites of interest. Listed below are nine of the most notable: Hadrian's Wall — the Romans built this 87 mile wall to protect their English outpost from northern raiders. Isles of Scilly — magical archipelago of tiny islands off the south western coast of Cornwall. Lake District National Park — glorious mountains, lakes and woodlands; the land of Wordsworth. New Forest National Park — one of the few remnants of the great oak and hornbeam woodland that once covered southern England. North York Moors National Park — with heather-clad hills, woodlands, impressive sea cliffs and secluded beaches, this area is one of the true English gems. Peak District National Park — rugged moors and hills which form the northern spine of England. Understand[ edit ] Don't confuse "England" with the the larger "Britain" or "United Kingdom"; see the United Kingdom article for details. Climate[ edit ] England has been stereotyped as being cold, grey and rainy since the ancient Romans wrote home, but this is not an entirely accurate picture. Temperatures rarely get very cold or very hot, and while the country certainly gets rain, it's really not as wet as rumour has it. London alone has lower annual rainfall than Paris, New York and Sydney, and it's not uncommon for parts of the country to go without rain for weeks. Parts of southern England often have summer water restrictions due to a lack of adequate rainfall during the previous winter. There is some scope for leaving your raincoat at home, but make sure you've got one. Northern and western parts are usually wetter than the rest of England due to the prevailing wind from the north west bringing down cold moist air from the North Atlantic, and the sunniest and warmest areas are in the far south and south east. Winter and autumn are usually the wettest seasons where the weather is often very changeable and at times quite windy, especially in the north and west, where cold Arctic winds arrive. Spring conditions are very changeable: a day of hot sunshine is likely as not to be followed by a week of cold wind and rain; and vice-versa. Occasional snow even as late as May is not unheard of in northern England, but it will melt quickly. Snow is particularly rare in the south east. Summer is generally warm in the south with average highs usually ranging from 18-23°C, but be prepared for unsettled weather at any time of the year and make sure to check a weather forecast if you plan to be outdoors. Hot spells of weather can occur from May to September where temperatures may reach 30°C in the warmest areas of England, typically London and parts of the South East. Central Europe has very hot summers and very cold winters, but England is both less extreme (surrounded by water) and milder in the winter (influenced by the warmth of the North Atlantic Drift). If it were not for the North Atlantic Drift, England would be much much colder. Heavy, prolonged, snow is rare and temperatures are rarely below freezing for more than a few days. Some years there will be a few days of road and rail disruption from snow - even the slightest amount of snow often causes delays on public transport, especially rail. Very severe weather conditions are rare and remedial action is usually taken promptly. Flooding and droughts are unlikely to affect the traveller. High winds occasionally disrupt travel, most often outside summer. English people are said to have a passion for debating the weather: actually this is usually just an opening gambit to start a conversation with a stranger. Typically, these conversation openers are now heard only among the elderly members of society. Most discussions that do involve weather usually include criticisms of it - including (though perhaps not at the same time) both that it's "too cold" and it's "too hot". Well-known conversational gambits (with due acknowledgement to Peter Kay) : "It's too cold for snow"; "It's that fine rain that soaks you through". People[ edit ] The people of England, like their language, are a mixed bunch who have regularly been infused with new blood - from the Romans nearly 2000 years ago taking control of the ancient British in the region, to the later influences of Angles, Saxons and others from Europe after which created the original idea of the English, to the Vikings and then the Normans about a thousand years ago. Since then, there have been Hugenots, Chinese, Jews fleeing pogroms, people from former British colonies in the Caribbean in the 1950s and 60s, Indians expelled from newly independent former African colonies, workers from new EU member states such as Poland, not to mention people from other UK nations and the Republic of Ireland. The full list is very long, but England has long been used to outsiders making it their home - even before England existed! Like in any country you will get people who are unfriendly to foreign visitors, but England is noted as being one of the most tolerant countries in Europe, and racism is very low when comparing to other nations. Almost everyone will treat you well if you are polite and make an effort to fit in. Smile, be polite, don't be pushy if you can help it: that's how to get on with the English. The English are well used to foreign visitors and you can expect them to be friendly and polite. One thing to bear in mind is that many mostly elderly English people are terrified of giving offence and dislike lying, and so will try to avoid potential pitfalls by sticking to safe (often boring) topics of conversation and occasionally doing the tricky job of avoiding offence by evading a question which worries them, while also trying not to offend you by point blank refusing you an answer. This sort of thing generally wears off as people get to know you. The younger generation are often quite different as far as giving offence is concerned. Big cities and even some rural areas, like those anywhere, have their social problems, but England is predominantly an affluent country with little visible poverty. Rough areas contain rough people in England as in any country: muggings, car theft, and other street crime are unhappily common in some districts of many towns and cities, but England is by and large a very safe country as long as you use common sense. In tourist destinations you will meet a mostly friendly people who will take the time to answer a stranger's question, and who may speak English in a colourful or accented way but will be willing to standardise and simplify their speech if you're struggling. Some would say there is a north-south divide, with people in the North more friendly and approachable (Liverpool for instance was voted the fourth friendliest city in the world by travel magazine Rough Guide in 2014), while the South (mostly just London though) is a more closed culture with people less willing to stop and speak, but don't take offence, remember most Londoners you see on the streets will usually be rushing to get to somewhere (eg work) and simply don't have the time to talk. If anything, the South of England is split between the "overheated" and overcrowded South-East, and the more rural, amiable South-West/West Country where a more laid back, relaxed, friendlier atmosphere beckons. The North/South divide is also somewhat confused by the fact that Bristol (the largest city in the South West) has a very laid back, relaxed, leftfield and mellow atmosphere that is completely different with the relentless hedonistic atmosphere of the likes of Brighton and Bournemouth or the conservatism of many cities in Southern England. In rural areas of the south, particularly East Anglia and the West Country, people are generally much more laid back and enjoy taking the time to have a chat with strangers. In most of England you will usually find that if you are polite and friendly, you'll get the same in return. London itself is a very international city where you may meet a variety of nationalities, depending on what part of the city you are in. Talk[ edit ] Unsurprisingly, English is the main language in England, though it is spoken with many different accents throughout the country. Generally, English accents can be broadly divided into Northern and Southern accents, with natives of Liverpool having a very distinctive accent that is easily distinguishable from that of someone from neighbouring Manchester. No other languages are widely spoken, but with widespread immigration to England in the past few decades, you might also hear other languages such as Polish, Chinese, German, various South Asian languages or even various African languages being spoken in their respective communities. When an English person says "Meet me at half five", they mean "Meet me at 17:30". If the directions say "go to the top of the road", that means the end of the road. Some words mean one thing to Americans and something else entirely to British folks. When an English man says he shared a "fag" with his "mate" that means only that he smoked a cigarette with a friend. If he adds that they also had a "gorgeous" meal, it means it was followed by a nice dinner. If they had a "shag" it means they had sex afterwards. See our English language varieties article for more insights. Then there are the words unique to British English; a sneaker or tennis shoe, for instance, is called a "trainer." Moreover, the diverse history of the country, and the influx of various cultures over the centuries (e.g. Vikings, Normans, Romans, Celtic peoples), have produced a very wide range of accents, and there are still traces of regional dialects (vocabulary and grammar). Best not to imitate the accents, you will be seen as mocking. An accent will usually reveal where someone was brought up — sometimes to within quite a small area (a criminal was recently caught because his accent on a recorded phone call was traceable to a single neighbourhood). Today, even well-educated professionals are happy to keep their regional accent: the unhappy days when people from outside the South East felt that they had to hide their accent to "get on" have gone. It is now only people who go to public (i.e. private, fee-paying) schools who learn to speak in a "geography-free" way (the "upper-class accent" of colonial rulers, well-known from old British films, or modern parodies). Differences in accent are very real: a visitor who is expecting a particular accent they are familiar with from the cinema or television (perhaps "Dick van Dyke Cockney" or "Hugh Grant Silly Ass Upper Crust") will usually have to wait a day or two to get really accustomed to the real accents they hear around them. Even English people, familiar with other accents from TV or by knowing neighbours or colleagues who have moved from other areas, can still struggle when far from home. "Geordie", the accent/dialect of Tyneside, is a famously strong accent when spoken quickly amongst a group of people who do not know that a stranger is trying to tune in. Most people are happy to tone down (or slow down) their accent when a stranger is in difficulty. When encountering a broad Geordie accent it can be quite difficult for someone who is not accustomed to it to understand it, and there are still various dialectic words in common use such as hyem = home, gan/gannin = going, wor = our, divvint = don't and howay = come on. Dialects exist, but as a matter of interest, not confusion. People across England would expect to understand anyone from anywhere else in England, because the few everyday dialect words are usually well known from TV. Differences are interesting, but not critical. Some examples from the north of England: "ey up" ("Hello"), "aye" ("yes", as in Scotland and the North of England); "tha" ("you", as in thee and thou, still common in South Yorkshire). Real differences are of little consequence these days: for instance, people growing up in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield use "jennel", "jinnel", and "ginnel" as the word for a particular type of narrow alley between houses. Other common words are "wee", "bonnie", "lass" (small, beautiful and girl, respectively in Scotland). A few useful words which may help you understand the English (particularly in the Midlands and North): "ta" = thank you, "ta ra/ta ta" = goodbye, "summat/summit/summink" = something, "nowt" = nothing, "owt" = "anything", "dunna/dunno" = don't know, "canna/cannit = cannot. Be prepared to have to use English to make yourself understood. Few people here speak a second language fluently. However, most people were taught one second language (usually French, German, Italian or Spanish) at school, and may remember enough to be willing to help a stranger in difficulties (if they can get over the embarrassment of being seen to "show off"). Because of immigration, especially from Commonwealth countries, many languages are spoken in the big cities. There are also smaller places where particular languages are common. Expect to hear (and even see signs in) Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Gujarati, Polish, Italian, Greek, Turkish and varieties of Arabic. Because of links with Hong Kong, many Chinese people live here (London and Manchester have thriving communities, and Liverpool has one of the oldest Chinese communities in Europe). Another English peculiarity is the use of terms of endearment for strangers such as "darling", "pet", "love", "hun", "duck", "bab", "mate", "sweetheart", "flower", "queen" and a few others. It can be confusing, or perhaps even embarrassing, for somebody who is not accustomed to this to be called "darling" by a total stranger; however, this is something which is nowadays mainly used by the older generation and found less in the younger generation although some younger males may call a woman "Darlin" this is usually either as a form of cat calling (and can often be followed by derogatory demands or language but is often harmless) or directed towards a female friend. You will hear English people say "sorry". This is not down to guilt or self-consciousness but simply because it is synonymous with "excuse me", and is used to get somebody's attention. Alternatively it can be synonymous with "pardon". Any comments along the lines of "What are you sorry about?" are pointless. Get in[ edit ] From outside Great Britain[ edit ] Since England is on an island, it is not possible to drive directly into England from outside Great Britain. Motorists have two choices to enter England from outside Great Britain, by various car ferry routes, or the Channel Tunnel. Car ferries[ edit ] From mainland Europe . - there are a wide variety of routes and operators from various countries. Ferry routes to British Mainland From the Channel Islands . Services connect Jersey and Guernsey with the south of England. From the Isle of Man . Services connect Douglas , Isle of Man with the north west of England From Ireland . There are only limited car ferry services connecting Ireland directly with England. Alternatively it is possible to take a ferry from Ireland to Wales or Scotland and then continue the journey by road to England. See "by boat" for further details. Channel Tunnel[ edit ] From France . Eurotunnel [1] run a frequent train service from Calais , France , to Folkestone which carries vehicles and their passengers. From elsewhere in Great Britain[ edit ] A number of roads cross England's borders with its British neighbours. These roads range from the simple country lanes to motorways. There are no border controls with Scotland or Wales ; indeed, on smaller roads the border may not be noticed at all. There are no tolls to cross into England; however, motorists need to be aware that crossing from England into Wales via the M4 and M48 Severn Bridges will need to pay a toll. Also, there is a M6 toll road to bypass the congestion of Birmingham (England's second largest city) on the main M6 motorway. The most important road connections into and out of England are. A1 from Edinburgh to Eastern Scotland M4 from South Wales By train[ edit ] Eurostar [25] links mainland Europe to England. Trains run from Paris , France and Brussels , Belgium (via Lille and Calais ) crossing into England via the Channel Tunnel (and often stopping at either Ebbsfleet or Ashford ) before continuing to St. Pancras Station in London. Occasional services run from other destinations in France . Book as early as possible as fares can be considerably more expensive if trying to book at the last minute. From Wales and Scotland regular services cross the borders into England. BritRail Passes are also available to non-UK citizens which allow the traveller unlimited rail travel in England on one ticket. Wikitravel has a guide to Rail travel in the United Kingdom . With so much coastline and so many ports, England has extensive shipping links with many countries worldwide. Major ports are Dover , Folkestone , Harwich , Hull , Plymouth , Portsmouth , Southampton , Liverpool , Ipswich and Newcastle . See Ferry routes to British Mainland . If you're visiting the Cardiff area in Wales during the summer, then there is the opportunity to sail to the West Somerset/ North Devon resorts such as Minehead, Ilfracombe , Bideford and Lundy Island across the Bristol Channel (the funnel shaped stretch of water that seperates the coasts of Wales and the West Country) via the paddle steamers the Waverly and Balmoral (usually Penarth just to the west of Cardiff). This is highly recommended for a few reasons - firstly, the M5, the main route into the West Country is a dreary, slow, lethargic and often congested and frustrating road that is very easily prone to snarl ups - sitting on a hot summers day in a car stuck in traffic on the M5 is frustrating to say the least. Secondly, the journey from Penarth to Ilfracombe on a warm summers day, you can get to see a sea-going perspective of Minehead , Porlock, the picture postcard villages of Lynton and Lynmouth, the wild and raw Valley of the Rocks and the majestic "Great Hangman", a 1043 feet hogback hill with a cliff face of 820 feet making it the highest cliff in Southern England. Heading west from Ilfracombe to Lundy Island is an opportunity to see the majestic Bay of Naples styled curve of Bideford Bay with the magnificent surf beaches of Woolacombe , Croyde , Staunton and Westward Ho! in all their glory. Sailing from Wales to the West Country is definetly better than driving down the awful M5!!! Get around[ edit ] England is well serviced by domestic air, land and sea routes. There are taxi firms everywhere (many are by booking only - find the phone number of the local company and phone ahead), and every town has a bus service. 'Black Cabs' are also common in cities and can be hailed from the side of the road. Sometimes in city centres, usually just after the nightclubs have closed, there will be queue for taxis which will sometimes be monitored by marshals or police. To be safe, make sure you take a registered taxi or black cab; despite government action, many unlawful unregistered private taxi drivers exist - these do have a reputation for being unsafe, particularly if you are a woman. England has one of the highest densities of railway lines per square mile in the world. There has been much improvement and investment in recent years to the railway network and rolling stock but delays and cancellations do occasionally occur. Overcrowding can be a problem in large cities, especially at 'rush-hour' times (7AM - 9AM & 5PM - 7PM, Monday to Friday) so it is best to avoid these times when tickets can be expensive as well. See also Rail travel in the United Kingdom . Buses are numerous, frequent and reliable in most of the larger towns and cities and an ideal way of getting around. Rural areas are less well served and hiring a car is often the best option to explore the countryside and villages. The roads are of generally excellent quality (although can deteriorate in rural areas, with cheap materials often used to repair the roads, only for the workmen and resulting road closures to rerun soon later. Potholes are a huge nuisance to locals, as it can takes weeks or months for them to be repaired, although done cheaply using a method called "Patching"). Care should be taken on rural and minor roads, some of which are extremely narrow, twisty and poorly marked, while many are two way roads and only wide enough for one car, meaning a meeting situation can be unpleasant. The signs and markings on most roads are clear, although roundabouts make traffic slow to a crawl during "Rush Hour". The main problem with driving in England is the sheer volume of traffic on the roads. Unfortunately this is not only limited to rush-hours and large cities, and even cross country motorways can slow to a stop as they pass urban areas. Prepare for travel times being longer than you'd normally anticipate in relation to the mileage. The speed limit, unless otherwise stated, is 30 or 40 mph in built-up areas, 50 or 60 mph (approx 95 km/h) elsewhere and 70 mph (approx. 110 km/h) on motorways and other controlled-access roads. Speed cameras and traffic police are numerous so caution is advised. The traditional British 'reserve' and politeness may occasionally dissolve under the stress of congestion on the major routes, especially with the traffic problems in some of England's larger cities, but generally driving around Britain is an enjoyable experience and it is polite to acknowledge the courtesy of another driver with a nod or the raising of the hand as a form of thank you. Drivers will often flash their headlights to indicate that you are clear to pull out, or otherwise to give way to you, and it is considered polite to say thank you by giving a wave or a quick flash of your headlights. However, be prepared for drivers who do not agree with speed limits, especially newly created ones on roads where for example, the limit has been lowered from 60 to 30 after campaigns from locals. Even if you are driving at the posted limit, there is a chance you will be overtaken and this will be more frequent if you have a sticker in your back window, implying you'll be sticking to it. Drivers with this attitude often spend ages driving behind you, while driving close behind as a means to make you speed up, even if it means breaking the law. Do not worry about this, maintain your speed, as they are most likely the sort who are already collecting speeding points on their license, while you are sensible and in the right. Flashing your hazards (ie, both indicators at the same time) is only used as an indication of danger. Usually it's used to indicate the car's broken down or to warn other drivers that there's a hazard up ahead. But flashing your hazards a couple of times is another way of saying Thank you. Brown and white road signs indicate nearby tourist attractions, and the blue i sign denotes Tourist Information. The UK isn't as cycle-friendly as some other European countries, but it's still a great way to get around. You'll see a lot more from a bicycle, have the freedom to stop wherever you want, no parking headaches and once you've got the bicycle there is nothing to pay. It is unquestionably the fastest way around London and other major cities - it does have it's dangers but it's well worth the risk. There are many lovely cycle paths where you can avoid the traffic and soak in the cityscape or countryside. Rough examples of journey times at moderate speed: Buckingham Palace to Tower Bridge: 20 minutes; Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle: 2 hours; Central London to Oxford city: 5 hours. A national online route planner can be found at Cycle Streets You can hire a bicycle from some local bicycle shops, or purchase a decent one privately for between £0-100 second hand as the UK has a surplus of old bicycles. You must use lights if you plan to cycle after dark and can be fined by the police for failing to do so. A front white light and red rear light are required. Flashing LED lights or bulb based bike lights both meet the legal requirements. Helmets aren't compulsory. A decent lock is also essential, particularly in the cities bicycle theft is a common problem. Some of the London Underground trains and all London Overground accept cycles outside of peak hours. Local buses and trams don't accept bikes. Mainline and suburban trains allow bicycles but normally have restrictions during peak hours on busy services. Policies vary from compulsory reservation of cycles space to no cycle during peak hours - its best to check with each rail operator or on the national rail web site for restrictions that could impact your planned journey. Folding bikes may travel at any time so long as they are collapsed completely. Long distance coaches will normally let you on with a bicycle, as long as they're not too full. Arrive early for coaches so you get a space in the luggage hold. See[ edit ][ add listing ] London is the start and finish point for most international tourists. It offers countless museums and historical attractions. To truly experience England, however, you must venture out of the hustle and bustle of the capital and see what the rest of England has to offer. You will find the rest of England very different to its capital city; indeed, if you only visit London, you haven't seen 'England' - you've seen one city that bears few similarities with the rest of the country. If short on time, you may find it more convenient to base yourself in a regional city and take day trips to the National Parks, coast and smaller towns. If you have plenty of time, then you could base yourself in a B&B (Bed and Breakfast) in any of the above. You will find that public transport to and within cities and large towns is acceptable, but that in smaller places off the beaten track then you should research your journey carefully, or consider hiring a car. Popular places to visit include the counties of Yorkshire and Cornwall , the National Parks listed above, and the historic cities such as York , Bath and Lincoln . If short on time, then it is possible to use larger cities as a base for day trips, either by train or coach. For example Leeds , the largest city in Yorkshire makes a great base for day trips to the Yorkshire Dales , North Yorkshire Moors , York and Whitby , whilst offering its own selection of attractions such as the Royal Armories, famed nightlife, theatre and designer shopping in stunning Victorian Era arcades. Similarly Liverpool , as well as being a popular city break destination in itself with its Beatles heritage and maritime attractions, is centrally located for day trips to the Lake District , North Wales, and Yorkshire . Plymouth makes a good base for exploring Dartmoor , whilst allowing day trips to Cornwall and offering its own range of attractions and museums. Bristol , the West Country's largest city makes for a very enjoyable weekend break. Although until recently overlooked by other Southern English cities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Bath and Brighton, Bristol has come into its own thanks to its leftfield attitude, laid back easy going groove, the West Country's largest shopping complex, and above all its stunningly creative and brilliant music scene (a back catalogue containing the likes of Massive Attack, Portishead and Tricky). Although Bristol doesn't have any specific sights (apart from the Clifton Suspension Bridge), it's a city to just browse and glide through at your leisure and soak up the mellow, amiable vibe of Britain's most relaxed and laid back city. If you have a little longer, you may be able to spend a week more locally based, for example staying in Ambleside in the Lake District . If you want white sand beaches, turquoise sea, Arthurian atmosphere and a raw, misty eyed Celtic landscape head to the West Country coastline of Devon and Cornwall - particularly, the magnificent surf blasted beaches of North Devon's Bideford Bay and King Arthur's birthplace in North Cornwall's Atlantic coastline (Bude, Tintagel, Padstow, Polzeath etc). Preservation trusts[ edit ] A number of 'umbrella' organisations are devoted to the preservation and public access of both natural and cultural heritage. Membership with them, even on a temporary basis, means priority free access to their properties thereafter - travellers to England seeking to see a large number of sights would do well to join one or more of them: English Heritage [26] . the National Trust [27] . English Heritage has an especially wide-ranging remit and manages more than 400 significant buildings and Monuments in England. They also maintain a register of thousands of "listed" buildings [28] , those which are considered of most importance to the historic and cultural heritage of the country. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] England has traditional dishes famous the world over from Beef Wellington and Steak and Kidney Pie to the humble sandwich. However, a modern English meal is just as likely to be Lasagne or Chicken Tikka Masala, with the traditional Italian and Indian meals taking on a decidely English flavour. The English are great adopters of other countries' cuisines. There are many low-quality establishments and mediocre chain restaurants, and the motorway services can often still manage to produce food that is barely edible, however, you can generally expect pubs and restaurants to provide interesting and well-presented meals. "A meal out" is the usual way to celebrate a special family event, and people expect the meal to live up to the occasion. Cooking programmes are now among the most popular on the television, supermarkets have turned many previously unknown foods into everyday items, and Farm Shops and Farmers' Markets have surprised all the commentators by becoming extremely popular weekend "leisure" destinations where people can buy excellent English meat, fruit, and vegetables. Typical/traditional English food: Fish and chips — deep-fried, battered fish (usually cod or haddock) with chips (french fries in America), best from specialist fish and chip shops (very different article from "fish and chips" on a general restaurant or pub menu). Available throughout the UK (see that article for more information on finding perfect fish and chips). Roast dinner (also known as the "Sunday roast" due to the day it is traditionally consumed on) is available between lunchtime and early evening in virtually any English pub serving food. Quality will vary greatly depending on how freshly cooked the food is (home cooked is invariably better). Yorkshire Pudding — a batter pudding served with a roast (usually beef); originally used instead of a plate and eaten with the meal. Giant version often appears on (not very refined) pub menus as a main meal item, with a "filling" (Giant Yorkshire Pudding filled with beef stew). Toad in the Hole — sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter Steak and Kidney Pie — a suet pudding made with beef steak and kidneys Lancashire Hotpot — a hearty vegetable and meat stew from Lancashire Cornish Pasty (and other forms of meat pie around the country) — beef and vegetables in a pastry case Full English Breakfast — (often abbreviated: do not be alarmed if your server at the hotel breakfast table asks you "Do you want the Full English?") At its "fullest", it might consist of fried bacon, fried eggs, fried sausages, fried bread, fried black pudding (blood sausage), mushrooms, scrambled eggs, baked beans in tomato sauce, and toast and butter - "washed down" by a large amount of hot strong tea or coffee with milk. An Americanised version is now emerging, with hash browns instead of fried bread. Served in less refined versions in truckers' stops, and posher versions in hotels (where there will often be a buffet of these items to "help yourself" from). It is sometimes said that this meal is only a legend foisted on tourists, because the English are now too busy for breakfast. Typically, however, the English perceive the 'fry-up' (as it is known) as a suitable meal to consume when hungover after a night of drinking or as a weekend treat. Any inexpensive café (of the type with day-glo price stickers in the window, and whose name is pronounced "caff" in northern England) will have "all-day breakfast" on the menu (for the finest examples, look for the EBCB website). Ploughman's Lunch — Typical in the West of England. A cold lunch consisting of cheese, chutney and bread. Additional ingredients include ham, apples and eggs. Pubs are a good place to get reasonably priced food, though most stop serving food at around 9-9:30PM. Others may stop serving food between lunch and dinner. Pub food has become quite sophisticated in recent years and as well as serving the more traditional hearty English fare, more exotic dishes are now prepared in the majority of the larger pubs and specialist "gastropubs". English food has recently undergone a revolution with many larger cities having award-winning restaurants run by the many 'famous' TV chefs who have now become part of the English obsession with food. Eating out at a high-quality restaurant can be an expensive experience: at the very top end (Michelin Star level) expect to pay £100 per head including wine. A decent three-course meal out at a respectable restaurant will normally cost around £30-£40 per head including wine. If good quality and cheaply priced food is more your choice, try one of the many ethnic restaurants such as Chinese, Asian or Mexican. Eating a curry or balti in an Indian restaurant is tantamount to an English obsession. These restaurants are found everywhere — even the larger villages have them — and usually the food is of good quality and they will cater for most tastes. A good curry with side dishes can be had for around £10-15 per head, and some without liquor licences allow you to bring your own alcoholic beverages in. Eating a curry out is a social occasion and often you will find the men try to challenge their own taste buds to a duel, opting for spicier curries than they find comfortable! In the towns and cities these restaurants are usually open late (especially on a Friday and Saturday night) to cater for people eating after the pubs have closed. It is at this time that they can get very busy and lively, so if you want to avoid the crowds then visit the restaurants before the local pubs shut. Unlike many other European countries, vegetarian (and to a lesser extent, vegan) food is widely available and appreciated in pubs and restaurants with several dishes usually appearing on the menu alongside the more normal meat and fish options. However, vegetarians may still find the variety of dishes rather limited - particularly in pubs, where certain dishes such as "veggie" lasagne or mushroom stroganoff feature all too regularly. Tipping is generally expected in restaurants unless a service charge has been added to the bill, with a tip of around 10% considered to be the norm. Tipping in bars and cafes is less common. Places[ edit ] The traditional drinking establishment is the "pub" (short for "public house"). These are normally named after local landmarks or events, and most will have a heraldic (or pseudo-heraldic) symbol on the sign outside; more recent establishments may poke fun of this tradition (e.g. "The Queen's Head" featuring a portrait of Freddie Mercury, lead singer for the rock band Queen). England seems to have an incredible number of pubs. While in a city you are usually not more than a 5 min walk from any pub. The pub is an English institution, though a declining one. Tastes are changing, smoking has been banned inside pubs, beer is ever cheaper in supermarkets, drink-driving is taboo, and pub landlords are often squeezed by sharp practice by the big firms which supply beers, and which also own many pub buildings. There are many different kinds of pub. Some are traditional 'locals', and a real part of the community. In most neighbourhood pubs you will find all generations mingling together, which often gives patrons a feeling of community. It would not be uncommon to see three generations of one family congregating in a neighbourhood pub. Nevertheless, pubs can vary widely in character. Depending on the area, you can find a warm and friendly welcome, or drunken youths spoiling for a fight. However, pubs are becoming more and more specialized. In city centres, many have been taken over by big chains; some are soulless, some are moderately pleasant. Some independent pubs have become wine bars or cocktail bars; perhaps the least pleasant are those pubs which pack in customers on their way to a nightclub, with loud music, no space, and super-cheap spirits to make sure their clients are as drunk as possible by 11pm. However, many pubs are evolving in a more healthy direction. There are now many pubs which pride themselves on serving 'real ales' - beer brewed on a smaller scale to traditional English methods and recipes. Any visiting beer lover should track these down. Many pubs, both in the countryside and in cities, have moved towards serving good food. And while most pubs will serve food, it's in these 'gastropubs' that you'll find well-prepared food, generally a mixture of traditional English dishes and international influences. The prices will tend to match. Pubs have a little of their own etiquette. At any proper pub, service is always at the bar. It's polite to strike up a conversation with anyone else who is standing or sitting at the bar. And if someone buys you a drink, you will be expected to 'stand your round' later on, buying for whoever you're drinking with. If you're planning to leave promptly, or don't have enough money, then you should politely decline the offer. Although traditional pub licensing laws severely restricted their hours of operation, laws enacted in 2005 allow pubs to request more flexible opening hours. Few pubs have requested anywhere near the "24 hour drinking" that is theoretically possible: as a general rule more traditional pubs will close at 11PM still. Some of the more trendy bars will close nearer to 1AM, filling a niche in the market between traditional pub and nightclub. However in most cities and many towns, centrally located pubs and bars will stay open anytime from 2AM till 6AM, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Also, at public holiday times, many pubs extend their closing times — especially New Year's Eve. Alcoholic drinks[ edit ] England is home to a huge variety of alcoholic drinks. As well as wines and spirits (mainly imported, but some local), all pubs sell several beers and at least one cider. The main types of beer you will come across are lager , bitter and stout. Real Ale is not a separate classification, it refers to beer made and served by traditional methods. Lager — Predominantly the pilsner type: pale, fizzy and cold. Because of the popularity of this type of beer amongst the young, there are many mass-market national brands brewed in the UK (and widely advertised with "having fun" type ads) which may disappoint anyone wanting more than simply cold, fizzy, alcohol. Some national brands are much better, and often stronger, and may be sold in bottles as well as on draught. Purists often prefer imported European-brewed lagers. Bitter — The most common example of the English type of beer technically called "ale" (see below). They are typically darker than lagers - they are called bitter because they have more hops than mild (another less-common kind of ale). Again, there are well-advertised national brands for the mass market, usually less strong than lagers. Most are now not "real ales": they are not matured in the barrel; they are often called "smooth" or "cream" (which means that they are infused with nitrogen to give a small-bubbled head) and are often served very cold from a small tap on a tall, illuminated stand. Stout — A dark, heavy, usually very bitter beer. Originally called Porter, Arthur Guinness decided he could do better and made Guinness which he branded a Stout Porter. Guinness is one world-famous Irish brand that is available almost everywhere in England, often in "normal" and "extra cold" versions. All of the mass-market types above can be bought in cans - often with a "widget" that when the can is opened, forces nitrogen bubbles through the beer to simulate "draught" beer. Ale — This is not simply another word for "Bitter" or "Beer". Technically it simply means any beer other than lager (ie it is a beer brewed at cellar temperatures using floating yeast, ie bitters, milds and stouts). However, these days "ale" is often used a little self-consciously, usually either as a "matey" word for any type of beer ("Anyone fancy a few ales?") or in a consciously "traditional" way ("Try a pint of good old English ale"). To ask for "A pint of ale, please." would sound like a line from a period film. However "Real Ale" is an accepted term, so to ask "What real ales do you have on?" would be quite normal. Real Ale — The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has been a very successful consumer campaign, its aims have been to ensure that mass-market beers do not completely force out beers made in the traditional way. CAMRA created the term "Real Ale" to summarise the type of beer they wanted to keep alive: it must be allowed to continue maturing after it leaves the brewery (ie not be pasteurised or filtered to remove living yeast; be stored and served without additional gas (ie does not have carbon dioxide or nitrogen forced into the beer); and be served at the appropriate temperature for the style: traditional ales are not generally served warm, as many people believe, but at the temperature of the 'cool' cellar they have been maturing in for several days (ideally, 8–12°C) . Most real ales are served from the distinctive "handpumps" which allow a pint to be "pulled" from the cellar by several full-length strokes requiring visible effort on the part of the server. Most "real ales" served in ordinary pubs are bitters, but these come in a wide range of strengths, colours, and bitterness. A majority of pubs now serve at least one or two national brands of real ale, and perhaps one or even two local ones. "Real ale pubs" — At a pub which especially caters to lovers of real ale, or at a beer festival, there will be more local brands (and "guests" from some distance away) and a wider range of bitters, and even a good choice of other types. Expect to see summer ales, winter ales, exotic beers (containing ingredients such as heather, honey or ginger), light milds, dark milds, lagers, stouts and, increasingly, porters (like a stronger dark mild, or a lighter, sweeter stout). These will be served from a long row of handpumps or (even more traditionally) straight from barrels sitting on the bar or (especially at beer festivals) in racks. There will also be a wide range of "bottle-conditioned" beers ("real ale in a bottle") usually either versions of English bitters, often called "pale ales", or very strong beers from France or Belgium. There will also be several ciders and perries. Cider — In England this means an alcoholic drink made from apples (often much stronger than beer). These are generally brewed in the West Country (Somerset, Devon & Cornwall) but not exclusively so as Herefordshire is also another region famous for its cider. The more commercial brands of cider, served from pressurised kegs and so available at any pub, are clear, fizzy and cold , and quite strong (they are usually moderately or very sweet, so the high alcohol content may go unnoticed by a novice). A real ale pub will usually sell at least one "real", unpressurised, cider, perhaps from a barrel sitting on the bar. This may may be clear or slightly cloudy, but will be almost certainly be still, not too sweet, and very strong (7% alcohol is only average for this type of cider). The most traditional cider is called Scrumpy and is usually very strong, very cloudy and possibly (but not always) rather sour. Some commercial ciders have "scrumpy" in their name, but these are not quite the same as a gallon jug bought at the farmhouse door. Perry — Similar to cider but made from pears (is sometimes called pear cider, especially if imported). Farmhouse perry was always difficult to get hold of outside the West Country, but this is improving, and there will nearly always be some available at a beer festival. Keen perry-spotters might notice the sweetish "undercover" commercial versions : advertised nationwide with a "girls night out" theme and sold in wine-shaped bottles with "inexpensive white wine"-type labels bearing the legend "Perry" in small letters. Non-alcoholic drinks[ edit ] Tea is widely drunk throughout the country, almost always hot, usually strong, usually with milk, and quite often with sugar. There are many popular brands (the most recognisable brands are PG Tips and Tetley). Tea is usually drunk at home or at work or to accompany breakfast in inexpensive restaurants (where it will usually arrive with milk in a separate jug), or with afternoon tea (scones, cream, jam, and cakes) at a "tea-room" (less-frequently seen these days, except in expensive hotels or in holiday areas). It is often the cheapest drink in coffee shops. Tea is often served in pubs and bars too. Coffee is as popular as tea. Instant coffee (made with hot water, hot milk, or "half and half") is much used at home and work, and in inexpensive restaurants. If it is made with just hot water, then it is "black coffee"; with added cold milk it becomes "white coffee". Percolators are little used, and machines with paper filters are less common than they once were: they often fill a restaurant with a coffee aroma, but a mediocre restaurant will often leave the made coffee heating for too long. Therefore, at dinner parties or good restaurants, the "french press" (cafetiere) has become the standard way to serve "real" ("ground") coffee: the customer can leave the coffee infusing until it as as strong as they like, then press the filter down to stop the brew and restrain the grounds from getting into the cup. The drinker then adds their own milk (hot milk is often provided; cream less often) and sugar. Seattle-style coffee bars serve the usual types of espresso-based coffees (but with a less-bewildering choice of combinations of coffee, milk, sugar, and flavourings). Decaffeinated coffee is available, but not standard. A Pub may serve coffee, and indeed chains (especially Wetherspoons) invariably do, but "Bar" type of pub (at a non-busy time of day) is a better option. International coffeshops such as Starbucks, Costa's and Cafe Nero are very common in large towns and cities. These often serve a wide range of coffees, teas and hot chocolate. Hot Chocolate Fruit juices are popular, particularly apple. Smoothies are becoming big too, and you will find many varieties at places like Starbucks. Sleep[ edit ][ add listing ] England offers the usual Western assortment of sleeping options including Hostels Both private institutions and those part of a hosteling networking (which may require membership so check ahead) usually offer dorm style accommodations, sometimes with a simple breakfast included (think toast and tea). Many hostels in popular destination cities fill up during the busy summer season, so try to book ahead or at least call before you arrive. Self-Catering Cottages Several historical organizations within the country, i.e. the National Trust and Landmark Trust, offer restored historic buildings for visitors to stay in. These have been renovated to meet a modern living standard, but offer an opportunity to stay in many places one normally wouldn't be able to explore, such as country follies, former train stations, school houses, and more. Bed and Breakfasts can range from a single room in a private home to large historical buildings with dozens of rooms. In many towns the tourist office has a list of rooms available and can help you call around. Hotels in cities and towns, and near motorway junctions, as well as some grand Country House Hotels. Cheap (yet excellent) Hotel chains include 'Travelodge' and the 'Premier Inn'. They are simple, yet clean and comfortable. Motels Mostly in the form of large chains such as Travel Inn and Travelodge, with hundreds across the country. Camping There is a widespread network in country locations of campsites which welcome tents, caravans, or motorhomes. Sites may welcome some or all of these. But don't expect to find many close to cities and major tourist attractions. Universities It has been possible to get accommodation in some Universities and Colleges out of term time for a while. However [29] is a bit better than most previous sites, in that it provides good information and tips about the places it covers, which include Oxford and Cambridge. However it does not cover all the places where accommodation is available. While the rooms are generally comfortable, rooms at the lower end of the price scale may be small and usually come without air conditioning, cable TV, coffee machines, and other amenities. In very inexpensive accommodation, for example in dormitory style hostels, towels and soap may not be provided. Most hotels that provide breakfast will offer a choice between a full english (see above) or continental. The continental normally consists of bread rolls, croissant, cereal, pain au chocolat and cold meats such as ham and salami. Beverages such as fresh fruit juice, tea, coffee and hot chocolate are served too. Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] Currency is Pounds Sterling (GBP). Euros are generally not accepted, except in very rare circumstances. If you are travelling from continental Europe, you should change your Euros into Pound Sterling. Note that although Bank of England notes are accepted all over the United Kingdom, you may have trouble with using Northern Irish and Scottish notes in England due to shop staff being unfamiliar with them. Credit cards are accepted in most shops and restaurants. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted, though debit cards with the Maestro logo are also taken. American Express cards are accepted in fewer establishments, but most restaurants will accept it. Credit cards with a Chip and PIN have become nearly compulsory. Credit card agreements mostly require merchants to accept cards with a swipe and signature, however, it is wise to carry enough cash in case the retailer does not comply. One thing to keep in mind is that due to credit card surcharges, some establishments and shops will only allow cards to be used (including debit cards) over £5 or £10. Learn[ edit ] England has many options for foreign students to study; from language, history, and cultural short courses to advanced degrees at internationally renowned universities. Most cities have at least one institute of higher learning. Students from countries within the European Union/Switzerland do not require a visa to study in England. University fees have two tiers, a home fee for UK and EU students, presently capped at £9000 + inflation per year, and a higher tier for students from outside of the EU, from £9000 to £35,000 per year. Work[ edit ] Options for short-term employment include bar tending and waiting tables as well as more specialised work such as in the high tech / computer industry. Visitors from Commonwealth countries will have a much easier time getting a work permit, especially those under 30 as there are several programs. Citizens of countries belonging to the European Union (Germany, France, Spain, etc) do not require a permit and are free to live and work in England, however, certain restrictions currently apply to certain new EU member states (such as Bulgaria, Romania, etc), so you will need to check this out on the Uk Border Agency website before travelling. Visitors on a student visa can work up to 20 hour per week while in school and 40 hours per week while on break. Stay safe[ edit ] In any emergency call 999 or 112 (from a land-line if you can) and ask for Ambulance, Fire, Police or Coast Guard when connected. If you need more than one service that includes an ambulance (e.g. a road collision) then ask for Ambulance and they will contact the relevant services themselves. England by and large is a safe place to live and visit, with violent crime against tourists being rare, however you should always use general common sense to ensure you keep out of trouble. In most of the major cities, you will find outlying suburban and inner city areas where poverty, crime and gang violence are common. These areas can be particularly risky (by western standards) and should be avoided. Again, common sense is the best way to stay safe, and it is unlikely a visitor would end up in such areas anyway. In a situation where you feel uncomfortable out on the street (for example, if a gang of youths block your path and are behaving in a rowdy manner), its usually fine to simply cross the road and walk past and not to respond to them as they are not generally interested in harassing people as they may appear and will ignore you in most cases Crime rates are generally very low in rural areas, although some small poorer towns can be surprisingly rough. Take care when driving on country lanes as they can become very narrow and the lesser travelled ones are often in poor condition. It is worth taking extra care on public transport at night, as loutish drunks can be a problem. Also, in some cities, there have been incidents of street gangs carrying out robberies on buses and trains at night. Visitors should not be too concerned, however, as these are very rare occurrences. Some town and city centres should be approached with caution during the later evening on Fridays and Saturdays in particular, as high levels of drunkenness can be rife. Many English drunks can all too often become aggressive, and outbreaks of unprovoked violence have happened, but again, common sense can help avoid problems with drunken people. At night it is also recommended that you use licensed taxis or licensed mini cabs. Taxis are available at taxi ranks or by phone, while mini cabs are by phone booking only - asking at the bar will usually provide you with numbers. Unofficial/unlicensed mini cabs which cruise the street looking for fares have a reputation as dangerous for lone females and males; the most common incident is the passenger is driven to a secluded area, and then raped. The age of both heterosexual and homosexual consent is 16 throughout the United Kingdom. British laws mostly support LGBT rights. You shouldn't be discriminated against in any area of the UK for your sexuality although that it can occur and enforcement of the law is spotty. Some in British society are anti-gay. There are some areas where you may want to not be overtly showing your sexuality (very remote villages, 'tough' places such as football matches, Truro and the Cornwall area, Peterborough, bad areas of cities). Be careful and follow others around you. If they don't show public affection, it probably isn't safe to do that. Stay healthy[ edit ] In the United Kingdom, there is no cost to a patient at point of service, due to the welfare state system. In a medical emergency, dial 999. These numbers are free of charge from any telephone. For advice on non-emergency medical problems, you can ring the 24 hour NHS 111 service. on 111 or check their website [30] for advice. However, hospitals are wary of health tourists and if obviously not from England, may ask where you are from and if within the EU, for your EHIC card (previously known as E111). Emergencies can be dealt with under the NHS (National Health Service) at any hospital with an A & E (Accident & Emergency) department. At A&E departments, be prepared to wait for up to 4-5 hours during busy periods before being given treatment if your medical complaint is not too serious. Obviously, more serious ailments are usually treated immediately. Evenings are normally busiest, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays and in city centres. For advice on minor ailments and non-prescription drugs, you can ask a pharmacist (there are many high-street chemists). These are increasingly using green signs similar to ones seen in Europe to identify them. Small pharmacies are also found inside many larger supermarkets. Major pharmacies are Boots and Lloyds, at least one of these can be found in any city or large town and quite often some smaller towns too. These two firms can issue drugs prescribed by a doctor as well as any over the counter drugs. Superdrug, Semi-Chem, Bodycare and Savers do sell some over the counter medication but are not to be considered as places to go for advice about minor ailments. A smaller range of medication can also be found in most supermarkets. ID is usually required when buying medication if you look under 25. Smoking is prohibited in all public buildings. All enclosed workplaces are lawfully required to be smoke free. Some restaurants provide separate rooms for smokers, and many pubs and cafés now have outdoor areas where smoking is permitted, while many places will have a group of people standing outside the front door or off to one side to smoke. Tap water from restaurants, bars and homes is very safe to drink throughout England. Respect[ edit ] See the UK article for more information The English are in general very polite people, and like most other places it is considered bad manners not to say "please", "thank you", "cheers" or "sorry". A nod or a smile are also often the response. The English do apologise a lot, whether it is their fault or not. You should do the same even for little things. Sometimes, strangers and friends address each other by "mate" informally, but this should not be used to people with higher status than you. As in any Western country, you may occasionally bump into rude people, but this is rare and generally frowned upon in English society, unless you have done something wrong. If you travel to different regions in England, you will find a variety of English accents, such as Liverpool accent, a "Geordie" accent and even "cockney" accent in London. People from these regions might consider a very formal "Queen's English" accent to be somewhat posh, but will generally not mind if it's obvious you are a tourist. While it may be tempting to do, do not try to copy their regional accents when communicating with those people - you will probably do a bad job, and they might think that you are "taking the mick" or laughing at them. When driving on rural roads, particularly where a driver has to pull in to allow you to pass, it is customary to wave a thanks to the other driver, by raising your hand from the steering wheel. This is particularly prevalent in rural areas where many drivers will automatically wave at everyone who drives past them. A polite hand wave (or even with just the index finger raised from the steering wheel) is customary and will be appreciated. When accepting gifts, a polite refusal (such as, "no really you shouldn't") is common after the first offer of the item. Usually, this is followed with an insistence that the gift or offer is accepted, at which point your answer is likely to become more recognized. However, some people can be very persuasive - this isn't meant to be over-bearing, just courteous. One thing which some visitors may find disconcerting is the response an English person may give to a "thank you". Most English people will respond with something along the lines of "It was nothing" or "not at all". This does not mean that they didn't try hard to please, but rather it is meant to suggest "I was happy to do it for you, so it was not any great difficulty" (even though it may have been!). The English are said to be reserved and reluctant to communicate with strangers. This is not entirely true. You will find that most people are happy to help tourists with directions and practical advice but a general rule is that Northerners are more friendly and open to conversation with strangers than people from London and the SouthEast of England. Entire carriages of people will sit in awkward silence on the London underground so do not be surprised to be greeted with strange looks and annoyance if you strike up small talk with someone in the capital. However, as in many other countries, it is best to avoid sensitive topics such as politics. One thing worth noticing is that the English value privacy a lot, probably more than any other countries. When meeting with them for the first few times, avoid asking personal questions. Age is an obvious one (same for most other countries), but also martial status or if they have a girlfriend/boyfriend. Some questions considered ordinary in other countries are considered "too personal" in England, such as where do you live and what is your job. It is not uncommon for an English person not to know what their neighbours' jobs are for many years. A good tip for foreigners is to use the mirroring rule - if they ask you a personal question, it is safe to ask the same question back (but answer their question first!). It is said that the English invented queueing, and they become very annoyed if anyone jumps the line although this is probably the same for most countries. However, you don't usually see an obvious queue in bus stops and train platforms. This does not mean you could run over everyone there. You should always let people in the bus/trains get off first and then let the people in front of you get in first. When you find yourself in a restaurant or being invited to someone's home for a meal, just general table manners apply (unless it is a top-class restaurant). Normally when visiting a house, the host will ask if you would like a cup of tea or coffee. You should do the same when you invite an English person to your house when you live in England. It is ok to let your host know if you are vegetarian or any dietary needs. On the other hand, it is rude to specify exactly what you would like to eat. Likewise, when you invite an English person to your house, besides finding out if they are vegetarians, you should also ask them if they are allergic to anything as many English people have different sorts of "allergy" such as nut allergy, wheat allergy and so on. There are many traditional table manners rules but these rules are becoming less and less important and may just apply at a formal event or around older English citizens, otherwise no one will be concerned about these rules. However, there are a couple of rules which are worth bearing in mind. First, do not start eating when others have not yet started. Second, when eating with other people do not constantly use your phone such as texting or on facebook. Also, eating noisily or with your mouth open is considered extremely rude and, frankly, disgusting. When you find yourself in a pub or bar with your English friends, be aware that there is an unspoken convention of "buying rounds" from each person. This normally works ok if it is a small group. However if the group is large, the "round" could be costly and that could lead to "binge drinking". It is absolutely ok to have non-alcoholic drinks though. Even better, arrange to meet your friends in a restaurant or cafes (which have been increasing popular in England). When socialising, the English are quite laid back and happy to laugh at 'English' misdemeanors and faults. However, negative comments about the royal family (especially from a foreigner) should be avoided as some English people may be offended. Contact[ edit ] See Contact entry under United Kingdom for national information on telephone, internet and postal services. When traveling to UK, even though it may seem best to carry your cell phone along, you should not dismiss the benefits of the calling cards to call the ones back home. Get yourself a UK calling card when packing for your trip. Also consider buying a pay-as-you-go SIM card for your phone, you can pick one up from most local stores for about £0.99. This will be very useful if you're staying for more than 1-2 weeks and especially if you need mobile internet. Mobile signal is generally very good throughout England, apart from some countryside areas. Expect your signal to drop very frequently if travelling by train or car. The main mobile networks are EE, Vodafone, Three and O2. However there are a host of MVNOs that use the infrastructure of these networks, these often offer plans tailored towards expat communities and tourist who wish to call abroad, the main players are LycaMobile, Lebara and giffgaff. Most of these sim cards can be picked up in local shops however giffgaff do not have shops and only post out sims to the UK - therefore if you'd like a giffgaff sim abroad you can order one here . If staying connected is a priority you may want to compare the data speeds of the networks, OpenSignal provide London coverage maps. In the United Kingdom, area codes are two, three, four, or, rarely, five digits long (after the initial zero). Regions with shorter area codes, typically large cities, permit the allocation of more telephone numbers as the local number portion has more digits. Local customer numbers are four to eight figures long. The total number of digits is ten, but in a very few areas the total may be nine digits (after the initial zero). The "area code" is also referred to as an 'STD (code)' (subscriber trunk dialling) or a 'dialling code' in the UK. The code allocated to the largest population is (020) for London. The code allocated to the largest area is (028) for all of Northern Ireland. The UK Numbering Plan also applies to three British Crown dependencies - Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man - even though they are not part of the UK itself. See Contact entries under individual cities for local information. This is a usable article. It gives a good overview of the region, its sights, and how to get in, as well as links to the main destinations, whose articles are similarly well developed. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow !	Leeds
A dageurreotype was an early type of what?	England travel guide - Wikitravel Cities[ edit ] England has many large cities. Listed below are nine of the most popular: London — largest metropolitan area in Western Europe, and a global capital of finance, fashion and culture. Birmingham — the UK's second largest city (by population) in the industrial heartland. Bristol — vibrant music and art scene, lovely historic buildings, an attractive waterfront and a laid back, friendly, amiable, mellow atmosphere in the West Country's largest city. Brighton — regency seaside resort and university town with quirky shopping, good eating, rich culture and vibrant gay nightlife. Liverpool — "The home of the Beatles", a booming cosmopolitan city famous for its vibrant nightlife, rich cultural heritage, magnificent waterfront, superb architecture, and excellence in music and sport. Manchester — third most visited city in the UK, a cultural, sporting, entertainment, shopping and media hub. Nottingham — "Queen of the Midlands", home of Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest and Nottingham Castle. Newcastle upon Tyne — a thriving northern city with world-famous nightlife. York — ancient capital of Yorkshire, with Roman, Viking and Medieval remains. Other destinations[ edit ] England has many outstanding landmarks and sites of interest. Listed below are nine of the most notable: Hadrian's Wall — the Romans built this 87 mile wall to protect their English outpost from northern raiders. Isles of Scilly — magical archipelago of tiny islands off the south western coast of Cornwall. Lake District National Park — glorious mountains, lakes and woodlands; the land of Wordsworth. New Forest National Park — one of the few remnants of the great oak and hornbeam woodland that once covered southern England. North York Moors National Park — with heather-clad hills, woodlands, impressive sea cliffs and secluded beaches, this area is one of the true English gems. Peak District National Park — rugged moors and hills which form the northern spine of England. Understand[ edit ] Don't confuse "England" with the the larger "Britain" or "United Kingdom"; see the United Kingdom article for details. Climate[ edit ] England has been stereotyped as being cold, grey and rainy since the ancient Romans wrote home, but this is not an entirely accurate picture. Temperatures rarely get very cold or very hot, and while the country certainly gets rain, it's really not as wet as rumour has it. London alone has lower annual rainfall than Paris, New York and Sydney, and it's not uncommon for parts of the country to go without rain for weeks. Parts of southern England often have summer water restrictions due to a lack of adequate rainfall during the previous winter. There is some scope for leaving your raincoat at home, but make sure you've got one. Northern and western parts are usually wetter than the rest of England due to the prevailing wind from the north west bringing down cold moist air from the North Atlantic, and the sunniest and warmest areas are in the far south and south east. Winter and autumn are usually the wettest seasons where the weather is often very changeable and at times quite windy, especially in the north and west, where cold Arctic winds arrive. Spring conditions are very changeable: a day of hot sunshine is likely as not to be followed by a week of cold wind and rain; and vice-versa. Occasional snow even as late as May is not unheard of in northern England, but it will melt quickly. Snow is particularly rare in the south east. Summer is generally warm in the south with average highs usually ranging from 18-23°C, but be prepared for unsettled weather at any time of the year and make sure to check a weather forecast if you plan to be outdoors. Hot spells of weather can occur from May to September where temperatures may reach 30°C in the warmest areas of England, typically London and parts of the South East. Central Europe has very hot summers and very cold winters, but England is both less extreme (surrounded by water) and milder in the winter (influenced by the warmth of the North Atlantic Drift). If it were not for the North Atlantic Drift, England would be much much colder. Heavy, prolonged, snow is rare and temperatures are rarely below freezing for more than a few days. Some years there will be a few days of road and rail disruption from snow - even the slightest amount of snow often causes delays on public transport, especially rail. Very severe weather conditions are rare and remedial action is usually taken promptly. Flooding and droughts are unlikely to affect the traveller. High winds occasionally disrupt travel, most often outside summer. English people are said to have a passion for debating the weather: actually this is usually just an opening gambit to start a conversation with a stranger. Typically, these conversation openers are now heard only among the elderly members of society. Most discussions that do involve weather usually include criticisms of it - including (though perhaps not at the same time) both that it's "too cold" and it's "too hot". Well-known conversational gambits (with due acknowledgement to Peter Kay) : "It's too cold for snow"; "It's that fine rain that soaks you through". People[ edit ] The people of England, like their language, are a mixed bunch who have regularly been infused with new blood - from the Romans nearly 2000 years ago taking control of the ancient British in the region, to the later influences of Angles, Saxons and others from Europe after which created the original idea of the English, to the Vikings and then the Normans about a thousand years ago. Since then, there have been Hugenots, Chinese, Jews fleeing pogroms, people from former British colonies in the Caribbean in the 1950s and 60s, Indians expelled from newly independent former African colonies, workers from new EU member states such as Poland, not to mention people from other UK nations and the Republic of Ireland. The full list is very long, but England has long been used to outsiders making it their home - even before England existed! Like in any country you will get people who are unfriendly to foreign visitors, but England is noted as being one of the most tolerant countries in Europe, and racism is very low when comparing to other nations. Almost everyone will treat you well if you are polite and make an effort to fit in. Smile, be polite, don't be pushy if you can help it: that's how to get on with the English. The English are well used to foreign visitors and you can expect them to be friendly and polite. One thing to bear in mind is that many mostly elderly English people are terrified of giving offence and dislike lying, and so will try to avoid potential pitfalls by sticking to safe (often boring) topics of conversation and occasionally doing the tricky job of avoiding offence by evading a question which worries them, while also trying not to offend you by point blank refusing you an answer. This sort of thing generally wears off as people get to know you. The younger generation are often quite different as far as giving offence is concerned. Big cities and even some rural areas, like those anywhere, have their social problems, but England is predominantly an affluent country with little visible poverty. Rough areas contain rough people in England as in any country: muggings, car theft, and other street crime are unhappily common in some districts of many towns and cities, but England is by and large a very safe country as long as you use common sense. In tourist destinations you will meet a mostly friendly people who will take the time to answer a stranger's question, and who may speak English in a colourful or accented way but will be willing to standardise and simplify their speech if you're struggling. Some would say there is a north-south divide, with people in the North more friendly and approachable (Liverpool for instance was voted the fourth friendliest city in the world by travel magazine Rough Guide in 2014), while the South (mostly just London though) is a more closed culture with people less willing to stop and speak, but don't take offence, remember most Londoners you see on the streets will usually be rushing to get to somewhere (eg work) and simply don't have the time to talk. If anything, the South of England is split between the "overheated" and overcrowded South-East, and the more rural, amiable South-West/West Country where a more laid back, relaxed, friendlier atmosphere beckons. The North/South divide is also somewhat confused by the fact that Bristol (the largest city in the South West) has a very laid back, relaxed, leftfield and mellow atmosphere that is completely different with the relentless hedonistic atmosphere of the likes of Brighton and Bournemouth or the conservatism of many cities in Southern England. In rural areas of the south, particularly East Anglia and the West Country, people are generally much more laid back and enjoy taking the time to have a chat with strangers. In most of England you will usually find that if you are polite and friendly, you'll get the same in return. London itself is a very international city where you may meet a variety of nationalities, depending on what part of the city you are in. Talk[ edit ] Unsurprisingly, English is the main language in England, though it is spoken with many different accents throughout the country. Generally, English accents can be broadly divided into Northern and Southern accents, with natives of Liverpool having a very distinctive accent that is easily distinguishable from that of someone from neighbouring Manchester. No other languages are widely spoken, but with widespread immigration to England in the past few decades, you might also hear other languages such as Polish, Chinese, German, various South Asian languages or even various African languages being spoken in their respective communities. When an English person says "Meet me at half five", they mean "Meet me at 17:30". If the directions say "go to the top of the road", that means the end of the road. Some words mean one thing to Americans and something else entirely to British folks. When an English man says he shared a "fag" with his "mate" that means only that he smoked a cigarette with a friend. If he adds that they also had a "gorgeous" meal, it means it was followed by a nice dinner. If they had a "shag" it means they had sex afterwards. See our English language varieties article for more insights. Then there are the words unique to British English; a sneaker or tennis shoe, for instance, is called a "trainer." Moreover, the diverse history of the country, and the influx of various cultures over the centuries (e.g. Vikings, Normans, Romans, Celtic peoples), have produced a very wide range of accents, and there are still traces of regional dialects (vocabulary and grammar). Best not to imitate the accents, you will be seen as mocking. An accent will usually reveal where someone was brought up — sometimes to within quite a small area (a criminal was recently caught because his accent on a recorded phone call was traceable to a single neighbourhood). Today, even well-educated professionals are happy to keep their regional accent: the unhappy days when people from outside the South East felt that they had to hide their accent to "get on" have gone. It is now only people who go to public (i.e. private, fee-paying) schools who learn to speak in a "geography-free" way (the "upper-class accent" of colonial rulers, well-known from old British films, or modern parodies). Differences in accent are very real: a visitor who is expecting a particular accent they are familiar with from the cinema or television (perhaps "Dick van Dyke Cockney" or "Hugh Grant Silly Ass Upper Crust") will usually have to wait a day or two to get really accustomed to the real accents they hear around them. Even English people, familiar with other accents from TV or by knowing neighbours or colleagues who have moved from other areas, can still struggle when far from home. "Geordie", the accent/dialect of Tyneside, is a famously strong accent when spoken quickly amongst a group of people who do not know that a stranger is trying to tune in. Most people are happy to tone down (or slow down) their accent when a stranger is in difficulty. When encountering a broad Geordie accent it can be quite difficult for someone who is not accustomed to it to understand it, and there are still various dialectic words in common use such as hyem = home, gan/gannin = going, wor = our, divvint = don't and howay = come on. Dialects exist, but as a matter of interest, not confusion. People across England would expect to understand anyone from anywhere else in England, because the few everyday dialect words are usually well known from TV. Differences are interesting, but not critical. Some examples from the north of England: "ey up" ("Hello"), "aye" ("yes", as in Scotland and the North of England); "tha" ("you", as in thee and thou, still common in South Yorkshire). Real differences are of little consequence these days: for instance, people growing up in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield use "jennel", "jinnel", and "ginnel" as the word for a particular type of narrow alley between houses. Other common words are "wee", "bonnie", "lass" (small, beautiful and girl, respectively in Scotland). A few useful words which may help you understand the English (particularly in the Midlands and North): "ta" = thank you, "ta ra/ta ta" = goodbye, "summat/summit/summink" = something, "nowt" = nothing, "owt" = "anything", "dunna/dunno" = don't know, "canna/cannit = cannot. Be prepared to have to use English to make yourself understood. Few people here speak a second language fluently. However, most people were taught one second language (usually French, German, Italian or Spanish) at school, and may remember enough to be willing to help a stranger in difficulties (if they can get over the embarrassment of being seen to "show off"). Because of immigration, especially from Commonwealth countries, many languages are spoken in the big cities. There are also smaller places where particular languages are common. Expect to hear (and even see signs in) Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Gujarati, Polish, Italian, Greek, Turkish and varieties of Arabic. Because of links with Hong Kong, many Chinese people live here (London and Manchester have thriving communities, and Liverpool has one of the oldest Chinese communities in Europe). Another English peculiarity is the use of terms of endearment for strangers such as "darling", "pet", "love", "hun", "duck", "bab", "mate", "sweetheart", "flower", "queen" and a few others. It can be confusing, or perhaps even embarrassing, for somebody who is not accustomed to this to be called "darling" by a total stranger; however, this is something which is nowadays mainly used by the older generation and found less in the younger generation although some younger males may call a woman "Darlin" this is usually either as a form of cat calling (and can often be followed by derogatory demands or language but is often harmless) or directed towards a female friend. You will hear English people say "sorry". This is not down to guilt or self-consciousness but simply because it is synonymous with "excuse me", and is used to get somebody's attention. Alternatively it can be synonymous with "pardon". Any comments along the lines of "What are you sorry about?" are pointless. Get in[ edit ] From outside Great Britain[ edit ] Since England is on an island, it is not possible to drive directly into England from outside Great Britain. Motorists have two choices to enter England from outside Great Britain, by various car ferry routes, or the Channel Tunnel. Car ferries[ edit ] From mainland Europe . - there are a wide variety of routes and operators from various countries. Ferry routes to British Mainland From the Channel Islands . Services connect Jersey and Guernsey with the south of England. From the Isle of Man . Services connect Douglas , Isle of Man with the north west of England From Ireland . There are only limited car ferry services connecting Ireland directly with England. Alternatively it is possible to take a ferry from Ireland to Wales or Scotland and then continue the journey by road to England. See "by boat" for further details. Channel Tunnel[ edit ] From France . Eurotunnel [1] run a frequent train service from Calais , France , to Folkestone which carries vehicles and their passengers. From elsewhere in Great Britain[ edit ] A number of roads cross England's borders with its British neighbours. These roads range from the simple country lanes to motorways. There are no border controls with Scotland or Wales ; indeed, on smaller roads the border may not be noticed at all. There are no tolls to cross into England; however, motorists need to be aware that crossing from England into Wales via the M4 and M48 Severn Bridges will need to pay a toll. Also, there is a M6 toll road to bypass the congestion of Birmingham (England's second largest city) on the main M6 motorway. The most important road connections into and out of England are. A1 from Edinburgh to Eastern Scotland M4 from South Wales By train[ edit ] Eurostar [25] links mainland Europe to England. Trains run from Paris , France and Brussels , Belgium (via Lille and Calais ) crossing into England via the Channel Tunnel (and often stopping at either Ebbsfleet or Ashford ) before continuing to St. Pancras Station in London. Occasional services run from other destinations in France . Book as early as possible as fares can be considerably more expensive if trying to book at the last minute. From Wales and Scotland regular services cross the borders into England. BritRail Passes are also available to non-UK citizens which allow the traveller unlimited rail travel in England on one ticket. Wikitravel has a guide to Rail travel in the United Kingdom . With so much coastline and so many ports, England has extensive shipping links with many countries worldwide. Major ports are Dover , Folkestone , Harwich , Hull , Plymouth , Portsmouth , Southampton , Liverpool , Ipswich and Newcastle . See Ferry routes to British Mainland . If you're visiting the Cardiff area in Wales during the summer, then there is the opportunity to sail to the West Somerset/ North Devon resorts such as Minehead, Ilfracombe , Bideford and Lundy Island across the Bristol Channel (the funnel shaped stretch of water that seperates the coasts of Wales and the West Country) via the paddle steamers the Waverly and Balmoral (usually Penarth just to the west of Cardiff). This is highly recommended for a few reasons - firstly, the M5, the main route into the West Country is a dreary, slow, lethargic and often congested and frustrating road that is very easily prone to snarl ups - sitting on a hot summers day in a car stuck in traffic on the M5 is frustrating to say the least. Secondly, the journey from Penarth to Ilfracombe on a warm summers day, you can get to see a sea-going perspective of Minehead , Porlock, the picture postcard villages of Lynton and Lynmouth, the wild and raw Valley of the Rocks and the majestic "Great Hangman", a 1043 feet hogback hill with a cliff face of 820 feet making it the highest cliff in Southern England. Heading west from Ilfracombe to Lundy Island is an opportunity to see the majestic Bay of Naples styled curve of Bideford Bay with the magnificent surf beaches of Woolacombe , Croyde , Staunton and Westward Ho! in all their glory. Sailing from Wales to the West Country is definetly better than driving down the awful M5!!! Get around[ edit ] England is well serviced by domestic air, land and sea routes. There are taxi firms everywhere (many are by booking only - find the phone number of the local company and phone ahead), and every town has a bus service. 'Black Cabs' are also common in cities and can be hailed from the side of the road. Sometimes in city centres, usually just after the nightclubs have closed, there will be queue for taxis which will sometimes be monitored by marshals or police. To be safe, make sure you take a registered taxi or black cab; despite government action, many unlawful unregistered private taxi drivers exist - these do have a reputation for being unsafe, particularly if you are a woman. England has one of the highest densities of railway lines per square mile in the world. There has been much improvement and investment in recent years to the railway network and rolling stock but delays and cancellations do occasionally occur. Overcrowding can be a problem in large cities, especially at 'rush-hour' times (7AM - 9AM & 5PM - 7PM, Monday to Friday) so it is best to avoid these times when tickets can be expensive as well. See also Rail travel in the United Kingdom . Buses are numerous, frequent and reliable in most of the larger towns and cities and an ideal way of getting around. Rural areas are less well served and hiring a car is often the best option to explore the countryside and villages. The roads are of generally excellent quality (although can deteriorate in rural areas, with cheap materials often used to repair the roads, only for the workmen and resulting road closures to rerun soon later. Potholes are a huge nuisance to locals, as it can takes weeks or months for them to be repaired, although done cheaply using a method called "Patching"). Care should be taken on rural and minor roads, some of which are extremely narrow, twisty and poorly marked, while many are two way roads and only wide enough for one car, meaning a meeting situation can be unpleasant. The signs and markings on most roads are clear, although roundabouts make traffic slow to a crawl during "Rush Hour". The main problem with driving in England is the sheer volume of traffic on the roads. Unfortunately this is not only limited to rush-hours and large cities, and even cross country motorways can slow to a stop as they pass urban areas. Prepare for travel times being longer than you'd normally anticipate in relation to the mileage. The speed limit, unless otherwise stated, is 30 or 40 mph in built-up areas, 50 or 60 mph (approx 95 km/h) elsewhere and 70 mph (approx. 110 km/h) on motorways and other controlled-access roads. Speed cameras and traffic police are numerous so caution is advised. The traditional British 'reserve' and politeness may occasionally dissolve under the stress of congestion on the major routes, especially with the traffic problems in some of England's larger cities, but generally driving around Britain is an enjoyable experience and it is polite to acknowledge the courtesy of another driver with a nod or the raising of the hand as a form of thank you. Drivers will often flash their headlights to indicate that you are clear to pull out, or otherwise to give way to you, and it is considered polite to say thank you by giving a wave or a quick flash of your headlights. However, be prepared for drivers who do not agree with speed limits, especially newly created ones on roads where for example, the limit has been lowered from 60 to 30 after campaigns from locals. Even if you are driving at the posted limit, there is a chance you will be overtaken and this will be more frequent if you have a sticker in your back window, implying you'll be sticking to it. Drivers with this attitude often spend ages driving behind you, while driving close behind as a means to make you speed up, even if it means breaking the law. Do not worry about this, maintain your speed, as they are most likely the sort who are already collecting speeding points on their license, while you are sensible and in the right. Flashing your hazards (ie, both indicators at the same time) is only used as an indication of danger. Usually it's used to indicate the car's broken down or to warn other drivers that there's a hazard up ahead. But flashing your hazards a couple of times is another way of saying Thank you. Brown and white road signs indicate nearby tourist attractions, and the blue i sign denotes Tourist Information. The UK isn't as cycle-friendly as some other European countries, but it's still a great way to get around. You'll see a lot more from a bicycle, have the freedom to stop wherever you want, no parking headaches and once you've got the bicycle there is nothing to pay. It is unquestionably the fastest way around London and other major cities - it does have it's dangers but it's well worth the risk. There are many lovely cycle paths where you can avoid the traffic and soak in the cityscape or countryside. Rough examples of journey times at moderate speed: Buckingham Palace to Tower Bridge: 20 minutes; Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle: 2 hours; Central London to Oxford city: 5 hours. A national online route planner can be found at Cycle Streets You can hire a bicycle from some local bicycle shops, or purchase a decent one privately for between £0-100 second hand as the UK has a surplus of old bicycles. You must use lights if you plan to cycle after dark and can be fined by the police for failing to do so. A front white light and red rear light are required. Flashing LED lights or bulb based bike lights both meet the legal requirements. Helmets aren't compulsory. A decent lock is also essential, particularly in the cities bicycle theft is a common problem. Some of the London Underground trains and all London Overground accept cycles outside of peak hours. Local buses and trams don't accept bikes. Mainline and suburban trains allow bicycles but normally have restrictions during peak hours on busy services. Policies vary from compulsory reservation of cycles space to no cycle during peak hours - its best to check with each rail operator or on the national rail web site for restrictions that could impact your planned journey. Folding bikes may travel at any time so long as they are collapsed completely. Long distance coaches will normally let you on with a bicycle, as long as they're not too full. Arrive early for coaches so you get a space in the luggage hold. See[ edit ][ add listing ] London is the start and finish point for most international tourists. It offers countless museums and historical attractions. To truly experience England, however, you must venture out of the hustle and bustle of the capital and see what the rest of England has to offer. You will find the rest of England very different to its capital city; indeed, if you only visit London, you haven't seen 'England' - you've seen one city that bears few similarities with the rest of the country. If short on time, you may find it more convenient to base yourself in a regional city and take day trips to the National Parks, coast and smaller towns. If you have plenty of time, then you could base yourself in a B&B (Bed and Breakfast) in any of the above. You will find that public transport to and within cities and large towns is acceptable, but that in smaller places off the beaten track then you should research your journey carefully, or consider hiring a car. Popular places to visit include the counties of Yorkshire and Cornwall , the National Parks listed above, and the historic cities such as York , Bath and Lincoln . If short on time, then it is possible to use larger cities as a base for day trips, either by train or coach. For example Leeds , the largest city in Yorkshire makes a great base for day trips to the Yorkshire Dales , North Yorkshire Moors , York and Whitby , whilst offering its own selection of attractions such as the Royal Armories, famed nightlife, theatre and designer shopping in stunning Victorian Era arcades. Similarly Liverpool , as well as being a popular city break destination in itself with its Beatles heritage and maritime attractions, is centrally located for day trips to the Lake District , North Wales, and Yorkshire . Plymouth makes a good base for exploring Dartmoor , whilst allowing day trips to Cornwall and offering its own range of attractions and museums. Bristol , the West Country's largest city makes for a very enjoyable weekend break. Although until recently overlooked by other Southern English cities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Bath and Brighton, Bristol has come into its own thanks to its leftfield attitude, laid back easy going groove, the West Country's largest shopping complex, and above all its stunningly creative and brilliant music scene (a back catalogue containing the likes of Massive Attack, Portishead and Tricky). Although Bristol doesn't have any specific sights (apart from the Clifton Suspension Bridge), it's a city to just browse and glide through at your leisure and soak up the mellow, amiable vibe of Britain's most relaxed and laid back city. If you have a little longer, you may be able to spend a week more locally based, for example staying in Ambleside in the Lake District . If you want white sand beaches, turquoise sea, Arthurian atmosphere and a raw, misty eyed Celtic landscape head to the West Country coastline of Devon and Cornwall - particularly, the magnificent surf blasted beaches of North Devon's Bideford Bay and King Arthur's birthplace in North Cornwall's Atlantic coastline (Bude, Tintagel, Padstow, Polzeath etc). Preservation trusts[ edit ] A number of 'umbrella' organisations are devoted to the preservation and public access of both natural and cultural heritage. Membership with them, even on a temporary basis, means priority free access to their properties thereafter - travellers to England seeking to see a large number of sights would do well to join one or more of them: English Heritage [26] . the National Trust [27] . English Heritage has an especially wide-ranging remit and manages more than 400 significant buildings and Monuments in England. They also maintain a register of thousands of "listed" buildings [28] , those which are considered of most importance to the historic and cultural heritage of the country. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] England has traditional dishes famous the world over from Beef Wellington and Steak and Kidney Pie to the humble sandwich. However, a modern English meal is just as likely to be Lasagne or Chicken Tikka Masala, with the traditional Italian and Indian meals taking on a decidely English flavour. The English are great adopters of other countries' cuisines. There are many low-quality establishments and mediocre chain restaurants, and the motorway services can often still manage to produce food that is barely edible, however, you can generally expect pubs and restaurants to provide interesting and well-presented meals. "A meal out" is the usual way to celebrate a special family event, and people expect the meal to live up to the occasion. Cooking programmes are now among the most popular on the television, supermarkets have turned many previously unknown foods into everyday items, and Farm Shops and Farmers' Markets have surprised all the commentators by becoming extremely popular weekend "leisure" destinations where people can buy excellent English meat, fruit, and vegetables. Typical/traditional English food: Fish and chips — deep-fried, battered fish (usually cod or haddock) with chips (french fries in America), best from specialist fish and chip shops (very different article from "fish and chips" on a general restaurant or pub menu). Available throughout the UK (see that article for more information on finding perfect fish and chips). Roast dinner (also known as the "Sunday roast" due to the day it is traditionally consumed on) is available between lunchtime and early evening in virtually any English pub serving food. Quality will vary greatly depending on how freshly cooked the food is (home cooked is invariably better). Yorkshire Pudding — a batter pudding served with a roast (usually beef); originally used instead of a plate and eaten with the meal. Giant version often appears on (not very refined) pub menus as a main meal item, with a "filling" (Giant Yorkshire Pudding filled with beef stew). Toad in the Hole — sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter Steak and Kidney Pie — a suet pudding made with beef steak and kidneys Lancashire Hotpot — a hearty vegetable and meat stew from Lancashire Cornish Pasty (and other forms of meat pie around the country) — beef and vegetables in a pastry case Full English Breakfast — (often abbreviated: do not be alarmed if your server at the hotel breakfast table asks you "Do you want the Full English?") At its "fullest", it might consist of fried bacon, fried eggs, fried sausages, fried bread, fried black pudding (blood sausage), mushrooms, scrambled eggs, baked beans in tomato sauce, and toast and butter - "washed down" by a large amount of hot strong tea or coffee with milk. An Americanised version is now emerging, with hash browns instead of fried bread. Served in less refined versions in truckers' stops, and posher versions in hotels (where there will often be a buffet of these items to "help yourself" from). It is sometimes said that this meal is only a legend foisted on tourists, because the English are now too busy for breakfast. Typically, however, the English perceive the 'fry-up' (as it is known) as a suitable meal to consume when hungover after a night of drinking or as a weekend treat. Any inexpensive café (of the type with day-glo price stickers in the window, and whose name is pronounced "caff" in northern England) will have "all-day breakfast" on the menu (for the finest examples, look for the EBCB website). Ploughman's Lunch — Typical in the West of England. A cold lunch consisting of cheese, chutney and bread. Additional ingredients include ham, apples and eggs. Pubs are a good place to get reasonably priced food, though most stop serving food at around 9-9:30PM. Others may stop serving food between lunch and dinner. Pub food has become quite sophisticated in recent years and as well as serving the more traditional hearty English fare, more exotic dishes are now prepared in the majority of the larger pubs and specialist "gastropubs". English food has recently undergone a revolution with many larger cities having award-winning restaurants run by the many 'famous' TV chefs who have now become part of the English obsession with food. Eating out at a high-quality restaurant can be an expensive experience: at the very top end (Michelin Star level) expect to pay £100 per head including wine. A decent three-course meal out at a respectable restaurant will normally cost around £30-£40 per head including wine. If good quality and cheaply priced food is more your choice, try one of the many ethnic restaurants such as Chinese, Asian or Mexican. Eating a curry or balti in an Indian restaurant is tantamount to an English obsession. These restaurants are found everywhere — even the larger villages have them — and usually the food is of good quality and they will cater for most tastes. A good curry with side dishes can be had for around £10-15 per head, and some without liquor licences allow you to bring your own alcoholic beverages in. Eating a curry out is a social occasion and often you will find the men try to challenge their own taste buds to a duel, opting for spicier curries than they find comfortable! In the towns and cities these restaurants are usually open late (especially on a Friday and Saturday night) to cater for people eating after the pubs have closed. It is at this time that they can get very busy and lively, so if you want to avoid the crowds then visit the restaurants before the local pubs shut. Unlike many other European countries, vegetarian (and to a lesser extent, vegan) food is widely available and appreciated in pubs and restaurants with several dishes usually appearing on the menu alongside the more normal meat and fish options. However, vegetarians may still find the variety of dishes rather limited - particularly in pubs, where certain dishes such as "veggie" lasagne or mushroom stroganoff feature all too regularly. Tipping is generally expected in restaurants unless a service charge has been added to the bill, with a tip of around 10% considered to be the norm. Tipping in bars and cafes is less common. Places[ edit ] The traditional drinking establishment is the "pub" (short for "public house"). These are normally named after local landmarks or events, and most will have a heraldic (or pseudo-heraldic) symbol on the sign outside; more recent establishments may poke fun of this tradition (e.g. "The Queen's Head" featuring a portrait of Freddie Mercury, lead singer for the rock band Queen). England seems to have an incredible number of pubs. While in a city you are usually not more than a 5 min walk from any pub. The pub is an English institution, though a declining one. Tastes are changing, smoking has been banned inside pubs, beer is ever cheaper in supermarkets, drink-driving is taboo, and pub landlords are often squeezed by sharp practice by the big firms which supply beers, and which also own many pub buildings. There are many different kinds of pub. Some are traditional 'locals', and a real part of the community. In most neighbourhood pubs you will find all generations mingling together, which often gives patrons a feeling of community. It would not be uncommon to see three generations of one family congregating in a neighbourhood pub. Nevertheless, pubs can vary widely in character. Depending on the area, you can find a warm and friendly welcome, or drunken youths spoiling for a fight. However, pubs are becoming more and more specialized. In city centres, many have been taken over by big chains; some are soulless, some are moderately pleasant. Some independent pubs have become wine bars or cocktail bars; perhaps the least pleasant are those pubs which pack in customers on their way to a nightclub, with loud music, no space, and super-cheap spirits to make sure their clients are as drunk as possible by 11pm. However, many pubs are evolving in a more healthy direction. There are now many pubs which pride themselves on serving 'real ales' - beer brewed on a smaller scale to traditional English methods and recipes. Any visiting beer lover should track these down. Many pubs, both in the countryside and in cities, have moved towards serving good food. And while most pubs will serve food, it's in these 'gastropubs' that you'll find well-prepared food, generally a mixture of traditional English dishes and international influences. The prices will tend to match. Pubs have a little of their own etiquette. At any proper pub, service is always at the bar. It's polite to strike up a conversation with anyone else who is standing or sitting at the bar. And if someone buys you a drink, you will be expected to 'stand your round' later on, buying for whoever you're drinking with. If you're planning to leave promptly, or don't have enough money, then you should politely decline the offer. Although traditional pub licensing laws severely restricted their hours of operation, laws enacted in 2005 allow pubs to request more flexible opening hours. Few pubs have requested anywhere near the "24 hour drinking" that is theoretically possible: as a general rule more traditional pubs will close at 11PM still. Some of the more trendy bars will close nearer to 1AM, filling a niche in the market between traditional pub and nightclub. However in most cities and many towns, centrally located pubs and bars will stay open anytime from 2AM till 6AM, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Also, at public holiday times, many pubs extend their closing times — especially New Year's Eve. Alcoholic drinks[ edit ] England is home to a huge variety of alcoholic drinks. As well as wines and spirits (mainly imported, but some local), all pubs sell several beers and at least one cider. The main types of beer you will come across are lager , bitter and stout. Real Ale is not a separate classification, it refers to beer made and served by traditional methods. Lager — Predominantly the pilsner type: pale, fizzy and cold. Because of the popularity of this type of beer amongst the young, there are many mass-market national brands brewed in the UK (and widely advertised with "having fun" type ads) which may disappoint anyone wanting more than simply cold, fizzy, alcohol. Some national brands are much better, and often stronger, and may be sold in bottles as well as on draught. Purists often prefer imported European-brewed lagers. Bitter — The most common example of the English type of beer technically called "ale" (see below). They are typically darker than lagers - they are called bitter because they have more hops than mild (another less-common kind of ale). Again, there are well-advertised national brands for the mass market, usually less strong than lagers. Most are now not "real ales": they are not matured in the barrel; they are often called "smooth" or "cream" (which means that they are infused with nitrogen to give a small-bubbled head) and are often served very cold from a small tap on a tall, illuminated stand. Stout — A dark, heavy, usually very bitter beer. Originally called Porter, Arthur Guinness decided he could do better and made Guinness which he branded a Stout Porter. Guinness is one world-famous Irish brand that is available almost everywhere in England, often in "normal" and "extra cold" versions. All of the mass-market types above can be bought in cans - often with a "widget" that when the can is opened, forces nitrogen bubbles through the beer to simulate "draught" beer. Ale — This is not simply another word for "Bitter" or "Beer". Technically it simply means any beer other than lager (ie it is a beer brewed at cellar temperatures using floating yeast, ie bitters, milds and stouts). However, these days "ale" is often used a little self-consciously, usually either as a "matey" word for any type of beer ("Anyone fancy a few ales?") or in a consciously "traditional" way ("Try a pint of good old English ale"). To ask for "A pint of ale, please." would sound like a line from a period film. However "Real Ale" is an accepted term, so to ask "What real ales do you have on?" would be quite normal. Real Ale — The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has been a very successful consumer campaign, its aims have been to ensure that mass-market beers do not completely force out beers made in the traditional way. CAMRA created the term "Real Ale" to summarise the type of beer they wanted to keep alive: it must be allowed to continue maturing after it leaves the brewery (ie not be pasteurised or filtered to remove living yeast; be stored and served without additional gas (ie does not have carbon dioxide or nitrogen forced into the beer); and be served at the appropriate temperature for the style: traditional ales are not generally served warm, as many people believe, but at the temperature of the 'cool' cellar they have been maturing in for several days (ideally, 8–12°C) . Most real ales are served from the distinctive "handpumps" which allow a pint to be "pulled" from the cellar by several full-length strokes requiring visible effort on the part of the server. Most "real ales" served in ordinary pubs are bitters, but these come in a wide range of strengths, colours, and bitterness. A majority of pubs now serve at least one or two national brands of real ale, and perhaps one or even two local ones. "Real ale pubs" — At a pub which especially caters to lovers of real ale, or at a beer festival, there will be more local brands (and "guests" from some distance away) and a wider range of bitters, and even a good choice of other types. Expect to see summer ales, winter ales, exotic beers (containing ingredients such as heather, honey or ginger), light milds, dark milds, lagers, stouts and, increasingly, porters (like a stronger dark mild, or a lighter, sweeter stout). These will be served from a long row of handpumps or (even more traditionally) straight from barrels sitting on the bar or (especially at beer festivals) in racks. There will also be a wide range of "bottle-conditioned" beers ("real ale in a bottle") usually either versions of English bitters, often called "pale ales", or very strong beers from France or Belgium. There will also be several ciders and perries. Cider — In England this means an alcoholic drink made from apples (often much stronger than beer). These are generally brewed in the West Country (Somerset, Devon & Cornwall) but not exclusively so as Herefordshire is also another region famous for its cider. The more commercial brands of cider, served from pressurised kegs and so available at any pub, are clear, fizzy and cold , and quite strong (they are usually moderately or very sweet, so the high alcohol content may go unnoticed by a novice). A real ale pub will usually sell at least one "real", unpressurised, cider, perhaps from a barrel sitting on the bar. This may may be clear or slightly cloudy, but will be almost certainly be still, not too sweet, and very strong (7% alcohol is only average for this type of cider). The most traditional cider is called Scrumpy and is usually very strong, very cloudy and possibly (but not always) rather sour. Some commercial ciders have "scrumpy" in their name, but these are not quite the same as a gallon jug bought at the farmhouse door. Perry — Similar to cider but made from pears (is sometimes called pear cider, especially if imported). Farmhouse perry was always difficult to get hold of outside the West Country, but this is improving, and there will nearly always be some available at a beer festival. Keen perry-spotters might notice the sweetish "undercover" commercial versions : advertised nationwide with a "girls night out" theme and sold in wine-shaped bottles with "inexpensive white wine"-type labels bearing the legend "Perry" in small letters. Non-alcoholic drinks[ edit ] Tea is widely drunk throughout the country, almost always hot, usually strong, usually with milk, and quite often with sugar. There are many popular brands (the most recognisable brands are PG Tips and Tetley). Tea is usually drunk at home or at work or to accompany breakfast in inexpensive restaurants (where it will usually arrive with milk in a separate jug), or with afternoon tea (scones, cream, jam, and cakes) at a "tea-room" (less-frequently seen these days, except in expensive hotels or in holiday areas). It is often the cheapest drink in coffee shops. Tea is often served in pubs and bars too. Coffee is as popular as tea. Instant coffee (made with hot water, hot milk, or "half and half") is much used at home and work, and in inexpensive restaurants. If it is made with just hot water, then it is "black coffee"; with added cold milk it becomes "white coffee". Percolators are little used, and machines with paper filters are less common than they once were: they often fill a restaurant with a coffee aroma, but a mediocre restaurant will often leave the made coffee heating for too long. Therefore, at dinner parties or good restaurants, the "french press" (cafetiere) has become the standard way to serve "real" ("ground") coffee: the customer can leave the coffee infusing until it as as strong as they like, then press the filter down to stop the brew and restrain the grounds from getting into the cup. The drinker then adds their own milk (hot milk is often provided; cream less often) and sugar. Seattle-style coffee bars serve the usual types of espresso-based coffees (but with a less-bewildering choice of combinations of coffee, milk, sugar, and flavourings). Decaffeinated coffee is available, but not standard. A Pub may serve coffee, and indeed chains (especially Wetherspoons) invariably do, but "Bar" type of pub (at a non-busy time of day) is a better option. International coffeshops such as Starbucks, Costa's and Cafe Nero are very common in large towns and cities. These often serve a wide range of coffees, teas and hot chocolate. Hot Chocolate Fruit juices are popular, particularly apple. Smoothies are becoming big too, and you will find many varieties at places like Starbucks. Sleep[ edit ][ add listing ] England offers the usual Western assortment of sleeping options including Hostels Both private institutions and those part of a hosteling networking (which may require membership so check ahead) usually offer dorm style accommodations, sometimes with a simple breakfast included (think toast and tea). Many hostels in popular destination cities fill up during the busy summer season, so try to book ahead or at least call before you arrive. Self-Catering Cottages Several historical organizations within the country, i.e. the National Trust and Landmark Trust, offer restored historic buildings for visitors to stay in. These have been renovated to meet a modern living standard, but offer an opportunity to stay in many places one normally wouldn't be able to explore, such as country follies, former train stations, school houses, and more. Bed and Breakfasts can range from a single room in a private home to large historical buildings with dozens of rooms. In many towns the tourist office has a list of rooms available and can help you call around. Hotels in cities and towns, and near motorway junctions, as well as some grand Country House Hotels. Cheap (yet excellent) Hotel chains include 'Travelodge' and the 'Premier Inn'. They are simple, yet clean and comfortable. Motels Mostly in the form of large chains such as Travel Inn and Travelodge, with hundreds across the country. Camping There is a widespread network in country locations of campsites which welcome tents, caravans, or motorhomes. Sites may welcome some or all of these. But don't expect to find many close to cities and major tourist attractions. Universities It has been possible to get accommodation in some Universities and Colleges out of term time for a while. However [29] is a bit better than most previous sites, in that it provides good information and tips about the places it covers, which include Oxford and Cambridge. However it does not cover all the places where accommodation is available. While the rooms are generally comfortable, rooms at the lower end of the price scale may be small and usually come without air conditioning, cable TV, coffee machines, and other amenities. In very inexpensive accommodation, for example in dormitory style hostels, towels and soap may not be provided. Most hotels that provide breakfast will offer a choice between a full english (see above) or continental. The continental normally consists of bread rolls, croissant, cereal, pain au chocolat and cold meats such as ham and salami. Beverages such as fresh fruit juice, tea, coffee and hot chocolate are served too. Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] Currency is Pounds Sterling (GBP). Euros are generally not accepted, except in very rare circumstances. If you are travelling from continental Europe, you should change your Euros into Pound Sterling. Note that although Bank of England notes are accepted all over the United Kingdom, you may have trouble with using Northern Irish and Scottish notes in England due to shop staff being unfamiliar with them. Credit cards are accepted in most shops and restaurants. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted, though debit cards with the Maestro logo are also taken. American Express cards are accepted in fewer establishments, but most restaurants will accept it. Credit cards with a Chip and PIN have become nearly compulsory. Credit card agreements mostly require merchants to accept cards with a swipe and signature, however, it is wise to carry enough cash in case the retailer does not comply. One thing to keep in mind is that due to credit card surcharges, some establishments and shops will only allow cards to be used (including debit cards) over £5 or £10. Learn[ edit ] England has many options for foreign students to study; from language, history, and cultural short courses to advanced degrees at internationally renowned universities. Most cities have at least one institute of higher learning. Students from countries within the European Union/Switzerland do not require a visa to study in England. University fees have two tiers, a home fee for UK and EU students, presently capped at £9000 + inflation per year, and a higher tier for students from outside of the EU, from £9000 to £35,000 per year. Work[ edit ] Options for short-term employment include bar tending and waiting tables as well as more specialised work such as in the high tech / computer industry. Visitors from Commonwealth countries will have a much easier time getting a work permit, especially those under 30 as there are several programs. Citizens of countries belonging to the European Union (Germany, France, Spain, etc) do not require a permit and are free to live and work in England, however, certain restrictions currently apply to certain new EU member states (such as Bulgaria, Romania, etc), so you will need to check this out on the Uk Border Agency website before travelling. Visitors on a student visa can work up to 20 hour per week while in school and 40 hours per week while on break. Stay safe[ edit ] In any emergency call 999 or 112 (from a land-line if you can) and ask for Ambulance, Fire, Police or Coast Guard when connected. If you need more than one service that includes an ambulance (e.g. a road collision) then ask for Ambulance and they will contact the relevant services themselves. England by and large is a safe place to live and visit, with violent crime against tourists being rare, however you should always use general common sense to ensure you keep out of trouble. In most of the major cities, you will find outlying suburban and inner city areas where poverty, crime and gang violence are common. These areas can be particularly risky (by western standards) and should be avoided. Again, common sense is the best way to stay safe, and it is unlikely a visitor would end up in such areas anyway. In a situation where you feel uncomfortable out on the street (for example, if a gang of youths block your path and are behaving in a rowdy manner), its usually fine to simply cross the road and walk past and not to respond to them as they are not generally interested in harassing people as they may appear and will ignore you in most cases Crime rates are generally very low in rural areas, although some small poorer towns can be surprisingly rough. Take care when driving on country lanes as they can become very narrow and the lesser travelled ones are often in poor condition. It is worth taking extra care on public transport at night, as loutish drunks can be a problem. Also, in some cities, there have been incidents of street gangs carrying out robberies on buses and trains at night. Visitors should not be too concerned, however, as these are very rare occurrences. Some town and city centres should be approached with caution during the later evening on Fridays and Saturdays in particular, as high levels of drunkenness can be rife. Many English drunks can all too often become aggressive, and outbreaks of unprovoked violence have happened, but again, common sense can help avoid problems with drunken people. At night it is also recommended that you use licensed taxis or licensed mini cabs. Taxis are available at taxi ranks or by phone, while mini cabs are by phone booking only - asking at the bar will usually provide you with numbers. Unofficial/unlicensed mini cabs which cruise the street looking for fares have a reputation as dangerous for lone females and males; the most common incident is the passenger is driven to a secluded area, and then raped. The age of both heterosexual and homosexual consent is 16 throughout the United Kingdom. British laws mostly support LGBT rights. You shouldn't be discriminated against in any area of the UK for your sexuality although that it can occur and enforcement of the law is spotty. Some in British society are anti-gay. There are some areas where you may want to not be overtly showing your sexuality (very remote villages, 'tough' places such as football matches, Truro and the Cornwall area, Peterborough, bad areas of cities). Be careful and follow others around you. If they don't show public affection, it probably isn't safe to do that. Stay healthy[ edit ] In the United Kingdom, there is no cost to a patient at point of service, due to the welfare state system. In a medical emergency, dial 999. These numbers are free of charge from any telephone. For advice on non-emergency medical problems, you can ring the 24 hour NHS 111 service. on 111 or check their website [30] for advice. However, hospitals are wary of health tourists and if obviously not from England, may ask where you are from and if within the EU, for your EHIC card (previously known as E111). Emergencies can be dealt with under the NHS (National Health Service) at any hospital with an A & E (Accident & Emergency) department. At A&E departments, be prepared to wait for up to 4-5 hours during busy periods before being given treatment if your medical complaint is not too serious. Obviously, more serious ailments are usually treated immediately. Evenings are normally busiest, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays and in city centres. For advice on minor ailments and non-prescription drugs, you can ask a pharmacist (there are many high-street chemists). These are increasingly using green signs similar to ones seen in Europe to identify them. Small pharmacies are also found inside many larger supermarkets. Major pharmacies are Boots and Lloyds, at least one of these can be found in any city or large town and quite often some smaller towns too. These two firms can issue drugs prescribed by a doctor as well as any over the counter drugs. Superdrug, Semi-Chem, Bodycare and Savers do sell some over the counter medication but are not to be considered as places to go for advice about minor ailments. A smaller range of medication can also be found in most supermarkets. ID is usually required when buying medication if you look under 25. Smoking is prohibited in all public buildings. All enclosed workplaces are lawfully required to be smoke free. Some restaurants provide separate rooms for smokers, and many pubs and cafés now have outdoor areas where smoking is permitted, while many places will have a group of people standing outside the front door or off to one side to smoke. Tap water from restaurants, bars and homes is very safe to drink throughout England. Respect[ edit ] See the UK article for more information The English are in general very polite people, and like most other places it is considered bad manners not to say "please", "thank you", "cheers" or "sorry". A nod or a smile are also often the response. The English do apologise a lot, whether it is their fault or not. You should do the same even for little things. Sometimes, strangers and friends address each other by "mate" informally, but this should not be used to people with higher status than you. As in any Western country, you may occasionally bump into rude people, but this is rare and generally frowned upon in English society, unless you have done something wrong. If you travel to different regions in England, you will find a variety of English accents, such as Liverpool accent, a "Geordie" accent and even "cockney" accent in London. People from these regions might consider a very formal "Queen's English" accent to be somewhat posh, but will generally not mind if it's obvious you are a tourist. While it may be tempting to do, do not try to copy their regional accents when communicating with those people - you will probably do a bad job, and they might think that you are "taking the mick" or laughing at them. When driving on rural roads, particularly where a driver has to pull in to allow you to pass, it is customary to wave a thanks to the other driver, by raising your hand from the steering wheel. This is particularly prevalent in rural areas where many drivers will automatically wave at everyone who drives past them. A polite hand wave (or even with just the index finger raised from the steering wheel) is customary and will be appreciated. When accepting gifts, a polite refusal (such as, "no really you shouldn't") is common after the first offer of the item. Usually, this is followed with an insistence that the gift or offer is accepted, at which point your answer is likely to become more recognized. However, some people can be very persuasive - this isn't meant to be over-bearing, just courteous. One thing which some visitors may find disconcerting is the response an English person may give to a "thank you". Most English people will respond with something along the lines of "It was nothing" or "not at all". This does not mean that they didn't try hard to please, but rather it is meant to suggest "I was happy to do it for you, so it was not any great difficulty" (even though it may have been!). The English are said to be reserved and reluctant to communicate with strangers. This is not entirely true. You will find that most people are happy to help tourists with directions and practical advice but a general rule is that Northerners are more friendly and open to conversation with strangers than people from London and the SouthEast of England. Entire carriages of people will sit in awkward silence on the London underground so do not be surprised to be greeted with strange looks and annoyance if you strike up small talk with someone in the capital. However, as in many other countries, it is best to avoid sensitive topics such as politics. One thing worth noticing is that the English value privacy a lot, probably more than any other countries. When meeting with them for the first few times, avoid asking personal questions. Age is an obvious one (same for most other countries), but also martial status or if they have a girlfriend/boyfriend. Some questions considered ordinary in other countries are considered "too personal" in England, such as where do you live and what is your job. It is not uncommon for an English person not to know what their neighbours' jobs are for many years. A good tip for foreigners is to use the mirroring rule - if they ask you a personal question, it is safe to ask the same question back (but answer their question first!). It is said that the English invented queueing, and they become very annoyed if anyone jumps the line although this is probably the same for most countries. However, you don't usually see an obvious queue in bus stops and train platforms. This does not mean you could run over everyone there. You should always let people in the bus/trains get off first and then let the people in front of you get in first. When you find yourself in a restaurant or being invited to someone's home for a meal, just general table manners apply (unless it is a top-class restaurant). Normally when visiting a house, the host will ask if you would like a cup of tea or coffee. You should do the same when you invite an English person to your house when you live in England. It is ok to let your host know if you are vegetarian or any dietary needs. On the other hand, it is rude to specify exactly what you would like to eat. Likewise, when you invite an English person to your house, besides finding out if they are vegetarians, you should also ask them if they are allergic to anything as many English people have different sorts of "allergy" such as nut allergy, wheat allergy and so on. There are many traditional table manners rules but these rules are becoming less and less important and may just apply at a formal event or around older English citizens, otherwise no one will be concerned about these rules. However, there are a couple of rules which are worth bearing in mind. First, do not start eating when others have not yet started. Second, when eating with other people do not constantly use your phone such as texting or on facebook. Also, eating noisily or with your mouth open is considered extremely rude and, frankly, disgusting. When you find yourself in a pub or bar with your English friends, be aware that there is an unspoken convention of "buying rounds" from each person. This normally works ok if it is a small group. However if the group is large, the "round" could be costly and that could lead to "binge drinking". It is absolutely ok to have non-alcoholic drinks though. Even better, arrange to meet your friends in a restaurant or cafes (which have been increasing popular in England). When socialising, the English are quite laid back and happy to laugh at 'English' misdemeanors and faults. However, negative comments about the royal family (especially from a foreigner) should be avoided as some English people may be offended. Contact[ edit ] See Contact entry under United Kingdom for national information on telephone, internet and postal services. When traveling to UK, even though it may seem best to carry your cell phone along, you should not dismiss the benefits of the calling cards to call the ones back home. Get yourself a UK calling card when packing for your trip. Also consider buying a pay-as-you-go SIM card for your phone, you can pick one up from most local stores for about £0.99. This will be very useful if you're staying for more than 1-2 weeks and especially if you need mobile internet. Mobile signal is generally very good throughout England, apart from some countryside areas. Expect your signal to drop very frequently if travelling by train or car. The main mobile networks are EE, Vodafone, Three and O2. However there are a host of MVNOs that use the infrastructure of these networks, these often offer plans tailored towards expat communities and tourist who wish to call abroad, the main players are LycaMobile, Lebara and giffgaff. Most of these sim cards can be picked up in local shops however giffgaff do not have shops and only post out sims to the UK - therefore if you'd like a giffgaff sim abroad you can order one here . If staying connected is a priority you may want to compare the data speeds of the networks, OpenSignal provide London coverage maps. In the United Kingdom, area codes are two, three, four, or, rarely, five digits long (after the initial zero). Regions with shorter area codes, typically large cities, permit the allocation of more telephone numbers as the local number portion has more digits. Local customer numbers are four to eight figures long. The total number of digits is ten, but in a very few areas the total may be nine digits (after the initial zero). The "area code" is also referred to as an 'STD (code)' (subscriber trunk dialling) or a 'dialling code' in the UK. The code allocated to the largest population is (020) for London. The code allocated to the largest area is (028) for all of Northern Ireland. The UK Numbering Plan also applies to three British Crown dependencies - Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man - even though they are not part of the UK itself. See Contact entries under individual cities for local information. This is a usable article. It gives a good overview of the region, its sights, and how to get in, as well as links to the main destinations, whose articles are similarly well developed. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow !	i don't know
What is the one-sleeved half-jacket worn under a jacket as additional protection in the sport of fencing?	Fencing Glossary - Dictionary of Fencing Terms Absence of blade: when the blades are not touching; opposite of engagement. Advance: a movement forward by step, cross, or balestra. Aids: the last three fingers of the sword hand. Analysis: reconstruction of the fencing phrase to determine priority of touches. Assault: friendly combat between two fencers. Attack: the initial offensive action made by extending the sword arm and continuously threatening the valid target of the opponent. Attack au Fer: an attack that is prepared by deflecting the opponent's blade, eg. beat, press, froissement. Backsword: an archaic, edged, unpointed sword used in prizefighting; also singlestick. Balestra: a forward hop or jump, typically followed by an attack such as a lunge or fleche. Bayonet: a type of electrical connector for foil and sabre. Beat: an attempt to knock the opponent's blade aside or out of line by using one's foible or middle against the opponent's foible. Baudry point: a safety collar placed around a live epee point to prevent dangerous penetration. Bind: an action in which the opponent's blade is forced into the diagonally opposite line. Black Card: used to indicate the most serious offences in a fencing competition. The offending fencer is usually expelled from the event or tournament. Bout: an assault at which the score is kept. Broadsword: any sword intended for cutting instead of thrusting; sabre. Broken Time: a sudden change in the tempo of one fencer's actions, used to fool the opponent into responding at the wrong time. Button: the safety tip on the end of practice and sporting swords. Change of Engagement: engagement of the opponent's blade in the opposite line. Commanding the blade: grabbing the opponent's blade with the off-hand, illegal in sport fencing. Compound: also composed; an action executed in two or more movements; an attack or riposte incorporating one or more feints. Conversation: the back-and-forth play of the blades in a fencing match, composed of phrases (phrases d'armes) punctuated by gaps of no blade action. Counter-attack: an offensive action made against the right-of-way, or in response to the opponent's attack. Counter-disengage: a disengage in the opposite direction, to deceive the counter-parry. Counter-parry: a parry made in the opposite line to the attack; ie. the defender first comes around to the opposite side of the opponent's blade. Counter-riposte: an attack that follows a parry of the opponent's riposte. Counter-time: an attack that responds to the opponent's counter-attack, typically a riposte following the parry of the counter-attack. Corps-a-corps: lit. "body-to-body"; physical contact between the two fencers during a bout, illegal in foil and sabre. Coule': also graze, glise', or glissade; an attack or feint that slides along the opponent's blade. Coup lance': a launched hit; an attack that starts before a stop in play but lands after. Valid for normal halts, but not valid at end of time. Coupe': also cut-over; an attack or deception that passes around the opponent's tip. Croise: also semi-bind; an action in which the opponent's blade is forced into the high or low line on the same side. Cross: an advance or retreat by crossing one leg over the other; also passe' avant (forward cross), passe' arriere (backwards cross). Cut: an attack made with a chopping motion of the blade, normally landing with the edge. Deception: avoidance of an attempt to engage the blades; see disengage, coupe' Derobement: deception of the attack au fer or prise de fer. Direct: a simple attack or riposte that finishes in the same line in which it was formed, with no feints out of that line. Disengage: a circular movement of the blade that deceives the opponent's parry, removes the blades from engagement, or changes the line of engagement. Displacement: moving the target to avoid an attack; dodging. Double: in epee, two attacks that arrive within 40-50 ms of each other. Double-time: also "dui tempo"; parry-riposte as two distinct actions. Double': an attack or riposte that describes a complete circle around the opponent's blade, and finishes in the opposite line. Dry: also steam; fencing without electric judging aids. Engagement: when the blades are in contact with each other, eg. during a parry, attack au fer, prise de fer, or coule'. En Garde: also On Guard; the fencing position; the stance that fencers assume when preparing to fence. Envelopment: an engagement that sweeps the opponent's blade through a full circle. Epee: a fencing weapon with triangular cross-section blade and a large bell guard; also a light duelling sword of similar design, popular in the mid-19th century; epee de terrain; duelling sword. False: an action that is intended to fail, but draw a predicted reaction from the opponent; also, the back edge of a sabre blade. Feint: an attack into one line with the intention of switching to another line before the attack is completed. Fencing Time: also temps d'escrime; the time required to complete a single, simple fencing action. FIE: Federation Internationale d'Escrime, the world governing body of fencing. Finta in tempo: lit. "feint in time"; a feint of counter-attack that draws a counter-time parry, which is decieved; a compound counter-attack. Fleche: lit. "arrow"; an attack in which the aggressor leaps off his leading foot, attempts to make the hit, and then passes the opponent at a run. Flick: a cut-like action that lands with the point, often involving some whip of the foible of the blade to "throw" the point around a block or other obstruction. Florentine: an antiquated fencing style where a secondary weapon or other instrument is used in the off hand. Flying Parry or Riposte: a parry with a backwards glide and riposte by cut-over. Foible: the upper, weak part of the blade. Foil: a fencing weapon with rectangular cross-section blade and a small bell guard; any sword that has been buttoned to render it less dangerous for practice. Forte: the lower, strong part of the blade. French Grip: a traditional hilt with a slightly curved grip and a large pommel. Froissement: an attack that displaces the opponent's blade by a strong grazing action. Fuller: the groove that runs down a sword blade to reduce weight. Glide: see coule'. Guard: the metal cup or bow that protects the hand from being hit. Also, the defensive position assumed when not attacking. Hilt: the handle of a sword, consisting of guard, grip, and pommel. Homologated: certified for use in FIE competitions, eg. 800N clothing and maraging blades. In Quartata: a counter-attack made with a quarter turn to the inside, concealing the front but exposing the back. In Time: at least one fencing time before the opposing action, especially with regards to a stop-hit. Indirect: a simple attack or riposte that finishes in the opposite line to which it was formed. Insistence: forcing an attack through the parry. Interception: a counter-attack that intercepts and checks an indirect attack or other disengagement. Invitation: a line that is intentionally left open to encourage the opponent to attack. Italian Grip: a traditional hilt with finger rings and crossbar. Judges: additional officials who assist the referee in detecting illegal or invalid actions, such as floor judges or hand judges. Jury: the 4 officials who watch for hits in a dry fencing bout. Kendo: Japanese fencing, with two-handed swords. Lame': a metallic vest/jacket used to detect valid touches in foil and sabre. Line: the main direction of an attack (eg., high/low, inside/outside), often equated to the parry that must be made to deflect the attack; also point in line. Lunge: an attack made by extending the rear leg and landing on the bent front leg. Mal-parry: also mal-pare'; a parry that fails to prevent the attack from landing. Manipulators: the thumb and index finger of the sword hand. Maraging: a special steel used for making blades; said to be stronger and break more cleanly than conventional steels. Marker Points: an old method of detecting hits using inked points. Martingale: a strap that binds the grip to the wrist/forearm. Match: the aggregate of bouts between two fencing teams. Measure: the distance between the fencers. Middle: the middle third of the blade, between foible and forte. Moulinet: a whirling cut, executed from the wrist or elbow. Neuvieme: an unconventional parry (#9) sometimes described as blade behind the back, pointing down (a variant of octave), other times similar to elevated sixte. Octave: parry #8; blade down and to the outside, wrist supinated. Opposition: holding the opponent's blade in a non-threatening line; a time-hit; any attack or counter-attack with opposition. Parry: a block of the attack, made with the forte of one's own blade; also parade. Pass: an attack made with a cross; eg. fleche. Also, the act of moving past the opponent. Passata-sotto: a lunge made by dropping one hand to the floor. Passe': an attack that passes the target without hitting; also a cross-step (see cross). Phrase: a set of related actions and reactions in a fencing conversation. Pineapple tip: a serrated epee point used prior to electric judging. Piste: the linear strip on which a fencing bout is fought; approx. 2m wide and 14m long. Pistol Grip: a modern, orthopaedic grip, shaped vaguely like a small pistol; varieties are known by names such as Belgian, German, Russian, and Visconti. Plaque': a point attack that lands flat. Plastron: a partial jacket worn for extra protection; typically a half-jacket worn under the main jacket on the weapon-arm side of the body. Point: a valid touch; the tip of the sword; the mechanical assembly that makes up the point of an electric weapon; an attack made with the point (ie. a thrust) Point in Line: also line; an extended arm and blade that threatens the opponent. Pommel: a fastener that attaches the grip to the blade. Preparation: a non-threatening action intended to create the opening for an attack; the initial phase of an attack, before right-of-way is established. Presentation: offering one's blade for engagement by the opponent. Press: an attempt to push the opponent's blade aside or out of line; depending on the opponent's response, the press is followed by a direct or indirect attack. Prime: parry #1; blade down and to the inside, wrist pronated. Principle of Defence: the use of forte against foible when parrying. Priority: in sabre, the now-superceded rules that decide which fencer will be awarded the touch in the event that they both attack simultaneously; also used synonymously with right-of-way. Prise de Fer: also taking the blade; an engagement of the blades that forces the opponent's weapon into a new line. See: bind, croise, envelopment, opposition. Quarte: parry #4; blade up and to the inside, wrist supinated. Quinte: parry #5; blade up and to the inside, wrist pronated. In sabre, the blade is held above the head to protect from head cuts. Rapier: a long, double-edged thrusting sword popular in the 16th-17th centuries. Red Card: used to indicate repeated minor rule infractions or a major rule infraction by one of the fencers; results in a point being given to the other fencer. Redoublement: a new action that follows an attack that missed or was parried; renewal of a failed attack in the opposite line; alternatively see Reprise. Referee: also director, president; the mediator of the fencing bout. Remise: immediate replacement of an attack that missed or was parried, without withdrawing the arm. Reprise: renewal of an attack that missed or was parried, after a return to en-garde; alternatively see Redoublement. Retreat: step back; opposite of advance. Ricasso: the portion of the tang between the grip and the blade, present on Italian hilts and most rapiers. Right-of-way: rules for awarding the point in the event of a double touch in foil or sabre. Riposte: an offensive action made immediately after a parry of the opponent's attack. Sabre: a fencing weapon with a flat blade and knuckle guard, used with cutting or thrusting actions; a military sword popular in the 18th to 20th centuries; any cutting sword used by cavalry. Salle: a fencing hall or club. Salute: with the weapon, a customary acknowledgement of one's opponent and referee at the start and end of the bout. Schlager: German fraternity duelling sword, used with cuts to the face and no footwork. Second Intention: a false action used to draw a response from the opponent, which will open the opportunity for the intended action that follows, typically a counter-riposte. Seconde: parry #2; blade down and to the outside, wrist pronated. Septime: parry #7; blade down and to the inside, wrist supinated. Simple: executed in one movement; an attack or riposte that involves no feints. Simultaneous: in foil and sabre, two attacks for which the right-of-way is too close to determine. Single Stick: an archaic form of fencing with basket-hilted wooden sticks. Single-time: also "stesso tempo"; parry-riposte as a single action. Sixte: parry #6; blade up and to the outside, wrist supinated. Small Sword: a light duelling sword popular in the 17th-18th centuries, precursor to the foil. Stop Hit: a counter-attack that hits; also a counter-attack whose touch is valid by virtue of its timing. Stop Cut: a stop-hit with the edge in sabre, typically to the cuff. Three Prong: a type of epee body wire/connector; also an old-fashioned tip that would snag clothing, to make it easier to detect hits in the pre-electric era. Thrown Point: a "flick". Thrust: an attack made by moving the sword parallel to its length and landing with the point. Tierce: parry #3; blade up and to the outside, wrist pronated. Time Hit: also time-thrust; old name for stop hit with opposition. Trompement: deception of the parry. Two Prong: a type of body-wire/connector, used in foil and sabre. Whip-over: in sabre, a touch that results from the foible of the blade whipping over the opponent's guard or blade when parried. Whites: fencing clothing. Yellow Card: also advertissement, warning; used to indicate a minor rule infraction by one of the fencers. Footwork Training - Training video from the Tyshler Fencing School. Learn the basics of fencing footwork and use the training exercises to improve your footwork - the foundation of good fencing. Fencing.Net Newsletter Enter your email address if you would like to receive periodic training techniques, tips and tactics. Type:	Turtle shell
Cnut the Great, who ruled Denmark, England, Norway and parts of Sweden from 1018-35, is commonly known by what other name, particularly relating to a story of attempting to 'rule the sea'?	Fencing Main Page \| See live article \| Alphabetical index Fencing Fencing is any system of systematized offense and defense with the sword, most commonly used to denote those systems of European origin. Today it can be considered to refer to the European martial art of swordplay, or the modern Olympic sport based on it. Table of contents 11 External links The Emergence of Modern Fencing Until the invention of firearms, swords were the primary offensive weapon in Europe. With firearms making heavy armor obsolete, the broadsword evolved into lighter, more manageable weapons suitable against unarmed opponents. Fencing started to develop in the Renaissance with the Rapier as the weapon of choice. Swords gradually became obsolete as weapons for warfare, but they survived until well into the 19th century as weapons for self-defense and to resolve honor disputes in formal duels. The modern sport of fencing originates in the late 19th century, when swords became obsolete as duels of honor became outlawed in most European countries and fencing, in order to survive, had to reinvent itself as a sport. This it did in time to be one of the event of the first olympic games in 1896. The first few years of fencing as a sport were chaotic, with important rule disagreements among schools of fencing from different countries, notably the French and Italian schools. This state of affairs ended in 1913, with the foundation of the F�d�ration Internationale d'Escrime (FIE) in Paris. The stated purpose of the FIE is to codify and regulate the practice of the sport of fencing, particularly for the purpose of international competition. The foundation of the FIE is a convenent breaking point between the classical and the modern traditions of fencing. Modern and Classical Fencing As a sport, the emphasis of the modern sporting tradition is on training athletes to win at competitions with often arbitrarily defined rules, as opposed to the older, "classical" tradition of fencing, seeking to preserve training with the sword as a means of self-defense and for the formal duel . The effects of this split, however, have manifested only slowly since initially all training was done by fencing masters of the classical tradition. After over one hundred years of practice, though, the differences may be considerable. The Weapons In both its modern and its classical guise, fencing consists of three different weapons: foil, épée and saber. These three weapons had become standard by the late nineteenth century. All but Women's Saber (which will make its debut at the 2004 Olympic Games) are represented at Olympic-level competition. Additionally, in classical academies, one will often find historical fencing weapons, such as grand canne and rapier and dagger , being taught. Foil used to be the first weapon taught to beginners, because the techniques of foil teach, in abtract form, the fundamentals of fencing. Additionally, in the past, women were only allowed to fence foil, and the lightness of the weapon made it easier to handle by children. Today, while it is advisable to gain at least a fundamental grasp of foil, fencers often begin with any of the three weapons. Foil The modern foil is descended from the training weapon for the small-sword , a lighter version of the rapier that was the common sidearm of the eighteenth-century gentleman. (Rapier and even longsword foils are also known to have been used but they were very different in terms of weight and use.) It is a light weapon, with a flexible, quadrangular blade, that scores only with the point. (In modern sport fencing, which makes use of electrical scoring appratus, one must hit the opponent with the tip of the blade, with a force of at least 4.90 Newtons (500 grams).) The valid target area at foil is limited, due to it having evolved from the time when fencing was practiced with limited safety equipment. Hits to the face were dangerous, so the head was removed from valid target. The target was then further reduced to only the trunk of the body, where the vitals are located. A touch which lands on nonvalid target stops the fight, but no point is scored. Épée The modern épée is the closest weapon to an actual classical duelling weapon that is used in modern fencing. Following the great social revolutions of the late eighteenth century, gentlemen no longer commonly wore swords, and so the épée, carried to the field of honor in a case, was developed as a means of settling disputes. The épée is a long, straight and relatively heavy sword, with a triangular, relatively inflexible blade and a large, round, bell-shaped guard. Like the foil, the épée is a point weapon. The reason for the large guard is that the hand is valid target, as is the rest of the body. Since double-hits are a possibility -- and, since there is no right-of-way (see below), épée fencing tends to be conservative in the extreme. In electric fencing, in order for a point to register, one must hit the opponent with the point, registering at least 7.35 Newtons (750 grams) of force. Classical fencers sometimes use a point d'arret, a three-pronged attachment that will actually catch the opponent's jacket. Saber The modern saber is descended from the classical northern Italian dueling saber, a far lighter weapon than the cavalry saber. The method and practice of saber fencing is somewhat different from the other weapons, in that they are edged weapons. In modern electric scoring, a touch with the saber, point, flat or edge, to any part of the opponent's valid target (head, torso, or arm) will register a hit. Classical fencing, naturally, has more stringent requirements. The target area originates from dueling saber training. To attack the opponent's leg would allow him to "slip" that leg back and attack one's exposed arm or head given that the higher line attack will outreach the low line (there is a classic example of the leg slip in Angelo's Hungarian and Highland Broadsword of 1790). The target area is from the waist up excluding the hands. Similar right of way rules exist for sabre as they do for foil. Right of Way The "right of way" principle in foil and saber is that the first person to attack has priority. Simply put, if one is attacked, one must defend oneself before counterattacking -- rather than attempting to hit one's opponent even at the risk of being hit oneself. Attacks can be made to fail either by bad luck, mis-judgement or by action on the part of the defender. Parryinging (deflecting the attack with the blade) causes priority to change and for the defender to have the opportunity to attack. For instance, if one fencer attacks, and the other immediately counter-attacks into the attack, and each hits the other, the first fencer's attack is considered successful, while the second is considered to have misjudged. If, however, the second fencer parried the first attack and then responded with an attack of their own, they would have taken the right of way away from the first fencer. It would then be incumbent on the first fencer to defend him- or her-self. In the modern sports of foil and sabre, both fencers will register a hit if they contact within a certain time of each other. Then the president must decide who had right of way at the time of the hits, and therefore who gets a point. If the president cannot tell, then they will declare the touches null, and restart the fight from where it stopped. Protective Clothing The clothing which is worn in modern fencing is made of tough cotton , nylon or kevlar . It includes the following items of clothing: Figure hugging jacket, covering groin and with strap (croissard) which goes between the legs Half jacket (plastron) which goes underneath the jacket and provides double protection on the sword arm side Glove, which prevents swords going up the sleeve and causing injury, as well as protecting the hand Breeches (knickers), to below the knee Knee-length socks Mask, including bib which protects the neck This equipment serves to protect the fencer. Traditionally, the uniform is white in color, to assist the judges in seeing touches scored. However, recently the rules have been relaxed to allow colored uniforms. The Practice of Fencing Fencing takes place on a strip, or piste, with two fencers facing one another. In modern fencing, the piste is between 1.5 and 2 meters wide, and 14 meters long. Opponents start in the middle of the piste, 4 metres apart, in the en garde position. A referee (formerly called president of jury, or director) presides over the contest, which called a "bout." The referee's duties include keeping score, keeping time (if there is no other time keeper), awarding points and maintaining the order of the bout. He or she stands on one side of the piste, watching the bout. Electronic scoring equipment Electronic scoring is used in all major national and international, and most local, sport competitions. (Classical fencing does not use such devices, as classical fencers feel that such devices negatively impact the practice of the art.) The electrical scoring system requires additional clothing for foil and saber: Foil fencers wear a conducting vest which covers the torso and groin. Saber fencers wear a conducting jacket, gauntlet and mask. In both weapons, the fencers' weapons are also wired. When a fencer scores a touch on an opponent, this completes an electric circuit which turns on a light and an audible alarm to notify the referee that a touch has been scored. The referee observes the fencers and the scoring machine to determine which fencer has the right-of-way. In épée, the fencers carry special weapons with compressible tips. When a touch is scored, the tip of the épée compresses, completing the circuit and signalling a touch. Since target area is the entire body, the fencers do not wear special clothing. However, the strip itself must be grounded, to prevent a touch from scoring when the tip of an épée hits the strip (as opposed to striking the opponent's toe, for example). Electronic scoring was introduced to épée in 1936, to foil in 1957, and to sabre in 1988. Non-electric scoring Prior to the introduction of electric scoring equipment, the president of jury was assisted by four judges. Two judges were positioned behind each fencer, one on each side of the strip. The judges watched the fencer opposite to see if he was hit. When a judge thought he saw a hit, he raised his hand. The president then stopped the bout and polled the judges to determine whether there was a touch, and (in foil and sabre) whether the touch was valid or nonvalid. Each judge had one vote, and the president had one and a half votes. Thus, two judges could overrule the president; but if the judges disagreed, or of one judge abstained, the president's opinion ruled. Notable modern fencers and fencing masters Aldo Nadi, gold and silver medalist in the 1920 Summer Olympic Games , well-known fencing master, and author of the classic text, On Fencing. Italo Santelli, the fencing master who revolutionized sabre fencing with the "Hungarian" style in the 1920s . Georgio Santelli, Italo's son, founder of the Santelli salle in New York City . Laszlo Szabo, the Hungarian master who defined a system for developing coaches Imre Vass, who produced the definitive guide to épée fencing Peter Westbrook, bronze medalist in the 1984 Summer Olympic Games , 13-time US National Men's Sabre Champion, author of Harnessing Anger Sharon Montplasir Bela Valter, Hungarian master and Olympic coach Iris Zimmerman	i don't know
On which island was Nelson Mandela incarcerated for 27 years, from 1962-90?	The Prisoner \| The Long Walk Of Nelson Mandela \| FRONTLINE \| PBS WATCH SCHEDULE TOPICS ABOUT FRONTLINE SHOP TEACHER CENTER The Prisoner In the winter of 1964, Nelson Mandela arrived on Robben Island where he would spend 18 of his 27 prison years. Confined to a small cell, the floor his bed, a bucket for a toilet, he was forced to do hard labor in a quarry. He was allowed one visitor a year for 30 minutes. He could write and receive one letter every six months. But Robben Island became the crucible which transformed him. Through his intelligence, charm and dignified defiance, Mandela eventually bent even the most brutal prison officials to his will, assumed leadership over his jailed comrades and became the master of his own prison. He emerged from it the mature leader who would fight and win the great political battles that would create a new democratic South Africa. "He always made the point, if they say you must run, insist on walking. If they say you must walk fast, insist on walking slowly.That was the whole point.We are going to set the terms." Neville Alexander, fellow prisoner The Newly-discovered Film of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island in 1977 (realvideo) NOTE: This footage, taken by a South African government cameraman in 1977, has never been seen before. It shows Mandela's prison cell and near the very end, several seconds of a tightlipped Mandela, caught by the camera as he worked with other prisoners repairing a road. The film was shot during a journalists' tour of Robben Island. The tour was initiated by the government in order to dispel stories of brutal conditions. By this time - 1977 - Mandela was in many ways a forgotten man. He had been on Robben Island 13 years and throughout South Africa his image and words were banned. As of May 1999, when this site was published, this video clip required RealPlayer 5.0 or G2 and a 56K modem. You may need to upgrade. The Letters to Winnie These four letters, written from Robben Island between 1976-1979, convey how Winnie was the love of his life. They also offer a glimpse of the painful guilt Mandela felt for the wife and family he always had to put second to his political cause. "The Dark Years" In this section from his memoirs, Mandela describes the harsh daily routine during the early years on Robben Island. Neville Alexander's Interview One of the "young revolutionaries" sent to Robben Island the same year as Mandela, Alexander recounts how Walter Sisulu's and Mandela's arguments for self-discipline in prison won over "hotheads" like himself. He also details how Mandela's traits of character were revealed in his dealings with the authorities and fellow prisoners. Jack Swart's Stories When Mandela was moved to Victor Verster in 1988, Swart became his chef, glimpsing private times in Mandela's life, including visits from his wife, family and colleagues. He recounts some of this, as well as anecdotes about Mandela'a first experience with a microwave; what it was like to drive Mandela secretly around the Cape Town area; and the events and the atmosphere in the days and hours leading up to Mandela's historic 1990 release. Fikile Bam's Interview He was on Robben Island with Mandela for ten years and shares stories of Mandela's personal political skills; his effort to learn the Afrikaan language; and the kind of books he liked to read. George Bizos's Reflections As Mandela's longtime lawyer and constant visitor during his imprisonment, Bizos relates some revealing anecdotes about the prison years. Christo Brand's Interview He was Mandela's warder for many years, first on Robben Island and then at Pollsmoor Prison. He sketches many details of Mandela's prison life--from his beloved garden and taste in music; to how his letters were censored; and how he helped hide Mandela's newborn grandchild so he could see and hold him in prison. "The Most Important Person in Any Prisoner's Life" This short chapter from Mandela's memoirs describes his relationships with warders and how his fellow prisoners devised strategies to evade their jailers and communicate with each other. Ahmed Kathrada's Stories A dedicated friend of Mandela who was imprisoned on Robben Island from 1964-1989, Kathrada recounts how the prisoners smuggled out Mandela's autobiography. He also describes how, years later at Pollsmoor Prison, Mandela broke the news about his secret talks with the government. Strini Moodley's Interview A young member of the Black Consciousness movement, he was sent in 1976 to Robben Island where his cell was diagnonally across from Mandela's. Moodley offers several stories about Mandela's attitude and demeanor to his jailers; discusses why the younger generation felt Rivonia prisoners like Mandela were in a "time warp;" and recounts how he came to see that Mandela's conciliatory approach did improve prison conditions.	Robben Island
In which European country are the Altamira cave paintings?	The man who changed the world Email a friend IMAGINE living in a country where your political leader is an internationally revered hero who changed the world. A person who spent 27 years in prison for his beliefs - the fight to end racism against his people. A man whose bravery and amazing deeds inspired a world movement to free him - and who walked from jail with an air of humility and an infectious grin. As the world responds to the news of Nelson Mandela's death, South Africans mourn their beloved Madiba, the greatest and the most humble politician on the planet. A legendary anti-apartheid leader, Mandela, died aged 95 at home on Thursday evening, South African time, after a long illness. Back in June, when he was admitted to hospital with complications from lung failure, Mandela's citizens and schoolchildren began gathering outside singing and praying for their beloved "Tatu" - the nation's grandfather. News.com.au looks back on the incredible life and politics of Nelson Mandela. Here's how and why a man branded as a "terrorist" and a "revolutionary" became a symbol for peace and racial equality: 1. The son of an African tribal chief, Rolilahla "Nelson" Mandela trained as a lawyer and became a founding member of the African National Congress (ANC) which rose up against the new Afrikaaner government of 1948 and its policy of apartheid, or racial segregation which institutionalised poverty and inequality for black people in South Africa. releaseSource:News Limited 2. As a political activist and a black man under a white extremist government, Mandela went underground to prevent being arrested for his anti-government activities. He became known as the "Black Pimpernel" - a take on the fictional French revolutionary figure the Scarlet Pimpernel - because of his because of his ability to avoid the police using disguises, a favourite of which was a chauffeur's uniform. A young Nelson Mandela boxing. Picture: News LimitedSource:Supplied 3. He formed the ANC's military wing, the Umkhonto we Sizwe or MK, in 1961 and led a bombing campaign against governments targets. Accused of treason against the South African government, he was arrested in 1962 and charged with sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government by violence. He was brought to trial along with other ANC and anti-apartheid leaders. The jail on Robben Island where Mandela was held for 18 of his 27 years in prison. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied 4. On June 12, 1964, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and was jailed at the Robben Island Prison (pictured above), 12km from Cape Town, off the coast of South Africa where he spent the first 18 years of his incarceration. His Robben Island prison number was 46664, which later became a symbol in the campaign for his freedom. While in prison he was allowed only one visit a year of 30 minutes duration, and permitted to write and receive only a few letters. The man who changed the worldSource:Supplied 5. During his imprisonment he contracted tuberculosis, which caused the lung damage which makes him susceptible to the pulmonary infection he is suffering from today. He was moved to another penitentiary, Pollsmoor Prison on the mainland, for the final nine years of his custody. 6. An international campaign lobbied for his release. A song Free Nelson Mandela, written by Jerry Dammers and performed by his British band The Special A.K.A became an anthem for his release. Nelson Mandela and wife Winnie raise fists upon his release from, 11 February 1990. Picture: AFP.Source:AFP 7. Amid growing civil strife, the South African Government freed him on February 11, 1990. Mandela walked from prison with his then wife, Winnie, waving and smiling. He then spoke to a crowd of about 50,000 people, who had waited for hours to see him, expressing his sincere and warmest gratitude to the "millions of my compatriots and those in every corner of the globe who have campaigned tirelessly for my release". 8. Mandela became ANC president and led negotiations with the Afrikaaner President F.W. de Klerk to abolish apartheid and establish multiracial elections in 1994, in which he led the ANC to victory. 9. As his country's first black president, Mandela formed a Government of National Unity to ease ethnic tensions and established a new constitution which abolished racism. He instituted an inquiry into human rights abuses and introduced policies to encourage land ownership for black South Africans, to combat poverty and to provide health care. Mandela in July 2012. Picture: AP.Source:AP 10. Mandela and de Klerk were jointly awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize "for their work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa". Mandela stepped down from office in 1999 and in retirement he established the Nelson Mandela Foundation to combat poverty and HIV/AIDS. He has received more than 250 international awards, including the US Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Soviet Order of Lenin. ###	i don't know
Who unexpectedly beat Jimmy Connors in the 1975 Wimbledon Men's Singles Final?	BBC ON THIS DAY \| 5 \| 1975: Ashe's Wimbledon win makes history 1975: Ashe's Wimbledon win makes history American tennis player Arthur Ashe has become the first black man to win the Wimbledon singles' championship. New Yorker Althea Gibson was the first black woman to take the Wimbledon title in 1958. Ashe beat defending champion Jimmy Connors three sets to one on Centre Court. Speaking after the game Ashe said: "I always thought I would win because I was playing so well and was so confident." Everything he did was good Jimmy Connors Although Ashe won the US Open in 1968 his 6-1, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 victory today - at the age of 31- surprised many at the All England Club. The son of a policeman from Richmond, Virginia, Ashe was reluctant to discuss his tactics, as he expects to meet Connors again. Connors, 22, admitted: "I couldn't find an opening. Whether I served wide balls, or kicks he was there. Everything he did was good: fine returns, short and long, and hard serves and volleys." The older man won his first service game to love and quickly broke his opponent's serve in the first set. The pressure on Connors began to show - causing derision in the crowd - as he angrily threw his towel under the umpire's chair and released a chain of expletives. Ashe took the first set in just 19 minutes and secured a second 6-1 rout almost as quickly. Tension mounted in the third set as Connors found his rhythm to recover a 6-5 lead - after trailing 3-1 - before winning the set. His friend and Wimbledon semi-finalist Ile Nastase watched anxiously from the players' stand, along with his mother Gloria and manager Bill Riordan. Ashe kept his cool and broke Connors' serve in the ninth game of what was to be the final set. The match ended swiftly as Ashe reached 40-15 with his service game and punched home a winning volley after a weak two-handed return by Connors.	Arthur Ashe
In 1994, the USA lifted a nineteen year trade ban for which country?	Tennis-List of Wimbledon men's singles champions Tennis-List of Wimbledon men's singles champions Tweet Share LONDON, July 12 (Reuters) - List of men's singles champions since 1922 after the 2015 Wimbledon final on Sunday: 2015 Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat Roger Federer (Switzerland) 7-6(1) 6-7(10) 6-4 6-3 2014 Djokovic (Serbia) beat Federer (Switzerland) 6-7(7) 6-4 7-6(4) 5-7 6-4 2013 Andy Murray (Britain) beat Djokovic 6-4 7-5 6-4 2012 Federer beat Murray 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 2011 Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal (Spain) 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3 2010 Nadal beat Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 6-3 7-5 6-4 2009 Federer beat Andy Roddick (U.S.) 5-7 7-6(6) 7-6(5) 3-6 16-14 2008 Nadal beat Federer 6-4 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(8) 9-7 2007 Federer beat Nadal 7-6(7) 4-6 7-6(3) 2-6 6-2 2006 Federer beat Nadal 6-0 7-6(5) 6-7(2) 6-3 2005 Federer beat Roddick 6-2 7-6(2) 6-4 2004 Federer beat Roddick 4-6 7-5 7-6(3) 6-4 2003 Federer beat Mark Philippoussis (Australia) 7-6(5) 6-2 7-6(3) 2002 Lleyton Hewitt (Australia) beat David Nalbandian (Argentina) 6-1 6-3 6-2 2001 Goran Ivanisevic (Croatia) beat Pat Rafter (Australia) 6-3 3-6 6-3 2-6 9-7 2000 Pete Sampras (U.S.) beat Rafter 6-7(10) 7-6(5) 6-4 6-2 1999 Sampras beat Andre Agassi (U.S.) 6-3 6-4 7-5 1998 Sampras beat Ivanisevic 6-7(2) 7-6(9) 6-4 3-6 6-2 1997 Sampras beat Cedric Pioline (France) 6-4 6-2 6-4 1996 Richard Krajicek (Netherlands) beat Mal Washington (U.S) 6-3 6-4 6-3 1995 Sampras beat Boris Becker (Germany) 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4 6-2 1994 Sampras beat Ivanisevic 7-6(2) 7-6(5) 6-0 1993 Sampras beat Jim Courier (U.S.) 7-6(3) 7-6(6) 3-6 6-3 1992 Agassi beat Ivanisevic 6-7(8) 6-4 6-4 1-6 6-4 1991 Michael Stich (Germany) beat Becker 6-4 7-6(4) 6-4 1990 Stefan Edberg (Sweden) beat Becker 6-2 6-2 3-6 3-6 6-4 1989 Becker beat Edberg 6-0 7-6(1) 6-4 1988 Edberg beat Becker 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 6-2 1987 Pat Cash (Australia) beat Ivan Lendl (Czechoslovakia) 7-6(5) 6-2 7-5 1986 Becker beat Lendl 6-4 6-3 7-5 1985 Becker beat Kevin Curren (U.S.) 6-3 6-7(4) 7-6(3) 6-4 1984 John McEnroe (U.S.) beat Jimmy Connors (U.S.) 6-1 6-1 6-2 1983 McEnroe beat Chris Lewis (New Zealand) 6-2 6-2 6-2 1982 Connors beat McEnroe 3-6 6-3 6-7(2) 7-6(5) 6-4 1981 McEnroe beat Bjorn Borg (Sweden) 4-6 7-6(1) 7-6(4) 6-4 1980 Borg beat McEnroe 1-6 7-5 6-3 6-7(16) 8-6 1979 Borg beat Roscoe Tanner (U.S.) 6-7(4) 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-4 1978 Borg beat Connors 6-2 6-2 6-3 1977 Borg beat Connors 3-6 6-2 6-1 5-7 6-4 1976 Borg beat Ilie Nastase (Romania) 6-4 6-2 9-7 1975 Arthur Ashe (U.S.) beat Connors 6-1 6-1 5-7 6-4 1974 Connors beat Ken Rosewall (Australia) 6-1 6-1 6-4 1973 Jan Kodes (Czechoslovakia) beat Alex Metreveli (Soviet Union) 6-1 9-8 (7-5) 6-3 1972 Stan Smith (U.S.) beat Nastase 4-6 6-3 6-3 4-6 7-5 1971 John Newcombe (Australia) beat Smith 6-3 5-7 2-6 6-4 6-4 1970 Newcombe beat Rosewall 5-7 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-1 1969 Rod Laver (Australia) beat Newcombe 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4 1968 Laver beat Tony Roche (Australia) 6-3 6-4 6-2 1967 Newcombe beat Wilhelm Bungert (Germany) 6-3 6-1 6-1 1966 Manuel Santana (Spain) beat Dennis Ralston (U.S.) 6-4 11-9 6-4 1965 Roy Emerson (Australia) beat Fred Stolle (Australia) 6-2 6-4 6-4 1964 Emerson beat Stolle 6-4 12-10 4-6 6-3 1963 Chuck McKinley (U.S.) beat Stolle 9-7 6-1 6-4 1962 Laver beat Marty Mulligan (Australia) 6-2 6-2 6-1 1961 Laver beat McKinley 6-3 6-1 6-4 1960 Neale Fraser (Australia) beat Laver 6-4 3-6 9-7 7-5 1959 Alex Olmedo (U.S.) beat Laver 6-4 6-3 6-4 1958 Ashley Cooper (Australia) beat Fraser 3-6 6-3 6-4 13-11 1957 Lew Hoad (Australia) beat Cooper 6-2 6-1 6-2 1956 Hoad beat Rosewall 6-2 4-6 7-5 6-4 1955 Tony Trabert (U.S.) beat Kurt Nielsen (Denmark) 6-3 7-5 6-1 1954 Jaroslav Drobny (Egypt) beat Rosewall 13-11 4-6 6-2 9-7 1953 Vic Seixas (U.S.) beat Nielsen 9-7 6-3 6-4 1952 Frank Sedgman (Australia) beat Drobny 4-6 6-2 6-3 6-2 1951 Dick Savitt (U.S.) beat Ken McGregor (Australia) 6-4 6-4 6-4 1950 Budge Patty (U.S.) beat Sedgman 6-1 8-10 6-2 6-3 1949 Ted Schroeder (U.S.) beat Drobny 3-6 6-0 6-3 4-6 6-4 1948 Bob Falkenburg (U.S.) beat John Bromwich (Australia) 7-5 0-6 6-2 3-6 7-5 1947 Jack Kramer (U.S.) beat Tom Brown (U.S.) 6-1 6-3 6-2 1946 Yvon Petra (France) beat Geoff Brown (Australia) 6-2 6-4 7-9 5-7 6-4 1940-1945 No tournament held 1939 Bobby Riggs (U.S.) beat Elwood Cooke (U.S.) 2-6 8-6 3-6 6-3 6-2 1938 Donald Budge (U.S.) beat Bunny Austin (Britain) 6-1 6-0 6-3 1937 Budge beat Gottfried von Cramm (Germany) 6-3 6-4 6-2 1936 Fred Perry (Britain) beat von Cramm 6-1 6-1 6-0 1935 Perry beat von Cramm 6-2 6-4 6-4 1934 Perry beat Jack Crawford (Australia) 6-3 6-0 7-5 1933 Crawford beat Ellsworth Vines (U.S.) 4-6 11-9 6-2 2-6 6-4 1932 Vines beat Austin 6-2 6-2 6-0 1931 Sidney Wood (U.S.) beat Frank Shields (U.S.) walkover 1930 William Tilden (U.S.) beat Wilmer Allison (U.S.) 6-3 9-7 6-4 1929 Henri Cochet (France) beat Jean Borotra (France) 6-4 6-3 6-4 1928 Rene Lacoste (France) beat Cochet 6-1 4-6 6-4 6-2 1927 Cochet beat Borotra 4-6 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-5 1926 Borotra beat Howard Kinsey (U.S.) 8-6 6-1 6-3 1925 Lacoste beat Borotra 6-3 6-3 4-6 8-6 1924 Borotra beat Lacoste 6-1 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-4 1923 Bill Johnston (U.S.) beat Frank Hunter (U.S.) 6-0 6-3 6-1 1922 Gerald Patterson (Australia) beat Randolph Lycett (Australia) 6-3 6-4 6-2 Note: From 1877 to 1921 the men's singles was decided on a challenge-round system with the previous year's winner automatically qualifying for the final. (Editing by Toby Davis) Reblog	i don't know
Abhorson is an executioner in which Shakespeare play?	Abhorson Abhorson Abhorson is an executioner, who takes great pride in his job. He looks down on Pompey for being a pimp, considering him to be even lower on the social scale than he is himself, and is concerned that employing a pimp will bring executioners into disrepute.	Measure for Measure
In which ocean is the island of Madeira?	Abhorson » Measure for Measure Study Guide from Crossref-it.info Timeline of Shakespeare's works Abhorson Abhorson is another character whose name has been chosen to suggest what the audience might think of him: it is a mixture of ‘abhor' (hate) and ‘whore-son' (literally, son of a prostitute - a term of abuse). The provost clearly has a low opinion of him, telling him (in Act IV sc ii) that he is no better than the bawd Pompey - ‘Go to, sir, you weigh equally: a feather will turn the scale.' Abhorson, however, is proud of his function as an executioner, claiming (in Act IV sc ii) that his job is a ‘mystery' (an English derivation of the French word ‘metier'– that is, a skilful trade requiring specialist knowledge). But the fact that Pompey is able to claim that being a bawd is equally a mystery – because ‘painting is a mystery' and prostitutes ‘paint' (i.e., use make-up: Pompey is pun ning on the idea of painting as done by a real artist, and painting as applying make-up) – reveals the essentially depraved nature of Abhorson's work. Abhorson expresses no moral response to his role; he regards it simply as a ‘trade'. For the audience, who see that the well-meaning and effectively innocent Claudio is to receive the same treatment as the debauched murderer Barnardine, this is patently unjust, and Abhorson's role is, therefore, as his name suggests, abhorrent. A play on the meaning of words, often for comic effect.	i don't know
Who is generally considered to have invented the first electric battery cell in 1800?	Battery History - Battery KidsBattery Kids Contact Us Battery History The first battery was created by Alessandro Volta in 1800. To create the Volta battery, he made a stack by alternating layers of zinc, blotting paper soaked in salt water, and silver. This arrangement was known as a voltaic pile. The top and bottom layers of the pile must be different metals. If you attach a wire to the top and bottom of the pile, you can measure a voltage and a current from the pile. The pile can be stacked as high as you like, and each layer will increase the voltage by a fixed amount. In the 1800s, before the invention of the electrical generator (the generator was not invented and perfected until the 1870s), the Daniell cell was extremely common for operating telegraphs and doorbells. The Daniell cell is also known by three other names: Crowfoot cell (because of the typical shape of the zinc electrode) Gravity cell (because gravity keeps the two sulfates separated) Wet cell (because it uses liquids for the electrolytes, as opposed to the modern dry cell) 60 Responses to Battery History Emma (Mrs. J)	Alessandro Volta
What Japanese expression derives from two colloquial Japanese words meaning 'belly cutting'?	Morse Code & the Telegraph - Inventions - HISTORY.com Morse Code & the Telegraph A+E Networks Introduction Developed in the 1830s and 1840s by Samuel Morse (1791-1872) and other inventors, the telegraph revolutionized long-distance communication. It worked by transmitting electrical signals over a wire laid between stations. In addition to helping invent the telegraph, Samuel Morse developed a code (bearing his name) that assigned a set of dots and dashes to each letter of the English alphabet and allowed for the simple transmission of complex messages across telegraph lines. In 1844, Morse sent his first telegraph message, from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore, Maryland; by 1866, a telegraph line had been laid across the Atlantic Ocean from the U.S. to Europe. Although the telegraph had fallen out of widespread use by the start of the 21st century, replaced by the telephone, fax machine and Internet, it laid the groundwork for the communications revolution that led to those later innovations. Google Early Forms of Long-Distance Communication Before the development of the electric telegraph in the 19th century revolutionized how information was transmitted across long distances, ancient civilizations such as those in China, Egypt and Greece used drumbeats or smoke signals to exchange information between far-flung points. However, such methods were limited by the weather and the need for an uninterrupted line of sight between receptor points. These limitations also lessened the effectiveness of the semaphore, a modern precursor to the electric telegraph. Developed in the early 1790s, the semaphore consisted of a series of hilltop stations that each had large movable arms to signal letters and numbers and two telescopes with which to see the other stations. Like ancient smoke signals, the semaphore was susceptible to weather and other factors that hindered visibility. A different method of transmitting information was needed to make regular and reliable long-distance communication workable. Did You Know? SOS, the internationally recognized distress signal, does not stand for any particular words. Instead, the letters were chosen because they are easy to transmit in Morse code: "S" is three dots, and "O" is three dashes. The Electric Telegraph In the early 19th century, two developments in the field of electricity opened the door to the production of the electric telegraph. First, in 1800, the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) invented the battery, which reliably stored an electric current and allowed the current to be used in a controlled environment. Second, in 1820, the Danish physicist Hans Christian Oersted (1777-1851) demonstrated the connection between electricity and magnetism by deflecting a magnetic needle with an electric current. While scientists and inventors across the world began experimenting with batteries and the principles of electromagnetism to develop some kind of communication system, the credit for inventing the telegraph generally falls to two sets of researchers: Sir William Cooke (1806-79) and Sir Charles Wheatstone (1802-75) in England, and Samuel Morse, Leonard Gale (1800-83) and Alfred Vail (1807-59) in the U.S. In the 1830s, the British team of Cooke and Wheatstone developed a telegraph system with five magnetic needles that could be pointed around a panel of letters and numbers by using an electric current. Their system was soon being used for railroad signaling in Britain. During this time period, the Massachusetts-born, Yale-educated Morse (who began his career as a painter), worked to develop an electric telegraph of his own. He reportedly had become intrigued with the idea after hearing a conversation about electromagnetism while sailing from Europe to America in the early 1830s, and later learned more about the topic from American physicist Joseph Henry (1797-1878). In collaboration with Gale and Vail, Morse eventually produced a single-circuit telegraph that worked by pushing the operator key down to complete the electric circuit of the battery. This action sent the electric signal across a wire to a receiver at the other end. All the system needed was a key, a battery, wire and a line of poles between stations for the wire and a receiver. Morse Code To transmit messages across telegraph wires, in the 1830s Morse and Vail created what came to be known as Morse code. The code assigned letters in the alphabet and numbers a set of dots (short marks) and dashes (long marks) based on the frequency of use; letters used often (such as “E”) got a simple code, while those used infrequently (such as “Q”) got a longer and more complex code. Initially, the code, when transmitted over the telegraph system, was rendered as marks on a piece of paper that the telegraph operator would then translate back into English. Rather quickly, however, it became apparent that the operators were able to hear and understand the code just by listening to the clicking of the receiver, so the paper was replaced by a receiver that created more pronounced beeping sounds. Rise and Decline of the Telegraph System In 1843, Morse and Vail received funding from the U.S. Congress to set up and test their telegraph system between Washington , D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland . On May 24, 1844, Morse sent Vail the historic first message: “What hath God wrought!” The telegraph system subsequently spread across America and the world, aided by further innovations. Among these improvements was the invention of good insulation for telegraph wires. The man behind this innovation was Ezra Cornell (1807-74), one of the founders of the university in New York that bears his name. Another improvement, by the famed inventor Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) in 1874, was the Quadruplex system, which allowed for four messages to be transmitted simultaneously using the same wire. Use of the telegraph was quickly accepted by people eager for a faster and easier way of sending and receiving information. However, widespread and successful use of the device required a unified system of telegraph stations among which information could be transmitted. The Western Union Telegraphy Company, founded in part by Cornell, was at first only one of many such companies that developed around the new medium during the 1850s. By 1861, however, Western Union had laid the first transcontinental telegraph line, making it the first nationwide telegraph company. Telegraph systems spread across the world, as well. Extensive systems appeared across Europe by the later part of the 19th century, and by 1866 the first permanent telegraph cable had been successfully laid across the Atlantic Ocean; there were 40 such telegraph lines across the Atlantic by 1940. The electric telegraph transformed how wars were fought and won and how journalists and newspapers conducted business. Rather than taking weeks to be delivered by horse-and-carriage mail carts, pieces of news could be exchanged between telegraph stations almost instantly. The telegraph also had a profound economic effect, allowing money to be “wired” across great distances. Even by the end of the 19th century, however, new technologies began to emerge, many of them based on the same principles first developed for the telegraph system. In time, these new technologies would overshadow the telegraph, which would fall out of regular widespread usage. Although the telegraph has since been replaced by the even more convenient telephone, fax machine and Internet, its invention stands as a turning point in world history. Samuel Morse died in New York City at the age of 80 on April 2, 1872. Tags	i don't know
In which country was escapologist Harry Houdini born?	Harry Houdini - Biography - IMDb Harry Houdini Jump to: Overview (5) \| Mini Bio (1) \| Spouse (1) \| Trivia (19) \| Personal Quotes (17) Overview (5) 5' 7" (1.7 m) Mini Bio (1) The great American escape artist and magician Houdini (immortalized by a memorable performance by Tony Curtis in the eponymous 1953 film) was born Erich Weiss on March 24, 1874 in Budapest, Hungary, though he often gave his birthplace as Appleton, Wisconsin, where he was raised. One of five brothers and one daughter born to rabbi Samuel Weiss and his wife Cecilia, the future Houdini was four years old when his parents emigrated to the U.S., where Weiss, as "Harry Houdini", became one of the major celebrities of the first age dominated by the mass media. His boyhood was spent in poverty and, when he was 17, he conjured up a magic act with his friend Jack Hayman, in order to escape the poverty and anonymity of manual labor which would likely have been his lot in life. Young Erich had been fascinated with magic since he was a young lad, when he was in the audience of a magic show put on by a traveling magician named Dr. Lynch. Billing themselves as the "Houdini Bros." in tribute to French magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, Erich Weiss became an entertainer, though it took him some seven years to catch on. Weiss and Hayman specialized in the Crate Escape (eventually known as Metamorphosis or The Substitution Trunk), and Houdini's brother Theodore replaced Hayman when he became uninterested in the act. Eventually, Theodore -- billed as Hardeen -- was replaced by Wilhemina Rahner (known as Bess), the woman "Harry Houdini" would eventually marry. The marriage on June 22, 1894 caused a conflict with his Jewish family as Bess was a Roman Catholic. They married in secret, then again at a synagogue and in a Catholic church to please both of their families. While developing his act, Houdini was not above the old carny trick of posing as a spirit medium, making the rounds of the town clerk's office and nearby cemeteries in order to provide "messages from beyond". In 1896, while visiting a doctor friend in Nova Scotia, he saw his first strait jacket, which gave him the idea of developing an act in which he would escape from it. Houdini finally hit the big-time when he was 24 years old with his Challenge Act in 1898, while he was making the rounds of vaudeville. Houdini's Challenge Act consisted of him escaping from a pair of handcuffs produced by an audience member. Eventually, this evolved into escapes from strait jackets, boxes, crates, safes, and other instruments and devices (such as his Water Torture Cell), as well as from jail cells. Houdini was also adept at escaping from being "buried alive". Hand-cuffed and strait-jacketed, he could escape while being hung upside down from a crane, or while lowered from a bridge, or even make his escape from padlocked crates lowered into a river. Houdini also became famous as a debunker of mediums and "experts" of the paranormal, but this was done in hope he could find an actual medium that could communicate with the dead so that he could communicate with his beloved mother Cecilia after she passed away. He became quite famous in the ragtime age of the first quarter of the last century, even appearing in motion pictures produced by his own company. Harry Houdini, the greatest magician ever produced by America, died in Detroit, Michigan during a national tour. The cause of death officially was peritonitis from a ruptured appendix. His death came nine days after having been punched in the stomach during the Canadian leg of the tour by J. Gordon Whitehead, a McGill University student who was testing Houdini's famed ability to take body blows. Always the trouper, Houdini had soldiered on despite stomach pains. (Early during the tour, he had broken an ankle but did not let it stop him or the tour.) His wife Bess, to whom Houdini left his half-million dollar estate, collected a double indemnity on his life insurance policy, as the blow was considered to have shortened the great magician's life and contributed to his premature death at the age of 52. The date of his death was October 31, 1926 -- Halloween, one of three days (October 31-November 2) of Samhain, the Celtic New Year, when the veil between the living and the dead allegedly is at its thinnest and the living can make contact with the dead. Annually on Halloween from 1927 to 1937, Bess held a séance to try to contact her departed husband. She did not succeed, though she helped keep the memory of her husband alive in the American consciousness. Even today, magicians worldwide conduct séances on Halloween in an effort to contact the late escapologist. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Jon C. Hopwood Spouse (1) ( 22 June 1894 - 31 October 1926) (his death) Trivia (19) Married to his wife three times; first in secret, and then once in each of their respective religions' churches. Based his stage name on that of the French magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, whom he would later denounce as charlatan! In addition to his career as a stage magician and an escape artist, he also had a part time career as a debunker of mediums and other so called experts of the paranormal. However, his reasons for this campaign included a hope he could find an actual medium that could communicate with the dead. His cousin was the wife of Stooge Moe Howard Pictured on a USA 37¢ commemorative postage stamp issued in his honor 3 July 2002. Became the first person to make a successful aircraft flight in Australia. At the time he said he may be forgotton as an escapologist but he would be remembered as an aviation pioneer. [March 1910] Although born in Budapest, Hungary, he often gave his birthplace as Appleton, Wisconsin, where he was raised. Today, his boyhood home there is maintained as a museum. A common misconception is that his death was caused by a student who tried to test his famously strong stomach muscles by punching him. Although it is true that Houdini was not given sufficient time to prepare himself for the blows, landing him in a hospital, this is not what he died of. He died of diffuse peritonitis, nine days later, despite his appendix being ruptured by the unprovoked assault. Was one of five children of a penniless rabbi who died when Houdini was 18 years old. Was fanatically devoted to his mother, Cecilia. When he died, his casket was adorned with a wreath that spelled, "Mother Love," and his head lay on a pillow of Cecilia's letters. He is mentioned in the song "Ghost Town" by Cat Stevens . His will stated that a bronze bust of himself be placed on his tomb to guide his spirit back from "the other side". Willed his collection of books on magic to the American Society for Psychical Research, on the condition that J. Malcolm Bird, an ASPR official whom he hated, resign. Bird refused, so the books went to the Library of Congress. His original stage name was Eric the Great. Co-founded (with Arthur B. Reeve , John Grey and Louis Grossman) Supreme Pictures Corp. (1919-20), a film production company. The image of Houdini dying while attempting to escape from a water tank in the popular movies has overshadowed the real cause of death: a fan testing his body-strength when he was unprepared for the blow, as he would have been doing his act, which resulted in peritonitis. Some water-tank escapologist showmen even introduce their trick as "The one that killed Houdini". He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7001 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on October 31, 1975. Houdini traveled in the same same show with The Three Keatons, and after a particularly hard fall down the stairs by the (at the time) youngest Keaton, Houdini supposedly said to Joe Keaton , "That's quite a Buster your kid took", which is how Buster Keaton got his name. Has been portrayed in films by Tony Curtis and Adrien Brody --both, like Houdini, of Hungarian ancestry. Personal Quotes (17) Only one man ever betrayed my confidence, and that only in a minor matter. How the early priests came into possession of these secrets does not appear, and if there were ever any records of this kind the Church would hardly allow them to become public. My professional life has been a constant record of disillusion, and many things that seem wonderful to most men are the everyday commonplaces of my business. No performer should attempt to bite off red-hot iron unless he has a good set of teeth. I think that in a year I may retire. I cannot take my money with me when I die and I wish to enjoy it, with my family, while I live. I should prefer living in Germany to any other country, though I am an American, and am loyal to my country. It is still an open question, however, as to what extent exposure really injures a performer. Flames from the lips may be produced by holding in the mouth a sponge saturated with the purest gasoline. But then, so far as I know, I am the only performer who ever pledged his assistants to secrecy, honor and allegiance under a notarial oath. Another method of eating burning coals employs small balls of burned cotton in a dish of burning alcohol. Fire has always been and, seemingly, will always remain, the most terrible of the elements. But it must not be thought that I say this out of personal experience: for in the many years that I have been before the public my secret methods have been steadily shielded by the strict integrity of my assistants, most of whom have been with me for years. To cause the face to appear in a mass of flame make use of the following: mix together thoroughly petroleum, lard, mutton tallow and quick lime. Distill this over a charcoal fire, and the liquid which results can be burned on the face without harm. Eating coals of fire has always been one of the sensational feats of the Fire Kings, as it is quite generally known that charcoal burns with an extremely intense heat. The great day of the Fire-eater--or, should I say, the day of the great Fire-eater--has passed. The eating of burning brimstone is an entirely fake performance. In all feats of fire-eating it should be noted that the head is thrown well back, so that the flame may pass out of the open mouth instead of up into the roof, as it would if the head were held naturally. I make the most money, I think, in Russia and Paris, for the people of those countries are so willing to be amused, so eager to see something new and out of the ordinary. See also	Hungary
What is the main ingredient of the Italian dish frittata?	Inside the Marriage of Bess and Harry Houdini Inside the Marriage of Bess and Harry Houdini Inside the Marriage of Bess and Harry Houdini Ever Wonder About Harry Houdini's Wife and Assistant? Hungarian-American escapologist Harry Houdini with his wife and stage assistant, Bess, circa 1922. American Stock Archive/Archive Photos/Getty Images Share By Sheri Stritof Many rumors and different opinions are debated about how Bess and Harry met, and when, where and by whom they were married. Here's what I discovered from reliable resources about their 32-year marriage relationship. Marriage Fast Facts - Harry and Bess Met: 1894 Marriage Ended: October 31, 1926 when Harry died. First Marriage: Yes. Did You Know? Bess said they were married three times: In a civil ceremony, by a rabbi, and by a Catholic priest. Born: Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner aka Bessie Raymond aka Beatrice Rohner: January 23, 1876 in Brooklyn, New York. Erik Weisz aka Ehrich Weiss aka Harry Houdini: Harry Houdini often said that he was born on April 6, 1874 in Appleton, Wisconsin. In 1903, he stated this on his U.S. Passport Application and signed it as Ehrich Weiss. In reality, Houdini was born on March 24, 1874 in Budapest, Hungary. His family immigrated to New York in 1878 on the S.S. Fresia and were processed at the Castle Garden Immigration Center before moving to Appleton, Wisconsin. Source Citation: Year: 1878; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Microfilm Roll: Roll 413; Line: 38; List Number: 684. continue reading below our video 7 Tips for a Harmonious Divorce The 1880 U.S. Federal Census shows his name as Erick Weise, born about 1874 in Hungary. When I looked at his World War I Draft Registration Card, I noticed he signed it as Harry Handcuff Houdini in 1918. The 1920 U.S. Federal Census shows his name as Harry Houdini, married to Beatrice, born about 1876 in Wisconsin, occupation as actor. The 1925 New York State Census shows Harry as being born in 1875. Ehrich legally changed his name to Harry Houdini in 1913. Died: Bess: On Feb 11, 1943, Beatrice Houdini, at the age of 68, died in Needles, California from heart failure. Bess was aboard a passenger train traveling cross-country between Los Angeles and New York when she passed away. She is buried in the Catholic cemetery Gate of Heaven in Hawthorne, New York. Harry: On October 31, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan, Harry died at the age of 52 at Grace Hospital. Houdini had a ruptured appendix and died of peritonitis . His insurance company was convinced that Houdini had died in a test of strength from being hit in the stomach by J. Gordon Whitehead, a McGill University student and paid double indemnity . Whether the punch was to blame is still debated . Bess was hospitalized at the same time "for her stomach ailments. Every day for nearly a week, she was wheeled into Houdini's room to see him." Houdini's body was transported to New York City in the prop coffin he used in some of his illusions. Read More: The New York Times Obituary for Harry Houdini Over 2,000 mourners attended Houdini's funeral on November 4, 1926 in New York City at the Elks Club. According to his request, a black bag of his mother's letters was placed beneath his head as a pillow. Houdini was buried in the Machpelah Cemetery in Queens, New York . How Harry and Bess Met: Bess and Harry met in 1894 on a double blind date. She was 18 and he was 20. They married three weeks later. Wedding Date and Information: Harry and Bess were married on June 22, 1894 in Brooklyn, New York. Under a photo of the couple are the words "runaway marriage" so I assume the couple eloped. William Kalush, Larry Sloman: "According to her account, not only did she have to contribute the lion's share for her wedding ring but also had to loan Harry the $2 needed for the marriage license. Besides the civil ceremony, Bess claimed that they were married twice more, once by a rabbi and once by a Roman Catholic priest." Source: William Kalush, Larry Sloman. The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero. 2007. pgs. 30-31. Wedding Anniversaries: Celebrating their anniversaries was important to both Harry and Bess and was reported by the press. According to Kenneth Silverman, "They always made something playful and festive of their anniversaries, often returning to Coney Island to have their picture taken at some boardwalk studio with jokey honeymoon-cottage props." Source: Ken Silverman. Houdini!!!: The Career of Ehrich Weiss. 1996. pg. 242. In 1914, Beatrice and Harry Houdini celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on board the S.S. Imperator of the Hamburg-America Line. They celebrated their Silver Anniversary at the Alexandria Hotel in Los Angeles, California on June 22, 1919. Houdini spared no expense with orchids, roses, sweet peas, fountains with fragrant rose water, and bouquets of orange blossoms at the tables for their guests. He gave Bess diamonds in a silver setting. Houdini: "Wear this dear heart. It is my gift to my bride with all the love that is possible to give." Another love note address to 'My Soulmate Wife' said "We have starved and starred together. We have had our little tiffs, but your sunny smile and my good sense (?) always robbed them of bitterness. I love you, love you, dearest, and I know you love me. Yours to the end of life and ever after." At 2 a.m. he added "How wonderfl you were! The most beautiful and wonderful of all. You will only surpass yourself, my Dearest, when you will be my Golden Bride. If the years pass as quickly as these twenty-five have done, we ought to begin at once to prepare to celebrate our golden wedding together." Source: William Kalush, Larry Sloman. The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero. 2007. pg. 363. Residences: Harry and Bess had homes in New York and in Los Angeles. In 1904 Houdini purchased an elegant 6008 square foot brownstone home at 278 W. 113th St. in New York that is now called Morningside Heights . Bess sold the townhouse in 1927. It was later converted into apartments. In 1919, while in California to make movies, they rented a cottage with four bedrooms at 2435 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Houdini did not live in the cottage again, but Bess lived there from 1934 until 1936. The cottage burned down in 1959. Religions: Bess and Harry had an interfaith marriage. Harry was Jewish and Bess was Roman Catholic. Children: Harry and Bess did not have any children. Recent sources reveal information that Bessie had a medical condition preventing her from having children. Ken Silverman: "They both wanted to have children very much, and didn’t. Houdini, I remember, inscribes a picture to a friend of his, 'Bess and I have been married 15 years, and all we have is a dog.' And there are pictures of them both holding up children as they visit some charity hospital or something. Not having children, they invested a lot of that kind of affection in pets, and they had a houseful of pets. I mean, they always carried a dog with them on their shows, and sometimes smuggling it across borders. But they had a big cage full of birds in their kitchen. They had pet turtles. When a dog or a pet cat dies, Houdini’s diaries go on for pages just with his anguish over the death of the pet. They might have been, you know, very affectionate parents." Source: "Houdini." PBS.org. Harry and Bess's Secret Code: Due to his involvement with spiritualism , Houdini was concerned that after his death, spirit mediums would pretend to contact him. To let Bess know if he really was trying to contact her, he would use a secret code that only the two of them knew. Bess tried to reach Harry through seances for ten years on October 31st. She finally said enough is enough and quit trying in 1936. Occupations: Bessie: Vaudeville performer as a singer and dancer with the Floral Sisters at the Sea Beach Palace in West Brighton Beach, New York, stage assistant for Houdini. Harry: Magician, vaudeville performer, escapologist, aviator, apparent spy, actor, historian, paranormal investigator, stunt man, film producer, inventor, writer. Learn More: Houdini's Escape Secrets and Film Clips of His Escapes Adrien Brody: “He’s a fascinating person,” Brody says, and the miniseries delves into everything from his dependence on his mother to being recruited by the U.S. government as an espionage agent when he went on tour through Europe in the years before World War I." Source: David Hinckley. "Adrien Brody Portrays Harry Houdini in History Channel Miniseries." NYDailyNews.com. 8/31/2014. Houdini's Affair: Harry and Bess met Charmian and Jack London in 1915 and became friends. Jack died in 1916. Later, in 1918, Houdini had a three month romantic affair with Jack's widow Charmian. James Randi, illusionist: "When the definitive biography of Houdini came out, by my good friend Ken, I was rather blown away to find out that Houdini had an affair. And particularly with Jack [London] 's wife. I don't think he came up against Jack London lightly. But I was surprised at it, because essentially Houdini gave the public image of being a Puritan. And I think he was. Certainly with his family, he was very Puritanical. But for him to have an affair going on like that, surprised me to no end. And I thought I knew Houdini pretty well." Source: "Houdini." PBS.org. Quotes About the Marriage of Bess and Harry: Dorothy Young, Houdini's assistant: "I saw her [Bess] for lunch and dinner, and she visited me down in Palm Beach. And she really had a very difficult time, because he had protected her all the way through their life, in every phase: financially, spiritually, every way. He was her life. And so when he passed on, it was very difficult because so many people, men, tried to take advantage of her. And it was very difficult time for her." Source: "Houdini." PBS.org. James Randi, illusionist: "He was in effect what we would call today — a mother's boy. He loved his mother to the point of obsession. But he also loved Bess, and I think, loved her, uh, passionately, romantically. He left her little notes underneath the tablecloth, and tucked behind a picture that she would eventually find." Source: "Houdini." PBS.org. Mandy Patinkin: "Harry addressed Bess adoringly as 'Sweetie, Wifie, Mine,' saying he had a "bessyful of love awaiting her." Source: "Houdini." PBS.org. Ken Silverman: "Well, they seem to have gotten along very—very well. She obviously became impatient with him at times. No wonder. I mean, this is a very, very preoccupied person. I mean, he likes to be up in his study there on the top floor, writing and doing sketches of new things, and thinking about escapes. And he played little boy to her. I mean, he played sort of Huck Finn to Aunt Polly. She seems to have taken the role of the, you know, admonishing rule-imposing mama. And he liked being the naughty little boy, you gather from his diaries. But he also enjoyed all her kind of blandishments. She was a sort of housekeeper, and she liked cooking and giving dinners to people. And he loved, you know, being taken care of by her."	i don't know
Which is the largest joint in the human body?	What is the largest joint in the human body? \| Reference.com What is the largest joint in the human body? A: Quick Answer Not only is the knee the largest joint in the human body, it is also the most complicated, according to Inner Body. The knee is a hinge joint that is formed to move only on one axis. Full Answer The knee is reinforced with both internal and external ligaments to give it a wide range of motion. It is strong and durable enough to support the body's weight with only slight reinforcement from other bones. It acts as a shock absorber due to fibrocartilage that is between the femur and tibia. This fibrocartilage protects the bones when running or doing other flexion activities.	Knee
How many separate terms did William Gladstone serves as Prime Minister of Britain?	Largest bone \| definition of Largest bone by Medical dictionary Largest bone \| definition of Largest bone by Medical dictionary http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Largest+bone Related to Largest bone: Smallest bone femur [fe´mur] (pl. fem´ora, femurs) (L.) 1. the thigh bone, extending from the pelvis to the knee; the longest and strongest bone in the body. Its proximal end articulates with the acetabulum, a cup-like cavity in the pelvic girdle. The greater and lesser trochanters are the two processes (prominences) at the proximal end of the femur. See anatomic Table of Bones in the Appendices. 1. Synonym(s): thigh 2. The long bone of the thigh, articulating with the hip bone proximally and the tibia and patella distally. femur /fe·mur/ (fe´mer) pl. fem´ora, femurs [L.] 1. the bone that extends from the pelvis to the knee, being the longest and largest bone in the body; its head articulates with the acetabulum of the hip bone, and distally, the femur, along with the patella and tibia, forms the knee joint. n. pl. femurs or femora (fĕm′ər-ə) 1. a. A bone of the leg situated between the pelvis and knee in humans. It is the largest and strongest bone in the body. b. A functionally similar bone in the leg or hind limb of other vertebrates. Also called thighbone. 2. The thick, most muscular segment of the insect leg, situated between the trochanter and the tibia. femur [fē′mər] pl. femora, femurs Etymology: L, thigh the thigh bone, which extends from the pelvis to the knee. It is largely cylindric and is the longest and strongest bone in the body. It has a large round head that fits the acetabulum of the hip, and it displays a large neck and several prominences and ridges for muscle attachments. In an erect posture it inclines medially, drawing the knee joint near the line of gravity of the body. Femur	i don't know
How many stars are on the national flag of China?	China This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website China image by Zachary Harden, 29 September 2009 Formal Name (English): People's Republic of China ISO Code: CN CHN 156 FIPS 10-4 Code: CH Flag Related Stamps issued by the Peoples Republic of China According to Carol P. Shaw in the book Flags (Running Press), the red of the flag is the traditional color of revolution; the large gold star represents "the Common Program of the Communist Party"; and the smaller gold stars represent the four classes united by the common program: the workers, the peasants, the petty bourgeois, and capitalists sympathetic to the Party (or "patriotic capitalists"). Bruce Tindall, 03 April 1996 Very early versions of the flag has been in use since the early 1920s by the Communist Party, but was modified to become the present national flag in 1949. Xuess Wee York Ting , 25 September 1996 When I lived in PRC from 1987-88, I asked about the symbolism of the flag. I was told by several university professors and students on several different occasions that the large star represents the guiding light of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the four small stars represent the four other political parties allowed in the PRC. These parties accept the legitimacy of the CCP to run the government and that they will not advocate for any change in government. These other parties, whose names I never could ascertain, are basically toothless and lend legitimacy to the PRC's claim to be a multiparty system. Steven Chapman, 16 August 1999 Whatever the present 'meaning' of the stars on the Chinese communist flag, I believe the original symbolism was the same as the original Republic flag - the Han people of China and the 4 other races (Manchurian, Mongolian, Tibetan, and Muslims). The first republican flag was 5 horizontal stripes red yellow blue white black, which IMO was a very handsome flag. Andrew Yong, 16 August 1999 All books which mention the symbolism of the starlets on the PRC flag have the same explanation. There are at present 8 small parties besides the Communist Party: Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang, Democratic League, Democratic Society for National Construction, Society for Furthering Democracy, Democratic Laborers and Peasant Party, Zhi Gong Dang (Party of Common Interests), Jiusan (=3 September) Society, Democratic Self Determination League of Taiwan, All-Chinese Union of Industrials and Merchants, (that makes 9; one of them might be the coordinating committee - I translated this from the Fischer Weltalmanach 1988) The Statesman's Yearbook 1993-94 and the CIA's World Fact Book 1996-97 confirm the existence of 8 parties besides the CP, which are controlled by the CP. Jarig Bakker, 16 August 1999 This is a quote from the New York Consulate of the PR of China and other 'official' websites. "The national flag of the People's Republic of China is red in colour, rectangular in shape, with five stars. The proportion between the length and height of the flag is three to two. The five five-pointed yellow stars are located in the upper left corner. One of them, which is bigger, appears on the left, while the other four hem it in on the right. The red colour of the flag symbolizes revolution; the stars take on the yellow colour in order to bring out their brightness on the red ground. The larger star represents the CPC, while the four smaller ones, the Chinese people. The relationship between the stars means the great unity of the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC. The national emblem of the People's Republic of China is Tiananmen in the centre illuminated by five stars and encircled by ears of grain and a cogwheel. The ears of grain, stars, Tiananmen and cogwheel are painted golden, and the inner part of the circle and hanging ribbons are painted red because these two colours are traditional Chinese colours representing auspiciousness and happiness. Tiananmen symbolizes the unyielding national spirit of the Chinese people in their fight against imperialism and feudalism; the ears of grain and cogwheel represent the working class and the peasantry; and the five stars stand for the great unity of the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC." About 6 years ago, we had a delegation of engineering students visit us (a chemical plant). I brought my small hand flag of the PRC and put it on the luncheon table with the American Flag. I was very surprised at the very strong reaction to seeing their national flag, and the young visitors were almost in tears when they spotted their flag (homesick after 2 weeks). I asked the "chaperone" - they were all female - about the symbolism of the flag, and she gave the political party interpertation, not the usual one cited "peasants, workers, bourgeoisie, and capitalists" Jerry Lorigan, 17 August 1999 A different interpretation is that the bigger star stands for the Han (Chinese Chinese) and the others for Manchus, (inner) Mongolians, Tibetans and Uyghurs, just like the previous stripped flag -- but I guess that this is out of fashion these days ;-) The official interpretation, referring the bigger star as the party and the smaller simply the "Chinese people", not referring specifically any meaning for each of them is vague enough to fit any of the earlier explanations. Antonio Martins, 17 August 1999 The five-star red flag - The national flag of The People's Republic of China (Beijing: Morning Glory Publishers, 1997), gives this interpretation of its symbolism: The national flag of the People's Republic of China is the five-star red flag. The red color of the flag is the symbol of the revolution, signifying that the political power of the People's Republic of China is achieved through bloodshed and lives laid down by countless revolutionary martyrs who marched forward wave upon wave in the heroic struggles for the revolution. In the upper-left corner of the flag there are five-pointed yellow stars, of which the big one represents the Communist Party of China and the four small ones the people of all ethnic groups of the country. One point of the big star points right up the flag and of the four small ones each has a point pointing towards the centre of the big star. This shows that the Chinese Communist Party is the force at the core of the leadership of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups who unite closely as one round the Party. With the color of the stars in yellow this means the great cause of socialism has a bright future. With the flag-staff painted white, that is to suggest flawless purity and loftiness." This explanation differs from the interpretation of the large star as representing the Communist party and the smaller stars as representing the four classes. Jan Oskar Engene, 10 November 1999 Construction Sheet image by Zejlko Heimer I have made posters, in a consistent format, and I now have an interest in distributing them. There is Chinese pdf [510 kB] of several of the broadsides and would appreciate your feedback. Some of the studies glorify the designer's intent. Take Hong Kong [pdf - 871 kB] for example. I could not find a construction sheet, but learned that it was designed by an American trained Chinese architect. Assuming a certain design method, I was able to devise the system using architect's favorite proportions of the "golden mean" and diagonal of multiple squares. Woody Rainey, 16 July 2010 Vertical flag image by James Dignan, 29 June 2010 Last night I was half-watching a sports programme on TV, which had coverage of an international modern pentathlon series. Several of the events were held indoors in a gymnasium with vertical hanging flags, some of which were very unusual. Sadly, I only managed to see close detail of a couple of them, but they included Brazilian and Chinese flags with the emblems oriented the same way as on a normal horizontal flag. In the case of the Brazilian flag, this led to a very odd appearance. (Note that dimensions are approximate, based on fleeting glimpses on television). James Dignan, 29 June 2010 Here's a picture of Chinese vertical flag. Esteban Rivera, 31 January 2011 "In circumstances where the People's Republic of China is represented" beside Taiwan, the normal Taiwan (Republic of China) flag is not used. Instead a flag "to represent Chinese Taipei" is flown. It is not described. The wording suggests that this is not the same as the Taipei Olympic flag . Kenneth Fraser, 08 October 2010 National Flag at the London 2012 Olympics The protocol manual for the London 2012 Olympics (Flags and Anthems Manual London 2012 [ loc12 ]) provides recommendations for national flag designs. Each NOC was sent an image of the flag, including the PMS shades, for their approval by LOCOG. Once this was obtained, LOCOG produced a 60 x 90 cm version of the flag for further approval. So, while these specs may not be the official, government, version of each flag, they are certainly what the NOC believed the flag to be. For PR China: PMS 186 red, 102 yellow. The vertical flag is simply the horizontal version turned 90 degrees clockwise. Ian Sumner, 10 October 2012	five
A miller's thumb is what type of creature?	China Flag, Chinese Flag Quiz on national flags China Flag The People's Republic of China Flag is red with five golden stars in the canton. The flag of China was designed by Zeng Liansong and adopted on September 27, 1949. Chinese Flag Disclaimer Close Disclaimer : All efforts have been made to make this image accurate. However Compare Infobase Limited, its directors and employees do not own any responsibility for the correctness or authenticity of the same. Kyrgyzstan Flag China Flag Description (China Flag Colors) The flag of China, formally the People's Republic of China, is red with five golden stars in the canton, one of them large, and the other four in an arc around it. The red is a traditional color of communism, representing the communist revolution. The stars symbolize the Chinese people, united under the country's central leadership. The larger star represents the Communist Party, and the four small stars are social classes of China. These classes are the working class, peasantry, the urban petit bourgeoisie, and the bourgeoisie. The flag is named “Wǔ Xīng Hóng Qí,” meaning "Five-star Red Flag." The other potential meaning of the stars is to represent the five main ethnicities of China: the Han, Manchus, Mongols, Hui, and Tibetans. History of the Flag of China A committee of the government of China solicited designs for the national flag from the public on July 4, 1949. Around 3,000 designs were submitted, which were further narrowed down to 38 that went to a committee discussion. One design, submitted by Zeng Liansong of Shanghai, was similar to the current flag. He designed it after reflecting on a Chinese proverb that said “longing for the stars, longing for the moon.” Liansong incorporated the communist party into the flag's design in the large star. The flag of Zeng Liansong's design was modified slightly, a hammer and sickle in the large star was removed, and the flag was officially selected by the committee on September 27, 1949 in a unanimous vote. ACOD~20130111	i don't know
What was Alexander the Great's famous horse, whose Greek name translates to mean 'ox-head'?	Bucephalus - Horse of Alexander the Great Bucephalus Bucephalus Image ID: 495507 The taming of the great horse Bucephalus by the boy Alexander. NYPL Digital Gallery By N.S. Gill's Ancient/Classical History Glossary Definition: Bucephalus was the famous and well-loved horse of Alexander the Great . Plutarch tells the story of how a 12-year old Alexander won the horse: A horse dealer offered the horse to Allexander's father, Philip II of Macedonia , for the enormous sum of 13 talents . Since no one could tame the animal, Philip wasn't interested, but Alexander was and promised to pay for the horse should he fail to tame it. Alexander was allowed to try and then surprised everyone by subduing it. How Alexander Tamed Bucephalus Alexander spoke soothingly and turned the horse so that the horse didn't have to see its shadow, which had seemed to distress the animal. With the horse now calm, Alexander had won the wager. Alexander named his prize horse Bucephalus and so loved the animal that when the horse died, in 326 B.C., Alexander named a city after the horse -- Bucephala. Pronunciation: bjuːˈsɛfələs Alternate Spellings: Boukephalos [from the Greek bous 'ox' + kephalē 'head.' Source: Online Etymology Dictionary .] continue reading below our video Test Your General Science Knowledge Examples: Ancient Writers on Bucephalus "King Alexander had also a very remarkable horse; it was called Bucephalus, either on account of the fierceness of its aspect, or because it had the figure of a bull's head marked on its shoulder. It is said, that he was struck with its beauty when he was only a boy, and that it was purchased from the stud of Philonicus, the Pharsalian, for thirteen talents. When it was equipped with the royal trappings, it would suffer no one except Alexander to mount it, although at other times it would allow any one to do so. A memorable circumstance connected with it in battle is recorded of this horse; it is said that when it was wounded in the attack upon Thebes, it would not allow Alexander to mount any other horse. Many other circumstances, also, of a similar nature, occurred respecting it; so that when it died, the king duly performed its obsequies, and built around its tomb a city, which he named after it/" The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 2 , by Pliny (the Elder.), John Bostock, Henry Thomas Riley "That on the further side, he nam'd Nicœa, in Memory of his Victory over the Indians; This he nam'd Bucephalus, to perpetuate the Memory of his Horse Bucephalus, which died there, not because of any Wound he had received, but meerly of old Age, and excess of Heat; for when this happen'd, he was nigh thirty Years Old: He had also endur'd much Fatigue, and undergone many Dangers with his Matter, and would never suffer any, except Alexander himself, to mount him. He was strong, and beautiful in Body, and of a generous Spirit. The Mark by which he was said to have been particularly distinguished, was a Head like an Ox, from whence he receiv'd his Name of Bucephalus: Or rather, acording to others, because he being Black, had a white Mark upon his Forehead, not unlike those which Oxen often bear." Arrian's History of Alexander's Expedition, Volume 2 Go to Other Ancient / Classical History Glossary pages beginning with the letter	Bucephalus
Which spice comes from the rhizome (root-stalk) of the plant Zingaber Officionale?	Bucephalus - Horse of Alexander the Great Bucephalus Bucephalus Image ID: 495507 The taming of the great horse Bucephalus by the boy Alexander. NYPL Digital Gallery By N.S. Gill's Ancient/Classical History Glossary Definition: Bucephalus was the famous and well-loved horse of Alexander the Great . Plutarch tells the story of how a 12-year old Alexander won the horse: A horse dealer offered the horse to Allexander's father, Philip II of Macedonia , for the enormous sum of 13 talents . Since no one could tame the animal, Philip wasn't interested, but Alexander was and promised to pay for the horse should he fail to tame it. Alexander was allowed to try and then surprised everyone by subduing it. How Alexander Tamed Bucephalus Alexander spoke soothingly and turned the horse so that the horse didn't have to see its shadow, which had seemed to distress the animal. With the horse now calm, Alexander had won the wager. Alexander named his prize horse Bucephalus and so loved the animal that when the horse died, in 326 B.C., Alexander named a city after the horse -- Bucephala. Pronunciation: bjuːˈsɛfələs Alternate Spellings: Boukephalos [from the Greek bous 'ox' + kephalē 'head.' Source: Online Etymology Dictionary .] continue reading below our video Test Your General Science Knowledge Examples: Ancient Writers on Bucephalus "King Alexander had also a very remarkable horse; it was called Bucephalus, either on account of the fierceness of its aspect, or because it had the figure of a bull's head marked on its shoulder. It is said, that he was struck with its beauty when he was only a boy, and that it was purchased from the stud of Philonicus, the Pharsalian, for thirteen talents. When it was equipped with the royal trappings, it would suffer no one except Alexander to mount it, although at other times it would allow any one to do so. A memorable circumstance connected with it in battle is recorded of this horse; it is said that when it was wounded in the attack upon Thebes, it would not allow Alexander to mount any other horse. Many other circumstances, also, of a similar nature, occurred respecting it; so that when it died, the king duly performed its obsequies, and built around its tomb a city, which he named after it/" The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 2 , by Pliny (the Elder.), John Bostock, Henry Thomas Riley "That on the further side, he nam'd Nicœa, in Memory of his Victory over the Indians; This he nam'd Bucephalus, to perpetuate the Memory of his Horse Bucephalus, which died there, not because of any Wound he had received, but meerly of old Age, and excess of Heat; for when this happen'd, he was nigh thirty Years Old: He had also endur'd much Fatigue, and undergone many Dangers with his Matter, and would never suffer any, except Alexander himself, to mount him. He was strong, and beautiful in Body, and of a generous Spirit. The Mark by which he was said to have been particularly distinguished, was a Head like an Ox, from whence he receiv'd his Name of Bucephalus: Or rather, acording to others, because he being Black, had a white Mark upon his Forehead, not unlike those which Oxen often bear." Arrian's History of Alexander's Expedition, Volume 2 Go to Other Ancient / Classical History Glossary pages beginning with the letter	i don't know
During which month is Republic Day in Italy?	Italy: Republic day \| Office Holidays National Holiday in Italy Always celebrated on 2 June. This is Italy's national holiday. Italy became a nation on 17 March 1861, when most of the states of the region and the two Sicilies were united under king Victor Emmanuel II, hitherto king of Sardinia. The father of Italian unification was Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, the Chief Minister of Victor Emmanuel. Rome stayed under the rule of the Papacy for nearly 10 years, and became part of the Kingdom of Italy on 20 September 1870. This is the final date of Italian unification. On 2 June 1946, a referendum on the monarchy led to the establishment of the Italian republic, and Italy adopted a new constitution on 1 January 1948. Male members of the royal family were sent into exile because of their association with the fascist regime, and were only allowed to return to their country in 2002. Since prehistoric times, Italy has shaped the cultural and social development of the whole Mediterranean area. Important cultures and civilisations have existed there, and archaeological sites of note can be found in many regions. After Magna Graecia, the Etruscan civilization and notably the Roman Empire that dominated this part of the world for many centuries, Italy was central to European philosophy, science and art during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The name Italy (Italia) is an ancient name for the country and people of Southern Italy. The name Italia means "Land of Cattle Calves or Veal". Coins bearing the name Italy were minted by an alliance of Italic tribes (Sabines, Samnites, Umbrians and other) competing with Rome in the first century B.C. By the time of emperor Augustus approximately the present territory of Italy was included in Italia as the central unit of the Empire; Cisalpine Gaul, the Upper Po valley, for example was appended in 42 B.C. Since yt, "Italy" or "Italian" was the collective name for diverse states appearing on the peninsula and their overseas properties. Related holidays Translate this page About Us Office Holidays provides calendars with dates and information on public holidays and bank holidays in key countries around the world. A valuable resource for planning meetings, increasing diversity awareness and general reference.	June
Samite is a type of what?	When to Go in Italy \| Frommer's When to Go advertisement The best months for traveling in Italy are from April to June and mid-September to October—temperatures are usually comfortable, rural colors are richer, and the crowds aren’t too intense. From July through early September the country’s holiday spots teem with visitors. May and June usually see the highest hotel prices in Rome and Florence. August is the worst month in most places: Not only does it get uncomfortably hot, muggy, and crowded, but seemingly the entire country goes on vacation, at least from August 15 onward—and many Italians take off the entire month. Many family-run hotels, restaurants, and shops are closed (except at the spas, beaches, and islands, where most Italians head). Paradoxically, you will have many urban places almost to yourself if you visit in August—Turin and Milan, in particular, can seem virtual ghost towns, and hotels there (and in Florence and Rome) are heavily discounted, Just be aware that fashionable restaurants and nightspots are usually closed for the whole month. From late October to Easter, many attractions operate on shorter (sometimes much shorter) winter hours, and some hotels are closed for renovation or redecoration, though that is less likely if you are visiting the cities. Many family-run restaurants take a week or two off sometime between November and February; spa and beach destinations become padlocked ghost towns. Weather -- It’s warm all over Italy in summer; it can be very hot in the south, and almost anywhere inland—landlocked cities on the plains of Veneto and Emilia-Romagna, and in Tuscany, can feel stifling during a July or August hot spell. The higher temperatures (measured in Italy in degrees Celsius) usually begin everywhere in May, often lasting until sometime in October. Winters in the north of Italy are cold, with rain and snow. A biting wind whistles over the mountains into Milan, Turin, and Venice. In Rome and the south the weather is warm (or at least, warm-ish) almost all year, averaging 10 C (50 F) in winter. The rainiest months pretty much everywhere are usually October and November. Holidays -- Offices, government buildings (though not usually tourist offices), and shops in Italy are generally closed on: January 1 (Capodanno, or New Year); January 6 (La Befana, or Epiphany); Easter Sunday (Pasqua); Easter Monday (Pasquetta); April 25 (Liberation Day); May 1 (Festa del Lavoro, or Labor Day); June 2 (Festa della Repubblica, or Republic Day); August 15 (Ferragosto, or the Assumption of the Virgin); November 1 (All Saints’ Day); December 8 (L’Immacolata, or the Immaculate Conception); December 25 (Natale, Christmas Day); December 26 (Santo Stefano, or St. Stephen’s Day). You’ll also often find businesses closed for the annual daylong celebration dedicated to the local saint (for example, on January 31 in San Gimignano, Tuscany). Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip. advertisement	i don't know
In summer 2010 what species produced offspring in the wild in the UK for the first time in around 400 years after reintroduction to Scotland?	Scotland wild beaver reintroduction trial 'an outstanding success' \| Environment \| The Guardian Wildlife Scotland wild beaver reintroduction trial 'an outstanding success' Ecologists say four pairs of beavers have produced 14 young, transformed the landscape and boosted tourism in Knapdale A reintroduced Eurasian beaver at Knapdale Forest, Argyll, Scotland. Photograph: Rob Munro/Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Close This article is 2 years old The reintroduction of beavers to the wild in Scotland for the first time in 400 years has been an "outstanding success", according to the team of ecologists that brought them back. The four pairs of beavers reintroduced in Knapdale five years ago have produced 14 young, engineered 18-metre-long dams and lodges the size of double garages and significantly boosted tourism. Monitoring of the UK's first ever licenced mammal reintroduction programme finishes at the end of May, after five years evaluating the impact of the species on the local environment and the potential to attract tourism. The results will be presented to Holyrood, which will make a decision on the future of beavers in Scotland next year. Simon Jones, project manager of the Scottish Beaver Trial , said the project had been an "outstanding success" that provided an opportunity to study the ecology and biology of an animal that has not been seen in Scotland for more than 400 years. "In terms of asking 'can beavers live in the wild in Scotland and can they breed' then the answer is yes. We're extremely happy about how the trial has gone but now it's for the government to decide whether we want to have a wider beaver population in Scotland," he said. Simon Jones and Jenny Holden, from the Scottish Beaver Trial, releasing one of animals into the wild for the first time in 400 years in May 2009. Photograph: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland/PA The trial, conducted by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Forestry Commission Scotland, released 16 Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) in four family groups between May 2009 and September 2010 into three lochs in the Knapdale forest, west of Lochgilphead, in Argyll. After a challenging start , the first beaver kit was born in 2010 and the latest count shows there are now 13 animals living around lochs Coille Bharr, Buic, Creagh Mhor and Linne. "Numbers of young are probably slightly below average but we know that three out of the four families have bred and we've had kits from the first spring of the trial until now. We're comfortable with the range of animals that have been born and the condition that they're in," Jones said. Examining the environmental impact of the beavers on biodiversity, forestry, the landscape and hydrology, researchers found that the animals had transformed the landscape, constructing dams, felling trees, creating canals and building lodges. The largest dam built during the trial – 18m long and 1.6m high – was on the Dubh Loch, while the largest lodge measured 7.78m long, 2.14m high and 11.29m wide – around the same size as a double garage. "There were no surprises in terms of what we know from beavers in other parts of Europe," Jones said. "At a landscape scale with healthy populations, beavers can have many positive impacts – they can even play some kind of role in the control of water in our countryside. But occasionally they can do things we don't want them to do – felling trees, digging burrows and building dams – so it's a species that requires careful management as well." Gnawed trees are evidence of beaver activity at Dubh Loch. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for The Guardian Beavers were once widespread in the UK but were hunted to extinction by the 16th century for their fur, medicinal value and meat. They are known as a "keystone species" because of the effect they have on their surrounding environment. Incredible engineers, their dams, burrows and ditches and the branches they drag into the water create habitats for a host of other species including otters, dragonflies and waterfowl. Their dams slow rivers down, reducing scouring and erosion, and improve water quality by holding back silt. During the wet weather and flooding crisis earlier this year, naturalists called for the reintroduction of beavers to control floods. The reintroduced beavers attracted many visitors to the area, who took part in guided walks through the forest and visited the purpose-built information centre and viewing platform. More than 31,000 people engaged with the walks, talks, events and education sessions, the project's figures show, and some 5,343 children and 2,092 adults engaged with the formal education programmes, with more than 200 schools and colleges visiting Knapdale. A banner welcoming beavers at the Cairnbaan hotel. The reintroduced animals have attracted many visitors to the area. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for The Guardian The potential socioeconomic benefits to the local economy from ecotourism will be assessed during the next reporting stage of the project. "The beavers have undoubtedly had a positive impact," Jones said. "Local businesses tell us that the beaver trial has been a draw for tourism to the area, that beavers are important and they wish them to remain." Last month a YouGov poll found that 60% of Scots backed the reintroduction of beavers and only 5% were opposed. Support was higher, at 74%, among those people already aware of the issue. But farmers and landowners have expressed concern about the impact of the species on rural businesses after reports of "significant impacts on agricultural land" in areas of Tayside where a colony of around 150 beavers has become established . It is not known whether these animals escaped from captivity or were released illegally. Developments will be closely watched by naturalists in southern England and Wales , where proposals to reintroduce the beaver are also being developed. If snails are put far enough away from their home patch, they are unlikely to return, research shows. Beware gastropod wars… Published: 16 May 2014 Move hailed as first formal reintroduction of a once native mammal in the UK Published: 24 Nov 2016 Wildlife experts have applied for licence to release 10 animals following successful reintroductions in Scotland and England Published: 2 Jan 2017 Documents reveal tests into the use of gas as a potential culling method have been taking place since last summer Published: 15 May 2014	Beaver
A caparison is an ornamental cloth used to cover a what?	Rewilding Britain: bringing wolves, bears and beavers back to the land \| Environment \| The Guardian The Observer Rewilding Britain: bringing wolves, bears and beavers back to the land Introducing extinct species to the landscape is called rewilding and advocates enthuse about the benefits. But opponents fear the impact could be devastating Friday 19 September 2014 05.59 EDT Last modified on Thursday 13 November 2014 11.06 EST Share on Messenger Close A pair of highland ponies nibble grass as two kestrels swoop across the path. Up a rock face across this windswept valley deep in the Scottish highlands, a golden eagle is hunting for prey, its movements tracked by a GPS tag. Nearby are Scottish wildcats among the bracken – Europe’s rarest cat, with fewer than 400 left – plus red squirrels, black grouse, the occasional pine marten, shaggy highland cattle adapted to the harsh environment here, and, like much of the highlands, plenty of deer. Wild boar and moose roamed this corner of Sutherland until recently. But if Paul Lister, the estate’s multimillionaire owner and the heir to the MFI fortune gets his way, two species not seen on this land for centuries could soon be added to the list: wolves and bears. Alladale estate , which Lister prefers to call a “wilderness reserve”, is one of the most ambitious examples of so-called “rewilding”, the banner under which a growing number of people are calling for the reintroduction of locally extinct species to landscapes. Bringing back species such as wolves, beavers and lynx, rewilding advocates say, can increase the diversity of other flora and fauna, enable woodlands to expand and help reconnect people with nature. The unofficial figurehead for this movement, the outlines of which will become clearer with the formation of a new charity early next year called Rewilding Britain, is Guardian columnist and author George Monbiot. His book Feral, published in 2013, has been reprinted over 30 times in hardback and has led to a national debate over the merits of restoring the country to a wilder state. “For me, it’s part of a wider effort to develop a positive environmentalism, which we desperately need,” says Monbiot. “[It’s about] creating a vision for a better world that is much more appealing than just laying out what is wrong with the current one, of having a rather more inspiring one than saying, ‘Do as we say and world will be a bit less crap than it could be’.” Pinterest European bison ( Bison bonasus) at Armenis, Tarcu Mountains, southwestern Romania. They were brought to Armenis in May as part of a rewilding project. Photograph: Bogdan Cristel/Reuters While rewilding efforts on continental Europe have seen substantial progress – Eurasian beavers are now found in 25 countries , European bison have returned across eastern Europe including one of the biggest reintroductions in Romania this May , and wolves have spread across much of Europe including Germany, France and last year one was even found in the Netherlands – in the UK there has been more talk than action. It is a charge that even Monbiot admits is not unfair, but he argues: “Talk precedes action.” One area where rewilding efforts in Britain have made some modest progress, albeit at very local levels, is in native tree-planting. In a Cumbrian valley, the Wild Ennerdale project has seen conifers for forestry replaced with native broadleaf species whose populations have dwindled. Knepp Castle estate, in West Sussex, has been planting relatively rare native black poplars as part of its rewilding efforts . In just over two decades, Trees for Life in Scotland has planted 1.2 million trees, mostly Scots pine, and plans to reach its second million in the next five years while diversifying into other species including aspen. Trees could be helped further by returning wolves and other top predators to Britain, Monbiot says, because of the knock-on effects of such “keystone” species. One of the most famous case studies is the return of wolves to Yellowstone national park in the 90s, which have been credited with moving deer around, meaning less damage to new trees, allowing them and other vegetation to grow, stabilising the soil along river banks . In Scotland, deer still pose a serious threat to the 600,000-odd trees that Lister has planted in the glens at his estate and the hundreds of thousands more planned, even though the management has already culled deer numbers by 50% over a decade, to around 600. Wolves would not only reduce those numbers further – they specialise in killing deer – but would be a tourist attraction too. “We’ve managed to put a man on the moon, I don’t see why we can’t get wolves back in Scotland ,” says Lister. Bears would also learn to specialise in killing deer, he believes, and would be an even more dramatic pull for visitors than wolves. Paul Lister who has introduced wild boar and elk on his estate at Alladale, Sutherland, Scotland. Photograph: Alamy But Lister’s plan does not extend to allowing these carnivores completely off the leash. “I’m not an advocate of reintroduction, I’m not a supporter of letting these big animals out in the freedom of the countryside, because we’ve sanitised our landscape so much I don’t think there’s enough tolerance of these animals for us to be coached through the whole process.” Instead, Lister wants to fence in land at Alladale and on neighbouring estates to release two packs of around five wolves each, plus bears, which he says would be a huge pull for day visitors to the estate, generating jobs for locals through increased demand for B&Bs, work on the fence and ecology roles. But the idea of fencing-in such a large tract of land raises hackles with hikers, who have a legal right to roam across the estate. “Our view is that it’s not a reintroduction that he’s trying to do, he’s trying to create a giant zoo,” says Dave Morris, director of Ramblers Scotland . “We’ve always resisted this, saying it would be inappropriate to fence in such a huge area of land, and it would have big landscape impacts, as you’d have to have a road all around it.” Privately, some rewilding advocates express concern that Lister’s uncompromising style could set back support for rewilding. Some people living near Alladale are not convinced yet either. One householder, who did not wish to be named, told the Observer: “Is he still on about that nonsense? What if the wolves break out? We worry for our son [who has sheep]. We had a meeting about it. It was pointed out to him [Lister] that if it was covered by the snow, the wolves would get over the fence. We might get a wolf on our doorstep.” Finlay Collouch, a neighbour who said he supported the estate’s tree-planting and outreach education with local children, said of the wolves plan: “It doesn’t put me up nor down if they do it, as long as they keep them there. But I don’t see how they’re going to keep them there [because of the snow drifts going over fences].” Alladale’s man on the ground, Innes MacNeill, the reserve manager, says he cannot see how it could happen without a fence, because farmers would shoot wolves if they were reintroduced straight into the wild. “The fence is probably one of the things we need to overcome. Ultimately the general public have to want this, they have to want something different, something that would hopefully be really special.” The return of the wolf, however, could be eased by the reintroduction of a far less controversial species. Jamie Wyver is a masters student at Imperial College London looking at public attitudes towards the reintroduction of the lynx in the Scottish highlands and Forest of Dean. “The interesting thing about the lynx is it’s almost like we’ve forgotten about it. It doesn’t feature in nursery tales. It just gets missed off. It might be because they’ve been gone for a longer time [than wolves and bears] but it’s probably because they’re not a threat to humans. There are no records anywhere in Europe of anyone ever being attacked by a lynx,” he says. Pinterest A Eurasian lynx in Bavarian forest, Germany. Photograph: Christoph Bosch/Alamy Wyver says most people he has spoken to know so little about the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), which is still present in much of northern and eastern Europe and some southern European countries, that they often first think he is enquiring about the deodorant rather than the carnivore. Lynx could be back in the UK as soon as 2025, thinks Alan Watson Featherstone, the founder of Trees for Life. “The big picture is there are far too many deer in Scotland for the habitat. The next crucial step is to get a predator back, because that ecological level of top predators is missing. The wolf is not the one to begin with, because it comes with tremendous prejudice: the Three Little Pigs, Red Riding Hood; it gets the works thrown at it. “We’re promoting the lynx as a more feasible candidate for reintroduction, it’s a solitary animal, an ambush hunter, it’s quite secretive,” says Featherstone, who believes that restoring enough habitat – in the shape of native woodland – is crucial to help such species come back. The lynx, he argues, would give people the experience of living again with a carnivore, and make a wolf reintroduction many years later more realistic. Hundreds of miles south, in a forest on the west coast of Scotland, one species is already getting its teeth back into the UK landscape four centuries after being hunted to extinction for its fur. Four families of European beavers (Castor fiber) have spent the last five years in an official captive trial where they have successfully produced young (known as kits), built lodges and dams, in one case causing a freshwater loch to grow up to five times in size as a result. “In some respects, it’s no great surprise – beavers do what we expected beavers to do,” said Simon Jones, head of major projects for Scottish Wildlife Trust, who oversaw the Scottish beaver trial at Knapdale, in Argyll and Bute. “But the whole point is that it’s not just about species reintroduction, it’s about what beavers do. Beavers create good habitat for other species – where you get beavers, you get good biodiversity. That’s not necessarily what our trial was about, but the wider drive in the wild for considering them is that the science shows amphibians, otters, waterfowl do well [as a result], because beavers are this keystone species that creates habitat that other species can use.” Pinterest European beavers were reintroduced at Ham Fen nature reserve in Kent, UK. Photograph: Terry Whittaker/Alamy An unlicensed population of around 150 beavers has also established itself on the river Tay, near Dundee. The Scottish government initially planned to trap them, but later decided against it. Next year, Holyrood is expected to make a decision on what to do about both sets of beavers. Knapdale also serves as an example that reintroductions rarely happen overnight. It took 11 years to become reality, after the trial was first floated in 1998. Campaigners have been lobbying for a similar amount of time to return the herbivores to England and Wales, but plans to bring them back in the wild in Ceredigion in Wales this year have not yet come to fruition. In England, slow progress appears to have prompted individuals to take matters into their own hands. This February, Tom Buckley, a retired environmental scientist, photographed beavers on the river Otter in Devon , the first in the wild in England for centuries. Local people attending a public meeting this August at Ottery St Mary, a village along the river, say that the beavers have been out in the area for several years longer, a secret known to some but until recently not broadcast more widely, though it remains a mystery where they came from. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said this summer that it would trap the beavers , in part to test for a disease not currently in the UK (alveolar echinococcosis), but officials will not say whether the family, which expanded with the addition of three kits in July, will be allowed to return or will be rehoused elsewhere at a zoo or other site, even if they test all-clear for the disease. People living near the river Otter are certainly largely in favour of the beavers being returned, a straw poll by the Observer suggests. Adrian Forster, who lives a few hundred yards from the river and wrote a song about the beavers, said: “I do feel really passionately that we have removed them by killing them centuries ago, and just as a matter of fairness and justice, if we can do anything to return them to their native habitat we ought to do that. They were a native species, and unless we have very good reasons, however they’ve managed to get there, they ought to be left alone.” Reintroductions across the world Local resident Pam Baker-Clare said: “Everyone seemed very proud of the beavers. But if the government gets mixed up in this, they will disappear.” Some visitors to the meeting, organised by the Devon Wildlife Trust, which is looking to submit a bid for a licence for the beavers to return , sounded more wary. “I’m a bit cautious about the future. I appreciate that reintroducing beavers means we don’t have any predators other than man, because the wolf has disappeared so obviously the population increase [of beavers] and what happens in a 100 years’ time has to be answered,” said John Killingbeck, who lives nearby. “Our landscape has changed since we had beavers. We are much more densely populated, we are trying to farm, there are effects on rivers, on catchment zones, on fisheries.” About an hour away near Okehampton in north Devon, a three-hectare fenced enclosure demonstrates dramatically why beavers are referred to as a keystone species. Hundreds of fallen willow and birch trunks criss-cross the captive trial site, with distinctive pencil-shaped stubs remaining amid a network of canals, paths, small dams and 10 ponds that a pair of beavers introduced in 2011 have built, along with an increasingly elaborate lodge where they sleep during the day before emerging at night to work. “The impact they’ve had has been phenomenal, they’ve blown us away, they’ve done what we hoped for and more. We’ve been surprised at how effective they’ve been,” says Mark Elliott of the Devon Wildlife Trust, which runs the project. There was no static water here before, and just 10 clumps of frogspawn were counted in 2010. This year, 370 clumps were spotted. Around the ponds, butterflies dance and dragonflies hover. Drawn by the invertebrates that have appeared as the forest cover has thinned out, birds have arrived, including herons feasting on the frogs, spotted flycatchers, snipe and woodcock. Vegetation has sprouted up in the gaps created by the felled trees, including orchids, pond weeds and purple moor grass, a “really good sign” of the habitat’s health, Elliott says. The University of Exeter is now measuring the height of water levels and collecting water samples to see whether, as expected, the habitat the beavers create filters and cleans the water, removing phosphates and other pollutants. The project could also generate data that proves beavers can reduce flood risk – during this winter’s floods there were calls by the Mammal Society to reintroduce them for just that purpose. “If we can provide evidence that beavers in the top of the catchments reduce floods downstream, that’s gold dust really,” Elliott said. “If you can reduce the flood risk downstream by 10%, that could in many cases be the difference between flooding and not flooding. It can mean the size of your flood defences can be lower. It means the cost of that sort of work can be reduced. Potentially it’s of huge financial benefit to society.” Yet both the farming and angling lobbies in the UK are opposed to beavers returning to the wild. The National Farmers’ Union’s countryside adviser, Claire Robinson, said: “We believe efforts, and finances, would be better focused on retaining current biodiversity.” If beavers were allowed out in the wild, there would “rightly be concerns about them causing damage to the environment, including farmland”, she said. Mark Owen, head of freshwater at the Angling Trust, said the landscape had changed so much since beavers were last in Britain that it would be inappropriate to bring them back. “In the last 500 years-odd, we’ve heavily straightened our rivers, we’ve caused pollution, so when beavers were in this country, the river system would’ve looked completely different. Rather than a top-down approach of introducing a water engineer like a beaver, we’d rather rivers were improved to a point where we could look at reintroducing beavers.” Owen cited a list of concerns, including half-gnawed trees posing a threat to fishermen and the potential dangers posed when beaver dams break. Even among the most enthusiastic rewilding supporters, however, few believe that reintroduced species should be allowed to run truly wild. None, even Monbiot, are arguing for a blanket, mass return of farmland to nature. But advocates hope that even on this crowded island, there is still room for more wildlife, and that people could learn to live alongside it. Elliot, walking alongside a beaver canal, says: “If we do get beavers back [in the wild], we have to accept we will have to manage conflicts, like they do in Europe. There’s no point in reintroducing an animal and not managing conflict.” Landmark case pits survival of one of Europe’s smallest wolf populations against Norwegians’ cherished hunting rights Published: 19 Apr 2015 Wildlife experts have applied for licence to release 10 animals following successful reintroductions in Scotland and England Published: 2 Jan 2017 Keith Kirby Momentous times in our national life call for great vision, including on the future of our environment Published: 16 Jul 2016 Wolf attacks on animals in region around Spanish capital up from 91 to 209 in a year, prompting rise in reimbursement budget Published: 28 Nov 2016	i don't know
In which famous building are rooms named Vermeil, China, Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow Oval?	Décor & Art: Rooms \| The White House Décor & Art: Rooms The Art & Décor of the Public Tour by Room The public in the Grand Foyer of the WH, March 31, 2009. (Official WH Photo by S Appleton) 1 of 6 Painting of George Herbert Walker Bush by Herbert Elmer Abrams, 1994 2 of 6 Mantel Clock by Thomire & Co., c. 1817 3 of 6 Piano by Steinway & Sons, 1938 4 of 6 Pier Table by Pierre-Antoine Bellangè, c. 1817 5 of 6 Painting of William Jefferson Clinton by Simmie Knox, 2001 6 of 6 Share This Gallery Entrance Hall Overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue, this hall serves as a grand foyer for the official reception rooms on the State Floor. During events, the United States Marine Band often performs in this location. Under President Thomas Jefferson , artifacts acquired by explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark (1803-6) and Zebulon Pike (1805-7) were displayed in the Entrance Hall. The grand staircase leads from the State Floor to the Second Floor and is used primarily for ceremonial occasions. On the lowest landing, President Ronald Reagan took his second oath of office on January 20, 1985. Since inauguration day fell on a Sunday, a private ceremony was held in the White House that day with the official ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on the Monday following. Until 1902 two large staircases led from the State Floor to the Second Floor. A staircase at the west end of the Cross Hall that led to the Family Quarters was removed in 1902 to enlarge the State Dining Room. The winding staircase to the east of the Entrance Hall led to the rooms on the east end of the Second Floor that were used as the presidential offices before the creation of the West Wing. When the 1902 Grand Staircase was rebuilt during the Truman renovation, it was redirected to open into the Entrance Hall for more dramatic formal descents from the Second Floor. Share This Gallery Entrance Hall Overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue, this hall serves as a grand foyer for the official reception rooms on the State Floor. During events, the United States Marine Band often performs in this location. Under President Thomas Jefferson , artifacts acquired by explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark (1803-6) and Zebulon Pike (1805-7) were displayed in the Entrance Hall. The grand staircase leads from the State Floor to the Second Floor and is used primarily for ceremonial occasions. On the lowest landing, President Ronald Reagan took his second oath of office on January 20, 1985. Since inauguration day fell on a Sunday, a private ceremony was held in the White House that day with the official ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on the Monday following. Until 1902 two large staircases led from the State Floor to the Second Floor. A staircase at the west end of the Cross Hall that led to the Family Quarters was removed in 1902 to enlarge the State Dining Room. The winding staircase to the east of the Entrance Hall led to the rooms on the east end of the Second Floor that were used as the presidential offices before the creation of the West Wing. When the 1902 Grand Staircase was rebuilt during the Truman renovation, it was redirected to open into the Entrance Hall for more dramatic formal descents from the Second Floor. Share This Gallery East Room The largest room in the house, the East Room was designated by architect James Hoban as the "Public Audience Room.” It normally contains little furniture and traditionally is used for large gatherings, such as press conferences, bill-signing ceremonies, after-dinner entertaining, concerts, weddings, funerals, and award presentations. Five presidential daughters have been married in the room, most recently Lynda Johnson in 1967. During her four-month occupancy of the President’s House in the winter of 1800-1801, Abigail Adams had her laundry hung out to dry in the unfinished East Room. President Thomas Jefferson partitioned the south end as a bedroom and office for his secretary, Meriwether Lewis, later co-leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition. James Madison later met with his cabinet in these southern rooms. The East Room was completed architecturally during the White House’s restoration following its burning in 1814, but the room was not fully furnished until 1829, during Andrew Jackson’s administration . The East Room was the site of frequent activity during the Civil War. Union troops were quartered here for a period. In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln held a large reception here in honor of General Ulysses S. Grant shortly before his appointment as head of all the Union forces. Following his assassination in 1865, Lincoln lay in state in the East Room, as have all of the presidents who died in office with the exception of President James A. Garfield , as the East Room was being renovated at the time of his assassination. In recent history, the East Room has served as the site of many important events including the signing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson , Gerald Ford’s swearing in as President in 1974, and the signing of the Camp David Accords in 1978. On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in this historic room. Green Room Throughout much of its existence, the Green Room has served as a parlor for teas and receptions. Here, Frances Cleveland held her first White House reception, and Edith Roosevelt received guests before the Friday musicales and concerts held in the adjoining East Room. Under Thomas Jefferson , it was a dining room with a green canvas floor cloth. By 1825, under John Quincy Adams , the room had become the “Green Drawing Room,” named for the color of the draperies and upholsteries. In 1862, Willie Lincoln died in the White House of typhoid fever, and his grieving parents placed his open casket in the Green Room. An account of the time stated that Mrs. Lincoln never again entered the room. The Green Room of the White House, Feb. 18, 2009. (Official WH Photo by Joyce Boghosian) 1 of 21 Painting of Andrew Jackson by Ralph Eleaser Whiteside Earl, c. 1835 2 of 21 Painting of Benjamin Franklin by David Martin, 1767 3 of 21 Benjamin Franklin, sculpture by National Porcelain Manufactory of Sèvres, c. 1810 4 of 21 Painting of Benjamin Harrison by Jonathan Eastman Johnson, 1895 5 of 21 Farmyard in Winter by George Henry Durrie, 1858 6 of 21 Independence Hall in Philadelphia by Joachim Ferdinand Richardt (Reichardt), c. 1858 7 of 21 Painting of James Knox Polk by George Peter Alexander Healy, 1858 8 of 21 Painting of John Quincy Adams by George Peter Alexander Healy, 1858 9 of 21 Lighter Relieving a Steamboat Aground by George Caleb Bingham, 1847 10 of 21 Painting of Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams (Mrs. John Quincy Adams) by Gilbert Stuart, 1821 11 of 21 Mantel Clock by Dubuc (possibly Jean-Baptiste), c. 1806 12 of 21 Sand Dunes at Sunset, Atlantic City by Henry Ossawa Tanner, c. 1885 13 of 21 The Builders by Jacob Lawrence, 1947 15 of 21 The Circus No. 1 by John Marin, 1952 16 of 21 The Mosquito Net by John Singer Sargent, 1912 17 of 21 Three Children by George Bellows, 1919 18 of 21 Painting of William Henry Harrison by James Reid Lambdin, 1835 19 of 21 Work Table attributed to Duncan Phyfe, c. 1810 20 of 21 Work Table attributed to Duncan Phyfe, c. 1810 21 of 21 Share This Gallery Blue Room Architect James Hoban’s 1792 plan for the White House included three stacked oval rooms in the center of the building that form a projecting bow on the south side. This room was known by its shape - "Elliptical", "Oval", or "Circular" - until the color was changed to blue in 1837 under Martin Van Buren and a new name emerged. When it was completely furnished by First Lady Dolley Madison , the Blue Room became the principal formal drawing room of the White House, and the Madisons received their first guests there on New Year's Day, 1810. Among the objects which Dolley Madison had removed to safety in 1814, before evacuating the house to British troops, were the red velvet draperies hanging in this room. In the refurnishing of the house after the fire of 1814, President and Mrs. James Monroe ordered mahogany furniture for this room, but the purchasing agents in France substituted a 53-piece suite of gilded furniture made in Paris by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé. Although most of this suite was sold at auction in 1860, eight original pieces have been returned to the room since 1961. Although special meetings, luncheons, and dinners have been held in the room, it continues to be used for the purpose first intended - the formal reception room of the White House. It is here that the President and his wife often receive guests during receptions. The first Chinese delegation to present diplomatic credentials was received by President Rutherford B. Hayes in the Blue Room in 1878. Family events held here include the June 2, 1886 wedding of Grover Cleveland , the only sitting President to marry in the White House. Since 1961 (excepting 1962 and 1969), the principal White House Christmas tree has been placed in the center of the room. Share This Gallery Red Room The most striking element of this room is its vibrant red color scheme. This parlor has been known as the “Red Room” since 1845, when a suite of furniture upholstered in “Crimson Plush” was introduced to the room. During Thomas Jefferson’s occupancy of the White House, the Red Room was called the "President's Anti-chamber," a room set aside for those having appointments with the President, whose office was in the adjacent room now used as the State Dining Room. Since then it has been a favorite of President's wives as their "private parlor" to receive friends and official callers. Inventories of the John Quincy Adams administration note that a pianoforte had been placed in the room. Musical instruments of various descriptions continued to be played here throughout the 19th century, and White House visitors sometimes referred to it as the "Music Room." Before 19th-century state dinners, the guests would be greeted by the President and his wife in the Red Room. On one such occasion, at a dinner given by out-going President Grant for his successor, Rutherford B. Hayes , guests dined in the State Dining Room unaware that in the Red Room the Chief Justice of the United States had just administered the oath of office to the President-elect while President Grant witnessed the ceremony. Because the 1877 Inauguration Day fell on a Sunday, the oath was administered on Saturday evening with the public ceremonies at the Capital taking place the following Monday. Theodore Roosevelt used the Red Room as a "smoking room" where male guests adjourned after dinner for cigars and brandy. The room continues to be used today as a parlor for guests after dinner and during receptions. Share This Gallery State Dining Room This room was Thomas Jefferson’s Cabinet room and office, where he and his secretary, Meriwether Lewis, planned the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1802. Since 1809, however, it has served as the State Dining Room, with the smaller Family Dining Room to its north. Prior to its enlargement in 1902, 35-40 guests could be seated at a rectangular dining table, 50-65 at an I-shaped table. In 1902, with the removal of a staircase at this end of the Cross Hall, the State Dining Room was enlarged and completely redesigned for President Theodore Roosevelt . Remaining from that renovation are the oak paneling (first painted in 1952), the three eagle-pedestal side tables, the Queen Anne-style chairs, and the lighting fixtures (gilded in 1961). Wild animal heads that had been hung on the dark wooden walls were removed in the 1920s. Today, using circular tables, as many as 140 guests can dine in the room for formal events. Share This Gallery Ground Floor Corridor Until 1902, the Ground Floor in the White House served as utilitarian space used by servants. As a result, by the end of the 19th century, James Hoban’s original groin vaulting in the wide corridor of this floor had been cut through in numerous places to accommodate pipes and ducts. The furnace room (now the Diplomatic Reception Room) also jutted into the corridor. When McKim, Mead, & White created a new guest entrance in the East Wing during the 1902 renovation of the White House, they transformed much of the Ground Floor into public space. All intrusions were removed, the vaulting was restored, and the refurbished corridor received rugs and seating furniture. At First Lady Edith Roosevelt’s initiative, two cabinets were purchased for the corridor in 1904 to display pieces of dinner and dessert services used by former presidents. Mrs. Roosevelt also decided to hang portraits of first ladies in this space, inaugurating a tradition that has been retained to the present. Share This Gallery Vermeil Room The room takes its name from the large collection of vermeil (gilded silver) received by the White House in 1958 as a bequest of Margaret Thompson Biddle, selections of which have been on display in this room ever since. The 1,575 piece collection contains examples of work by the most prominent English and French silversmiths working in the 18th and 19th centuries. Pieces from the vermeil collection are also on display throughout the house. Until the end of the 19th century, Ground Floor rooms were the domain of White House servants, who probably used this room as a bedroom or storeroom. During a complete renovation of the White House for President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902, this room became a coat/dressing room for female guests. Later, it was used as an office, waiting room, conference room, and billiard room. Since the Nixon administration, it has served as a sitting room. Share This Gallery China Room Since 1917, the Ground Floor room known as the China Room has been used as an exhibition space for examples of ceramics, glass, and silver used in the White House or owned by the first families. Throughout the 19th century, this room, like the rest of the Ground Floor, had been used by White House servants. It became a public space in 1902, when it was transformed into a coat/dressing room during the Theodore Roosevelt renovation of the White House. When she became first lady in 1889, Caroline Harrison continued to pursue the Victorian art form of china painting. This hobby and her interest in history (she was the first president of the Daughters of the American Revolution) led her to take an active interest in collecting and preserving White House tableware used in previous administrations. Although she planned to have a cabinet built in the State Dining Room to display examples of White House china services, her idea was not executed before her premature death in 1892, while her husband was running unsuccessfully for re-election. In 1901, Mrs. McKinley allowed journalist Abby Gunn Baker to survey the surviving White House service pieces which resulted in a scholarly article. In 1904, Mrs. Roosevelt ( http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies/edithroosevelt ) had two cabinets made for the newly refurbished Ground Floor Corridor to display samples of White House china chosen for this purpose by Ms. Baker, and together they publicized their search for past White House tableware and actively collected examples to supplement what had survived at the White House. Edith Wilson decided to devote an entire room to display the growing collection of White House china, creating the “Presidential Collection Room” in 1917. Abby Gunn Baker was again asked to select and arrange the china, silver, and glassware installed in built-in cabinets around the room. Share This Gallery East Garden Room This room, at the west end of the East Terrace, is the intersection between the Residence and the East Wing. Double doors in the northwest corner provide entry into the Ground Floor Corridor within the original walls of the White House. The glazed south wall is an extension of the East Colonnade facade, with a door opening into the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden. Coming down the colonnade, guests first see an enormous bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln by Gutzon Borglum in a niche in the west wall, to the right of which hang display panels - historic photographs most of the year, official Christmas cards during the holiday season. Large portraits of four former presidents hang on the other two walls.	White House
Which 1920s film star's third husband was Henri Le Bailly de la Falaise, Marquis de la Coudraye?	China Room - White House Museum China Room The China Room in 2006 ( Ejconkey ) The China Collection see the collection Once the quarters of a fireman hired by Martin Van Buren to stoke the massive furnace in today's Diplomatic Reception Room , McKim made it a cloakroom in 1902. The "Presidential Collection Room" was designated by Mrs. Woodrow Wilson in 1917 to display the growing collection of White House china. Up to that time, presidential china was regularly sold at auction to help fund the purchase of new china. Even so, almost every past president is represented in the China Room either by state or family china or glassware. The collection is arranged chronologically, beginning to the right of the fireplace. The portrait of Grace Coolidge This room is about 27 1/2 feet by 20 1/2 feet. It was was redecorated in 1970, retaining the traditional red color scheme determined by the portrait of Mrs. Calvin Coolidge—painted by Howard Chandler Christy in 1924. Its red theme continues in the red velvet-lined cabinets, silk taffeta draperies and the early 20th-century Indo-Ispahan rug. The cut-glass chandelier, made about 1800, is in the English Regency style. Flanking the portrait of Mrs. Coolidge are Chippendale sidechairs used by President George Washington in the earlier presidential residences in New York and Philadelphia. The painting above the mantel, "View on the Mississippi Fifty-Seven Miles Below St. Anthony Falls, Minneapolis", was completed by Ferdinand Richardt in 1858—the year Minnesota achieved statehood. Of this room, Mrs. Hoover wrote : But the China Room in the Hoover era had besides its museum use a human role. In winter the President's morning ball cabinet met there for its after-game fruit and coffee and administrative gossip, before family breakfast table claimed the players. Reagan and Clinton china on display in 2000 (Nick Valenziano) The China Room, circa 1999 The China Room in 1992, looking southwest (HABS) The China Room in 1992, looking northeast (HABS) The China Room in 1992, looking northeast ( HABS ) Barbara Bush helps Millie put her pawprint on a holiday greeting card in 1991 ( White House ) The China Room in 1975 (White House Historical Association) Luci Johnson in 1966, looking north ( Life ) The China Room in 1964 (Kennedy Library) The Kennedy China Room, around late 1962 (James Archer Abbot collection) The China Room in May, 1962 ( Kennedy Library - Robert Knudsen) The China Room in 1960 ( Kennedy Library - Robert Knudsen) Mamie shows off the the china around 1959 Guests visit the room in 1958 ( Life ) The room in the Eisenhower era, circa 1957 ( Eisenhower Library ) The China Room in the Truman era, circa 1954 (White House postcard) The China Room in 1952, before paint (Truman Library) The China Room in 1948, before the Truman reconstruction , looking east (Truman Library) The China Room in 1948, before the Truman reconstruction, looking southwest ( Truman Library ) The China Room in 1944 ( Life ) The China Room around 1930, during the Hoover era, with portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln ( NARA ) The China Room around 1927 The China Room in 1918 (White House) Men's Lavatory The China Room provides access to a men's lavatory. When it was first added, it was a women's lavatory, and the ladies' room off the Vermeil Room was a men's room. Men's Lavatory in 2000 (Nick Valenziano) The men's lavatory accessible from the China Room, in 1992 (HABS)	i don't know
In anatomy, 'plantar' relates to which part of the human body?	Foot & Ankle Anatomy - Foot Anatomy - HealthCommunities.com Foot & Ankle Anatomy Print Anatomy of the Foot and Ankle The human foot combines mechanical complexity and structural strength. The ankle serves as foundation, shock absorber and propulsion engine. The foot can sustain enormous pressure (several tons over the course of a one-mile run) and provides flexibility and resiliency. The foot and ankle contain: 26 bones (One-quarter of the bones in the human body are in the feet.); 33 joints; more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments (Tendons are fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones and ligaments are fibrous tissues that connect bones to other bones.); and a network of blood vessels, nerves, skin, and soft tissue. These components work together to provide the body with support, balance, and mobility. A structural flaw or malfunction in any one part can result in the development of problems elsewhere in the body (such as back pain ). Abnormalities in other parts of the body can lead to problems in the feet. Parts of the Foot Structurally, the foot has three main parts: the forefoot, the midfoot, and the hindfoot. Top View of Foot Bones Side View of Foot Bones Click on the images to view a larger version. The forefoot is composed of the five toes (called phalanges) and their connecting long bones (metatarsals). Each toe (phalanx) is made up of several small bones. The big toe (also known as the hallux) has two phalanx bones—distal and proximal. It has one joint, called the interphalangeal joint. The big toe articulates with the head of the first metatarsal and is called the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ for short). Underneath the first metatarsal head are two tiny, round bones called sesamoids. The other four toes each have three bones and two joints. The phalanges are connected to the metatarsals by five metatarsal phalangeal joints at the ball of the foot. The forefoot bears half the body's weight and balances pressure on the ball of the foot. The midfoot has five irregularly shaped tarsal bones, forms the foot's arch, and serves as a shock absorber. The bones of the midfoot are connected to the forefoot and the hindfoot by muscles and the plantar fascia (arch ligament). The hindfoot is composed of three joints and links the midfoot to the ankle (talus). The top of the talus is connected to the two long bones of the lower leg (tibia and fibula), forming a hinge that allows the foot to move up and down. The heel bone (calcaneus) is the largest bone in the foot. It joins the talus to form the subtalar joint. The bottom of the heel bone is cushioned by a layer of fat. Publication Review By: John J. Swierzewski, D.P.M. Published: 30 Dec 1999	Foot
A 2010 publicity-driven competition called the Carbuncle Cup focused on unpopular British what?	Molecular Expressions Microscopy Primer: Anatomy of the Microscope - Brightfield Microscopy Digital Image Gallery - Plantar Skin Brightfield Microscopy Digital Image Gallery Plantar Skin Plantar skin is the integument that covers the soles of the feet of humans and other primates. Similar to the skin found along the palms, plantar skin is relatively thick, greatly keratinized, hairless, and filled with a dense collection of sweat glands, which is the reason why the feet and hands are often the first parts of the body to get sweaty when someone is nervous or anxious. View an image of the plantar skin section at 10x magnification. Comprised of five morphologically distinct cellular layers, plantar skin is well designed to protect the feet from injury. Indeed, some studies have shown that the skin along the soles of the feet can withstand immensely greater amounts of abrasion or chafing than the skin along most other parts of the body before the pain threshold is reached. Reports also indicate that plantar skin is somewhat resistant to puncture, the integument attempting to shape itself around any sharp objects it comes into contact with. Such characteristics make walking without shoes relatively safe, and in many countries barefoot activity continues to be typical. However, plantar skin is susceptible to bacterial and viral invasions, and a number of problems may occur if infections develop. Fungi, bacteria, and similar organisms usually thrive in warm, moist environments, and places such as gyms and public showers are where most people acquire infections in the skin that lines the soles of the feet. One of the most familiar infections that affect the feet is athlete�s foot, a condition caused by a fungus and characterized by redness, scaling, and itching of the plantar skin and in the areas between the toes. Athlete�s foot, also known as tinea pedis, may often be cured or improved through repeated application of over-the-counter anti-fungal creams and powders. Plantar warts, however, which are another common type of plantar skin problem, are caused by a virus and often must be removed via more serious methods, such as surgery, cryotherapy, acid application, or laser treatment.	i don't know
Something annular is in the shape of a what?	Annular - definition of annular by The Free Dictionary Annular - definition of annular by The Free Dictionary http://www.thefreedictionary.com/annular Shaped like or forming a ring. [Latin ānulāris, from ānulus, ring; see annulus.] an′nu·lar′i·ty (-lăr′ĭ-tē) n. an′nu·lar·ly adv. annular ring-shaped; of or forming a ring [C16: from Latin annulāris, from annulus, ānulus ring] annularity n having the form of a ring. [1565–75; < Latin annulāris=annul(us) ring (see annulus ) + -āris -ar 1] an`nu•lar′i•ty, n. an′nu•lar•ly, adv. an·nu·lar Forming or shaped like a ring. ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: rounded - curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged; "low rounded hills"; "rounded shoulders" annular a. anular, en forma de anillo; ___ eruption → erupción ___. annular adj anular Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: The sun An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon is farthest away from the Earth, (http://www. To flex or extend? Study co-author, Dr Wenju Cai said the most conspicuous change is a rising sea level pressure in the mid-latitude bands and a decreasing sea level pressure over the Southern high latitudes (55o-70oS), a pattern referred to as the Southern Annular Mode. Historical annular solar eclipses The author extends his earlier work on modeling annular flows in managed pressure drilling (Borehole Flow Modeling in Horizontal, Deviated and Vertical Wells, 1992, and Computational Rheology for Pipeline and Annular Flows, 2001), retaining the curvilinear grid technology employed in the earlier books as his mathematical foundation, but summarizing major methodological improvements in accuracy, speed, and engineering focus.	Ring
Sfumato is a technique in what?	Solar Eclipse \| Science Mission Directorate Science Mission Directorate Alaska, most of Europe and Asia, parts of Canada. These are the places to be on Saturday, May 31st, to see the first solar eclipse of 2003. , or get help . May 30, 2003: Total eclipses of the sun are breathtaking, jaw-dropping. Many people who feel the cool sweep of the moon's shadow for the first time and witness the sun's ghostly corona go on to become world-traveling eclipse chasers. A total eclipse can change your life. Partial eclipses, on the other hand, are just plain fun. Right: Chris Go of the Philippines took this picture of the partially eclipsed sun on June 10, 2002. [ more ] During a partial eclipse the moon never completely covers the Sun. The sky never darkens. The corona never appears. But something wonderful does happen. Little crescents pop up everywhere. Sign up for EXPRESS SCIENCE NEWS delivery Look under a tree. Sunlight beaming through gaps in the leaves make crescent-shaped spots on the ground. Look around the walls of your home or office. You might see some crescents projected by slits in the window shades. Windows with cut glass are better yet. Their prism-like corners bend sunlight and cast rainbow-colored crescents in unexpected places--perfect for a treasure hunt. Sky watchers in Alaska, parts of Canada, most of Europe and Asia can hunt for crescents on May 31st ( UT ) when the Moon glides in front of the Sun for nearly two hours. It's the first solar eclipse of 2003. The coming eclipse is partial, not total, which means the moon will never completely cover the sun. How much of the sun disappears depends on where you live. In Stockholm, for instance, the coverage will be nearly complete--about 85%. The crescent there will be slender. In Anchorage only about 50% of the sun will be covered. The crescent will be fat. Click here to view eclipse maps and timetables for hundreds of cities. Above: Science@NASA readers captured these pictures of crescent-shaped sunbeams during a partial solar eclipse on June 10, 2002. [ more ] Europe, Canada and Alaska are good places to be because the eclipse occurs at special times: In Europe the event happens at sunrise (Saturday morning, May 31st); in Alaska and Canada at sunset (Friday evening, May 30th). Sunrises and sunsets are lovely enough when the sun is round. They can be as magical as a total eclipse when the sun is a crescent. Warning: Although the sun might seem dim and safe to look at when it hangs low over the horizon, it is still dangerous. Staring at the sun with the unaided eye is almost sure to cause eye damage. Even a brief glimpse of the sun through unfiltered telescopes or binoculars will blind you. Always use proper filters or safe solar projection techniques. In a polar region of Earth spanning parts of Greenland, all of Iceland, and the northern tip of Scotland, this eclipse will be annular. At the moment of maximum eclipse, the moon will lie dead center in front of the sun, yet it won't completely cover it. The bright surface of the sun will stick out all around the moon's limb. Instead of a crescent, the sun will look like a fiery ring. Above: A partial solar eclipse will be visible on May 31st from places bounded by the red lines. The pink D-shaped region shows where people can see an annular eclipse. [ more ] Astronomers have taken many pictures of annular eclipses through safely-filtered telescopes. They're lovely. More rare, perhaps, would be a photo of a ring-shaped sunbeam filtering through the branches of a leafy tree. Or a rainbow-colored ring cast by the bevels of a cut-glass window. Projected images of the sun are more than just a safe way to watch our star. They're art. They bend around corners, stretch across tables. They dance beneath trees when the wind blows. Curiously, humans have built-in solar projectors: hands and fingers. Lay one hand atop the other, crisscrossing your fingers waffle-style. Leave enough space between your digits to form a grid of square-ish holes. You can cast an array of sun images on almost anything: dogs, kids, walls. Let your imagination be your guide. And have fun. It's just a partial eclipse, after all. Visit NASA's Eclipse Home Page for more information about this and other solar eclipses. SpaceWeather.com will display pictures of the eclipse on May 31st and during the week that follows. Solar Eclipse Photo Galleries -- (SpaceWeather.com) June 10, 2003 ; Dec. 14, 2001 ; Dec. 25, 2000 . Want to take your own photos? Check out these solar eclipse photo tips . Ring of Fire (APOD) -- an extraordinary picture of an annular eclipse. Annular vs. Total Eclipses: Lovely solar eclipses are possible because of a lucky coincidence. Although the Sun is about 400 times larger than the Moon, it is also about 400 times farther away. From our point of view, the Sun and the Moon seem to be the same size: 0.5 degrees wide -- but not always! The Moon's orbit around our planet is an ellipse, not a circle, so the width of the Moon waxes and wanes each month by 7%. Earth's orbit around the Sun is elliptical, too. The angular diameter of the Sun varies by 2% throughout the year. When the Moon happens to be the same size as or bigger than the Sun, total eclipses are possible. When the Moon is smaller, eclipses can be only annular or partial. On May 31, 2003, the Moon will be smaller than the Sun, and the maximum eclipse will be annular. Join our growing list of subscribers - sign up for our express news delivery and you will receive a mail message every time we post a new story!!!	i don't know
In summer 2010 Ofcom (regulatory/complaints body for UK communications industries) found that broadband service providers were on average giving customers what percentage of the connection speeds they had contracted to receive?	The News Newspaper - Issue 111 by The News Newspaper - issuu VICTORIA CAR HIRE UK UK Self Drive £105 per week Fully inclusive No hidden extras Delivery & Collection Gatwick Airport only Tel: 0044 1293 432155 Fax: 0044 1293 402600 Issue 111 Wednesday, February 16th 2011 Royals to visit Malaga King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia will preside over Armed Forces Day in May when it comes to Malaga for first time P10 Middle East - World News Middle East unrest spreads to Iran Revolution continues to spread across the Middle East as thousands of antigovernment protesters marched through the streets of Tehran on Monday. since December 2009, thousands of opposition supporters had gathered on Monday at Tehran's Azadi Square in solidarity with the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, chanting dictators." 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For a good free quote in English ring 637 179 373 or in Spanish 673 250 707 James R idgley 951 242 873 637 179 373 [email protected] WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 02 n General News Black Box Teatro, Marbella Every Saturday, 5.30pm until Feb 19th www.blackboxteatro.com or 952 779 172 www.thenewsonline.es Exhibition Argentinian artist Antonio Berni (1905-81) Sala de Exposiciones Fundacion Picasso, Plaza de la Merced, Malaga 9.30am to 8pm daily until February 27th www.fundacionpicasso.es An exhibition of work by Malaga based artist Jose Medina Galeote art A poignant play about a young victim of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, in English, for children and adults. art Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in Until March 20th CAC Malaga State of WORLD We hit the emergency at Rock... nuclear plant ICKHAM’S The nuclear plant at Cofrentes in Valencia declared a state of alert because of a protest action by 14 Greenpeace activists which started at 6.30am on Tuesday. By Kym Wickham [email protected] The front page story last week about Spain wanting to encourage more property buyers from the uK to come back here certainly sparked some furious letters about problems ex-pats had been subjected to. While we are not implying in the slightest that it is just the foreigners that have these problems, it does highlight that much more is needed to be done before Spain has a hope in hell of encouraging back the Brits. Spain has to look at all the legal systems and put its house in order very carefully so people in the future can be confident that they are not going to be ripped oﬀ. Of course, sometimes it is the purchasers’ fault for not having checked all the details of the purchase properly but I know of at least two people who had employed properly registered Spanish lawyers and had done all the necessary work but still ended up with huge bills from the local councils after they thought they'd paid for everything. Thankfully this is still rare and most purchases go through without a hitch but these few give the whole country a bad name. With so many houses and flats standing empty it seems to be absolutely essential for the Spanish local authorities, Government and banks to do something drastic to help the housing industry. There does seem to be slight movement starting in the housing market now but why on earth are they still giving planning permissions for yet more housing stock to be built before they sell what is already standing empty? Madness! The Nuclear Safety Council has also activated its emergency response strategy. Greenpeace is demanding that the plant should be closed down on March 19th when Iberdrola's permit to exploit it runs out. The government has shown signs that it is softening its stance on the closure of nuclear plants and Parliament is expected to approve an amendment to the Sustainable Economy Law which would open the door to the possibility of prolonging the life of the country's nuclear plants, something the Socialist government had opposed until quite recently. The Cofrentes plant is the fifth oldest in Spain and Greenpeace claims that it is functioning “dangerously”, and that several faults and problems have been reported at the plant. Mobile World Congress opens Cost of living index up The sixth Mobile World Congress (MWC) opened on Monday in Barcelona, offering the latest in operating systems, content, devices and even chips for more than 50,000 visitors. Microsoft's Steve Ballmer, Google's Eric Schmidt as well as Twitter's Dick Costolo and Carol Bartz from Yahoo are attending. According to the experts, the congress faithfully reflects the ongoing collision between the net and mobile communication, as smartphones get ever more popular, smarter and more powerful. They predict that smartphones will exceed the number of PCs in the world by 2013. Figures indicate this could happen even earlier - smartphones are already being shipped in greater number than PCs - 100.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to 92 million PCs. Inflation rose to 3.3 per cent in January, the National Institute of Statistics confirmed on Monday. The inflation is driven by higher electricity prices which has raised the price of food products and transport. The industry ministry approved an electricity hike of 9.8 per cent last December – little more than the price of a cup of coffee per person, he said – but consumer protection groups say the hike has turned out to be higher than 15 per cent. continued from FRONT PAGE Middle East unrest spreads to Iran Tehran's police chief, Ahmad Reza Radan, blamed the opposition leaders for instigating the protests. Dozens were detained in the capital and opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi, a former prime minister, and Mehdi Karroubi, a former speaker of parliament and a senior cleric, were placed under virtual house arrest to prevent them from attending the Tehran rally, which was lauded by the US administration. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US supported the protesters who, she said, have "the same rights that they saw being played out in Egypt" and called on Iran to "open up" its political system. She hailed the “courage” and “aspirations” of the antigovernment protesters. But conservative parliamentarians said Mehdi Karroubi and Mir WEATHER WEATHER have been reports of demonstrations in other Iranian cities, including Isfahan, Mashhad and Shiraz. On Tuesday some 50 conservative MPs marched through parliament's main hall chanting "Death to Mousavi, death to Karroubi" and said the men were pawns because the protests were orchestrated by the US, the UK and Israel. There Meanwhile, police detained the Spanish consul in Tehran, Ignacio Pérez Cambra, for four hours on Monday during violent protests. Diplomatic sources told the news agency EFE that he was arrested by six plain-clothes officers outside the official WEEKLY WEatHEr FOrECaSt FOr COSta DEL SOL MALAGA TODAY Hossein Mousavi are “corrupts on earth and should be tried". The charge "corrupt on earth" carries the death penalty . Spanish diplomatic mission. The ambassador, Leopoldo Stampa, immediately contacted the Iranian foreign ministry, which sent an official to deal with the situation. It is not the first time the Iranian police have temporarily detained western diplomats, apparently in the hope of frightening them into keeping quiet about opposition inside the country. AndAlucIA TOdAY news Your outlook on the World the National News Bank directors reveal true face ews n N THE EWS the MEDIA MEDIA GROUP GROUP almost €1 billion in 2006 to €256 million last year as the result of loans made to the ailing property sector. But the current board is refusing to acknowledge their rights to the bonus payments, claiming they would be incompatible with the receipt of state aid. Caja Madrid has agreed a virtual merger with Bancaja and five other smaller cajas and received €4.465 billion in loans from the Orderly Bank Restructuring Fund (FROB) to do so. Former chairman Manuel Blesa received a FUJIMA MFX Tel: (0034) 952 45 44 91 Fax: (0034) 952 45 44 41 The News is a free and independent newspaper distributed weekly and edited by The Coin News Group S.L. The News is independent of political parties, private interests and/or government. Our policy is to provide readers with a news and information service that is fair, accurate and balanced. The Coin News Group S.L. accepts no responsibility for the claims or content of any letter, editorial, article, advertorial or advertisement. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. The News Media Group Deposito Legal: GR 2794-2008 The current chairman is Rodrigo Rato, a former IMF managing director and economy minister in the Popular Party government of José María Aznar. Luxury, whisper quiet aircons that never need servicing and at guaranteed low prices! C/ Vicario nº34-36, 2nd Floor - Oﬃce C 29100 Coin (Malaga) Executive Editor: Kym Wickham design and layout: Damian Merino Advertising manager: Geoﬀ Heading Advertising sales: Susan Kerrigan Charlotte Fleming Accounts: Carol Livermore Contributors / Colaboradores: Martin Delfín - Cathy Stronach Pete Woodall - Andrea Maclean Mike Kerrigan - Muriel Pilkington Ricky Leach - Amy Thomas severance payment of €2.8 million when he left Caja Madrid last year. Groups of Japanese visitors are becoming an increasingly common sight in the streets of Cuenca, a town in the north of Castilla-La Mancha province which is not usually high on tourists' “must-see” lists. However, it has several features which appear in a popular Japanese cartoon – its hanging houses, St Peter’s Bridge and the Castle, among others. Despite its inhospitable climate which keeps many people away, Cuenca belongs to the Group of World Heritage Cities and more European tour operators have been including it in their itineraries in recent years. CoLD WiNTER - fiT oUR aiRCoN aND GET haLf PRiCE hEaTiNG! THE NEws mEdIA GRoUp The Coin News Group S.L. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.thenewsonline.es Britain abolished the death penalty Japanese flock to Cuenca sites Ten Caja Madrid directors are studying the possibility of appealing to the courts to overturn its management board's decision on Monday to do away with a controversial bonus scheme for directors, after being given public funds to facilitate its merger with six other regional savings banks, or cajas. Under the bonus scheme, which was introduced in 2006 under the former chairmanship of Miguel Blesa, ten Caja Madrid directors were due to receive €25 million in bonuses despite having presided over a drop in the bank's earnings from 1956 “mf” moDELs aRE maiNTENaNCE fREE WE DO NOT EMPLOY SALESMEN BUT BIG JOHN WILL CALL TO MEASURE UP AND SHOW YOU THE AIRCONS. HE WILL ONLY TAKE UP 15 MINS OF YOUR TIME. OUR FITTERS ARE ENGLISH AND WILL MAKE A NEAT AND TIDY JOB IN ABOUT 2½ HOURS. PHONE JOHN NOW D.i.Y moDELs 7000 - € 335 9000 - € 365 12000 - € 4 0 5 INCLUDES BRACKETS, TUBES & ENGLISH INSTRUCTIONS. READY GASSED NO VACUUM PUMP NEEDED - EASY PEASY! 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Because they operate via a heat pump, they use less than half the electricity of oil-filled radiators or other electric heaters. John will explain! THE NEW 2010 MODEL FUJIMA FEATURES 1. Integral ioniser cleans,freshens and removes odours. 2. Built-in de-humidifier sucks moisture from all rooms in your home. 3. Galvanised outside unit to prevent rust in coastal areas. 4. Large airflow temperature range 12º to 38º. 5. Time clock, remote control and thermostat all included. 6. Last but not least - these top machines do not need servicing every year. FACT: No other air conditioner has all these features! Low pRICE GUARANTEE: If you ﬁnd any other company selling a similar product cheaper (it must be the same B.T.U. output and no maintenance) we will match the price on the spot and give you €50 Going strong since 1973 Bistro go to www.lesliesbistro.com for details of Leslie’s events and special offers Friday fish n’ chips - buy 1 for €7.95 & get the 2nd half price 2 Steak Dinners with all the trimmings and a bottle of wine for €19.95 every Saturday Sunday Lunch at Leslie’s - an exquisite affair Jane’s Bistro Menu - 2 courses - €9.95 after 6pm FREE WI-FI FOR ALL OUR CUSTOMERS Winter hours Mon-Thur 1pm - 9pm; Fri 1pm-11pm; Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 11am-6pm - Food served all day Information & Reservations Tel: 952 112 123 2 minutes from La Trocha towards Cartama at Km 9 email:[email protected] WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Anniversary lunch to mark failed coup Speaker José Bono has invited King Juan Carlos and other political leaders to lunch with him in Parliament on February 23rd – the 30th anniversary of the failed coup usually called 23-F in the Spanish press. All the other guests, who include former PM Felipe González, Partido Popular founder Manuel Fraga and former Communist Party leader Santiago Carrillo were in the chamber when a group of Guardia Civil burst in, firing shots at the ceiling and commanding all those present to get down on the floor. Only two men disobeyed, president of the Chamber Landelino Lavilla, who will attend the lunch, and former PM Adolfo Suarez who suffers from Alzheimer's and cannot even remember he was the prime minister who, together with King Juan Carlos, steered Spain through the transition from dictatorship to democracy. Suarez had resigned only three weeks earlier to avoid a coup he knew was being planned. In his letter of invitation, Sr Bono points out that the past 30 years have been “especially fruitful for strengthening our country's democracy and freedoms”. British neo-Nazis plotted to kill Garzón Judge Baltasar Garzón, who became internationally famous when he attempted to extradite the former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet from Britain in 1998, has revealed in a new documentary film about his life that a British-based neo-Nazi group had plotted to assassinate him because he was investigating the crimes of the Franco regime. Members of the group had apparently planned to murder him last summer in The Hague where he worked temporarily at the International Criminal Court after being suspended from Spain's National Court. Ironically, the 54-year-old judge was suspended for abuse of power after he opened a probe into the disappearance of tens of thousands of people during Spain's 1936-39 Civil War and the 36 years of Franco's dictatorship. Garzón found out about the assassination attempt last July when the FBI notified him it had intercepted emails between members of the group containing details of the plot. One million too many The National Statistics Institute (INE) has admitted that the country's population has been overestimated by more than one million people because of poor record-keeping and the country's town halls bid to keep their central government populationbased funding. Antonio Argüeso, the INE's Deputy Director General of Socio-demographic Statistics, told reporters that “there are 46 million of us in Spain, although the official figure for the moment is 47 million." He said the over-calculation would be corrected in the INE's next census, which would be based on annual surveys of households that would provide a more accurate picture of its population than electoral rolls. In the past, the INE had only used household surveys once every ten years. Sr Argüeso said town hall figures could vary by as much as four percent, mainly because many immigrants had left Spain over the last two to three years without informing their town hall, thus remaining on the electoral roll. WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Mayor under fire for pollution Ecologists in Action have denounced Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon and the Madrid Community environment delegate, Ana Botella, for “not taking the necessary measures” to guarantee Madrileños a quality of air that “may not be brilliant but which will at least meet the legal pollution limits”. A spokesman for the group said they would be accused before the courts of a “crime against the environment”, as set out in article 325 of the Penal Code. During a two-week period, air pollution in Madrid reached dangerously high levels until last Sunday, when wind and showers finally rid the city of the smog hanging over it. The next day the mayor told reporters the capital's levels of toxic gas Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) will be brought back in line with European legal safety levels within five years. He does not intend to do anything about the 2.5 million weekly car journeys that are made into the city, or introduce a congestion charge, measures that he claims will hurt the economy and destroy jobs. Instead, he unveiled a plan for a local network of refuelling centres for vehicles that run on alternative power, such as natural gas, liquid gas or bioethanol. By the end of this year, Madrid should have 31 such stations, in addition to 280 recharging stations for electric cars. N Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] MADRID Battle on tax cheats steps up The Tax Oﬃce (AEAT) collected more than €10 million last year from tax cheats – 24 per cent more than the previous year. In an eﬀort to outdo themselves this year, AEAT will be targeting professionals they suspect of failing to fully declare their income, and people claiming unemployment benefit while working on the side. To do this, inspectors will step up joint action with their colleagues in the treasury and labour branches of the Social Security system. However, there are only 2,000-3,000 electric cars running in the whole of Spain, most of them not in the capital. The mayor highlighted other City Council efforts, such as renewing its own fleet of vehicles with less-polluting models, building 200 kilometres of Metro lines and pedestrianizing some inner-city streets. He said these measures have given Madrid a better air quality today than 10 years ago. VALENCIA Eco-pacifist murdered Pollution counts Meanwhile, Health minister Leire Pajin has said she is going to ask the regional governments for the information she needs to work out just how much pollution is really affecting people's health. Police are investigating the apparent murder of 50-year-old Vicente Marco Reyes, the Madrid candidate for the Ecopacifist Green party, who was found dead in his Valencia home on Sunday. The party's candidate for mayor of Valencia, Alejandro Escribano, ruled out political motives for the death, as well as robbery, because nothing was taken from the victim's home. But a party member told reporters Marco's defence of gay rights and his political role “made for an explosive cocktail". MADRID DAVID’S 1000’s NEW & SECOND HAND ENGLISH BOOKS ANN’S BOOKS VAST SELECTION ENGLISH GREETINGS CARDS UK PASSPORT RENEWAL Forms & service with a smile ANN’S BOOKSHOP DAVID’S BOOKSHOP Francisco Cano 49 Los Boliches Tel/Fax 952 588 685 Bonanza Sq. (upper level) opp Supersol, Benalmadena Tel/Fax 952 564 279 Spaniards seek Mickey Mouse work Disneyland recruiters arrived in the capital last week to recruit 600 people to work for two months this summer at Disneyland Paris. They oﬀered a net pay of €1,030 a month for a 35-hour work week. Nearly 1,000 people showed up at two recruiting centres set up at the ESE Business School and Madrid's Autónoma University (UAM). Students, actors, recent college graduates and unemployed construction workers were among those who filled out the applications and were interviewed by recruiters. WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in On thIS dAtE In the first synagogue in 425 years opened in Madrid Berlusconi trial to begin in April N Mr Berlusconi has denied paying for sex with Karima El Mahroug, known as Ruby, when she was 17, and also rejected claims that he abused his power by seeking her release when she was detained in another case. However, he acknowledged having called the police when she was held on suspicion of theft. He said he was doing a favour for the then-Egyptian leader, Hosni Mubarak, because Mr Berlusconi was told the girl was Mr Mubarak's granddaughter. Ruby, now aged 18, has denied sleeping with the prime minister but has admitted receiving €7,000 from him as a gift after one of his parties. If convicted, Mr Berlusconi could face up to 15 years in prison. Although frequenting prostitutes is not a crime in Italy, having sex with one under the age of 18 is an offence that commands a prison sentence. The prosecutors have submitted documents detailing the evidence against Mr Berlusconi, which allegedly includes proof that EWS IN BRIEF Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] THE NETHErlANDS MP 'can challenge' Islam hate trial Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi is to stand trial on charges of paying for sex with an under-age girl and abuse of power. Examining judge Cristina Di Censo said the process would start on April 6th, although prosecutors in Milan had asked for an immediate trial. www.thenewsonline.es payments were made by his aides to a "significant number" of young women, including Miss Mahroug. Last month, Italy's Constitutional Court amended a law granting members of the government temporary immunity from prosecution, ruling that individual judges should be allowed to decide whether ministers should be tried while in office. A new panel of judges appointed after anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders’ initial trial collapsed in October, has granted him the right to challenge the charges against him of inciting hatred. Mr Wilders had complained of bias against him. No date has yet been set for the start of the second trial, but if it goes ahead, the judges have said his lawyers will be UNITED STATES Unusual Valentine's Day gift New York’s Bronx Zoo oﬀered visitors a chance to name a cockroach after their loved ones because "Flowers wilt, chocolates melt, roaches are forever." Scientists have said cockroaches will be among the very few species to survive a nuclear holocaust. The zoo is exhibiting 58,000 giant Madagascar hissing roaches and asked for a $10 Chevron fined for Amazon pollution allowed to call for evidence from experts on Islam on Mr Wilders' claim that it is a violent religion. donation in return for naming rights. A zoo spokesman told reporters that about 1,000 names had been bought on the first day of the promotion. INDIA A court in Ecuador has fined US oil giant Chevron a reported $8bn for Foreign minister read wrong UN destroying large areas of rainforest of the country's Amazon region. speech Ecuadorean Indian groups said Texaco - which merged with Chevron in 2001 - dumped more than 18 billion gallons of toxic materials into unlined pits and rivers between 1972 and 1992, destroying their livelihood. Crops were damaged, farm animals killed and cancer increased among the local population. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of 30,000 Ecuadoreans, and has dragged on for nearly two decades. The trial began in 2003 after almost a decade of legal battles in the US. At that time, a US appeals court ruled that the case should be heard in Ecuador. Pablo Fajardo, lawyer for the plaintiffs, described the court ruling as "a great step that we have made toward the crystallisation of justice". He added that the damages award was too low and he was also considering an appeal. In a statement, Chevron said it would appeal, and called the ruling "illegitimate and unenforceable". The corporation said the ruling was contrary to legitimate scientific evidence. Environmentalists hope the case will set a precedent, forcing companies operating in developing countries to comply with the same anti-pollution standards as in the industrialised world. Opposition parties have said foreign minister SM Krishna has no "moral right" to continue after he brought "shame" to India for reading out the speech of the Portuguese foreign minister at the UN. Mr Krishna read out the speech on Saturday for about three minutes before an oﬃcial corrected him. He said there were so many papers spread in front of him that he took out the wrong speech by mistake. “Most of them make the same points anyway,” he added. COME AND LIVE WITH US IN THE GUADALHORCE VALLEY “WHERE PEACE, TRANQUILITY AND WELL BEING IS OUR BEST VALUE UNIQUE AND EXCLUSIVE OFFER TO RENT OR BUY INCLUDING: ACCOMODATION IN A FULLY FURNISHED & EQUIPPED APARTMENT ON-SITE MEDICAL FACILITIES 24 HOURS HOME ASSISTANCE ON CALL FITNESS CENTRE, GYM, SAUNA, JACUZZI, INDOOR POOL DAILY SHUTTLE INTO TOWN EVERYTHING YOU NEED AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!! 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Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi told EU president Herman Van Rompuy in a telephone conversation that the situation "is urgent and concerns all of the European Union". Italy's interior minister Roberto Maroni said he had filed a request for funds on Monday. On Sunday, Mr Maroni said Europe was not doing anything to help stop the flow of migrants and that he would request permission from Tunisia for Italian authorities to intervene, but Tunisian government spokesman Tayeb Baccouche dismissed the statement as "unacceptable". A spokeswoman for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Simona Moscarelli, said Italy must fly migrants from Lampedusa to the Italian mainland as soon as possible. She described the migrants as "a mixed flow" - some were fleeing insecurity in Tunisia, following last month's uprising there, while others were seizing the chance to get to Europe to find work. Mr Maroni has also asked for the intervention of the EU's border management agency, Frontex, and placed an additional 200 soldiers on alert to supervise the centres where the migrants are staying. Lampedusa mayor Bernadino Rubeis said on Tuesday: "There is an entire nation trying to escape Tunisia to reach Italy and then to go on to other countries." In the past Frontex has helped Spain to stem a flow of African migrants to the Canary Islands and Frontex currently has a police team in Greece, to stop illegal migrants entering the EU from Turkey. Any Frontex deployment to Lampedusa would require days if not weeks of planning, as the EU member states would have to agree on their contributions to the mission, in terms of personnel and equipment. FACTORY CLEARANCE! ITALIAN LEATHER CORNER SOFA with cushion back - available in black, brown or ivory €895 to clear 150 X 190 / 150 X 200 quality mattress with base €260 We also have a large selection of memory foam beds. Also sofa and bed sale now on hurry, limited stock! BED SOFA & FURNITURE CENTRE Next to Sunshine Golf on Slip Road next to BP La Cala 637 431 006 WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Gibraltar News Gib on talks agenda Britain and Spain will hold a meeting in London tomorrow (Thu) and Gibraltar will be on the agenda. The bilateral will be between foreign secretary William Hague and his Spanish opposite number Trindad Jimenez. The Spanish aim to reactivate the tripartite talks - under that process there should be a meeting at ministerial level once a year. The last one scheduled for July last year did not take place and attempts to reschedule in Madrid in November and December failed. Thursday’s meeting is against the backdrop of the opposition PP party moving a motion in Parliament calling not only for Spanish sovereignty over Gibraltar’s waters, but also a reviving of the Spanish claim to Gibraltar as a whole. Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society The Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society (GONHS) founded in 1976, is a nongovernmental, membership-based organisation committed to research into and conservation of nature in Gibraltar and the region of the Strait of Gibraltar. The Society works independently and in collaboration with other organisations and scientific or conservation institutions to achieve these aims. Members are committed to environmental and biological education both through the Society’s own programme of activities and by supporting others and membership is open to all those who share their aims. For more information on how to join this facinating society go to www.gonhs.org Pamper Evening success story The Gibraltar Government is providing new premises for the Gibraltar Society for Cancer Relief, which they will soon be moving into, and the society has also received a boost in funds following a “pamper evening”. The evening was organised in conjunction with the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) and held in the Rooke Officers Mess - it has already raised £1600, with promises of yet more to come in. The evening saw a variety of stallholders showing off their hairdressing and beauty treatments skills, along with more exotic treatments like nibbling fish very good for hard skin on your feet, we are told - to complementary therapies. Pamper Evenings receive support from many local businesses and SAAFA coordinator Jennifer Sheehy was the driving force between this latest one. The Gibraltar Society for Cancer Relief will be using the money to furnish and equip the new premises and offer a small hospice facility. Spokesperson Helen White said: “Our dream is that one day we may be able to employ a palliative care doctor.” More than just a day’s shopping Gibraltar isn't just about shopping. The Rock may look small but there plenty of things to do, and the best views are to be had from the cable car. As you go straight to the top, you get panoramic views of Spain, Africa, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean, which are all breathtakingly beautiful. You won't be able to miss the Rock's famous Barbary apes – or Macaques, to give them their proper name – that is, if they haven't all gone down to the town as they have been doing a lot of lately. You can either eat at the Top of the Rock coffee shop and restaurant before you take the cable car back down, or wait to enjoy an alfresco lunch at one of the many cafes lining the streets before heading for Main Street, where you can find some great duty free items such as electronics, designer sun glasses, drinks, cigarettes and perfumes and jewellery from some of the best High Street names, including Marks and Spencer, Wallis and Mothercare. Afterwards, you can Where can I get my copy of e News in Gibraltar? Morrisons Latinos (in the square) Latinos (High Street) Gibraltar Arms Elliot Hotel Tourist Centre Newsagents - Albor (Ocean Village) Newsagents - Ocean Village Express ICC Centre Bianca’s (Ocean Village) We will be adding to this list week by week and will let you know where any new drop-off points are on this page. check out Casemates Square where you will find a variety of shops including the Rock’s glassblowing company which has demonstrations on how to produce the fabulous glasses, vases, paperweights and bowls among other things that you can then purchase in the shops before you hail a taxi or catch a bus to take you back to the border crossing. Other alternatives The walking tour of the Upper Rock is perfect for the more energetic. Take the cable car up to start the interactive tour which you receive with your cable car ticket. Follow this tour around the “Top of the Rock” '- it takes from half an hour to about two hours - then you follow the country road that winds down the hill to St Michael’s Cave, which takes about twenty minutes. There you will find some very impressive stalagmites and stalactites. Another short walk downhill leads you to the Apes’ Den, where Gib's most famous residents will entertain and amuse you. But it's not the best place for a lunch break as some of the apes are very good at stealing your food. A very short uphill hike will bring you to the Upper Galleries, or the Great Siege Tunnels, where you’ll find some of the most impressive of Gibraltar’s fortifications, made by the soldiers who served here. The City Under Siege Exhibition will help you to relive this most impressive part of the history of Gibraltar, taking you back in time again, as you view the second important fortification of Gibraltar. While you’re at the Top of the Rock, you’re going to want to visit the Moorish Castle, where some say, it all began. Alameda Gardens isn’t far and is the perfect place for an undisturbed picnic for your luncheon, prior to heading back toward Main Street, just a short walk of five or ten minutes, where you can find all sorts of duty free treasures as you shop your way back to your finish line. The Variety Day tour includes shopping, Top of Rock and dolphin watching.Gibraltar's dolphins are almost as TOURIST OFFICES Tourist offices in Gibraltar are located in Casemates Square, the Airport Arrivals Hall, the coach terminus and the cruise terminal and at the frontier. Main Tourist Administration Office Duke of Kent House Cathedral Square, Tel: +350 20074950 e-mail: [email protected] The Gibraltar Tourist Board also operates in London at: Gibraltar Government Office150 Strand,London WC 2R 1JA.Tel: +44 (0) 207 836 0777 email: [email protected] Note: Gibraltar phone numbers consist of eight digits. When phoning from within Gibraltar just dial the eight digits.When phoning from the Costa del Sol and the rest of Spain precede the number with 9567. When phoning from abroad precede the number with the international dialling code which is 00350. famous as its monkeys, and once you've seen these denizens of the deep you’ll understand why people love to watch them. What nicer, peaceful way to begin the day than taking a boat out into the Bay of Gibraltar for a two hour trip, to view and meet up with some of the sea’s most friendly and charming creatures? The Relaxed Tour starts in the Alameda gardens, where you will enjoy a wide variety of plants and flowers, some of which are found on very few other places on earth. After your stroll round the gardens, the tour includes the trip up the Rock in the Cable Car, described earlier, followed by lunch or a drink and a light snack at the Top Station cafeteria. Taking the cable car down, you can enjoy the Museum of Gibraltar, which is found inside a piece of history itself, an old historic building - it will give you some amazing insight into the history of the Rock before heading back to your hotel or the border crossing. Gibraltar 2011 Bank Holidays January 1st New Year's Day March 14th Commonwealth Day April 22nd Good Friday April 25th Easter Monday May 2nd May Day May 30th Spring Bank Holiday June 13th Queen's Birthday Aug. 29th Summer Bank Holiday Sept. 12th Gibraltar National Day Dec. 25th Christmas Day Dec. 26th Boxing Day WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the UK News Forests not Victory for common sense A Bill is set to go before Daniel Hamilton from for sale Parliament outlining campaign group Big Brother The sale of Britain’s forests has been put on hold after widespread public outcry and thousands of signatures on many petitions carried out online and in towns throught the UK. The proposal was to sell 85 per cent of the UK’s remaining woodland, some 258,000 hectares, over the next ten years to private companies, charities and local communities, including some timber companies for commercial use. The land is in the hands of the Forestry Commission and currently the Government can only sell off a maximum of 15per cent of the forest estate. They wanted to increase it to raise £100 million toward the Environment Department’s budget. Environment Seretary Caroline Spelman said that the sale would not now go ahead until the protections by law given to the woodlands had been “significantly” improved, adding that the Government was committed to increasing the protection for public access and the protection of rights of way and walkways. The proposals include a £250 million sale of leaseholds for commercially valuable forests to timber companies, measures to allow communities, charities and even local authorities to buy or lease woods, and plans to transfer well-known "heritage" woods such as the New Forest into the hands of charities. Ms Spelman said: "In light of the Government commitment to increase protection for access and public benefit in our woodlands, the criteria for these sales will be reviewed so that protections are significantly strengthened following the inadequate measures that were applied to sales under the previous administration. Pending this review, no individual woodland site will be put on the market." “sensible levels” of changes to the Protection of Freedom Bill. The planned changes will mean that not everybody who works with children and the elderly will have to be registered. The Chief Executive for the Barnado's charity, Anne Marie Carrie, described it as a “victory for common sense”, adding that there was already plenty of legislation in place for safeguarding vulnerable people who have unsupervised, substantial access from others. Storage of DNA is also on the agenda. The proposals would mean a ban on holding onto the DNA of people who have not been convicted, and a time limit of a maximum of three years for storing the DNA of those who are convicted of a “serious crime”. However Watch said that it would not apply to more than 1.1 million innocent people whose DNA is already held on police files, and called for these details to be deleted from their files. Town Halls will be prevented from snooping in bins or misusing antiterrorism powers in school catchment area disputes. CCTV and automatic number plate recognition powers will also be curbed dramatically as well as wheel-clamping on private ground and the banning of schools fingerprinting children without their parents’ formal consent. It will also be a victory for gay rights - people with old convictions for consensual gay sex will be able to apply for their record to be deleted from the national police computer. Traced by Facebook A painter and decorator was arrested after the woman he assaulted in North London, leaving her bruised and with a bleeding ear during May 2010, tracked him down on Facebook. The assailant has now been found guilty at the Old Bailey of attempted rape, sexual assault and actual bodily harm and has been sentenced to six years in jail. He told his victim his name, Alpha Gray, his age and the fact that he lived nearby while he was assaulting her in Tuffnel Park, North London. Because of his unusual first name, the victim trawled through the social networking site and after discovering him she told police. Gray told the court that he was not the attacker and had been drowning his sorrows on his birthday after his brother’s life support had been switched off that morning following a knife attack a fortnight before. The victim, in her 20s, said in a statement: "I knew I had to do everything I could to try to stop this man from doing this to anyone else as he is clearly a danger to women and must be stopped." Which? challenges card charges Consumer watchdog Which? is challenging credit and debit card companies over the amount levied by them for using cards by complaining to the Office of Fair Trading. Cheap airline ticket companies are among the worst, but cinemas, the DVLA, local authorities and estate agents are now jumping on the bandwagon of “outrageous” charges. Which? have said that the companies should be “upfront” about their “supercharges” and said that consumers should only have to pay the charge made to retailers – around 20p for a debit card payment or 2 per cent of the transaction on a credit card - unless told otherwise beforehand by way of clear advertising and promotions. Which? added that retailers should not be using credit and debit card transactions to boost their profits. The Office of Fair Trading has 90 days to respond to the complaint. WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 10 n Inland & Coastal News Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es 1923 Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamen King in Malaga for Armed Forces Day King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia will preside over the Armed Forces Day celebrations, to be held for the first time in Malaga on May 28th and 29th. Activities over the Saturday and Sunday include exhibitions by the army, navy and air force, and ceremonies to honour the national flag and those who have died while serving abroad in Afghanistan and Iraq. The celebration dates back to 1978 and took place in the cities where the Army's general captaincies were based. This changed in Spain seeks higher olive oil price 1987, when it was decided to hold the event in different cities throughout Spain to strengthen the relationship between the people and the armed forces. Only the date stays the same – the event is always held on the weekend of the Sunday closest to the Day of St Ferdinand, May 30th – King Ferdinand III during his lifetime. Environment minister Rosa Aguilar told a meeting of olive oil producers in Cordoba last week that the government will urge the EU to force a rise in the price of their product, which is so low that producers barely cover production costs. She said the ministry plans to send a commission to Brussels to discuss the matter with the EU's agriculture commissioner, Dacian Ciolos. Spain wants the EU to approve storing a certain amount of olive oil, not to create a shortage but enough to force up the King Juan Carlos in last year’s Armed Forces Day price. The last time this was done, in 2008, the price rose by 26 per cent. A similar measure has been approved in Italy, France and Portugal, the oil producers said. Bolivian kids held at airport Cannabis the most common addiction Oﬃcial figures show that the most common addiction for under age youths in Andalucia is cannabis. In 2003, just over 45 per cent of the minors who were being treated for addictions were hooked on cannabis. That figure rose to 85 per cent last year. Currently there are 543 minors in the Junta de Andalucia's rehabilitation programme - 38 have been treated before and the majority (86 per cent) are boys. Only four per cent are hooked on cocaine and two per cent on cigarettes and alcohol. Less than one per cent are dependent on pills. The positive news is that the number of minors in the programme has dropped 30 per cent over 2009. The biggest drop in numbers was in Cordoba, followed by Malaga. Four Bolivian boys and one girl aged 10 to 15 were refused entry at Malaga airport on Sunday evening for not having the necessary visas and by press time on Tuesday they had spent two nights in the so-called rejection zone. Their families have been spending the night just outside. A Malaga judge turned down a habeus corpus appeal presented by their court-appointed lawyer that would have allowed them to enter the country. The immigrant aid group, Andalucía Acoge, the Red Cross and the Ombudsman (Defensor del Pueblo Español) have tried to help them but it was expected on Tuesday that they would be returned to Dublin, their last stop on their journey from Bolivia via Brazil. The uncle of one of them begged the authorities to have some compassion, saying their families do not have the money to pay the fare back to Bolivia. The police suspect they were brought in in such a roundabout way to avoid immigration controls. An airport official said: “If we let them in for humanitarian reasons, the next day more would turn up.” Local train to run more often Thanks to a series of improvements carried out over the past five years, the local Fuengirola-MalagaFuengirola train will start running at 20 minute intervals instead of 30 this summer. The authorities hope that when the airport's T-3 station opens, the local train will become the main means of transport to the airport. Bird lover woman loses home " ! " !$ # ! ! % UK PASSPORT RENEWAL AND POSTAL SERVICE C/ El Troncon, 14 behind the main Fuengirola Post Oﬃce Tel. 952 588 731 A Malaga court has ordered a woman who ignored her neighbours' pleas to stop feeding the birds from her balcony to leave her home and pay the €2,000 that it will cost to clean the building's façade. The court heard that she had been feeding pigeons, seagulls and sparrows for the past nine years and failed to stop even after Malaga City Council opened administrative proceedings against her. The woman’s neighbours said the constant noise made by the birds and their mess, made their lives miserable. The woman will be able to return to her home in 18 months time. WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 Inland & Coastal News n 11 news Your outlook on the World the Police dismantle drug gang +6%'0 '5+)05 The National Police have arrested two men carrying a suitcase containing €2,240,000 as they approached Malaga bus station to start a journey back to France. The police had had the two men – who had arrived in Malaga a few days earlier and six others under surveillance for some time. later during raids on five apartments - police seized 98 kilos of cocaine at one apartment, which was used to store the drugs. They arrested one of them as he left an apartment in the city centre carrying four kilos of cocaine and five others were arrested hours A police spokesman said they were alerted to the gang's activities when a Spanish woman was arrested some weeks ago at Barcelona's El Prat airport carrying 11 packets of cocaine in her stomach. She told police there that she was supposed to deliver it to Malaga. The police said the eight people arrested were from six different countries but did not give more details. 19411/ 9+6 18'4 #07(#%674'& +0 -+6%'05 ,756 61 +052+4' '4/#0; 9+6 56700+0) 37#.+6; +0+5* .#55+% 61 %#0&+0#8+#0 /1&'40 4+%'5 !#6'8'4 ;174 $7&)'6 740+0) "174 &4'#/5 061 4'#.+6; +&'#5 Bad weather drives ship aground The German container ship 'K Wave', with a 13man crew on board, was driven aground by bad weather at Almayate beach in Velez-Malaga in the early hours of Tuesday. The Body found in well A man called in the Guardia Civil after seeing what looked like a human leg floating in a well on a finca in the Camino el Borrajo district on the outskirts of Alhaurín el Grande. The Guardia's Special Diving Unit was called in and by late afternoon Monday several body parts had been recovered. A Guardia spokesman said only an autopsy would be able to determine if they belonged to a man or a woman, and establish the cause of death. He said the well would be drained to make sure all the parts had been recovered. Specialists from the Judicial Police said they were keeping an open mind as to the cause of death because an advanced state of decomposition could have dismembered the body. They said the only clue they had to the possible time of death was that the chain on the well cover had been found broken last October. captain radioed that the ship had no structural damage and was not letting in water. The maritime salvage service sent a helicopter and two vessels to assess the boat's N EWS IN BRIEF conditions, and a specialist diving team from Murcia was expected to arrive late on Tuesday to take a closer look. The rescue operation was due to start today (Wednesday). Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] MALAGA Wind energy doubled The wind energy produced in the province has more than doubled in the past two years, up from 167.3 megawatts in 2008 to 411.6 at the end of 2010. But the latest report from the provincial government's innovation department notes that public solar energy production remained more or less the same because of austerity cuts. However, private production increased as more companies and individuals installed solar panels. More than half a million households are using one of the two systems. SEVILLA Just another ridiculous traﬃc fine 999 %1%+0#52.75 %1/ A 55-year-old man was arrested after police discovered he had been drawing the pension of an aunt who died 14 years ago. He and his wife – who died a year ago - had access to the dead aunt's bank account, which they managed for her. Police said they had drawn out more than €100,000 since the aunt died. The man was charged with swindling, falsifying documents and defrauding the Social Security. He was set free with charges. JAEN 4,000 years of history uncovered Workers on a new road near Baeza, Jaen province, have uncovered the remains of a dozen human settlements going back 4,000 years, from the Copper Age to the Moorish occupation. One of the most interesting settlements recovered by the archaeologists so far is a village from the Copper Age, consisting of 70 structures, including cabins, cereal storehouses, graves, work areas and fortifications. Last October, the workers uncovered a Roman water works described as one of the best found in Spain so date. /#+. +0(1 161)4#0&' Martin Delfín Writes for the English language version of Saving Andalucia What the polls don’t say he Socialists held a meeting in Seville at the weekend for mayors from all over the region to give them ideas about how to win back around half a million Socialist voters who have been telling the pollsters they intend to stay at home on May 22nd, the day of the municipal elections. Basically, they were told to stop wasting money because austerity is here to stay for a while and to forget about another building boom, because it’s simply not going to happen. The idea of linking their salaries to the size of their towns’ populations was also floated. That would mean an awful lot of mayors taking a big salary cut, so it will end up in the bin of vote-catching proposals that never get off the ground. T T T he Socialists are seriously worried by the polls which indicate that the Partido Popular might pip them to the post this time around. If that happens, it would be the equivalent of the Tories winning every Labour seat in the north of England. It would be nothing more than a political tsunami which wouldn’t wipe out the party – it’s been around some 130 years – but the psychological damage would be devastating. A ndalucia, which the Socialists have governed since it became an autonomy in 1981, is the second largest of the country’s 17 regional governments – officially called autonomous communities – after Castilla-Leon, which is currently governed by the Partido Popular. In their last regional elections, which are held on different dates from the rest of Spain, the Socialists lost in both Catalonia and Galicia. In Catalonia last November they lost to Convergencia y Union, which had governed the region until the Socialists snatched victory from it in 2003 by forming an alliance with two small nationalist parties that favour independence from Spain. In March 2009, the Partido Popular took back Galicia which it had governed since the region became an autonomous community until the Socialists formed an alliance with the local nationalist party after the 2005 regional election. T he Socialists managed to oust the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) from power in the 2009 regional election there, but only by forming an alliance with the Partido Popular. But the authority of regional premier Patxi Lopez was seriously undermined when Zapatero promised PNV leader Iñigo Urkulli last year that the party that won the most votes in the next regional election would govern without having to form any alliances – in exchange for the PNV’s backing to get his budget through Parliament. If Zapatero had lost the vote on the budget he would have had to bring forward the general election, he proliferation of political polls over the past few weeks demonstrates just how confused voters across Spain really are. For the first time since democracy was restored, Spaniards have rejected the ruling governing party in favour of the opposition but at the same time give the prime minister higher marks than the opposition leader. In other words, people are saying that they would prefer the Popular Party to win the next elections but would rather have Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero – even though they don’t agree with his policies – over current PP leader Mariano Rajoy. Make sense? Well, given the political climate we are now facing nothing really seems to be clear anymore. currently slated for March 2012, so no doubt he thought that made it worth stabbing Lopez in the back. F rom the above, I think it’s fairly obvious that the Socialists in general and Zapatero in particular are willing to form alliances with the Devil himself to stay in power. So let’s hope for their sake that the Devil takes up residence in Andalucia to see them through the municipal elections. I f Coin (pop 22,000 or thereabouts) is anything to go by, they’ll need his help. Andalucia has been so solidly Socialist because it has always been the poorest region of Spain, after Extremadura. For centuries, the people of both regions suffered greatly at the hands of a small minority of powerful landowners, backed by the church, who hired the landless peasants only at harvest times and left them to starve for the rest of the year. So it’s no wonder that both regions fell under the spell of communism, anarchy and socialism at the end of the 19th century– and suffered greatly for it during and after the Civil War. However, the generation that has voted Socialist consistently in both regions since the end of the Franco dictatorship regime is dying out and most of those who remain live in the small inland pueblos, like Coin. Perhaps the older people here form part of that half million Socialists who plan to stay at home – because their political ideals won’t allow them to vote for anyone else. But here in Coín at least, the younger people are saying they want the Socialists out but whether they'll actually vote them out is another matter. The Socialists have been around a long time and like any group that's been in power for so long, they are owed a lot of favours by a lot of people. But, as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating so we'll have to wait until May 23rd to find which way the votes went. he latest survey released on February 8th shows that the PP extended its lead over the Socialists by more than 10 percentage points. If the elections were held now, the PP would win with 44.1 per cent of the vote while Zapatero’s Socialists would get 34 per cent, according to the poll conducted by the state-run Centre for Sociological Research, or CIS. Previous surveys three months ago showed the PP winning with just less than 8 per cent over the Socialists. But when asked whether they preferred Zapatero over Rajoy, most Spaniards answered they had more trust in the prime minister, a tendency which to me reveals that PP members would vote for their party but may leave blank ballots when it comes to electing Rajoy. prime minister last week told his parliamentary bloc, the PP is riding high on the polls and its members have lost touch with reality to the point that they have ignored the current agenda and forget that Spain is fighting to stay alive inside a quicksand pool of deficit. T he imbalance shown in the latest survey supports the long-held theory that the true poll is one that which is taken on election day. The general elections won’t be held until another year and a lot can happen within that time. People often change their minds on the same day they go to the ballot box. Then again there is the election phenomena that some voters, regardless of what party they belong to, don’t like belonging on the losing side. They will tick off the name that seems to be at the forefront regardless of whether they like him or not. Elections are strange devices with sometimes outlandish outcomes, but, of course, they strengthen our democracy. So maybe it is best we just don’t put too much faith in the polls but treat them instead as a form of entertainment as we struggle with the real issues in life. D irty capital T apatero and his Socialists have been punished by the economy and his package of policies, including the freezes in retirees’ pensions and government workers’ salaries, he introduced to try to solve the crisis. No doubt if Rajoy and his PP were in office the government would also resort to drastic but unpopular measures. But there is a difference between Zapatero and Rajoy and that is their personalities. The PP leader appears combative, arrogant, less willing to initiate dialogue and unclear about his economic policies. Next year will be his third attempt to try to become prime minister. While Zapatero also appears unsure of himself over his belt-tightening reforms, he has a much calmer demeanour almost to the point of bashfulness as if he were a young boy meekly handing in his homework. No doubt Spaniards want a confident leader at the head of their government, but not one who certainly appears to be in the race just for his or her own personal satisfaction. he city of Madrid has found itself in a murky situation when scientists reported that that the Spanish capital had exceeded the European Union limits on air pollution. A dark brown haze can be seen hovering over the city as politicians on the ground battled it out to determine who was going to have to pay to clean up the air. Last year, Madrid exceeded the legal EU limit for pollution by having an annual average of 44 micrograms of suspended particles within less than 10 micrometres. The EU limit is 40. Because none of the politicians from the city backed Popular Party government could clean up their act, Madrid’s environmental chief Ana Botella called for a temporary moratorium on the EU guidelines. The City Council urged people to use public transportation and leave their autos at home, but few have responded. The airborne dirt has made it difficult for people to breathe, exercise or just walk outside their doors. Some politicians are calling for shock measures such as increased road tolls and restricted days for people to use their automobiles. Mayor Alberto RuizGallardón has promised to bring down pollution levels to EU standards by 2015. M H Z ore and more it appears that Zapatero may step aside and allow his very popular deputy prime minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba take over the Socialist reins and run against Rajoy. A Rubalcaba-led slate no doubt is a winning formula. But as the owever, the city has gotten a reprieve this week as rain showers and wind appeared to have washed the air. Nevertheless, the pollution is set to return once the rains stop and the long dry summer season begins its approach. WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Community New season success written by Ann Ellis Thespa opened the new season with the comedy “Poor Mr Pembleton” by Stuart Ready, which was ably directed by Peter Cadman. In scenes reminiscent of Ronnie Barker in Open All Hours, Mr Pembleton (Mike Lloyd) became the hapless victim of the schemings of Mrs Deborah King (Jean Fenton) as her confident performance saw off the opposition lady suitors. Mike’s portrayal of Mr Pembleton’s rapid transition from “Jack The Lad” to bumbling “thumbprint” suited the role well. These strong performances were ably supported by members of his would-be harem played by Pat Blaker, Wendy Smith, Dee O’Sullivan and Eileen Cooper. The second play of the evening, “Two Wits To Woo” by John Kelly, was directed with great aplomb by Jean Fenton, greatly helped by three excellent performances. Ann Ellis (Lady Winsome) has to be admired for very adept handling of her two scheming employees; Michael Baker (James), and Jamie Stonhewer (Joseph) who have been milking the manor estate for years, Joseph selling off the vegetables grown in the estate garden and James running a taxi service with Lady Winsome’s Rolls Royce. In order to save their jobs as the manor goes into bankrupcy, they hatch a plan that one of them should marry Lady Winsome and pool their illicit gains into the estate’s coffers. On the toss of a coin James has to do the proposing. Michael Baker and Ann Ellis were perfect foils for each other in a very funny scene. Jamie Stonehewer’s portrayal of Joseph was nothing short of excellent and the three together created a very pacy dialogue which kept everyone enthralled. Cancer support group news MABS Cancer Support Group Marbella is a multinational group of volunteers in its sixth year. They provide help and support for individuals and their families to help them understand and cope with cancer by providing information and individual support helping to reduce the sense of isolation felt by some cancer patients and their families and coping with the stress and uncertainty by meeting other members at the monthly meetings. Volunteers can also assist with translation and transport if required for treatment, and with medical appointments. New volunteers, young and mature, are always welcome as they are vital to the group’s work, as drivers, to help with visiting and for carers – all are urgently needed – plus volunteers to spread the word about the group, campaign, sponsor and organise fund-raising events. Meetings are held at the Miraflores Club Poolside Restaurant starting at 11.30am every fourth Tuesday of the month. The next meeting is next Tuesday February 22nd. There is also a Scrabble afternoon from 2pm every second Tuesday of the month held at Pizerria El Zoco in Calahonda. The new branch, MABS Cancer Support Group Estepona, covers the San Pedro to Casares area. For more information call the helpline number 952 833 568 or 647 054 945, or email [email protected] or visit the website at mabscancersupportgroup. org EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR THE HOME Beds and Mattresses Oil Paintings Framed Pictures 16 piece Dinner Sets Solid wood Beds Bedside Cabinets Dining Tables Dining Chairs Duvet cover sets +2 pillow cases Doubles - Singles Flat sheets & Fitted sheets AND MUCH MUCH MORE!! Why not take up a new sport GENUINE Closing Down Sale and make new friends? Bowls is a leisurely sport, very sociable, and suitable for all ages. Lauro Golf Bowls Club is a young, expanding club catering for all levels of play and 80 per cent of members were new to the game when the club opened almost two years ago. Already they have some notable achievements to their name with individual trophies having been won.They have two teams in the Costa del Sol leagues and this year have reached the final of the League Cup which will be played at the end of March.They are the only inland facility of its kind and in the most beautiful surroundings. The emphasis is most definitely not all about winning, however, as enjoyment plays a large part in thier bowling life and there are regular fun and themed days as well as barbeques on the calendar. There are full bar facilities at the club and several restaurants within the complex. They are open 7 days a week, dress is informal apart from 3 "club" sessions. Everyone is welcome to go along and have a go! They offer a free introductory session including equipment and qualified coaches are also there to give advice. Various membership options are available as well as Pay and Play. For more information please contact either Ken Talbot on 952 963 161, mobile 663 553 483 or ([email protected]) or the club captain Harry Frostick on 952 112 041, mobile 651 488 837 or ([email protected]) Alternatively, why not just drop in? They are situated just past the apartments that face the car park in Lauro Golf Club. Massive Discounts everything more than 50% off its original cost THE BEST STOCK WILL BE THE FIRST TO GO LAST CHANCE POLIGONO LA ROSA ALHAURIN EL GRANDE. MON - FRI 10AM TILL 3PM WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es “THE NEWS”WANTS TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS Send letters to the editor as part of an e-mail text to [email protected] Mike B I felt like laughing when I read the front page of The News last week, the Spanish just do not have any idea about the damage they have done to possible property investments in this country because of their consistent shortsightedness in sorting the property problems out in this country. Housing Secretary Beatriz Corredor Mandy Roberts Having read your front page article from this week’s edition of The News – the Spanish Government are trying to woo back British property buyers I had to bite back hysterical laughter. Based on the experience of myself and my husband and plenty of others who have been stung out here by the perfectly legal ´money making´ schemes of the Mijas Ayuntamiento our advice to anyone thinking of buying a property out here is ´don´t unless you have very deep pockets, which you will need to fund their taxes as and when they think them up! The story about our property purchase is a little complicated but I would urge you all to keep reading. We bought an apartment in 2006 for 270k and paid the 7% purchase tax on that property. Our lawyer, one of the good guys, advised us not to make any “under the counter payments” which would have reduced the overall purchase price as we were already under the ´Valor Catastral´ valuation. This is the town hall valuation of a property and on our apartment this was 277k. We were told that the Town Hall could, within 4 years, demand a further 7 per cent of the 7k difference – since they assume that the purchaser has paid the seller that money unofficially and they charge you the tax on that ‘assumed´ amount, so we put aside €490 in case. In March 2009, however, we received from the Patronato de Recaudacion Provincial, Diputacion Provincial de Malaga, a final demand for two payments totalling just under €4,000. This charge was the retrospective revaluation of our apartment by a Town Hall appointed architect, showing that the selling price should have been €324,000 euros. This meant, it stated, that we had avoided paying the 7 per cent purchase tax on this differential of €54,000, which we now had to pay, plus By email states “trust in the system that we have and the transparency we provide”... that's a good one! Why would anyone trust in a system that is so obviously corrupt and totally ignorant to the interests of their citizens along with others who own property here, people who have invested here in the past and who are stitched up at every opportunity by central government and local authorities, a system that helps no one except themselves? Spain seriously needs to learn compassion then replace its unhealthy natural greed with it, this is not just towards people caught in the property mess but in every aspect of modern life. Mijas interest backdated to the date of purchase, even though this amount was NOT the real purchase price. The accompanying letter declared that, as we had not responded to previous notifications, we had lost our right to appeal against this tax, plus interest charged. We had never received any such notifications, and the only one we did get was, of course, the final demand without right of appeal. We took the documentation to our lawyer straight away as we were only given 14 days to pay the full amount and, if it was not paid, our bank account would be embargoed! It appears that the Notary, in front of whom all house purchases have to be made, carries no legal weight in these matters as all he does is sign at the end of the completion document " doy fe" which basically means " I believe that what these people are telling me is the truth". The fuctionario at the tax office in Fuengirola (civil servant) was singularly unhelpful and unpleasant, insisting that we had to pay or face further fines etc and he refused to let me take the file away from the office. It was only with the assistance of our lawyer that we were finally allowed to see the documents that we were supposed to have received. Even the addresses on them differed and yet they must have known where we lived since all this was as a result of the purchase of our apartment! We were, therefore, able to show incorrect delivery so we were now able to exercise our right of appeal. We had to hire an architect at a cost of €600, who repeated the process of retrospective revaluation, arriving at a figure of €285,000. This was still higher than we actually had paid but, even so, we were advised to increase this to €296,000 as the lower figure would not have been accepted and a third architect would have then been called upon to give a third valuation. This third valuation would have been binding and would almost certainly have been higher than €296,000, so we agreed. This was accepted and after about 3 months we got back a little over €1,800. Legal fees plus the architect's fees had cost us €1,600. We were, and still are, absolutely staggered that a member country of the European Union is allowed to behave in this manner, which is tantamount to legalised theft. This is happening to lots of unsuspecting people and applies as much to business property as to residential property sales. Never has the phrase ´buyer beware´ been more applicable. To anyone considering buying a property out here our advice is don´t unless you are fully prepared for a future additional tax bill (amount to be determined by your local town hall!) which can be imposed within 4 years of the original purchase. Those involved in the buying and selling of property may not even be aware that this practice goes on, but we want to let as many people as possible know, especially with the recent drop in property values, that if you buy a bargain it may not turn out to be such a bargain after all! Remember, whatever you pay for a property the town hall have the power to retrospectively re-value that property within the next 4 years to what they consider you ´should´ have paid for it and they can then tax you 7 per cent of the difference. In a way we consider ourselves lucky that we suffered a relatively ´small´ additional tax, we know of other examples where properties have been retrospectively re-valued by hundreds of thousands of euros, resulting in 20k plus tax bills! Buy property in Spain? Never again! Stargazing By Ken Campbell If you would like to be kept up to date or take part in any of the events then go to www.kencampbell.info Giant Full Moon Make sure that you go outside and have a look at the Full Moon this Friday night (Feb 18th). It will appear huge! The Moon does not go around the Earth in a perfect circle, instead its orbit is oval or ellipse shaped. So sometimes the Moon comes closer to the Earth and other times it is further away. This close point is called the perigee and the distant point is called the apogee. This week we are in for a real treat. The full Moon will be at its absolute closest to the Earth at a mere 221,676 miles as compared to 252,693 miles at its most distant or apogee to us. That is almost 30,000 miles closer and should make the Moon appear 1/3rd bigger in the sky than normal. If you can get to see the Moon when it is just rising and is very low down on the horizon then it will appear even bigger. This is just an illusion and has baffled scientists for years as to why this happens. Some believe it is because there are other objects such as trees and buildings to compare it against when it is low down, but using accurate measuring equipment it has been proven that it is just an illusion and that the Moon stays the same size throughout the night. Because the Moon is such a familiar object in the sky we sometimes forget that what we see is really another world. Its face has become so well known to us but, without stating the obvious, the Moon is not a flat disc but a round ball that constantly keeps its same side pointed towards us. If you were to see the Moon from a different angle then it appears completely different. People talk about the ‘dark side of the Moon’, there isn’t a dark side, and they are referring to the far side, the side that we never see. The reason that we only ever see the same side is because the Moon is spinning but it spins so slowly (once in 29 days) which is exactly the same length of time that it takes to orbit the Earth so it is held in a geosynchronous orbit. Imagine it like this; the Earth and you are at the centre of a child’s roundabout and the Moon is on the outside edge of the roundabout. As the roundabout turns then the Moon will always keep the same face pointed to you although from the Moon’s point of view it gets to see all around the playground as it goes around. Now if the Sun is in the distance, say over by the swings, then as the Moon goes around the Earth then the light coming from the Sun (the swings) will sometimes be shining on the face of the Moon and at other times it will be shining on the backside of the Moon. The different phases that the Moon goes through during its orbit around the Earth are caused by different parts of it being lit by the Sun. When the Moon is between us and the Sun then the far side of the Moon is lit and our side is in darkness, but as it makes its way around us so that it is now on the opposite side of the sun to us then the whole of its face is lit up and we see a full Moon. WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 news Your outlook on the World OUT & the ABOUT Your Weekly Entertainment Guide INSIDE THIS WEEK Special curry night at La Risa @ Lauro Golf Frank Burke (Mr Boogie Nights) at JK’s, Coin Talent contest coming up at Buzby’s, Benalmadena Blue skies over the snow-capped Maroma Wonderful variety on this superb Axarquia walk. Written by Gary Dearden Now the sun is making its appearance it’s time to brush oﬀ the winter cobwebs, get out the walking shoes and head out into the countryside for the first in this year’s occasional series of walks. C anillas de Albaida – about 19km from Salida 277 on the A7 motorway – must be one of the best-kept and prettiest of the Axarquia’s white villages. The lovely drive from the coast passes through Algarrobo, Sayalonga and Competa before reaching Canillas – and at this time of year, the snow-capped peak of La Maroma provides a magnificent backdrop. If you have time, stop at the Jarel Bodega, 1km after Competa, to taste or buy some excellent local wines – their sweet muscatel is a superb dessert choice! T he walk starts from the car park, next to the Collegio Rural, on the outskirts of the village. Go downhill from the miniroundabout, passing the farmacia on the left and the supermarket on the right. At the sign for ‘Finca el Cerrillo’, turn left and pass the municipal pool as you drop steeply downhill. The photogenic San Anton chapel is on the left and, 50m or so after, turn right at a 3-way junction and, keeping the gorge on your left, follow the tarmac road 200m down to the river. A s you descend, a wellpreserved Roman bridge on the left is worth a quick look, but use the road bridge to cross the Turvilla river and then immediately turn right towards a wide, gravelled area in front of a lovely converted mill. Don’t climb the concrete track, but keep the Cajula river on your right and follow its course on a distinct path, with several sets of stepping stones crisscrossing the flow as you head upstream. Fullyladen orange and lemon trees, mimosa and oleander bushes line the way, making for a delightfully colourful trek – and the fruit tasted delicious! P ass a small farm building on the left, then cross again and the now stony path rises below a rock overhang before descending to more stepping stones. After crossing twice more, the path climbs steeply between two wire fences to a clearing in an avocado grove a few metres below a white farmhouse – this is a good first rest stop. A few metres above the clearing, a small sign for ‘Camino del Rio’ points off to the right where the path winds its way first through more avocados, followed by beautifully scented wild rosemary and thyme, on an undulating course just above the river. This section is really pleasant and open with lovely views up and down the valley. Eventually the path descends back down to the river and more stepping stones. O nce across, the undergrowth thickens but the path remains clear until emerging at yet another crossing from where it again climbs sharply up to pass close to a rustic farm building - be sure to check out the great views from here back down the valley. P ass the house on its right hand side, and continue the climb as the path meanders up the side of the valley. On a hilltop opposite you will notice a new building, which you will pass on the latter part of the walk. H eading off to the right, the path crosses a watercourse then turns right again and uphill through an area of abandoned terracing, towards another farm which soon comes into view. NOTE: the new owner has blocked the main path through the old premises, so you need to find a way around and to the left of the buildings as you head up to find a very distinct, wide dirt track running behind the farm. There were three dogs in residence when we passed and although they appeared curious – perhaps because we had our dog on a lead – they were passive enough. Just take reasonable care at this point. W ith the farm behind you, turn right on the dirt track and continue walking for 1km or so. Just after the new building you saw earlier, the track bears sharp left and downhill towards some more houses at the head of the river valley. It is lined here with almond and orange trees – which were spectacular when we passed – and after a few minutes, winds down to a tired, concrete bridge to cross over a narrow stream. H ead uphill again towards a house with a row of pine trees, then down to another river – with badly eroded banks – where you cross with care to the right side, passing a row of poplar trees as you head uphill again on the main track, having ignored a sharp right branch turning down to the river. steps, watch for a cairn marking a lovely stonecobbled path heading off to the right as it winds steeply down to the river. The views back to Canillas are wonderful and, as you descend, you can easily pick out your final ascent on the opposite side of the valley. T he last river crossing is via an old stone bridge, before you turn right onto a well-trodden path to climb out of the valley. At the top, the path becomes a tarmac side road, passing just below the village cemetery. After 100m, turn left into the first street, carry on to the end of the road – passing some shops but maybe not all of the bars – to make your way up the hill, through the village centre and back to the car park. Distance – 11km A fter passing a few scattered houses above and below, the track swings left near a branch path to the right. Again, ignore this route – it is chained off anyway – and, after just a few dozen Grade – medium; easy way-finding, with some steep climbs. Time – 3.5 to 4 hours. WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in ABOUT AUDITION NOTICE The Salon Varietes in Fuengirola is holding auditions for “Little Women on Sunday February 27th from 11am until 2pm and audition pieces will be available from the Salon’s Box Office in Calle Emancipacion from Thursday February 17th onwards. The cast required are: Meg March, a girl of between 15 and 20-years old and who is the eldest of the March girls. Meg is quiet and serious; Her slightly younger sister Jo (14 - 19-years-old) who is a tomboy, full of energy and plain speaking; Younger still at 12 to 16 years is Beth March who is shy, gentle frail of health and very musical; Then there’s the youngest of all, Amy, 10-14 who is selfish and spoilt but growing up fast!; Mrs March, “Marmee”, 45-55, caring and loving and quietly self-assured and capable; Hannah, their housekeeper of 50-65. Irrascible but good hearted; Laurie Laurence III who is the grandson of Mr Laurence, 17-22 and on the brink of manhood; Aunt March, a wealthy but grumpy old lady in her 60s who is used to getting her own way; John Brooke, Laurie’s tutor, who is in love with Meg and is 26 to 40-yearsold; Mr Laurence, who is also in his 60s. He is a kind and wealthy next door neighbour who is a bit of a recluse. The original novel is by Louisa M. Alcott and has been adapted by Peter Clapham. Call Ana Atteck on 670 753 662 for further information. Your Weekly Entertainment Guide Lady of the Dawn performances for Cudeca “Lady of the Dawn” will be performed in aid of Cudeca, at the Palacio de Congresos, Marbella, from February 25th to 27th, with a special gala evening on the opening night to share a glass of friendship and to meet the cast. This exciting and interesting Spanish play written by Alejandro Casona and translated into English by Professor Donald B. Gibbs is directed by Roberta Aaron, with the support of the Marbella Town Hall, through their Culture and Foreigners’ Departments. Early Bird Special Monday to Saturday until 6pm - Fish Chips and Mushy Peas, Bread and Butter plus a free drink only €4.95pp Sunday Roast Lunch for €5.95pp Chris The Dish: 667 842 359 John The Fish: 678 292 792 2nd street behind Yaramar Hotel, Los Boliches Visit us at www.los-boliches.es The ever popular La Risa @ Lauro Golf restaurant on the road between Alhaurin de la Torre and Alhaurin el Grande - just ten minutes up from the coast - is holding a special Curry Day from 1pm on Monday February 21st. You will be able to enjoy two courses of fabulously authentic tasty food for the unbeatable price of just €7.50 but this is going to be a very popular event so you’ll need to call La Risa to book your table now on 660 350 896. La Risa has many events coming up, such as their regular Ladies Lunch Club meetings and there’s a market planned for Saturday February 26th from 10am until 2pm aimed at the ladies - men will be welcome to come along too of course! Tickets are available at the Palacio de Congresos in person or by calling 952 82 8 244 from 9am to 3pm. Ticket prices are: €20 for Friday February 25th which is a Gala evening performance at 8pm. €15 (€8 for students) on Saturday February 26th for the performance at 8pm and Sunday February 27th with an earlier performance start time of 7pm For further information please contact Ms Bobbi Aaron on 607 737 482. rEstAurAntE El rio THE NEWS IT COSTS LESS THAN YOU MIGHT THINK! Now re-opened for you to enjoy their usual high standard of service and food Call Geoff on 622 05 04 09 3 Course Lunch Menu. €10. 50 3 Course Evening Menu €12. 50 Full a la Carte Menu available Also BAr El rio %! !$ # The Home of Fish and Chips 12 NOON ‘TIL 10PM La Risa special This highly experienced director, Roberta Aaaron, has been a dedicated supporter of Cudeca from its beginning and from every event that she organises, funds are always given to Cudeca. This year her motto is “HELP SAVE CUDECA!”. CASA KON-TIKI OPEN ALL DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK www.thenewsonline.es and get 2 soft drinks for free with take away # %" % For fantastic tapas, drinks, raciones and typical Spanish specialities Open 12.00 noon till 4.30 / 7.00 till late (Closed Sundays and Monday lunchtime) 952 664 311 - 691 406 453 Calle Francisco Cano, 60, Los Boliches, Fuengirola MR. JEEVES Bingo Most Evenings 9.30pm All Sports Shown HOUSE BEER €1 A PINT SAN MIGUEL €1.50 A PINT! SAN MIGUEL & MAHOU BOTTLES €1 A BOTTLE GOOD PUB GRUB! news Your outlook on the World the Could you be a Buzby’s star? be made at Rox Studio. There will be a panel of three independent judges including one from The News. The event will provide a great opportunity to be seen by the movers and shakers who book acts along the Costa and could kick-start your career, and the prize is €100 and a professional recording to You must register before Saturday February 26th by calling Mad Terry on 645 404 911 or by calling into Buzby’s in Avenida Antonio Machado in Benalmadena. The event is being sponsored by Mad Terry@Buzby’s, The News and Rox Studios. Heats will take place on Sundays, February 27th, March 6th and 13th with the grand final taking place on Sunday March 20th. Your compere for the evening will be Adele Lee Peters so go along and show the Costa what you can do! See the best One of the longest established Male Choirs in Wales, the Llantrisant, excels in vocal harmony. The Llantrisant Choir has the enviable reputation of being in constant demand at concerts, charity events, weddings and funerals. On Friday, February 18th the legendary Frankie Burke - remember dancing to Heatwave’s Boogie Nights in the 70s? - is appearing at JK’s in Coin and it promises to be the best gig yet at this inland music venue. They have performed in the USA and all over Europe with regular concerts in England and Scotland and obviously their own Land of Song, Wales and are now going to perform for Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice. The concert will take JK’s This Week ! Monday & Thursday Belly Dancing 10.30am €5 per session Wednesdays 8.30pm Bingo - jackpot €400 Quiz - jackpot €120 Fri 18th February Frankie Burke ex-Heatwave & Boogie Nights writer Sunday Pool and Darts competitions from 2pm More info:654 396 651 [email protected] Tickets are available from the Box Office at the Salon Varietes theatre priced at 14.00€ and the office is open daily from 10.30am to 1.30pm and 7 until 8pm. or you can call them to book on 952 474 542. Go along, watch a fantastic concert and support your local Hospice at the same time! LI NEL E’S DELI Take Away Home Cooking and Catering Scandinavian and International Specialities Tel: 951 319 439 Aloha Gardens, next to El Jardin. Avda Del Prado Nueva Andalucia Open Mon-Fri 9.00am - 8.00pm [email protected] indian Delight FINE INdIAN CUISINE WE WELCOME YOU TO COIN’S NEWEST INDIAN RESTAURANT speciAl 4 cOurse €10.9090 2 cOurse €6. LUNCH MENU OPEN EVERY DAY Free bottle house wine with every 4 evening meals! Monday 18.30 - 23.30 Tuesday / Sunday 13.00 16.00 / 18.30 - 23.30 The Heatwave inaugural album was ‘Too Hot To Handle,’ and their third single ‘Boogie Nights,’ was released in 1977. It was a major success for Heatwave and proved to be the turning point of their career. ‘Boogie Nights’ was a number one single in Europe and provided an opportunity " EL MOJITO Plaza de Remo La Carihuela Torremolinos for people to hear Heatwave in America for the first time. Later that year the release of the classic love ballad, ‘Always And Forever’ demonstrated the versatility of the group, showing their ability to do both dance songs and ballads. In 1977 Roy Carter from London, England was added as additional (guitar, bass, keyboards) player. Do not miss the opportunity to see one of the worlds greats. Tickets are €1 in advance or €3.50 on the door. To book call JK’s on 654 396 651. MUMTAZ MAHAL Indian Restaurante Terry @ Buz ad “LIVE” by’ Wednesday 16th Alex Avery Thursday 17th Lesley Harrison Friday18th Kevin “Copper Nitrate” Saturday 19th Mad Terry Sunday 20th Adele Lee Peters Monday 21st Terri Fox followed by Natalie Monroe - Queen of Karaoke after midnight Tuesday 22nd Feb Jordana + Cher tribute Karaoke from midnight every night with Mad Terry and Tommo Talent Show from 27 Feb 952 057 062 A song for Cudeca place on February 26th and 27th at the Salon Varietes in Fuengirola. The curtain will go up on Saturday 26th at 8pm and on Sunday 27th at 7pm. ! s The competition is to be run over four Sundays from 8.30pm and as long as you are over 15 years old, there’s nothing to stop you entering and becoming the next star on the Costa. M From Sunday February 27th, Mad Terry @ Buzby’s is running a talent contest so, if you can sing, play an instrument or are a band why not register to enter? SPECIAL OFFER! 8oz entrecôte steak with all trimmings & bottle Rioja - only €20 per couple Monday & Thursday Quiz Night Tuesday & Wednesday Live Football from 8:45pm Friday Siobhan - female vocalist from Dublin Fun for all ages Saturday Night Life - comedy vocal duo Not to be missed!! Sunday “Mr Blue Eyed Soul” Danny Stone Café Now Open 8pm ‘til late for Late Night Snacks LIVSEIC MU Av Antonio Machado FREE ENTRY* Shows start at 9.30pm. Open all day. Benalmadena Tel.: 645404911 quality golf at Reduced Green Fees Come and enjoy the best of Indian cuisine in our newly refurbished airconditioned restaurant or dine on our fabulous terrace Menu del Dia 3 courses €9,95 " NEW 2011 MENU WITH PRICES REDUCED BY UP TO 10 & 15% " ! t’ spor bar OPEN FROM 11am Restaurante The Village Inn HOT & COLD FOOD SERVED ALL DAY INTERNET HOTSPOT Fish & Chips Friday Night Eat In or Take Away €7.50 Sunday Lunch - 2 courses for €8.50pp 1.30 - 6.00pm Meal Deal: buy one, get 2nd half price! Weds nights - everybody welcome - darts night Free easy parking available ALL MAJOR SPORTS EVENTS ON ESPN RESERVATIONS 952453745 / 610317980 Calle Maria Zambrano, 7 - 29100 Coin MALAGA LAS PALMERAS,COIN 952·454·267 Call 661 114 070 for more details La Risa @ Lauro Golf St Patrick’s - Superb 3 course meal at €15pp Saturday 19th March from 7:30pm Open everyday frOm 10 till 23 ►Ladies Lunch Club - Speaker: Age Concern España: Tomorrow (Thursday) 17th February at 1.30pm ►Ladies Indoor Market (outside if weather permits): Saturday 26th February from 10am until 2pm ►Fish & Chips now being served Wednesday & Friday all day due to popular demand! ►Mondays Special Menu - February 21st - Curry Day from1pm - 2 courses €7.50 - booking advisable. ►Sunday Lunch from 1pm - whole lamb shoulder for 2 persons €5 supplement (must be pre-booked) Carib Playa, Opposite OpenCor, km 196, N340 On the road between Alhaurin el Grande & Alhaurin de la Torre Across From the Clubhouse Happy Hour from 6 to 7 pool table dart boards football 952 835 731 For further details of all these events and our new winter opening times call us on 660 350 896 or pop into the bar. Reservations: 660 350 896 MOVIES TO WATCH OUT FOR MOVIE SPOTLIGHT Kids can be so cruel BY CLINT EASTWOOD By Amy Thomas Starring Matt Damon, Cecile de France email: [email protected] Three people from diﬀerent parts of the world,from completely diﬀerent walks of life, have one thing in common – they are haunted by mortality and the need to find answers where none may exist. Director Eastwood sets the scene with a breath taking opening sequence in which French journalist Marie Lelay (de France) and her boyfriend find their Asian idyll of a holiday turning into a nightmare as the Boxing Day tsunami sweeps all before it, and takes the life of her lover, leaving her haunted by the images of his death. In London, 12year-old schoolboy Marcus mourns the loss of his twin brother in a road accident and is seeking a way to reconnect with the closest person to him. And in San Francisco George Lonegan (Damon) has a special connection with the afterlife and is troubled by his brother’s exploitation of his psychic gift – a gift he wants to block out so that he can lead a normal life. In Babel and Crash fashion these disconnected stories set half a world apart find themselves linked together. It’s a thought provoking premise, and with Eastwood at the helm, and with a screenplay by Peter Morgan (The Queen) the movie has managed to split the critics. Last year’s The Lovely Bones took a bit of stick for the way it painted the afterlife, and Hereafter has come in for some mixed reviews. But Eastwood is as spare and unsentimental as ever, and while it may not hit the heights of movies like Gran Torino, he is always a powerful director. So maybe one to make up your own mind about. MOVIE NEWS A triumphant Bafta night It’s official –The King’s Speech is the biggest grossing British independent movie ever and it’s still pulling in a million a day at the UK box office. Oh, and in case you have not noticed, it swept all before it at the Baftas on Sunday. Not only that, it picked up the Spanish ‘Oscar’ at Sunday’s Goya awards for best European movie. So, all is looking promising for the Oscars kater this month. The movie picked up seven out of its 14 nominations – Colin Firth, as predicted, took best actor for his role as the stuttering monarch. It was good to see Helena Bonham Carter, as Queen Elizabeth, and Geoffrey Rush as the speech therapist, win the best supporting actor gongs Helena Bonham Carter’s acceptance speech rambled a bit, but as she said, she won’t be winning an Oscar so it was the night to make the most of it. The movie also picked up best picture, best British picture, best screenplay and best original music. Host Jonathan Ross joked that the audience at London’s Royal Opera House should just keep clapping while a succession of cast and others from the movie took to the stage to pick up the awards. The one big omission was director Tom Hooper - the award for best director went to David Fincher for the Social Network, and that’s likely to be replicated on Oscar night. Both it and Inception were the other big winners as they picked up technical awards, and Black Swan’s Natalie Portman will have her best actress gong sent to her – the pregnant actress was not able to fly to London for the event. Stephen Fry presented the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award to the Harry Potter series – the biggest grossing, most successful franchise ever, and the audience gave veteran actor Sir Christopher Lee a standing ovation as he received his Fellowship of the Academy. CInEMAS SHOwInG FILMS In EnGLISH To ﬁnd out the times and location online, go to www.entradas.com, click on Malaga, go to Cine and on drop down list select “Cartelera V.O.” and click on ﬁlm poster Malaga - Plaza Mayor: 902 902 103 Fuengirola - Parque Miramar: 952 198 600 Marbella - Gran Marbella: 952 810 077 Velez Malaga - C.C. El Ingenio: 902 221 622 please check times with the cinema direct W hen it comes to classic horror films set at summer camp the first movie that comes to mind is “Friday the 13th”, but I think I found a movie that could knock “Friday the 13th” oﬀ its podium. A strange thing occurred this week, which drew my attention to a horror serial I had not seen before (which is strange indeed) – hence I spent all week watching all four “bloody” parts. T he 1983 “Sleepaway Camp” is just like every other campus horror, the first part is the best and more or less from the beginning you know (or have an idea) who the killer is and who will get slashed first and who might survive. However, that said, this one has a twist – one so good that even I didn’t see it coming. After a horrible boating accident kills her family, Angela, a shy and sullen young girl, moves in with her eccentric aunt Martha, who one summer sends Angela and her protective cousin Ricky to Camp Arawak. Soon after their arrival, a series of bizarre and increasingly violent accidents begin to claim the lives of their fellow campers. T he 80s was a great time for horror movies, but not for fashion – some of the shirts the guys are wearing are a tad queer to say the least. One of the things I liked the most about this movie was that most of the characters were plausible, and it was nice for a change that the killer didn’t hide all the bodies, like most campus movies. The final scene will probably leave you speechless, as it did me WOW! T he sequel “Sleepaway Camp 2: Unhappy Campers” didn’t have the mystique of the first, this is probably due to the fact that you now already know who the killer is. It moves away from the horror/suspense genre to a comedy gore fest, to which if you are not a good girl or boy with honourable intentions – well, you’re dead. There are a few quirky moments, but again it slides too closely to comedy for my liking. The only thing that saves “Sleepaway Camp 3: Teenage Wastland” is that the killer is played by the same person, there’s nothing original in this one, except the ways of picking oﬀ your victims – and Michael J Pollard, shame on you. B y this time you can imagine I was pretty sick of watching this series, as nothing could top the first part. However, I am a trooper and trooped right through the final part “Return to Sleepaway Camp”, which, surprisingly, wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated. The main kid Alan, is awful but the worst thing is you know this kid, he’s obnoxious, rude, irritating and disturbingly familiar. So, when the other kids make fun of him, you kind of enjoy it and if Alan wasn’t trouble enough, there’s a killer on the loose or is there? The great thing about this final part is you get to see Angela, Ricky and Ronnie (the guy with the clip board and short shorts, and yes he’s still wearing them), reprising their original roles 25 years later. I f you don’t want to watch all four parts it is quite understandable, however I do highly recommend watching the first part – it makes Jason look like a mamma’s boy! WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the August 23rd September 22nd by Cathy Stronach It doesn’t matter what is going on in or around you or how hard life may seem in a certain area of your life, the truth remains that Jupiter, our most benevolent benefactor, is in your sign and he is in it with his might and mercy. You have from now until the end of May to launch your deal - this brand new cycle that you are in enables you to influence the world, to attract to you all that you need. Lady Luck has arrived so the question is “what do I really want”? One step at a time - the right kind of permanent change does not occur overnight. Sure, sudden unforeseen events can alter something in the blink of an eye, but then everyone is left to integrate all that has occurred. You are looking far into the future, working now to create something solid, yet something totally brand new. This week as Mercury and Saturn connect innovatively in your house of eﬀorts, you find a solution to an age old problem, allowing an enormous weight to be lifted. The mind is powerful. Your ruling planet Mercury rules the mind, as well as thoughts and all forms of communication. Currently Mercury is in rocket scientist Aquarius, indicating that your thoughts may be firing with far more speed than usual. Not only may they be keeping you up at night but also tact’may not be a virtue of yours right now. Speed is on your side, solutions to age old problems are easy to sort – revelations are not uncommon. Results take time to manifest and it may be a while before your eﬀorts are obvious. True change starts from the cells and reverberates like a ripple eﬀect throughout your total being. The validation you have been seeking is coming. You will find and feel the evidence of your energetic output and be shown that. at least in one key area, you were not only right on track but blazing a new trail of powerful significance. You are soon to experience a real and lasting reason to celebrate. Does winning or even being right really matter? A necessary humbling, for whatever reason, is in process now for you. Leo, and it will be far better for you to retreat than to jump in with both barrels blazing to prove a point. Putting some space in between what angers you or pushes your buttons is the best thing you could do to manage the inner angst. Your greatest strength is in your capacity to love no matter what, to shine even when it rains and to open your heart even when someone has a lock on theirs. It is your chance to participate in re-writing some of the rules in the game of life. This includes the rules surrounding how you spend your time and where you put your energy and focus. You are craving more adventure and spontaneity as you feel plugged into that universal current of life, charged up and ready to go. Make some room in your life to elevate your gain, know what you want and don’t be afraid to grab it with both hands. LIBRA As light as you would love life to be, it is far from that now as your ruler, Venus, crosses over intense Pluto. It will be impossible to keep things on the surface as far deeper things are requiring you to dive to some deeper dimensions of being. New chapters are being written and as this transition is taking place, even those things that used to assist in taking the edge oﬀ are not working September 23rd - their magic. This is no side stepping time, every moment matters and every October 22nd choice counts. SCORPIO rd October 23 November 21st The thing to bear in mind, Scorpio, is that miracles, although few and far between, do happen. Everywhere you look, in one way or another, there will always be a story that leads to that “life isn’t fair” feeling. It can be challenging to accept certain things but there is a great deal more going on than meets the eye. A silver lining to a dark cloud will show itself and help you see the blessing in the barricade. A private wish or prayer is to be answered. SAGITTARIUS Following those inner rhythms without any outside influences interrupting your flow is what you do well. That is what is being asked of you now - to lay down your arms and give up your defences, to go with the flow. It means following your instinct, that fire in your belly that seems to know where it is going. Simply remember to be true to yourself and express the way you really feel this week November 22nd - and the world will respond in full, the eﬀects will be immediate. December 21st CAPRICORN There is a sweet smell in the air because Venus, the planet of loving relief, is on your side this week. Things may have been feeling particularly intense and you may have been forced to confront what you must - resulting in a progressive elimination of all that does not support your best and highest self. Now you welcome a reprieve. There is nothing like a full-blown release of the weight of nd December 22 responsibility you have been carrying. This is sure to lift your spirits. January 19th AQUARIUS PISCES February 19th March 20th Warrior Mars is still in your sign giving you that kind of consistent energy blast that makes you feel you are competing against something even if you are sat on the sofa. It can be next to impossible to relax but then again, maybe it means you are not supposed to, if there is something that needs initiating then you have the green light. There will be plenty of time for relaxation in the coming weeks. There is adventure in the air so prepare to expand your vision. We all know what a great listener you are and this trait will be put to the test when a friend in need finds your door. Those famous words, “I feel your pain”, could not ring more true and must have been written by you. There is something about sharing stories that helps us all to not feel so alone in the world. There are certain victories in your life at the moment but they don’t give you the thrill you might desire because you kind of knew it all along what you do have, though, is an inner tranquillity. New Iceland opens TODAY! At last, today, February 16th sees the opening of ICELAND’s newest branch - and in the lovely location of Puerto Banus. Hundreds of thousands of mums all over Spain, from Tenerife to Benidorm, have discovered how vital ICELAND is to their weekly shop and budget and have nothing but praise for the stores, which are dotted along the Costas and in the Canary Islands and always in the handiest of locations. It’s a constant surprise to all shoppers at the variety of produce in-store and with over 7500 items on the shelves and over 400 m2 at the new Puerto Banus store, it’s no wonder there are so many happy customers leaving ICELAND’s ten and soon to be eleven branches. “So that’s why mums go to ICELAND” is more than just a slogan, it’s ICELAND’s secret weapon. It’s impossible to contemplate a weekly shop without a visit to one of their branches, because not only do they offer the biggest bargains, from Buy One Get One Free offers, to their basic Euroshopper line, they also provide their clientele with the handiest of specialized items, which are truly impossible to find elsewhere. Or, if they can be found, they’re exorbitantly expensive. ICELAND takes all that out of the picture, saving you time and most importantly, money in one fell swoop. From aisles dedicated to baking and others dedicated to marinated and preserved produce, sections for Indian cooking and others for Chinese, ICELAND takes the hassle out of cooking by providing you with all you need and more to put dinner on the table and with the least fuss possible. ICELAND’s fame for frozen food is no small thing, with vast selections of frozen and chilled goods all on display. There is everything you need, from quick and easy frozen vegetables, (fresh fruit and vegetables can also be found in the chillers,) meats, fishes, pizzas and ready made meals. Plus there is a large variety of different cuisines of the latter, from Italian to traditional British fare. Not only that, but dessert is taken care of as well; fresh and frozen cakes can be found in store plus your favourite flavour icecreams! British beers in store! Everything you need to keep your home ticking over is in-store and all conveniently to hand. Finally, you can have fresh British milk in your tea and coffee- let’s face it, there is no better than brands like Cravendale! Favourite Cheeses from brands you know and trust, such as Cathedral City, Leerdammer, Kerry, Pilgrim’s Choice, Seriously Strong or even ICELAND’s own cheeses, from Blue Stilton to Extra Mature White Cheddar. You will find fresh British Bacon, Hams and Chickens. Plus there is a huge selection of ready-made pastas and sandwich fillings available. And come the festive seasons, ICELAND supplies all you need and more. For Christmas, aisles are dedicated to Crackers, Snacks, Presents, Chocolates and so much more. Come Easter, you’re in Egg heaven! You’re in a spooky wonderland, when Halloween comes, with all you need for those trick or treaters on the shelves. There are chocolate boxes for your loved ones on St. Valentine’s Day and come Mother’s Day, you can even buy fresh flowers at ICELAND! For Father’s Day, there are toiletry gift sets from brands he’ll love. Gillette and Dove for Men being two of the most popular makes. But ICELAND provides so much more than these staple items; if you have a sweet tooth, then ICELAND will be your haven! With aisles dedicated to sweets and biscuits, there is something for everyone from Lemon Sherberts to your favourite Cadbury’s Chocolate Bar, Grandma Wild’s cookies to Fox’s Butter Crinkle Crunches! If you’re more of a savoury person, then there is a huge selection of crisps, from Seabrook’s and Kettle to Walkers and Doritos. There are also ready to eat Pork Pies and Sausage Rolls! ICELAND is truly a mum’s dream! With a vast array of baby products, from food to nappies and accessories; an enormous selection of pet food and accessories plus cleaning products- big brands you know and love, from Dettol to Harpic, to Persil and Lenor! For the kids, there are toys and stationary for school. You can purchase British newspapers, magazines, books and greetings cards. There are even spirits and Parking is available all around the Puerto Banus store, so there need never be any hassle in finding a space! ICELAND seek out stores for their shopper’s convenience and in prime areas and Puerto Banus is no different! Find ICELAND in Centro Comercial La Alzambra, (29660,) Nueva Andalucia, Local 1,2, Marbella. Not only that, but ICELAND attempt to help, where many stores don’t. There is a carry-to-your-car service; ask in store for help. All staff are British, so you need never fear a language barrier. There are two stores now in the Costa Del Sol, one in Fuengirola, and now Puerto Banus! Visit their website: www.overseas.es Tel: 965 731 915. Open Monday- Saturday from 9am until 9pm. WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2010 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Contemporary lifestyle and celebrity gossip FASHION iHave sinned.... Kate is keen on Posh’s frocks well, it’s definitely Victoria beckham’s year. not only is she expecting her fourth child, the former Posh spice, who has won plaudits from the fashion world she now works in, is to send a selection of dresses from her collection to royal bride-to-be Kate Middleton. Kate has shown a lot of interest in Victoria’s dresses and thinks they would be just the ticket for formal and evening engagements. Victoria unveiled her autumn/winter collection (picture above) at New York Fashion Week last weekend, and said that she would be sending items from her current spring/summer collection to Kate. “It’s tremendously exciting and I would be honoured if she were to wear my designs. I admire her tremendously. She’s a beautiful young girl and she wears clothes beautifully,” said the former Spice Girl, whose fashion range has been a huge hit with Hollywood stars. She won’t be in the frame to design the wedding dress. There has still not been an announcement yet, although Bruce Oldfield is the hot tip. But Posh and Becks are more than likely to see Kate in her wedding outfit. David and Prince William have become friends so its likely the Beckhams will get a coveted invitation to the big day on April 29th. And the evidence that Kate is now the fashion icon du jour continues to grow. An Harry versus Beckham – no need to fight to sort it! The host of TV Burp and You’ve Been Framed, famous for his big shirt collars, glasses, and brothel creeper shoes, has won 25 per cent of the vote, just two per cent more than the LA Galaxy player. The nation’s sweetheart Cheryl Cole swept the board as leading role model among young girls with 44 per cent of the vote. Harry Potter actress Emma Watson is runner up with 10 per cent, followed by Potter author J K Rowling on eight per cent. Alan Sugar and Simon Cowell feature in both the boys’ and girls’ lists. Twenty seven per cent of boys want to be rich, 13 per cent sporty and 12 per cent successful in business, 11 per cent want to be funny, while 9 per cent want to be famous, but only 1 per cent want to be handsome! Girls are keener on being famous – 21 per cent say that’s their top aim,while 17 per cent say they want to be happily married, 15 per cent want to be successful in business, 10 per cent want to be rich, eight per Technology now means that if you have some sins to confess you can do it from the comfort of your armchair. A new application for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch has been created in America and received the blessing of a Roman Catholic bishop. “Confession: A Roman Catholic App” has been created by Indiana based company Little iApps and it gives users a step by step guide to the sacrament. Developer Patrick Leinen said he had been inspired to develop it by Pope Benedict XVI’s call to the faithful to use new media to good purpose. The app offers a guide to performing the sacrament and a list of acts of contrition. We are a popular, growing newspaper heading into our 3rd year. Why not join us! WE REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING: SALES EXECUTIVES TELEMARKETING EXECUTIVES while one star rises... well, david beckham hasn’t actually fallen from grace with uK youngsters, but for the first time in years he is no longer the leading role model for boys aged between seven and 12. Bald TV presenter Harry Hill has nicked the top spot off the famous footballer a survey has revealed. annual survey of fashion buzzwords and phrases in print, on the internet and in social media, has just revealed that the royal brideto-be has dethroned Lady Gaga as the top fashion buzzword for the fashion season. The outrageous Gaga, who made her Grammy appearance at the weekend emerging from an egg, has to be content with second place. cent pretty, five per cent sporty and funny came last with three per cent. On the boys’ list David Cameron and Cheryl Cole each got a two per cent vote. Four per cent of girls put Harry Hill on their list. A child psychologist said that money and success were key motivators for children, especially boys, and that was likely to continue during the economic recession when kids could see changes in their family’s lifestyle as belts tightened. So, the message is, if you want to encourage your children to aim for the top and to make money, don’t increase their pocket money. for the right candidates we oﬀer EXCELLENT COmmiSSiON iNCREASiNg WiTh pERfORmANCE CONTACT RObERT Must have proven experience We are looking for individuals or managers with an existing team All enquiries will be treAted in the STRICTEST CONFIDENCE WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Health &beauty News - Breakthroughs - Treatments - Trends Sweet protection against Parkinson's People who eat foods rich in antioxidants called flavonoids, especially berries, may be protecting themselves from developing Parkinson's disease, according to a new study. Flavonoids are found in a variety of foods such as apples, chocolate, and citrus fruits, as well as berries, but not all of them are created equal. Only those known as anthocyanins, found in berries and other red/purplish fruits and vegetables, protected both men and women. For the study, Harvard Medical School researchers collected data on over 49,000 men who took part in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and more than 80,000 women from the Nurses' Health Study. Using information gleaned from detailed questionnaires about their diets, the researchers calculated the amount of flavonoids people consumed. In addition, they also looked at the consumption of tea, berries, apples, red wine and oranges and orange juice. Over 22 years of followup, they found that of the men, those who consumed the most flavonoids were 40 per cent less likely to develop the neurodegenerative illness compared with men who consumed the least amount of flavonoids. However, among the women, there wasn't any relationship between total flavonoid intake and the risk of developing Parkinson's. On the other hand, the subset of flavonoids known as anthocyanins - found in berries - were associated with a lower risk of Parkinson's in both men and women. While the cause of Parkinson's disease isn't known, it appears to have both a genetic and an environmental component, the researchers said, adding that if someone is genetically predisposed to the disease and is also exposed to an environmental trigger, the difference between developing Parkinson's or not could potentially depend on the amount of flavonoids in the diet. Mobile Beauty Therapist la clinica is a holistic and dynamic health clinic with treatments for internal and external wellness s offer t n e r cur 15% discount on any Manual Lymphatic Drainage treatment dental cleaning cell-scanning Dental hygienist Manual Lymphatic Drainage specialist (vodder Trained) Patricia Kaines Personalised treatments for: Pre and post cosmetic surgery cellulite reduction, detox sinus congestion, skin problems fluid retention & arthritis Had your health checked recently? 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NEW 4 in 1 facial machine, Visible results after one treatment Vie At Home products now available. Shop and get pampered in the comfort of your own home! Why go to a spa when the spa can come to you? Call to find out more 693 109 293 Pamper Parties Available Colonic Ir r igation at the SECRET SANCTUARY MARBELLA Spring is coming so get into tip-top shape for the pool and beach season. Also all forms of invigorating massage. and Agua Detox 666 911 071 www.secret-sanctuary.com New drug better than aspirin German researchers have found a new drug to be "vastly superior" to aspirin at reducing the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is one of the most common heart rhythm problems and its most common symptom is a fast and irregular heartbeat. Although AF patients are at a higher risk of stroke, as many as 50 per cent of patients are unsuitable for treatment using vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin, which help prevent the formation of blood clots. Until now, the only alternative treatment has been aspirin. However, in a clinical trial involving 5,600 AF patients researchers from the Department of Neurology and Stroke Centre, University Hospital Essen found that the new drug – called apixaban – lowered the risk of suffering a stroke by 3.6 per cent in a year, compared with aspirin which reduced the risk by just 1.6 per cent. They said the drug – which works by blocking factor Xa, a crucial step in blood clot formation - also works better in people with a history of stroke or ministroke. The researchers said they had not anticipated that apixaban would show such a big difference compared with aspirin while showing no significant increase in major bleeds. They added if their findings were validated by future studies, they believed it would be the end of aspirin as a drug to prevent stroke in patients with AF. HAIR, NAILS & BEAUTY All aspects of hairdressing Cutting - Wella Colours - Hi/Lo lights - Perming Sunbed ‘winter specials’ 60mins 25€ - Spray tans Clarins facials from 30€ PAMPER PACKAGES FOR IDEAL GIFTS FROM 55€ Reflexology and Massages from 25€ Manicure / Pedicure The latest Shellac & Foilwrap Minx Nails Teethwhitening also available for special price 125€ Mon - Closed / Tues - Fri 10 - 6.00pm / Sat 10 to 4.00pm Tel: 952 666 787 - Mobile 630 800 572 Are you looking for a good hairdresser? Come and try us. Quality work reasonable prices. Color, cut and style from 30€ HANNA Tricoderm SL • 952 917 126 Bernabé Tierno 3, Edif. Lindamar 2 Street between Paseo Mercadona and Feria 29640 Fuengirola, Malaga WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Take a break TARGET PUZZLE SUDOKU by Papocom Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. With no repeats, that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Level: Level: MEDIUM HARD See how many words of four or more letters you can make from the given nine letters. In making a word each letter may be used only once. The key letter must be used in each word. A R T L E F L AW N U I G E T C DA Target 1-5 Poor 6-12 Average 13-19 Good 20-22 Excellent 1-7 Poor 8-15 Average 16-23 Good 24-26 Excellent The following are not allowed: - Words beginning with a capital letter - Words with a hyphen or apostrophe - Plural words ending in “s” The 9-letter word WATERFALL Across Down 1. Present to secure a mutual concession. (4--3-4) 9. Performed respectfully and kept in flower garden area. (7) 10. Blockhead banished to a reserved corner, perhaps? (5) 11. Engage in open roll-call. (5) 12. The way a girl is heard to assist by wearing synthetic rubber. (7) 13. Acting group of soldiers? (6) 15. Robs church motion to oﬀer up Eastern European soup. (6) 18. Tan ever so seasoned. (7) 20. First, call sign mark. (5) 22. Crews steam about. (5) 23. I am taking one to gallery showing counterfeit copy. (7) 24. Get sent a tea service for accommodating vendor. (6,5) 2. Choir rehearsing to praise Gods legendary life blood. (5) 3. Surround unfinished letter holder. (7) 4. One not dressed for recreation. (6) 5. Take this 60’s boy to bed, possibly? (5) 6. Stricken Nelson revealing tykes boarding establishments. (7) 7. Civet bit Joy with absolute detachment. (11) 8. Calm receded a cool outlook. (5-6) 14. Relatives (col, sl) in bad Western company. (7) 16. Ten, might grant assembly discourse. (7) 17. Seemingly close, we hear, to provoking an urge. (6) 19. A star reborn to defend Haile Selassie. (5) 21. Jane is such an artless person? (5) 1 Across Down 5. Rest needed to keep one looking young? (6,5) 7. Rod attachment to wheels (4) 8. (Beat with a) heavy stick (8) 9. Kind of bit - take without permission (7) 11. It removes 2 (5) 13. Irritating smile (5) 14. Plaited hair (7) 16. Ship's non-fare-paying passenger (8) 17. Thwart - contrasting thing - sword (4) 18. Plant with a pungent edible root (11) 1. (Make into a) bundle of hay (4) 2. Pre-beard growth (7) 3. Bring out - children (5) 4. Estrange (anag) (8) 5. Bout (6,5) 6. Close ending to a race (5,6) 10. Banger, for example (8) 12. Frog's seat on a pond? (4,3) 15. Candy item (5) 17. Be unsuccessful (4) 2 17 18 6. If you dropped three solid steel spheres, weighing 1kg, 2kg and 3kg, at the same time from a height of ten metres, in what order would they hit the floor: 1kg 2kg 3kg; 3kg 2kg 1kg; All at the same time; or Some other order? SOLUTION FOR QUIZ Hard 14. Pigtail 16. Stowaway 17. Foil 18. Horseradish 5. Beauty sleep 7. Axle 8. Bludgeon 9. Snaﬄe 11. Razor 13. Smirk 15. borsch 18. veteran 20. alpha 22. teams 23. imitate 24. estate agent 1. give and take 9. behaved 10. dunce 11. enrol 12. styrene 13. troupe Across 1. Bale 2. Stubble 3. Issue 4. Sergeant 5. Boxing match 6. Photo finish 2. Ichor 3. envelop 4. nudist 5. teddy 6. kennels 7. objectivity Down SOLUTION FOR SUDOKU SOLUTION FOR CRYPTIC / QUICK CROSSWORD 4. In summer 2010 Ofcom (regulatory/complaints body for UK communications industries) found that broadband service providers were on average giving customers what percentage of the connection speeds they had contracted to receive: 46%; 75%; 98% or 120%? 5. Sprinter Merlene Ottey, age 50, was a member of which nation's 4 x 100 metres relay squad at the 2010 European Championships: Bermuda; Slovenia; Jamaica; or Bahrain? 8 9 1. Which English royal house held the throne between 1154 and 1485: Stewart; Tudor; Plantagenet; or Lancaster? 1. Plantagenet 2. Ring (from the Latin anulus and anus, meaning ring) 3. Painting 4. 46% 5. Slovenia 6. All at the same time Cryptic Multiple choice QUIZ CROSSWORD 10. Firework 12. Lily pad 15. Sweet 17. Fail 8. level-headed 14. outlaws 16. orating 17. incite 19. Rasta 21. plain WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in New Series: Let’s Dance for Comic Relief New legal drama series: Silk Tues Feb 22nd 21.00 WEDNESDAY February 16 Fri, Feb 18th 23:30 The Ruins A group of friends set oﬀ for the idyllic beaches of Mexico. They get more than they bargained for though when they come across an ancient archaeological dig in the lush Mexican jungle. Within the mystical ruins they discover something truly evil waiting for them... FILM Sun, Feb 20th 22:00 The Prestige “ How does he do it? '' Magician Robert will do anything to find out the secret behind the new illusion of his rival Harry, even if that means sending his mistress to seduce the conjuror. FILM Tue, Feb 22nd 22:35 Demolition Man Violence has been outlawed in the politically correct regime of 2032, and the only weapons in existence are consigned to a museum, but when an escaped psychopath heads straight for the museum, the authorities decide the only eﬀective recourse they have is to thaw out a violent, cryogenically frozen cop. FILM Sat, Feb 19th 22 :30 Babylon A.D. Veteran-turned-mercenary Thoorop must escort a young psychic and her kung fu nun chaperone from Russia to New York. Little does he know that she is host to an organism that a cult wants to harvest in order to produce a genetically modified Messiah. FILM Thur, Feb 17th 22:10 Today You Die An honourable thief is jailed for a crime he did not commit. Languishing in a high-security prison alongside tough criminals, he resolves to organise and lead a daring escape. Amid the mayhem that ensues, he sets out to hunt down the person who framed him. FILM Sun, Feb 20th 19:25 Cool Runnings Famous faces recreate classic dances from stage and screen as they bid to become the Let’s Dance champion and raise money for Comic Relief. Katie Price and interior designers Justin and Colin are among this week’s entrants. Graham Norton is a judge. Sat Feb 19th 19.00 February 17 FRIDAY February 18th 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Wanted Down Under 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Save My Holiday 11:45 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:45 Nigel Slater's Simple Suppers 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Bear Behaving Badly 16:00 Copycats 16:30 M.I. High 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 BBC London News 19:00 The One Show 19:30 Rip oﬀ Britain 20:00 Waterloo Road 21:00 MasterChef 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 The National Lottery Wednesday Night Draws 22:45 Film 2011 with Claudia Winkleman 23:30 The Royal Tenenbaums 01:10 Weatherview 01:15 Country Tracks 02:10 The Natural World Special 03:10 Save My Holiday 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Wanted Down Under 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Save My Holiday 11:45 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Bear Behaving Badly 16:00 Copycats 16:30 Serious Explorers: Livingstone 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 BBC London News 19:00 The One Show 19:30 EastEnders 20:00 Human Planet 21:00 MasterChef 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 Question Time 23:35 This Week 00:20 Skiing Weatherview 00:25 Panorama 00:55 Countryfile 01:55 Antiques Roadshow 02:55 Rip oﬀ Britain 03:25 Save My Holiday 04:10 BBC News 04:30 HARDtalk 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Wanted Down Under 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Save My Holiday 11:45 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Bear Behaving Badly 16:00 Dani's House 16:30 Tracy Beaker Returns 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 19:00 The One Show 19:30 A Question of Sport 20:00 EastEnders 20:30 QI 21:00 Hustle 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 The Graham Norton Show 23:20 The Lottery Draws 23:30 The Ruins 00:55 Weatherview 01:00 Horizon 02:00 Posh and Posher: Why Public School Boys Run Britain 03:00 Climbing Great Buildings 03:30 Save My Holiday 09:25 Big Barn Farm 09:40 Big and Small 09:55 Guess with Jess 10:05 Postman Pat 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:40 Waybuloo 11:00 In the Night Garden 11:30 The Daily Politics 13:00 See Hear 13:30 Hairy Bikers 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Living Dangerously 15:00 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Perfection 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 One Man and His Campervan 19:00 Top Gear 20:00 Madagascar 21:00 A History of Ancient Britain 22:00 Have I Got Old News for You 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 Mad Men 00:10 The Chinese Are Coming 01:10 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 02:00 BBC News 02:30 The Record 03:00 BBC News 09:25 Big Barn Farm 09:40 Big and Small 09:55 Guess with Jess 10:05 Postman Pat 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:45 Waybuloo 11:05 In the Night Garden 11:35 Ready, Steady, Cook 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT 13:00 Due South 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Living Dangerously 15:00 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 15:40 Flog It! 16:30 Perfection 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 One Man and His Campervan 19:00 The Culture Show 20:00 The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best 21:00 The Spice Trail 22:00 Victorian Pharmacy 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 Mad Men 00:10 The Culture Show 01:10 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 02:00 BBC News 02:30 The Record 03:00 BBC News 09:15 The Koala Brothers 09:25 Big Barn Farm 09:40 Big and Small 09:55 Guess with Jess 10:05 Postman Pat 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:45 Waybuloo 11:05 In the Night Garden 11:35 Ready, Steady, Cook 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT 13:00 Due South 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Living Dangerously 15:00 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Perfection 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 One Man and His Campervan 19:00 Churches: How to Read Them 19:30 Island Parish 20:00 Mastermind 20:30 Britain from Above 21:00 Can't Take It with You 22:00 Fast and Loose 22:30 Newsnight 23:00 The Review Show 23:50 Sugar 01:35 The Damned 03:10 BBC News 03:30 Click 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 May the Best House Win 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Live: UEFA Champions League Football 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 UEFA Champions League: Extra Time 23:35 Police, Camera, Action! 00:30 The Zone 02:30 The River 04:30 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 May the Best House Win 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Tonight 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Marchlands 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 Odd One In 23:20 Send in the Dogs 00:15 The Zone 02:20 Spartacus 03:45 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 Jeremy Kyle: Morning Surgery 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 May the Best House Win 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Coronation Street 20:00 Children's Hospital 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 The Cube 23:35 Take Me Out 00:45 The Zone 02:45 October Road 03:30 ITV Nightscreen 06:10 Sali Mali 06:15 The Hoobs 06:40 The Hoobs 07:10 Freshly Squeezed 07:35 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:00 Frasier 08:30 According to Jim 09:00 Undercover Boss USA 09:55 Desperate Housewives 10:55 Country House Rescue 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 Sabrina 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Beauty and the Beast: Ugly Face of Prejudice 21:00 The Elephant: Life After Death 22:35 Big Fat Gypsy Weddings 23:40 Shameless 00:45 Sounds from the Cities 01:10 The Shockwaves Album Chart Show 01:25 Animal Madhouse 02:20 Food: What Goes in Your Basket? 03:15 Hill Street Blues 04:05 Brothers & Sisters 04:50 Wogan's Perfect Recall 06:10 The Hoobs 06:35 The Hoobs 07:00 Freshly Squeezed 07:25 Everybody Loves Raymond 07:55 Frasier 08:25 According to Jim 08:55 Undercover Boss USA 09:55 The Good Wife 10:55 Help! My House Is Falling Down 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 River Cottage Bites 12:10 Funny Face 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Relocation, Relocation 21:00 Rome Wasn't Built in a Day 22:00 10 O'Clock Live 23:05 Russell Brand Doing Life 2007 00:10 Ctrl Mx 00:40 4Play 00:55 The Page Turner 02:25 Knights of the South Bronx 04:00 Brothers & Sisters 04:50 Wogan's Perfect Recall 07:05 Freshly Squeezed 07:35 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:00 Frasier 08:25 According to Jim 08:55 Undercover Boss USA 09:55 The Good Wife 10:55 Gok's Clothes Roadshow 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 Breakfast at Tiﬀany's 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:25 4thought.tv 19:30 First Cut 20:00 Relocation: Phil Down Under 21:00 Embarrassing Bodies 22:00 The Million Pound Drop 23:20 10 O'Clock Live 00:20 Mercury Prize Sessions 00:40 Countdown to the Shockwaves NME Awards 00:55 Ctrl Mx 01:20 My Name Is Earl 01:45 My Name Is Earl 02:05 Modern Toss 02:30 Love Tube 02:35 Fuel 02:40 What's Fufu 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:25 Peppa Pig 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:55 The Wot Wots 09:05 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:00 The Vanessa Show 11:45 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 12:40 Five News 12:45 Build a New Life in the Country 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 Home and Away 14:50 The Family Recipe 14:55 Animal Rescue Squad 15:10 Jane Doe: Ties That Bind 17:00 Five News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 Five News at 7 19:30 Starlight: For the Children 20:00 Cowboy Builders 21:00 NCIS 22:00 Law and Order: Criminal Intent 22:55 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 23:55 Poker 00:55 Super Casino 04:05 The FBI Files 04:55 Animal Rescue Squad 07:05 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 07:15 The Mr Men Show 07:30 Thomas and Friends 07:40 Noddy in Toyland 07:55 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:10 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:25 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:55 The Wot Wots 09:05 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:00 The Vanessa Show 11:45 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 12:40 Five News 12:45 Build a New Life in the Country 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 Home and Away 14:50 The Family Recipe 14:55 Animal Rescue Squad 15:10 Mystery Woman: Wild West Mystery 17:00 Five News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 Five News at 7 19:30 Live: UEFA Europa League Football 22:10 Today You Die 00:00 Super Casino 04:05 The FBI Files 04:55 Animal Rescue Squad 07:30 Thomas and Friends 07:45 Noddy in Toyland 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:25 Peppa Pig 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:55 The Wot Wots 09:05 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:00 The Vanessa Show 11:45 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 12:40 Five News 12:45 Build a New Life in the Country 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 Home and Away 14:50 The Family Recipe 14:55 Rough Guide to Cities 15:10 A Time to Remember 17:00 Five News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 Five News at 7 19:30 Vets in Action 20:00 Ice Road Truckers 21:00 The Mentalist 22:00 Law & Order 22:55 NCIS 23:55 Cops in Crisis 00:15 Super Casino 03:55 Motorsport Mundial 04:20 Royal Navy: Caribbean Patrol 19:00 Top Gear 20:00 The Big Fat Truth About Low Fat Foods 21:00 The World's Most Dangerous Place for Women 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Lunch Monkeys 23:00 Family Guy 23:20 Family Guy 23:45 The Big Fat Truth About Low Fat Foods 00:45 The World's Most Dangerous Place for Women 01:45 Lunch Monkeys 02:15 Coming of Age 02:45 The World's Worst Place to Be Gay? 03:45 Almost Famous IV 04:20 Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents 05:20 SIGN OFF 19:00 Doctor Who 19:45 Doctor Who Confidential 20:00 The Real Hustle on Holiday 20:30 The Lock Up 21:00 Little Britain 21:30 Lunch Monkeys 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents 23:30 Him & Her 00:00 Family Guy 00:20 Family Guy 00:45 The Lock Up 01:15 Lunch Monkeys 01:45 Coming of Age 02:15 Snog Marry Avoid? 02:45 Hotter Than My Daughter 03:15 Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents 19:00 Don't Tell the Bride 20:00 The World's Strictest Parents 21:00 How Drugs Work 22:00 Air Force One 23:55 Family Guy 00:15 Family Guy 00:40 Being Human 01:40 American Dad 02:00 American Dad 02:20 American Dad 02:40 American Dad! 03:00 American Dad! 03:25 American Dad! 03:50 The World's Strictest Parents 04:50 The Lock Up 05:20 SIGN OFF WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the February 21 TUESDAY February 22nd 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Bear Behaving Badly 16:00 The Big Performance 16:30 Blue Peter 16:55 Shaun the Sheep 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 BBC London News 19:00 The One Show 19:30 Inside Out 20:00 EastEnders 20:30 Panorama 21:00 Outcasts 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 Mrs Brown's Boys 23:05 Late Kick Oﬀ 23:35 The Graham Norton Show 00:20 The Apprentice 01:50 Weatherview 01:55 Ancient Worlds 02:55 Supermarkets: What Price Cheap Food? Panorama 03:55 Save My Holiday 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Bear Behaving Badly 16:00 Dead Gorgeous 16:30 Blue Peter 16:55 Shaun the Sheep 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 BBC London News 19:00 The One Show 19:30 EastEnders 20:00 Holby City 21:00 Silk 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 Who Do You Think You Are? 23:20 25th Hour 01:25 Weatherview 01:30 See Hear 02:00 Human Planet 03:00 The Bear Family and Me 04:00 Save My Holiday 18:00 Madagascar 19:00 Graham Hill: Driven 20:00 Top Gear 21:00 Toughest Place to Be A... 22:00 The Prestige 00:05 World Cup Cricket 01:05 BBC News 01:30 The Reporters 02:00 BBC News 02:30 Dateline London 03:00 BBC News 03:30 The Record Europe 04:00 BBC News 04:30 The Super League Show 05:00 Pages from Ceefax 09:40 Big and Small 09:55 Guess with Jess 10:05 Postman Pat 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:40 Chuggington Badge Quest 10:45 Chuggington Badge Quest 10:50 Waybuloo 11:10 In the Night Garden 11:40 When Zachary Beaver Came to Town 13:00 Due South 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Living Dangerously 15:00 Wanted Down Under 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Perfection 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 My Life in Books 19:00 Escape to the Country 20:00 University Challenge 20:30 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 21:00 When Teenage Meets Old Age 22:00 Episodes 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 World Cup Cricket 00:20 Island Parish 00:50 BBC World News America 01:00 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 09:10 The Koala Brothers 09:25 Big Barn Farm 09:40 Big and Small 09:55 Guess with Jess 10:05 Postman Pat 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:40 Chuggington Badge Quest 10:45 Waybuloo 11:05 In the Night Garden 11:35 The Pixar Story 13:00 Due South 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Living Dangerously 15:00 Wanted Down Under 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Perfection 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 My Life in Books 19:00 Too Fast to be a Woman? The Story of Caster Semenya 19:50 Coast 20:00 A Farmer's Life for Me 21:00 The Natural World 22:00 World Cup Cricket 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 Mad Men 00:10 BBC News 00:30 BBC World News America 01:00 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 02:00 BBC News 07:00 Handy Manny 07:10 Curious George 07:25 Monk 07:30 Beyblade Metal Fusion 07:55 Cool Stuﬀ Collective 08:20 X-Men 08:45 SpongeBob SquarePants 09:00 Wizards of Waverly Place 09:25 FA Cup Football 10:25 The Biggest Loser 11:25 ITV News and Weather 11:30 This Morning: Sunday 12:30 Dinner Date 13:30 Live: FA Cup Football 16:10 Midsomer Murders 17:40 London Tonight 17:50 ITV News and Weather 18:05 Harry Hill's TV Burp 18:35 Dancing on Ice 20:30 Wild at Heart 21:30 Dancing on Ice 22:00 That Sunday Night Show 22:30 ITV News and Weather 22:45 FA Cup Football 23:45 Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford 00:45 Rugby 01:30 The Zone 02:00 Species IV: The Awakening 03:40 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Coronation Street 20:00 The Lakes 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 The Biggest Loser 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 New Homes from Hell 2009 23:35 That Sunday Night Show 00:05 Grimefighters 00:30 The Zone 02:30 UEFA Champions League Weekly 03:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show 03:55 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Grimefighters 20:00 Lion Country 21:00 Taggart 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 Demolition Man 00:40 The Zone 02:40 Crossing Jordan 03:30 ITV Nightscreen Extra Portions 18:05 Come Dine with Me: Extra Portions 18:35 The Political Slot 18:40 Channel 4 News 19:05 4thought.tv 19:10 X-Men 21:10 The Million Pound Drop 22:30 Babylon A.D. 00:15 Monster 02:15 Night Windows 02:20 Mesh 02:25 How to Cope with Death 02:30 Brothers & Sisters 03:20 Privileged 04:05 Privileged 06:00 The Treacle People 06:10 The Hoobs 06:35 The Hoobs 07:00 Snowboarding 07:25 That Paralympic Show 07:55 4Music Favourites 08:20 Friends 08:45 Friends 09:15 Hollyoaks Omnibus 11:50 Glee 12:50 The Simpsons 13:20 The Simpsons 13:55 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 14:25 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 14:55 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 15:25 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 15:55 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 16:25 Deal or No Deal 17:30 Time Team 18:30 Channel 4 News 18:55 4thought.tv 19:00 Come Dine with Me 20:00 The People's Supermarket 21:00 The Promise 22:45 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 23:50 As Good as It Gets 02:15 The Family 03:10 Wedding House 04:05 Brothers & Sisters 04:55 Wogan's Perfect Recall 06:15 The Hoobs 06:40 The Hoobs 07:05 Freshly Squeezed 07:35 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:00 Frasier 08:30 According to Jim 09:00 Undercover Boss USA 10:00 The Good Wife 10:55 Relocation: Phil Down Under 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 The TV Book Club 12:35 The Gunfighter 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Dispatches 21:00 One Born Every Minute 22:00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 23:05 Shine a Light 01:30 Countdown to the Shockwaves NME Awards 2011 01:40 Countdown to the Shockwaves NME Awards 2011 01:55 Zat ichi 03:50 The Spanish Gardener 05:25 Brothers & Sisters 07:10 Freshly Squeezed 07:35 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:00 Frasier 08:30 According to Jim 09:00 Undercover Boss USA 10:00 The Good Wife 10:55 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 The Conqueror 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Gok's Clothes Roadshow 21:00 Heston's Mission Impossible 22:00 Shameless 23:05 The Big C 23:45 Countdown to the Shockwaves NME Awards 2011 00:00 Countdown to the Shockwaves NME Awards 2011 00:15 Poker 01:15 Bullrun: New York to Las Vegas 01:40 Snowboarding 02:10 Athletics 03:30 KOTV 07:00 Mio Mao 07:05 Chiro 07:15 Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs 07:25 Make Way for Noddy 07:35 Hana's Helpline 07:45 Igam Ogam 08:00 The Little Princess 08:15 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 08:30 Play! 08:45 Rupert 09:00 Olivia 09:15 The Mr Men Show 09:30 The Milkshake! Show 10:00 The Family Recipe 10:05 UEFA Europa League 11:10 How Do They Do It? 11:40 The Gadget Show 12:40 MegaStructures 13:40 Ice Road Truckers 14:40 The Age of Innocence 17:20 Medicine Man 19:10 Five News 19:15 NCIS 20:05 NCIS 21:00 CSI: Miami 22:00 CSI: NY 23:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 00:00 Super Casino 04:00 Cowboy Builders 04:50 Meals in Moments 07:15 Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs 07:25 Castle Farm 07:30 Make Way for Noddy 07:40 Igam Ogam 07:55 Funky Valley 08:00 The Little Princess 08:15 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 08:20 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 08:35 Family! 08:45 Rupert 09:00 Olivia 09:15 The Mr Men Show 09:30 The Milkshake! Show 10:00 Rough Guide to EcoEscapes 10:15 Starlight: For the Children 10:45 Street Market Chefs 11:15 Stansted: The Inside Story 12:15 Cowboy Builders 13:15 Jane Doe: The Harder They Fall 15:05 Five News 15:10 Starman 17:15 Superman 20:00 Royal Navy: Caribbean Patrol 21:00 Ghost Rider 23:10 Christine 01:15 Super Casino 04:00 The FBI Files 04:50 Meals in Moments 07:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:25 Milkshake! Show Songs 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The Wot Wots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:00 The Vanessa Show 11:45 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 12:40 Five News 12:45 Street Market Chefs 13:15 Street Market Chefs 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 Home and Away 14:50 Rough Guide to Beaches 15:05 Blessed Stranger: After Flight 111 17:00 Five News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 Five News at 7 19:30 How Do They Do It? 20:00 The Gadget Show 21:00 Royal Navy: Caribbean Patrol 22:00 The Exorcism of Emily Rose 00:25 Forensic Files 00:55 Super Casino 04:05 Divine Designs 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:25 Milkshake! Show Songs 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The Wot Wots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:00 The Vanessa Show 11:45 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 12:40 Five News 12:45 Street Market Chefs 13:15 Street Market Chefs 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 Home and Away 14:50 Rough Guide to Cities 15:05 Christy: Return to Cutter Gap 17:00 Five News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 Five News at 7 19:30 Extraordinary Dogs 20:00 Stansted: The Inside Story 21:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 22:00 CSI: Miami 22:55 CSI: NY 23:55 Law & Order 00:50 Super Casino 04:05 Divine Designs 04:30 Great Scientists 04:55 Animal Rescue Squad 19:00 The Real Hustle on Holiday 19:30 The Real Hustle on Holiday 20:00 Top Gear 21:00 Little Britain Abroad 21:30 Little Britain Abroad 22:00 Blades of Glory 23:30 Family Guy 23:50 Family Guy 00:15 American Dad 00:35 American Dad 01:00 Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents 02:00 American Dad! 02:20 American Dad! 02:45 American Dad! 03:05 American Dad! 03:25 American Dad! 03:45 American Dad! 04:10 Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents 19:00 Almost Famous IV 19:15 Almost Famous IV 19:25 Cool Runnings 21:00 Being Human 22:00 Family Guy 22:45 American Dad 23:05 American Dad 23:30 Being Human 00:30 The World's Worst Place to Be Gay? 01:30 Sun, Sex and 19:00 Doctor Who 19:50 Doctor Who Confidential 20:00 Hotter Than My Daughter 20:30 The Lock Up 21:00 Women, Weddings, War and Me 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Being Human 23:30 Family Guy 23:50 Family Guy 00:15 The Lock Up 00:45 Hotter Than My Daughter 01:15 The Big Fat Truth About Low Fat Foods 02:15 Women, Weddings, War and Me 03:15 How Drugs Work 04:15 Doctor Who Confidential 19:00 Total Wipeout 20:00 Snog Marry Avoid? 20:30 Hotter Than My Daughter 21:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Coming of Age 23:00 Family Guy 23:20 Family Guy 23:45 Snog Marry Avoid? 00:15 Hotter Than My Daughter 00:45 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 01:45 Coming of Age 02:15 Total Wipeout 03:15 Young, Jobless and Living at Home 04:15 The Big Fat Truth About Low Fat Foods 05:15 SIGN OFF 06:00 Breakfast 10:00 Live: Saturday Kitchen 11:30 Baking Made Easy 12:00 BBC News 12:10 BBC London News 12:15 Football Focus 13:00 Live: UK Indoor Grand Prix Athletics 16:30 Final Score 17:10 BBC News 17:20 BBC London News; Weather 17:30 Outtake TV 18:00 Total Wipeout 19:00 Let's Dance for Sport Relief 20:20 The National Lottery: Secret Fortune 21:10 Casualty 22:00 BBC News 22:20 Best of Live at the Apollo 23:20 John Bishop's Britain 23:50 The Football League Show 01:10 Weatherview 01:15 BBC News 01:30 Straight Talk 02:00 BBC News 02:30 The Bottom Line 03:00 BBC News 03:30 Our World 04:00 BBC News 04:30 Click 06:00 Breakfast 09:00 The Andrew Marr Show 10:00 The Big Questions 11:00 Country Tracks 12:00 Politics Show 13:00 EastEnders Omnibus 14:55 My Family 15:25 My Family 15:55 Escape to the Country 16:55 Lifeline 17:05 Songs of Praise 17:40 BBC News 17:50 BBC London News; Weather 18:00 Sheila Hancock Brushes Up: The Art of Watercolours 19:00 Countryfile 06:00 Bob the Builder 06:40 Gigglebiz 07:00 Basil and Barney's Game Show 07:30 Arthur 08:00 Richard Hammond's Blast Lab 08:30 Project Parent 09:00 Dick and Dom's Funny Business 10:00 Trapped: Ever After 10:25 OOglies 10:45 Copycats 11:15 My Life 11:45 MOTD Kickabout 12:00 4 for Texas 13:55 Into the West 15:25 Verdi: The Director's Cut 16:25 Verdi's Othello 19:00 Dad's Army 19:30 The Unknown Hancock 21:00 Faulks on Fiction 22:00 The Tudors 22:50 Nurse Jackie 23:20 Fast and Loose 23:50 World Cup Cricket 00:50 Water 02:40 Pages from Ceefax 06:00 Pingu 06:05 Bob the Builder 06:30 Postman Pat Specials 07:00 Basil and Barney's Game Show 07:30 Arthur 08:00 Richard Hammond's Blast Lab 08:30 Gimme a Break 09:00 Dick & Dom Go Wild 09:30 Cop School 10:00 Something for the Weekend 11:30 Film 2011 with Claudia Winkleman 12:00 Monk 12:45 Diagnosis Murder 13:30 Live: World Cup Cycling 17:15 Ski Sunday 07:00 Babar and the Adventures of Badou 07:10 The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That 07:25 Monk 07:30 Beyblade Metal Fusion 07:55 Horrid Henry 08:10 The Suite Life of Zack and Cody 08:35 Hannah Montana 09:00 Cool Stuﬀ Collective 09:25 Coronation Street Omnibus 11:45 This Morning: Saturday 12:50 Monk 13:50 ITV News 14:00 You've Been Framed! 14:30 Space Jam 16:05 London Tonight 16:20 ITV News and Weather 16:35 Live: FA Cup Football 19:15 Harry Hill's TV Burp 19:45 Ant & Dec's Push the Button 21:00 Take Me Out 22:15 Benidorm 23:15 ITV News and Weather 23:30 FA Cup Football 00:30 The Zone 02:35 Swingtown 03:20 ITV Nightscreen 06:10 The Hoobs 06:35 Athletics 07:55 The Morning Line 08:55 Friends 09:30 Stars and Strikes 10:30 Glee 11:35 T4 Movie Special 12:10 4Music Favourites 12:40 The Big Bang Theory 13:10 The Big Bang Theory 13:45 Live: Channel 4 Racing 16:00 The Secret Supper Club 16:35 Come Dine with Me: Extra Portions 17:05 Come Dine with Me: Extra Portions 17:35 Come Dine with Me: 20:00 Antiques Roadshow 21:00 South Riding 22:00 BBC News 22:15 BBC London News; Weather 22:25 QI 22:55 Match of the Day 2 23:25 Reggie Perrin 23:55 Lead Balloon 00:25 Lead Balloon 00:55 Weatherview 01:00 Faulks on Fiction 02:00 Holby City 03:00 Shooting the Hollywood Stars 04:00 Climbing Great Buildings 04:30 HARDtalk Suspicious Parents 02:25 Coming of Age 02:55 The World's Most Dangerous Place for Women 03:55 The World's Worst Place to Be Gay? 04:55 Coming of Age 05:25 SIGN OFF WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Sca real ndinav esta ia te a n gen t Properties Pr operties for sale at rreduced educed prices! Private garden garden den in Torremolinos T Torr orremolinos Cosy apartment with private gar garden € 195,000 2 bedr bedrooms ooms · 2 bathr bathrooms ooms · 87 m² built · 14 m² terr terrace ace · Marble Floors · In the gar garden den ther theree is rroom oom both for sun loungers and ther theree is a small area area for al fresco fresco dining Close to shopping, tr train, ain, bus and beach and has a very high potential for rrentals entals · Private parking space · RE-2030 New kitchen! Torrenueva Villa in Torr Villa Torrenueva Townhouse - Higuer Higueron on € 425,000 Townhouse 4 beds · 2 baths · 188 m² built · 120 m² terr terrace ace · P Pool ool Utility rroom oom · Gar Garage age · Udating needed · RE-2092 € 289,000 3 bed · 2 bath · 120 m² built · Sea views · P Pool ool · A/C 24h security guar guard d and video · Private gar garden den · RE-2102 Reduced! Finca - Mijas Costa Finca € 295,500 2 bed · 2 bath · 70 m² built · 30 m² terr terrace ace Quiet · P Pool ool · Guest apartment · RE-2128 LLong ong let properties wanted! Resale properties Scandinavian clients looking for apartments and villas from Benalmadena to Marbella. frrom om Benalmaden For a free free cconsultation For and v valuation, aluation, onsultation and call our listing agents on 951 100 210 or e-mail e-mail [email protected]. or Townhouse - Benalma Townhouse Benalmadena € 210,000 List your property property online on casauna.com 2 bed · 1 bath · 105 m² built · Cosy · Renovated Gated urbanisation with gar garden den and pool · RERE-1744 1744 Tel. 951 100 210 Villa Villa - Arroyo Arroyo de la Miel € 2,000 /mo 3 bedrooms bedrooms · 2 baths · 198 m² built · 100 m² terrace terrace Pool Pool · Double garage garage · Large Large living area area · RE-2069 www.casauna.com news Your outlook on the World the M ww ore ph w. ot mor casaun os e inf a orm .com atio n Pr Properties operties for sale at rreduced educed d prices! Villa Capellania, V illa in La C apellania, Benalmádena € 995,000 3 bedr bedrooms ooms · 3 bathr bathrooms ooms · 180 m² built · 150 m² terr terrace ace · P Panoramic anoramic views over the Mediterr Mediterranean anean Sea and Fuengirola Fuengirola bay South-west orientation · Quiet LLocation ocation · Easily maintained gar garden den with pool · Private LLocation ocation · Refer Reference: ence: RE-1921 RE-1921 Reduced! Fuengirola centre Apartment - F uengirola centr e Reduced! € 202,000 Villa Villa - La Sierrezuela Sierrezuela 3 bed · 2 bath · 106 m² built · Balcony · Marble Floors Bright · W Walking alking distance to everything · RE-2105 Long Long let Apartment - F uengirola Fuengirola Riviera del Sol € 395,000 Apartment - Riviera 5 beds · 3 baths · 300 m² built · 150 m² terr terrace ace · A/C Firee place · South-west · Quiet · P Fir Pool ool · RE-2115 LLong ong let € 750 /mo 2 bedr bedrooms ooms · 2 bathr bathrooms ooms · 100 m² · P Panoramic anoramic views A/C · Gar Garage age · Unfurnished · LRLR-1811 1811 Townhouse Torreblanca Townhouse - Torr T orreblanca € 239,000 3 bed · 2 bath · 145 m² built · 50 m² terr terrace ace · Quiet Sea views · A/C · Community pool · RERE-1701 1701 LLong ong let € 800 /mo 3 bedrooms bedrooms · 2 bath · 80 m² · 70 m² terr terraces aces Partly Partly Furnished Furnished · Small pets allowed · LR-2111 Villa - Torr Villa Torrequebrada Torrequebrada € 3,000 /mo 4 bedrooms bedrooms · 4 bathrooms bathrooms · 450 m² · Modern · Quality Pool Pool · Furnished Furnished · Garage Garage for 3 cars · RE-512 Call rental agent Malene on 687 88 77 00 or e-mail [email protected] WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in Classifieds Small module (10mm) €7,00 + IVA Full module (40mm) €25,00 + IVA Friday Place an Ad by phone: Place an Ad by email: Place an Ad by fax: 952 45 44 91 / 902 00 11 00 [email protected] AIR CONDITIONING BUSINESS OPPS COOLFLOW The Air Conditioning Specialists. 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BUSINESS Tel: 952 934 963 www.rightwaysl.com Calahonda, Mijas Costa, Málaga FLOOR POLISHING IRIS IRRIGATION Specialists in garden construction and maintenance. Clearance of abandoned / neglected gardens. 25 years experience. Look out for the Big Flower Van all along the coast. 676747521 (113)p www.gardensinspain.com ---------------------------------------------KEEP your garden clean and tidy for just €39 weekly 634355441(112)p ---------------------------------------------GARDENING services, cleaning, maintenance, etc. Hourly rate. Spanish: 670822949 / English: 685555834 ---------------------------------------------- GATES 2 WAY GATES Garage doors, gate automation and intercoms. Gate and garage door repairs. Onsite welding with our no fix - no fee policy. www.thegaragedoorcompany.es (110)p 952786178, 605356469 HEALTH & BEAUTY see our main advert on Page 5 952 917 164 Calle Burgos 3, Fuengirola, Malaga GILLIAN your friendly mobile hairdresser for the elderly. Specialist in perms, sets, colours and blow-drys. Good rates. All products supplied unless advised (111)p otherwise. 635261483 ---------------------------------------------HAIRDRESSING Mobile hairdresser, over 15 years experience, all aspects. Telephone (113)tnp Janet 645037335 ---------------------------------------------MOBILE massage therapist. Reflexology, Swedish massage, aromatherapy and hotstones. Gift vouchers also available. Ladies only. www.relajacionpura.com (114)p 666144572 WANTS BOOT SALE items, tools, electrical, paperbacks, household, china etc. Top prices paid. 607780648 (112)catp ---------------------------------------------WE BUY accident damaged cars and mechanical failures. 609709466 (112))p PETS & ANIMALS ') MARBLE Floor Polishing (€2 m2) Why pay more? We clean, then crystalize and polish to a high gloss, non slip. Professional fast services. Cover all Costa. 14 years (140)p experience. 671244683 GARDENING AVAILABLE for roads, tracks, car parks etc., 300 ton crushed concrete. Very good material for sub-base can be supplied laid & rolled For a good, free quote in English ring 637179373 or for your quote in Spanish 673250707. (112)p ---------------------------------------------OPPORTUNITY! Leftovers of German label: Gerry Weber, Blanca Nikowa ladies fashion design. Before €25 - €50, now €5 - €10. Over 500 pieces or more. (111)p 696330543, 952860072 ---------------------------------------------LADIES big size wear: Chalou Germany. Over 300 pieces. Before €25 - €45, now €10. It’s worth (111)p seeing! 696330543 ! ! " PRESTIGE Insurance Consultants. For quality products and personal service. Motor (all types UK and Spanish). Home (Building/Contents). Travel Health - Life/Disability - Business. Registered with the Direccion General de Seguros as Exclusive Agents for Ibex Insurance and Generali Seguros. Tel/Fax 952453873 Mobile 667982418 www.prestige-insurance.com (111)p ---------------------------------------------PLACE AN AD! It’s quick, it’s easy (f ) and it works. Call 952454491 LOANS FULLY LICENSED PAWNBROKER FULLY LICENSED GOLD DEALER FULLY LICENSED JEWELLERS SERVICING THE PUBLIC AND TRADE ALIKE. EST 1983 WHERE ??????? ANTHONYS DIAMONDS AVDA. RAMON Y CAJAL 40 FUENGIROLA, MALAGA 29640 952588795 / 609529633 [email protected] LOCKSMITHS L O C K S M I T H Emergency/Appointment. Doors opened without damage, locks changed, patio doors and windows secured. 24 hour honest, fast and reliable service. Call Paul (163)tnp 657466803 MISCELLANEOUS SALES )'% ')( #&' & METS DOG training club. Fuengirola Glyn 605121831, Ken 627851379. Torre del Mar Colin 606616308 (111)p ---------------------------------------------LAGUNA Kennels and cosy cattery. Five star facilities, fully tiled quarters with airconditioning. Your pets lovingly cared for by English mother and daughter. Near Coin. (112)p 952112021 / 606838983 ---------------------------------------------EXPORT Specialists. Cat and Dog World Kennels. 952112978, (115)p 630197435 ---------------------------------------------LUXURY professional kennels, Cat and Dog World. Fully licensesd. Cheap collection service. Viewing welcome. www.cat-and-dog-world.com (115)p 952112978 / 630197435 ---------------------------------------------PROBLEMS? David the Dogman from Estepona to Fuengirola (0)tnf 952883388 / 610868748 ---------------------------------------------CHIHUAHUA Pedigree puppies with passport. All year available. (115)p 952112870/654285667 ---------------------------------------------BEAUTIFUL Ragdoll kittens. The ideal apartment cat. Sensibly priced. Animals transported and quarantined. 952960075 / 662645816 (116)p www.patriarcacats.com ---------------------------------------------CAT Burmese, neutered, grey, 1 year old. Loving and gentle little girl needs home of her own. 952486518 (106)p ---------------------------------------------KITTENS galore, boys and girls of all colours would love to share (106)p your home. 952486518 PLUMBING PUMPS Reconditioned and repaired for pools, irrigation, pressure systems etc. Economical prices, fast (139)p turnaround. Tel. 667292493 ---------------------------------------------SCOTT FORBES the Plumber. All work guaranteed. 20 years British (0) Gas experience 652665410 WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the PLUMBER All types of plumbing carried out by professional plumber with 30 years experience. (112)p 669009821 PROPERTY FOR SALE LOVELY finca close to Villa Franco, Alhaurin el Grande. Two houses, both legal, set in nearly 4,000m2. Entrance via electric gate. Main house - 2/3 bedrooms, lounge, diner, two bathrooms, separae kitchen. Second (wooden house) 1 bedroom, shower room and lounge with American kitchen. Lovely outside enclosed area with bar and kitchen. Two garages, outside w.c., pool, orange grove, dog kennel. (113)tnp €380,000 669343011 ---------------------------------------------PROPERTY FINDER. Access to “below market value properties”, repossessions and refurbishments. Housing stock throughout the UK. Combined services available, tailored finance, conveyancing, refurbishment packages, tenant sourcing. Suitable for investment, repatriation and individual needs, block purchases available. Call Carla on 687921481 for an informal chat or email at (rbf) [email protected] ---------------------------------------------CALAHONDA Detached chalet, 4 bedrooms, 21/2 bathrooms, private pool, large garage, roof terrace, 620m2 plot, plenty of oﬀ road parking. Close to all amenities. A real family home just needs some TLC. €350,000 952930039, (113)f 606611228 - no agents ---------------------------------------------ABSOLUTELY everything to do with property including sales, rentals, key holding, maintenance, cleaning. 696150765 (000)tnp www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------PLACE AN AD! It’s quick, it’s easy (f ) and it works. Call 952454491 ---------------------------------------------COIN Legal country home. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, private pool, 1,600m2 irrigated garden. Secure fencing, main services, phone and Sky. Reduced €250,000 (115)tnp 952455269, 639368014 ---------------------------------------------COIN town centre. Lovely large house with potential for B&B. 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms. €249,000 negotiable. BARGAIN. 952453813, 00447968536556 (113)p ---------------------------------------------MULA, MURCIA As featured in the British Airways in-flight magazine. 2 houses for the price of one. Home and business. House 1 consists of 3 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, bathroom, courtyard and roof terrace. Fully rewired. House 2 has 4 bedrooms, 2 receptions plus cave room, kitchen, bathroom. Courtyard and huge roof terrace. The second house needs total refurbishment but is structurally sound and would yield in the region of €500 per month rental income when done up. Both houses are at the top of the town overlooking the rooftops of houses, churches etc., and the valley beyond. Mula is known for its hot spring baths and has planning for several golf courses and a spa in the area. Price for both houses is €150,000. Tel: 661114 070 ---------------------------------------------CORNER Townhouse, Nagüeles. With many extras and complete luxury furniture. It´s worth to see it! €595,000 696330543, (111)p 952860072 S K Estates Rare Opportunity! Raised ground floor apartment in the Alessandra complex on Torreblanca with own garden 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, lounge, kitchen and glassed-in terrace used as a dining room by the present owners Potential for holiday and long term letting A bargain at only €89,995 This apartment is sure to sell quickly so call now for an appointment to view 661 114 070 / 667 340 928 TO RENT LONG TERM Rentals, super prices, no commissions, apartments, townhouses, villas, fincas, coast and (108)p inland. 679111522 ---------------------------------------------ABSOLUTELY everything to do with property including sales, rentals, key holding, maintenance, cleaning. 696150765 (000)tnp www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------COIN Beautiful modern country house 105m2 and 6000m2 land. Accommodation on 2 floors, 2 bedrooms, open studio, 2 bathrooms, living room, nice fitted kitchen. Pefect road access. €600 (111)p 696150765 CHEAP as chips, van and man removals, anywhere, anytime. (111)p 635253549 ---------------------------------------------VAN LEAVING 14th March to Cheshire. Part loads required. (115)p 697671661 SERVICES R E F R I G E R A T I O N / airconditioning. Same day repair specialist. Fridges, displays, bottle (120)tnp coolers etc. 627769969 ---------------------------------------------FRENCH POLISHING repairs, restoration etc. Restore your valuable furniture to its former glory. 647579519 / 952119190 (117)p ---------------------------------------------COIN WINDOWS We make aluminium windows, doors and mosquito screens, also supply and fit sun canopies, blinds, shower screens, etc. Spanish owned business. Call Lisa Marie (112)p 646066351 VILLAS, TOWNHOUSES PENTHOUSES WANTED for Long Term Rentals from Fuengirola to Marbella. NEEDED NOW 952932276 SOL VILLAS [email protected] www.solvillaspain.com MONDA Nice country house, 3 bedrooms, 8000m2 land. €500 (111)p 696150765 ---------------------------------------------LOOKING for a property to rent? Finca, villa or apartment - we have the right one for you - if not, we will find it. Without commission!!!! Call us now on 696150765 (111)p www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------CARVAJAL next to Holiday Village, Benalmadena Costa. 3 bed, 2 bath fully furnished apartment, south west facing balcony with sea views and glass curtains. Community pool and tennis courts. €590 per month. (114)ghp 622130796, 633333854 ABSOLUTELY everything to do with property including sales, rentals, key holding, maintenance, cleaning. 696150765 (000)tnp www.sunshine-immo.com INLAND property services. Property maintenance, pool cleaning, gardening, painting and decorating, holiday let changeovers, weekly cleans, builders clean, we can arrange for all your property needs. 663214803 [email protected] (109)p .uk "# Window Grilles, Doors-Double & Single. Security Fencing. Milling + Lathe Drilling + Tapping Mezzanine Floors Heavy Steelwork Gates Automatic Gates Sliding or Swing Scissor Gates Concertina Gates Ducting + Flashing Galvanised Guttering Plate Welding Water + Cess Pit Tanks [email protected] 952 590 651 - 649 696 453 - www. dlsfabs.com ANY JOBS around your property you don’t want to do, I can do for you. No (0)ch job too small. 685555834 ---------------------------------------------TRANSLATIONS All language combinations, all fields. Certified and ordinary translations. Best rates. Translations Network 952776803 Fax 952824630, [email protected] (112)p ---------------------------------------------MOT (SPANISH ITV) test with home or work vehicle collection. Smart service - your time savers. 647810494, 647810495 [email protected] (113)wp ---------------------------------------------DAMP problems. Sourced and cured by master builder. Ted (115)p 693859894 ---------------------------------------------MAN/VAN Odd jobs/gardening. Richard 698322822, 952452734 (120)p ---------------------------------------------RETAINING walls. Master builder. All types of retaining walls. (115)p 637997752 ---------------------------------------------ASSISTANCE with bureaucratic and paperwork issues, tax & legal advice. 952485026 (115)p www.easylifespain.com ---------------------------------------------HOUSE/PET/PLANT sitting. UK or Spain. Long or short term. References available 651106247 (115)p www.mindyermanors.com SEWING SERVICES PROPERTY SERVICES COIN Nr. town. Nice house with 3 bedrooms, bathroom, living room, fitted kitchen, pool, central heating, air con. 800m2 plot. €650 (111)p 696150765 ---------------------------------------------COIN El Rodeo. Nice chalet, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fitted kitchen, pool, barbecue, garage, aircon with heating. Near to town. (111)p €850 696150765 Security # % % % ! !&# (!# - $! !& # $ # !&$ !# # !' $- % " $ ' &$ $" %! $! ! )" # % &$ $ %! " !& % # % ! $. !! !#( # %! # #! !& $!! ., ALL STYLES curtains, upholstery, soft furnishings and bean bags made to measure. Sensible prices. Also repairs/alterations. All areas. Call 678910117 or email (114)p [email protected] TV, VIDEO & DVD WHITE Sky Cards, Free to Air and Sky Boxes now available. (0)ch 691097059 ---------------------------------------------SKY Installations, relocations, upgrades, realignments and faults. 20 years´ experience in telecommunications. Coin based but all areas covered. Please call Mark @ Luna Sats 622060340(112)tnp For all your ADVERTISING needs in N THE EWS 622 050 409 WINDOW TINTING MOBILE service. ITV legal, solar reflective tint for glass curtains, balconies, yachts. Stop fading heat and glare. 958496571 / 644546176 [email protected] (113)p ADULT RELAXATION CALAHONDA After the best naked massage, the pleasure of choosing your sexual fulfilment. €30 (111)bfp 681345319 ---------------------------------------------BENALMADENA Young lady, 34, attractive, sexy, educated, for gentleman. €30 Tel: 634209427 (114tnp ---------------------------------------------GRANDMA Karmen 58 years, 150 bust, sexy lady, erotic massage €25 visits €70. Fuengirola Centre (111)p 633279685 SITUATIONS VACANT SEO and Internet marketing consultant on the coast, 17 years experience, looking for project work. Open to oﬀers. Text 691661922 or email: (111)p [email protected] & 0 !!! UNION JACK Removals (The Original) See main advert on front (0)p page. 90210956 3 bed Benalmadena Costa, huge ---------------------------------------------SPAINUKSPAIN@HOTMAIL.COM terrace, no pets 750€/month Vehicle leaving Spain on 9th, 19th 28th of each month, 19, returning 3 bed Top floor, huge terrace, 10th, 20th, 29th of each month. Santa Ana, no pool Prices from £80 per cubic metre. 800€/month Cars £495, bikes £250, dogs £395, MANY MORE PROPERTIES AVAILABLE, TOO MANY TO LIST cats £295. Free removal boxes with all jobs undertaken. 952160096 / WE ALSO DO HOLIDAY LETS, (118)p 665150227 JUST ASK FOR PAT ---------------------------------------------RENTAL PROPERTIES URGENTLY TRANSPORT vehicle to and from REqUIRED IN JUPITER AND MINERVA UK every month. Small loads - full Avenida Gamonal, Local 9, house, door to door. 952960075, (116)p 679932071 Edificio Jupiter, 29631 ---------------------------------------------Arroyo de la Miel, Malaga REMOVALS Man and large van. Tel: (0034) 952 57 40 51 Experienced. €20 per hour. Extra (114)p help available. 619604114 (0034) 952 57 77 51 ---------------------------------------------Fax: (0034) 952 44 26 51 PLACE AN AD! It’s quick, it’s easy [email protected] and it works. Call 952454491 (f ) BABY-SITTING service available. Lady with own car and references available. Torremolinos to (00)p Fuengirola. 639067664. ---------------------------------------------PROPERTY Management, cleaning, laundry, change-overs, pool cleaning, gardening, window c l e a n i n g . w w w. o s b o r n e p r o p e r t y. c o m (126)p 952664472, 616679453 ---------------------------------------------- Adverts Editorial Local Events 30 n Sports & Motors Motors Flash Motors Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Matt Roberts heads MotoGP line-up Matt Roberts will head the BBC's coverage of the MotoGP World Championship in 2011 after being named as the replacement for Jennie Gow. Roberts had been in line for the role having established himself as the BBC's pit-lane reporter, the 33-year-old stepping up to the role of presenter for 2011. He takes the position of Gow, who will not return for a second year having replaced Suzi Perry at the start of the 2010 season. Roberts had previously shared presenting duties with Perry in 2009. Blood of a Pope for Kubika Free ‘stop gap’ Polish church leaders hope that a drop of blood belonging to the late Pope John Paul II may help Robert Kubica return to Formula One before the end of the season. cars for buyers The Renault driver, who almost had to have his right hand amputated after suffering multiple fractures in a rally accident last Due to the huge demand for its Juke, Qashqai and Qashqai+2 models, Nissan has taken an innovative step to ensure its customers can be mobile, while waiting for their new Nissan to arrive. With Kubica now out of intensive care and professing an “insane urge” to get back on track, Poland’s Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz has sent him a medallion containing a fragment of a liturgical robe worn by John Paul II and a drop of his blood. “John Paul II was a sportsman himself, he loved sport as a young man,” Dziwisz told Polish television. However, some observers believe the church may be trying to hijack Kubica’s predicament for their own ends. Pope John Paul II is due to be beatified on May 1st, a crucial step on the road to sainthood, a process which requires the proof of miracles. Previously, after his spectacular accident in Montreal in 2007, Kubica distanced himself from reports that his survival was a miracle in the John Paul II beatification process. “I know nothing about this,” he said at the time. “I don’t know by whom I was saved.” Mazda tops automotive sector of latest CSI survey – for third time Mazda’s score of 83.3% satisfaction is 4.9% points above the automotive average Mazda has once again emerged as the nation’s best car company for ‘customer satisfaction’ with the brand and its dealers topping the automotive sector in the latest UK Customer Satisfaction Index with a score of 83.3 per cent, well above the car industry average of 78.4 per cent. The top five results in January’s survey were: Mazda Volvo 83.3% 81.5% Drink drive samples on ice UK police investigating drink driving have been told to refrigerate all samples from suspects after forensic scientists being axed in spending cuts withdrew their services.Forces across the country have been told that the Forensic Science Service (FSS) has stopped processing motoring cases as of yesterday. All blood and urine taken from drivers will have to be temporarily stored until the problem is solved. This means that cases where motorists choose a blood test, are unable to give a breath test or can’t be checked due to faulty equipment will be at risk. Officials are frantically trying to make new arrangements but have warned it could take at least seven days and urged forces not to seek alternative testing. Details of the problem surfaced in a leaked memo from the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) which said the FSS had stopped carrying out any testing under the Road Traffic Act. Addressed to chief constables nationwide, it said: “We appreciate the challenges and difficulties that this change may cause your force. “However, we would ask that you continue to work with us whilst we resolve this issue.” Plans to axe the FSS, which runs at a loss, were announced by the Coalition Government last December, provoking anger from police and victims of crime. It will be finally wound up next month. BMW/Mini Toyota Mercedes Benz Customers ordering a new Juke will be offered use of a Micra, while Qashqai and Qashqai+2 buyers will be offered the use of a Note, completely free of charge. Even insurance cover is included, subject to normal terms and conditions. Paul Willcox, managing director of Nissan Motor (GB), said: “Juke and Qashqai models are in huge demand at the moment and it became apparent that the long lead times were inconveniencing some customers. To demonstrate our customer commitment we have developed this new, industry-leading scheme.” Both the Juke (pictured below) and Qashqai were designed, engineered and built in Britain. Nissan’s Sunderland factory is currently working at full capacity to keep up with demand from across Europe. Any customer who has already placed an order will also be eligible to request a loan car through their supplying dealer, providing the remaining waiting time exceeds three months. The first customers will receive loan cars on February 24th. 80.0% 79.8% 79.6% Mazda’s winning and improved score – up from 80.6 per cent in July 2010 – is also combined with clear market leadership for ‘perceived value’ versus rival brands, in terms of comparing costs with customer benefits. leO’S AUTOS enGlISH MeCHAnICS WOrkSHOp & MOBIle prompt reliable Service City & Guilds Qualified Open MOndAy TO FrIdAy 10 - 7pM nO SIeSTA Beat the Credit CrunCh Optimise your car to save you money itV’s €85 repAIrS TO All MAkeS ITvS - OIl CHAnGeS ClUTCHeS - ServICInG TyreS - eXHAUSTS BATTerIeS - BrAkeS 952 917 353 687 727 460 - 687 727 516 at the end of the Coin road MIJAS COSTA The company will be offering a free loan car for buyers facing a delivery lead time of more than three months to tide them over until their new Nissan arrives. The ‘Crossover’ type of vehicle is hugely popular with new buyers AUTOSALON COIN www.autosaloncoin.com weekend, is a devout Catholic whose race helmet bears the name of the former pontiff. COmE TO AUTOSALOn COIn FOR OUR SATURDAY SPECIAL OFFER Oil & Filter Change You pay for Parts Only LABOUR FREE ALL MAKES CAR SERVICING SAVE BETWEEN WITH NO EFFECT ON YOUR WARRANTY Part worn tyres from €25 Qualified English and German mechanics, ITV Services available.Vehicle Transfers and Registration undertaken • • • Aircon re-gas and leak testing TEL: 952 45 45 27 Diagnostic fault reading and emissions All makes and models - Petrol / Diesel www.autosaloncoin.com Fax: 952 453 144 Pol.Ind, Cantarranas. C/ Acero, 6. 29100Coin (Malaga) WEDNESDAY, February 16th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Quiros hole-in-one lands him the Dubai crown The big-hitting Spaniard aced the 161-yard 11th with a "three-quarter wedge", but still had it all to do when he trailed Dane Anders Hansen by a stroke as the players entered the closing stretch of holes. Spain’s Alvaro Quiros had the biggest win of his career so far, as he hit a hole-inone to win the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday. The Spaniard, born in Guadiaro in the province of Cadiz, aced the par-three 11th, and that only three holes after he had triplebogied the par 4 eighth hole. He finished the day just ahead of Anders Hansen and James Kingston. Joint overnight leader Rory McIlroy had his hopes dashed after three successive bogeys, ending the day with a 74, with world number one Lee Westwood just one shot further back, and a double bogey on 18 also saw Tiger Woods slip further down the leader board. A 12-foot birdie putt at the 16th wedge on the 11th - it was a perfect shot - once a year it happens." Lee Westwood finished with a level par 72 after dropping three shots in his final two holes but the Englishman still remains World No1 because Martin Kaymer finished behind the leading contenders in 31st Place. before two pars enabled Quiros to clinch his fifth European Tour title after Hansen was unable to respond after suffering a bogey on the short 15th. Quiros’s final round of 68 was certainly one of the most bizarre tournamentwinning rounds to date. As well as the incredible hole in one, the Spaniard also carded an eagle at the 351-yard, par-four second, four birdies, a bogey, plus the triple bogey seven at the 459-yard eighth when he lost his ball up a palm tree. This memorable tournament was a huge victory for Quiros who earned himself 301,353 euros (£255,127). "The start was perfect with the eagle on two, but I was shaken after the eighth," said the 28-yearold. “I was lucky with some putts around the turn and then a three-quarters Tiger Woods, who has been without a victory for almost 15 months, was only two shots back with seven to play, but along with his three birdies, his final-round card was littered with bogeys – four in total – as well as that double bogey on the 18th. Woods, who has been searching for a win since the Australian Masters in November 2009, finished down in 20th place. "There were quite a few positives this week but a couple of glaring examples of what I need to work on," the American said. He then went on to complain that his game was gone with the wind. "It's like anything. All my old feels (for the clubs) are out the window when the winds blow. That's the thing when you are making change. It's fine when the wind is not blowing. But when you have to hit a shot when the wind blows...the new swing patterns get exposed." Well, you have heard the old saying if the wind changes you will stay like that – let’s hope that’s not the case for Tiger Woods! Report by Claire Voet Suppliers of trophies for all sports and pastimes Exciting play at Mijas Bowls club competition Mijas Bowls Club held their yearly internal competition over ten days at the beginning of February. Many members entered, and both players and spectators enjoyed this year’s lovely sunny weather. The Drawn Triples final was between Brian Attwood, Frank Richardson and Geraldine Robinson against Roberto Wright, Dine Warn and Lilly Garden. It was a close game, Brian’s team winning by one wood on the final end. The Drawn Pair’s final between Geraldine Robinson and Roy Graveling against Kevin Bloe and John Fenton with Kevin and John emerging the victors. The Handicap Singles final between Geraldine Robinson and Jim Taylor was a well contested game, with Jim coming through to win. The Men’s championship final saw Franco Tinelli play Don Smith, with Don coming out on top and he will represent Mijas at the champion of champions in April. The Ladies final was between Geraldine Robinson, (this was Geraldine’s 16th game in 10 consecutive days, as she earlier was a winner in the drawn triples and a runner up in the drawn pairs), and her opponent Juanita Case (who was born in Spain and plays her summer bowling in Stratford-onAvon). After a slow start Geraldine took the early initiative, to score 13 – 3, then Juanita started to come forward by winning four of the next five ends. On the 17th end she picked up 3 to bring the score to 15—10. Spectators could now sense the game entering an exciting final. The quality of bowling grew to a higher level. Both ladies treated the spectators to a feast of quality bowling. At the 25th end the scores were level at 19. Geraldine took the 26th by a single shot and Juanita took the next end and game with two shots. We congratulate Juanita on her victory; she now goes through to represent Mijas in April at the champion of champions. We also congratulate Geraldine who has had a wonderful tournament and who is established as one of the Costa del Sol’s finest lady bowlers. Report By: Sheila Graveling andalucia The Sunshine Golf Calahonda District Darts League Tel:952493709 www.sunshine-golf.com The Sunshine Golf Calahonda District Darts League Results for Kate Clark Quarter Finals Sussex 6 - 6 Rays A Rays A won 2 - 1 in play oﬀ Connect it 4 - 8 Tonys Dempsys 6 - 6 Henrys A Dempsys won 2 - 0 in play oﬀ Fools 6 - 6 Henrys B Fools won 2-0 in play oﬀ C.O.G.S: latest news from the fairways of the Costa del Sol The Coin Open Golf Society’s second outing of the year was again well attended in the glorious sunshine The second outing of our 5th season was held at Santa Maria last Saturday and the course was in excellent condition as always. Thirty members made the trip and the weather conditions were perfect. Heading the charge was Captain Nig Bowler in a two ball and because of his straight long hitting, accuracy to greens and as always, only one putt, it was a speedy round by all. The spot prizes for the day were divided as follows: The nearest to the pin was won by Chris Spoakes. The nearest to the pin in two shots was won by Ian Robinson and the longest drive was won by Ian ‘Norris’ Holden. There were no team prizes this time out but the top three in the individual competition were as follows. 1st: Russell Wood 34 pts (on count back on the back nine); 2nd: Dave Williams 34pts; 3rd: Sav Ramayon 33pts. Thanks again to Ian and the staff at Leslies’ Bistro for the food on our arrival back to the bar and to all the members who turned up for our second outing. All Sunshine Golf Darts League info is available on... www.calahondadistrictdarts.com Sunshine Golf, the Costa Del Sols´ one stop golf shop “All we slice is the price” Polos & Logos [email protected] www.polosandlogos.com LAURO 27 GOLF NEW RATES 2011 1 year unlimited golf: 1.750€ (couple: 3.000€) FEBRUARY OFFER: 2 green fees + buggy: 125€ www.laurogolf.com Report By : Nig Bowler - 670 800 555 Urb. Jardines Butiplaya, 13-14 Downstairs in Sunshine Golf La Cala Mijas - MALAGA Tel: 952 41 27 67 Fax: 952 41 47 57 email:[email protected] Front-line golf properties for sale Membership and golf included Call 952 41 27 67 for a private viewing LAURO LIVING 32 n Sports & Motors Sports flash Sports Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in Hammers to be new stadium tenants The decision was unanimous. Spurs' plan would involve knocking down the stadium and building a new one. The club intended to pay for an expansion of the athletics facility in Crystal Palace, rather than keeping a legacy for the sport in Stratford. West Ham's plan, by contrast, will keep athletics in east London and leave the running track untouched. Interesting fact-West Ham United is an anagram of The New Stadium Late fightback earns Malaga a valuable point Sporting West Ham United is an anagram of: Rugby union Malaga came into this game having picked up justTheoneNew point from their last four fixtures and needed aStadium victory Horse deaths shock to move oﬀ the bottom of the table. After an extremely lacklustre start against Getafe things went from bad to worse. Some comical defending by Malaga and a shot from Colunga resulted in Malaga's keeper Arnau punching the ball onto Miku's head and deflecting it into the back of his net after just 8 minutes. Things soon got even worse for Malaga, and again it was Getafe’s Colunga running on to a deep pass to beat Arnau who this time was slow off his line - with a neat lob, 2 nil down after 24 minutes and the crowd were on Malaga's backs. Baptista almost hit back immediately, but saw his angled shot drift just wide. He also forced Getafe keeper Ustari into a good save later in the half. With nothing going right for the home side Pellegrini changed things around at half time, bringing on Fernandez and youngster Portillo. This had an immediate effect with Malaga looking much more effective in all areas. But with Getafe looking like they would hold on for all three points, the game suddenly turned in Malaga’s favour when Marcano handled in the box, to give Malaga a lifeline with 10 minutes to go. FRANK ELEC TRICS 669 009 821 Baptista stepped up and put the penalty into the back of the net. Malaga kept pushing forward, Rondon missed an easy volley but redeemed himself when in the 4th minute of added on time he scrambled in from close range to send the Rosaleda into delirium. Manuel Pellegrini's men will have been happy to scrape a point in the circumstances, but it still leaves Malaga rooted to the bottom of La Liga. Next week is a tough away trip to Villareal Report by: Scott Forbes at Newbury races Horses are far more sensitive to electricity than humans, and wet ground conditions may have contributed to the fatal accident. An investigation has been launched after Fenix Two and Marching Song died in the paddock - while Kid Cassidy was withdrawn after stumbling. The horses' trainers have suggested they may have had an electric shock. "Kid Cassidy was extremely lucky as he definitely got the effect," his trainer Nicky Henderson told BBC Radio 5 Live. "It was something that none of us have ever seen before and we hope never to see again. Kid quality golf At Reduced Green Fees [email protected] www.frank-multiservices.com Certified projects, boletins, emergency repairs, light and socket fittings, increasing circuits or complete circuit installations. ICP fro m €4 0 C e r t i fi c a t e s f r o m € 8 0 top quality installations from €595 Coin meters to control electric consumption €300 no obligation quotations and advice - all makes Contact lynne or alison in the airflow offices tel: 952 443 222 [email protected] " Call 661 114 070 for more details DEAD FLOOR? Fully registered First for Quality First for Choice air Conditioning ServiCing & repairS oFFiCial panaSoniC Centre www.thenewsonline.es BRING IT BACK TO LIFE! Marble Restoration Service and Floor Polishing TONY’S Call for a truly professional long lasting high gloss finish at a realistic 620 726 875 price Your satisfaction is my motivation Ring for quotation without obligation VICTORIA CAR HIRE UK UK Self Drive £105 per week Fully inclusive No hidden extras Delivery & Collection Gatwick Airport only Tel: 0044 1293 432155 Fax: 0044 1293 402600 The Depot Andalucian Freight UK SPAIN IRELAND International & Local Removal Specialists Best prices on the Costa del Sol Packing materials sold Call 952 450 487 659 249 463 www.thedepot-andaluciafreight.com Cassidy was just walking round and went over on to the grass and knuckled over for a second. It does appear it was to do with electricity and underground cables and obviously nobody knew it was there." On Saturday, a racecourse spokeswoman confirmed a cable, thought to be dormant, had been found under the paddock although she added: "We cannot confirm if that definitely was the reason for the incident." Can England improve ? Martin Johnson thinks so Martin Johnson has warned England they must improve if they are to beat defending Six Nations champions France at Twickenham in their next match. England ran in eight tries to defeat Italy 59-13 on Saturday and record their second win of the Championship. But England manager Johnson said: "Do we have to do better in two weeks? Yes, of course we do. A lot, lot better. "We have to control the ball better; we won't get the opportunities (against France) to score the tries we did." golf Woods sorry for spitting in Dubai Tiger Woods is to be fined for spitting during the Dubai Desert Classic and apologised for the incident. "It was inconsiderate to spit like that and I know better. I just wasn't thinking and want to say I'm sorry," Woods wrote on his Twitter account. "Tournament director Mike Stewart has reviewed the incident and feels there has been a breach of the tour code of conduct and consequently Tiger Woods will be fined," the European Tour said in a statement. Sca real ndinav esta ia te a n gen t Bank repossession in Spain - buy directly from the bank Approx 30 apartments for sale in Duquesa Price € 120,000 - 135,000 Lounge · 2 bedrooms · 2 baths · 70 - 80 m² built · Terrace · Spacious · 3 large community pools · Garages · Paddle tennis · Gated community · Exclusive area · Reference: RE-2060 High quality development ALL APARTMENTS have 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms They are 70 - 80 m² built · Bright · Spacious Elevator · Siemens kitchen · Private terrace Some available with parking and storage room included 100% mortgage • • • • 2.5% mortgage rate Interest only for 2 years! No redemption fee No opening cost for mortgage (only a 1% penalty if change lender) • Mortgage application supplied in English *Notes: Banco Espana instructed all Spanish Banks that they are no longer permitted to offer mortgages above the selling price of the property, so purchase costs and fees cannot be included in the mortgage amount. Siemens kitchen Modern kitchen with granite worktop, “Siemens” fitted kitchen – electric oven 4 hobs, American fridge, Washing machine. La Duquesa sports harbour The sportsharbour has several restaurants and bars open all year. It is a lovely holiday area with wide sandy beaches. There are plenty of charming places to enjoy lunch! sale ain s s Sp tre Dis nts in tme r a p Map of Duquesa Located close to the beach 5-8 mins walk and near the town Duquesa, these apartments have excellent road access and travel from either Malaga Airport or Gibraltar (Monarch and British Airways) Tel. 951 100 210	46
Sprinter Merlene Ottey, age 50, was a member of which nation's 4 x 100 metres relay squad at the 2010 European Championships?	Practical Law - Topic Practical Law You need to login to access these options. My account Telecoms Filtered by: Media & Telecoms This part of the topic index contains resources on communications law. Please select the resource that you require by clicking on the relevant tab below. The European Commission has published a draft E-Privacy Regulation which is intended to replace the current E-Privacy Directive (2002/58/EC). Legal update: archive The Special conditions imposed by the Phone-paid Services Authority (previously called PhonepayPlus) in relation to online competitions came into force on 4 January 2017. Legal update: archive On 4 January 2017, Ofcom published a research report on the availability and experience of communications services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. Legal update: archive On 21 December 2016, the ECJ responded to a reference for a preliminary ruling from a Danish court on the interpretation of Directive 2002/22 (the Universal Services Directive). Legal update: archive ECJ rules general and indiscriminate retention of data ... The European Court of Justice has ruled that the general and indiscriminate retention of data is incompatible with the E-Privacy Directive (2002/58/EC) read in the light of the Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Tele2 Sverige AB v Post- och telestyrelsen and Secretary of State for the Home Department v Tom Watson and others (Joined Cases C-203/15 and C-698/15), 21 December 2016. Legal update: case report The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced a consultation on a pilot of a contestable public service broadcast content fund. Legal update: archive Ofcom is consulting on whether to make commercial multi-user gateway devices, known as COMUGs, licence-exempt. Legal update: archive Ofcom has published a consultation on proposed amendments to the consumer protection measures in its General Conditions of Entitlement. Legal update: archive The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have reached political agreement on how to coordinate use of the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band (470-790MHz). Legal update: archive The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/1233) have been published on legislation.gov.uk. Legal update: archive On 16 December 2016, Ofcom published its Connected Nations Report 2016 and its International Communications Market Report 2016. Legal update: archive On 16 December 2016, Ofcom published its final report to the government on the design of the proposed broadband universal service obligation. Legal update: archive Commission adopts regulation on roaming fair use policy and ... On 15 December 2016, the European Commission announced that it has adopted the implementing regulation laying down detailed rules on the application of fair use policy for roaming and on the methodology for assessing the sustainability of the abolition of retail roaming surcharges. Legal update: archive A draft EU regulation proposal to replace the E-Privacy Directive has been leaked. Legal update: archive On 14 December 2016, the National Infrastructure Commission published its "Connected Futures" report, which discusses the roll out of 5G mobile services and the future of mobile networks. Legal update: archive On 13 December 2016, The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications published its high-level opinion on the European Commission's proposals for a review of the electronic communications framework. Legal update: archive Commission announces vote to approve regulation on ... On 12 December 2016, the European Commission welcomed a vote by Member State Representatives on its draft implementing regulation laying down detailed rules on the application of fair use policy for roaming and on the methodology for assessing the sustainability of the abolition of retail roaming surcharges. Legal update: archive Commission announces new draft of roaming fair use policy ... On 8 December 2016, the European Commission announced that further progress has been made on agreeing the approach to the application of fair use policy under the Roaming Regulation (as amended by Regulation 2015/2120) with a view to abolishing retail roaming charges. Legal update: archive The government has transferred the function of maintaining, and of keeping the Telephone Preference Service and the Fax Preference Service up to date, from Ofcom to the ICO. Legal update: archive On 2 December 2016, the Council announced that it has adopted a general approach to the European Commission's proposed regulation to set maximum wholesale roaming charges. Legal update: archive On 1 December 2016, Ofcom published a consultation on its review of the wholesale call termination, wholesale call origination and wholesale narrowband access markets, covering the period 2017 to 2020. Legal update: archive The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA 2016), which sets out and governs the powers available to the police, security and intelligence agencies to gather and access electronic communications, has received Royal Assent. Legal update: archive The Phone-paid Services Authority has published a statement on its regulatory framework together with new Special conditions for online competition and online adult services. Legal update: archive On 28 November 2016, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the mid-term evaluation of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). Legal update: archive On 29 November 2016, the European Parliament Industry Committee agreed on amendments to the European Commission's proposed regulation to set maximum wholesale roaming charges. Legal update: archive On 29 November 2016, Ofcom announced an update on its plans to for a more independent Openreach.. Legal update: archive On 22 November 2016, Ofcom published a Quality of Service direction setting further minimum standards in relation to Wholesale Line Rental products and services provided by Openreach. Legal update: archive Ofcom is consulting on its forthcoming auctions of spectrum in the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands. Legal update: archive The government has announced that it will amend the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/2426) in spring 2017 to introduce personal liability for directors for nuisance call fines. Legal update: archive On 13 October 2016, the ECJ handed down its judgment on a reference from the Polish Supreme Court on the interpretation of Article 4(1) of Directive 2002/21 (the Framework Directive). Legal update: archive Ofcom is consulting on whether to change its policy on licensing the spectrum in the "DECT guard band", which could be used for high power mobile. Legal update: archive On 21 September 2016, the European Commission announced that it has agreed a new approach to the application of fair use policy under the Roaming Regulation 531/2012 as amended by Regulation 2015/2120. Legal update: archive On 15 September 2016, the ECJ handed down a judgment on a preliminary reference from a Dutch court whether Commission Recommendations in the field of telecoms are binding. Legal update: archive The European Commission has published a number of proposals to reform EU telecoms law. Legal update: archive Commission withdraws draft implementing regulation on ... On 9 September 2016, the European Commission withdrew the text of its draft implementing regulation laying down detailed rules on the application of fair use policy for roaming and on the methodology for assessing the sustainability of the abolition of retail roaming surcharges. Legal update: archive Commission publishes draft implementing regulation on ... On 5 September 2016, the European Commission published a draft Commission implementing regulation laying down detailed rules on the application of fair use policy for roaming and on the methodology for assessing the sustainability of the abolition of retail roaming surcharges. Legal update: archive The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications has published its guidance on the implementation of the Regulation on Open Internet Access (2015/2120/EU). Legal update: archive The High Court has dismissed a judicial review brought by EE Ltd against Ofcom's decision to revise annual fees payable for 900MHz and 1800MHz licences so that they reflect the full market value of the frequencies in those bands. Legal update: case report PhonepayPlus has published a consultation on its regulatory framework, a consultation on special conditions for online competition and adult services, and refreshed industry guidance. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus has announced that it is changing its name and adopting a new statement of purpose. Legal update: archive On 8 July 2016, Ofcom published a report analysing consumer complaints about the largest telecoms and pay TV providers in the period January to March 2016. Legal update: archive The government has published its Digital Economy Bill 2016-17. Legal update: archive On 5 July 2016, the Digital Economy Bill was introduced into the House of Commons. This update focuses on the competition and regulatory implications of the Bill. Legal update: archive On 4 July 2016, the Communications (Access to Infrastructure) Regulations 2016 were published. Legal update: archive Advocate General opinion on independence of Spanish ... On 30 June 2016, Advocate General Bot handed down his opinion on a preliminary reference from the Spanish Supreme Court regarding the application of the independence requirement in the Framework Directive in the context of the Spanish reform of its telecoms regulatory authority and its merger with several other regulatory bodies to form one single national regulatory authority. Legal update: archive The Information Commissioner's Office has published its 2015/16 annual report. Legal update: archive Ofcom has published a statement approving the 14th edition of the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice and PhonepayPlus has published the final version of the Code and Supporting Procedures, which will come into force on 12 July 2016. Legal update: archive Commission adopts proposal to set maximum wholesale ... On 15 June 2016, the European Commission adopted a proposal to set maximum wholesale roaming charges (i.e. the prices that operators charge each other for the use of their networks) in order to make sure that the end of roaming charges for consumers, set for mid-June 2017, runs smoothly. Legal update: archive On 14 June 2016, Advocate General Campos Sanchez-Bordona handed down an opinion on a reference from the the Polish Supreme Court on the interpretation of Article 7(3) of Directive 2002/21 (the Framework Directive). Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus has published guidance to help premium-rate service operators interpret Rule 2.3.10 of its 13th Code of Practice, which offers specific protection for vulnerable consumers. Legal update: archive On 10 June 2016, Ofcom issued a call for input on its plans to introduce automatic compensation for consumers and smaller businesses when things go wrong with their communications services. Legal update: archive The Broadband Stakeholder Group has published a revised open internet code of practice to bring its approach into line with the Regulation on Open Internet Access (2015/2120/EU). Legal update: archive The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications has published a consultation on guidance on the implementation of the Regulation on Open Internet Access (2015/2120/EU). Legal update: archive On 26 May 2016, the European Commission adopted a Roadmap for a mid-term evaluation of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) established by Regulation (EU) 1316/2013. Legal update: archive The Council of the European Union has adopted a general approach on a draft decision to make the 700 MHz band available for wireless broadband. Legal update: archive On 26 May 2016, the European Commission announced that it has found that the UK National Broadband Scheme for 2016-2020 complies with EU state aid rules. Legal update: archive The European Commission has published a communication on online platforms and the digital single market. Legal update: archive The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has published a call for evidence on how switching service provider in a number of industries, including telecoms, can be made quicker. Legal update: archive The government has published its proposals for a revised Electronic Communications Code, which governs the relationship between electronic communications providers and landowners in the UK. Legal update: archive The government has published its response to its consultation on the introduction of a broadband universal service obligation. Legal update: archive The Queen's Speech 2016 has been delivered to both Houses of Parliament. Legal update: archive Ofcom is proposing to open up a further 125MHz of 5GHz radio spectrum for use by WiFi. Legal update: archive On 13 May 2016, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills published a call for evidence as part of the UK business broadband review. Legal update: archive On 9 May 2016, Ofcom announced a consultation on its cost-modelling proposals for future regulation of the UK market for residential and business telephone and broadband access connections. Legal update: archive ASA to adopt stronger approach to broadband price claims in ... The ASA has announced that it intends to adopt a stronger approach to broadband price claims in adverts following research that shows that the broadband industry's current approach to presenting pricing in fixed broadband adverts is likely to confuse and mislead consumers about the cost of broadband services. Legal update: archive Meaning of "use and enjoyment" of telecoms services ... The Upper Tribunal has considered the meaning of use and enjoyment of telecommunications services and whether a taxpayer has any legitimate expectation regarding changes to the basis of the VAT calculation. (The Queen (on application of Telefonica Europe Plc and Telefonica UK Ltd) v HMRC [2016] UKUT 0173 (TCC) (15 April 2016).) Legal update: case report Ofcom has published a statement on its framework for spectrum sharing and is consulting on the 3.8GHz to 4.2GHz band as a candidate for enhanced spectrum sharing. Legal update: archive ECJ ruling on interpretation of Article 28 of Universal Services ... On 14 April 2016, the ECJ handed down its ruling in a preliminary reference from the Polish Supreme Court on the interpretation of Article 28 of Directive 2002/22 (the Universal Service Directive) and Articles 5(1) and 8(3) of Directive 2002/19 (the Access Directive). Legal update: archive The European Commission has issued a public consultation on the Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive as part of its flagship digital single market plans. Legal update: archive Ofcom amends Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations ... On 8 April 2016, Ofcom announced that it has made the Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations 2016, which amend the Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 2003 to implement High Court and Court of Appeal judgments in relation to commercial single user gateways. Legal update: archive On 7 April 2016, Ofcom published a call for inputs on the design of the broadband Universal Service Obligation. Legal update: archive Ofcom has updated the guidance in its Procedures for the Management of Satellite Filings. Legal update: archive On 31 March 2016, Ofcom published an information update and a call for input on managing the effects on PMSE and DTT viewers of the 700 MHz band clearance. Legal update: archive On 31 March 2016, Ofcom published a report on mobile network performance in Cardiff, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London and Norwich during the period November-December 2015. Legal update: archive On 30 March 2016, the DCMS published the government's response to Ofcom's Strategic Review of Digital Communications and Business Connectivity Market reviews. Legal update: archive Ofcom has published a note stating that it has decided to adopt the CMA's guidance on voluntary redress schemes. Legal update: archive Ofcom has issued a call for inputs on a review of rules for mandatory daytime PIN protections. Legal update: archive On 24 March 2016, Ofcom published a report on the performance of fixed-line broadband delivered to UK residential consumers. Legal update: archive On 23 March 2016, the DCMS published a consultation on the broadband Universal Service Obligation. Legal update: archive On 23 March 2016, Ofcom announced its decision to amend the Wireless Telegraphy (Licensing Procedures) Regulations 2010. Legal update: archive On 23 March 2016, Ofcom published for consultation proposals to reform the switching of mobile communications services. Legal update: archive Ofcom has published a statement confirming spectrum ranges and licensing arrangements for services that are part of the "internet of things". Legal update: archive On 22 March 2016, Ofcom published a review of competition in the provision of leased lines, as part of its Business Connectivity Market Review. It has published a separate draft statement on very low bandwidth leased lines. Legal update: archive A summary of the implications of the March 2016 Budget for the media and telecoms sectors. Legal update: archive On 15 March 2016, the European Commission announced that it has launched a consultation on fixed and mobile termination rates. Legal update: archive Ofcom consults on enabling acceleration of 700MHz ... On 11 March 2016, Ofcom published a consultation on enabling acceleration of 700MHz clearance and use of the 700MHz centre gap. It has also issued an updated Code of Practice on the management of transitional issues during the preparation for the clearance of the 700MHz spectrum band. Legal update: archive Ofcom decision on making new spectrum available for audio ... On 10 March 2016, Ofcom issued its decision on proposals to make new spectrum available for audio Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) services, following its decision to release spectrum in the 700 MHz frequency band for use for mobile data services. Legal update: archive In Privacy International v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal provided a determination of preliminary issues in a case concerning the lawfulness of GCHQ's hacking of computer networks. Legal update: case report The Crown Prosecution Service is consulting on an updated version of its guidelines on prosecuting social media cases. Legal update: archive Ofcom is consulting on its proposed Space Spectrum Strategy, which covers the use of spectrum by the satellite and space science sectors. Legal update: archive BEREC has published new guidelines on roaming following amendments made to the roaming regime by the Telecom Single Market Regulation (2015/2120). Legal update: archive On 29 February 2015, BEREC published various documents following its 26th plenary meeting, held on 25 and 26 February 2016. Legal update: archive On 25 February 2016, Ofcom published its initial conclusions from digital communications strategic review. Legal update: archive The European Commission has published a draft decision on making spectrum in the 700MHz and sub-700MHz UHF bands available for broadband and audiovisual media services. Legal update: archive On 23 January 2016, the British Infrastructure Group, a cross-party group of Members of Parliament (MPs) led by The Rt Hon Grant Schapps MP, published a report on broadband investment and the role of BT and Openreach. Legal update: archive The UK government has published its response to the European Commission's consultation on needs for internet speed and quality by 2020. Legal update: archive The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has launched a consultation on requiring direct marketing callers to provide Calling Line Identification. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus has published, for stakeholder comment, draft supporting procedures to accompany its 14th Code, which is itself currently subject to public consultation. Legal update: archive On 8 January 2016, Ofcom published its final determination of a dispute between Vodafone and BT relating to BT's use of Deemed Consent and non-payment of Service Level Guarantee payments for Ethernet services. Legal update: archive On 8 January 2016, Ofcom published further information on its plans to make spectrum available for users of wireless audio equipment in the programme making and special events (PMSE) sector. Legal update: archive On 21 December 2015, Ofcom announced that it has decided to make the Wireless Telegraphy (White Space Devices) (Exemption) Regulations 2015. Legal update: archive ECJ rulings on whether charging fees for mobile ... On 17 December 2015, the ECJ handed down two rulings on references from a Belgian court as regards whether Articles 6, 12 and 13 of the Authorisation Directive preclude the introduction, for budgetary purposes, by legislation of a national or local authority, of a tax on mobile communications infrastructures, installed on public or private property, used to carry on activities provided for in the general authorisation. Legal update: case report On 15 December 2015, BEREC published various documents following its 25th plenary meeting, held on 10 and 11 December 2015. Legal update: archive On 15 December 2015, BEREC published a statement on its work to produce guidelines for the implementation of the net neutrality provisions of Regulation 2015/2120 (the Telecoms Single Market (TSM) Regulation). Legal update: archive On 10 December 2015, Ofcom published its 2015 review of the international communications market. Legal update: archive On 7 December 2015, the DCMS published the detail of the government's response to the European Commission's consultation on the evaluation and review of the regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services under the Digital Single Market Strategy. Legal update: archive Ofcom has published a consultation on amendments to its policy on its powers to take action on persistent misuse of an electronic communications network or service under sections 128-130 of the Communications Act 2003. Legal update: archive On 3 December 2015, Ofcom published an update announcing its decision to delay commencement of the auction of the newly available spectrum in the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands. Legal update: archive On 1 December 2015, Ofcom published its Connected Nations Report 2015, as an update to its second Infrastructure Report. It has also published its fourth annual European Broadband Scorecard. Legal update: archive Regulation on roaming and open internet published in Official ... On 26 November 2015, Regulation 2015/2120 of the European Parliament and the Council laying down measures concerning open internet access and amending Directive 2002/22 on universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services and Regulation 531/2012 on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union was published in the Official Journal. Legal update: archive On 11 November 2015, Ofcom published its final determination to resolve disputes between BT and each of Gamma and Vodafone in relation to BT's average porting conveyance charges. Legal update: archive The draft Investigatory Powers Bill has been published by the Home Office. Legal update: archive On 28 October 2015, Ofcom published for consultation its proposal to make a limitation order in connection with the award of spectrum in the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands. Legal update: archive Ofcom consultation on making new spectrum available for ... On 23 October 2015, Ofcom issued a consultation on its proposals to make new spectrum available for audio Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) services, following its decision to release spectrum in the 700 MHz frequency band for use for mobile data services. Legal update: archive On 22 October 2015, BIS issued a call for evidence on new "switching principles" to govern what consumers should expect from providers when they switch. Legal update: archive Ofcom is consulting on a new policy on information gathering it undertakes under the Communications Act 2003, the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 and the Postal Services Act 2011. Legal update: archive On 5 October 2015, BEREC published various documents following its 24th plenary meeting, held on 1 and 2 October 2015. Legal update: archive On 1 October 2015, the Council of the European Union formally adopted the new regulation on mobile roaming and the open internet. Legal update: archive DCMS publishes non-paper on government response to ... The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) has published a non-paper on the government's response to the European Commission's consultation on the evaluation and review of the regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services under the Digital Single Market Strategy. Legal update: archive On 24 September 2015, Ofcom published a statement setting out its final decision on revised annual licence fees for the use of the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum bands by mobile network operators. Legal update: archive On 22 September 2015, Ofcom published a report analysing the complaints that it received from consumers about telecoms and pay TV providers in the period April to June 2015. Legal update: archive ECJ ruling on charge on use of terminal equipment for ... On 17 September 2015, the ECJ handed down its ruling on a reference for a preliminary ruling from an Italian Regional Tax Court regarding the interpretation of Directive 1999/5 and the 2002 EU regulatory framework for electronic communications in relation to the imposition of a charge on the use of terminal equipment for terrestrial mobile radio communication. Legal update: case report On 11 September 2015, the European Commission launched two public consultations: the first on the review of the current telecoms legal framework and the second on the needs for internet speed and quality by 2020. Legal update: archive The High Court has decided to grant an interim injunction requested by Packet Media Limited to prevent Telefonica from discontinuing services to disputed SIM cards. Legal update: case report On 6 August 2015, Ofcom published its Communications Market Report 2015. Legal update: archive On 30 July 2015, Ofcom consulted on its plans to revise its regulatory penalty guidelines. Legal update: archive On 30 July 2015, Ofcom published a consultation on an updated Code of Practice on the management of transitional issues during the preparation for the clearance of the 700MHz spectrum band. Legal update: archive Ofcom has fined Unicom £200,000 for misselling landline services. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus has published a discussion document on vulnerable consumers. Legal update: archive The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Department for Culture Media & Sport (DCMS) has published a call for evidence on the effectiveness of the planning regime in relation to mobile infrastructure. Legal update: archive On 9 July 2015, Advocate General Cruz Villalón handed down an opinion on a reference for a preliminary ruling from an Austrian court regarding the application of Directive 2002/22 (the Universal Services Directive) to tariff modification clauses in consumer contracts. Legal update: archive Advocate General opinion on whether imposition of tax on ... On 8 July 2015, Advocate General Wahl handed down his opinion on a reference from a Belgian court as regards whether Article 13 of the Authorisation Directive precludes local authorities from introducing a tax on telecommunications operators for pylons, masts and antennae installed in the local area. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus has published an updated version of its Investigations and Sanctions Procedure following implementation of its 13th code of practice. Legal update: archive Ofcom has confirmed that it approves the 13th edition of the PhonepayPlus code of practice, which came into force on 1 July 2015. Legal update: archive On 30 June 2015, Ofcom published a report analysing the complaints that it received from consumers about telecoms and pay TV providers in the period January to March 2015. Legal update: archive On 30 June 2015, the European Commission announced that the Commission, European Parliament and Council have reached political agreement on a proposed regulation in relation to roaming and the open internet. Legal update: archive Telecoms distribution company fails to recover damages for ... A telecoms distribution company failed to recover damages for breach of contract by one of its former dealers although the breach had been a repudiatory one. (Mainline Digital Communications Ltd v Chaddah (trading as 2-Way Communications) [2015] EWHC 1580 (QB), 1 June 2015.) Legal update: case report On 25 June 2015, Ofcom published a report setting out its assessment and recommendations on the provision and availability of communications services for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, focusing mainly on broadband services. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus has announced that from 1 July 2015, services on 0870 numbers and voice shortcodes costing 20 pence per minute or less will be exempt from the registration requirement in paragraph 3.4.1 of its code of practice. Legal update: archive Ofcom extends monitoring and enforcement programme in ... On 22 June 2015, Ofcom issued an update on its monitoring and enforcement programme launched in September 2014 to ensure compliance with the new rules on sales and marketing and use of Cancel Other during the transfer process, which came into force on 20 September 2014, replacing old General Condition 24. Legal update: archive On 11 June 2015, the ECJ handed down its ruling on a reference for a preliminary ruling from the Belgian Constitutional Court regarding the application of Directive 2002/22 (the Universal Services Directive) to mobile electronic communications and internet subscriptions. Legal update: case report Ofcom has launched an own-initiative investigation into communications providers' cancellation and termination of contracts for fixed line telephone, mobile, broadband and pay TV, and it has published a revised voluntary code on broadband speeds. Legal update: archive On 10 June 2015, the DfT issued a call for evidence on improving mobile communications to UK rail passengers. Legal update: archive Ofcom has published its latest research on nuisance calls. Legal update: archive Ofcom consults on 2016 business connectivity market review On 15 May 2015, Ofcom published a consultation on its latest business connectivity market review, which examines the markets for the provision of leased lines to businesses in the UK. It has also published a related consultation on very low bandwidth services. Legal update: archive On 27 April 2015, Ofcom published a statement on modifications to General Conditions to effect changes to switching processes for fixed voice and broadband on the KCOM Access Network. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus is consulting on guidance for its 13th code of practice for premium-rate telecoms services, as well as a proposed scheme for special conditions to replace the current prior-permissions regime. Legal update: archive On 25 March 2015, the European Commission announced the three main areas on which it will focus in creating a digital single market. Legal update: archive On 18 March 2015, the Chancellor of the Exchequer presented the 2015 Budget. This update considers only announcements that may be of interest to competition practitioners. Legal update: archive On 17 March 2015, Ofcom published a statement on its review of mobile donor conveyance charges for 2015-2018. Legal update: archive On 17 March 2015, Ofcom published its latest mobile call termination market review, which sets out its conclusion of its review of the wholesale mobile call termination markets for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2018. Legal update: archive On 12 March 2015, Ofcom published the terms of reference for an overarching Strategic Review of Digital Communications. Legal update: archive Ofcom opens enforcement programme to monitor compliance ... On 10 March 2015, Ofcom announced that it has launched an own-initiative enforcement programme to monitor compliance with General Condition 11.4, which requires communications providers to obtain approval of their metering and billing systems in compliance with the Ofcom Metering and Billing Direction 2014. Legal update: archive The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched a consultation on reform of the Electronic Communications Code. Legal update: archive Government removes consumer harm for nuisance calls and ... The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/355) will amend section 55A(1) of the Data Protection Act 1998, when it applies to the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/2426), making it easier for the Information Commissioner's Office to issue monetary penalty notices against direct marketers who flout the rules on unsolicited electronic direct marketing. They will also permit certain providers of mobile electronic communications services to process and store traffic and location data in order to operate a public emergency alert system. Legal update: archive On 26 February 2015, Ofcom confirmed that it has changed the implementation date for the introduction of new rules governing certain non-geographic number ranges. Legal update: archive On 26 February 2015, Ofcom published its twelfth report on broadband speeds in the UK, setting out the results of data collected during November 2014. Legal update: archive On 24 February 2015, Ofcom announced that it has launched an own-initiative enforcement programme to monitor compliance with General Condition 17.13, which requires communications providers to pay annual geographic number charges. Legal update: archive On 19 February 2015, Ofcom announced its provisional decision and began a further consultation on revising the annual licence fees (ALFs) for the use of the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum bands by mobile network operators. Legal update: archive On 12 February 2015, Ofcom published its decision to allow a new wireless technology (white spaces devices) access to the unused parts of the radio spectrum in the 470 to 790 MHz frequency band. Legal update: archive On 2 February 2015, Ofcom announced that it has varied the licences of the four mobile network operators (MNOs) to improve mobile coverage, following their agreement with government to tackle partial "not spots". Legal update: archive Advocate General's opinion on application of Universal ... On 29 January 2015, Advocate General Pedro Cruz Villalón handed down his opinion on a reference for a preliminary ruling from the Belgian Constitutional Court regarding the application of Directive 2002/22 (the Universal Services Directive) to mobile electronic communications and internet subscriptions. Legal update: archive On 28 January 2015, Ofcom published its latest annual report on consumer experiences of the communications markets. Legal update: archive On 19 January 2015, Ofcom issued a consultation on changing the implementation date for the introduction of new rules governing certain non-geographic number ranges. Legal update: archive On 15 January 2015, Advocate General Bot handed down his opinion on a preliminary reference from the Polish Supreme Court on the interpretation of Article 7(3) of Directive 2002/21 (the Framework Directive). Legal update: case report On 16 January 2015, Ofcom published a call for inputs to seek views on spectrum bands above 6GHz that might be suitable for future 5G mobile communications services. Legal update: archive The House of Commons has proposed amendments to the Infrastructure Bill to amend the Electronic Communications Code. Legal update: archive On 12 January 2015, the European Commission launched a public consultation on how to use the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) spectrum most effectively in the future. Legal update: archive High Court confirms PhonepayPlus can recover fines for ... In a dispute over the payment of a fine imposed by premium-rate phone regulator, PhonepayPlus, the High Court confirmed that PhonepayPlus can impose such a fine even though its code of practice does not include the limitations on imposing fines contained in the Communications Act 2003. (PhonepayPlus Ltd v Waqar Ashraf and another [2014] EWHC 4304(Ch), 19 December 2014). Legal update: case report The European Commission has published its work programme for 2015. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus has published a statement in its review of prior permission conditions for consumer credit services operating on premium-rate telephone numbers. Legal update: archive On 9 December 2014, Ofcom published a statement authorising high duty cycle Network Relay Points (NRPs) in the 870-873 MHz spectrum band. Legal update: archive On 8 December 2014, Ofcom published its Infrastructure Report 2014, its second full analysis of the UK's communications infrastructure. Legal update: archive On 25 November 2014, Ofcom published its final determination of a dispute between Cloud9 and Vodafone about charges concerning connection and on-going charges for access as an Alternative Roaming Provider (ARP) under the Roaming Regulation. Legal update: archive On 19 November 2014, Ofcom published its decision to release spectrum in the 700 MHz frequency band to be used for mobile broadband services. Legal update: archive On 7 November 2014, Ofcom issued a consultation on proposals for an auction of 190 MHz of radio spectrum being awarded by Ofcom for civilian use after being relinquished by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Legal update: archive On 6 November 2014, Ofcom published a call for inputs to seek views on current levels of availability, choice and quality of communications services for SMEs. Legal update: archive On 31 October 2014, Ofcom published its "citizens and communications services" report. Legal update: archive On 28 October 2014, the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against a High Court judgment that rejected a claim for damages suffered as a result of the UK's restriction on the commercial use of GSM Gateways. Legal update: archive Privy Council allows appeal in case on competing use of radio ... The Privy Council has allowed an appeal by an electricity provider whose remote meter reading devices operated in the same frequency band as a cellular telecommunications provider. Among other things, it considered what constituted a "telecommunications network". (Fortis TCI Ltd v Islandcom Telecommunications Ltd [2014] UKPC 33, 16 October 2014.) Legal update: case report On 16 October 2014, Ofcom issued revised guidance on Service Charge price points for non-geographic numbers. Legal update: archive On 9 October 2014, the ECJ held that a request by the Danish Telecommunications Complaints Board for a preliminary ruling was inadmissible. Legal update: archive Ofcom has fined mobile network operator Three £250,000 for failing to comply with Ofcom's rules on handling customer complaints. Legal update: archive BEREC has published its final report on monitoring the quality of internet access services in the context of net neutrality. Legal update: archive On 30 September 2014, Ofcom announced that it has decided to modify General Condition 11 (GC11) to reflect new Metering and Billing Direction. Legal update: archive On 29 September 2014, Ofcom published guidance on setting porting charges under GC18 and a consultation on a new mobile donor conveyance charges (DCC) direction. Legal update: archive Ofcom opens new monitoring and enforcement programme in ... On 22 September 2014, Ofcom announced that it has opened a monitoring and enforcement programme to ensure compliance with the new rules on sales and marketing and use of Cancel Other during the transfer process, which came into force on 20 September 2014, replacing old General Condition 24. Legal update: archive Advocate General opinion on preliminary reference relating to ... On 9 September 2014, Advocate General Maciej Szpunar handed his opinion on a preliminary reference from the Austrian Administrative Court on whether Articles 4 and 9b of Directive 2002/21 and Article 5(6) of Directive 2002/20 confer on a competitor the status, in a national procedure under Article 5(6) of Directive 2002/20, of an undertaking that is affected within the meaning of Article 4(1) of Directive 2002/21. Legal update: archive On 4 September 2014, the ECJ gave a ruling on a reference from a Belgian court on the compatibility with EU rules of the imposition of a local property tax on operators providing electronic communications networks and services. Legal update: case report On 4 September 2014, Ofcom announced that it is conducting a programme of work to help small businesses to obtain the best from communications services in the UK. Legal update: archive On 8 August 2014, Ofcom announced that it has revised its guidance on network security. Legal update: archive On 6 August 2014, the DCMS and HM Treasury published a consultation to collect evidence and views to inform the development of a new Digital Communications Infrastructure Strategy. Legal update: archive On 7 August 2014, Ofcom published its provisional determination of a dispute between Cloud9 and Telefonica about additional roaming charges. Legal update: archive On 1 August 2014, Ofcom published a further consultation on revising the annual licence fees for the use of the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum bands. Legal update: archive On 31 July 2014, Ofcom published a statement confirming revisions to the Metering and Billing Direction. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus has published an update to its affiliate marketing discussion paper published in April 2014. Legal update: archive On 17 July 2014, Ofcom published a document setting out next steps and calling for inputs on consumer switching. Legal update: archive Ofcom has published a consultation on clarifying the National Telephone Numbering Plan to make it clearer that revenue-sharing with callers is not permitted on the 03 number range. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus has announced that it is extending the imposition of administrative charges to cover the costs of prohibition proceedings against individuals. Legal update: archive On 27 June 2014, Ofcom published its first quarterly report for 2014 analysing the complaints that it has received from consumers about major telecoms and pay TV providers. Legal update: archive On 13 June 2014, Ofcom issued a consultation on a proposal to extend the spectrum licence held by UK Broadband Limited within the 3.4GHz band. Legal update: archive On 9 June 2014, BEREC published its common position on the geographical aspects of market analysis. Legal update: archive On 4 June 2014, Ofcom published a consultation on proposals for regulation of the wholesale mobile call termination market for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2018. Legal update: archive On 3 June 2014, Ofcom published a statement setting out its decision to withdraw the 0500 telephone number range. Legal update: archive Decision 541/2014/EU of 16 April 2014 establishing a Framework for Space Surveillance and Tracking Support has been published in the EU Official Journal. Legal update: archive Directive 2014/53/EU on making available radio equipment and repealing Directive 1999/5/EC has been published in the EU Official Journal. Legal update: archive On 23 May 2014, Directive 2014/61 on measures to reduce the cost of deploying high-speed electronic communications networks was published in the Official Journal. Legal update: archive ECJ ruling on definition of electronic communications services ... On 30 April 2014, the ECJ handed down a ruling on questions referred from a Hungarian court on issues relating to the definition of an electronic communications service and the ability of national regulators to control provision of such services by a company based in another member state. Legal update: case report On 30 April 2014, Ofcom published its spectrum management strategy for the next ten years. It also published a statement on spectrum sharing. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus has published revised terms for its prior permission regime for information, connection and signposting services following the resolution of a legal challenge. Legal update: archive On 22 April 2014, Ofcom published its final determination of disputes between TalkTalk and BT and between Sky and BT relating to whether BT provided MPF New Provide on fair and reasonable terms and conditions. Legal update: archive On 17 April 2014, Ofcom published a consultation on the inflation indexation relating to the fees payable for licences to use radio spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands. Legal update: archive On 15 April 2014, the European Parliament adopted, at first reading, a proposed directive on measures to reduce the cost of deploying high-speed electronic communications. Legal update: archive The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has published a consultation on a proposed financial penalties scheme for regulated claims management companies found to be in breach of their conditions of authorisation. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus advice on premium-rate customer helplines ... PhonepayPlus has issued a compliance update to tell providers of premium-rate phone services that providers of services on 087 numbers will no longer be able to use the same number for customer complaints and enquiries under the new consumer protection legislation. Legal update: archive On 25 March 2014, the European Commission published four studies that show that there is no pattern or coherence in broadband markets across the EU. Legal update: archive On 24 March 2014, Ofcom published a consultation on wholesale porting charges under General Condition 18(GC18). Legal update: archive Our summary of the key business tax announcements in the 19 March 2014 Budget. Legal update: archive In Punjab National Bank (International) Ltd and others v Gosain UKEAT/0003/14, the EAT considered whether covert recordings of both the public and private discussions at disciplinary and grievance hearings should be admissible in evidence. Legal update: case report Ofcom has made a small change to General Condition 15 to clarify the provisions for text relay services for disabled people. Legal update: archive On 12 March 2014, Ofcom published its second European Broadband Scorecard, measuring the development of the UK's broadband network relative to those in other EU countries and covering data for 2012 and in some cases 2013. Legal update: archive On 10 March 2014, the DCMS published the government's spectrum strategy. Legal update: archive Council announces COREPER agreement on measures to ... On 28 February 2014, the Council of the European Union announced that the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) had endorsed the agreement between the Council and the European Parliament on the Commission's proposals on measures to reduce cost of rolling-out high-speed broadband. Legal update: archive On 26 February 2014, the European Parliament adopted its first reading position amending the text of the proposed Regulation on guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks. Legal update: archive Ofcom has issued a consultation on the technical coexistence issues for the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz spectrum release. Legal update: archive On 20 February 2014, Ofcom issued a further consultation on its review of the Metering and Billing Direction 2008. Legal update: archive On 17 February 2014, the European Commission published the results of a survey on international roaming. Legal update: archive On 14 February 2014, Ofcom published a final statement and directions concluding its own-initiative review of the level of donor conveyance charges. Legal update: archive On 11 February 2014, Ofcom published for consultation a Notice of its proposal to make the Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Communications Services on Aircraft) (Exemption) Regulations 2014. Legal update: archive Advocate General's opinion on definition of electronic ... On 30 January 2014, Advocate General Juliane Kokott handed down her opinion on a reference from a Hungarian court asking whether a service by which a service provider supplies, for remuneration, conditional access to a package of programmes which contains radio and television broadcast services and is retransmitted by satellite is to be classified as an electronic communications service or a conditional access service, and whether, where such service is supplied from Luxembourg to Hungary, the Hungarian authorities have the right to control the supply of that service. Legal update: archive On 28 January 2014, Ofcom published its latest annual report on consumer experience of the communications market. Legal update: archive On 24 January 2014, the European Commission published a working draft of a proposed revised Recommendation on relevant product and service markets within the electronic communications sector that are susceptible to ex ante regulation, and accompanying explanatory memorandum. Legal update: archive On 18 December 2013, the DCMS confirmed that Dame Patricia Hodgson has been appointed as the new Ofcom Chairman. Legal update: archive On 16 December 2013, Ofcom published a statement setting out its decision on the future spectrum management approach for the 70/80 GHz bands. Legal update: archive On 13 December 2013, Ofcom published a call for inputs to seek views on whether its guidance on network security requires revision. Legal update: archive On 13 December 2013, Ofcom published its third quarterly report for 2013 analysing the complaints that it has received from consumers about major telecoms and pay TV providers. Legal update: archive The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has updated its rules on the use of electronic devices on aeroplanes, saying that from now on it is safe to keep devices switched on in "flight mode" during takeoff, landing and taxiing. Legal update: archive On 5 December 2013, the Chancellor, George Osborne, delivered his Autumn Statement. This legal update summarises the key business tax announcements. (Free access.) Legal update: archive Connecting Europe Package: Council adopts Regulation ... On 5 December 2013, the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council adopted the proposed Regulation establishing the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The CEF will be the future funding instrument for the trans-European networks in the transport, energy and telecommunications sectors. It also adopted guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport (TEN-T) network. Legal update: archive The government's Culture, Media and Sport Committee has published its report and recommendations following its inquiry into nuisance phone calls. Legal update: archive On 21 November 2013, Ofcom published a consultation on its mobile data strategy. Legal update: archive ECJ ruling on application of EU electronic communications ... On 7 November 2013, the ECJ handed down a ruling on a preliminary reference from the Amsterdam Court of Appeal on whether the provision of cable television services to end-users is subject to the EU electronic communications regime and whether a municipality can impose a tariff-limiting clause. Legal update: case report The UK Parliament European Scrutiny Committee has published a report on the European Commission's proposals to amend the telecoms regulatory framework. Legal update: archive On 25 October 2013, Ofcom published its final determination of a dispute between Gamma Telecom Holdings LImited and British Telecommunications plc relating to the Oftel Interest Rate contained in BT's Standard Interconnect Agreement . Legal update: archive On 23 October 2013, Ofcom published a statement on price rises in fixed term contracts, including guidance on the application of General Condition 9.6. Legal update: archive High Court ruling on whether restriction on commercial use of ... On 17 October 2013, the High Court handed down a ruling in an action by operators of GSM Gateways for damages arising from an alleged breach of EU law. (Recall Support Services Ltd and others v Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport [2013] EWHC 3091) Legal update: case report On 17 October 2013, the European Commission announced that the Digital Agenda target of basic broadband for all by 2013 has been met. Legal update: archive On 2 October 2013, Ofcom consulted on its proposed approach to and priorities for spectrum management over the next 10 years. Legal update: archive On 26 September 2013, Ofcom published its final statement on its review of the fixed narrowband services markets. Legal update: archive On 26 September 2013, the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts published a report on the rural broadband programme. Legal update: archive On 21 September 2013, the European Commission's Recommendation on consistent non-discrimination obligations and costing methodologies to promote competition and enhance the broadband investment environment was published in the Official Journal. Legal update: archive On 17 September 2013, Ofcom published for consultation its provisional determination of a dispute between Gamma Telecom Holdings LImited and British Telecommunications plc relating to the Oftel Interest Rate contained in BT's Standard Interconnect Agreement . Legal update: archive On 4 September 2013, Ofcom published the final version of guidance on the payment of costs and expenses in regulatory disputes. Legal update: archive On 21 August 2013, Ofcom published a draft statement setting out the results of its review of the fixed narrowband services markets. Legal update: archive On 15 August 2013, Ofcom published a consultation on the authorisation of Earth Stations on Mobile Platforms. Legal update: archive On 13 August 2013, the European Commission published the results of the latest survey conducted by Eurobarometer of households across the EU about their use of communications services. Legal update: archive On 8 August 2013, Ofcom issued a statement and consultation on the processes for switching fixed voice and broadband providers on the Openreach copper network. Legal update: archive On 7 August 2013, Ofcom published its ninth report on broadband speeds in the UK. Legal update: archive The European Commission has published a study on the importance of Wi-Fi, which suggests a number of interventions to help increase its use. Legal update: archive On 1 August 2013, Ofcom published its Communications Market Report 2013. Legal update: archive The Investigatory Powers Tribunal has held that the covert making of a "voluntary declared interview" is not surveillance under Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. Legal update: archive The government's Culture, Media and Sport Committee is holding an inquiry into nuisance telephone calls and texts. Legal update: archive On 7 July 2013, BEREC published the final version of guidelines on the separate sale of regulated retail roaming services and the implementation of such separate sale under Articles 4 and 5 of the Roaming Regulation (Regulation 531/2012). Legal update: archive On 8 July 2013, the European Commission announced the results of the latest survey conducted by Eurobarometer of households across the EU about their use of communications services. Legal update: archive The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has published a consultation on reforming and simplifying the regulatory and competition appeals framework across a range of sectors including communications. Legal update: archive On 4 July 2013, Ofcom announced that Colette Bowe, Ofcom Chairman, has decided to step down from the Ofcom Board when her term of office ends in March 2014. Legal update: archive Ofcom has published a statement confirming its decision to release the 870-876MHz and 915-921MHz bands on a licence exempt basis. Legal update: archive On 26 June 2013, the CAT published a notice of an appeal by The Number (UK) Limited against a decision of Ofcom contained in its April 2013 document on simplifying non-geographic numbers. Legal update: archive The Director of Public Prosecutions has issued final guidelines for the Crown Prosecution Service on prosecuting cases involving communications sent via social media. (Free access.) Legal update: archive On 12 June 2013, the European Commission published its Digital Agenda Scoreboard, which reports on progress by member states in achieving the targets of the Digital Agenda for Europe. Legal update: archive Council debates single telecoms market and proposals to ... At a meeting of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council on 6 and 7 June 2013, the Council debated various issues relating to the Digital Agenda, including the main features of the EU single telecommunications market and the Commission's proposals for measures to reduce the cost of rolling-out high speed broadband. Legal update: archive The government has published a progress report on the June 2011 Bailey review on the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood. Legal update: archive Ofcom is consulting on changes to its requirements for accredited price comparison websites offering broadband comparisons. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus is consulting on new guidance intended to reduce misleading digital marketing practices. Legal update: archive On 17 May 2013, Ofcom published a report showing the results of research on the extent of nuisance calls received by consumers. Legal update: archive On 16 May 2013, Ofcom published a report on the availability of communications services in the UK. Legal update: archive Ofcom has announced that it will pilot white space technology in the UK in the autumn of 2013. It has also set out how interference will be regulated once the technology is in use. Legal update: archive Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill 2012-13 ... On 23 May 2012, the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill was published and introduced into Parliament. This update considers only Part 3 and Part 4 of the Bill, dealing respectively with the establishment of the Competition and Markets Authority and the reform of UK competition law. THIS LEGAL UPDATE HAS BEEN UPDATED TO REFLECT THE BILL AS AMENDED IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS - 20 MARCH 2013. IT WAS NOT SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED. THE ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM ACT 2013 RECEIVED ROYAL ASSENT ON 25 APRIL 2013. Legal update: archive The European Commission has published a green paper on convergence in audiovisual media. The outcome of the consultation could affect the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, the E-Commerce Directive and the regulatory framework for electronic communications. Legal update: archive On 25 April 2013, the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 were published. Legal update: archive On 24 April 2013, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport published a consultation document on proposed changes to Ofcom's statutory duties and functions. Legal update: archive On 15 April 2013, Ofcom published a consultation on proposed guidance as to how it would resolve disputes between communications providers about what constitutes fair and reasonable originating charges for calls to 080 and 116 numbers. Legal update: archive On 12 April 2013, The Mobile Roaming (European Communities) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 were published. Legal update: archive The Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Spectrum Trading) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/646) and the Wireless Telegraphy (Register) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/640) came into force on 5 April 2013. Legal update: archive On 8 April 2013, the European Commission announced that it has opened an in-depth investigation under Article 7a of the Framework Directive into the German telecoms regulator's proposals for regulating fixed termination rates. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes final determination of disputes about BT's ... On 4 April 2013, Ofcom published its final determination to resolve disputes between Everything Everywhere (EE) and British Telecommunications plc (BT) concerning BT's termination charges for 0844/3 and 0871/2/3 (set out in NCCN 1101) and 09 calls (NCCN 1107) hosted on BT's network and between Telefonica UK Limited (O2), Hutchison 3G UK Limited (H3G), and Vodafone Group Services Limited (Vodafone), on the one hand, and BT, on the other hand, concerning BT's termination charges for calls to 080 numbers hosted on BT's network (NCCN 1046). Legal update: archive On 26 March 2013, BEREC published its opinion on the European Commission's draft Recommendation on non-discrimination and costing methodologies to promote competition and enhance the broadband investment environment. Legal update: archive On 27 March 2013, Ofcom published guidance on the administrative arrangements for a pilot scheme to charge communications providers for geographic numbers they have been allocated. Legal update: archive On 21 March 2013, the ECJ handed down its ruling on a reference from the Belgian Constitutional Court on questions relating to the legitimacy of charging for renewal of rights to use telecommunications radio frequencies. Legal update: archive Ofcom is consulting on proposals to introduce charges for spectrum used for digital terrestrial television broadcasting to cover its spectrum-management costs from 2014, and on an administered incentive pricing basis from 2020. Legal update: archive On 14 March 2013, Ofcom published its eighth report on broadband speeds in the UK. Legal update: archive On 13 March 2013, Ofcom published an update on the work that it has undertaken since its March 2012 statement on its review of unexpectedly high bills. Legal update: archive The Law Commission has published its proposals for reform of the Electronic Communications Code, following consultation. Legal update: archive On 12 February 2013, Ofcom announced that it has opened a monitoring and enforcement programme to ensure compliance with the requirements under General Condition 14 relating to communications providers' complaints handling procedures and awareness-raising of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Legal update: archive On 8 February 2013, Ofcom published to resolve disputes between BT and each of Cable & Wireless, Global Crossing, Verizon, Virgin Media and COLT about BT's charges for partial private circuits (PPCs). Legal update: archive On 7 February 2013, BEREC published a benchmark data report on international roaming for the period from January 2012 to June 2012. Legal update: archive On 6 February 2013, Ofcom published a consultation document on its proposals for the award of a licence to establish temporary digital terrestrial television multiplexes in the 600 MHz spectrum band. Legal update: archive On 4 February 2013, Ofcom published its final determination to resolve a dispute between Cable & Wireless UK (CW UK) and British Telecommunications plc (BT) about BT's payments to other licensed operators (POLOs) for 0845 call termination. Legal update: archive On 1 February 2013, the Office of Communications consulted on proposals to vary all mobile licences in the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands to permit the deployment of 4G services. Legal update: archive On 23 January 2013, Ofcom issued a call for inputs to help Ofcom to consider how to measure mobile voice and data quality of experience. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus report on children's use of smartphones PhonepayPlus has published a report, Children as Connected Consumers, setting out its plans and priorities for helping children and parents understand the potential costs involved in the use of smartphones and other connected devices, particularly in the context of free apps and social media. Legal update: archive On 21 December 2012, Ofcom published its final determination of three related disputes relating to BT's charges for wholesale Ethernet services. Legal update: archive On 18 December 2012, the European Commission issued a Communication setting seven new priorities for the Digital Agenda for Europe. Legal update: archive The European Commission has declined to become a signatory to a revised version of the Internet Telecommunication Regulations, a voluntary UN treaty. Legal update: archive On 18 December 2012, Ofcom published its third quarterly report for 2012 analysing the complaints that it has received from consumers about major telecoms and pay TV providers. Legal update: archive On 13 December 2012, Ofcom published its 2012 review of the international communications market. Legal update: archive On 13 December 2012, Ofcom published an update on its review of the management of the spectrum currently used for point to point fixed links and other services that share this spectrum. Legal update: archive On 10 December 2012, BEREC announced that it has adopted various documents on net neutrality. Legal update: archive On 10 December 2012, BEREC published its work programme for 2013. Legal update: archive On 10 December 2012, Ofcom published a letter clarifying its approach to applying General Condition 18 on number portability. Legal update: archive On 7 December 2012, Ofcom published a revised version of its guidance to applicants and bidders for the award of the 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum bands. Legal update: archive On 28 November 2012, Ofcom published the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Award) (Amendment) Regulations 2012. Legal update: archive EDPS adopts opinion on Commission Communication on ... The European Data Protection Supervisor adopted his opinion on the Commission Communication on Unleashing the potential of Cloud Computing in Europe in which the Commission proposes key actions and policy steps to speed up the use of cloud computing services in Europe. Legal update: archive On 16 November 2012, Ofcom published the 2012 update to its communications infrastructure report. Legal update: archive On 15 November 2012, Ofcom published a further consultation on its business connectivity market review. Legal update: archive On 13 November 2012, Ofcom published for consultation proposal to make the Wireless Telegraphy (Limitation on Number of Licences) Order 2012. Legal update: archive On 12 November 2012, Ofcom published a statement and announced that it has made the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Award) Regulations, relating to the award of the 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum bands. Legal update: archive On 7 November 2012, the Commission Implementing Decision on the harmonisation of the frequency bands 1920-1980 MHz and 2110-2170 MHz for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the EU was published in the Official Journal. Legal update: archive On 29 October 2012, Ofcom issued a consultation on its proposed approach to the payment of costs and expenses in regulatory disputes. Legal update: archive On 24 October 2012, the European Commission announced that it has decided to refer Belgium to the ECJ due to its failure to implement correctly EU rules relating to the imposition of "must carry" obligations on broadcasters. Legal update: archive On 23 October 2012, the DCMS published the government's response to a report by the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications on an alternative approach for the government's broadband policy. Legal update: archive The European Payments Council (EPC) has published a revised white paper on mobile phone payments. Legal update: archive The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has published a paper on the convergence of fixed and mobile networks. Among other things, the report raises questions about regulation in this context. Legal update: archive On 16 October 2012, the European Commission issued a consultation on the review of Commission Recommendation 2007/879 on relevant product and service markets within the electronic communications sector susceptible to ex ante regulation. Legal update: archive On 5 October 2012, BEREC published for consultation a draft report on Article 28(2) of the Universal Service Directive. Legal update: archive PLC EU has published a new legislation tracker on the proposed Electronic Identification Regulation. Legal update: archive European satellite navigation programmes: European ... On 4 September 2012, the European Commission,, adopted a proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Co-operation Agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the European satellite navigation programmes. Switzerland is one of the closest third country co-operation partners in the Galileo programme. The Commission is of the opinion that the Agreement will formalise and deepen the integration of Switzerland into the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) programmes. Legal update: archive Commission asks Polish regulator to amend regulation of ... On 27 August 2012, the European Commission announced that it has, under Article 7a of the Framework Directive, asked the Polish telecoms regulator to amend or withdraw its proposals for regulating access to the fibre based networks of the incumbent operator. Legal update: archive OFT issues Short-form Opinion to NFU and CLA on proposed ... On 23 August 2012, the OFT published a Short-form Opinion that it has prepared at the request of the National Farmer's Union and the Country Land and Business Association to provide guidance as to the application of competition law to a proposal to recommend a reference rate for the grant of wayleaves for broadband in rural areas. Legal update: archive On 21 August 2012, Ofcom published its decision to approve a variation to Everything Everywhere's 1800 MHz spectrum licences to allow use of LTE and WiMAX technologies. Legal update: archive On 15 August 2012, Ofcom published its seventh report on broadband speeds in the UK. Legal update: archive BEREC opinion on Phase II investigation into measures ... On 1 August 2012, BEREC published its opinion on the serious doubts raised by the European Commission about proposals by the Finnish telecoms regulator to allow regional Finnish telecoms operators to give alternative operators access to their broadband networks without proper pricing regulation. Legal update: archive European satellite navigation systems: European Commission ... On 26 July 2012, European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani launched the European Data Access Service, a new commercial service of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, designed to make satellite navigation in Europe more reliable and therefore more effective for use in commercial applications in difficult surroundings. Legal update: archive High Court finds "joke" tweet was not menacing The High Court has overturned a Crown Court decision that a tweet threatening to blow up an airport was a menacing message sent via a public electronic communications network under section 127(1) of the Communications Act 2003. No one had responded to the tweet with any urgency, so the message was not menacing. (Paul Chambers v Director of Public Prosecutions [2012] EWHC 2157 (QB), 27 July 2012.) Legal update: archive On 31 July 2012, the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications published a report setting out an alternative approach for the government's broadband policy. Legal update: archive Court of Appeal overturns CAT judgment on BT's appeals ... On 25 July 2012, the Court of Appeal allowed appeals by O2, Everything Everywhere, Vodafone and H3G against the CAT's judgment on appeals by BT and Everything Everwhere against Ofcom's determinations of disputes relating to termination charges for 080 and 0845/0870 calls. Legal update: archive ISP code of practice on open internet The Broadband Stakeholder Group has published a voluntary code of practice in support of the open internet, which commits internet service providers who sign it to provide full and open internet access products and confirm that traffic-management practices will not be used to target and degrade the services of a competitor. (Free access.) Legal update: archive On 25 July 2012, Ofcom published updated, revised enforcement guidelines, which explain how Ofcom handles competition and regulatory complaints. Legal update: archive On 18 July 2012, Ofcom published its Communications Market Report 2012. Legal update: archive Ofcom delays issuing determinations of disputes about BT's ... On 13 July 2012, Ofcom announced that it has delayed issuing its final determinations to resolve disputes between each of Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media and BT and between Cable & Wireless and BT about BT's charges for Ethernet services and the dispute between Verizon and BT about charges for Wholesale Extension Services (WES). Legal update: archive On 12 July 2012, the European Commission issued a note that sets out its intended policy to enhance the broadband investment environment. Legal update: archive ECJ rules member states cannot charge telecoms providers ... The ECJ has ruled that member states cannot charge telecoms providers for using facilities installed on private or public property where they are not the proprietors of those facilities. (Vodafone España SA v Ayuntamiento de Santa Amalia (C-55/11) and Ayuntamiento de Tudela (C-57/11), and France Telecom España SA v Ayuntamiento de Torremayor (C-58/11), 12 July 2012.) Legal update: archive On 11 July 2012, BEREC published an opinion on the serious doubts raised by the European Commission about the Czech regulator's plans to regulate broadband network access. Legal update: archive On 2 July 2012, Ofcom published its decision on the application of the analytical framework for regulation of certain premium rate services. Legal update: archive The European Commission has published a feedback statement on its green paper: Towards an integrated European market for card, internet and mobile payments. Legal update: archive On 27 June 2012, Ofcom published its first quarterly report for 2012 analysing the complaints that it has received from consumers about major telecoms providers. Legal update: archive On 26 June 2012, the DCMS published, and invited views on, papers for the seminars that it is holding during July 2012 on communications issues, in order to inform development of a proposed Communications Bill. Legal update: archive On 22 June 2012, the CAT made an order dismissing BT's appeal against Ofcom's 2011 decision on the wholesale broadband access charge control. Legal update: archive On 18 June 2012, the European Commission published a report, as part of the Digital Agenda Scoreboard, on the current state of the electronic communications markets in the EU and on the implementation of the EU regulatory framework. Legal update: archive BT appeals against Ofcom determination of payment by ... On 14 June 2012, the CAT published a notice of appeal by British Telecommunications plc (BT) against a determination by Ofcom as to the repayment that Vodafone Limited has to make to BT for charges for terminating calls to 080,0845 and 0870 numbers. Legal update: archive On 14 June 2012, the CAT published the Competition Commission's determination of specified price control matters in the appeal by BT against Ofcom's 2011 decision on the wholesale broadband access charge control. Legal update: archive On 12 June 2012, the European Parliament plenary session adopted a non-legislative Resolution on critical information infrastructure protection. Legal update: archive On 13 June 2012, the European Commission announced that it has decided to require the Dutch telecoms regulator to amend or withdraw its proposals for the regulation of fixed and mobile termination rates. Legal update: archive BEREC has published its opinion on the serious doubts raised by the European Commission about Polish proposals to regulate access to the fibre based networks of the incumbent operator. Legal update: archive European satellite navigation systems: Council partially ... On 7 June 2012, the Council adopted a partial general approach on a draft Regulation defining a new financial and governance framework for the European satellite navigation systems (EGNOS and Galileo), for the period covered by the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-20. Legal update: archive On 7 June 2012, the DCMS published an update on its work on reviewing the communications sector in order to develop a Communications Bill. Legal update: archive BEREC has published its opinion on the serious doubts raised by the European Commission about French proposals to regulate the mobile termination rates of three new mobile entrants in France (Free Mobile, Lycamobile and Oméa Telécom). Legal update: archive On 31 May 2012, Ofcom published a statement setting out its final decision to close local dialling in the Bournemouth 01202 area code from 1 November 2012. Legal update: archive BEREC has published the final results of its investigation into traffic management and other practices resulting in restrictions to the open internet in Europe, together with consultations on three new publications on net neutrality, and an explanatory document. Legal update: archive Ofcom has published a further consultation in its review of next generation text relay services for disabled end-users, focusing on the costs to industry and the criteria and process for Ofcom to approve services. Legal update: archive On 30 May 2012, the Competitiveness Council adopted a Regulation on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the EU. Legal update: archive On 11 May 2012, the European Commission adopted a Communication on the establishment of an intergovernmental Agreement for the operations of the European Earth monitoring programme (GMES) from 2014-20. Legal update: archive Speech by Neelie Kroes on Article 7 procedure On 21 May 2012, the European Commission published a speech by Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda, discussing the use by the Commission of its expanded powers under Article 7 of the Framework Directive in the first year since they came into force. Legal update: archive On 16 May 2012, BEREC published a benchmark data report on international roaming for the period from July 2011 to December 2011. Legal update: archive On 15 May 2012, Ofcom published the results of a mystery shopping exercise that it conducted in order to check compliance with its Voluntary Code of Practice on Broadband Speeds. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus has amended its guidance note, Privacy and consent to charge, to clarify that "soft opt-in" can amount to "consent". Legal update: archive On 10 May 2012, the European Parliament voted to adopt the new, recast Roaming Regulation, which will replace Regulation 544/2009 from 1 July 2012. Legal update: archive On 27 April 2012, the European Commission launched a consultation on how to reduce the costs of rolling out high speed internet. Legal update: archive The European Payments Council (EPC) has published its response to the European Commission's green paper on integration of the card, internet and mobile payments market. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus has published a compliance note on the due diligence and risk assessment rules in its code of practice for premium-rate services providers. Legal update: archive On 17 April 2012, the CAT published an order of the Court of Appeal that gives BT permission to cross-appeal in relation to Telefonica O2 UK Limited's appeal. Legal update: archive On 13 April 2012, the European Commission announced that it has opened an in-depth investigation into proposals by the French telecoms regulator in relation to mobile termination rates. Legal update: archive On 5 April 2012, Ofcom published for consultation a draft determination to resolve a dispute between Verizon UK Limited and British Telecommunications plc about charges for Wholesale Extension Services (WES). Legal update: archive On 4 April 2012, Ofcom issued a consultation paper on detailed proposals to simplify the arrangements for non-geographic numbers. Legal update: archive On 3 April 2012, Ofcom announced that it has ordered Vodafone to make appropriate payments to BT to implement the CAT's rulings on appeals against Ofcom's determinations of disputes relating to termination charges for 080 and 0845/0870 calls. Legal update: archive On 29 March 2012, Ofcom issued a consultation on its strategy for securing the long term benefits from scarce resources in UHF spectrum bands IV and V. Legal update: archive Ofcom is consulting on long-term plans for the use of UHF spectrum bands IV and V, and in particular the 700MHz band, which is currently used for digital terrestrial television but could also be used for mobile broadband. Legal update: archive On 29 March 2012, Ofcom publishes its Annual Plan 2012/13. Legal update: archive On 28 March 2012, the European Commission issued a press release announcing that it has reached agreement with the Council and European Parliament on the terms of the recast Roaming Regulation. Legal update: archive Advocate General's opinion on whether member states can ... On 22 March 2012, Advocate General Sharpston gave an opinion on a reference for a preliminary ruling from a Spanish court on the question of whether member states are permitted by the Authorisation Directive (Directive 2002/20) to charge mobile telephony operators a fee for the use of facilities installed on public property and owned by another undertaking. Legal update: archive A summary of the implications of the 21 March 2012 Budget for IP, IT and communications. (Free access) Legal update: archive Commission asks ECJ to fine Portugal for failure to implement ... On 22 March 2012, the European Commission announced that it has asked the ECJ to impose a fine on Portugal for its failure to comply with an ECJ judgment that held that it had not implemented the Universal Service Directive correctly. Legal update: archive On 22 March 2012, the European Commission announced that it has decided to refer Hungary to the ECJ due to the imposition of a specific tax on the turnover of telecoms operators, which breaches EU rules. Legal update: archive Commission sends Bulgaria reasoned opinion in relation to ... On 22 March 2012, the European Commission announced that it has sent a reasoned opinion to Bulgaria asking it to take action to ensure that it complies with EU law and ensures open and non-discriminatory access to the digital terrestrial broadcasting infrastructure market. Legal update: archive On 21 March 2012, the European Commission announced that it has opened an in-depth investigation into proposals by the Dutch telecoms regulator in relation to access to broadband networks. Legal update: archive On 21 March 2012, Decision 243/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a multiannual radio spectrum policy programme was published in the Official Journal. Legal update: archive On 20 March 2012, Ofcom published a third consultation document on proposals to safeguard the future of geographic telephone numbers. Legal update: archive On 15 March 2012, BIS published the government response to its consultation on options for reforming the UK competition regime, including the merger of the competition functions of the OFT with the Competition Commission. Legal update: archive On 14 March 2012, the European Commission announced that it has used its powers under Article 7a of the Framework Directive to suspend national remedies proposed by the Latvian telecoms regulator. Legal update: archive On 9 March 2012, BEREC issued a press release announcing its preliminary findings on traffic management practices. Legal update: archive The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications has published its final broadband promotion report. Legal update: archive On 5 March 2012, the European Commission announced that it has used its powers under 7a of the Framework Directive to suspend national remedies proposed by the Spanish telecoms regulator. Legal update: archive The European Commission has published an independent report on the economic growth that could be achieved if the internal market for electronic communications were to be completed. Legal update: archive On 28 February 2012, the Industry Committee of the European Parliament voted to adopt proposals to adopt a recast Roaming Regulation. Legal update: archive The GSMA, the global trade body for the mobile phone industry, has published new privacy guidelines for mobile phones. Legal update: archive The government has announced a £180 million help scheme for households who experience interference to their digital terrestrial television reception once soon-to-be-released radio spectrum starts being used for 4G services. Legal update: archive Ofcom has published a further consultation on the coexistence of 4G and digital terrestrial services in the 800 MHz band. Legal update: archive On 23 February 2012, Ofcom published for consultation its draft determination to resolve a dispute between Cable & Wireless and BT about BT charges for Ethernet services. Legal update: archive Ofcom has published an addendum to its consultation on mobile competition, and the 800MHz and 2.6GHz spectrum award. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus has fined two firms for promoting competitions, entry to which triggered premium-rate mobile charges, on websites with deceptively similar web addresses and designs to popular sites. Legal update: archive On 9 February 2012, Ofcom published for consultation draft determinations to resolve disputes between each of Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media and BT in relation to BT's charges for Ethernet services. Legal update: archive On 9 February 2012, Ofcom published a consultation on proposals to change the processes for switching fixed voice and broadband providers on the Openreach copper network. Legal update: archive On 6 February 2012, Ofcom published a draft statement setting out the conclusions of its review of the charge controls for Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) and Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) services. Legal update: archive Ofcom is reviewing the use of a number of radio spectrum bands that are currently mainly used for fixed links by mobile networks. Legal update: archive On 28 January 2012, the opinion of the EESC on the European Commission's proposal for a revised Roaming Regulation was published in the Official Journal. Legal update: archive Ofcom has published a further consultation on competition in the mobile market and on plans for the auction of 800MHz and 2.6GHz spectrum. Legal update: archive On 12 January 2012, Ofcom published a second consultation on its assessment of future mobile competition and proposals for the award of 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum and related issues. Legal update: archive On 11 January 2012, the CAT published a judgment, handed down on 10 January 2012, by which it dismissed the appeal by TalkTalk against Ofcom's decision on the wholesale broadband access charge control. Legal update: archive Commission consults on Green Paper on payments and ... On 11 January 2012, the European Commission published a Green Paper consultation on developing an integrated European market for card, internet and mobile payments. It has also published a Communication on the separate, but related, issue of building trust in the digital single market for e-commerce and online services. Legal update: archive The European Commission, on 21 December 2011, launched a public consultation on its draft Guide for the procurement of standards-based ICT. Legal update: archive The European Commission has adopted a decision to further amend and extend the scope of Decision 2006/771/EC on harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range devices. Legal update: archive The European Commission adopted, on 30 November 2011, a Communication on the European Earth monitoring programme (GMES) and its operations (from 2014 onwards). Legal update: archive On 16 December 2011, BEREC published a number of documents that were approved at its plenary meeting, held on 8 and 9 December 2011. Legal update: archive ENISA has published guidance for national regulatory authorities on how to report security incidents that have been reported to them by public telecoms operators under new provisions in the Framework Directive. Legal update: archive On 13 December 2011, the Telecoms Council adopted conclusions on the open internet and net neutrality in Europe. Legal update: archive Children in the digital world: top media and information ... On 1 December 2011, 28 top media and information technology companies decided to form a voluntary co-operative coalition to create a better and safer internet for children. Keeping children safe online is a key commitment of the Digital Agenda for Europe. Legal update: archive On 28 November 2011, the Council adopted a Decision on the signing, on behalf of the EU, of the Convention on the legal protection of services based on, or consisting of, conditional access. Legal update: archive The government has published, at the same time as the publication of the chancellor’s 2011 autumn statement, an update on the implementation of its March 2011 Plan for Growth. Legal update: archive On 29 November 2011, the DCMS published a consultation on relaxing restrictions on deployment of overheard telecommunications lines. Legal update: archive Commission sends reasoned opinions to 16 member states ... On 24 November 2011, the European Commission announced that it has sent reasoned opinions to 16 member states in relation to their failure to notify measures for the full implementation of the EU telecoms reform package by the deadline of 25 May 2011. Legal update: archive New approach for marketing of products: product safety ... On 21 November 2011, the European Commission adopted a package of proposals aligning nine Directives to Decision 768/2008 on a common framework of measures for the marketing of products. The proposed changes to these nine Directives on alignment relate to definitions, the obligations of economic operators, traceability requirements, conformity assessment bodies and procedures and CE marking. When adopted, these Directive will ensure better product safety. The sectors concerned are electrical and electronic products, lifts, measuring instruments, civil explosives, pyrotechnic articles and equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Legal update: archive On 17 November 2011, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the open internet and net neutrality in Europe. Legal update: archive Ofcom announces Court of Appeal decision on directory ... Ofcom has announced that, following confirmation by the ECJ of its provisional view that Universal Service Condition 7 was unlawful, the Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal by BT about its charges for access to the information in its Operator Service Information System database. Legal update: archive Integrated European infrastructure networks: European ... The European Commission, on 19 October 2011, presented a package of proposals to establish integrated European infrastructure networks in the areas of transport, energy and information and communication technologies (ICT). This package of proposals was one of the commitments the European Commission made in its proposal for the Multi-Annual Financial Framework 2014-2020, which was presented on 29 June 2011.The package consists of a range of legislative and policy proposals, including a Connecting Europe Facility and revised guidelines on transport, energy and ICT. As part of the package, the European Commission adopted a proposal for the launch of the pilot phase of the Europe 2020 Project Bond Initiative, as announced in President Barroso's State of the Union Speech on 7 September 2010. (free access) Legal update: archive ECJ rules in satellite broadcasting rights case The ECJ has ruled that the Satellite Broadcasting Directive (93/83/EEC) requires a satellite package provider to obtain authorisation from the right-holders concerned for its intervention in the transmission by satellite of television programmes. (Airfield NV and another v Belgische Vereniging van Auteurs, Componisten en Uitgevers CVBA (Sabam) and Airfield NV v Agicoa Belgium BVBA, Joined cases C-431/09 and C-432/09, 13 October 2011.) Legal update: archive Single Market: Report makes recommendations for Europe's ... Former Commissioner Pedro Solbes Mira delivered on 12 October 2011 his Report entitled Europe's Outermost Regions and the Single Market: The EU's influence in the world, making 22 recommendations on how best to integrate the EU's outermost regions into the single market. Legal update: archive Ofcom has published determinations following directions given by the Competition Appeal Tribunal in appeals against Ofcom's determinations of disputes about termination charges for 080, 0845 and 0870 numbers. Legal update: archive Ofcom determination to give effect to CAT Order following ... On 7 October 2011, Ofcom published a determination to give effect to directions given by the CAT in its Order to implement its ruling on appeals by BT and Everything Everywhere against Ofcom's determinations of disputes relating to termination charges for 080 and 0845/0870 calls. Legal update: archive The Competition Appeal Tribunal has ruled that it can stay its own orders or judgments in appeals against decisions by Ofcom. Legal update: archive CAT dismisses application for stay of Order implementing ... On 3 October 2011, the CAT handed down a ruling dismissing an application by Telefonica O2 UK Limited for a partial stay of the Order that implements the CAT's judgment on the appeals by BT and Everything Everywhere against Ofcom's determinations of disputes relating to termination charges for 080 and 0845/0870 calls Legal update: archive Help notes on the use of "unlimited" and speed claims in telecoms and broadband advertising have been published by the Committee of Advertising Practice and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice. Legal update: archive ECJ decision on broadcasts that incite hatred The ECJ has ruled that Germany could prohibit the activities of organisations where they were at odds with the principles of international understanding under German law, but could not prevent those same organisations retransmitting television broadcasts from Denmark into Germany, which were subject to regulation by Denmark under the Television Without Frontiers Directive (89/552/EEC as amended by 97/36/EC). Legal update: archive European Commission Recommendation on emergency call ... The European Commission has adopted a Recommendation urging EU member states to ensure that mobile phone network operators upgrade their infrastructure so that eCalls (which automatically dial Europe's single emergency number 112 in the event of an accident) can be efficiently passed on to emergency services. Legal update: archive The Wireless Telegraphy (Fixed Penalty) Regulations 2011 have been laid before Parliament. Legal update: archive On 29 August 2011, BEREC published its analysis of the European Commission's proposal for a Regulation on International Roaming. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus has published a notice setting out changes to its prior-permission regime in line with the new Code of Practice that comes into effect on 1 September 2011. Legal update: archive Ofcom has fined TalkTalk and Tiscali £3 million for incorrectly billing customers for services they had not received, in breach of General Condition 11.1 of the General Conditions of Entitlement. Legal update: archive On 12 August 2011, the CAT gave a ruling on relief following its judgment on appeals by BT and Everything Everywhere against Ofcom's determinations of disputes relating to termination charges for 080 and 0845/0870 calls. Legal update: archive On 4 August 2011, Ofcom published its Communications Market Report 2011. Legal update: archive Ofcom is consulting on proposals for amending the regulatory regime in relation to text relay telecoms services for disabled end-users. Legal update: archive The European Commission has adopted a decision extending authorisation of the 24GHz band for short-range radar applications until 2018. Legal update: archive High Court rules further on MNO merger dispute The High Court has ruled that Ofcom did not have the power to vary 2G and 3G wireless telegraphy licences so that they could be reissued in the name of Everything Everywhere Limited rather than Orange Personal Communications Service Limited, following the merger between Orange and T-Mobile. Ofcom could not change the identity of the licence holder to a different company. (Arqiva Ltd and others v Everything Everywhere Ltd and others [2011] EWHC 2016 (TCC), 26 July 2011.) Legal update: case report On 21 July 2011, the ECJ handed down its judgment in a reference from Spain regarding fees and charges imposed for general authorisations to provide telecoms services. Legal update: archive The European Commission has sent letters of formal notice to 20 member states in relation to their failure to notify measures for the full implementation of the EU telecoms reform package by the deadline of 25 May 2011. Legal update: archive On 20 July 2011, Ofcom issued a statement setting out its decision on the wholesale broadband access charge control. Legal update: archive The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced that a framework agreement is being put in place to help speed up the procurement processes for rural broadband programmes. Legal update: archive The government has published a note on the key regulations that seek to address nuisance calls, such as unsolicited marketing calls and silent or abandoned calls. Legal update: archive On 6 July 2011, the European Commission announced a proposal to revise the existing Roaming Regulation. Legal update: archive The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications is consulting on legal and administrative barriers to the cross-border provision of communications services to businesses. Legal update: archive On 4 July 2011, BEREC issued a call for contributions on possible existing legal and administrative barriers in relation to the provision of electronic communications services for the business segment. Legal update: archive Galileo: two final contracts for full operational capability of ... On 23 June 2011, the final two contracts essential for Galileo's full operational capability were signed. The procurement for Galileo's full operational capability is divided into six work packages. In January 2010, three contracts were awarded to ensure system engineering support, satellites and launchers. A fourth contract was signed in Brussels in October 2010 with SpaceOpal for operating the space and ground infrastructure. Legal update: archive Ofcom has published regulations, which come into force on 4 July 2011, to allow the trading of radio spectrum used for mobile-communications services, along with variations to 2100MHz third-generation mobile Wireless Telegraphy Act licences. Legal update: archive The government has set out the current situation with regard to broadband access and coverage in the UK together with an overview of its policy for improving broadband. Legal update: archive On 13 June 2011, Ofcom published an updated statement on the guidelines that it will apply when imposing penalties under the Communications Act 2003. Legal update: archive High Court rules on MNO merger roaming dispute The High Court has held an expedited trial in a dispute between Arqiva, the communications-infrastructure provider, and a number of mobile-network operators and related parties, in relation to the merger between T-Mobile and Orange, which raised questions about what is meant by "roaming" and what constitutes a valid transfer of a radio-spectrum licence under section 30 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. There is potential for an appeal of the judge's decision that he could decide whether Ofcom properly reissued two wireless telegraphy licences without the need for judicial review. (Arqiva Ltd and others v Everything Everywhere Ltd and others [2011] EWHC 1411 (TCC), 27 May 2011.) Note: The High Court made a further ruling in this case in Arqiva Ltd and others v Everything Everywhere Ltd and others [2011] EWHC 2016 (TCC), 26 July 2011. For more information, see Legal update, High Court rules further on MNO merger dispute. Legal update: case report Legislation taking effect on 1 October 2008: IP, IT & ... Legislation relating to intellectual property and communications will take effect on 1 October 2008, the next twice-yearly standard commencement date. Among other things, the legislation covers the information which a company is required to display on its website and in its communications; new powers to streamline and improve regulatory enforcement and to enable ministers to confer new sanctioning powers on regulators; the introduction of a new right to object if a company's name is the same as a name associated with the objector in which he has goodwill, or is sufficiently similar to such a name that it would be likely to mislead; and changes to the rules on the procedural and operational requirements which apply to registered trade marks and trade mark applications. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes documents on super-fast broadband Ofcom has published a consultation on upgrading the local access telephone network to a "next-generation" access (NGA) network, together with a statement on its April 2008 consultation on deploying fibre access networks in new-build housing developments, and two other supporting documents. The consultation is intended to further the debate about how to encourage investment and competition in NGA networks, and follows the announcement by British Telecommunications plc in July 2007 that it will make an initial investment in NGA networks, which itself followed the launch of the popular and bandwidth-hungry BBC iPlayer in December 2007. The statement on new-build NGA deployments explains that Ofcom's approach in this market is to set out its expectations, as opposed to regulating more formally. In the new-build market Ofcom hopes to see the development of competition in both infrastructure ownership and service provision. Legal update: archive BERR and Ofcom respond to European Commission's draft ... The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and Ofcom have published a joint response to the European Commission's consultation on a draft Recommendation on the regulatory treatment of fixed and mobile termination rates in the EU. The UK authorities are concerned that the Commission has not sufficiently assessed the implications of the Recommendation on all consumers and on market players, and points out that proposals such as a shift towards consumers paying to receive calls are likely to disadvantage lower-spending customers. They are also concerned that the draft Recommendation is not consistent with evidence-based regulatory best practice and that it could be vulnerable to legal challenge. The UK authorities support the move to see how reductions in termination rates could reduce the price of calls to consumers, but believe that more discussion is needed on how to achieve this goal. Legal update: archive CAT upholds Vodafone appeal against Ofcom decision on ... On 18 September 2008, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) handed down its judgment on an appeal by Vodafone Limited under section 192 of the Communications Act 2003 against a decision of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to modify arrangements for number portability. The CAT has held that Vodafone's appeal is well founded. It concluded that Ofcom had not conducted its cost benefit analysis to the requisite standard and was flawed as it contained unreliable estimates of costs and relied upon insufficiently justified or explained benefits. The CAT has remitted the whole matter back to Ofcom for reconsideration. Ofcom should now seek the fresh views of the industry on the issue of altering the current arrangements for fixed and mobile porting, on the basis of appropriate evidence and in light of the CAT's findings. Legal update: archive Commission issues consultation on regulatory strategy for ... On 18 September 2008, the European Commission published for consultation a draft Recommendation on regulated access to next generation access (NGA) networks. The draft Recommendation aims to establish a common regulatory framework for NGA networks across the EU in order to ensure the necessary regulatory predictability to encourage investment. It sets out general and specific principles relating to the imposition of remedies where an operator has been found to have SMP in a market concerning NGA. The basic principle underlying the draft Recommendation is that national regulatory authorities should provide access to the networks of dominant operators at the lowest possible level. Legal update: archive Ofcom exempts in-flight mobile phones from licence ... Ofcom has made the Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Communication Services on Aircraft) (Exemption) Regulations 2008, following consultation in July 2008 (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on regulations for using mobile phones on aircraft). The Regulations exempt the use of mobile phones from the licensing requirement in section 8(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, when connecting to a Mobile Communications on Aircraft service above 3000 metres. The Regulations also enact European Commission Decision 2008/294, which harmonised the technical parameters for on-board equipment for in-flight mobile phone use through the EU (see Legal update, European Commission publishes measures to allow use of mobile phones on aircraft ). Ofcom's decision document explains its views on the comments received and consequent changes made to the text of the Regulations, and contains a regulatory impact assessment. The Regulations will come into force on 1 October 2008.Source: Ofcom statement, 15 September 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes decision on regulations relating to use of ... On 15 September 2008, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) published its decision to make the Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Communication Services on Aircraft) (Exemption) Regulations 2008. These Regulations exempt the use of mobile terminals when connecting to a Mobile Communications on Aircraft (MCA) service above 3000 metres and enact European Commission Decision 2008/294 on harmonised conditions of spectrum use for the operation of MCA services on aircraft in the Community (see Legal update, Commission rules on in-flight mobile communication services published). Ofcom consulted on a draft of the Regulations in July 2008 (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on draft regulations relating to use of mobiles on aircraft). Its decision document explains its views on the comments received and consequent changes made to the text of the Regulations. It also contains a regulatory impact assessment. The Regulations will come into force on 1 October 2008. Legal update: archive BERR publishes report on independent review of next ... On 12 September 2008, the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) published the final report in the review conducted by Francesco Caio on barriers to investment in Next Generation Access (NGA). The review has concluded that there is little evidence that in the short term the UK is going to suffer from the lack of an extensive NGA network. Therefore, the report has concluded that the case for public intervention at this time is weak at best. However, it considers that this is the right time to create the conditions that will deliver a competitive NGA infrastructure in the next five years. Therefore, the report makes a number of recommendations of measures that the Goverment (and the Office of Communications (Ofcom)) can take to remove barriers to deployment of NGA, to monitor the development of the new networks and to support their roll out by lowering costs, without distorting the market. Legal update: archive ECJ finds Lithuania should have ensured caller-location ... The ECJ has ruled that Lithuania has failed to fulfil its obligations under the Universal Services Directive (2002/22/EC) by not ensuring that authorities handling emergencies are, to the extent technically feasible, given caller-location information for all callers to the single European emergency call number 112, when public telephone networks are used. Lithuania had adopted all legal, technical and organisational measures necessary to transpose Article 26(3) of the Directive, but had failed in practice to ensure that caller information was actually available. Article 26(3) of the Directive has also been an issue for regulators elsewhere as they consider whether it is technically feasible for voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) providers to provide caller-location information, and what technical feasibility means for VoIP providers. In the UK, caller-location information now has to be provided for VoIP services being used at a predominantly fixed location. Case: Commission v Lithuania, Case C-274/07, 11 September 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom launches emergency number enforcement programme ... Ofcom has launched an enforcement programme to ensure that voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) providers who allow their users to make calls to numbers on the public-switched telephone network (the conventional public telephone network), allow users to make "999" and "112" emergency calls. These requirements have been introduced by revisions to General Condition 4 of the General Conditions of Entitlement, which came into force on 8 September 2008, following an Ofcom statement in December 2007 (see Legal update, Ofcom confirms VoIP providers must give access to emergency services). The revised General Condition 4 requires network operators to provide caller location information for VoIP calls to emergency numbers, to the extent that this is technically feasible, which Ofcom says will be wherever the VoIP service is being used at a predominantly fixed location. Separately, Ofcom has an ongoing enforcement programme on compliance with General Condition 4 by fixed network providers (see Legal update, Ofcom investigates provision of caller-location information for emergency calls ).Source: Ofcom Competition and Consumer Bulletin, 8 September 2008. Legal update: archive CAT refuses leave to appeal against its refusal to accept ... On 5 September 2008, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) published a ruling in which it refused to grant permission to T-Mobile (UK) Limited (T-Mobile) and Telefonica O2 UK Limited (O2) to appeal against the CAT's judgment of 10 July 2008 in which it ruled that it does not have jurisdiction under section 192 of the Communications Act 2003, or otherwise, to hear T-Mobile's and O2's appeals against the way in which the Office of Communications (Ofcom) decided to conduct the auction of two bands of radio spectrum. Although it identified an issue of law (relating to construction of the domestic legislation framework) on which an appeal has a real prospect of success, the CAT exercised its discretion to refuse permission. As T-Mobile has brought a precautionary judicial review action before the High Court, due to the relationship between this and proceedings before the Court of Appeal, CAT concluded that it would be more appropriate for the appellants to seek permission directly from the Court of Appeal. Legal update: archive Ofcom grants code powers to H2O Networks Ofcom has published directions under section 106(3) of the Communications Act 2003 applying the electronic communications code to H2O Networks Limited, following consultation in July 2008 (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on application of electronic communications code to H2O Networks). H2O has started to roll out point-to-point dark fibre solutions to businesses on a national basis by utilising the sewerage network. It also intends to offer residential broadband services to, initially, customers in two so called fibre cities (Bournemouth and Dundee) and has committed to invest heavily in these areas. The code powers granted by this direction will allow it to roll out its network more rapidly and, therefore, compete on a fair basis with companies offering comparable services who already benefit from such powers.Source: Ofcom Direction, 3 September 2008. Legal update: archive European Commission publishes documents on EU telecoms ... The European Parliament debated the European Commission's November 2007 proposals for reform of the EU telecoms legislative package on 2 September 2008. In conjunction with this debate, the Commission has published an information memoradum setting out what it considers to be the six most important reform proposals still under discussion between the legislative bodies, together with another information memorandum setting out the seven main improvements the Commission believes the reform will provide for consumers. The Commission has also published the text of a speech by Viviane Reding given during the Parliamentary debate, and the Parliament has published a short note of some of the points made during the debate. These four documents provide a useful summary of the current state of the debate over the Commission's reform proposals. Legal update: archive Ofcom consults on first phase assessment of future regulation ... On 28 August 2008, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) published a consultation document which assesses the operation of the mobile sector and considers a number of issues relating to future competition and regulatory policy in the sector as it evolves. In particular, Ofcom is considering ways of improving consumer protection, looking at how to ensure that regulation supports innovation, considering deregulation where there is adequate competition, examining whether there are alternatives to regulation in the future and assessing how the coverage of mobile networks could be extended. Ofcom has not set out any specific proposals for regulatory change at this stage, but rather asks a range of questions in order to seek views on issues that are relevant to shaping its approach to changing regulation in this evolving sector. Legal update: archive CAT judgment determining rates in mobile termination rate ... On 15 August 2008, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) handed down a further judgment in the appeals lodged under section 192 of the Communications Act 2003 by T-Mobile (UK) Limited (T-Mobile), British Telecommunications plc (BT), Hutchison 3G UK Limited (H3G), and Cable & Wireless and eight other communications providers against determinations issued by the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to resolve disputes about wholesale charges for mobile call termination. Having upheld the appeals in relation to the "core issues", the CAT has now determined the rates to be paid for termination charges in each of the seven disputes at issue. Following resolution or withdrawal of remaining non-core issues in the appeals, the disputes will be remitted to Ofcom for it to resolve the disputes in accordance with the CAT's judgments and directions. Legal update: archive Government consults on implementation of EC Data Retention ... The Home Office has launched a consultation on draft regulations (Draft Regulations) that will enable the transposition of the EC Data Retention Directive (2006/24) with respect to internet data. The Draft Regulations are intended to replace the Data Retention (EC Directive) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/2199) which only regulate the retention of data relating to fixed and mobile telephony. The Draft Regulations continue to allow the Home Secretary to reimburse any additional expenses incurred by providers in complying with them, as long as such expenses have been notified to the Home Secretary and agreed in advance. Legal update: archive Business radio licence regulations published Regulations to implement changes to support the reform of business radio licences have been published and will come into force on 29 August 2008. These are The Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2008, The Wireless Telegraphy (Register) (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2008 and The Wireless Telegraphy (Spectrum Trading) (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2008. The Regulations reduce business radio licences from 21 licence products to five broader and more flexible licence types; set out new mechanisms for calculating fees; and support further trading and liberalisation in all business radio licence classes. Ofcom published a statement on the broad changes in January 2007 (see Legal update, Ofcom publishes conclusions on simplifying licensing for business radio licensing and for modifying spectrum pricing) and consulted on the Regulations in June 2008 (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on business radio licensing regulations). Legal update: archive European Commission invites applications to provide pan ... The European Commission has published a call for applications for pan-European systems providing mobile satellite services (MSS) (which closes on 7 October 2008). A MSS is a service provided by a satellite system that communicates with portable terminals on the ground to allow high-speed communication throughout Europe between satellites and hand-held mobile terminals. The Commission established a common framework for the selection and authorisation of operators to provide MSS, in the form of a Decision, which came into force in July 2008, following consultation (see Legal update, European Commission proposes EU selection of mobile satellite services systems). The selection is a two phase procedure that the Commission expects to complete early in 2009. First satellite launches could take place later in 2009. MSS will be licensed locally, and Ofcom has consulted on the licensing regime for the UK (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on licensing for mobile satellite services).Source: Commission press release IP/08/1250 and MEMO/08/536. Legal update: archive Ofcom consults on regulations for using mobile phones on ... Ofcom is consulting on draft regulations (the Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Communication Services on Aircraft) (Exemption) Regulations 2008) to exempt the use of mobile phones on board aircraft from the licence requirement in section 8(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (mobile phones used on terrestrial networks are already licence-exempt). The European Commission has adopted new rules for pan-European mobile communication services on aircraft (MCA) (see Legal update, European Commission publishes measures to allow use of mobile phones on aircraft) and in April 2008 Ofcom published a statement on the management regime for MCA in the UK (see Legal update, Ofcom statement on authorisation of mobile phone use on aircraft). MCA systems themselves, which consist of an on-board base station and Network Control Unit to which passengers connect their mobile phones, will need a licence. The consultation closes on 29 August 2008 and the Regulations will come into force in October 2008.Source: Ofcom consultation, 28 July 2008. Legal update: archive Government consults on implementation of Audio-Visual ... The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published a consultation on the implementation of aspects of the Audio-Visual Media Services Directive (AVMS Directive). These concern the extension of the AVMS Directive to video-on-demand services, the prohibition on product placement (except in certain types of programme) and a change which means that the UK will have jurisdiction over non-EU satellite television channels that are broadcast into EU member states by means of UK-based uplinks. The consultation closes on 31 October 2008. Other aspects of the AVMS Directive are being dealt with separately, either by the DCMS or by Ofcom and other regulators. Legal update: archive ECJ hands down judgment on compensating dominant ... On 17 July 2008, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) handed down its judgment on a reference from a German court on the interpretation of provisions of the old EC telecoms legislation: Directive 90/388, on competition in the markets for telecommunications services, and Directive 97/33/EC on ensuring universal service and interoperability. The ECJ has ruled that the Directives must be interpreted as precluding a national regulatory authority from requiring a network operator interconnected with a public network to pay a connection charge to a dominant subscriber network operator, which is in addition to an interconnection charge, in order to compensate the dominant operator for the deficit incurred as a result of providing the local loop. Legal update: archive Joint EU enforcement action on compliance of ring-tone ... The national authorities of the 27 EU member states, together with Norway and Iceland, have carried out an EU-wide investigation (or "sweep") of websites that sell mobile-phone ring-tones and wallpapers, to see whether they comply with EC consumer legislation. Websites were checked for missing or incomplete pricing information, incomplete trader details, and misleading advertising, and 80% of the websites checked were found to have some "irregularities". The action is the second joint EU enforcement action by member states under the EC Regulation on co-operation between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection laws (2006/2004), which established a network to deal with cross-border infringements of consumer law within the EU (see Legal update, Joint EU enforcement action on compliance of airline websites with consumer law for details of the first investigation). The cross-border cases identified will be dealt with by the network, and the rest will be followed up at national level.Sources: Commission press release, 17 July 2008, Commissioner's speech, 17 July 2008 and Commission memo, 17 July 2008. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus consults on new regulations for mobile ... PhonepayPlus has published a consultation on a range of measures aimed at tackling problems with mobile premium-rate services. These services represent 46% of the total phone-paid market, but the recent mushrooming of these services has been accompanied by an increase in complaints about them (a 108% increase in 2007/08 compared with the previous year). The complaints, and PhonepayPlus's proposed solutions, centre round a number of issues: promotional SMS messages that cause consumers to incur a charge; the use of marketing lists (for example, PhonepayPlus believes there is an issue of how long an "opt-in" should remain valid in the context of phone-paid services); lack of transparency, particularly in pricing; and issues with subscription services, joining fees and service providers' failure to respond adequately to the STOP command. Legal update: archive European Commission announces it will regulate SMS and ... The European Commission has announced that it is preparing a legislative proposal for the regulation of text and data roaming rates, for adoption in early October 2008. Roaming fees apply when consumers travel abroad and make phone calls, send texts or download data via a mobile internet connection, because consumers are roaming on the network of a foreign operator. The foreign operator charges the home operator who charges the consumer. The International Roaming Regulation (717/2007/EC), which came into force in June 2007, caps roaming rates for voice calls. The Regulation requires the Commission and national regulators to monitor price developments for text messages and data services. The Commission has consulted on extending the Regulation (see Legal update, Commission reviews impact of the Roaming Regulation), has published a study on text and data roaming (see Legal update, Commission publishes study on data roaming), and has considered a number of studies by other bodies.Source: Commission press release, 15 July 2008 and Commission memo, 15 July 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom confirms revocation of SMP compliance-monitoring ... Ofcom has confirmed that it is withdrawing the requirement on the mobile network operators Hutchison 3G UK Limited, O2 (UK) Limited, Orange Personal Communications Services Limited, T-Mobile (UK) Limited and Vodafone Limited to submit compliance-monitoring information to Ofcom in relation to mobile charge controls. This follows Ofcom's realisation that it had failed to inform the European Commission of this significant market power (SMP) condition (Condition MA6) as required under Article 7 of the Framework Directive (2002/21/EC). Following consultation (see Legal update, Ofcom proposes end to charge control compliance monitoring), Ofcom has concluded that it must withdraw its December 2007 statement in which it imposed the compliance condition, and revoke Condition MA6 and an associated standard. Ofcom has said it is considering its approach to monitoring compliance with charge controls and whether this can be made more effective.Source: Ofcom notification and statement, 11 July 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom consults on review of ADR and complaints-handling ... Ofcom has published a consultation on proposals to amend provisions in the General Conditions of Entitlement that deal with alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and complaints-handling procedures. Under Ofcom's proposals, the period of time consumers have to wait before being allowed to use ADR would be reduced from 12 to eight weeks and communications providers (CPs) would have to give consumers better notification about the availability of ADR. Ofcom also proposes having a single Ofcom-approved complaints code of practice that would set out minimum standards for complaints-handling procedures, and requiring CPs to keep better records of complaints. The proposals have a number of cost implications for CPs. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus consults on review of live-services ... PhonepayPlus has published a consultation on proposals to change the arrangements for live-services compensation schemes. Under the current arrangements, providers of certain categories of live entertainment services (including sex chat-lines, non-sexual one-to-one chat services and psychic/tarot services) can only operate where there is a PhonepayPlus-approved scheme to compensate anyone whose telephone has been used to access such services without their knowledge or permission. In addition, service providers who wish to operate on premium-rate numbers must gain prior permission from PhonepayPlus, and must pay a fixed, non-refundable sum of £7,500 into an independent trust fund and provide a bond, usually from a bank. The scheme has operated for 15 years, and during that time most claims for compensation have been settled by the service provider with minimal recourse to the bond provider, and none to the trust fund. The consultation suggests a number of options for reform, with PhonepayPlus favouring the third option, namely the removal of the fund but the retention of the bond. This would not necessitate any amendment to the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice. The consultation closes on 3 October 2008.Source: PhonepayPlus news release, 10 July 2008. Legal update: archive Parliament Committees vote on telecoms reform package On 7 July 2008, the European Parliament Industry, Research and Energy Committee and the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee voted to adopt reports on the European Commission's proposals to reform the telecoms regulatory framework. The MEPs voted to establish a Body of European Regulators in Telecommunications, composed of the national regulatory authorities, rather than for the creation of the European Electronic Communications Market Authority proposed by the Commission. They endorsed the Commission's proposal for a remedy to require functional separation, but only as an exceptional measure where no other measure has achieved effective competition. They also advocated the development of incentives to promote investment in next-generation access networks and adopted various proposals relation to spectrum management. Legal update: archive Ofcom update on plans for next generation high speed ... On 3 July 2008, Ed Richards, the Chief Executive of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) set out the next steps in Ofcom's plans for encouraging investment in next generation high speed broadband. In September 2007, Ofcom published a consultation paper on its proposals for the future regulation of broadband next generation access (NGA) networks. The paper set out the regulatory challenges caused by the development of NGA network infrastructure and considered the extent of regulatory intervention that might be appropriate to secure investment and promote competition. In particular, Ofcom set out five proposed principles to underpin its future regulatory approach: contestability, maximising potential for innovation, equivalence, reflecting risks in returns and regulatory certainty (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on policy approach to regulation of next generation access networks). Ed Richards stated that Ofcom intends to publish its decision on the appropriate regulatory framework for high speed broadband in September 2008.In the meantime, Ed Richards has written to leading communications sector CEOs with the objective of starting a concerted dialogue on the key regulatory and practical implementation issues involved in the development of NGA networks. Ofcom also plans to hold a series of workshops.In February 2008, the Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) also launched an independent review to consider how the government can help to pave t Legal update: archive Ofcom statement on handling of super-complaint On 2 July 2008, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) published a note in relation to its handling of the super-complaint made by the National Consumer Council (NCC)in relation to the high cost of telephone calls from prisons (see Legal update, National Consumer Council lodges super-complaint into telephone calls from prisoners). Ofcom states that it will review the complaint to satisfy itself that the NCC has presented a reasoned case for further investigation and met the criteria set out in the Enterprise Act. It will then carry out wider enquiries with a view to testing the claims made by the NCC and will liaise with the various stakeholders in order to form a reasoned view on whether the super-complaint justifies further action. Ofcom will publish its decision on what action, if any, it proposes to take in response to the super-complaint by 22 September 2008. Legal update: archive Commission publishes study on data roaming On 27 June 2008, the European Commission published a study on data roaming services. This highlights that high charges for data roaming services is stifling demand and that data roaming services are not developing at the same rate as national mobile data services. Although some operators are offering lower prices and improved packages, particular problems identified include the lack of transparency of charges and customer uncertainty about costs of data roaming. The Commission will use the results of this study as part of its review of the Roaming Regulation and its consideration of whether this should be extended to include data services. Legal update: archive Commission consults on recommendation on the regulatory ... On 26 June 2008, the European Commission published for consultation a draft recommendation (and accompanying explanatory memorandum) on the regulatory treatment of fixed and mobile termination rates in the EU. The aim of the draft recommendation is to introduce a common approach to regulation of termination rates across the EU in order achieve greater consistency and more effective regulation of termination rates, which vary widely between member states. The Commission also considers that the recommendation will provide greater legal certainty and encourage cross-border investment. It sets out principles on which cost elements should be taken into account in determining rates, sets out a costing methodology and promotes symmetric regulation. Legal update: archive High Court rules against Ofcom in Sitefinder appeal The High Court has rejected Ofcom's appeal against a decision by the Information Tribunal that required Ofcom to disclose more information about the location, ownership and technical attributes of mobile phone cellular base stations than Ofcom currently does on its Sitefinder webpage. The High Court said that the information should be released in the public interest because of its value for epidemiological investigations, even though such investigations could lead to infringements of the intellectual property rights of mobile network operators (MNOs). It also said that Ofcom would have to release the names of the MNOs, because public participation in debate arising out of epidemiological research would be hampered if the names were excluded. The judge also supported the view that the general duty to disclose needs no justification and that exceptions, and the public interest that attaches to each, should be considered one at a time rather than collectively. NOTE: On 20 February 2009, the Court of Appeal partly allowed Ofcom's appeal against this decision (see Legal update, Court of Appeal partly allows Ofcom's appeal against disclosure of mobile phone base station information). Subsequently, the Information Commissioner appealed to the Supreme Court and, on 27 January 2010, the Supreme Court referred to the ECJ a question about the interpretation of Directive 2003/4/EC on public access to environmental information (see Legal update, Supreme Court refers EIR except Legal update: case report Ofcom consults on commercialising public-sector spectrum Ofcom has published a consultation on the regulations by which the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will be allowed to hold and trade so-called "recognised spectrum access" (RSA) for the 406.1-430 MHz band, which will give the MOD new rights to trade this spectrum. The consultation also deals with the technical conditions to be included in the initial grant of RSA, which will ensure that any change of use does not give rise to unacceptable interference. In 2007, Ofcom introduced RSA for radio astronomy on a non-tradable basis, and Ofcom is also now consulting on a proposal to make RSA for radio astronomy tradable in certain frequency bands. Ofcom has also published a report on the introduction of RSA for radio astronomy. Legal update: archive ECJ finds that France has infringed Universal Service ... On 19 June 2008, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that France has failed to implement correctly Directive 2002/22 (the Universal Service Directive). In particular, it found that French legislation providing that any operator able to ensure the provision of one of the components of the universal service over the whole of the national territory may be given the task of so doing breached the principles of non-discrimination and of profitability and efficiency, as set out in Articles 8, 12 and 13 and Annex IV of the Directive. Legal update: archive OECD publishes policy document on convergence and next ... The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a Policy Guidance document on convergence and next-generation networks (NGN), which sets out a number of principles that could be used by governments and other policy-makers to reassess existing regulations and policies to ensure that existing regulatory frameworks do not hamper convergence, investment or choice in the marketplace. The paper focuses on a number of issues, including access to NGN; access to existing physical infrastructure (ducts and poles); the importance of technology-neutral regulation; the need to monitor interconnection for internet protocol (IP) traffic; the need to adopt the new version of the internet protocol (IPv6) to ensure the availability of sufficient IP addresses; spectrum-allocation issues; the possible need to rethink definitions and funding mechanisms for universal service provision; the risk of a "digital divide" affecting regional competitiveness and economic growth; telecoms and broadcasting convergence; and the complex regulatory issues relating to the increasing development of cross-border services.Source: OECD Policy Guidance on convergence and next-generation networks, 18 June 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom consults on BT plans to charge non-uniform prices for ... On 9 June 2008, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) published for consultation its proposal for granting consent to a request by British Telecommunications (BT) to offer pilot customers in an Ebbsfleet housing development discounts on connection and line rental charges for telephony services where their homes are connected to its network via Next Generation Access (NGA) technology known as Fibre to the Premises (FTTP). The discounts would be offered to no more than 300 homes at the Ebbsfleet development for the period August 2008 to December 2009. Legal update: archive ERG consults on regulatory principles of IP-interconnection ... The European Regulators Group (ERG) has published a consultation document with the objective of developing regulatory principles for the core network of internet protocol (IP) interconnection for Next Generation Networks (NGNs). It draws on the 2007 ERG report on IP interconnection (see Legal update, ERG publishes final report on IP interconnection) and examines IP interconnection and its implications as one of the main challenges emerging out of the developments towards multi-service NGNs in the core network.The consultation document examines developments in the separation of transport and services as an essential feature of NGN specifications, quality of service, cost savings in NGNs, network topology and the core elements of interconnection across 15 countries. It looks at the regulatory implications and challenges resulting from these developments, including the possibility of bottlenecks and significant market positions (SMPs) at the transport and service levels. The deadline for responding to the consultation is 11 July 2008. Legal update: archive ERG publishes reports on best practice in regulatory regimes ... The European Regulators Group (ERG) has published a report on best practices on the regulatory regimes in wholesale unbundled access and bitstream access. The report analyses different regulatory models in these markets and identifies those models that best achieve effective and proportionate regulation. The report is based on feedback provided by national regulatory authorities on how they have applied regulatory tools and sets out, in tabular form, the best implementation practice in relation to the areas of quality of service, migration processes and products differentiation, and pricing issues. The ERG has also published a report on its consultation in this matter (see Legal update, ERG publishes consultation on best practice in regulatory regimes), setting out the responses received and the ERG's opinion on them. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes voluntary code on broadband speeds Ofcom has published a new voluntary Code of Practice on broadband speeds, which imposes a number of requirements on fixed-line internet service providers (ISPs) of residential (but not business) broadband products, aimed at ensuring that customers are given realistic expectations about the internet speeds they are likely to experience. Publication of the Code follows a drop in customer satisfaction about broadband speeds that often fail to meet advertised speeds, as advertised speeds often reflect the fastest possible speed that a customer could experience, without taking into account the fact that speeds are reduced by traffic from other users. So far, 32 ISPs have signed up to the Code, covering 90% of broadband service providers. Ofcom will monitor compliance and consider introducing formal regulation if this voluntary approach does not work.Source: Ofcom news release, 5 June 2008. Legal update: archive CAT publishes T-Mobile appeal against Ofcom spectrum ... The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has published details of an appeal brought by T-Mobile (UK) Limited against a decision by Ofcom in relation to the sequencing of two regulatory matters relating to the allocation of radio spectrum. T-Mobile claims that Ofcom should not have taken a decision on the award of the 2500-2690 MHz and 2010-2025 MHz spectrum ranges (2.6 GHz range) without first deciding on its policy on the liberalisation and potential reallocation of spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz ranges (which is currently licensed to four mobile-communications providers, including T-Mobile, for second-generation use). The spectrum in these ranges is all suitable for third-generation technology which could support services such as mobile broadband. T-Mobile has also brought a precautionary judicial review action before the Administrative Court, because Ofcom disputes the CAT's jurisdiction to hear this appeal. The CAT will consider as a preliminary issue whether it has jurisdiction under section 192 of the Communications Act 2003, or otherwise, to determine T-Mobile's appeal. Legal update: archive CAT publishes detail of Communications Act appeal by T ... On 2 June 2008, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) published details of an appeal brought by T-Mobile (UK) Limited against a decision of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) in relation to the sequencing of two regulatory matters relating to the allocation of radio spectrum. T-Mobile claims that Ofcom should not have proceeded to taking a decision as to the award of certain radio spectrum without first taking a decision in relation to its policy on the liberalisation and potential reallocation of other spectrum ranges. T-Mobile has also brought a precautionary judicial review action before the Administrative Court as Ofcom disputes that the CAT has jurisdiction to hear this appeal. The CAT has determined that it will consider as a preliminary issue whether it has jurisdiction under section 193 of the Communications Act 2003, or otherwise, to determine T-Mobile's appeal. Legal update: archive Ministry of Defence consults on release of spectrum The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has published a consultation on the future management of the radio spectrum allocated to it. This follows recommendations in Martin Cave's 2005 Independent Audit of Spectrum Holdings, which recommended that the MOD should audit 23 of its frequency bands for suitability for spectrum trading. The MOD's subsequent audit has so far identified two bands suitable for commercial release (406.1 to 430 MHz and 3400 to 3600 MHz), and Ofcom plans to consult on proposals for "recognised spectrum access" (RSA) rights to be granted to the MOD in respect of these bands, which would allow the bands to be traded within a new legal framework. 99% of the MOD's current spectrum allocation is shared with a range of commercial and public-sector users, and the consultation will be of interest to these groups, who may want to continue their use, as well as to potential new users who could benefit from the spectrum release. Legal update: archive Ofcom preparing new guidelines on determining disputes Ofcom has announced that it is preparing for consultation new guidelines on how it will determine disputes, following the judgment of the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in the appeals against Ofcom's determination of disputes relating to mobile termination rates (see Legal update, CAT judgment on core issues in mobile termination rate dispute appeals). The CAT found that Ofcom had erred in its approach to exercising its dispute resolution powers, and its judgment sets out some general guidance on how Ofcom should approach the task of resolving disputes in future. In the meantime, before the guidelines are finalised, Ofcom has said that it will examine any dispute referrals on a case-by-case basis, to determine the impact, if any, of the guidance provided by the CAT. The CAT is due to provide further guidance on the appropriate test to be applied in dispute resolution cases.Source: Ofcom Competition and Consumer bulletin, 30 May 2008. Legal update: archive CAT ruling on admissibility of H3G's pleadings On 20 May 2008, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) published a ruling on the admissibility of the pleadings of Hutchison 3G UK Limited (H3G) in relation to the price control issues in its appeal against the decision of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) following its review of the markets for wholesale mobile call termination. The CAT has ruled that large parts of H3G's pleadings in its own appeal and in its statement of intervention into an appeal by BT are inadmissible. H3G had attempted to raise new grounds or appeals or new arguments which the CAT did not consider it was appropriate to introduce at this stage in the proceedings. Legal update: archive European Commission decision on harmonisation of 3400 ... The European Commission has adopted a decision to harmonise the use of the 3400-3800 MHz frequency band, which is aimed at encouraging its use for broadband wireless access, although the decision allows existing use of the band to continue. This decision is part of an attempt within the EU to create pan-EU communications services. Although encouraging the use of particular frequency bands for specific services is contrary to the Commission's general policy of supporting technological and service neutrality in the allocation of spectrum, some control over allocation is seen as necessary for the encouragement of technical innovation, particularly in the convergence of the mobile, fixed and broadcasting sectors. There is support for this decision in the UK: after consultation Ofcom supported the International Telecommunications Union's designation of the 3400-3800 MHz band for advanced mobile wireless communications systems (also known as International Mobile Telecommunications) at the World Radiocommunications Conference 2007 (see Legal update, Ofcom statement on candidate frequency bands for international mobile telecommunications).Source: Commission decision on Broadband Wireless Access, 21 May 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes second wholesale broadband access market ... On 21 May 2008, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) published its wholesale broadband access market review final statement. Ofcom has confirmed its initial findings that no operator has significant market power (SMP) in a market comprising areas where there are four or more current operators and those where there are forecast to be four or more operators and the exchange serves 10,000 or more premises. Ofcom considers that such a market is now effectively competitive. Accordingly, Ofcom intends to remove the SMP regulation currently imposed on BT in that market after a 12-month transition period. However, it maintains its conclusion that BT and Kingston Communications respectively have SMP in the other, less competitive, sub-national markets identified. Legal update: archive Ofcom responds to BT undertakings exemption requests Ofcom has published a response to requests by British Telecommunications plc for exemptions from the "equivalence of inputs" (EOI) obligations in undertakings given by BT in lieu of a market investigation reference to the Competition Commission. Ofcom consulted on the exemptions in December 2007 (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on requests for exemptions under BT Undertakings). Ofcom has agreed to exemptions for Redcare Fire and Security, and for two out of three of the variants requested for its Wavestream product, and has extended the existing exemption for the Pathfinder trial of BT's next-generation network, all with effect from 20 May 2008. It has refused an exemption in relation to Wavestream National following stakeholder concerns about whether the technical and commercial issues discussed in the consultation paper justified allowing BT to continue to supply Wavestream National on a non-EOI basis until 31 December 2010. Ofcom will publish further details about Wavestream National shortly.Source: Ofcom statement, 20 May 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes telecoms data for fourth quarter of 2007 Ofcom has published its market update and data tables on the fixed and mobile telecoms markets for the fourth quarter of 2007. The data shows that fixed voice-call volumes decreased by 10% compared with the same period in 2006, while mobile-call volumes grew by 18%, suggesting that the gradual substitution of mobile for fixed calls continues. British Telecommunications plc's share of voice calls decreased by 0.8% from the previous quarter. However, fixed-voice revenues have stayed stable while mobile revenues declined by 1.4% because of a fall in mobile-call revenue and other charges. By the end of December 2007, there were an estimated 15.6 million domestic broadband subscriptions, and the number of SMS and MMS messages sent increased by 14% compared to the previous quarter. There was an increase in outbound international calls, and international mobile-roaming calls increased by 18%, perhaps due to the price reductions forced in by the EC Roaming Regulation which came into force in the summer of 2007.Source: Ofcom regulatory statement, 16 May 2008. Legal update: archive European Parliament committees debate telecoms reform ... On 6 May 2008, the Internal Market and Industry Committees of the European Parliament held debates on the European Commission's proposals to reform the telecoms legislative framework (see Legal update, Commission announces telecoms law reform proposals). The Internal Market Committee examined the aspects of the reform dealing with the universal service provision and consumer rights, while the Industry Committee considered the other aspects of the telecoms package. The Industry Committee debated two draft reports on the proposed revision of the framework directive for access and authorisation and the Commission's plans to establish a European Electronic Communications Market Authority (EECMA). MEPs were of the view that the revised framework directive should take better account of investments in next-generation networks, to encourage operators to invest in fibre-optic networks in areas where there is no competition. They also recommended the creation of an independent advisory Body of European Regulators in Telecoms, instead of the EECMA. Members of the Internal Market Committee presented their views on the need for easier access to emergency numbers and better information for consumers. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus launches review of mobile content premium ... PhonepayPlus has launched a review of mobile content premium-rate services (PRS), following an increase in complaints about these services, which amounted to 80% of all complaints received by the regulator in the first three months of 2008. PhonepayPlus will provide an overview of mobile phone-paid services (that is, services which offer some form of content that is charged to the customer's phone bill or mobile pre-pay account) and identify issues affecting UK consumers. It will focus particularly on unsolicited promotions (especially those using text-messaging); price transparency and the use of words which indicate that content is "free"; subscription services (such as ringtones); and the "STOP" command. PhonepayPlus regulates these services through its Code of Practice. The regulator plans to publish the review in July 2008.Source: PhonepayPlus news release, 1 May 2008. Legal update: archive ERG reports on monitoring of compliance with common ... The European Regulators Group (ERG) has published details of an exercise in monitoring adherence by member states to ERG common positions (CPs) on broadband. The ERG advises the European Commission on the development of the internal market for electronic communications and services, and ensures the consistent application of the 2002 regulatory framework, mainly through the publication of (non-binding) CPs. The main purpose of the monitoring exercise was to test the methodology of assessing compliance with CPs but (as well as giving the ERG insight into what needs to change in its monitoring process) the exercise also revealed a few areas of non-conformity on which the ERG now proposes to take action, such as migration. The ERG has been criticised for failing to deal with a number of cross-border issues, and the Commission has proposed setting up a new Market Authority, which it thinks will be more effective in harmonising telecoms regulation.Source: ERG report, 23 April 2008. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus issues fact sheet on Unfair Trading ... PhonepayPlus has published a fact sheet about the new Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (Regulations), highlighting some of the newly outlawed practices that premium-rate service providers and others operating in the industry should be aware of. The Regulations prohibit practices which are "contrary to the requirements of professional diligence" and "misleading and aggressive", and ban 31 specific practices. The fact sheet highlights a number of the specific practices, particularly those relating to advertising, prize offers and forcing deals, and points out that the Regulations introduce a number of criminal offences with enforcement powers for trading standards bodies and the Office of Fair Trading. There is also a reminder for service providers and others about the PhonepayPlus compliance helpline. For more information on the Regulations, which come into force on 26 May 2008, see PLC Practice note, Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.Source: PhonepayPlus fact sheet, 22 April 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom consults on telephone-number conservation measures Ofcom is proposing to take number conservation measures in 96 geographic area codes where numbering is in high demand and there is a realistic expectation of number exhaustion within the next five years. This would mean allocating numbers to providers in blocks of 1,000 rather than blocks of 10,000 so as to increase the numbers of blocks available and reduce any wasteful allocation of this limited resource. Similar conservation measures have already been taken in 169 areas (see Legal update, Ofcom publishes decision on conserving geographic numbers, and Legal update, Ofcom announces decision on availability of numbering resources).Source: Ofcom consultation, 17 April 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom consults on regulation for next-generation ... Ofcom has launched a consultation on a number of regulatory issues associated with rolling out next-generation access (NGA) networks in new-build developments. NGA networks are fibre-based networks running from the local exchange to properties which enable users to benefit from "super-fast" broadband speeds. This consultation follows a consultation in September 2007 on NGA for existing buildings. Among other things, Ofcom is consulting on how to create a competitive market at the point of deployment: it wants to encourage more than one provider to invest in laying its own network. The consultation also looks at wholesale access issues, standardisation of network equipment and the need to interpret existing regulation on local-loop unbundling and access to emergency services in the context of NGA. Legal update: archive CFI upholds Deutsche Telekom margin-squeeze decision The CFI has upheld a decision by the European Commission that Deutsche Telekom had been abusing its dominant position in the markets for direct access to its fixed-telephone network. Deutsche Telekom had created a "margin squeeze" by charging competitors wholesale prices for access to its fixed-line network that were higher than Deutsche Telekom's prices for retail access, which meant that competitors had to charge their end-users more than Deutsche Telekom charged its own retail customers. The CFI also upheld the fine of 12.6 million euros which the Commission had imposed on Deutsche Telekom. The case is interesting for its consideration of the relationship between telecoms-specific regulation and general competition law, and also for its endorsement of the Commission's approach to determining a margin squeeze, on which there was no previous EC case law. Case: Deutsche Telekom v Commission, 10 April 2008. Legal update: archive European Commission publishes measures to allow use of ... The European Commission has announced new rules that will allow passengers to use their mobile phones on flights across the EU. It has adopted a Recommendation under which member states are encouraged to recognise operating licences awarded to mobile communication services on aircraft (MCA services) registered under the jurisdictions of other member states, and a Decision which sets out harmonised technical parameters for on-board equipment. In-flight mobile phone calls will be connected via a base station on board the plane to a satellite which will connect the call to the terrestrial network, a system which will minimise interference with terrestrial networks and aircraft equipment. Passengers will be charged by their normal mobile phone service provider. Viviane Reding, the Commissioner for Information Society and Media, has warned that she will monitor pricing, and she could seek to extend the Roaming Regulation (717/2007) to MCA services when she reviews the Regulation later in 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes details of 2.6 GHz auction Ofcom has published details of its proposed auction for the spectrum in the 2.6 GHz band, in the form of a statement and information memorandum, together with a statutory notice containing details of four statutory instruments which Ofcom proposes to make in connection with the award (to which responses are invited by 6 May 2008). Ofcom has already held consultations on the award of this valuable spectrum, which is suitable for a range of new services, such as mobile broadband and advanced wireless services delivered using WiMAX and third-generation technology (see Legal update, Ofcom consults further on award of spectrum in 2.6GHz and 2010MHz bands and Legal update, Ofcom consults further on awards of 2.6 GHz and 2010 MHz bands). The auction aims to offer the maximum flexibility in the way that the bands can be used, and all licences will be tradable.Source: Ofcom news release, 4 April 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes annual plan for 2008/9 Ofcom has published its annual plan for 2008/9, following a consultation in December 2007 (see Legal update, Ofcom publishes draft annual plan 2008/9). This is the second year of a three-year strategic plan. Ofcom's priority areas this year include continuing its market-based approach to spectrum; preparing for next-generation core and access networks; continuing to examine the UK pay-television market; developing its approach to mobile; examining future models for public-service broadcasting; developing an approach towards radio; and engaging with the European Commission's proposals to reform the EC communications regulatory framework.Source: Ofcom news release, 3 April 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom investigates fixed-line mis-selling and membership of ... Ofcom has launched investigations into communications providers' compliance with the requirement to join a dispute resolution service, and into mis-selling by fixed-line telecoms providers. Ofcom wants communications providers who have not joined a dispute resolution service to confirm that they will, or to prove that they should not be classified as "communications providers". Ofcom is concerned that mis-selling by fixed-line telecoms providers is on the increase again, after a drop in complaints since 2005, because of the rise in new products such as those based on local-loop unbundling. Ofcom is currently consulting on a new General Condition aimed at preventing mobile phone mis-selling, and it will be interesting to see whether Ofcom feels a need to extend this to fixed-line providers. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes tariffs for 2008/9 financial year Ofcom has published tariff tables listing the regulatory fees due from communications providers, broadcast licensees and for Ofcom's management of spectrum for the financial year to 31 March 2009. Ofcom's budget for 2008/9 is £133.7 million, the fourth consecutive annual reduction (in real terms). Ofcom completed the repayment of a government loan for its set-up costs during the 2007/8 financial year, so this no longer needs to be recouped from stakeholders; and Ofcom expects to be under budget for 2007/8, so the underspend will be remitted as a reduction in regulatory fees for 2008/9. However, some industry participants will experience increased fees because of the higher allocation of work planned for their sector. Radio-sector fees will decrease by 6.3%, and television-sector fees by 2.4% on average; but network- and services-operator fees will increase by 4.1% on average. The basis on which Ofcom sets fees is set out in its Statement of Charging Principles.Source: Ofcom news release, 31 March 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom consults on approach to self- and co-regulation in ... Ofcom is consulting on a new approach to assessing when it might be appropriate to establish self- or co-regulatory regimes in the communications sector, focusing on the incentives which industry needs for such schemes to work. Ofcom has set out a number of steps that it proposes to consider when deciding whether to establish a co- or self-regulatory regime, as well as a number of subsequent factors to consider in the design of such a regime. Ofcom has a duty to encourage self- and co-regulation, and there are already a number of self- and co-regulatory regimes in the communications industry. Ofcom is currently involved in establishing a co-regulatory scheme for the regulation of video-on-demand services, and may have a co-regulatory role in the implementation of aspects of the Byron Report, Safer Children in the Digital World, published at the end of March 2008. The closing date for the consultation is 6 June 2008. Legal update: archive CAT sets questions for Competition Commission reference in ... On 18 March 2008, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) handed down a ruling in the appeals by British Telecommunications Plc (BT) and Hutchison 3G UK Limited (H3G) against a determination by Ofcom that H3G, along with each of the other UK mobile phone operators, holds a position of significant market power in the markets for voice call termination for each of their own networks. As a consequence of its finding of SMP, Ofcom imposed price controls on the mobile operators. Both the H3G and BT appeals involve arguments against the level of the price controls imposed by Ofcom and, as such, involve price control matters that are required to be referred to the Competition Commission for determination under section 193 of the Communications Act 2003. In its ruling, the CAT sets out the questions that the Competition Commission has to determine and the timeframe for the Competition Commission's determination. The Competition Commission has also released a press release announcing the reference. Legal update: archive European Commission to add mobile television standard DVB ... The European Commission has announced that it will add the Digital Video Broadcasting Handheld standard (DVB-H) to the EU List of Standards as the preferred technology for terrestrial mobile broadcasting, in order to encourage the development of mobile television further. This follows the Commission's publication of a Communication encouraging the use of the standard in July 2007 (see Legal update, European Commission backs DVB-H standard for mobile TV). Although DVB-H is already being trialled and used widely across the EU, other standards do still exist alongside. Once DVB-H is on the List of Standards, member states will have to encourage its use. The Commission could act further to make its use compulsory if the standard is not adequately implemented to allow interoperability of services across member states (under Article 17(3) of the Framework Directive (2002/21/EC)). Source: European Commission press release, IP/08/451, 17 March 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes statement on L-band auction Ofcom has published a statement on the making of regulations in connection with the forthcoming auction of the 1452 to 1492 MHz radio-spectrum band (the "L-band"), confirming that it made the relevant statutory instruments on 12 March 2008 to come into force on 2 April 2008. This follows a number of consultations on the allocation of this spectrum (which is suitable for mobile television, satellite digital radio and high-speed internet on the move), and the publication of detailed proposals in December 2007 (see Legal update, Ofcom publishes L-band auction details). The provisional deadline for applications to the auction is 10 April 2008 (to be confirmed by Ofcom once the statutory instruments are in force) and the auction will start at the end of April. Ofcom will hold a seminar on the auction rules and procedures during March 2008 and there will be training for bidders on use of the electronic auction system before bidding begins.Source: Ofcom news release, 13 March 2008. Legal update: archive Ruling on responsibility for number allocation On 6 March 2008, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) gave a ruling on a preliminary reference from a Spanish court in relation to the assignment of responsibilities to national regulatory authorities for allocating and managing numbering. The ECJ concluded that the assignment of national numbering resources and the management of the national numbering plans are regulatory functions which may be conducted by the same regulatory authority. However, Directive 2002/21 (the Framework Directive) does not preclude member states from sharing these functions between a number of independent regulatory authorities, provided that the allocation of the tasks is made public, easily accessible and notified to the European Commission. Legal update: archive Court of Appeal refuses H3G leave to appeal CAT's decision ... On 27 February 2008, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) published an order made by Lord Justice Buxton refusing Hutchison 3G UK Limited (H3G) leave to appeal against a ruling of the CAT which refused to grant H3G leave to amend in certain respects its notice of appeal in the wholesale mobile termination case. The Court of Appeal considered that H3G had not established any areas where the CAT had erred in law. Further, it was noted that it would be inappropriate, other than in the most extreme cases, to challenge CAT case management decisions where the CAT still has conduct of "a major and specialist piece of litigation". Legal update: archive BERR launches review of next-generation broadband The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has launched a review to look at how the UK government can provide incentives for investment in next-generation broadband networks. Next-generation networks can carry vast amounts of data at high speeds and are therefore highly suited to broadband-internet use. Although core networks in the UK have been upgraded, British Telecommunications plc has been reluctant to invest in upgrading the local loop (the lines between the local exchange and peoples' houses) because existing regulation requires them to share those lines with competitors. The review will look at investment options and existing regulatory barriers to investment, and will report in the autumn of 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom and PhonepayPlus publish new requirements for ... Ofcom has announced new mandatory licence conditions for television broadcasters who invite viewers to participate in programmes (for example, by using premium-rate telephone services (PRS) to vote or enter competitions), which will make broadcasters directly responsible for the handling of all communications from viewers and require independent third-party verification of all systems used in PRS voting and competitions. At the same time, PhonepayPlus has announced that PRS providers must obtain prior permission from PhonepayPlus before providing broadcast PRS. The Ofcom proposals implement the recommendations of Richard Ayre in his July 2007 report on the use of PRS in broadcasting, which was carried out in the wake of a number of well-publicised cases of misuse of broadcast PRS. The licence amendments clarify that responsibility lies with the broadcasters, and the prior-permission requirements support the broadcasters because they enable PhonepayPlus to bar providers in the event of wrongdoing. Legal update: archive Ofcom consults on new area code for Ebbsfleet Ofcom is consulting on whether to allocate a new number range to Ebbsfleet in Kent or to allocate a new overlay code for neighbouring Dartford and Gravesend (meaning that two existing area codes would be assigned to the same geographical area) to accommodate demand for geographic telephone numbers due to large scale housing development in the area. Ofcom considers that increasing demand will put strain on the existing area codes of Dartford (which is already a conservation area under the National Telephone Numbering Plan (see Legal update, Ofcom announces decision on availability of numbering resources)) and Gravesend (which is not yet a conservation area, but may become one in the near future). Ofcom is in favour of allocating a specific number range to Ebbsfleet, because this will have less impact on consumers than creating an overlay code and will have lower implementation costs. The consultation closes on 20 March 2008.Source: Ofcom consultation, 19 February 2008. Legal update: archive Interception of Communications Commissioner issues report ... The Interception of Communications Commissioner has issued his report on the discharge of his functions under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) for April to December 2006 (for the previous Commissioner's report, see Legal update, Interception of Communications Commissioner's report under RIPA published). In a very positive report, the Commissioner highlights the importance of the interception of communications in numerous areas, such as tackling serious crime and terrorism. He notes that public authorities and law enforcement agencies have made particularly effective use of communications data as an investigative tool. The Commissioner reports 24 interception errors and breaches, which represents a significant decrease in errors reported to his predecessor. Nevertheless, he is of the opinion that this figure remains too high. He notes that 1,088 acquisition errors were made when responding to a total of 253,557 requests for data. It is notable that the Commissioner also uses the report to express his opinion that, in the debate concerning the use of intercepted information as evidence, the benefits of any change in the law are outweighed by the disadvantages. Source: Report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner for 2006, 28 January 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom to amend satellite service licence fees Ofcom has published its decision to amend licence charges for satellite services, in the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (Regulations), following a policy consultation in July 2006 and a statutory consultation in November 2007 (see Legal update, Ofcom proposes new fees for satellite services licences). The Regulations contain no substantive changes to Ofcom's original proposals following the consultation. They introduce administrative incentive pricing for satellite (transportable earth station) and satellite (permanent earth station) licences; remove the satellite (earth station on board vessel) licence class from the fees regulations; introduce cost-based fees for satellite (aircraft earth station) and satellite (earth station network) licences; and introduce fees for satellite (transportable very small aperture terminal) and satellite (earth station on board train) licence classes. The Regulations were made on 23 January 2008 and come into force on 13 February 2008.Source: Ofcom statement, 24 January 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes report on migrations processes On 17 January 2008, the Office of Communications published a report prepared by Deloitte on costs and timelines for moving to a single migrations process for transferable communications services. This follows from Ofcom's February 2006 consultation on the ways in which customers are able to move between companies for the provision of their communications services (see Legal update, Ofcom publishes consultation on migrations, switching and mis-selling). Ofcom considers that effective switching processes are vital to the development of competition. It asked Deloitte to assess variety of migrations options and to report on the implementation and ongoing operational and maintenance costs and transitional issues of each option. In order to further the debate on this issue, Ofcom has invited comments on the Deloitte's report by 15 February 2008. Ofcom intends to publish a consultation document later in 2008 to explain how it intends to take this work forward. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes statement on PMSE use after digital ... Ofcom has published a statement to help programme-making and special-events (PMSE) users understand the pattern of interleaved spectrum (the frequencies used by terrestrial television and shared by low-power applications such as those used by PMSE users) that they will use after digital switchover (DSO) (the process of switching off analogue television signals in favour of digital signals). The statement also describes how Ofcom will manage the process of migrating PMSE users to new frequencies in interleaved spectrum so that they neither cause interference to, nor suffer interference from, digital terrestrial television and other uses. Ofcom is working on the basis that there should be broadly sufficient capacity in interleaved spectrum after DSO to accommodate existing PMSE use. Ofcom will consult on the detailed design of the award of this spectrum as part of its Digital Dividend Review during the spring 2008.Source: Ofcom statement: Access to interleaved spectrum for programme-making and special events after digital switchover, 16 January 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom consults on licensing for mobile satellite services Ofcom is consulting on proposals for licensing Complementary Ground Components (CGC) for mobile satellite services (MSS). MSS, using the 2GHz frequency band, are expected to become subject to a pan-European selection process, according to a decision proposed by the European Commission which is likely to come into force in the first half of 2008. However, use of the spectrum will be authorised at national level (for example, by licence). CGC are terrestrial mobile networks that support MSS systems by enabling terrestrial networks to use spectrum also used by MSS systems without causing interference, so enabling spectrum to be exploited more efficiently to deliver a wider range of services. Prospective MSS operators have been considering whether to include CGC within their system designs, and this consultation is in response to requests by these operators for an indication of the regulatory framework for implementing CGC in the UK. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes telecoms data for second quarter of 2007 On 10 January 2008, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) published its market data tables for the second quarter of 2007 (April to June) on the fixed and mobile telecoms markets. The fixed line tables provide information on matters such as call volumes, call revenues (by call type), exchange lines and subscriber numbers (with separate tables for business and residential calls), numbers of broadband internet subscribers and lines with carrier pre-selection. In relation to the fixed line markets, BT's market share is highlighted and data is also shown for Virgin Media. The data in relation to the mobile markets is shown for each of Vodafone, 02, T-Mobile and Orange and relate to volumes of calls and SMS, MMS, subscriber numbers, average retail revenue and interconnection call volumes. Legal update: archive CAT judgment on preliminary issues in Orange appeal On 21 December 2007, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) published a judgment on preliminary issues in the appeal by Orange Personal Communications Services Limited (Orange), under section 192 of the Communications Act 2003, against a decision by the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to accept a reference for resolution of an alleged dispute between Orange and British Telecommunications plc (BT) in relation to Orange's charges for terminating calls on its mobile communications network. The CAT has ruled that the dispute between Orange and BT is a dispute relating to network access and is a "dispute" within the meaning of section 185 of the Communications Act. Further, the CAT has concluded that Ofcom would not have been time-barred from challenging Ofcom's jurisdiction to resolve the dispute in the context of proceedings challenging Ofcom's final determination of the dispute. Legal update: archive High Court rules on extent of duct and fibre transferred to ... The High Court has ruled that a claimant, Global Voice Networks Limited (GVN), was entitled to the transfer of duct and fibre-optic cable over the whole of the London network belonging to the defendant, Metromedia Fiber Network UK Limited (MFN), rather than a transfer that was limited to the so-called "backbone". The dispute arose because of the use during negotiations of terminology which had no standard industry definition, and so was understood by the parties in different ways, and because of a subsequent ambiguity in the contracts as to the extent of the network to be included in the transfer. The case hinged on whether either of two sets of maps, one showing the whole London network and the other showing only the backbone, were attached to the contracts. The case illustrates the importance of tying down the meaning of words or phrases, particularly when contracting in new industries where commonly used expressions may nonetheless not yet have acquired standard industry definitions. Case: euNetworks Fiber UK Ltd v Abovenet Communications UK Ltd, 21 December 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom announces that it intends to take action in relation to ... On 19 December 2007, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) published a letter setting out the steps that it is taking and intends to take to address the growing level of consumer complaints about the discrepancy between advertised broadband speeds and those which are actually achieved. Ofcom states that it is already in discussions with internet service providers (ISPs) about ways in which consumers can be provided with more useful information. It intends to consider further the following proposals: ISPs providing consumer-specific information on estimated maximum speed prior to sale; ISPs providing consumers with data early within the contract period on the actual (rather than estimated) maximum speed being achieved; and ISPs offering consumers the choice to move, penalty free, onto a different speed package based on the information provided. Ofcom has not ruled out the possibility of using formal powers under the Communications Act if it proves necessary. It also intends to publish consumer guidance. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes statement on monitoring compliance with ... Following its September 2007 consultation, Ofcom has published a statement confirming that it is going ahead with its proposals to require telecoms operators subject to charge controls, by virtue of having significant market power in a particular market, to verify their compliance with these controls by reference to a new Charge Control Compliance Standard (Standard). Operators will have to provide Ofcom with a data submission, prepared in accordance with the Standard, and an Independent Assurance Report, and must publish the Independent Assurance Report, the Published Information Summary (a non-confidential version of the data submission), a Statement of Methodology and a statement of responsibility signed on behalf of the board of directors. Initially, the new requirements will only apply to the market for mobile call termination, although no Independent Assurance Report is required for the period ending in March 2008. Legal update: archive Ofcom investigates provision of caller-location information for ... Ofcom is opening an own-initiative investigation into whether fixed-communications providers are complying with their obligations to provide caller-location information to emergency organisations, where it is technically feasible to do so, as set out in Condition 4 of the General Conditions of Entitlement. This is information indicating the geographic position of the terminal equipment of the person initiating the emergency call. Condition 4 applies to (among others) providers of publicly available telephone networks or public-switched telephone networks, resellers of these services and providers of indirect access services. Separately, Ofcom has launched an investigation into Virgin Media's compliance with Condition 4, but says it has no evidence of non-compliance by other fixed-communications providers.Source: Ofcom Competition Bulletin, 14 December 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes digital dividend statement Ofcom has published a statement on its December 2006 digital dividend consultation on potential uses for the digital dividend, that is, the spectrum made available by the switchover from analogue to digital television between autumn 2007 and 2012 because digital television uses less spectrum than analogue. The statement explains that the majority of the spectrum will be allocated by auction, with a portion being reserved for the programme-making and special-events sector for award to a "band manager" by means of a "beauty contest". Although most licences will be technology- and service-neutral (as well as being tradable), the spectrum will be awarded in packages suitable for uses identified during the consultation as being suitable and desirable for this high-quality UHF spectrum, including digital terrestrial television in standard or high definition, and high-speed mobile broadband and mobile television. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes draft annual plan 2008/9 Ofcom has published its draft annual plan for 2008/9 for consultation. This is the second year of a three-year work plan, laid out in the previous annual plan, but Ofcom has had to make some adaptations to its proposals from last year to take account of developments during the year that have led to additional work, such as the bringing forward of Ofcom's second review of public-service broadcasting. Ofcom's high-priority work includes its digital dividend review; its review of pay-TV; developing its approach to the regulation of mobile; continuing to promote competition in the fixed-telecoms sector; work on the regulation of next-generation networks; its review of public-service broadcasting; promoting access and inclusion; work on the regulation of radio; promoting media literacy; developing and enforcing consumer policies; and engaging in the development of new EC legislation, such as the review of the EC telecoms framework. Legal update: archive Ofcom evaluates strategic review and consults on ... Ofcom has published its second annual report on the impact of its 2004 to 2005 telecoms strategic review. The report shows that the strategic review, and in particular the separation of British Telecommunications plc's access service division (Openreach) from its other business, and the requirement on Openreach to deliver access to all communications providers on an equivalent basis, has contributed to lower prices, increases in choice of providers and increased switching between providers. However, it concludes that problems in the delivery of wholesale line rental, local loop unbundling and ethernet services by Openreach should be solved by an improved compensation regime for communications providers reliant on these services. The compensation regime is the subject of a consultation which closes on 25 January 2008. Legal update: archive High Court refers Roaming Regulation to ECJ The High Court has agreed to refer to the ECJ certain questions relating to the validity of Regulation 717/2007 on roaming on public mobile telephone networks within the Community (Roaming Regulation). Four UK mobile-network operators (MNOs) had submitted claims for judicial review that raised issues regarding the legal basis on which the Roaming Regulation was adopted and its proportionality. The Roaming Regulation was introduced after the European Commissioner, Viviane Reding, had become frustrated with what she perceived to be the failure of the European Regulators' Group to take action against MNOs for high roaming charges. She has since also threatened to impose further regulation on mobile termination rates, which she considers to be too high. If the ECJ finds the Roaming Regulation invalid, the Commissioner will have to rethink her strategy on mobile termination rates. Case: Vodafone Ltd (R on the application of) & Telefonica O2 Europle Plc (R on the application of) v Secretary Of State For Business Enterprise And Regulatory Reform (2007), 7 December 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes L-Band auction details Ofcom has published details of its plans to award licences of spectrum in the 1452-1492 MHz band - the so-called "L-band" spectrum - which is suitable for mobile television and satellite radio. The spectrum will be auctioned online in the spring of 2008. The spectrum will be released on a technology- and service-neutral basis, meaning that users can decide what technology to use and what services to offer, can change their use over time, and that licences will be tradable. Ofcom's proposals are contained in a statement, an information memorandum and a statutory notice of its proposal to publish four statutory instruments in relation to the spectrum award. The release of the L-band spectrum is part of Ofcom's wider programme to release about 400 MHz of spectrum at prime frequencies below 3 GHz, which includes the digital dividend - the spectrum that will be freed up by the switch to digital television. Legal update: archive Ofcom announces new framework for premium-rate services ... Ofcom has published a new framework agreement between itself and PhonepayPlus, the premium-rate services (PRS) regulator, clarifying their co-regulatory relationship. Ofcom has responsibility and accountability for the regulation of PRS under the Communications Act 2003, but PhonepayPlus acts as Ofcom's agent for the day-to-day regulation of the PRS market. Under the new arrangements, Ofcom and PhonepayPlus have agreed ways to establish objectives and strategies, and to report on policy issues and market trends. In particular, an Ofcom official will sponsor the relationship with PhonepayPlus, Ofcom will be able to give PhonepayPlus directions on issues that it considers to be important, and Ofcom will approve all appointments to the PhonepayPlus Board and its Chief Executive. Ofcom is also consulting on amendments to the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice to do with PhonepayPlus's governance (on which PhonepayPlus has already consulted), and the deadline for responses is 16 January 2007.Source: Ofcom news release, 5 December 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes statement in licence-exemption framework ... Ofcom has published a statement, following its April 2007 licence-exemption framework review consultation, setting out its conclusions on a number of issues relating to the management of wireless devices that are exempt from the licensing requirements of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. Ofcom wants spectrum that is released in the future for licence-exempt devices to be used according to a "spectrum commons" model, which would allow multiple applications to share the spectrum, subject to compliance with constraints on power profiles and interference-avoidance mechanisms. Ofcom also proposes the release of currently underused spectrum on a licence-exempt basis. Its proposals will be subject to a number of more detailed consultations during 2008 and 2009. Legal update: archive CAT orders that hearing on non-price control matters in H3G ... On 3 December 2007, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) published an order in relation to the appeal by Hutchison 3G UK Limited against (H3G) against the outcome of the review of the markets for wholesale mobile call termination conducted by the Office of Communications (Ofcom) (see Hutchison 3G UK Limited v Ofcom (wholesale mobile call termination)). The CAT has determined that issues raised in this appeal which are not specified price control matters (the non-price control matters) should be heard together with certain issues raised in the four appeals brought against determinations issued by the Ofcom to resolve disputes about wholesale charges for mobile call termination (the termination rate dispute appeals). The CAT has set this hearing for nine days from 24 January 2008 (see Legal update, CAT publishes order in termination rate dispute appeal). The CAT has fixed the timetable for H3G and the interveners in this case to submit documents prior to this hearing. Legal update: archive Eurostat publishes data on internet usage On 3 December 2007, Eurostat announced the results of a survey on usage of information and communications technologies in households and by individuals in the EU27 member states and in Norway and Iceland. It has found, in particular, that 54% of households in the EU27 had access to the internet during the first quarter of 2007 (compared with 49% in the same period in 2006). Further, 42% had a broadband connection, compared with 30% in 2006. The highest proportions of households with internet access and broadband connections were found in the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark, and the lowest were in Bulgaria, Romania and Greece. The Eurostat report also provides data on the levels of usage of various internet related activities, including use of search engines (the most common activity), sending e-mails with attachments, downloading, file sharing and entering chat rooms. It also compares internet usage by age range and by gender. Legal update: archive European Parliament adopts Audio-Visual Media Services ... The European Parliament has voted to adopt the common position of the European Council on the Directive that will update and rename the Television Without Frontiers Directive. The revised Directive will be known as the Audio-Visual Media Services Directive and it extends regulation to on-demand services for the first time. It also explicitly permits product placement for the first time and liberalises limits on broadcast advertising. Approval of the common position by the Parliament was expected, since the common position was put together after extensive negotiation with the Parliament. The Directive will enter into force on publication in the Official Journal, which is expected by the end of 2007. Member states then have two years in which to implement it. For more detailed discussion of the new Directive, see PLC Practice note, Audio-Visual Media Services Directive.Source: European Parliament press information, 29 November 2007 and European Commission press release, 29 November 2007. Legal update: archive Commission announces telecoms law reform proposals On 13 November 2007, the European Commission announced proposals to reform the EU telecoms regulatory framework. The proposals include measures to reform the Article 7 market review procedure, in particular by giving the Commission the power to oversee remedies proposed by national regulators. In addition, following a finding of significant market power in a market review, the national regulators will be given the opportunity to impose a functional separation remedy. The Commission has also adopted a new recommendation, which reduces from 18 to seven the relevant products and service markets within the electronic communications sector that are susceptible to ex ante regulation (and so subject to market reviews). Other proposals include the creation of a European Communications Market Authority and measures to protect consumer rights (such as in relation to number portability and transparency of price information), to improve the security of communications networks, to reform the regulation of radio spectrum and to strengthen the independence of national telecoms regulators. Legal update: archive Ofcom releases premium-rate service number ranges 0902 ... Following consultation (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on releasing new 09 premium-rate numbers), Ofcom has decided to release two additional number sub-ranges for premium-rate services (PRS) and has modified the PRS number application form. 0902 will supplement 0901/0900, and 0903 will supplement 0904/0905/0906/0911, and the sub-ranges will be allocated once the existing numbering resource has been exhausted. One of the consultation respondents, THUS, raised concerns that introducing the new number ranges before the forthcoming Ofcom review of the scope of regulation for PRS could have an unfair impact on customers if a revised PRS structure meant customers having to change their telephone numbers. Ofcom says that a delay in releasing the numbers could adversely affect the market, as it might be unable to allocate sufficient numbers to meet communications providers' requirements, but it has said it will address concerns during the consultation period of the PRS review.Source: Ofcom statement on number availability, 12 November 2007. Legal update: archive CAT publishes orders in wholesale mobile call termination ... Following a case management conference held on 6 November 2007, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has published orders in the appeals by Hutchison 3G UK Limited (H3G) and British Telecommunications plc against the outcome of Ofcom's review of the markets for wholesale mobile call termination. H3G has been granted permission to amend its notice of appeal, other than in relation to arguments concerning "on-net/off-net" pricing and pricing strategies. H3G was also granted permission to adduce a new witness statement, an expert witness statement and a revised version of another witness statement. Both orders set time limits for filing amended notices of appeal and defences/statements of intervention by Ofcom and the interveners.Case: Competition Appeal Tribunal, Hutchison 3G UK Limited v Ofcom and British Telecommunications plc v Ofcom, 6 November 2007. Legal update: archive Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill introduced in ... The Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill has had its first reading in the House of Lords. The Bill has been redrafted and restructured following consultation on a draft Bill earlier in 2007. The main objects of the Bill are to streamline and improve regulatory enforcement and to enable ministers to confer new sanctioning powers on regulators. Although the Bill is wide-ranging in its scope, it has an impact on businesses in the IP, IT and communications sectors; for example, it permits guidance to be issued to local authorities seeking to enforce certain provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and the Trade Marks Act 1994. Legal update: archive CAT publishes transcript of case management conference in ... On 2 November 2007, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) published the transcript of the case management conference held on 31 October 2007 in the appeals lodged under section 192 of the Communications Act 2003 by T-Mobile (UK) Limited (T-Mobile), British Telecommunications plc (BT), Hutchison 3G UK Limited (H3G) and Cable & Wireless and eight other communications providers against determinations issued by the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to resolve disputes about wholesale charges for mobile call termination. The case management conference discussed whether there are grounds in Orange's appeal that should be tried as preliminary issues (in particular, whether there was a dispute under section 185 of the Communications Act); H3G's application for a stay of its appeal until after determination of the non-price control matters in its mobile call termination appeal; and documentary progress of the case. Legal update: archive PhonepayPlus to implement licence regime for anonymous ... Following consultation, PhonepayPlus is introducing a prior-permissions regime for anonymous SMS (ASMS) services that are charged at premium rates. ASMS services allow messages to be sent so that the recipient cannot see who the sender is, and can be used in abusive or threatening ways. The main feature of the new licensing system is that where an ASMS is entirely user-generated, it will have to be accompanied by information, including a non-premium-rate service (PRS) telephone number which can be called to obtain further information or make a complaint. Where users select messages from a pre-determined list, the list must be vetted for compliance with the requirements on harm and offence in the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice. Affected service providers will require a licence from 11 January 2008 and are advised to apply as soon as possible, as applications will take a few weeks to process. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes annual lecture Ofcom has published its annual lecture, given by Chief Executive Ed Richards. The speech reviewed a number of recent and current projects in the context of Ofcom's duty (under section 3(1) of the Communications Act 2003) to further the respective interests of citizens and consumers. Mr Richards referred to a number of forthcoming projects and publications: a discussion paper on how Ofcom interprets its role in furthering the interests of citizens, to be published shortly; a review of the universal service obligation in the context of broadband (in the longer term); a proposal, to be published later this year, to clear an entire multiplex and convert this to an improved compression and transmission standard, to promote high-definition services on Freeview; work on tackling harmful content online; proposals to be published shortly on changing the process for resolving disputes between mobile customers and suppliers; and a review (due to start this week) of mobile phone misselling.Source: Ofcom annual lecture - citizens and consumer in a converged world, 16 October 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom grants access to spectrum for PMSE users Ofcom has announced that PMSE (programme-making and special events) users will be given temporary access to channels 63 to 68 in the regions where digital switchover (DSO) first takes place. PMSE users access spectrum on a secondary basis, using spare or "interleaved" spectrum unused by primary users. After DSO, PMSE users will lose access to spectrum, which will be auctioned off. Ofcom is currently preparing a statement in response to a consultation on future access to this spectrum for PMSE use (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on access to spectrum for PMSE sector). In the meantime, Ofcom is allowing temporary PMSE access to channels 63 to 68 in the regions where DSO will first take place (in addition to ongoing access to channel 69), with licences terminable on six months' notice. Source: Ofcom statement, Temporary access to UHF spectrum for PMSE, 12 October 2007. Legal update: archive Commissioner speaks on changes to telecoms regulation The European Commission has published a speech by the Commissioner for Information Society and Media to the European Regulators Group on proposals for the reform of the EU telecoms regulatory framework, which are due to be published on 13 November 2007. The proposals will include measures to strengthen the role of national regulators, but also to create a new EU regulatory body, the European Telecom Market Authority, which could effectively restrict the ability of national regulators to impose ex-ante remedies. Functional separation will be introduced as a means of opening markets to competition where other remedies have failed, following the successful functional separation of BT in the UK. The single market will be extended through measures such as reforming radio-spectrum management. Source: European Commissioner's speech to the European Regulators Group: Better Regulation for a Single Market in Telecoms, 11 October 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom consents to exemption requests and variation of BT ... Ofcom has published its decision to grant BT four exemptions from the "equivalence of inputs" obligations in the undertakings given under section 154 of the Enterprise Act 2002, in lieu of a market investigation reference to the Competition Commission (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on BT undertakings in lieu of market investigation reference). The exemptions relate to BT's 21CN Pathfinder trial, certain Short Haul Data Services, and its Tags Helpdesk and Messaging services. Ofcom has also approved a variation allowing BT to respond to incidents such as terrorist attack or serious pandemic illness in ways that might otherwise be prohibited. The exemptions and variation took effect on 28 September 2007. (For further background and detail, see Legal update, Ofcom decision on requests for exemptions under BT Undertakings and consultation on further requests.)Source: Ofcom statement, 3 October 2007. Legal update: archive CAT publishes transcript of hearing on preliminary issue in ... On 1 October 2007, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) published the transcript of a hearing held on 19 September 2007 in the appeal by Hutchison 3G UK Limited (H3G) against decisions of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) in relation to its recent review of the markets for wholesale mobile call termination (see Hutchison 3G UK Limited v Ofcom (wholesale mobile call termination)). The hearing considered the preliminary issue of whether the question of "whether the imposition of a price control on H3G with effect from April 2007 is an appropriate and proportionate response to the finding of significant market power (SMP), or whether a remedy short of price control would be sufficient" constitutes a price control matter that must be referred by the CAT to the Competition Commission under section 193 of the Communications Act 2003 (see Legal update, CAT publishes ruling on formulation of preliminary issue in H3G appeal). During the hearing, the CAT heard detailed submissions on the statutory construction to be applied and the respective roles of the CAT and the Competition Commission, in the overall regulatory context for the imposition of SMP price control conditions. Legal update: archive Ofcom outlines approach to implementation of AVMS Directive ... At the PLC IPIT & Communications New Media conference on 18 September 2007, Jeremy Oliver, Head of Multimedia at Ofcom, explained the approach of Ofcom and the UK government to implementing the EC Audio-Visual Media Services Directive, which will extend the regulation of audio-visual material to the internet for the first time when it is implemented in the UK towards the end of 2009. Other topics discussed at the conference included protecting rights in digital content, clearing rights for digital exploitation, negotiating and drafting digital licensing deals, liabilities of service providers for user-generated content, and IPTV and mobile TV. Legal update: archive Ofcom consults on new rules to monitor compliance with ... Ofcom has published a consultation on proposals to change the way it monitors compliance with charge controls imposed on companies with significant market power in certain markets. The new rules involve little change to the information currently provided by the regulated companies, but introduce a requirement for the information to be accompanied by supporting documentation, to be audited, and for the company to publish a short-form version of the information provided to Ofcom, together with the auditor's report and a director's statement. Charge controls have been introduced increasingly over the last few years and, while Ofcom is not aware of any breaches in compliance, it considers that the proposed changes would bring its compliance measures into line with other regulated industries in the UK and internationally. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes report on mis-selling Ofcom has published a report by Mott MacDonald Schema on the extent to which the measures used by Ofcom to assess problems relating to mis-selling are accurate. The report indicates a number of problems with the information that Ofcom has been gathering about mis-selling, and Ofcom has already begun to feed these results into its work. The report also indicates that although the amount of mis-selling has decreased in proportion to the size of the market, it is still a significant problem. The report was delivered to Ofcom in May 2007, and it presumably influenced Ofcom's decision later that month to extend the requirements in the General Conditions of Entitlement for fixed-line telecoms providers to establish and comply with codes of practice for sales and marketing, which were due to expire. Legal update: archive European Commission proposes EU selection of mobile ... The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a Decision on a common EU approach to selecting and authorising mobile satellite service systems (MSSs). MSSs can be used for high-speed internet access to mobile television and for public protection and disaster relief. A Commission Decision in February 2007 reserved the 2GHz radio frequency band for MSS systems. The proposals provide an EU process for selecting operators whom national authorities would then authorise to use the frequency band (by licence or otherwise). Satellite communications naturally lend themselves to international as opposed to national regulation because of their ability to cross national boundaries. Ofcom and the UK are supportive of the proposals, but would prefer to see the selection process carried out by auction, which Ofcom believes leads to the most efficient use of the radio spectrum. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes addendum and corrections to number ... Ofcom has published an addendum to its consultation on arrangements for porting phone numbers when customers switch supplier (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on timings for number portability database). Following requests from stakeholders, Ofcom has now published additional data on the cost-benefit sensitivity analysis contained in Annex 5 of the original consultation document. It has also corrected small arithmetical errors in the calculations underpinning the figures in the table entitled Summary of Sensitivities in Annex 5.Source: Addendum to Ofcom consultation on arrangements for porting phone numbers when customers switch supplier, 17 August 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes consolidated General Conditions Ofcom has published a consolidated version of its General Conditions of Entitlement, updating the April 2007 version. The changes reflect amendments to Condition 14, updating the obligations on establishing codes of practice for the sale and marketing of fixed-line telephone services (see Legal update, Ofcom issues regulatory statement on the regulation of misselling), the new numbering provision in Condition 17 that applies to 03 and 070 numbers (see Legal update, Ofcom decision on regulation of 03 and 070 numbers), and a future requirement to reduce the timeframe for processing mobile-phone number portability requests from five to two days (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on timings for number portability database) (although this is still subject to consultation). The General Conditions of Entitlement apply to all providers of electronic communications services and electronic communications networks in the UK.Source: Ofcom publication, Consolidated General Conditions of Entitlement, 15 August 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes determinations in call termination rate ... On 14 August 2007, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) published its determinations in relation to disputes between Hutchison 3G (H3G) and O2 and Orange about blended mobile call termination rates. Ofcom published its draft determinations in relation to the disputes on 17 July 2007 (see Legal update, Ofcom publishes draft determinations in call termination rate disputes ). In its final determinations Ofcom has not departed from the proposals it made in July, other than to make provision for interest to be payable in respect of any repayments to be made by H3G. Legal update: archive Ofcom continues to monitor broadband migration Ofcom has announced that it is extending its programme to monitor compliance by broadband-service providers with the new MAC Broadband Migrations process. The programme began in February 2007, when the MAC process was first introduced, and will now continue for a further six months. The aim of the MAC process is to make it quicker and easier for customers to switch from one broadband service to another. Complaints to Ofcom about broadband migrations have halved in the last six months, but still stand at 250 per week. Given the potential economic impact broadband disruption can have, now that many UK workers rely so heavily on broadband, Ofcom is right to continue to police this area of potential service disruption. Legal update: archive Icstis publishes statement on enhancing stakeholder ... Icstis, the premium-rate phone regulator, has published a final statement on enhancing stakeholder engagement following a consultation in April 2007. Icstis aims to ensure that anyone using a premium-rate service (PRS) can do so with absolute confidence. In achieving this aim, it sees it as necessary to increase its engagement with its stakeholders by providing information about its work, raising awareness of the industry, educating consumers, setting standards for the regulation of PRS and supporting the PRS industry. Icstis was disappointed by the low level of response to the consultation, but sees this as evidence of the need for it to engage more widely with organisations who would not otherwise prioritise the work of Icstis. The consultation took place following widespread media coverage early in 2007 of a number of serious allegations relating to the misuse of PRS in the broadcasting industry.Source: Icstis statement on enhancing stakeholder engagement, 1 August 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes new industry code on misselling in mobile ... Ofcom has published a new industry Code of practice for mobile-phone operators, which aims to stop misleading sales and marketing practices in the mobile-phone market. The Code has been signed by O2, Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone and 3, and it was drawn up following a significant increase in complaints to Ofcom about misselling, including cashback promotion schemes offering a reimbursement of line rental which is never received and slamming (where consumers are switched to a new provider without their knowledge, for example following a cold call by someone they think is their current provider, after which they find themselves contracted to a different provider). The Code sets out minimum business standards, details of how retailers must comply with the Code requirements, due-diligence exercises to determine which retailers should be used, and details of how complaints to mobile operators should be monitored and handled. Although Ofcom welcomed the new Code, it intends to consider whether more formal regulatory requirements are needed if the Code does not result in a reduction of complaints in the near future.Source: Ofcom press release, 31 July 2007. Legal update: archive New Ofcom COO appointed On 26 July 2007, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) announced that it has appointed Jill Ainscough as Chief Operating Officer (COO), with effect from 7 August 2007. The COO role became vacant following the appointment of Ed Richards as Chief Executive (see Legal update, New Ofcom Chief Executive appointed). Ms Ainscough has had extensive experience in the communications sector, most recently as Managing Director of broadband company Easynet Group plc. Several of Ofcom's Technology and Spectrum Operations functions as well as its Organisation, Planning and Development groups, including Human Resources and Finance, report to the COO. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes research on use of VoIP Ofcom has published the results of research into the use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone services. The research follows the publication of Ofcom's statement on the regulation of VoIP services in March 2007 (see Legal update, Ofcom publishes statement on regulation of Voice over Internet Protocol services). The research report concludes that VoIP usage is increasing, although most calls are still made in the form of PC-to-PC calls rather than into the public switched telephone network (PSTN). So far, consumers seem to be using VoIP in addition to PSTN services rather than instead of them. The report highlights consumers' confusion about whether they can make emergency calls via VoIP. This has already led Ofcom to publish a further consultation on requiring VoIP services to allow users to call the emergency number 999 by early 2008 (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on requiring VoIP services to contact emergency services).Source: Ofcom Research Report: Voice over Internet Protocol, 26 July 2007. Legal update: archive Advocate General's opinion on charging for local loop access On 18 July 2007, Advocate General Poiares Maduro handed down an opinion on a reference from a German court on the charges that can be applied by a dominant incumbent telecoms operator for access to its local network. The Advocate General's opinion considers issues relating to the determination of cost-orientated charges and on the extent of the discretion of national regulators in assessing such charges. The Advocate General considers that an assessment of whether charges are cost-orientated involves balancing the key objective of fostering competition against that of ensuring the necessary level of incentives for investment in infrastructure. Legal update: archive European Commission backs DVB-H standard for mobile TV The European Commission has published a Communication in which it urges member states and industry to encourage the use of DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting for Handhelds) technology as the single European standard for mobile TV. The Commission is preparing to include DVB-H in the EU's official list of standards published in the Official Journal and thereby legally encourage its use. The Commission will monitor whether it is appropriate to mandate its use during 2008. Mobile TV market penetration in the EU lags behind that in other parts of the world, particularly Asia, partly because of market fragmentation, with mobile manufacturers and network operators supporting different systems. The Communication also encourages member states to act quickly to make radio spectrum that is freed up by the switch from analogue to digital television available for mobile TV use.Source: Communication on Strengthening the Internal Market for Mobile TV, 18 July 2007 and Commission press release, 18 July 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes critical report on use of premium-rate ... Ofcom has published a report on the outcome of its inquiry into the use of premium-rate telephone services in TV programmes. The report concludes that there was a systemic failure arising from the absence of systems designed to require, ensure and audit compliance and that some broadcasters appeared to be in denial about their responsibilities to ensure that programmes delivered on the transactions they offered to viewers. The report recommends that broadcasters' television licences be amended to make them responsible for premium-rate services. Ofcom will consult on the report's recommendations. Legal update: archive High Court injunction requires T-Mobile to connect calls to ... The High Court has imposed an interim injunction on T-Mobile requiring it to connect calls to Truphone numbers. Truphone operates an internet protocol (IP) based voice network, which operates through software that can be installed on Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones offering cheap calls because calls are directed via the internet where possible, rather than over the telephone networks. T-Mobile had refused to connect calls to Truphone numbers, claiming that the termination fees Truphone was demanding were too high. The interim injunction requires connection at the lower rate proposed by T-Mobile, although this will leave Truphone out of pocket where calls are directed over mobile networks. Case: Software Cellular Network Limited v T-Mobile (UK) Limited, 17 July 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom consults on timings for number portability database Ofcom has published a consultation on the timing of the introduction of requirements in relation to the implementation of a number portability database. Following an earlier consultation, Ofcom has decided that a common database is needed so that calls to customers who retain their telephone number after switching networks are not ported via the original operator. Ofcom has also concluded that the time it takes to switch operators needs to be reduced. The consultation paper sets out three approaches to achieving these objectives. Ofcom's preferred option is for the database to be implemented by 31 December 2008; for mobile operators to implement direct routing with a port lead time of 2 hours from 1 September 2009; and for fixed operators to implement direct routing by 31 December 2012. Legal update: archive CAT vacates case management conference in Orange appeal On 13 July 2007, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) published an order in which it vacated the date set for a case management conference in the appeal lodged by Orange Personal Communications Services Limited (Orange) under section 192 of the Communications Act 2003 against a decision by the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to accept a reference for resolution of an alleged dispute between Orange and British Telecommunications plc (BT) in relation to charges that Orange makes for terminating calls on its mobile communications network. Ofcom published its final determination in this matter on 10 July 2007 (see Legal update, Ofcom publishes determination to resolve disputes about wholesale mobile call termination rates). The case management conference had been deferred following the publication of Ofcom's draft determination (see Legal update, CAT publishes order and transcript in Orange appeal) and is now to be listed for a date to be fixed not before 13 September 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes determination to resolve disputes about ... On 10 July 2007, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) published determinations to resolve disputes about charges for mobile call termination between British Telecommunications plc (BT) and each of T-Mobile UK Limited (T-Mobile), O2 (UK) Limited (O2), Hutchison 3G Limited (H3G), Orange Personal Communications Services Limited (Orange) and Vodafone Limited. Following its provisional determination in May 2007, Ofcom has concluded that the charges set by each of the mobile operators were reasonable and that from 13 September 2006, the disputed call termination charges constitute reasonable terms and conditions as required by the end-to-end connectivity obligation imposed on BT. Legal update: archive ERG publishes guidelines on international roaming regulation The European Regulators Group (ERG) has published guidelines on offers to customers concerning roaming tariff options, setting out how national regulatory authorities expect to interpret the provisions of Article 4 of the new International Roaming Regulation (717/2007/EC), which came into force on 30 June 2007 (see Legal update, International roaming regulation published in Official Journal). Article 4 requires mobile service providers to "make available and actively offer" a Eurotariff to all customers. The ERG has also published guidelines on the identification of consumers with special tariffs (who can choose whether to switch to the new Eurotariff, as opposed to being switched automatically), which explains which tariffs qualify as special tariffs. The documents are both first drafts, and the ERG invites comments by 30 July 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom reports on ethnic minority groups and communications ... Ofcom has published a research document which looks how the interests of people from ethnic minority groups are being met in relation to availability, take-up and consumption of communications services in the UK. The research considered three communications services: television, telecoms (fixed-line and mobile) and internet. The report shows that take-up levels of telecoms and internet services among people from ethnic minority groups compare favourably to the overall UK population, but that such groups watch less television and less public-service broadcasting in particular. The report suggests that the difference in take-up and use levels reflects the younger demographic make-up of ethnic minority groups.Source: Ofcom Communications Market Report, 21 June 2007. Legal update: archive ECJ rules no VAT on telecoms licence payments In two cases, brought by UK and Austrian mobile-phone operators, the ECJ has ruled that the operators, who paid totals of £22.5 billion and EUR831.6 million for third-generation licences to the UK and Austrian governments respectively, cannot recover part of those payments as VAT refunds. Under the Sixth VAT Directive, only "economic activity" is subject to VAT. The ECJ said that the allocation, by auction, of rights to use spectrum frequencies was necessary for operators to access the mobile telecoms market, but was not itself participation in that market, and was therefore not economic activity. Therefore the sums paid in the spectrum auctions did not contain a VAT element. This means that payments in the many spectrum auctions expected over the next few years will not be subject to VAT.ECJ judgment in case C-284/04, 26 June 2007 and ECJ judgment in case C-369/04, 26 June 2007. Legal update: archive Changes to Icstis governance arrangements Icstis, the premium-rate services regulator, has announced changes to its governance arrangements following a public consultation in March 2007. The increased use of premium-rate services since Icstis was established has led to a corresponding increase in the number of complaints that Icstis now has to deal with. In addition, cases have become increasingly high-profile and litigious, and Icstis wants to ensure that it has the appropriate skills and authority to manage complex and commercially sensitive issues. Icstis is therefore separating adjudication work from Board work so that the Board (which will be reduced in size) can focus on its core work. There will be a new Code Compliance Panel (CCP) from which members will be drawn to sit on tribunals, and for which non-legal but professional adjudicators will be recruited. The proposed changes involve changes to Icstis's Code of Practice, which have been sent to Ofcom for approval.Source: Icstis statement on changes to governance and the Icstis Code of Practice, 25 June 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom varies BT undertakings on separation of systems ... Ofcom has published a statement setting out its decision to vary the undertakings that were given by British Telecommunications Plc in 2005 in lieu of a market investigation reference to the Competition Commission under the Enterprise Act 2002. After public consultation, the variations agreed include implementation of a series of milestones for the completion of the physical separation of the operational support systems (OSS) currently shared by BT and Openreach (BT's access service division); a requirement for the use of user-access controls and a requirement for BT to audit their implementation; and a clause limiting the requirement for physical separation of OSS where agreed with Ofcom. Legal update: archive RIPA code on access to encryption keys and encrypted ... The government has laid the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Investigation of Protected Electronic Information: Code of Practice) Order 2007 before Parliament. The order, which is due to come into force on 1 October 2007, is intended to obtain approval for a code of practice on the investigation of protected electronic information, regulating the powers of public authorities under Part III of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). The code was the subject of a public consultation in June 2006. The current version includes a number of changes to the original draft which are designed to protect the privacy of individuals and the commercial interests of businesses which hold encrypted information. These changes will be welcomed by the civil rights groups and industry, as they allay fears that the intrusive powers contained in Part III of RIPA would affect the information security management processes of holders of encrypted information. Legal update: archive EU Council reaches political agreement on regulation on ... On 7 June 2007, the Council of EU Telecom Ministers reached political agreement on the proposal for a regulation on international mobile roaming charges. This follows the agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council Presidency on the terms of the proposed regulation on 15 May 2007 (see Legal update, European Parliament announces breakthrough in negotiations with Council on roaming regulation) and the European Parliament's first reading vote in favour of the regulation (see Legal update, European Parliament votes in favour of roaming regulation). The European Commission has welcomed the Council's agreement and highlighted the benefits that it is likely to bring to consumers in terms of lower charges (Commission press release MEMO/07/233). The Council of Ministers is expected to finally adopt the regulation on 25 June 2007. The regulation will be published in the Official Journal before the end of June 2007, and enter into force on the day following its publication, becoming directly applicable law in all 27 member states. Legal update: archive Ofcom extends time for resolving dispute on mobile ... Ofcom has extended the time for determining the disputes between British Telecommunications Plc and each of T-Mobile (UK) Limited, O2 (UK) Limited, Hutchison 3G UK Limited, Orange Personal Communications Services Limited and Vodafone Limited relating to the charges for mobile call termination on each mobile network operator's network. Ofcom published draft determinations on 14 May 2007 (see Legal update, Ofcom draft determinations on mobile call-termination charges dispute). Under section 188(5) of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom must make its final determination four months from the date when it accepts the dispute, except in exceptional circumstances. Responses to the draft determinations made it clear that Ofcom had relied on incorrect data, although correct data has now been provided. Ofcom considers that this constitutes exceptional circumstances and is extending the period for issuing determinations to 6 July 2007.Source: Update note to Ofcom competition bulletin, 7 June 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom consents to BT charging non-uniform prices in public ... Ofcom has agreed to BT's proposal to charge non-uniform prices in public call boxes (PCBs) to the extent necessary to operate geographic tariffing trials over the next three years. Under a specific universal services condition, BT has to provide services from PCBs on the basis of uniform prices throughout the UK (except the Hull area) unless Ofcom consents otherwise. Contrary to concerns raised in responses to its consultation on BT's proposal, Ofcom believes the trials are necessary to provide BT with relevant market data on the appropriateness of new tariffs and will not be discrimatory because the same tariff will apply to all customers situated in one geographic area.Source: Ofcom statement, 4 June 2007. Legal update: archive ERG agrees common approach to implementing EC roaming ... The European Regulators Group (ERG) (consisting of European national regulatory bodies) has agreed a common approach to implementing the forthcoming EC regulation on international roaming (see Legal update, European Parliament votes in favour of roaming regulation). The ERG will put in place systems to collect and publish information in order to monitor developments in wholesale and retail charges, to ensure that the rules are applied equally across member states. National regulators will have to collect a core set of data from national providers of international roaming services. The ERG will also address the issue of transferring customers to new tariff plans. An ERG common approach is not binding on its members, but members must take utmost account of the approach and publish reasons for any deviation from it.Source: ERG press release, 1 June 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom introduces regulations to extend broadband access Following a public consultation, Ofcom has introduced new regulations which will allow operators to increase power levels in the 5.8 GHz band, which is used by a number of operators to provide fixed wireless broadband services. This will increase the availability of broadband, especially in rural areas, where the uptake of broadband is lower than in urban areas. In order to allow the increased power limit, Ofcom had to amend the UK Interface Requirement - IR 2007, which stipulates technical regulations for use of the band 5725 - 5850 MHz for broadband fixed wireless access, and carry out the notification procedure required under EC law. This process is now complete and the revised IR 2007 came into force on 31 May 2007. Source: Ofcom statement on power increase for 5.8 GHz FWA, 31 May 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes consent to deregulate BT's retail business ... On 29 May 2007, the Office of Communications published its consent to the disapplication of the requirement for BT to publish its charges in relation to business exchange line services to customers with an annual spend of £1million per year. Ofcom's consent follows a consultation exercise in March 2007 where Ofcom set out its view that its consent to the deregulation should be given subect to the provisos that the price offered for the services does not fall below a floor which covers transfer charges for network components and fully allocated retail costs, and that BT puts appropriate internal management systems in place to ensure that the prices do not fall below the price floor (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on proposed consent to deregulate BT's retail business exchange line services). Several respondents to the consultation raised concerns about Ofcom's proposal based on the concepts of replicability and equivalence of inputs (as referred to in the undertakings given by BT under the Enterprise Act 2002 (see Legal update, Ofcom publishes final statements on its strategic review of telecommunications), the difficulty in applying Ofcom's proposal in making sure that the price did not fall below the floor specified, and difficulties in monitoring anti-competitve behaviour. Ofcom does not, however, believe that its proposal needs to be substantially revised, although it has made some minor clarificatory amendments to address the concerns raised. Legal update: archive Ofcom reports narrowing of digital divide across UK Ofcom's second Communications Market Report for the Nations and Regions of the UK has revealed that the significant differences in the availability, take-up and use of the internet, telecommunications and broadcasting services across the nations and regions of the UK, which were apparent last year, have abated. For example, in 2005 there was a 12% difference between the regions with the highest and lowest number of adults with access to broadband at home. By 2006, this gap had closed to a 3% difference. Other findings of the report include the fact that the number of UK households which are able to receive competitive broadband and phone services through local loop unbundling increased to 67% by the end of 2006; 29% of UK households took multiple services from a single telecoms provider in 2006; Wales has more wi-fi hotspots than the other UK nations, Germany, the US and Japan; and the Scots use VoIP services more than any other UK nation. Source: Ofcom Communications Report, 24 May 2007. Legal update: archive European Parliament votes in favour of roaming regulation On 23 May 2007, the plenary session of the European Parliament voted, with a strong majority, for the adoption of a regulation on international mobile roaming charges. This follows the agreement reached between Parliament and the Council Presidency on the terms of the proposed regulation on 15 May 2007 (see Legal update, European Parliament announces breakthrough in negotiations with Council on roaming regulation). The European Commission has welcomed the Parliamentary vote and highlighted the benefits that it is likely to bring to consumers in terms of lower charges (Commission press release IP/07/696). The Commission also notes that political agreement has been reached on this regulation within a "record time" of only ten months. The Council of EU Telecom Ministers is expected to endorse the regulation on 7 June 2007. It will then become directly applicable law in all 27 member states following its publication in the Official Journal, expected by mid-June. The capped retail charges must be made available to customers one month later and will apply by default after a further two months. The wholesale cap will take affect two months after entry into force of the regulation. Legal update: archive Ofcom issues regulatory statement on the regulation of mis ... On 21 May 2007, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) issued a regulatory statement announcing its decision to retain the obligations imposed by General Condition 14 on all communications providers who engage in sales and marketing activities for fixed-line telecoms services to establish, and comply with, codes of practice on sales and marketing, in accordance with published guidelines (see Legal update, Ofcom publishes notification of decision to modify a General Condition to make consumer protection codes compulsory). The obligations were due to expire on 27 May 2007, but will now continue in force. Ofcom confirmed its provisional conclusions, noted in a February 2007 consultation document, that there is currently no justification for relaxing the current obligations (see Legal update, Ofcom consults on regulation of mis-selling). Ofcom has also confirmed its decision to extend the regulatory obligations to Full Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) but not broadband services, cable services or mobile services. The new requirements on providers of full LLU will enter into force on 18 June 2007. Legal update: archive CAT publishes order and transcript in Orange appeal On 17 May 2007, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) published the transcript of the case management conference held on 15 May 2007 in the appeal lodged by Orange Personal Communications Services Limited (Orange) under section 192 of the Communications Act 2003 against a decision by the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to accept a reference for resolution of an alleged dispute between Orange and British Telecommunications plc (BT) in relation to charges that Orange makes for terminating calls on its mobile communications network. The case management conference discussed the future progress of the case and an order was made, extending until further order the time for filing the defence. The next case management conference has been fixed for 16 August 2007, at which the CAT will consider requests for permission to intervene in the proceedings. Ofcom is expected to make its final determination in the dispute in June 2007 (see Legal update, Ofcom publishes draft determinations to resolve disputes about wholesale mobile call termination charges). Legal update: archive Ofcom consults on consumer protection test for number ... Ofcom has published for consultation proposals for the implementation of a consumer protection test for number allocation. In order to ensure that the best use is made of numbers, Ofcom proposes to set up a number refusal list which would include individuals and companies with a history of using numbers for scams or other harmful behaviour. Under the proposals, such individuals and companies will be refused allocation by Ofcom of certain number ranges with prefixes 070, 08 and 09, and an amendment to General Condition 17 will impose an obligation on communications providers not to allocate such numbers to listed individuals and companies. The closing date for responses is 22 June 2007. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes report on opportunities for 10 to 40 GHz ... Ofcom has published an independent study on the potential business opportunities in the 10 to 40 GHz bands and the appropriate process for awarding licences in these bands. The report concludes that there is some interest in spectrum in the 10, 28 and 32 GHz bands from broadcasters and mobile and fixed-network operators, for uses such as backhaul, fixed-wireless access and video links, but almost no interest in the 40 GHz band. The report makes suggestions as to how the spectrum should be packaged for auctioning and licensing.Source: The award of spectrum at 10, 28, 32 & 40 GHz, Ofcom update, 9 May 2007. Legal update: archive European Parliamentary Committee accepts compromise on ... The European Parliamentary Committee on Culture and Education has accepted a draft second-reading compromise reached with the Council presidency on the Audio-Visual Media Services Directive. The Directive will update (and re-name) the 1997 Television Without Frontiers Directive, to bring it into line with new developments in audio-visual technology and advertising. The legislative process now looks likely to be completed with Parliament's second reading. The Parliamentary press release refers to the main areas of compromise. For further information on the new Directive, see PLC Practice note, Audio-Visual Media Services Directive.Source: Reform of European television rules one step closer, press release, 8 May 2007 Legal update: archive ERG consults on next-generation access regulatory issues The European Regulators Group (ERG) has launched a consultation on access to next-generation networks. EU member states are starting to upgrade the local loop (the traditionally copper-wire connection between the local exchange and the end-user) as part of their development of next-generation networks, and these changes will affect the regulation of this area. The ERG's consultation focuses on the two most popular options for next-generation access: "fibre to the cabinet" (fibre to the street cabinet and copper from there to the end-user) and "fibre to the home" (fibre all the way). The consultation considers in particular the effect these technological changes will have on the definitions of markets 11 and 12 (wholesale unbundled access to metallic loops and sub-loops, and broadband access services) in the European Commission's Recommendation 2003/312 on relevant markets susceptible to ex-ante regulation, which is currently under review. The consultation ends on 11 June 2007.Source: ERG Consultation Document on Regulatory Principles for NGA, 4 May 2007. Legal update: archive European Commission publishes FAQs on Mobile Roaming ... The European Commission has published a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) containing information on the proposed EC Regulation to Reduce Mobile Roaming Charges and explaining how it should reduce prices for consumers (see Commission publishes update on EU Regulation to reduce mobile roaming charges). The European Parliament is due to vote on the proposed Regulation on 10 May 2007 and the Commission is urging Parliament and the European Council to reach an agreement on the proposal so that it can come into force before the summer. Source: European Commission FAQs (MEMO/07/158), 2 May 2007. Legal update: archive European Commission publishes results of survey on use of ... The European Commission has published the results of a survey conducted by Eurobarometer of 27,000 representative households across the EU about their use of communications services. Key behaviour shown by the survey includes increased purchasing of bundled products; a shift from fixed to mobile telephony; broadband taking over from narrowband; and a rising use of the internet for making telephone calls, particularly in the new member states. The findings reflect the increased convergence between different communications services, and will feed the ongoing public debate on the reform of the EU communications regulatory framework, which must reflect the rapid changes taking place in these industries. Source: Commission press release IP/07/582. Legal update: archive European Parliament Committee vote on mobile roaming ... On 12 April 2007, the European Parliament's Industry Committee approved its report on the European Commission's proposal to regulate international mobile roaming charges. As expected, the Committee voted for a single cap on retail charges (EUR 0.4 for outgoing calls and EUR0.15 for calls received) and wholesale charges (EUR0.23), but it has now agreed with the Commission's proposal that the retail price cap (the Euro-tariff) should apply by default to all existing and new customers unless they express opt-out. The Committee has also voted for a sunset clause whereby the regulation would expire automatically after three years unless the Commission proposes that it should continue. Legal update: archive OECD publishes report on internet traffic prioritisation The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has made publicly available a report on the issues surrounding internet traffic prioritisation. The debate over so-called "network neutrality" has become increasingly urgent as global traffic volumes threaten to outstrip available bandwidth. The OECD report is intended to provide an overview to facilitate this debate. It sets out the technical background to prioritisation and gives an outline of the regulatory and policy isues that need to be considered, including the data protection and privacy concerns that arise when data packets are examined to determine their priority for onward routing, and the potentially anti-competitive ways in which prioritisation can be used. Source: OECD report, 6 April 2007. Legal update: archive CAT publishes ruling on costs and refuses leave to appeal in ... On 3 April 2007, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) published various rulings and orders in relation to the appeal by VIP Communications Limited (VIP) against a decision of the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which found that T-Mobile had not breached the Chapter II prohibition of the Competition Act 1998 or Article 82 of the EC Treaty. In particular, the CAT has ruled that VIP pay the costs of Ofcom and T-Mobile in relation to its unsuccessful interim relief application. Further, it has rejected an application by T-Mobile for leave to appeal against the CAT's ruling that it has jurisdiction to reach its own infringement decision. Legal update: archive Interception of Communications Commissioner's report under ... The Interception of Communications Commissioner has published his annual report on the exercise of the powers conferred by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). RIPA permits designated public authorities to acquire communications data from communications service providers for certain purposes, such as in the interests of national security (Chapter II, Part I). Although Chapter II of Part I of RIPA came into force in January 2004, a formal oversight regime in relation to its operation was only put in place in 2005, so this report is of particular interest in showing how these powers are actually being used. A total of 439,054 requests for communications data were made in the period from 1 January 2005 to 31 March 2006 covered by the report, with 3,792 errors being reported. It is also notable that of 475 local authorities and 108 public authorities empowered to obtain communications data, only 124 and 26, respectively, were making use of their powers.Source: Report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner for 2005 to 2006, 19 February 2007. Legal update: archive Order extending sexual offences prevention orders to online ... Parliament has approved the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Amendment of Schedule 3 and 5) Order 2007 (SI 2007/296) (the Order), which will come into force on 19 February 2007. The Order considerably widens the scope of offences which could qualify for the making of a sexual offences prevention order under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (the Act), one of the consequences of which is that the offender subject to the order is added to the sexual offenders register. Among other things, the Order incorporates into Schedule 5 of the Act the offence of "improper use of public communications networks" described in section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 which could include, for example, sending e-mails of a sexual nature to a work colleague. For more information, see Legal update, Draft order to extend sexual offences prevention orders to online offenders. Source: OPSI, Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Amendment of Schedule 3 and 5) Order 2007 (SI 2007/296), 12 February 2007. Legal update: archive CAT consents to withdrawal of Communications Act appeal by ... On 29 January 2007, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) published an order by which it consents to an application by Hutchison 3G (UK) Limited (H3G) to withdraw an appeal lodged under section 192 of the Communications Act 2003. H3G was appealing a decision made by the Office of Communications (Ofcom) relating to number portability. However, it has decided to withdraw its appeal following publication by Ofcom of a further consultation on the relevant issues. The CAT has also decided that the parties should each meet their own costs of this appeal. Legal update: archive Draft order to extend sexual offences prevention orders to ... The Home Office has laid the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Amendment of Schedule 3 and 5) Order 2007 (the Order) before Parliament for approval. The Order, if approved, will move three offences from Schedule 5 to Schedule 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and add eight offences (nine for Northern Ireland) to Schedule 5 of the Act. The Order considerably widens the scope of offences which could qualify for the making of a sexual offences prevention order, one of the consequences of which is that the offender subject to the order is added to the sexual offenders register. Among other things, the Order incorporates into Schedule 5 of the Sexual Offences Act the offence of "improper use of public communications networks" described in section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 which could include, for example, sending e-mails of a sexual nature to a work colleague. Legal update: archive ICO publishes new guidance notes on electronic direct ... The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued new guidance notes on the sending of direct marketing by electronic means (such as telephone, e-mail, fax and text messaging), which update its earlier guidance on marketers' and subscribers' rights and obligations under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/2426) (Privacy Regulations). Part I of the guidance is divided into two sections, set out in two separate documents: one for marketers, and the other for subscribers. Part 2 of the guidance looks at specific issues, including cookies and use of location data. (For further information on direct marketing and the Privacy Regulations, see PLC Practice note, Direct marketing: Privacy Regulations).Source: ICO press release, 12 December 2006. Legal update: archive Ofcom publishes international communications market report Ofcom has published an International Communications Market Report containing an analysis of trends in the global television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications industries. From an e-commerce perspective, the report notes, among other things, that the internet now attracts almost 10% of all advertising spending in the UK (a higher proportion than in any of the other countries surveyed), and that the take-up of broadband is now higher in the UK (at around 39% of households) than in the US (38%), France (38%) and Germany (28%), but behind Japan (44%), Sweden (45%) and the Netherlands (58%).Source: Ofcom press release, 29 November 2006; International Communications Market Report 2006. Legal update: archive New Private Members' Bill on admissibility of intercept ... The Interception of Communications (Admissibility of Evidence) Bill, which provides for the use of intercept evidence and evidence of communications data in legal proceedings involving serious crimes or terrorist offences, has been re-introduced in the House of Lords as a Private Members' Bill. This Bill was originally introduced in October 2005 by the same member, Lord Lloyd of Berwick, but was not considered past its second reading and was subsequently dropped. The new Bill is in exactly the same form as the original Bill (see Legal update, Private Members' Bill on admissibility of intercept evidence).Source: Interception of Communications (Admissibility of Evidence) Bill, 24 November 2006. Legal update: archive Update on timetable for new VAT rules on electronic goods HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a revised date for the introduction of the new VAT accounting rules for businesses trading in mobile phones, computer chips and similar electronic items, which require the buyer, rather than the seller, to account for and pay the VAT on the sale of such goods. The implementation date depends on agreement on the proposal being reached with other member states, which HMRC originally thought could be in October 2006 (see Legal update, HMRC consultation on changes to VAT accounting rules for trade in electronic goods). In the meantime, HMRC will continue to discuss lead times for businesses to make the necessary changes to their accounting rules, and the proposed de-minimis limits.Source: HM Revenue & Customs, Business brief, 15 September 2006. Legal update: archive CAT publishes summary of an appeal under Communications ... On 12 June 2006, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) published a summary of an appeal made on 30 May 2006 by Hutchison 3G UK Limited (Hutchison 3G) under section 192 of the Communications Act 2003 against a decision by the Office of Communications (Ofcom) in respect of/contained in a statement on number portability and technology neutrality and of Ofcom's failure to act on the concerns raised by Hutchison 3G about the inefficiencies and inadequacies of the implementation of the number portability system in the UK insofar as it relates to mobile number portability. Legal update: archive ECJ finds that the imposition of certain charges only on new ... On 20 October 2005, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) handed down a ruling on a preliminary reference from a German court on the compatibility with Directive 97/13 (on telecoms authorisations) of a provision of national law which imposes charges for the allocation of new telephone numbers. The ECJ found that national law may not impose a requirement on a new operator to pay such charges, which are based on the economic value of the numbers, where the dominant undertaking in the market does not bear the same charges due to the fact that it took over a large stock of numbers from the former state monopoly telecoms provider. Legal update: archive	i don't know
Who dueted with Harry Nilsson on the 1975 Phil Spectre song 'A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Every Day)' ?	The News Newspaper - Issue 112 by The News Newspaper - issuu VICTORIA CAR HIRE UK UK Self Drive £105 per week Fully inclusive No hidden extras Delivery & Collection Gatwick Airport only Tel: 0044 1293 432155 Fax: 0044 1293 402600 issue 112 Wednesday, February 23rd 2011 Search for British climber p11 Rescue services held up by bad weather in search for avalanche victim - hopes fading for succesful outcome Middle East - World News ousands of foreigners flee violence in Libya Nueva kaskada Tens of thousands of foreigners were trying to get out of Libya on Tuesday, after clashes RESTAURANTE between security forces and protesters had reportedly left hundreds dead, as revolution menu * del dia continued to sweep through the Middle East. €15 * Drinks not included seemed to be fighting on multiple fronts, trying to put down the protests and fighting a bitter battle against a growing number of army units that have risen up against the Libyan leader. In New York, Libya's Deputy Permanent Representative at the UN, Ibrahim Dabbashi, said Libyans had to be Tel: 951 713 626 or 633 433 313 Riviera Del Sol: 2 Bedroom Apartment, Good Size, Nice Terrace GREAT VIEWS €97,000 UNION JACK REMOVALS THE ORIGINAL National - International & Worldwide Shipping PET TRANSPORT • LOCAL REMOVALS. STORAGE FROM 10€ pw. Tel: 902 109 560 UK FREEPHONE 0800 321 3499 WEEKLY UK - IRELAND SERVICE jack Call Jack direct, who will visit you to discuss your removal plans over a coﬀee. MALAGA . MARBELLA . NERJA . ALMERIA . GRANADA CADIZ . GIBRALTAR . ALICANTE . LA MANGA MADRID... + FRANCE . ITALY . PORTUGAL . SWITZERLAND [email protected] • www.removalsukspain.com Staysure Insurance WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE Travel Insurance From 3.69€ Visit us from the 5th - 6th Feb. at the Buildings & contents From 123€ Puente Romano, Marbella From 230€ protected from "genocide", and urged the UN to impose a no-fly zone. Continued on page 2 1pm to 4pm Urb. La Montua C/ Chorreadero 39 29601 Marbella. Malaga 952864478 / 630816133 ASPHALT AND BLOCKPAVING FOR ALL URBANISATIONS ROADS AND PARKING AREAS LAID IN ASPHALT 30 y ear s UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said attacks on civilians could amount to crimes against humanity. He has condemned the "callousness with which Libyan authorities and their hired guns are reportedly shooting live rounds of ammunition at peaceful protesters". Libya's second city, Benghazi, is in opposition control and there is no sign of security forces there. Observers said the Gaddafi regime now est. Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi had earlier dismissed reports that he had fled amid the unrest sweeping the country. Speaking to state TV from outside a ruined building, he said: "I am in Tripoli and not in Venezuela," after rumours that he had flown to Caracas. He ordered a brutal military crack down against his own people in a bid to stay in power, and later said he would die in Libya as a martyr. Private Health Insurance From 49€ per month Funeral Plans Easy payment options, from 53€ per month 952 899 525 www.staysure.com Local 6, Centro Commercial Andasol, KM189, Marbella, 29600, Málaga (Just past the El Rosario turn off, beach side.) Staysure.co.uk Ltd is a FSA regulated company. No. 436804. PLUS! CRUSHED CONCRETE FOR ROADS, TRACKS CAR PARKS ETC. LAID & ROLLED 300 ton crushed concrete. Available for road, tracks, carparks, etc. Very good for sub-base, can be supplied laid & rolled. For a good free quote in English ring 637 179 373 or in Spanish 673 250 707 James Ridgley 951 242 873 637 179 373 [email protected] WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 WORLD Bowl me over... By Kym Wickham [email protected] Over 20 years ago I inherited a set of wood lawn bowls from my grandfather and they have been sitting in our garage ever since. On Saturday we had the opportunity of going along to lauro Bowling club to try the game for ourselves. Arriving at 10.30am we met Alan and Margaret Bicknell who are members of the club and people we first met some 14 years ago. I paired with Margaret and my husband joined Alan on the neighbouring “rink” to start learning. So, what could be so hard about getting the big balls at this end to sit next to the little ball at the other end? Hah! How wrong can you get? I found that after ten minutes I was thinking of nothing other than which way Grandad´s bowls were going to go, and was I going to stay on our bit of the playing area, let alone hit the white ball! We spent two and a half hours of gentle , relaxing fun, (although you use muscles you never knew you had before, ouch!) and were beginning to get the hang of it. We shall definitely be going again. For anyone who feels like they might like to get involved and have a go at this great sport, call Ken Talbot on 952 963 161 or 663 553 483. We went to renew our residencias last week. non-Eu citizens get proper photo Ids but Eu people don't. What use is that bit of paper that is quickly going to go all manky and clearly states it is not proper identification? Bring back our proper photo cards! La Mirada Intensa Flamenco A photographic exhibition by Alberto Schommer, well known for his work examining the history of Spain. The exhibition looks at the complexities of Flamenco Centro Cultural de San Pedro Until March 11th www.thenewsonline.es Exhibition Argentinian artist Antonio Berni (1905-81) Sala de Exposiciones Fundacion Picasso, Plaza de la Merced, Malaga 9.30am to 8pm daily until February 27th www.fundacionpicasso.es An exhibition of work by Malaga based artist Jose Medina Galeote art Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in art Until March 20th CAC Malaga continued from FRONT PAGE ousands of foreigners flee violence in Libya Ali Aujali, Libya's most senior diplomat in the US, told reporters he was "not supporting the government killing its people". In Libya, state TV denied there had been any massacres, dismissing the reports as "baseless lies" by foreign media. But it seemed that Col Gaddafi had lost the support of almost every section of Libyan society. used force to quell protests, before being ordered to withdraw on Saturday. In other developments: However, unlike other countries that have seen protests, Morocco has a successful economy, an elected parliament and a reformist monarchy, making it less vulnerable to a major uprising. MOROCCO: Five burned bodies have been found in a bank in the northern town of al-Hoceima which was set on fire following anti-government protests in Morocco on Sunday. The protesters demanded that King Mohammed VI give up some of his power. Egypt's ruling military council has sent reinforcements to the main border crossing, the Salum passage, following a withdrawal by Libyan border guards.Thousands of Egyptian nationals have been trying to get back home since the protests began almost a week ago. ● China has urged Libya to guarantee the safety of its citizens after reports that hundreds of Chinese construction workers in Ajdabiya had fled from an armed attack. ● ● Three Turkish ships have been sent to Benghazi to evacuate about 3,000 nationals. A thousand have already been airlifted to safety. ● Italy is to send three C130 air force planes to evacuate its citizens. About 1,500 nationals are resident in Libya. ● The US has ordered all non-emergency personnel Gaddafi: I cannot leave, I will die a martyr to leave the country ● The UK foreign office is advising Britons to leave if they can, although most of the 3,500 resident in Libya are thought to have already left. The remainder have been advised to take commercial flights, but British Airways and BMI cancelled all flights on Tuesday.. A Royal Navy frigate has been deployed and a plane chartered to aid British nationals. ● Oil company Royal Dutch Shell says all its expatriate staff have been "temporarily relocated". Italy's Eni and France's Total are also evacuating staff. WEATHER WEATHER Elsewhere in the Middle East BAHRAIN: King Hamad has ordered that a number of political prisoners be freed in response to prodemocracy protesters who have occupied Manama's Pearl Square for much of the week. The pro-democracy supporters remain camped out in the central square, refusing to enter talks with the Crown Prince until their demands are met. They want the government to resign, the deaths of protesters to be investigated, and political reforms that will lead to a constitutional monarchy. Some want the King to step down. Seven people were killed and many wounded in the past week as security forces WEEKLY WEatHEr FOrECaSt FOr COSta DEL SOL MALAGA TODAY Unconfirmed media reports said at least 300 foreign construction workers employed by a South Korean company, about 100 of them from Bangladesh, were being held against their will, possibly by protesters, in the eastern port of Darnah. ● ALGERIA: Security forces prevented antigovernment protesters from staging a march through the capital on Saturday. But protesters have said they plan to march every Saturday until democratic change is introduced. Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia has said the government will lift a 19-year state of emergency by the end of the month. TUNISIA: The interim government is seeking the extradition of ex-President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali from Saudi Arabia, where he fled last month after 23 years in power. The 74year-old former leader is reportedly very ill in hospital after suffering a stroke. AndAlucIA TOdAY news Your outlook on the World the ON THIS DATE IN National News Madrid regional premier Esperanza Aguirre stunned reporters into silence on Monday when she announced she would disappear from public life for two weeks to have surgery. ews n N THE EWS the MEDIA MEDIA GROUP GROUP diagnosed in time and that the doctors had given her a good prognosis. “Cancer is a disease like any other and can be cured,” she said. She assured them she intended to continue “giving a lot of war” and was confident she would be able to run for re-election in May. Members of her own party – the Partido Popular – were among the first to wish her the best of luck, followed by the Royal Family, Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and the rest of the government. As good wishes poured in from all FUJIMA MFX Tel: (0034) 952 45 44 91 Fax: (0034) 952 45 44 41 The News is a free and independent newspaper distributed weekly and edited by The Coin News Group S.L. The News is independent of political parties, private interests and/or government. Our policy is to provide readers with a news and information service that is fair, accurate and balanced. The Coin News Group S.L. accepts no responsibility for the claims or content of any letter, editorial, article, advertorial or advertisement. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. The News Media Group Deposito Legal: GR 2794-2008 Sra Aguirre was operated on at a Madrid clinic on Tuesday. Luxury, whisper quiet aircons that never need servicing and at guaranteed low prices! C/ Vicario nº34-36, 2nd Floor - Oﬃce C 29100 Coin (Malaga) Executive Editor: Kym Wickham design and layout: Damian Merino Advertising manager: Geoﬀ Heading Advertising sales: Susan Kerrigan Charlotte Fleming Accounts: Carol Livermore Contributors / Colaboradores: Martin Delfín - Cathy Stronach Pete Woodall - Andrea Maclean Mike Kerrigan - Muriel Pilkington Ricky Leach - Amy Thomas over the country PP secretary general Maria Dolores de Cospedal said Sra Aguirre is a “tough lady” and would rise to the challenge as she had to so many in the past. Israel president Simon Peres arived in Madrid on Monday for an official three-day visit. He met prime minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on Tuesday morning and reiterated Israel's intention of working with the EU to renew peace negotiations with Palestine. Sr Peres then visited Parliament after which he met King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia who inaugurated the Casa Sefarad-Israel, followed by lunch at the Royal Palace. Before leaving on Thursday, Mr Peres will attend a ceremony to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Spain, and will also receive the key to Madrid. CoLD WiNTER - fiT oUR aiRCoN aND GET haLf PRiCE hEaTiNG! THE NEws mEdIA GRoUp The Coin News Group S.L. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.thenewsonline.es the attempted Spanish coup by Lt Col Antonio Tejero failed Israeli president on oﬃcial visit Madrid premier treated for cancer Speaking after inaugurating a new stretch of highway in the Madrid area of Torres de la Alameda, Sra Aguirre said doctors had detected a lump in her breast during a routine gynaecological check-up. She reassured the reporters that the cancer had been 1981 “mf” moDELs aRE maiNTENaNCE fREE WE DO NOT EMPLOY SALESMEN BUT BIG JOHN WILL CALL TO MEASURE UP AND SHOW YOU THE AIRCONS. HE WILL ONLY TAKE UP 15 MINS OF YOUR TIME. 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Because they operate via a heat pump, they use less than half the electricity of oil-filled radiators or other electric heaters. John will explain! THE NEW 2010 MODEL FUJIMA FEATURES 1. Integral ioniser cleans,freshens and removes odours. 2. Built-in de-humidifier sucks moisture from all rooms in your home. 3. Galvanised outside unit to prevent rust in coastal areas. 4. Large airflow temperature range 12º to 38º. 5. Time clock, remote control and thermostat all included. 6. Last but not least - these top machines do not need servicing every year. FACT: No other air conditioner has all these features! Low pRICE GUARANTEE: If you ﬁnd any other company selling a similar product cheaper (it must be the same B.T.U. output and no maintenance) we will match the price on the spot and give you €50 Going strong since 1973 Bistro go to www.lesliesbistro.com for details of Leslie’s events and special offers Friday fish n’ chips - buy 1 for €7.95 & get the 2nd half price Saturday 26th - 2 Steak Dinners and a bottle of wine for €19.95 plus Leslie’s Quiz - Jackpot €100 Sunday Lunch at Leslie’s - an exquisite affair Jane’s Bistro Menu - 2 courses - €9.95 after 6pm FREE WI-FI FOR ALL OUR CUSTOMERS Winter hours Mon-Thur 1pm - 9pm; Fri 1pm-11pm; Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 11am-6pm - Food served all day Information & Reservations Tel: 952 112 123 2 minutes from La Trocha towards Cartama at Km 9 email:[email protected] WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es DNA helps woman find ‘dead’ daughter DNA tests have confirmed that a 40-year-old woman whose mother was told she died shortly after birth is alive and lives in Barcelona. It is the first success for Anadir, an association set up to help people who believe their children were stolen from them and given up for adoption during a period spanning from the early 1940s to the 1990s. In the first years, most of the cases involved Republican women prisoners but in the later years the motive seems to have been financial gain. Attorney General Candido Conde Pumpido refused several weeks ago to investigate 261 cases of alleged baby thefts presented by Anadir but later ordered the regions where the thefts allegedly PP goes for diversity Women don’t want 3rd child Nearly 85 per cent of Spanish women have said they do not want a third child because of the difficulties of balancing work and family responsibilities. That was one of the conclusions of a study on maternity in the European Union by the Fundacion Accion Familiar. Based on data provided by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and Eurostat, the study found that nearly half of working women in Spain today have no children, a quarter have only one child, 20 per cent have two and the rest have three or more. A Foundation spokesman said Spain, Portugal and Greece had the lowest took place to appoint special prosecutors to look into them. Prosecutors in Cadiz, Granada, Malaga, Alicante and Valencia are already studying the documents presented by Anadir. levels of protection for women with children in the work place, where bosses tended to see pregnancy as a problem. Norway, Finland and Denmark had the highest level of protection for pregnant women workers because children are considered necessary for future economic growth. The Partido Popular considers itself the “most open and pro-integration” political party because it has the only black mayor, the only South Americanborn senator, the only regional government with members of different religious backgrounds and the only municipal council with members of five nationalities. Mayor Juan Antonio de la Morena of Villamantilla (pictured), Madrid, was born in Equatorial Guinea. The PP senator for Ceuta in the upper chamber of Parliament, Luz Elena Sanin, was born in Colombia, while the regional government of Melilla has members of the Christian, Moslem and Jewish faiths. The multi-nationality council is that if TeuladaMoraira in Alicante. WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Another Crimestoppers' N campaign launched EWS IN BRIEF Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] MADRID Controllers told to perfect English The UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) is launching another Operation Captura – this time in Alicante - targeting UK criminals thought to be hiding in Spain. Tip-offs received after past Operation Captura campaigns led to the capture of 38 out of 50 fugitives who were returned to the UK to face trial or resume jail sentences - a 76 per cent success rate. This campaign features Anthony Fraser, grandson of exLondon gangster "Mad" Frankie Fraser, who is wanted for questioning in connection with a plot in 2009 to smuggle cannabis hidden inside a lorry consignment of frozen chickens into the UK. The other nine names will be revealed later at the official launch event. They include a man wanted to complete a 25-year jail sentence, two suspected murderers, several drug dealers and a man facing child sex charges. Operation Captura was first launched in 2006 and is generally considered to be the UK's, if not the world's, most successful campaign to target fugitives abroad. Crimestoppers' operations director Dave Cording said past campaigns turned up 600 pieces of information from ex-pats living in Spain. He said not one of them had tried to claim a reward. Crimerstoppers' phones at the call centre in the UK are staffed 24 hours a day, and interpreters are on hand to assist with any Spanish callers. The tip-offs received are relayed via Soca to the Spanish police in Madrid, who then notify local snatch teams known as "Greco" units. If a suspect is positively identified, he/she is arrested and after appearing in court in Spain, is returned to the UK. Extraditions that used to take years of legal wrangling are now rubber-stamped in days, following the introduction of European Arrest Warrants in 2004. The 10 people on each Captura list are selected by Soca from lists of wanted suspects sent to them by police forces across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They are graded according to how dangerous they are to the public, how serious their suspected offences are, and how strong the intelligence is linking them to the Spanish costas. Ken Gallagher, Soca's Head of European Operations, said Operation Captura is helping make the ex-pat The government gave the go-ahead for a royal decree last week, ordering air controllers to perfect their mastery of English within 18 months, or accept the consequences. The Airports Authority confirmed that a quarter of the controllers had not sat its language exam or had not passed it satisfactorily. A spokesman said the exam was not recognised oﬃcially, adding that all the controllers had refused to take the Eurocontrol exam, which is recognised in Spain and the EU. BARCELONA Boars hunted with bows and arrows Anthony Fraser CRIMESTOPPERS community in Spain an uncomfortable place for fugitives: "Having the public's attention focussed on these individuals goes a long way to making it harder for them to hide." The Association in Defence of Animal Rights has condemned the Catalan regional government’s decision to allow boars to be hunted in the Collserala Park with bows and arrows. The regional government banned bullfighting because it was cruel but the Association says arrows inflict a long, cruel death. The regional government said the decision was made to reduce the overpopulation of boars in the park, which is forcing the animals to venture into adjoining urban areas in their search for food. MADRID DAVID’S 1000’s NEW & SECOND HAND ENGLISH BOOKS ANN’S BOOKS VAST SELECTION ENGLISH GREETINGS CARDS UK PASSPORT RENEWAL Forms & service with a smile ANN’S BOOKSHOP DAVID’S BOOKSHOP Francisco Cano 49 Los Boliches Tel/Fax 952 588 685 Bonanza Sq. (upper level) opp Supersol, Benalmadena Tel/Fax 952 564 279 Generous help for feminist courses Health minister Leire Pajin allotted just under €700,000 last year in subsidies for postgraduate studies and programmes in gender equality, which included a course on Women in the frontier: prostitution and abuse in the context of Mexico (€3,900), and a programme called “Girls’ Day” – its original title – which received €6,900. Another postgraduate course was on “Goddesses and feminine myths” at Alicante University, and a series of talks in Cantabria called “Women in pre-History”. WEDNESDAY, february 23rd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] JAPAN WWII prisoner experiment probed At least 65 people died after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand, on Monday lunchtime and the death toll is expected to rise further. Prime Minister John Key said: "We may be witnessing New Zealand's darkest day." It was the country's deadliest natural disaster in 80 years and the damage was said to be far worse than after the 7.1magnitude quake on September 4th, which left two people seriously injured but caused no fatalities. The tremor caused widespread damage as it occurred at a shallow depth of 5km and at a time when New Zealand's second largest city was at its busiest. TV pictures showed bodies being pulled out of the rubble of scores of collapsed buildings in the South Island city of nearly 400,000 people and people could be seen wandering the rubblestrewn streets in shock. Police said that among the dead were people on two buses crushed by falling buildings. Officials said 120 people had been rescued from the ruins but they feared up to 30 people were still trapped inside the razed Pyne Gould Guinness building. The spire of Christchurch Cathedral, a landmark in the centre of the city, toppled into the square below. A witness told reporters the area outside the cathedral was "like a warzone". Power and telephone lines were knocked out, and pipes burst, flooding the streets with water. The suburbs of Lyttelton and New Brighton were reportedly "unliveable". The military has been deployed to help the rescue effort, and the government has accepted an offer of specialist help from Australia. A series of aftershocks, some as big as magnitude 5, have already rattled the stricken city. The quake caused some 30m tons of ice to shear away from New Zealand's biggest glacier, the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park said massive icebergs formed when the glacier broke, tossing a nearby lake with huge waves. New Zealand experiences more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, of which only around 20 have a magnitude in excess of 5.0. The last fatal earthquake was in 1968, when a 7.1-magnitude tremor killed three people on the South Island's western coast. Tuesday's was the country's worst natural disaster since a 1931 quake in the North Island city of Napier killed 256 people. China builds luxury resort in Bahamas Excavations have begun at a former medical school in Tokyo where Unit 731 of the Japanese imperial Army carried out experiments in germ warfare on chinese prisoners. The government had never formally acknowledged the atrocities took place but ordered the excavation after a former nurse, now 88, broke 60 years of silence. She said she and colleagues were ordered to bury hundreds of bodies after Japan's surrender and the job had to be finished before American troops arrived in the capital. SOUTh AfRicA Tweeters prompt pothole action The government will spend £1.9 million and create 70,000 jobs to fix potholes as a result of complaints made on social networking sites. President Jacob Zuma had urged people to use Twitter and facebook to suggest what his annual state-ofthe-nation speech last week should focus on, and plugging potholes and creating jobs were the most common suggestions. Announcing the plans in parliament, transport minister Sbu Ndebele said a pothole hotline would be launched for road users to report problems. PERU China has started work on a £1.6 billion holiday resort in the Bahamas, billed Illegal gold miners targeted as the largest project of its kind in the Caribbean. The government has sent nearly 1,000 troops and police The Baha Mar resort, which will include four hotels, a golf course and the Caribbean's largest casino, is expected to open in December 2014. ExportImport Bank of China is fundng the project, and China State Construction is helping to build it. The tourism industry in the Caribbean was hit by the global financial crisis but as economies worldwide start to recover, there are signs that the industry is starting to pick up again. The resort project is expected to help accelerate the recovery even further. The developers say that a project of this scale should help create more than 8,000 jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry. During the construction phase, 4,000 jobs are expected to be taken up by local labour. oﬃcers to destroy river dredgers used by illegal gold miners in the country's south-eastern Amazon region of Madre de Dios. Seven of the boats which suck up silt from the riverbed were sunk or burnt. Oﬃcials said the river dredgers can find almost £18,000 worth of gold on a good day, yet the miners pay nothing to the state. The mining also causes immense destruction to one of the most biodiverse places on earth. COME AND LIVE WITH US IN THE GUADALHORCE VALLEY “WHERE PEACE, TRANQUILITY AND WELL BEING IS OUR BEST VALUE UNIQUE AND EXCLUSIVE OFFER TO RENT OR BUY INCLUDING: ACCOMODATION IN A FULLY FURNISHED & EQUIPPED APARTMENT ON-SITE MEDICAL FACILITIES 24 HOURS HOME ASSISTANCE ON CALL FITNESS CENTRE, GYM, SAUNA, JACUZZI, INDOOR POOL DAILY SHUTTLE INTO TOWN EVERYTHING YOU NEED AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!! DON’T DENY YOURSELF TO ENJOY THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY Visit our web Page at: WWW.SOLANDALUSI.COM Camino Cuesta del Palmar s/n - La Alqueria - 29130 Alhaurin de La Torre - Malaga - For Further information please call + 34 951 01 47 47 ask for Blanca WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Name changed FACTORY for safety’s sake CLEARANCE! The small town of Speed in the Australian outback has decided to change its name to SpeedKills for a month in an attempt to increase road safety. ITALIAN LEATHER CORNER SOFA with cushion back - available in black, brown or ivory €895 to clear 150 X 190 / 150 X 200 quality mattress with base €260 We also have a large selection of memory foam beds. Potatoes to ‘doomsday vault’ Also sofa and bed sale now on hurry, limited stock! Speed-dwellers are hoping it will persuade drivers to slow down on country roads. They also hope Speed will become something of a global, internet sensation with the launch of this novel safety campaign. The idea was the brainchild of the Victoria Transport Accident Commission, which soon won over Speed's 45 residents. They have made a video as part of the campaign which is already a hit on the social networking site, Facebook. For the duration of the campaign, local wheat and sheep farmer Phil Down has agreed to change his name to Phil Slow Down. SpeedKillers hope the idea will catch on around the world. Peru is sending 1,500 varieties of potatoes to a "doomsday vault" in the Arctic Circle - aka the Svalbard Global Seed Vault - to safeguard the tubers' future. Potatoes are the world's most important non-cereal crop, and have been eaten for about 8,000 years. But today native species from the highlands of South America appear to be at risk because changes to the area's climate could undermine the farmers' weather-dependent agricultural systems. The samples come from the 10,000-hectare Cusco Potato Park, which was set up by six indigenous communities in order to protect biodiversity and protect food security in the region. One of the varieties to be stored in Svalbard is known as the "bride's potato", which dates back to Incan times, when a bride was expected to peel this potato to prove she had the necessary skills to be a good wife. The Svalbard seed vault, which opened in February 2008, has been described as the "ultimate insurance policy for the world's food supply". Road safety officials in Victoria have already identified five towns in the United States called Speed which it hopes will support name changes of their own. BED SOFA & FURNITURE CENTRE Next to Sunshine Golf on Slip Road next to BP La Cala 637 431 006 WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Gibraltar News Sir Adrian Johns learns Gib on the back burner about David Hockney The Gibraltar Decorative and Fine Arts Society last week played host to His Excellency the Governor of Gibraltar, Sir Adrian Johns. Lecturer Ann Peerless gave a very comprehensive and enjoyable account of the early work of painter David Hockney . This world renowned and popular artist has more recently returned to his Yorkshire roots after many years based in California, and has been producing spectacular stage set designs and experimenting with new techniques. Ms. Irene Rosenblatt was the lucky winner of his recent book, 'Secret Knowledge' and the Society welcomed its 70th member, Ms Lulu Veneroni Rocca. For further information on the three remaining meetings this season, contact Claus Olesen on 200 02024 or email [email protected] om and for membership email Ian : ilebreton@SovereignGroup .com Art galleries on e Rock The Rock, as we have seen over the last few weeks, is not just a place for shopping. There are many places to visit including a variety of exhibition centres that show a wide variety of art. Here are just a few to have a wander round while you are having a day there. Regular exhibitions are held at the art gallery in John Mackintosh Hall, 308 Main Street. Tel. (00350) 20075669 Open 9am to 9pm. The House of Sacarello (coffee-house and restaurant) in Irish town also shows work by local artists. You can find them at 57 Irish Town. Tel. (00350) 20070625 Open normal working hours. 'Gibraltar: A City Under Siege' - the buildings on the Upper Rock housing this permanent exhibition were among the first constructed by the British in Gibraltar. A major feature is the graffiti on the walls dating back to 1726. The Glass Factory is one of the few in southern Europe that still uses 2,000 year-old methods to produce hand-made glass. Glass blowers create and shape glass objects as visitors watch. The Glass Factory is located at Grand Casemates. Tel. (00350)20051036 - they are open normal working hours. The Fine Arts Studio also is the place to see a good selection of work by local artists. Its address is 502 Watergardens, Waterport Road. Tel. (00350) 20040338. So, there’s no reason to travel to Gibraltar just for your shopping, you can also take in a bit of The Rock’s cultural heritage while there. Tunnel halted Where can I Works on the £30 million road tunnel under the airport has been halted “for engineering and technical reasons” until March following talks with the Government, due to problems with excavation. The works include a new road that will link Devil’s Tower Road to the proposed new terminal. Gib Fuel Prices from Morrison’s Is it worth going to Gib with an empty tank? Usually the answer is yes! Unleaded per litre £0.989 (€1.19) Super unleaded £1.07 (€1.29) Diesel per litre £0.959 (€1.16) The exchange rate used by Morrisons is €1.21 to £1 and the prices are as at 4pm Tuesday February 22nd. get my copy of e News in Gibraltar? Morrisons Latinos (in the square) Latinos (High Street) Gibraltar Arms Elliot Hotel Tourist Centre Newsagents - Albor (Ocean Village) Newsagents - Ocean Village Express ICC Centre Bianca’s (Ocean Village) We will be adding to this list week by week and will let you know where any new drop-off points are on this page. After her first official visit as foreign minister to London last week, Trinidad Jimenez told reporters that, contrary to what was being reported in the press, the sovereignty of Gibraltar had hardly been touched on in her meeting with UK Foreign Secretary William Hague. between the UK, Gibraltar and Spain, which have been blocked for several months, Sra Jimenez said Spain's position on the talks had not changed but that they would not be renewed until Spain saw some progress in the areas of judicial, police and customs cooperation. As for the tripartite talks She acknowledged that progress had been made in the areas of cultural exchange, education, visas and tax matters but said the other areas were more important for Spain. The tripartite meeting which should have been held in Madrid last autumn was cancelled and a new date has not been announced. Gibraltar year of the bat This year in Gibraltar the bat will hold centre stage, according to the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society. The UNEP Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and The Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS) have joined together to celebrate the Year of the Bat - a year dedicated to promoting knowledge and protection of all species of bats, under the motto “Together with Bats”. Several species of bats are found in Gibraltar, with others occurring less regularly. The most common species are the Soprano Pipistrelle, Pipistrellus pygmaeus which can often seen seen in gardens and built-up areas, Schreiber’s Bentwing Bat Miniopterus schreibersii, (pictured above) which roosts in caves and tunnels and mainly feeds over naturally TOURIST OFFICES Tourist offices in Gibraltar are located in Casemates Square, the Airport Arrivals Hall, the coach terminus and the cruise terminal and at the frontier. Main Tourist Administration Office Duke of Kent House Cathedral Square, Tel: +350 20074950 e-mail: [email protected] The Gibraltar Tourist Board also operates in London at: Gibraltar Government Office150 Strand,London WC 2R 1JA.Tel: +44 (0) 207 836 0777 email: [email protected] Note: Gibraltar phone numbers consist of eight digits. When phoning from within Gibraltar just dial the eight digits.When phoning from the Costa del Sol and the rest of Spain precede the number with 9567. When phoning from abroad precede the number with the international dialling code which is 00350. vegetated areas, and the European free-tailed bat Tadarida teniotis, which is usually encountered within the Upper Rock and surrounding areas. For more information about how to join the Society, go to www.gonhs.org Gibraltar 2011 Bank Holidays January 1st New Year's Day March 14th Commonwealth Day April 22nd Good Friday April 25th Easter Monday May 2nd May Day May 30th Spring Bank Holiday June 13th Queen's Birthday Aug. 29th Summer Bank Holiday Sept. 12th Gibraltar National Day Dec. 25th Christmas Day Dec. 26th Boxing Day WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the UK News Wife on trial 18 years after double murder Eighteen years ago Hazel Stewart, now 47, is said to have helped to kill her husband and her lover's wife. Policeman Trevor Buchanan, then 32, and Lesley Howell, then 31, the wife of Stewart's dentist lover were found in the seaside town of Casterlock, Northen Ireland, in a carbon monoxide filled car in May 1991. Detectives re-opened the case in January 2009 after Colin Howell, now 51, confessed to police that he had murdered them. He was jailed in December last year for 21 years. though he had asked her to marry him. She later remarried another man. However, Stewart has denied that she helped with the killings and has said that she thought about killing herself by driving off a cliff because of the guilt she felt over the deaths before the police arrived at her home in Macosquin, Colerane to question her. After the killings she said that her feelings toward Colin Howell changed and the affair ended even On day ten of the trial she told the court her heart started to thump when she saw officers and, if she had known they were there before she got to the house, she might have killed herself. "Maybe if I'd known they were there, maybe I'd have run the car over a cliff. I don't know. I always said I would do that. Maybe it's too late for me," she said. New adoption guidelines Education Secretary Michael Gove said on Monday that councils should consider adoption as a more feasible option for older children with disabilities and without a family to care for them, and added that restraints put on suitable parents because of age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and faith represented social engineering of the worst kind. “Over the years we have created rules that are not always in the best interest of the child,” he said. According to figures released, adoption fell between March 2009 and 2010 by 15 per cent and children over the age of five were four times less likely to be picked for adoption with black children taking an average of 50% longer to be placed than children of other ethnic backgrounds. This is a problem, some critics say, caused by social workers’ perceived importance of matching the child’s background with possible new parents. Gove, who was himself adopted at 4 months old, said that there are literally hundreds of children living in state facilities that are being denied the opportunity of a loving home with people desperate to adopt a child. He said: "I was given a second chance. And as a result of the love and affection, the stability and care that my parents gave me, all the opportunities that I subsequently had in life were there because they chose, at a critical moment in my life, to become my parents. It has always been the case unfortunately that far too many children are growing up in circumstances where sadly they won't have the architecture or stability that means they can achieve everything of which they are capable." The average amount of time children spend in care before being adopted is 21 months, he said. Children's Minister Tim Loughton said: "Some local authorities place just two per cent of their children in care for adoption, compared to 16 per cent in other parts of the country," And Anne Marie Carrie, chief executive of the children's charity Barnardo's, welcomed the new guidance. The coalition's move to encourage inter-racial adoption is not the first of its kind. In 1998 the previous Labour government announced a similar policy, citing an increase in mixed-race households in Britain and a sharp decrease in the number of families taking children in. Oﬃcer attacked A police officer was attacked while conducting routine inquiries in the usually sleepy Westbourne area of Bournemouth, Dorset, on Monday evening. He suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries and was taken to Poole Hospital by ambulance. A 42-year-old man was arrested at the scene after colleagues responded to an emergency call for assistance. Eyewitnesses said the victim was attacked in the grounds of a large white detached house, thought to be split into several flats. Water shock Thames Water warned that up to 15,000 of its customers could receive a "nasty shock" following an investigation into how many people have never received water bills. Hundreds of Thames staff have checked on 1.7 million addresses across London and the Thames Valley, while urging people to come forward if they had not been receiving bills. An amnesty ends on March 3rd, giving thousands of people just over a week to avoid paying "hefty" back-charges. WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 10 n Inland & Coastal News Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in On tHIs dAtE In 1997 Scottish scientists introduced Dolly, the world’s first cloned lamb Social work instead of fine Hard-up residents of Benalmadena can now pay oﬀ up to 90 per cent of Local Police traﬃc or other fines – for littering or drinking in the street - by oﬀering to do social work. It follows the introduction of a local ordinance. Originally the scheme was to be applied to young people aged 14 to 30 who were more likely to be in low-paid jobs or on the dole but the council decided to extend it to anyone in the municipality who earned less than €532 a month. People with large families or physical disabilities are also eligible. One day’s work will reduce the fine by €30.50. The scheme does not apply to any fines received outside the municipality or on the highways. After being notified of the fine, the offender has up to 10 working days to present an application for inclusion in the scheme to the council’s fines department. Good weather a factor in road accidents Accidents involving pedestrians are the main cause of road deaths in towns and cities, the 2nd Meeting of Cities for Road Safety was told last week in Cordoba. Traffic Authority statistics show that this type of accident is responsible for 40 per cent of deaths and 15 per cent of injuries in urban areas. An interior ministry spokesman confirmed that Andalucia is the region in Spain where a majority of such accidents happen and blamed a lot of them on the weather. “The further south you go, the better the weather and the more people there are in the streets”, Justo Zambrano told the Magic Palace damaged by fire A 1.2 metre long carnivorous lizard was captured by the Local Police last Friday as it basked in the sun by a stream running through a communal garden in Malaga. The animal had been spotted on several occasions in other gardens in the same urbanisation. It was taken to an animal health centre where the staff said it appeared to be used to being NEWS Spotlight meeting. He said this factor, added to drinkdriving and speeding, ended in death or injury for many pedestrians. The Traffic Authority has asked local councils to install speed radars in their towns and to consider a speed limit of 30 kph in all oneway or two-lane streets to protect pedestrians. Small monster found in gardens in captivity. Lizards are a favourite “exotic pet” but the people who buy them when small often do not realise how big they will be when adult. A police spokesman said the animals are abandoned when they get too big for the owner’s house or apartment. Another possibility is that the lizard had escaped, as “many exotic pets do”, the spokesman said. www.thenewsonline.es The Magic Palace in Torremolinos was badly damaged by a fire last Friday. It was the only theatre in the country to present nothing but magic shows. It opened in 2006 but closed a year later when the main partner in the company that set it up withdrew from the business. It has been unused since then and was in a badly deteriorated state. The cause of the fire is being investigated. " ! " !$ # ! ! % ‘Carmen’ returns to Andalucia This time it’s not the cigarrolling Carmen of the opera but a lady of the same name who has converted part of her bar in Arcos de la Frontera into a smokers’ club. Carmen Moreno and partner Antonio Roldan have a 100 m2 area adjoining their bar, called Carmen, which they used to let out for wedding and other parties. Now she has converted the salon into a smokers’ club. The bar is only 50 metres away from the local health centre – smoking within a radius of 200 metres of health centres, hospital and schools is forbidden under the anti-smoking law – but Carmen said she had received no complaints. “On the contrary,” she said, “a doctor came by the other day to ask what he had to do to become a member”. Carmen said the club was necessary to keep the tourists coming, because the town would suffer economically if the no smoking law kept them away. The hill-top town is much visited all year round because of the wild beauty of the surrounding mountains and of the town itself. The town rose to prominence after Alfonso the Wise of Castile (12521284) liberated it from the Moors after nearly five centuries of occupation. To celebrate his victory, he built the Gothic cathedral which still dominates the town. Its ten bells tolled every day until the Moors were finally expelled from Spain in 1492. ST PATRICK’S DAY CARDS AND DECORATIONS C/ El troncon, 14 behind the main Fuengirola post oﬃce tel. 952 588 731 Inland & Coastal News n 11 news Your outlook on the World the Search for British climber suspended +6%'0 '5+)05 19411/ 9+6 18'4 The search for a British climber who was swept away by an avalanche in the Barranco de San Juan, in Sierra Nevada, on Sunday was suspended on Monday because of poor visibility. A Guardia Civil spokesman told Spanish television the search would resume on Tuesday if conditions were right but added that the possibility of finding John Hogbin, 42, were “practically nil”. The search team consisted of 19 agents from the Guardia’s mountain rescue service and four dogs who were joined on Monday by more than 100 soldiers from the Army’s emergency battalion. Two snow ploughs from the ski station cleared an area of 300 m2 in the Barranco, where the snow was 30 feet deep to help the sniffer dogs. Mr Hogbin’s axe had been found in that US delegation in Palomares A US delegation arrived in Palomares, Almeria, on Tuesday for a three-day visit during which they will try to gauge the level of radioactive contamination in the area and discuss a possible solution with local officials. Two bombs fell there when a U.S. B-52 and its refuelling plane crashed mid-air 45 years ago. Two other bombs that fell into the sea were recovered intact. At the time, teams of US scientists and military were called in for a clean-up operation but the local people insist that the area is still contaminated. Local cancer rates are above the national average. Until recently, the US had been reluctant to provide funds for another clean-up operation until an agreement was reached at a recent meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and her Spanish counterpart, Foreign Minister Trinidad Jiménez. spot and his two companions had identified it as the place where they last saw him. Due to the risk of avalanches in the area, the Guardia limited the number of people taking part in the rescue attempt. At press time, the Guardia had not named the companions, both aged 43, one of whom lived in the same town as Mr Hogbin Zafarraya in Granada province - and the other in Granada. Like Mr Hogbin, they are experienced climbers and escaped with minor injuries. Mr Hogbin’s parents and a number of friends had wanted to participate in the N EWS IN BRIEF rescue operation but the Guardia advised them not to because of the danger of further avalanches. Paul Andrew Grigg -+6%'05 ,756 61 +052+4' '4/#0; 9+6 56700+0) 37#.+6; +0+5* .#55+% 61 %#0&+0#8+#0 /1&'40 4+%'5 !#6'8'4 ;174 $7&)'6 740+0) "174 &4'#/5 061 4'#.+6; +&'#5 FUENGIROLA Passed away 13th February 2011 Aged 53 Leaving a 3-year-old son Adam who misses him so very much Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] MALAGA Port is 4th for cruise ships The number of cruise ships calling at the port continues to increase to the extent that Malaga was the fourth most visited last year after Barcelona, Mallorca and Tenerife. For the first time, Malaga received more ships than Las Palmas. A total of 659,123 passengers arrived in Malaga last year, up 35 per cent over 2009, and up from 352,993 in 2008. Just over seven million tourists entered Spain from cruise ships last year, three times more than in 2001. ANDALUCIA Wild pig hunts encouraged 999 %1%+0#52.75 %1/ The Junta de Andalucia's environment department plans to issue more permits authorising hunts of wild pigs – a cross between wild boars and domestic pigs with a high rate of reproduction which have become a pest in many areas. More than 130 permits were issued last hunting season, which ended on February 20th. A spokesman said the wild pigs breed like rabbits and are great survivors, eating anything they come across. They are also very destructive, as golf club owners have learned to their cost. /#+. +0(1 161)4#0&' Martin Delfín Writes for the English language version of 23-F T T hirty years ago today – Wednesday, February 23rd, Spain suffered the only serious military coup attempt since the death of Francisco Franco in November 1975. The military had been conspiring ever since, and in recent months had been joined by a cross section of the political class who were looking for a way to get rid of Prime Minister Adolfo Suarez. Together with King Juan Carlos, he had steered the country through the most dangerous years after the dictator's death. With the students and workers clamouring for immediate reforms on the one hand, and the military jealously guarding the regime on the other, neither man was much loved. The King was expected to play the role Franco had written for him – that of an authoritarian monarch who would continue the regime set up so painstakingly by the dictator and Suarez had played a fairly important role in the regime as deputy secretary of the Falangist Movement – the only political grouping allowed by Franco. Despite all expectations to the contrary, Juan el Breve (the Brief ) and the “Fascist” introduced dozens of essential reforms ( including the legalisation of the Communist party which annoyed the armed forces no end), held a general election, drew up a new Constitution and had it passed by a referendum – all in the space of little more than two years. (The King appointed Suarez prime minister in July 1976 – the Constitution was approved in December 1978). B ut while Suarez had done a brilliant job dismantling the regime he had been part of, by the autumn of 1980 he seemed to be running out of steam. He was becoming increasingly isolated from the cabinet, his party and the press. Socialist leader Felipe Gonzalez withdrew his support, claiming that Suarez no longer had a meaningful contribution to make. Unemployment had risen to one and a half million. And the government was dragging its feet as regards the transfer of powers to the regional governments, especially those of the Basque Country and Catalonia. As a result, the Basque terrorist movement ETA had stepped up its violent struggle for independence. The draft military amnesty law presented to Parliament in June 1980 opened up the way for the reintegration of the officers who had fought for the Republic during the Civil War, outraging the military even more than the legalisation of the Communist Party. To make matters worse, both ETA and GRAPO (The First of October Anti-Fascist Resistance Group) had carried out a series of assassination attempts on senior generals during the spring and summer of 1980. So the military were not at all happy and conspiracy was rife. I t was also quite open. By October 1980, the press was mentioning the so-called “Operación De Gaulle”, a reference to General Alfonso Armada, a great admirer Antonio Tejero on February 23rd of De Gaulle, who was floating the idea of a coalition military-civilian government to solve the country’s problems. M eanwhile, several senior generals visited King Juan Carlos to complain bitterly about the situation. The King tried to make them see reason, making it clear that “in no circumstances should they rely on me to cover the slightest act against a constitutional government like ours. Such actions, if they took place, I told them, would be considered by the King as a direct attack on the crown.” F earing that the military were finally running out of patience, Adolfo Suarez resigned on January 29th, 1981, in order to placate them. But while Parliament was meeting to confirm the appointment of Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo as his successor on February 23rd, just after 6 pm groups of Guardia Civil stormed into the chamber through its several entrances, fired shots into the ceiling, where the bullet holes can still be seen, and declared the military had taken over. In fact, only Valencia had been taken by General Milans de Bosch, while the King was in the Zarzuela Palace ringing all the military posts in the rest of the country to demand their allegiance to himself and Parliament. T he King finally appeared on TV – in full uniform – at 1.15 am to condemn the attempted coup in no uncertain terms and to this day, his critics still maintain that the few hours delay between the start of the coup and his address to the nation indicate he was in on it then changed his mind. I n a programme about the coup attempt on RTVE last Sunday, former Communist leader Santiago Carrillo – who was in parliament when the Civil Guards burst in – put it very succinctly: If the King had been in on the coup it would have ended successfully ten minutes after it started and you (the interviewer) and I would not be sitting here talking about it. T he outcome of the botched coup was that the Spanish people finally understood just how valuable their fragile democracy was - and the military finally understood that they would never tolerate another dictatorship. oday, a lot of people across Spain will be asking: Where were you during the coup attempt 30 years ago? I had just come home from classes at the university in the US, and just turned on television for my nightly dose of the CBS Evening News. (CNN wasn’t around then.) It was the lead story – a surprising switch for a national newscast in the United States where 90 per cent of coverage was, and still is, geared toward domestic issues. In one of his last news broadcasts before retiring weeks later, veteran anchor Walter Cronkite announced the coup attempt and showed viewers the now-famous video of Civil Guard Lt. Col. Antonio Tejero firing his gun in the air inside Parliament while Adolfo Suárez refuses to duck under his seat like the rest of the lawmakers. I n Spain , El País had a special role on that day. It probably was one of the best roles for any newspaper to play during times of national emergencies. The daily was only four years old and, the same as Spanish democracy, was still treading uncharted waters. But it had by then gained a reputation as a hard-hitting, leftleaning paper, employing liberal journalists, many of whom returned from exile to help reconstruct a modern country. It was also becoming a thorn in the side for the traditional conservative sectors, including for some in the military. M ost Spaniards found out through radio about the violent interruption in Parliament on February 23rd, 1981. Radio Nacional and SER both had reporters in the gallery who were on the air live covering the vote count for Calvo Sotelo as new prime minister. So when Tejero’s screaming and subsequent shots rang out, listeners were given a startling shot of radio at its rawest until the transmissions were cut off and replaced by music. Many newspaper editors were following the event through the airwaves but, like the rest of the country, they had no clear clue as to what was happening. It took a few phone calls to well-connected sources for them to find out. A t El País, publisher Jesús Polanco and his then-editor Juan Luis Cebrián were debating with the reporters in the newsroom whether to come out with a special edition, one that would go out on the streets immediately telling Spaniards about the coup attempt and asking them to support the Constitution and democracy. It was nearly 7pm. One source had told Cebrián that a military contingent was on its way to Madrid precisely to take over the newspaper’s installations, as they had earlier at the RTVE Prado del Rey studios in Pozuelo, outside Madrid . B elieving that he could rally other newspapers to strengthen the message, Cebrián telephoned his counterpart at Diario 16, Pedro J. Ramirez, the now irascible conservative editor at El Mundo, who told him he had neither the manpower nor the resources to come out with a special edition. As Cebrián recalled in an account published last Sunday: “At the time I thought what they really didn’t have were the balls and I told him so, but not in those words.” T he decision was made quickly and the El País staff began to work on what would be the first of several editions that day. With no photographs yet available, El País editors decided to use a solemn drawing of the Congress building on the front page with just three words in bold letters “Golpe de Estado.” Below was an editorial written by journalist Javier Pradera under a subhead: “El País (The Country) is with the Constitution.” It no doubt was intended as a less-than subtle double-meaning: the entire “country” as well as the newspaper upholds democracy. T he special edition was out by 8:30pm, just two hours after the coup began. Because none of the kiosks were opened by that time, it was decided to deliver a batch of newspapers to the Palace Hotel, where the military commanders and police loyal to the King had set up headquarters, and where journalists gathered to cover the event. El País was the only paper out on the street during the early hours of the emergency – a coup within a coup. The newspapers also made it to Paliament where Tejero and his men were holed up with their lawmakerhostages. The coup leader appeared dejected when he read the special edition, according to witnesses who were watching him. “ The editors and workers at El País only did what we are expected to do: give our readers the news and to be able to comment freely about it,” says Cebrián. Although the situation seemed under control when King Juan Carlos appeared on television asking the military to return to their barracks, the siege was far from over. The following day thousands took to the streets of Madrid in support of constitutional order. The coup had failed. WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the “THE NEWS”WANTS TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS Community Chinese New Year with Britsoc The scene was set as Villa Luisa in Benalmadena Pueblo was transformed into a Chinese Restaurant with lanterns, calendars depicting the zodiac symbols, New Year messages written in Chinese and tables covered in traditional red and gold with flower decorations in pink cherry blossom. Resident chef Terry prepared a magnificent banquet with a variety of tempting starters followed by choices from the banqueting table, for more than 50 members and guests. Music was provided by Ricky Lavazza and after the raffle guests danced the night away. For further information about joining the British Society or to read about forthcoming events please consult the website at www.britsocietyspain.com, e-mail britsoc@hotmail .com or telephone Alan Peel on 952 590 795. LIBER LIBERTYINSURANCE TYINSURANCE Is there something happening locally that you would like our readers to know about? Is your society or organization planning a fundraiser or special event? Contact us on [email protected] Restaurant owner to Ian Taylor Excellent auction rare wine for speaks results Cudeca funds With top of the range vintage wines fetching huge sums at auction, Sandro Morelli, the owner of Marbella’s Villa Tiberio, has decided now is the time to raffle one of the rarest, and most expensive, bottles in his cellar in aid of Cudeca. The 1973 Romanée-Conti Grand Cru will be auctioned during a charity gala to be held at his restaurant on Sunday, March 6th. from the Domaine of Romanée Conti.” Sandro said that Cudeca was an incredible organisation which he supported. “However beautiful this bottle of wine may be, the profits of its sale might wipe away some tears,” he added. Joan Hunt, the President and Founder of Cudeca, was delighted by the news. There will be a raffle and entertainment throughout the evening, with singing from the renowned group Tres Divos, A Touch Of Class and Julie Anne Hunter, all singing themes from the West End musicals plus DJ Rob will provide some classics for those keen dancers. Signed and numbered, the wine will go under the hammer at a starting price of 4,200 euros. Such is the demand for wines from this prestigious vineyard, Specialist wine magazine Decanter considers that “Among the 100 wines which it is necessary to taste before dying, three of the ten first would come For further information, please call 952 771 799. Ian Taylor, former MP for Esher and Walton, is to be the after dinner speaker at the Costa del Sol Conservatives Abroad function on Friday March 4th. Ian was a Member of Parliament for Esher and Walton for 22 years and retired last year. The one-time government minister is actively involved as Trustee of the charity 'Centre of the Cell', a children's interactive bioscience centre to be housed within Bart's and The London, Queen Mary's Medical School, Vice President of The Princess Alice Hospice and a Patron of the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice. Tickets are available for the event from Juliet Butterworth on 952 565 777 or 666 434 839. Lauro Golf Bowls Club members put on a good show at the Belplaya Open last week. Terry Morgan, Claire Dye and Margaret Bicknell reached the final of the Mixed Trips followed by Jenny and Stuart Parkin winning the Pairs Runners -up Plate competition. Several other teams made progress through the early stages making the club’s presence felt. The club will be celebrating its second birthday in the coming weeks and are building its reputation as a club to be reckoned with in the competition stakes throughout the region. Z Car Z Home Z Life Z Accidents Z Leisure Leisure Z Commercial Commerrcial cial THIS THIS IS INSURANCE INSURANCE THIS IS NOT INSURANCE you’r e pr epared for the worst, but You Y ou may think yo you’re prepared ar e you rreally eally pr otected? Don’ are protected? Don’tt take risks, make sur e you also have adequate insurance cover for sure the unexpected. Spain’ s leading expatriate insur er Spain’s insurer can give you the insurance you need and the SUR ll your Call r broker fo a quote today! A service you expect at a price that’ s right. that’s E SPE Because you never ever know know. w.. Visit V isit www.libertyseguros.es/expatriates/en www.libertyseguros.es/expatriates/en for the name and number of your nearest nearest broker broker WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es “THe NewS”wANTS To HeAr Your VIewS Send letters to the editor as part of an e-mail text to [email protected] Kelly Thirlwell C.H.A.I.N. As readers know, CHAIN and SOS animal refuge do a lot of work catching the many stray cats along the Costa and neutering them. near their homes. This gives us an opportunity to step in and carry out the neutering a great help in curbing the ever growing cat population. But to carry out the work we have had to invest in cat traps. Both charities have been happy to respond in the past to pleas for help from people who have needed to borrow the traps to catch stray cats in their gardens or But through your letters column, may I and SOS’s Tony Byford make a plea for the return of cat traps that we have loaned out to people. We understand how easy it is to forget about returning them to us but, of course, as Peter Nelson upright freezers. David Doohan, the store manager who has spent two years in Javier in the north of Spain, said that it had been a very successful opening day and he was very happy that the In the past we have had to travel from Banus and Estepona either to the Iceland in Fuengirola which admittedly is a great store, or down to Gibraltar to Morrison’s. So, on their opening day I had in my basket a couple of loaves of English white (plastic) bread, a bottle of Marmite, a jar of Chivers orange marmalade, a big box of PG Tips, some lovely pork sausages with no spices to go with my English mashed potatoes and a tub of Bisto Gravy granules. Oh yes, I nearly forgot, a great big box of Readybrek for my breakfasts. The shop isn’t as big as the Fuengirola one but everybody that I have spoken to says that they love the fact that, at last, it is open and we shall all be shopping more often and without having to waste petrol travelling so far. Editor says: I too went to their opening day and spoke to Beverley Janes Thank you so much to The News for your recent reporting about the horrendous state of the Acequia road on La Carreta. It has been impossible to drive along it with any sort of A big thank you goes to all those people who have continued to help both charities. Marbella How marvellous it is to have the new Iceland store open in Puerto Banus! Why do we do this? Because although we have been here almost twenty years and wouldn’t go back to the UK to live, speak fluent Spanish and are happy to eat Spanish food most of the time, we still miss our British home comforts. charities, we just haven’t got the money to go out and buy new ones. So if anyone has got one of our cat traps tucked away in their garage or wherever, can they give me a call on 672 399 323 or contact Tony on 635 987 680 so we can arrange to collect them. various customers. Elaine Ossatian from Elviria said;:“It’s fantastic. You can get everything you miss from home - even potato cakes that I can’t get anywhere else.” Jan Keen, who has lived in Marbella for 25 years, said: “I used to have to rely on other people for a lift to do my big shops and then, when I got home, had nowhere to store it all so this is marvellous. I can get here for €1 on the bus, door to door, so I will be shopping every other day now.” Lee from Cancelada said:“I used to do the big shop in Fuengirola for all the Brit Bits but this is much more convenient for people that live in and around Marbella and Estepona.” Martin and Jackie, who have been in Estepona for 10 years, said; “ It’s very nice to have the new store.” The new Iceland store has 400 square metres of floor space and they have maximised the space they have by using torrential rain had not put people off. He added that the feedback from customers had been very positive as did Jane and Regina, who help you through the tills. You will be able to pick up your copy of The News from the store every Wednesday as well! Coin safety in recent months due to the 9” deep potholes that have just one tyre width between them meaning that, however careful you were you couldn’t fail to go down them. However, as I was going out last Saturday, the road had been scraped by a JCB not perfect but so much better. Now all they need to do is fix the top road in line with council promises. Stargazing By Ken Campbell If you would like to be kept up to date or take part in any of the events then go to www.kencampbell.info Solar flares You may have seen on TV news last week that the Sun emitted a giant solar flare that was headed our way. But what exactly does this mean? I’ve mentioned before that the Sun is a star, just like all the other stars in the sky. It is a giant ball of mainly hydrogen that was born about 5 billion years ago. It is now about half way through its life and in about another 5 billion years time it will eventually die, it’s a long way off so nothing much to worry about there then. The Sun is not burning; it’s not ‘on fire’. What makes the Sun hot is the reaction that is taking place deep down near the centre where the heat and pressure is so great that two atoms of hydrogen are combining to make one atom of helium in a process called nuclear fusion. When fusion occurs a massive amount of energy is released. This fusion is happening billions of times per second and the energy released gradually makes its way to the surface of the Sun in the form of heat, light and magnetic radiation. Sometimes the magnetic radiation becomes very intensely localized and creates darker areas on the Sun called sunspots. The energy then bursts out from the sunspot but is usually pulled back in toward the Sun creating a huge loop stretching many thousands of miles away from the Sun. Occasionally these loops are so huge that as they spew out into space then instead of looping back toward the Sun they snap like a rubber band stretched too far and then the energy contained in them flies off into outer space at speeds usually in the range of a million miles per hour. They are then called a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). CMEs can fly off in any direction but last Tuesday February 15th a particularly big one just happened to be aimed directly at the Earth. As the CME is travelling at a million miles per hour then it takes about 93 hours or about 4 days to reach us and last Friday and Saturday the Earth was bombarded by this energy sent from the Sun. You probably didn’t notice much happening but these CMEs can have devastating effects on electronic equipment and electrical power lines. Aircraft navigation can be disrupted and satellites, including the International Space Station, can be knocked out. Luckily we had advance warning of the approaching CME and precautions were put into place to protect very vulnerable equipment. What we did see though was a spectacular display of the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. These ribbons of multi coloured light displays can be seen on most clear nights in very north or south regions of the world and are caused by the solar wind of energy that normally sprays out from the Sun on a daily basis. As the solar wind reaches the Earth it is channelled like a huge bar magnet toward the Magnetic North and South Poles of the Earth. Here it reacts with the gases in the very upper reaches of the atmosphere like a neon light. Last week’s CME caused the lights to be seen as far South as the UK Midlands. Scientists believe that we are in for a lot more of these CMEs over the next year or two as the Sun reawakens from a relatively quiet period when there was almost no sunspot activity at all. Last week’s CME was eventually down graded to a medium strength so we’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for us. WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 news Your outlook on the World OUT & the ABOUT Your weekly entertainment Guide InsIde thIs week new owners for Leslie’s Bistro double bill for tAPAs new Café in Alhaurin el Grande Fantastic tourist attraction - once it’s finished! Heart stopping walk will be at the centre of the tourist must-do map Written by Andrea MacLean It’s been described as the scariest walk in the world – but to call it a walk does not do it justice as one of the most heart stopping activities undertaken by those adrenaline junkies who love to live on the edge of danger. M illions have already put themselves into the walking boots of the fearless few extreme sport and thrill seekers and sent themselves heartthumpingly dizzy without having to risk life and limb. All they have had to do is put El Caminito del Rey in a search engine and scroll though the YouTube videos posted by those brave, or mad, enough to take their lives into their hands. T he famous walkway is just 50 kilometres from Malaga, and clings to the side of the breath taking Los Gitanos Gorge, overlooking the El Chorro Reservoir. It’s just one metre wide, three kilometres long, and a dizzying 100 metres above the gorge and river and over the years it has claimed a number of lives. That’s because this scary catwalk, once described as one of the wonders of Spain, fell into disrepair and has dramatically deteriorated over the years. T he walkway was officially closed in 2000 after accidents led to the deaths of four people, but extreme thrill seekers have defiantly continued to make their way across the unsafe structure and it has continued to claim victims. Startling YouTube videos show people clambering across steel spikes used to hold up the now non-existent original path. The fearless climbers cling to the rock while holding a camcorder in one hand to record their perilous journey. A video posting from just a few months ago triumphantly proclaims that the footage is in HD and reveals just how terrifying the route is. B ut all this is about to change. Later this year plans to renovate and repair this amazing trail will finally get under way, and 8 million euros has been allocated by the Provincial Government and the Junta de Andalucia to finance what will be one of the most complex of repair projects – and that will bring to an end the activities of those folk with nerves of steel prepared to defy gravity. T he work is expected to take up to three years and phase two will include a visitors centre and a small museum explaining the history of the hydro- electric plant built in the area. The provincial government has long wanted to revitalise the trail, which is found in one of the best known natural settings in Malaga province and has provided a startling backdrop for movies like Von Ryan’s Express, starring Frank Sinatra, and Robert de Niro’s The Bridge of San Luis Rey. It’s an area already popular with tourists but once the trail is renovated tourist chiefs believe it will add real value to tourism in the Ardales region, and be a key plank in their plans to put inland Spain firmly on the tourist must-see map. One part of the project may include the reintroduction of the local railway. he walkway was constructed as a part of the hydroelectric works T –it’s believed to have been built in 1905 to provide a link for workers making their way between the hydroelectric plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls. When the dam was inaugurated in 1921 King Alfonso XIII walked across it – and that’s how it got its name...walkway of the king. Now, no way were the authorities about to risk the life of the King and although the walkway may have only been one metre wide it was soundly built with a handrail. Even so, the King presumably had a good head for heights. T he area has always been popular with rock climbers and there are plenty of routes and different grades of difficulty in the gorge. But you don’t have to be a climber or thrill seeker to enjoy the area because it is home too to the Lake District area of Malaga Province and plenty of families head here to enjoy wonderful views and to find a quiet spot to sunbathe and swim. A nd when the King’s Walkway is finished it will provide an amazing opportunity to safely step along a pathway that has a historic importance in this area of natural beauty. wEDnEsDay, February 23rd 2011 FREE ENTRY* Shows start at 9.30pm. Open all day. Chocolate Monday & Thursday Quiz Night Tuesday & Wednesday Live Football from 8:45pm Friday Siobhan - female vocalist from Dublin Fun for all ages Saturday Night Life - comedy vocal duo Not to be missed!! Sunday “Mr Blue Eyed Soul” Danny Stone Wednesday 23rd Alex Avery Thursday 24th Lesley Harrison Friday25th Kevin “Copper Nitrate” Saturday 26th Mad Terry Sunday 27th Karaoke with Natalie Munroe from 3pm then Adele Lee Peters & Talent Contest start at 8.30pm Monday 28th Terri Fox followed by Natalie Monroe -after midnight Tuesday 29th Feb Jordana + Cher tribute Karaoke from midnight every night with Mad Terry ‘Copper’ Nitrate & Tommo Banana SPECIAL OFFER! 8oz entrecôte steak with all trimmings & bottle Rioja - only €20 per couple Terry @ Buz ad “LIVE” by’ s Plaza de Remo La Carihuela Torremolinos M EL MOJITO newer and greater heights. Mike said: “I plan to grow the business by continuing and improving the existing levels of service and value for money. Jane, our American chef, will continue to produce imaginative and exciting dishes with new menus out and get 2 soft drinks for free with take away # % soon. I also have a plan for the refurbishment of the whole restaurant. I look forward to meeting existing and new customers over the coming months.” Leslie's first major event is an 007 James Bond Dinner and Cabaret on Friday March 25th, that is proving to be very popular, so book now for a great night out. For more information on up-and-coming events and to book your table, call Leslie s on 952 112 123 or go to www.lesliesbistro.com av antonio Machado benalmadena tel.: 645404911 nEwEst bistro CafE Serving a selection of freshly prepared snacks, sandwiches, wraps, baps and baguettes, paninis jacket potatoes, pizza, burgers. 3 Course lunch Menu. €10. 50 3 Course Evening Menu €12. 50 full a la Carte Menu available All day breakfast and traditional cooked meals Also BAr El rio The Home of Fish and Chips Cafe 119 experience Early Bird Special Monday to Saturday until 6pm - Fish Chips and Mushy Peas, Bread and Butter plus a free drink only €4.95pp Sunday Roast Lunch for €5.95pp from 12 noon Chris The Dish: 667 842 359 John The Fish: 678 292 792 2nd street behind Yaramar Hotel, Los Boliches Visit us at www.los-boliches.es Tickets for the raffle are just €1 and all proceeds will be going to the children of Malaga’s orphanage. Now re-opened for you to enjoy their usual high standard of service and food Alhaurin el Grande’s EvErything availablE for takEaway 12 NOON ‘TIL 10PM There will also be a raffle with prizes such as a CD player, media products, bottles of bubbly and wines plus many more. rEstAurAntE El rio CASA KON-TIKI OPEN ALL DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK 1st prize is €100 plus a recording session at Rox Studio and publicity from The News to boost your new career as a singer. %" Café now open 8pm ‘til late for late night snacks LIVEIC MUS Mad Terry@Buzby’s in Benalmadena Costa kick off their talent contest this Sunday, February 27th, starting at 8.30pm and entrance is free. Call Mad Terry to enrol on 645 404 911 or just pop along and enter. For fantastic tapas, drinks, raciones and typical Spanish specialities Come and enjoy the Open 12.00 noon till 4.30 / 7.00 till late (Closed Sundays and Monday lunchtime) Daily from 9am Open Sunday 10am 952 664 311 - 691 406 453 952 497 188 Calle Francisco Cano, 60, Los Boliches, Fuengirola Calle Gerald Brenan 89 Alhaurin El Grande " ! BARS & RESTAURANTS... GOT AN EVENT OR SPECIAL OFFER? ADVERTISE IT! CALL GEOFF AT THE NEWS 622 050 409 wEDnEsDay, February 23rd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the CAPS March events CAPS is a non profit making organisation that tries to help different charities along the coast, from Cudeca to Aspendan. The club meets every Wednesday morning at 11am at the El Paraiso country club for coffee and members have various events planned for March so dates for the diary are as follows: Tuesday 8th: coach trip to Fuengirola market and Mijas; Friday 18th: quiz night and Supper and Grumbles; Saturday19th: President’s dinner at El Paraiso; Friday 25th: trip to Salon Varietes theatre; Tuesday 29th: scenic coach Trip to Grazalema and Zahara. If you need any further information on these events contact Pat Ashton on 951 272 808 or Mary Erlich on 952 896 820. Fresh fare as new café - bistro opens in Alhaurin el Grande Double bill from TAPAS From Friday March 4th to Sunday March 6th T.A.P.A.S. will be putting on David Tristram s hilarious double bill. “Last Tango in Little Grimley” tells the story of Little Grimley Amateur Dramatic Society, who are in deep trouble. The membership has dwindled to four - the audiences aren't much bigger - and if they don't come up with some rent money soon, they're going to be thrown out. "There's only one thing that sells tickets these days" argues Gordon the Chairman. "Sex!" Thus begins the chaotic and hilarious build-up to an evening of extraordinary home-grown drama - an evening the locals would JK’s This Week ! Monday & Thursday Belly Dancing 10.30am €5 per session Wednesdays 8.30pm Bingo - jackpot €400 Quiz - jackpot €120 Fri 25th February Mad Terry Saturday 26th Feb. Auction Sunday Trip to the races for the Mijas Cup More info:654 396 651 [email protected] never forget! After the success of their previous show, the Little Grimley Amateur Dramatic Society move to a new level with “Last Panto in Little Grimley” which sees Gordon, Margaret, Joyce and Bernard tackle the Christmas pantomime with predictably hilarious results. Lee Lingwood directs an excellent cast with Andy Busby, Liz Haigh, Sue Broadway and Roger Storey. On Friday or Saturday evening’s performance you can enjoy a one course supper which is included in the price or, if you prefer an afternoon performance, there’s the popular Sunday matinee. Call the Box Office on 635 293 714 to book your tickets. LI NEL E’S DELI Take Away Home Cooking and Catering Scandinavian and International Specialities Tel: 951 319 439 Aloha Gardens, next to El Jardin. Avda Del Prado Nueva Andalucia Open Mon-Fri 9.00am - 8.00pm [email protected] indian Delight FINE INdIAN CUISINE WE WELCOME YOU TO COIN’S NEWEST INDIAN RESTAURANT speciAl 4 cOurse €10.9090 2 cOurse €6. LUNCH MENU OPEN EVERY DAY Free bottle house wine with every 4 evening meals! Monday 18.30 - 23.30 Tuesday / Sunday 13.00 16.00 / 18.30 - 23.30 Free easy parking available RESERVATIONS 952453745 / 610317980 Calle Maria Zambrano, 7 - 29100 Coin MALAGA Café 119 at Calle Gerald Brennan, 89, Alhaurin el Grande opened last week as people flocked through the doors to sample the wonderfully fresh fare that this new café / bistro has to offer. As we stepped inside we were greeted with champagne and canapes the variety of which would make Harrods or Harvey Nick’s jealous. Owner Cathryn Tinnion, who used to run the Café Los Nebrales, has been looking for exactly the right premises for her new café for some time. She has totally refurbished the café (formerly known as Picnics) and with her twenty years experience in the catering industry (the name Café 119 comes from the café she started in Nailsea, near Bristol which is still a success today) you can be assured of top quality food from fresh ingredients daily for the discerning palate, at reasonable prices. take-away too! There’s also jacket potatoes and paninis, sandwiches and a wonderful Sunday Roast every week. Cakes on offer while we were there included coffee cake, carrot and orange, chocolate fudge, a fabulously light banoffi that we just had to sample (there goes the diet again!) plus lemon meringue pie, all from €1.20 a slice. Milk shakes, frappés and smoothies along with great coffee are all available so why not pop along of an afternoon for a cake and coffee - you won’t be disappointed. We also sampled the pork in paprika - which was a smooth and velvety sauce with top quality chunks of melt in the mouth pork. Café 119 will definitely be on our list of stop-off points after a day’s shopping or for an evening out from now on. Café 119 is fully licensed and can offer outside catering for your buffets, parties etc so you can put your feet up and enjoy your event with someone else doing the hard work. Call 952 597 188 to book your table or take-away. By Kym Wickham With an extensive menu including such delights as Gammon steaks, Entrecôte steaks, Scampi dishes, fish and chips, plus daily specials to choose from, plus a huge variety from the salad bar, everything on the menu is available for MUMTAZ MAHAL Indian Restaurante Come and enjoy the best of Indian cuisine in our newly refurbished airconditioned restaurant or dine on our fabulous terrace Menu del Dia 3 courses €9,95 QUALITY GOLF At Reduced Green Fees Available NOW at Lauro golf Free home delivery with orders over €25.00 2 Green Fees and a buggy €105, 5 & 7 day unlimited golf, Golf breaks in luxury accommodation on the golf course... OPEN 7 DAYS plus many more options available NEW 2011 MENU WITH PRICES REDUCED BY UP TO 10 & 15% Take-away service Lunch 1.30 - 4.00pm Dinner 7.00 - 12.00pm Urb. El Rodeo, Coin 952 455 599 626 977 224 MR. JEEVES Bingo Most Evenings 9.30pm All Sports Shown Offering you the best meNu deL dIA on the coast HOUSE BEER €1 A PINT SAN MIGUEL €1.50 A PINT! SAN MIGUEL & MAHOU BOTTLES €1 A BOTTLE GOOD PUB GRUB! The Village Inn only 8,50 8,50 Traditional home-made Spanish food. Why cook at home ?! OPeN every dAy FrOm 10Am Carib Playa, Opposite OpenCor, km 196, N340 952 835 731 Call 661 114 070 for more details La Risa @ Lauro Golf saturday 12th March Carribean night with authentic 3 course menu €15 saturday 26th february 10am - 2pm ladies indoor Market - stalls include home-made cakes - all welcome sunday lunch served from 1pm new: whole lamb shoulder for 2 persons €5 supplement - pre-booking required Mondays: new two course menu €7.50 st Patrick’s - superb 3 course meal at €15pp saturday 19th March from 7:30pm For further details of all these events and our new winter opening times call us on 660 350 896 or pop into the bar. On the road between Alhaurin el Grande & Alhaurin de la Torre Across From the Clubhouse Reservations: 660 350 896 MOVIES TO WATCH OUT FOR MOVIE SPOTLIGHT Focus on Spanish ﬁlm email: [email protected] web: www.coinlife.info BY IVAN REITMAN Starring Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher L ast year I became a big fan of the Spanish pop group Macaco and their hit song ‘Moving’. The track was adopted by the National Geographic Channel as their theme tune for Earth Day in 2009 and an all star cast chipped in to help the funky video along. A A A s well as Spanish uberactor Javier Bardem, the video also featured music sensation Juanes, Spanish pop star Bebe and a balding Spanish actor called Javier Cámera. This is an “adult” comedy, so don’t take the kids, in which Emma (Portman) and Adam (Kutcher) are life-long friends who run the risk of ruining their friendship by falling into bed with each other after a party. To protect their friendship they make a “no strings attached” pact. So they can continue to be “friends with benefits” but there is to be no jealousy, no expectations, and definitely no falling in love. One thing is for sure, this rom-com won’t be putting any more awards on Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominated Portman’s mantlepiece. The Black Swan actress obviously reckoned it was time for a bit of light relief from the rigours of filming the dark ballet psycho drama. So, the premise is – can you have sex without love getting in the way? And can friendship survive this pressure? And just how many of us will actually care? Some critics reckon its already doomed to be on the “worst movies of 2011” list. Others reckon it’s inoffensive and quite enjoyable so you takes your pick. And if you like the amiable Ashton Kutcher then maybe it’s a movie for you. Of course, the big question is – does love conquer all? Well, what do you think.... MOVIE NEWS East is East was a funny comedy-drama about a large Anglo-Pakistani family living in Salford and drew heavily on the writer’s own life. Released in 1999, it was the most successful fully funded British movie ever and became a huge wordof-mouth box office hit – now, audiences will finally get the chance to find out what happened next when the sequel, West is West, opens in British cinemas next week. Writer Khan-Din has lived in a quiet area outside Granada, Spain, for some years. He and his actress wife –who appeared in the BBC flop Eldorado – moved there after falling in love with the country. It’s taken him 12 years to come up with the sequel, and who knows, he may be up to finishing off the story by turning it into a trilogy – with the final part called Never The Twain Shall Meet – in keeping with the Rudyard Kipling poem. In East is East, set in 1971, George (Genghis) Khan (Om Puri) has seven children by his English “wife” Ella (Linda Bassett). He is determined that the kids are raised as traditional Muslims – and no film lover will ever forget the hilarious scene when one of the boys is introduced to the ugly sisters sat perched on the settee as his father plans an arranged marriage. But the kids are Salford born and bred and have different ideas and it is the culture clash that leads to such hilarious comedy moments. The sequel is set 5 years later. George decides to take his 15-year-old youngest son to Pakistan. The boy has been getting into trouble and George wants to introduce him to his cultural heritage in a bid to stave off trouble. But it’s George himself who has to face up to the consequences of his own actions as he comes face to face with the wife and daughters he abandoned 30 years earlier when he left for Britain. Again, the script draws heavily on Khan-Din’s own life, and takes a close look at how cultures can collide – one to watch out for. I was intrigued to find out more about Javi Cámera, so I Googled him and started to note down some of the films he has starred in since his first one in 1990. In the last couple of weeks I have watched two of his films and they are both very funny and it’s easy to see why he has been nominated five times for a Goya, the Spanish equivalent of an Oscar. J avi Cámera has a very natural and credible screen presence. He plays on his middle of the road looks to create characters that you can really connect with. I n ‘Fuera de Carta’ (2008), he plays Maxi, a manic, gay, perfectionist chef who lives for the day he will receive his first Michelin star. Suﬀering for his art, Maxi tries to inspire culinary excellence in his oddball team of employees but with drink, drugs, pregnancy and boyfriend troubles being just a few of the burdens they bear, they are not an altogether reliable bunch. East is East becomes West is West Ayub Khan-Din, actor and writer, crafted a movie that was to become one of the most successful and best loved British films of all time. By Ricky Leach H CInEMaS SHOwInG FILMS In EnGLISH To ﬁnd out the times and location online, go to www.entradas.com, click on Malaga, go to Cine and on drop down list select “Cartelera V.O.” and click on ﬁlm poster Malaga - Plaza Mayor: 902 902 103 Fuengirola - Parque Miramar: 952 198 600 Marbella - Gran Marbella: 952 810 077 Velez Malaga - C.C. El Ingenio: 902 221 622 please check times with the cinema direct is Maitre D’ is a voluptuous man eater called Alexandra who suﬀers endless rejection from a stream of unsuitable lovers. When a handsome and famous young Argentine footballer called Horacio Pereti moves into the flat across from Maxi, Alex thinks she has finally found Mr Right. A round the same time, Maxi receives a call to say his estranged ex-wife has died and his two children will now be moving in with him. Bitter at what they see as their father’s rejection of them when they were younger, the children give Maxi a hard time about how he left their mother and why they have to live with him. s Maxi tries to push the footballer in Alex’s direction, everything turns upside down for Maxi as the dashing hunk declares he is not interested in the beautiful and willing Alex, it’s the tubby, balding, middle aged, gay chef that he wants. s Maxi starts his aﬀair with this rich, famous footie star, he has to hide the truth of his relationship from Alex, who is becoming increasingly frustrated that her beguiling womanly eﬀorts seem to be wasted on Horacio. A dd into this mix the fact that the young hero does not want people to know he’s gay and obviously everyone finds out. Poor Horacio ends up coming out unintentionally on the Spanish equivalent of Match of the Day. F uera de Carta, or Chef’s Special in English, is a very funny, sweet film that has a happy ending. T orremolinos 73 (2003) is also funny but in a much darker and more cautionary way. Door to door encyclopaedia salesman Alfredo López is on his way down. Trudging from apartment block to apartment block and facing the daily round of ‘No thank you’s and slammed doors, he is falling behind with his rent and is unable to provide for his pretty young wife Candela. Then Alfredo’s boss suggests that the young couple could earn big money for filming their own ‘nature’ films on a hand held Super 8 camera. Initially Candela is unsure of the idea but with a little coaxing, a lot of cash plus the hope of conceiving a child through the nonstop sexual activity required to keep the cameras going, eventually she comes around to the idea. As the couple start to be able to aﬀord a colour TV and fur coats, Candela becomes more and more fixated on becoming pregnant, until things come to a head when she discovers that Alfredo is shooting blanks. Unaware of the situation, Alfredo ploughs on with his plan to make a real movie in Torremolinos, the outcome of which is hijacked by his porn baron boss and Candela, each getting what they want from the project. WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the July 23rd August 22nd VIRGO Being more of a leader can sometimes find you at odds when it comes to working as a team. At the moment you will achieve more if you can start to think as a “team” and work together with others to achieve your aims. Your financial instincts are right on the button but you will need help from others to put your plans into action. Dreams are set to become reality and allowing others to use their creativity will help to set it all into motion. This week you need to be ultra sharp and ask all the right questions as someone may have an eye on something you own. Being calm and controlled will allow the truth to reveal itself. Wealth and abundance is on its way and the way to achieve this is to focus on the details and get them correct. Make sure that you are not so caught up in your own ideals and objectives that you miss the obvious - leave time for rest and relaxation. If you want someone not to notice something the best way is to create a distraction. A loud noise created in the opposing direction should do it. You are likely to feel glad that you made certain adjustments a while ago and those decisions have stood you in good stead now. Several fascinating discoveries will be stumbled across over the coming week and if you are open to possibilities then the world becomes your oyster. Are you starting to run out of steam, is your fuel tank low and the warning light flickering? You are a great helper but now is the time to let someone help you. Delegate where possible, prioritise and do not try to do all that needs doing in one day. Slow down and work on securing your financial future - this is a time for taking action but first you need to check things out to realise the full implications of your actions and the results that those actions could create. Leading by example is what you do well and others will be looking to you for guidance and direction. Avoid the temptation of being all things to all people, scattering your energies and leaving you feeling worn out. Right now you have what everyone wants and needs so you will be required to think on your feet and problem solve. Leave the theories behind and focus on what works and what doesn’t. The high road is calling you. This is a social time for you when your powers of attraction and magnetism are high. Romance usually follows and your circle of friends expands. You are a jack of all trades at the moment - turning your hand to almost anything is not an issue for you. The pace of life is speeding up and it may be diﬃcult for you to focus in on one thing. Do not let minor aggravations or annoyances get to you - just make sure you take some time out for yourself. LIBRA Not all things happen in the way we think they will, many projects don’t end up working out how we have planned them. This week prepare to be taken out of your comfort zone when an x factor causes a change in direction. The need to be adaptable is crucial here, while at the same time making sure that your wants and needs are also considered. If you see these sudden changes September 23rd - as an opportunity you will be surprised at how quickly one thing leads to nd October 22 another and fortune shines down on you. SCORPIO October 23rd November 21st Do you feel disjointed? Like an outsider looking in at your life, even in a crowd that you know well, you could feel alone. Very little could feel right and you certainly would not feel settled, it is like being on the edge of the unusual. Basically you are on the brink of change, some emotional connections are in the process of transforming and you are not sure where you sit with them. Don’t question this feeling; just find within yourself a place where you can trust the outcome. SAGITTARIUS You and another are just not singing from the same page, in fact you are not even singing from the same hymn sheet - that doesn’t mean you cannot find another type of song to sing though. You are meant to speak up and be direct so make sure your voice and opinions are heard and perhaps you can move forward in sync. There is more going on around you than meets the eye - more than ever nd November 22 - communicating with others is vital to allow you to see the full force of a situation. st December 21 CAPRICORN Stop the worrying, Capricorn. If you are struggling to get to grips to understand someone or a situation then stop the struggling, put it on the back burner and it will happen. You do not have to shout to get attention or win approval as you have more friends and admirers than you realise. All you have to be is yourself. While managing high levels of responsibility it is essential that you December 22nd find ways to make you feel good. A little self nurturing will go a long way. January 19th AQUARIUS PISCES February 19th March 20th You may be feeling progressively more and more the reality of how rare it is to find someone wired liked you. You may search a lifetime and end up only being able to count on one hand the number of people you can truly relate to. The thing to bear in mind is it is more important to express your own unique individuality than to be a part of the herd. There are tribe members out there waiting to be found and they are just starting to come out of the woodwork this week. Life is about taking chances. It is far better to speak fully and truthfully than to carry unspoken longings in the recesses of your heart that never reach the ears of those you love. Try not to worry whether you should or should not have done something - do not let those doubts take over, it is all water under the bridge now. Allow room for the new energy that is brewing, new levels of inspiration are finding you, and all because of a little help from your friends. ...you don’t have to be a chef! With the weather starting to improve a little there may an opportunity to sit on the patio in the warming sun with a cup of coﬀee, and what better way than to have a lovely slice of chocolate cake to go with it? Indulgent chocolate cake Ingredients: ● 210gr all-purpose flour ● 400gr white sugar ● 75gr unsweetened cocoa powder ● 2 teaspoons baking soda ● 1 teaspoon baking powder ● 1 teaspoon salt ● 2 eggs ● 250ml strong brewed coﬀee ● 240ml buttermilk if you can get it or single cream ● 120ml vegetable oil ● 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions 1. Preheat oven to 175ºC / 350ºF. Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans or one 9x13 inch pan. 2. In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the centre. 3. Add eggs, coﬀee, cream or buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Batter will be thin. Pour into prepared pans. 4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into centre of the cake comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and finish cooling on a wire rack. Fill and ice as desired. SPANISH Poco a Poco By Valerie Mitchell LESSON by Cathy Stronach Kym’s Kitchen Masculine and Feminine One of the most frequent questions I get about learning Spanish is "Why are some words masculine and some feminine?" Well, there seems to be little logic behind whether a word is masculine or feminine. Un vestido - a dress, is masculine. Why? Well, if a word ends in "o" it is probably masculine but that doesn't explain why. It's just one of those things you have to accept. So most words ending in "o" are masculine and most ending in "a" are feminine. Some common fruits are feminine while the tree that bears them is masculine So we have: Una manzana - an apple But un manzano - an apple tree Una naranja - an orange Un naranjo - an orange tree Una almendra - an almond Un almendro - an almond tree Una cereza - a cherry Un cerezo - a cherry tree If you are referring to a mixed group of people you always use the masculine plural So un niño is a boy una niña a girl but los niños - the children If you say Las niñas you are speaking only about girls. El hermano - the brother La hermana - the sister but los hermanos - the brothers and sisters So if someone asks you ¿Tienes hermanos? they are asking if you have siblings. Carrying on with this logic un padre is a father una madre - a mother, but los padres is the parents Some others you may need El suegro - the father-in-law La suegra - the mother-in-law Los suegros - the parents-in-law El abuelo - the grandfather La abuela - the grandmother Los abuelos - the grandparents. Ya está - that's it Hasta la próxima - Until next time Valerie runs the Centro Idiomas Language School in Coin. Her books, “The First Twelve Shortcuts to Spanish” , “The Second Twelve Shortcuts to Spanish” (€5 each) and “The Verb Book” (€7) are available from The News oﬃce in Coin, Woody’s Cards and Books in Los Boliches, David’s Books in Los Boliches or by email from vjeﬀ[email protected] or call 952 450 747. WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2010 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Contemporary lifestyle and celebrity gossip FASHION SuBo story for the silver screen Well, who would have thought it? Susan Boyle has been a huge success around the world since her appearances on Britain’s Got Talent. Her autobiography sold by the bucket load last year and she performed for the Pope, during his visit to Scotland. And now her rags to riches story is set to be turned into a Hollywood movie starring Oscar winning actress Glenn Close. The Fatal Attraction star has reportedly signed up to star in the biopic charting SuBo’s remarkable life and dramatic rise to fame – her rendition of “I Dreamed A Dream” from Les Miserables, performed at her audition,turned her into a global phenomenon, and set new records for the number of YouTube hits. Apparently Susan had wanted Scottish actress Elaine Smith, who played Rab C Nesbitt’s wife in the television series, to portray her but studio bosses stepped in and insisted on Close. The five times Oscar nominated actress has performed in stage musicals and began her career on Broadway, and she currently stars in the award winning TV series Damages. No word yet though on the search for the actor who will play Britain’s Got Talent mastermind Simon Cowell. Nun spends too much time on Facebook Pope Benedict XVI has said social networking offers a chance to make new friends and to spread the Gospel and has called on Catholics to use the internet in a “Christian way” although there has been no public word from the Vatican on how he feels about the new app “iHave sinned”, that allows Catholics to confess on their iPhone. But one Spanish nun has now fallen foul of new technology, and has been kicked out of her religious order, where she has lived in seclusion for 35 years, for spending too much time on Facebook. Sister Maria Jesús Galén, 54, dubbed “Sister Internet”, had almost 600 Facebook friends and used it last week to announce that she had been asked to leave her Nearly 1,900 invitations have now been sent out for the Royal Wedding – and the message from courtiers is that they are hoping that the invited guests won’t go mad on Twitter during the ceremony. The bulk of the invitations have gone to friends of the couple and people William has met during his charitable work. But the embossed and gilded 8 inch by 6 inch invites also went to 40 crowned heads. So the Spanish Royals will be rubbing shoulders with the Sultan of Oman, the King of Saudi Arabia, the King of Jordan, and the King of Tonga, among others. Clarence House has said that the guest list will not be released before the April 29th ceremony – and this week a spokesman for David and Victoria Beckham refused to confirm or deny their attendance. Earlier speculation that Prince William had wanted the Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to be accompanied by their mother, Sarah Ferguson, now looks wide of the mark. It’s been confirmed that Kate Middleton has asked hat designer Philip Treacy to design head gear for the bridal party. She has been photographed wearing his designs, and it’s believed that she will want to change from her wedding dress into a glamorous outfit with hat for the evening celebrations. But the name of the designer of the wedding dress itself is being kept a state secret. WWW.THEPERFECTWHITETEETH.COM Professional SPECIAL power laser teeth €12OF5FER whitening Saint Isidore of Seville died back in 636 – so it’s not immediately obvious why he is widely considered to be the patron saint of the internet. He was a bishop and scholar who was nominated by the late Pope John Paul II for the role, although it has not been ratified by the Vatican. He famously wrote a 20 book opus in which he recorded all that was known to man at the time and for a thousand years it was considered the encyclopaedia of all human knowledge – so, a bit like the modern day search engines. Apparently the website catholic.org suggests offering a prayer to Saint Isidore before logging on so users can be guided safely through their search. Hats oﬀ to Treacy – but frock still a secret convent in Toledo because of her activities. She now has fan pages with thousands of supporters from around the globe calling for her reinstatement. Her Mother Superior introduced the computer some years ago and Sister Maria won a local government award for her work on computerising the convent’s library – the award made headlines and led to the growth in her Facebook friends. The Church in Toledo has already made its mark in the world of computing – last year a parish priest was removed from his post after it was discovered that he had used the internet to advertise himself as a male prostitute. One treatment, one hour, one dazzling white smile. When you speak your teeth are the first thing people notice! Age, tobacco, staining foods and drinks like coffee, tea, red wine and cola can discolour teeth whose teeth couldn’t do with a bit of maintenance? Advanced whitening products are applied to the teeth, after a full dental dam is applied, this is then activated in stages by the laser unit.The product used is a number one market leader with active desensitizers, so the teeth are not left painful or sensitive as can be the case with other treatments. “The perfect white teeth” treatment not only returns teeth to their natural white state but improves oral health by destroying harmful bacteria found in gingivitis and periodontal disease. Not only will you have a white healthier smile but also clean fresh breath. The treatment is useful for gentlemen who haven't visited the dentist in a while, as it is not undertaken in the confines of the dental chair but in the comfort of the health spa or salon environment. The whole teeth whitening experience takes only one hour and is undertaken by a fully qualifed technician. The treatment is totally painless, non sensitizing and there is no need for a return visit. Contact 608 675 081 for details of outlets along the coast. FEATURES aTop of the range technology aNº 1 market leader product aOne treatment one hour aPower laser unit aImmediate eﬀect aNo side eﬀects aNone sensitizing aPainless aNo damage to teeth or enamel aKills bacteria that causes gum disease aClean fresh breath aLasts 18 months to 5 years WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Health &beauty Zinc eﬀective for common colds study says News - Breakthroughs - Treatments - Trends Negative experiences block painkillers Believing that a drug will not work can become a self fulfilling prophecy, according to researchers at Oxford University. Taking zinc in syrup, tablet or lozenge form can lessen the severity and duration of the common cold, according to a recent study. After reviewing data from 15 trials involving 1,360 people, researchers at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India, found that taking zinc within a day of the onset of cold symptoms speeded recovery. There is no proven treatment for the common cold, but the researchers said zinc medications may help prevent and lessen infections by coating the common cold viruses and stopping them from entering the body through the thin lining of the nose. The researchers said zinc seemed to stop the virus from replicating, at least in laboratory tests, and aided the immune system. It may also reduce the unpleasant reactions the body has to an invading virus. However, they said zinc cannot be used long-term because concerns. of toxicity Excessive amounts can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. They said more work was needed to determine the exact dosing required. A spokesman for the Cochrane Library, which published the study results, said the treatment showed some promise because although there were many over-thecounter cold remedies already available, “we are not awash with things that can stop cold symptoms or greatly reduce their severity”. But a spokesman for the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University, doubted zinc's benefits as a cold treatment in current formulations. He said zinc's toxicity would also be a potential concern if taken over longer periods. 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Also all forms of invigorating massage. and Agua Detox 666 911 071 www.secret-sanctuary.com To show that the benefits of painkillers could be boosted or completely wiped out by manipulating expectations, they applied heat to the legs of 22 patients, who were asked to report the level of pain on a scale of one to 100. Meanwhile, they were administered a drug secretly via an intravenous drip. The initial average pain rating was 66. They were then given a potent painkiller, remifentanil, without their knowledge and the pain score went down to 55. When they were told they were being given a painkiller the score dropped to 39. When, without changing the dose, the patients were told to expect pain because the painkiller had been withdrawn, the score went up to 64. So even though they were being given remifentanil, they reported the same level of pain as when they had been getting no drugs at all. The study was carried out with healthy people who were subjected to pain for a short period of time. The researchers said people with chronic conditions who had tried several drugs for many years without success would have built up a much greater negative experience, which could affect their future healthcare. The researchers also said their findings raise concerns about clinical trials used to determine the effectiveness of drugs: "It's another piece of evidence that we get what we expect in life. It completely blows cold randomised clinical trials, which don't take into account expectation." HAIR, NAILS & BEAUTY All aspects of hairdressing Cutting - Wella Colours - Hi/Lo lights - Perming Sunbed ‘winter specials’ 60mins 25€ - Spray tans Clarins facials from 30€ PAMPER PACKAGES FOR IDEAL GIFTS FROM 55€ Reflexology and Massages from 25€ Manicure / Pedicure The latest Shellac & Foilwrap Minx Nails Teethwhitening also available for special price 125€ Mon - Closed / Tues - Fri 10 - 6.00pm / Sat 10 to 4.00pm Tel: 952 666 787 - Mobile 630 800 572 Are you looking for a good hairdresser? Come and try us. Quality work reasonable prices. Color, cut and style from 30€ HANNA Tricoderm SL • 952 917 126 Bernabé Tierno 3, Edif. Lindamar 2 Street between Paseo Mercadona and Feria 29640 Fuengirola, Malaga WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Take a break TARGET PUZZLE SUDOKU by Papocom Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. With no repeats, that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Level: Level: MEDIUM HARD See how many words of four or more letters you can make from the given nine letters. In making a word each letter may be used only once. The key letter must be used in each word. I C I T NG H S T R DO E R D PME Target 1-5 Poor 6-12 Average 13-19 Good 20-22 Excellent 1-7 Poor 8-15 Average 16-23 Good 24-26 Excellent The following are not allowed: - Words beginning with a capital letter - Words with a hyphen or apostrophe - Plural words ending in “s” The 9-letter word STICHING Across Down 1. Regular news carriers. (5,6) 9. Chest high lanky lad. (7) 10. Unpleasant first flaw. (5) 11. Flinch at bovine hesitation. (5) 12. Travelling gear with which to gauge low German. (7) 13. Deem five hundred and fifty to intervene and apparently receive an award. (6) 15. Morning finishes when these changes are made. (6) 18. Genuine first person regarding things as they are. (7) 20. Move two with reference returned to column. (5) 22. She might be about adequate to stimulate. (5) 23. Bygone dance style? (3-4) 24. Payment by delivery method. (6,5) 2. Let everyone cry in pain. (5) 3. Bear ill feeling toward reformist. (7) 4. Bribe DJ received to play a’ old arrangement. (6) 5. Crash that parking tolled for. (5) 6. Stop reciting the chorus. (7) 7. Cattle fair holding assets, perhaps? (5,6) 8. Capital area where 1a may have been compiled. (5,6) 14. Only the best retuning blood play top game. (7) 16. Show drama to male slayer in Spain. (7) 17. Constitutional way to revolution. (6) 19. Awkward pet in trouble. (5) 21. Heard to complain regarding drink, maybe? (5) 1 3. Evo Morales became president of which country in 2006: Bolivia; Argentina; Ecuador; or Peru? 21 4. The port of Mocha is in which country: Somalia; Oman; Iran; or Yemen? 24 1 Down 5. Formula One event (5,4) 8. Japanese wrestling (4) 9. Migraine (8) 10. Skiing event (6) 11. Beginner (6) 13. In a can (6) 15. Clear and logical (6) 16. Ta (5,3) 18. Well-ventilated (4) 19. Quasimodo was one (9) 1. New York borough (8) 2. National song? (6) 3. Twist ligament(s) (6) 4. Travel stamp in passport (4) 6. Spanish "sport" (9) 7. Use of deception for gain (9) 12. Living without a home by begging (8) 14. Solid carbon dioxide (used for a stage eﬀect) (3,3) 15. On the plump side (6) 17. Identifying word (common or proper) (4) Quick 14 12 6. In Dubai, Palm Judmeirah is a what: Artificial island development; Camel-meat curry; Scented aphrodisiac soap; or Public holiday? 15 17 18 7. A nide is a brood or nest of which type of birds: Emus; Sparrows; Swans; or Pheasants? 8. A Munro, of which there are 283, is a Scottish mountain which is over how many feet high: 1,000; 2,000; 3,000; or 4,000? 19 15. Cogent 16. Thank you 18. Airy 19. Hunchback 5. Grand prix 8. Sumo 9. Headache 10. Slalom 11. Novice 13. Tinned 15. amends 18. realist 20. tower 22. evoke 23. old-time 24. postal order 1. daily papers 9. tallboy 10. awful 11. cower 12. luggage 13. meddle Across 1. Brooklyn 2. Anthem 3. Sprain 4. Visa 6. Bullfight 7. Chicanery 2. allow 3. liberal 4. payola 5. prang 6. refrain 7. stock market Down 16 SOLUTION FOR CRYPTIC / QUICK CROSSWORD 1. Who dueted with Harry Nilsson on the 1975 Phil Spectre song 'A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Every Day)' : Dusty Springfield; Barbra Streisand; Diana Ross; or Cher? 1. Cher 2. Sparkles (from Latin corsuscare) 3. Bolivia 4. Yemen 5. Jehovah's Witness 6. Artificial island development 7. Pheasants 8. 3,000 (named after Sir Hugh Thomas Munro who published a list of all such mountains in 1891) Cryptic Multiple choice QUIZ CROSSWORD 12. Vagrancy 14. Dry ice 15. Chubby 17. Noun 8. Fleet Street 14. diabolo 16. matador 17. stroll 19. inept 21. whine WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the NOW OPEN: PUERTO BANUS, Jnct 175 off the N340 www.overseas.es Advertising n 23 Coming Soon: Vera, Almeria 0034 965 734 000 WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in New Series: Doc: Heston’s Mission Impossible Tues March 1st 21.00 Fri Feb 25th 21.00 WEDNESDAY February 23 Fri, Feb 25th 23:30 High Crimes Thriller in which a woman finds her world turned upside down when her husband is accused of being a war criminal living under a false name. Desperate to get to the bottom of the mystery, she accepts the help of the only lawyer prepared to take on the case. FILM Sun, Feb 27th 00:45 In This World Multi-award winning film following the arduous journey made by two young Afghan men, Enayat and Jamal, from their refugee camp in Pakistan to a better life in the UK, bringing us face to face with the shocking hardships and tragedies endured by asylum seekers. FILM Tue, March 1st 22:35 The River Wild Fast-paced thriller in which a young family on a white-water rafting adventure in Montana are taken hostage by a pair of dangerous fugitives. The rafting holiday - a birthday gift for the New England couple's ten-year-old son - turns into a nightmare when the two armed killers take control... FILM Sat, Feb 26th 21 :00 Mission: Impossible III Now a trainer for IMF recruits, agent Ethan Hunt squares oﬀ against the toughest foe he has ever faced: a ruthless arms and information broker. Can the retired super spy defeat a psychotic arms dealer and save the world without his new lady love finding out his secret past? FILM Thur, Feb 24th 21:00 Mercenary for Justice When the son of a billionaire arms dealer is jailed in South Africa, a soldier of fortune is blackmailed into staging a daring prison break to free him. However, when the mercenary finds out he has been double-crossed, he sets out on a bullet-riddled path of revenge. FILM Wed, Feb 23rd 22:00 Blades of Glory The gang are back. The Garveys arrive at Madge’s luxury villa to discover she has sold it to a TV personality and disappeared. Guest stars are Cilla Black as herself, and Benidorm star Tim Healey’s wife, Loose Woman Denise Welch, as Mad Mary. Benidorm February 24 FRIDAY February 25th 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Bear Behaving Badly 16:00 Copycats 16:30 M.I. High 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 BBC London News 19:00 The One Show 19:30 Rip oﬀ Britain 20:00 Waterloo Road 21:00 MasterChef 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 The National Lottery Wednesday Night Draws 22:45 Film 2011 with Claudia Winkleman 23:25 Match Point 01:25 Weatherview 01:30 Country Tracks 02:25 The Chinese Are Coming 03:25 Save My Holiday 04:10 Climbing Great Buildings 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Bear Behaving Badly 16:00 Copycats 16:30 Serious Explorers: Livingstone 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 BBC London News 19:00 The One Show 19:30 EastEnders 20:00 Human Planet 21:00 MasterChef 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 Question Time 23:35 Dirty Pretty Things 01:10 Skiing Weatherview 01:15 Panorama 01:45 Countryfile 02:40 Antiques Roadshow 03:40 Save My Holiday 04:25 BBC News 04:30 HARDtalk 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Bear Behaving Badly 16:00 Dani's House 16:30 Tracy Beaker Returns 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 BBC London News 19:00 The One Show 19:30 Deadly 60 20:00 EastEnders 20:30 QI 21:00 New Tricks 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 The Graham Norton Show 23:20 The National Lottery Friday Night Draws 23:30 High Crimes 01:20 Weatherview 01:25 South Riding 02:25 The Chinese Are Coming 03:25 Horizon 04:25 Rip oﬀ Britain 09:40 Big and Small 09:55 Guess with Jess 10:05 Postman Pat 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:40 Cliﬀord's Puppy Days 10:55 Waybuloo 11:15 In the Night Garden 11:45 Anne of Green Gables 13:00 See Hear 13:30 Lifeline 13:40 Priceless Antiques Roadshow 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Living Dangerously 15:00 Wanted Down Under 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Perfection 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 My Life in Books 19:00 Top Gear 20:00 Madagascar 21:00 A History of Ancient Britain 22:00 Have I Got Old News for You 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 World Cup Cricket 00:20 BBC News 00:30 BBC World News America 01:00 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 02:00 BBC News 02:30 HARDtalk 08:55 Numberjacks 09:10 The Koala Brothers 09:25 Big Barn Farm 09:40 Big and Small 09:55 Guess with Jess 10:05 Postman Pat SDS 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:40 Chuggington Badge Quest 10:45 Waybuloo 11:05 In the Night Garden 11:35 Anne of Windy Poplars 13:00 Due South 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Living Dangerously 15:00 Wanted Down Under 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Perfection 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 My Life in Books 19:00 The Culture Show 20:00 The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best 21:00 The Spice Trail 22:00 Victorian Pharmacy 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 World Cup Cricket 00:20 The Culture Show 01:20 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 02:00 BBC News 02:30 HARDtalk 03:00 BBC News 03:30 Our World 09:25 Big Barn Farm 09:40 Big and Small 09:55 Guess with Jess 10:05 Postman Pat SDS 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:40 Chuggington Badge Quest 10:45 Chuggington Badge Quest 10:50 Waybuloo 11:10 In the Night Garden 11:40 Cinderella 13:00 Due South 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Living Dangerously 15:00 Wanted Down Under 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Perfection 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 My Life in Books 19:00 Forget the Oscars, Here Are the Kermodes 19:30 Island Parish 20:00 Mastermind 20:30 Britain from Above 21:00 Hidden Treasures of Australian Art 22:00 Fast and Loose 22:30 Newsnight 23:00 The Review Show 23:50 World Cup Cricket 00:50 Shadow of the Vampire 02:10 BBC News 02:30 The Record Review 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Live: UEFA Champions League Football 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 UEFA Champions League: Extra Time 23:35 Police, Camera, Action! 00:30 The Zone 02:30 Tremors 04:10 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Tonight 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Marchlands 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 Odd One In 23:20 Send in the Dogs 00:15 The Zone 02:20 Spartacus 03:45 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Coronation Street 20:00 Children's Hospital 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Benidorm 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 The Cube 23:35 Take Me Out 00:40 The Zone 02:40 In Plain Sight 03:30 ITV Nightscreen 07:10 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:05 Frasier 08:30 According to Jim 09:00 Undercover Boss USA 10:00 The Good Wife 10:55 Country House Rescue 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 Whatever Turns You On 12:10 The Barbarian and the Geisha 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Beauty and the Beast: Ugly Face of Prejudice 21:00 The Real King's Speech 22:00 The Model Agency 23:05 Shameless 00:10 Sounds from the Cities 00:45 The Shockwaves Album Chart Show 01:00 Mercury Prize Sessions 01:15 Coming Up 01:40 Animal Madhouse 02:35 Food: What Goes in Your Basket? 03:30 Hill Street Blues 04:15 Brothers & Sisters 07:05 Freshly Squeezed 07:35 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:00 Frasier 08:30 According to Jim 09:00 Supernanny US 09:55 The Good Wife 10:55 Help! My House Is Falling Down 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 The League of Gentlemen 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Relocation, Relocation 21:00 Rome Wasn't Built in a Day 22:00 10 O'Clock Live 23:05 My Big Fat Gypsy Weddings 00:10 Ctrl Mx 00:40 4Play 00:55 4Play 01:05 Arthur's Hell on High Water 02:00 Will My Crash Diet Kill Me? 02:55 First Cut 03:20 Dispatches 04:15 Without a Trace 07:10 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:00 Frasier 08:30 According to Jim 09:00 Supernanny US 09:55 The Good Wife 10:55 Gok's Clothes Roadshow 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 Jamie at Home 12:30 Bless This House 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:25 4thought.tv 19:30 First Cut 20:00 Relocation: Phil Down Under 21:00 Embarrassing Bodies 22:00 Friday Night Dinner 22:30 Lee Evans: Big Live at the 02 23:35 10 O'Clock Live 00:40 Ctrl Mx 01:10 4Play 01:20 My Name Is Earl 01:45 My Name Is Earl 02:05 Modern Toss 02:30 Powwow Highway 04:00 Brothers & Sisters 04:45 Great British Brands 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:25 Milkshake! Show Songs 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The Wot Wots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:00 The Vanessa Show 11:45 CSI: NY 12:40 Five News 12:45 Street Market Chefs 13:15 Street Market Chefs 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 Home and Away 14:50 Rough Guide to Islands 15:05 Out of the Woods 17:00 Five News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 Five News at 7 19:30 Starlight: For the Children 20:00 Cowboy Builders 21:00 NCIS 22:00 Law and Order: Criminal Intent 23:00 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 23:55 PartyPoker.com Poker 00:55 Super Casino 04:05 Divine Designs 04:30 Great Scientists 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:25 Milkshake! Show Songs 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The Wot Wots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:00 The Vanessa Show 11:45 CSI: NY 12:40 Five News 12:45 Street Market Chefs 13:15 Street Market Chefs 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 Home and Away 14:50 Meals in Moments 15:00 Mystery Woman: Redemption 16:45 Five News 17:15 Neighbours 17:45 Live: UEFA Europa League Football 20:05 Emergency Bikers 21:00 Mercenary for Justice 22:55 The Exorcist: The True Story 23:55 Cops in Crisis 00:15 Super Casino 04:05 Divine Designs 04:30 Great Scientists 04:55 Rough Guide to Beaches 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:25 Milkshake! Show Songs 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The Wot Wots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:00 The Vanessa Show 11:45 CSI: NY 12:40 Five News 12:45 Street Market Chefs 13:15 Street Market Chefs 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 Home and Away 14:50 Rough Guide to Weekend Breaks 15:05 Sorority Wars 17:00 Five News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:30 Home and Away 18:55 Meals in Moments 19:00 Five News at 7 19:30 Vets in Action 20:00 Ice Road Truckers 21:00 The Mentalist 22:00 Law & Order 22:55 NCIS 23:55 Cops in Crisis 00:15 Super Casino 03:55 Motorsport Mundial 04:20 Royal Navy: Caribbean Patrol 19:00 Top Gear 20:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 21:00 A Dangerous Place to Meet My Family 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Lunch Monkeys 23:00 Family Guy 23:20 Family Guy 23:45 A Dangerous Place to Meet My Family 00:45 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 01:45 Lunch Monkeys 02:15 Young, Jobless and Living at Home 03:10 Women, Weddings, War and Me 04:10 Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents 05:10 SIGN OFF 19:00 Almost Famous IV 19:05 Doctor Who 20:00 The Real Hustle: High Stakes 20:30 The Lock Up 21:00 Little Britain 21:30 Lunch Monkeys 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 23:30 Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps 00:00 Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps 00:30 Family Guy 00:50 Family Guy 01:15 The Lock Up 01:45 Coming of Age 02:15 Lunch Monkeys 02:45 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 03:45 The Real Hustle 19:00 Don't Tell the Bride 20:00 The World's Strictest Parents 21:00 How Drugs Work 22:00 Blades of Glory 23:30 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 00:30 Family Guy 00:50 Family Guy 01:15 Being Human 02:15 The Lock Up 02:45 How Drugs Work 03:45 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 04:45 The Lock Up 05:15 SIGN OFF WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Marseille v Man Utd Wed Feb 23rd 19.30 SATURDAY th Doc: When Teenage meets Old Age Mon Feb 28th 21.00 SUNDAY February 27 NOTE: Add 1 hour for Spanish viewing times. The four young volunteers reach the end of their first week as carers in a retirement village, and take eight elderly residents on holiday to Cornwall. Unlikely friendships flourish. February 28 TUESDAY March 1st 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready? 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Deadly 60: Bitesize 15:40 Deadly Art 16:00 The Big Performance 16:30 Blue Peter 16:55 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 BBC London News 19:00 The One Show 19:30 Inside Out 20:00 EastEnders 20:30 Panorama 21:00 Crimewatch 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 Mrs Brown's Boys 23:05 Crimewatch 23:15 Late Kick Oﬀ 23:45 The Graham Norton Show 00:35 The Apprentice 01:15 The Apprentice 02:00 Weatherview 02:05 Silk 03:05 Imagine... 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready? 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Deadly 60: Bitesize 15:40 Deadly Art 16:00 Dead Gorgeous 16:30 Blue Peter 16:55 Shaun the Sheep 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 BBC London News 19:00 The One Show 19:30 EastEnders 20:00 Holby City 21:00 Silk 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 Neighbourhood Watched 23:20 Girls Behind Bars 00:20 Weatherview 00:25 See Hear 00:55 Human Planet 01:55 Imagine... 03:05 Being Ronnie Corbett 04:05 BBC News 04:30 HARDtalk 20:00 Top Gear 21:00 Toughest Place to Be A... 22:00 Match of the Day 2 23:00 The League Cup Show 23:45 ICC World Cup Cricket 00:45 In This World 02:15 BBC News 02:30 Dateline London 03:00 BBC News 03:30 The Record Europe 04:00 BBC News 04:30 HARDtalk 04:45 The Super League Show 05:15 Pages from Ceefax 09:55 3rd and Bird 10:05 Postman Pat SDS 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:45 Waybuloo 11:05 In the Night Garden 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT 13:00 Due South 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Nature's Top 40 15:00 Wanted Down Under 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 My Life in Books 19:00 Top Gear 20:00 University Challenge 20:30 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 21:00 When Teenage Meets Old Age 22:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 ICC World Cup Cricket 00:20 Island Parish 00:50 BBC World News America 01:00 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 02:00 BBC News 02:30 The Record 09:45 Big and Small 09:55 3rd and Bird 10:05 Postman Pat SDS 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:35 Chuggington Badge Quest 10:45 Waybuloo 11:05 In the Night Garden 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT 13:00 Due South 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Nature's Top 40 15:00 Wanted Down Under 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 My Life in Books 19:00 The Natural World 20:00 A Farmer's Life for Me 21:00 Horizon 22:00 How TV Ruined Your Life 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 ICC World Cup Cricket 00:20 BBC News 00:30 BBC World News America 01:00 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 02:00 BBC News 02:30 The Record 07:10 Curious George 07:25 Monk 07:30 Beyblade Metal Fusion 07:55 Cool Stuﬀ Collective 08:20 X-Men 08:45 SpongeBob SquarePants 09:00 Wizards of Waverly Place 09:25 May the Best House Win 10:25 The Biggest Loser 11:30 This Morning: Sunday 12:30 Dinner Date 13:30 ITV News and Weather 13:45 Columbo: Any Old Port in a Storm 15:45 Midsomer Murders 17:50 Granada News and Weather 18:05 ITV News and Weather 18:20 Harry Hill's TV Burp 18:50 Dancing on Ice 20:30 Wild at Heart 21:30 Dancing on Ice 22:00 That Sunday Night Show 22:30 ITV News and Weather 22:45 I Was There When The Beatles Played The Cavern 23:45 Aviva Premiership Rugby 00:40 The Zone 02:00 Mystery Men 04:00 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 Granada Reports 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Coronation Street 20:00 The Lakes 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 The Biggest Loser 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 New Homes from Hell 2009 23:35 That Sunday Night Show 00:05 Grimefighters 00:30 The Zone 02:35 UEFA Champions League Weekly 03:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show 03:55 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 Granada Reports 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Grimefighters 20:00 Lion Country 21:00 Leah's Dream 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 The River Wild 00:35 The Zone 02:40 Crossing Jordan 03:25 ITV Nightscreen Extra Portions 17:25 Come Dine with Me: Extra Portions 17:55 Come Dine with Me: Extra Portions 18:25 The Political Slot 18:30 Channel 4 News 18:55 4thought.tv 19:00 River Cottage Everyday 20:00 The Real King's Speech 21:00 Mission: Impossible III 23:20 The Shockwaves NME Awards 2011 00:45 Natural Born Killers 02:50 Coming Up 03:15 Brothers & Sisters 07:15 That Paralympic Show 07:40 Friends 08:05 Friends 08:40 Hollyoaks Omnibus 11:10 Friends 11:50 Glee 12:50 The Simpsons 13:20 The Simpsons 13:50 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 14:25 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 14:55 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 15:25 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 15:55 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 16:25 Deal or No Deal 17:25 Time Team 18:30 Channel 4 News 18:55 4thought.tv 19:00 Come Dine with Me 20:00 The People's Supermarket 21:00 The Promise 23:10 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 00:15 What's Love Got to Do with It 02:15 The Family 03:10 Wedding House 04:05 Without a Trace 04:55 Wogan's Perfect Recall 07:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:00 Frasier 08:30 According to Jim 09:00 Supernanny US 09:55 The Good Wife 10:55 Relocation: Phil Down Under 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 River Cottage Bites 12:15 The TV Book Club 12:45 The Mark of Zorro 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Dispatches 21:00 One Born Every Minute 22:00 The Full Monty 23:45 Live from Abbey Road 00:20 Intros 00:35 Manic Street Preachers: One Last Shot at Mass Communication 01:05 Child Genius: Five Years On 02:00 Rome Wasn't Built in a Day 02:55 Codex 03:50 The Bible: A History 04:45 A Film From My Parish 07:15 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:05 Frasier 08:35 According to Jim 09:05 Supernanny US 10:00 The Good Wife 10:55 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 River Cottage Bites 12:20 The True Story of Jesse James 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Gok's Clothes 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03:30 The World's Strictest Parents 04:30 A Dangerous Place to Meet My Family 05:30 SIGN OFF WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Sca real ndinav esta ia te a n gen t Properties Pr operties for sale at rreduced educed prices! Private garden garden den in Torremolinos T Torr orremolinos Cosy apartment with private gar garden € 195,000 2 bedr bedrooms ooms · 2 bathr bathrooms ooms · 87 m² built · 14 m² terr terrace ace · Marble Floors · In the gar garden den ther theree is rroom oom both for sun loungers and ther theree is a small area area for al fresco fresco dining Close to shopping, tr train, ain, bus and beach and has a very high potential for rrentals entals · Private parking space · RE-2030 New kitchen! Torrenueva Villa in Torr Villa Torrenueva Townhouse - Higuer Higueron on € 425,000 Townhouse 4 beds · 2 baths · 188 m² built · 120 m² terr terrace ace · P Pool ool Utility rroom oom · Gar Garage age · Udating needed · RE-2092 € 289,000 3 bed · 2 bath · 120 m² built · Sea views · P Pool ool · A/C 24h security guar guard d and video · Private gar garden den · RE-2102 Bar Bargain! gain! Finca - Mijas Costa Finca € 295,500 2 bed · 2 bath · 70 m² built · 30 m² terr terrace ace Quiet · P Pool ool · Guest apartment · RE-2128 LLong ong let Resale properties properties wanted! Scandinavian clients looking for apartments Benalmadena to Marbella. frrom om Benalmaden and villas from and v aluation, onsultation and For a free free cconsultation For valuation, call our listing agents on 951 100 210 or e-mail e-mail [email protected]. or Apartment - Benalmadena € 145,000 List your property property online on casauna.com 1 bed · 1 bath · 70 m² built · Dir Direct ect access from from the livliving room room to the terrace terrace · RE-2134 Tel. 951 100 210 Villa Villa - Arroyo Arroyo de la Miel € 2,000 /mo 3 bedrooms bedrooms · 2 baths · 198 m² built · 100 m² terrace terrace Pool Pool · Double garage garage · Large Large living area area · RE-2069 www.casauna.com news Your outlook on the World the M ww ore ph w. ot mor casaun os e inf a orm .com atio n d prices! Pr Properties operties for sale at rreduced educed Fuengirola front High quality apartment in F uengirola - fr ont line beach € 450,000 2 bedr bedrooms ooms · 2 bathr bathrooms ooms · 100 m² built · 15 m² terr terrace ace · P Panoramic anoramic views over the Mediterr Mediterranean anean Sea and Fuengirola Fuengirola C Castle astle Sohail South-west orientation · Community gar garden den with pool · Security guar guard d · Refer Reference: ence: RE-2129 Reduced! Fuengirola centre Apartment - F uengirola centr e Reduced! € 202,000 Townhouse Townhouse - Estepona 3 bed · 2 bath · 106 m² built · Balcony · Marble Floors Bright · W Walking alking distance to everything · RE-2105 Long Long let Apartment - F uengirola Fuengirola Riviera del Sol € 345,000 Apartment - Riviera 3 beds · 2 baths · 180 m² built · 65 m² terr terrace ace · A/C Firee place · Gar Fir Garage age · Quiet · P Pool ool · Near beach · RE-2007 LLong ong let € 750 /mo 2 bedr bedrooms ooms · 2 bathr bathrooms ooms · 100 m² · P Panoramic anoramic views A/C · Gar Garage age · Unfurnished · LRLR-1811 1811 Apartment - Marbella € 239,000 3 bed · 2 bath · 145 m² built · 50 m² terr terrace ace · Quiet Sea views · A/C · Community pool · RERE-1701 1701 LLong ong let € 800 /mo V illa - Torr Torrequebrada Villa Torrequebrada 2 bedrooms bedrooms · 2 bath · 116 m² · 20 m² terr terraces aces · A/C Furnished Furnished · Gated · Pool Pool · Parking Parking · LRLR-1444 1444 € 3,000 /mo 4 bedrooms bedrooms · 4 bathrooms bathrooms · 450 m² · Modern · Quality Pool Pool · Furnished Furnished · Garage Garage for 3 cars · RE-512 Call rental agent Malene on 687 88 77 00 or e-mail [email protected] & Small module (10mm) €7,00 + IvA full module (40mm) €25,00 + IvA Friday Place an Ad by phone: Place an Ad by email: Place an Ad by fax: 952 45 44 91 / 902 00 11 00 [email protected] 952 45 44 41 AIR CONDITIONINg COOLfLOW The Air Conditioning Specialists. Installation, servicing and repairs to all makes and models. Special oﬀers available. Call Ian 678491234. Established 7 (113)tnp years on the coast ---------------------------------------------KOLDAIR Supplying and fitting Europe’s best airconditioners at Spain’s lowest Prices. 605428307 (114)p See advert on Page 3. ---------------------------------------------AIRfLOW Air conditioning, servicing and repairs, oﬃcial Panasonic Centre. No obligation quotations and advice - all makes. Contact Lynne or Alison on 952443222, (112)p [email protected] - ARCHITECTS ALL TYPES of projects, constructions, Licences for new buildings, extensions, reforms, legalizations. Building advice. (105)tnp Chedaco S.L. 680700430 BUSINESS EqUIPMENT BENTLEY year 2000, immaculate, full spec, Spanish plates. €48,000 (112) Call 609709466 ---------------------------------------------PORSCHE Carrera S. Perfect,year 2007. €55,000 Call 609709466 (112) ---------------------------------------------BMW 735i Year 1999. Full M Spec. Beautiful car. €6,950 Call (112) 609709466 ---------------------------------------------CAR OR small van wanted. Will pay (112)p max €2500 672901124 ---------------------------------------------PEUgEOT Partner Rancho 2005, full spec, ITV, blue. Mint. €4995 (112)p 665955880 ---------------------------------------------MERCEDES E220 CDi 2002 full / panoramic sunroof, black, nav, Spanish plates, €14.950. Call (112)p 609709466 WINDOW CLEANERS Husband and (126)tnp wife team. 691140427 ---------------------------------------------CLEANINg lady oﬀers services in Coin. €7 an hour. Excellent references. Call 678847146 for (118)p more info ---------------------------------------------HOME and oﬃce cleaning. Trustworthy, eﬃcient and economical. 952485026 (115)p www.elscleaning.com ---------------------------------------------DIRT dust, damp or mould prblems? Dry and steam cleaning. Bring your furniture back to life. (115)p MCS 692566584 COMPUTERS INTERNATIONAL DRIVING LICENCES CAR REPAIRS BRITISH MOBILE MECHANICS Fully qualified. Home visits. No call-out charge. Guaranteed, reasonably priced servicing and repairs for all car makes. For ITVs we come to you. For more info: 951400189, or mobile 695913592 (114) www.mbcmechanics.com CARAvANS/CAMPINg NEW CAMP-LET Concorde trailer ten, was €7995, oﬀer €4,995. 638467289 www.spanish(117)p vacations.com CATERINg SERvICES BUSINESS OPPS BUSY Cafe Bar in Sol’y`Mar area Los Porches, Benalmadena Costa. Two terraces, one enclosed. Family run for 6 years, genuine reason for (117)fg sale. 952964753 BUILDINg SERvICES gENERAL building work. Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, decorating, plastering, tiling etc. Free estimates. English, Spanish 634355214 + Finnish 648936476(121)p ---------------------------------------------HANDYMAN maintenance, electrician, plumbng, painting, free quotes. 681107418 www.handymanspain.com (115)p ---------------------------------------------PLUMBINg electrics, bathrooms, kitchens, tiling. General building (116)p work. 673126749 ---------------------------------------------gRANITE and Silestone kitchen work tops. All prices beaten. Free (113)p estimates. 606538443 CARS & vANS WE BUY accident damaged cars and mechanical failures. (117)p 609709466 ---------------------------------------------UNWANTED cars, vans. Wanted dead or alive. Removed free. (114)p 616835799 ---------------------------------------------WANTED good, bad, ugly, cars, caravans, even non-runners. Free collection. 951047311, 696321138(116) WE BUY and sell catering equipment and furniture. Also stainless steel fabrication, own workshops, extractor hoods, work benches etc. 650966374, 952338378 (0)p www.eurohosteleria.com CLASSES w w w.self- defence -pro.com Group or private tuition. Helping weight loss. Los Boliches (119)wp 676200400 ---------------------------------------------WOOD TURNINg lessons for beginners. Please telephone 600655234 for more information.(113)tnp ---------------------------------------------SPANISH evening courses for adults. Contact Valerie Mitchell of Centro de Idiomas, Coin. 952450747, vjeﬀ[email protected](0)f ---------------------------------------------CHILDRENS after school classes. Contact Valerie Mitchell of Centro de Idiomas, Coin. 952450747, (0)f vjeﬀ[email protected] CLEANINg SERvICES MR MULTI KLEAN - Professional Window Cleaning, marble floor polishing and carpet & upholstery cleaning. Best price and service. Call Andy on (115)p 606590728 ---------------------------------------------CLEANERS Residential and commercial. Established 2006 in Spain. 10 years in UK. 665269966 (0) ---------------------------------------------UPHOLSTERY and steam cleaning, sofas, carpets etc. J A Cleaning (116)p Services 626357955 TECHNICAL Drawings produced in Autocad. Call Danny 690745446 [email protected] (117)tnp www.ddbautocad.com ELECTRICIANS ELECTRICIAN 16th Edition BS7671 qualified, apprentice trained, 23 years experience. Rewires, extra sockets, lights, fault finding etc. Water pumps – supplied or refurbished. www.electriciancostadelsol.com [email protected] or (113)p call Ian 650151569 ---------------------------------------------ELECTRICIAN 30 years experience. Boletins, ICP’s, general installations and maintenance. 669009821 www.frankmultiservices.com (112)tnp ---------------------------------------------PROfESSIONAL repairs & installations, experienced and reliable electrician. 681107418 www.handymanspain.com (115)tnp fLOOR POLISHINg ● All Categories ● Valid Worldwide ● Fast Delivery 610 868 748 DRAUgHTSMAN COMPUTER Helpline. Desktops, laptops repaired, upgraded. New and used supplied. Internet, email problems solved. 952564274, (113)tnp 677702501 ---------------------------------------------COIN Computer Services. All repairs, virus removal, upgrades, Broadband. Free calls to UK. (113)tnp 951047292, 676909418 ---------------------------------------------LAPTOPS and all computers, sales, repairs, upgrades etc., and oﬃce equipment repairs. Oﬃce Lines (Freddy Smith), Diana Centre, Km (112)p 168, N340. 952880654 ---------------------------------------------PC PROBLEMS solved. Data transferred, ADSL problems solved, virus removal. Maintenance contracts available. 952932264, (116)p 609574455 ---------------------------------------------PC DOCTOR desktop and laptop repair centre. Sales and upgrades. ADSL from €20 per month. Full range of internet, Telefonica and Telecom services. Anti-virus program €50 per year. We cover the coast. Certified and bilingual technicians. Call sales 952591071 (0)pwf Support 807488440 DECORATORS WANT the best? Nº 1 on the coast for painting & decorating. Call Nick at Decor8. All aspects no problem. 678889933/952939561 (140)p www.decor8.es ---------------------------------------------PAINTER Interior-exterior. Gates, rejas etc. Daily, hourly rates e.g. 9.00-4.00pm €70. Call Ray (114)p 952666354 or 622807702 DOMESTIC APPLIANCES WASHINg machine repairs, fast, reliable service. All work guaranteed. Also sales from €70. Can deliver. (112)pwp Call Joe 686271836 For all your ADvERTISINg needs in NEWS gEOff HEADINg 622 050 409 MARBLE floor Polishing (€2 m2) Why pay more? We clean, then crystalize and polish to a high gloss, non slip. Professional fast services. Cover all Costa. 14 years (140)p experience. 671244683 gARDENINg IRIS IRRIgATION Specialists in garden construction and maintenance. Clearance of abandoned / neglected gardens. 25 years experience. Look out for the Big Flower Van all along the coast. 676747521 (113)p www.gardensinspain.com ---------------------------------------------KEEP your garden clean and tidy for just €39 weekly 634355441(112)p ---------------------------------------------gARDENINg services, cleaning, maintenance, etc. Hourly rate. Spanish: 670822949 / English: 685555834 HEALTH & BEAUTY gILLIAN your friendly mobile hairdresser for the elderly. Specialist in perms, sets, colours and blow-drys. Good rates. All products supplied unless advised (124)p otherwise. 635261483 ---------------------------------------------HAIRDRESSINg Mobile hairdresser, over 15 years experience, all aspects. Telephone (124)tnp Janet 645037335 ---------------------------------------------MOBILE massage therapist. Reflexology, Swedish massage, aromatherapy, deep tissue and hotstones. Gift vouchers also available. www.relajacionpura.com (114)p 666144572 MARK DENTAL CLINIC MDC see our main advert on Page 5 952 917 164 Calle Burgos 3, Fuengirola, Malaga HOUSE CLEARANCES HOUSE Clearances. Full or part. Fast and eﬃcient service. (120)tnp 628239174, 628564634 ---------------------------------------------PLACE AN AD! It’s quick, it’s easy and it works. Call 952454491 or email [email protected] (f ) WE BUY accident damaged cars and mechanical failures. 609709466 (112))p INSURANCE ! " PRESTIgE Insurance Consultants. For quality products and personal service. Motor (all types UK and Spanish). Home (Building/Contents). Travel Health - Life/Disability - Business. Registered with the Direccion General de Seguros as Exclusive Agents for Ibex Insurance and Generali Seguros. Tel/Fax 952453873 Mobile 667982418 www.prestige-insurance.com (117)p LOANS fULLY LICENSED PAWNBROKER fULLY LICENSED gOLD DEALER fULLY LICENSED JEWELLERS SERvICINg THE PUBLIC AND TRADE ALIKE. EST 1983 WHERE ??????? ANTHONYS DIAMONDS AvDA. RAMON Y CAJAL 40 fUENgIROLA, MALAgA 29640 952588795 / 609529633 [email protected] LOCKSMITHS L O C K S M I T H Emergency/Appointment. Doors opened without damage, locks changed, patio doors and windows secured. 24 hour honest, fast and reliable service. Call Paul (163)tnp 657466803 METS DOg training club. Fuengirola Glyn 605121831, Ken 627851379. Torre del Mar Colin 606616308 (124)p ---------------------------------------------LAgUNA Kennels and cosy cattery. Five star facilities, fully tiled quarters with airconditioning. Your pets lovingly cared for by English mother and daughter. Near Coin. (112)p 952112021 / 606838983 ---------------------------------------------EXPORT Specialists. Cat and Dog World Kennels. 952112978, (115)p 630197435 ---------------------------------------------LUXURY professional kennels, Cat and Dog World. Fully licensesd. Cheap collection service. Viewing welcome. www.cat-and-dog-world.com (115)p 952112978 / 630197435 ---------------------------------------------PROBLEMS? David the Dogman from Estepona to Fuengirola (0)tnf 952883388 / 610868748 ---------------------------------------------CHIHUAHUA Pedigree puppies with passport. All year available. (115)p 952112870/654285667 ---------------------------------------------BEAUTIfUL Ragdoll kittens. The ideal apartment cat. Sensibly priced. Animals transported and quarantined. 952960075 / 6 6 2 6 4 5 8 1 6 (116)p www.patriarcacats.com ---------------------------------------------CAT Burmese, neutered, grey, 1 year old. Loving and gentle little girl needs home of her own. (106)p 952486518 ---------------------------------------------KITTENS galore, boys and girls of all colours would love to share (106)p your home. 952486518 PLUMBINg 10.00am - 2.00pm PUMPS Reconditioned and repaired for pools, irrigation, pressure systems etc. Economical prices, fast (139)p turnaround. Tel. 667292493 ---------------------------------------------SCOTT fORBES the Plumber. All work guaranteed. 20 years British (0) Gas experience 652665410 ---------------------------------------------PLUMBER All types of plumbing carried out by professional plumber with 30 years experience. (112)p 669009821 Only limited space available news Your outlook on the World the S K Estates Rare Opportunity! Raised ground floor apartment in Alessandra, Torreblanca, Fuengirola with own garden 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, lounge, kitchen and glassed-in terrace used as a dining room by the present owners Potential for holiday and long term letting Reduced from €99,000 to only €87,995 This apartment is sure to sell quickly so call now for an appointment to view 661 114 070 / 667 340 928 LOvELY finca close to Villa Franco, Alhaurin el Grande. Two houses, both legal, set in nearly 4,000m2. Entrance via electric gate. Main house - 2/3 bedrooms, lounge, diner, two bathrooms, separae kitchen. Second (wooden house) 1 bedroom, shower room and lounge with American kitchen. Lovely outside enclosed area with bar and kitchen. Two garages, outside w.c., pool, orange grove, dog kennel. (113)tnp €380,000 669343011 ---------------------------------------------PROPERTY fINDER. Access to “below market value properties”, repossessions and refurbishments. Housing stock throughout the UK. Combined services available, tailored finance, conveyancing, refurbishment packages, tenant sourcing. Suitable for investment, repatriation and individual needs, block purchases available. Call Carla on 687921481 for an informal chat or email at (rbf) [email protected] ---------------------------------------------CALAHONDA Detached chalet, 4 bedrooms, 21/2 bathrooms, private pool, large garage, roof terrace, 620m2 plot, plenty of oﬀ road parking. Close to all amenities. A real family home just needs some TLC. €350,000 952930039, (113)f 606611228 - no agents ---------------------------------------------ABSOLUTELY everything to do with property including sales, rentals, key holding, maintenance, cleaning. 696150765 (000)tnp www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------PLACE AN AD! It’s quick, it’s easy (f ) and it works. Call 952454491 ---------------------------------------------COIN Legal country home. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, private pool, 1,600m2 irrigated garden. Secure fencing, main services, phone and Sky. Reduced €250,000 (115)tnp 952455269, 639368014 ---------------------------------------------COIN town centre. Lovely large house with potential for B&B. 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms. €249,000 negotiable. BARgAIN. 952453813, 00447968536556 (113)p ---------------------------------------------MULA, MURCIA As featured in the British Airways in-flight magazine. 2 houses absolute bargain! Home and business. House 1 consists of 3 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, bathroom, courtyard and roof terrace. Fully rewired. House 2 has 4 bedrooms, 2 receptions plus cave room, kitchen, bathroom. Courtyard and huge roof terrace. The second house needs total refurbishment but is structurally sound and would yield in the region of €500 per month rental income when done up. Both houses are at the top of the town overlooking the rooftops of houses, churches etc., and the valley beyond. Mula is known for its hot spring baths and has planning for several golf courses and a spa in the area. Price for both houses is €125,000. Don’t delay! Tel: 661114 070 TO RENT COIN El Rodeo. Nice chalet, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fitted kitchen, pool, barbecue, garage, aircon with heating. Near to town. (111)p €850 696150765 ---------------------------------------------MONDA Nice country house, 3 bedrooms, 8000m2 land. €500 (111)p 696150765 ---------------------------------------------LOOKINg for a property to rent? Finca, villa or apartment - we have the right one for you - if not, we will find it. Without commission!!!! Call us now on 696150765 (111)p www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------CARvAJAL next to Holiday Village, Benalmadena Costa. 3 bed, 2 bath fully furnished apartment, south west facing balcony with sea views and glass curtains. Community pool and tennis courts. €590 per month. (114)ghp 622130796, 633333854 NEEDED NOW 952932276 SOL VILLAS [email protected] www.solvillaspain.com PROPERTY SERvICES LONg TERM Rentals, super prices, no commissions, apartments, townhouses, villas, fincas, coast and (108)p inland. 679111522 ---------------------------------------------ABSOLUTELY everything to do with property including sales, rentals, key holding, maintenance, cleaning. 696150765 (000)tnp www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------CARIHUELA Long term. Fully refurbished, 2 bedrooms. €450 per month 619302236, also same in (112)tnp Playamar. ---------------------------------------------COIN Beautiful modern country house 105m2 and 6000m2 land. Accommodation on 2 floors, 2 bedrooms, open studio, 2 bathrooms, living room, nice fitted kitchen. Pefect road access. €600 (111)p 696150765 ---------------------------------------------COIN Nr. town. Nice house with 3 bedrooms, bathroom, living room, fitted kitchen, pool, central heating, air con. 800m2 plot. €650 (111)p 696150765 INLAND property services. Property maintenance, pool cleaning, gardening, painting and decorating, holiday let changeovers, weekly cleans, builders clean, we can arrange for all your property needs. 663214803 [email protected] (109)p .uk REMOvALS & STORAgE # $"!#% / # fRENCH POLISHINg repairs, restoration etc. Restore your valuable furniture to its former glory. 647579519 / 952119190 (117)p ---------------------------------------------COIN WINDOWS We make aluminium windows, doors and mosquito screens, also supply and fit sun canopies, blinds, shower screens, etc. Spanish owned business. Call Lisa Marie (112)p 646066351 ---------------------------------------------ABSOLUTELY everything to do with property including sales, rentals, key holding, maintenance, cleaning. 696150765 (000)tnp www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------BABY-SITTINg service available. Lady with own car and references available. Torremolinos to (00)p fuengirola. 639067664. # Window Grilles, Doors-Double & Single. Security Fencing. Milling + Lathe Drilling + Tapping Mezzanine Floors Heavy Steelwork Gates Automatic Gates Sliding or Swing Scissor Gates Concertina Gates Ducting + Flashing Galvanised Guttering Plate Welding Water + Cess Pit Tanks ANY JOBS around your property you don’t want to do, I can do for you. No (0)ch job too small. 685555834 ---------------------------------------------TRANSLATIONS All language combinations, all fields. Certified and ordinary translations. Best rates. 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References available 651106247 (115)p www.mindyermanors.com Tv, vIDEO & DvD WHITE Sky Cards, Free to Air and Sky Boxes now available. (0)ch 691097059 ---------------------------------------------SKY Installations, relocations, upgrades, realignments and faults. 20 years´ experience in telecommunications. Coin based but all areas covered. Please call Mark @ Luna Sats 622060340(112)tnp For all your ADvERTISINg needs in N THE EWS 622 050 409 WINDOW TINTINg MOBILE service. ITV legal, solar reflective tint for glass curtains, balconies, yachts. Stop fading heat and glare. 958496571 / 644546176 [email protected] (113)p ADULT RELAXATION SEWINg SERvICES !!! UNION JACK Removals (The Original) See main advert on front (0)p page. 90210956 ---------------------------------------------SPAINUKSPAIN@HOTMAIL.COM Vehicle leaving Spain on 9th, 19th 28th of each month, 19, returning 10th, 20th, 29th of each month. Prices from £80 per cubic metre. Cars £495, bikes £250, dogs £395, cats £295. Free removal boxes with Studio Hercules British TV, pool, all jobs undertaken. 952160096 / (118)p w/machine 300€/month 665150227 ---------------------------------------------2 bed Jardines de Gamonal, pool, TRANSPORT vehicle to and from parking 500€/month UK every month. Small loads - full house, door to door. 952960075, (116)p 2 bed Torrequebrada, pool, parking, 679932071 sunny, sea views 550€/month ---------------------------------------------REMOvALS Man and large van. 3 bed nr Bonanza Sq, modern Experienced. €20 per hour. Extra (114)p pool, sat TV 640€/month help available. 619604114 ---------------------------------------------CHEAP as chips, van and man 3 bed Benalmadena Costa, huge removals, anywhere, anytime. terrace, no pets 750€/month (111)p 635253549 ---------------------------------------------3 bed Top floor, huge terrace, vAN LEAvINg 14th March to Santa Ana, no pool Cheshire. Part loads required. (115)p 800€/month 697671661 ---------------------------------------------MANY MORE PROPERTIES SPAIN-UK-PORTUgAL AvAILABLE, TOO MANY TO LIST vAN Regular deliveries - full/part loads. WE ALSO DO HOLIDAY LETS, Competetive rates, honest and JUST ASK fOR PAT reliable. 25 years on the coats. RENTAL PROPERTIES URgENTLY Contact Dave on 952724698, REqUIRED IN JUPITER AND MINERvA 610686273or email (115)p Avenida Gamonal, Local 9, [email protected] PROPERTY Management, cleaning, laundry, change-overs, pool cleaning, gardening, window c l e a n i n g . w w w. o s b o r n e p r o p e r t y. c o m (126)p 952664472, 616679453 www.GApp-propErTiEs.CoM LonG LETs Edificio Jupiter, 29631 Arroyo de la Miel, Malaga Tel: (0034) 952 57 40 51 (0034) 952 57 77 51 Fax: (0034) 952 44 26 51 [email protected] Engineering [email protected] 952 590 651 - 649 696 453 - www. dlsfabs.com VILLAS, TOWNHOUSES PENTHOUSES WANTED for Long Term Rentals from Fuengirola to Marbella. Security SERvICES R E f R I g E R A T I O N / airconditioning. Same day repair specialist. Fridges, displays, bottle (120)tnp coolers etc. 627769969 ---------------------------------------------- ALL STYLES curtains, upholstery, soft furnishings and bean bags made to measure. Sensible prices. Also repairs/alterations. All areas. Call 678910117 or email (114)p [email protected] SITUATIONS WANTED SEO and Internet marketing consultant on the coast, 17 years experience, looking for project work. Open to oﬀers. Text 691661922 or email: (112)p [email protected] CALAHONDA After the best naked massage, the pleasure of choosing your sexual fulfilment. €30 (111)bfp 681345319 ---------------------------------------------BENALMADENA Young lady, 34, attractive, sexy, educated, for gentleman. €30 Tel: 634209427 (114tnp ---------------------------------------------- & ) !! ) (/() "( %' !! # %# ! * ( (0 , - # ' (0 ! ( 7 %## )%'( ! )'%# ( % ! 98 ' 1 %$ %! ( ! #" #)(0 2 % )+# # 7 %## )3+&( ! %# %""+# )/ ( ) !! ) 7 #() !! %# (& ! ()( ( %() 5%&&%( ) ! % %6 # ' %+( %. ( %' ( ! 4 # - 7 ( %# ! )'%# ' & '( 4 WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 30 n Sports & Motors The Bahrain Grand Prix has been called oﬀ because of anti-government protests in the Gulf kingdom. The race, which was due to be staged on March 13th, would have been the curtain-raiser for the new season but has now been postponed to a future date. Instead, the 2011 campaign will begin in Australia on March 27th. "We must focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting to a later date," said Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who met with Bernie Eccleston on Monday. Ducati 848 series returns After its inaugural year the 848 Challenge returns this year with what is sure to be the most exciting, keenly contested and highest profile one brand series ever seen in the UK. The 848 Challenge builds on the successful foundations of the 2010 season by providing a high rounds and the hugely attended annual Castle Combe motorcycle meeting. present trophies, give media interviews make and personal appearances. Foggy became a supporter of the 848 Challenge last year when he rode an 848 on a parade lap at the Oulton Park British Superbikes round to help promote the series. Since then Carl has taken a keen interest in the 848 Challenge and is honoured to become an ambassador for the series. Foggy on Ducati at Oulton Park profile and competitive championship that will visit some of the most iconic circuits in the UK and Europe. Circuits on the calendar will provisionally include such classics as Brands Hatch, Silverstone Arena GP, Cadwell Park, Assen and Monza. The series will consist of sixteen races run over five televised BSB rounds, two overseas Carl Fogarty will make a number of appearances at British Superbike rounds as well as possibly one or two at the overseas rounds at Assen and Monza. He will be on hand to give advice and mentoring to the 848 Challenge riders and pass on his knowledge of the seven circuits that the series will visit. As well as sharing his experience with the 848 Challenge riders Carl will also be available to Carl commented on his new ambassadorial role with Ducati and the 848 Challenge: “I am very pleased to be asked to be involved with the 848 Challenge and pass on my experience to the riders and also hopefully help some of the young and up and coming guys. The 848 Evo is a fantastic bike and the Challenge should produce a great spectacle at every one of the eight rounds.” New version of Space Van Supertrucks will be showing the latest version of its competitively priced, award-winning, lowloading Space Van at the CV Show (stand 5G76/Hall 5, NEC April 12th – 14th). The Citroën Relay based Space Van – which has just been added to the Citroën Ready to Run programme – brings major operational and financial benefits to businesses transporting a wide range of low weight/high volume products. For companies involved in delivering furniture, domestic appliances, office equipment, bedding and other similar products the innovative Supertrucks Space Van brings the benefits of productivityboosting walk-in loading convenience. In standard specification the Space Van has a load deck height of 550mm and a step height of just 370mm. But, with optional rear air suspension, the Space Van has one of the lowest deck height/step height measurements available. Fully lowered, the airsuspended Space Van has a load deck height of just 370mm and an associated step height of a mere www.thenewsonline.es Bahrain Grand Prix axed 190mm. These incredibly low deck/step heights provide convenient walk in/walk out loading accessibility to its large 20.4cu.m load space. ousands of parking permits registered to corpses in Northern Ireland More than 5,000 blue badges for disabled motorists were registered to dead people in Northern Ireland, it has emerged. The Audit Office has called for a full inquiry after it was revealed 5,142 disabled parking permits were being used despite the owners having died. The findings come after it was announced councils will be given new powers to impose checks on applicants similar to those undergone by those claiming disability benefits. 24 hours for VW Golf Volkswagen has announced that it is to return to the demanding Nürburgring 24-hour race this year with an all-new challenger – the Golf24. Equipped with four-wheel drive and developing 440 PS, the dramatic racing version of Volkswagen’s best-selling model has already undergone initial testing ahead of the legendary 24-hour race, regarded as one of the toughest tests in the motorsport calendar, which this year takes place from June 23rd - 26th. For operators requiring even greater load volume Supertrucks also offers the Space Van in extended wheelbase format. This provides a body load deck length of 4,500mm and a load volume of 22.29cu.m. leO’S AUTOS The Space Van, which is currently priced from £25,325 + VAT + VED, can be specified with a wide range of options including rear air suspension (£2,200 + VAT), flush fitting twin side hinged rear doors (£223 + VAT), a variety of side loading doors (roller shutter or hinged), load ramps and load restraint options. In addition, the Space Van is optionally available with the higher power Citroën Relay 35 HDi 160 cab unit. Open MOndAy TO FrIdAy 10 - 7pM nO SIeSTA enGlISH MeCHAnICS WOrkSHOp & MOBIle prompt reliable Service City & Guilds Qualified Beat the Credit CrunCh Optimise your car to save you money itV’s €85 repAIrS TO All MAkeS ITvS - OIl CHAnGeS ClUTCHeS - ServICInG TyreS - eXHAUSTS BATTerIeS - BrAkeS 952 917 353 687 727 460 - 687 727 516 at the end of the Coin road MIJAS COSTA The Golf24 is fitted with a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 440 PS and maximum torque of 540 Nm. Power is transmitted to the permanent four-wheel drive by a sequential sixspeed gearbox with paddle shift operation. Before lining up on the grid of the gruelling 25 km circuit in June, the Golf24 will undergo an extensive testing and development programme. This began at the end of last year at Portugal’s Portimão circuit and further tests have been completed at Vallelunga in Italy. The Golf24 will also compete in three races in the Endurance Championship on the NürburgringNordschleife. AUTOSALON COIN www.autosaloncoin.com WITH NO EFFECT ON YOUR WARRANTY Part worn tyres from €25 Qualified English and German mechanics, ITV Services available.Vehicle Transfers and Registration undertaken • • • Aircon re-gas and leak testing TEL: 952 45 45 27 Diagnostic fault reading and emissions All makes and models - Petrol / Diesel www.autosaloncoin.com Fax: 952 453 144 Pol.Ind, Cantarranas. C/ Acero, 6. 29100Coin (Malaga) WEDNESDAY, February 23rd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Higgins captures 3rd Welsh open title Second Indian Masters title for SSP Chowrasia SSP Chowrasia clinched the Avantha Masters title on home soil by a single shot, in New Delhi last weekend, after a five-under par final round of 67. He certainly gave his fans at home something to cheer about as he held off England’s Robert Coles. This was a great 2nd Indian Masters victory for the 32 year old, who turned professional in 1997 and won his first Indian Masters title in 2008. SSP Chowrasia, also known as Chipputtsia, was four-under for the round by the turn, following birdies at the first, fourth, seventh and eighth and things improved further for the Indian player as he picked up shots at the tenth and 11th holes. It was on the 14th that he added his final birdie of the day, before taking a doublebogey at the par-three 16th. Back-to-back pars saw him finish with a final round of exempt on the European Tour through to 2013, said: "It is a dream come true. "I knew I was playing well but I did not think about winning, though at the back of my mind I knew I had done it before. 67 which saw him climb to 15-under for the tournament. Robert Coles enjoyed a mixed front nine, picking up his first shot of the day at the sixth, following it up with an eagle at the seventh before his opening bogey, although he managed to recover the shot immediately. A series of pars followed and on the 18th tee he was level with Chowrasia. A par would have been enough for a play-off, but he could only manage a six for a two- under 70 and a 14-underpar total. France’s Gregory Havret was a further stroke back finishing his final round in 70, and firstround leader Robert-Jan Derksen from the Netherlands picked up three shots to finish on 12under-par. Pablo Larrazabal and Sujjan Singh both finished in a share of fifth on 11under, with Chinnarat Phadungsil and Mark Haastrup finishing a further shot back. Chowrasia, who is now "I thought I had things pretty much under control after the front nine and then at 17 under after 15 it seemed fine. I made the mistake off the tee on 16th and ended with a double. "Still, when Coles missed the birdie putt on 15th and again 17th, I thought I would go into a play off. I went to the range and hit a few balls. "The roar from the 18th green made me realize something had happened and then people ran towards the range to congratulate me. It seemed a replay of 2008." Report by Claire Voet The three-times Tour de France winner is a national hero in Spain and had his UCI President Pat McQuaid talks to reporters one-year suspension for testing positive for clenbuterol quashed by the Spanish National Cycling Federation on appeal on Tuesday, a decision that came after Zapatero led the calls for Contador’s provisional ban to be McQuaid and the UCI have a month to study the 35page ruling – they are awaiting a comprehensive translation – before deciding whether to appeal to the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) and seek reinstatement of the ban. Maguire dominated the afternoon frames but still only led 5-3 after several missed opportunities that allowed Higgins, who knocked in a 120 break, to keep in touch. Still the chances came for Maguire but the world number one was ruthless as he rattled off five frames in a row. Maguire stopped the rot with a 75 but his Despite Higgins' sloppy start to his 37th ranking final, it was a typical gutsy display, interspersed with the occasional fireworks, and one that was filled with emotion, playing only two weeks after his father John senior died of cancer. Victory also had the 35year-old joining Stephen Hendry as a three-time winner of the Welsh Open and, perhaps more importantly, handing him a 23rd ranking title - one more than arch rival Ronnie O'Sullivan. Suppliers of trophies for all sports and pastimes andalucia The Sunshine Golf Calahonda District Darts League Tel:952493709 www.sunshine-golf.com The Sunshine Golf Calahonda District Darts League Results for Friday 18th February Tim Swift , Dean Moseley , Shaun Godfrey and Wayne Dunn (current champion). Semi Finals to be announced. UCI president Pat McQuaid tells Spanish prime minister he should not have intervened in Alberto Contador case overturned. “It’s up to sport to police itself,” said an angry McQuaid at the Tour of Oman. “I don’t think it should be interfered with by politicians who don’t know the full facts of the cases and then make statements that are purely political statements. I wasn’t surprised when you see it’s Spain. Nothing surprises me that comes from Spain. But it’s disappointing.” John Higgins beat Stephen Maguire 9-6 with a crushing last-session display to secure back-toback Welsh Open titles. Men’s Singles knockout Qtr Final winners were: Button it Zapatero Pat McQuaid, president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), cycling’s world governing body, has forcibly told Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to stop meddling in matters he knows nothing about following the controversial lifting of Alberto Contador’s suspension for doping. fellow Scot fired in a 54, 66 and 72 to secure his third crown in Wales. Ladies Singles Semi Final winners were: Melissa Howel and Alex Baker. The Final to be played on presentation night at the end of April All Sunshine Golf Darts League info is available on www.calahondadistrictdarts.com Sunshine Golf, the Costa Del Sol’s one stop golf shop “All we slice is the price” Great Britain’s mens’s pursuit team on their way to gold British pursuiters storm to golds Britain's pursuit teams powered to gold medals with dominant displays at the World Cup in Manchester. The men’s line-up of Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas, Ed Clancy and Steven Burke put on a show to beat New Zealand, going 2.124 seconds off the world record. Great Britain women's pursuit team won the team's first gold medal on the first day of the World Cup. The trio of Joanna Rowsell, Wendy Houvenaghel and Sarah Storey overpowered New Zealand in a British record three minutes, 19.757 seconds. Jason Kenny beat teammate Sir Chris Hoy in the semi-final of the sprint, taking silver in the final behind Kevin Sireau of France, while Hoy won bronze. Elsewhere, GB's Geraint Thomas won silver in the individual pursuit. For the pursuit team, it is likely to be the last time they compete together until winter, with Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas likely to head back out on the road with Team Sky for the spring classics and the grand tours. But they signed off in style, sending out a message to their potential Olympic opponents by setting the fifth-fastest time ever of three minutes 55.471 seconds - just off the world record of 3.53.314 set by a GB team containing Wiggins, Thomas, Clancy and Paul Manning at the Beijing Olympics. Polos & Logos Urb. Jardines Butiplaya, 13-14 Downstairs in Sunshine Golf La Cala Mijas - MALAGA [email protected] www.polosandlogos.com LAURO 27 GOLF NEW RATES 2011 1 year unlimited golf: 1.750€ (couple: 3.000€) FEBRUARY OFFER: 2 green fees + buggy: 125€ www.laurogolf.com Tel: 952 41 27 67 Fax: 952 41 47 57 email:[email protected] Front-line golf properties for sale Membership and golf included Call 952 41 27 67 for a private viewing LAURO LIVING 32 n Sports & Motors Sports Flash Sports Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in WGC-Accenture Match Play Ian Poulter is set to start the defence of his WGC-Accenture Match Play title against 2009 Open champion Stewart Cink if all the world's top 64 show up in Tucson today (Wednesday). And Thomas Bjorn's reward for leaping into the field with his Qatar Masters victory a week ago could be a duel with Tiger Woods, while Lee Westwood will face Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is up against Jonathan Byrd from America. Seba salvages a point Cricket returns for Malaga Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini returned to his old club to the in search of much needed points having not won in the last Costa 6 games. Villarreal 1 - 1 Malaga del Sol Malaga created their first chance after 2 minutes but Demechelis headed wide from a corner. After that though Villareal took control of the game - Willy Caballero, Malaga's new goalkeeper, was called upon in the 17th minute to make a good save from a Villareal freekick. Their pressure continued and it soon paid off when Rossi was put through on goal and although his shot was half-stopped by Caballero, Ruben was on hand to turn the loose ball in from close range in the 36th minute. Villarreal then really should have wrapped the game up after creating a number of decent openings, with Nilmar twice denied by Caballero before Cazorla curled a free-kick against the crossbar. Cazorla pounced on the loose ball and broke through the Malaga defence, only to see Caballero again prevent the home side from increasing their lead. The game turned into a scrappy affair but with Juanmi and Maresca brought on from the subs bench, Malaga never gave up. And in the 82nd minute Rondon was set free down the left hand flank and crossed into the box for the unmarked Seba Fernandez to slot home, much to the relief of all the Malaga staff and players. They held on for FRANK ELEC TRICS 669 009 821 [email protected] www.frank-multiservices.com Certified projects, boletins, emergency repairs, light and socket fittings, increasing circuits or complete circuit installations. ICP from €40 C e r t i fi c a t e s f r o m € 8 0 Cricket is first recorded as being played in Spain in the year 1809 by the soldiers of the Duke of Wellington. Since then the game has developed over the centuries and now over 50 clubs play all over mainland Spain and the Balaerics. a precious point but still remain 4 points adrift of safety. Almeria at home is next up on Dia de Andalucia Monday February 28th. Report by: Scott Forbes top quality installations from €595 Coin meters to control electric consumption €300 no obligation quotations and advice - all makes Contact lynne or alison in the airflow offices tel: 952 443 222 [email protected] Four of these clubs are now playing friendlies and league games in the Costa del Sol league. All local games are played on most weekends over the year at the fabulous Cartama Oval, close to Aguamania off the Cartama/Coin road. There is also a strong commitment to bring the QUALITY GOLF At Reduced Green Fees Available NOW at Lauro golf 2 Green Fees and a buggy €105, 5 & 7 day unlimited golf, Golf breaks in luxury accommodation on the golf course... plus many more options available Call 661 114 070 for more details DEAD FLOOR? Fully registered First for Quality First for Choice air Conditioning ServiCing & repairS oFFiCial panaSoniC Centre www.thenewsonline.es BRING IT BACK TO LIFE! Marble Restoration Service and Floor Polishing TONY’S Call for a truly professional long lasting high gloss finish at a realistic 620 726 875 price Your satisfaction is my motivation Ring for quotation without obligation VICTORIA CAR HIRE UK UK Self Drive £105 per week Fully inclusive No hidden extras Delivery & Collection Gatwick Airport only Tel: 0044 1293 432155 Fax: 0044 1293 402600 The Depot Andalucian Freight UK SPAIN IRELAND International & Local Removal Specialists Best prices on the Costa del Sol Packing materials sold Call 952 450 487 659 249 463 www.thedepot-andaluciafreight.com game to the local schools in the form of Quick Cricket. Whilst the Spanish Government recognises cricket as an Olympic sport there has been little or no funding, to date, although great effort is being made to change this. All work to develop the game in the Costas is purely voluntarily, however there are some Quick Cricket kits available along with a limited amount of coaching. We are looking for players(15 years and above) umpires,scorers,sponsors, coaches and volunteers to help with administration etc. If you think you can help with any of these please contact Tim Meal on 662 233 302 or e.mail [email protected]. By way of The News I will bring you regular news from the field of play with match reports and the progress of the development of the game in the schools and colleges. Report by:Tim Meal Sporting SPOTLIGHT CYCLING Olympic velodrome for 2012 opens The 6,000-seat velodrome for the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics opened on Tuesday. The venue for indoor cycling and BMX events, expected to come in on budget at around £93m, is the first to be completed at the Olympic Park. Sir Chris Hoy, who won three cycling gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, helped in the design. "The new velodrome is going to be the best in the world. I can't wait until I can compete on it," he said. London 2012 chairman Lord Coe described the VeloPark as "a stunning venue built for champions". FOOTBALL UEFA ripping oﬀ footie fans Fans will have to pay £176 for the cheapest ticket for this season's Champions League final, at Wembley on May 28th. The "category three" tickets cost £150 plus an administration fee of £26. However, for fans of the clubs involved in the final, the cheapest tickets will be priced at about £80. Uefa's director of competitions, Giorgio Marchetti, said the prices were in line with comparable events such as the World Cup final. He said: "We don't think that the Champions League final is overpriced.” Sca real ndinav esta ia te a n gen t Bank repossession in Spain - buy directly from the bank Approx 30 apartments for sale in Duquesa Price € 120,000 - 135,000 Lounge · 2 bedrooms · 2 baths · 70 - 80 m² built · Terrace · Spacious · 3 large community pools · Garages · Paddle tennis · Gated community · Exclusive area · Reference: RE-2060 High quality development ALL APARTMENTS have 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms They are 70 - 80 m² built · Bright · Spacious Elevator · Siemens kitchen · Private terrace Some available with parking and storage room included 100% mortgage • • • • 2.5% mortgage rate Interest only for 2 years! No redemption fee No opening cost for mortgage (only a 1% penalty if change lender) • Mortgage application supplied in English *Notes: Banco Espana instructed all Spanish Banks that they are no longer permitted to offer mortgages above the selling price of the property, so purchase costs and fees cannot be included in the mortgage amount. Siemens kitchen Modern kitchen with granite worktop, “Siemens” fitted kitchen – electric oven 4 hobs, American fridge, Washing machine. La Duquesa sports harbour The sportsharbour has several restaurants and bars open all year. It is a lovely holiday area with wide sandy beaches. There are plenty of charming places to enjoy lunch! sale ain s s Sp tre Dis nts in tme r a p Map of Duquesa Located close to the beach 5-8 mins walk and near the town Duquesa, these apartments have excellent road access and travel from either Malaga Airport or Gibraltar (Monarch and British Airways) Tel. 951 100 210	Cher
Evo Morales became president of which country in 2006?	AsiaLIFE Vietnam April 2016 by AsiaLIFE Magazine - issuu issuu STEAM INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS PUBLISHING HOUSE CAMBODIA // THAILAND // VIETNAM APRIL 2016 VOLUME 97 This month's cover Photography: Vinh Dao Model: Ji Hae Yoon, Grade 12 Location: International School Ho Chi Minh City for more news and events, features, restaurant reviews and video, visit: 38 www. A s i a L i f e M a g a z i n e .com For advertising and marketing enquiries please contact: +84 938 298 395 / +84 903 325 543 or [email protected] Director Jonny Edbrooke [email protected] Editorial Director Lorcan Lovett [email protected] Art Director Thang Pham L.C. [email protected] Photo Editor Simon Stanley [email protected] Production Manager Hoa Nguyen [email protected] Contributors Claudia Davaar Lambie Monica Majors Commercial Director Nguyen Kim Hanh [email protected] FRONT EVENTS ............................................................... 0 6 TOP 5: HISTORIC WALKS................................ 1 0 Q &A My Tam.................................................................. 1 4 BUSINESS VIEW.................................................. 1 6 DAY IN THE LIFE................................................ 1 8 TRENDING.......................................................... 1 9 C OV E R STO RY PICKING UP STEAM An evolution in education................................ 2 0 F E AT U R E S FOOD & DRINK FOOD NEWS Savour ing the tastier side of Saigon............... 4 0 LOCAL EATS The three oldest eater ies in town.................. 4 1 MALT Amer ican-style bar with good beer. . .............. 4 2 SOMTUM DER Ethnic Thai cuisine.............................................. 4 3 NAMO Authentic Neapolitan pizza............................... 4 4 MON NGON VIETNAM Royal Vietnamese dishes . . .................................. 4 5 STYLE & DESIGN CALLING FOR HELP FLIGHT OF FANCY The hem where ever ything is free. . ................ 2 6 Saigon’s new emergency response.................. 2 8 EXTRA FUN Meeting the background ar tists....................... 3 0 CZECH-MATE An histor ic fr iendship........................................ 3 2 HEALTH & WELLNESS Are hard beds really good for you?................ 3 4 T R AV E L 48 HOURS IN SINGAPORE A guide to fun in the island city-state.. .......... 3 6 LEAVING THE PAST BEHIND Kep’s dar k histor y and br ight future.............. 3 8 4 AsiaLIFE HCMC Japanese inspired cer amics............................... 4 6 Thuy Design House............................................ 4 8 COLUMNS IMBIBE ............................................................................. 5 6 FITNESS .......................................................................... 5 8 EDUCATION HUB .................................................... 6 2 PERSONAL FINANCE ............................................. 6 4 PEOPLE MATTER ....................................................... 6 6 FASHION FIELD NOTES ........................................ 6 8 APP CHAT .................................................................... 7 2 SUB-TOPICAL HEAT ................................................ 7 6 NGO FOCUS ............................................................... 7 7 PUB QUIZ ..................................................................... 7 8 EVENTS Until 22 APR 9am - 12pm, Mon - Fri All Month 7.30am - 10.30pm The Big Street @Lâ€™Usine, Dong Khoi Entry: Free Thai artist and graphic designer Pariwat Anatachina (aka Big) makes his Vietnamese debut with a stunning collection of dynamic urban collages. lusinespace.com 9 APR 6am Red Bull Champion Dash @Nguyen Luong Bang, D7 Entry: Registration Do you have what it takes to tackle this intense obstacle course? ticketbox.vn 6 AsiaLIFE HCMC Vinspace: Spring Camp @Vinspace, D2 and D7 Entry: VND690,000 per day or VND3,105,000 per week Bring along your littleones for stacks of fun guaranteed to keep even the most stubborn holidaymaker occupied, from clay to digital artwork, arts and crafts and teambuilding activities. vin-space.com 9 APR 9pm - late It Takes a Village @La Fenetre Soleil Entry: VND50,000 An evening of live hip-hop, dance, reggae, and free-style in aid of childrenâ€™s charities SMILE and Fighting for Futures. fb.com/lafenetre.soleil.3 Do you want your children to realise their full potential? The ABCIS offers an outstanding teaching and learning environment to help your child rise to the challenge of an ever-changing global community. www.theabcis.com EVENTS 10 APR 6.45am Sunday Funday MTB Adventure Ride @The Bike Shop Entry: Free This moderate 50-60km mountain bike ride is a great chance to meet people, get some exercise, develop your off-road riding skills and, most importantly, have a great time. Limited rentals available for VND200,000. Ride lasts approximately four hours. thebikeshopvn.com 13 APR 6pm - 10pm Beer and Food Pairing Event @TnT BBQ Entry: TBC An evening dedicated to two of the finest things in life, in conjunction with Pasteur Street Brewing Company. All you can eat / drink options available. Contact TnT or Pasteur Street for more information and tickets. fb.com/ tntbbqvietnam 8 AsiaLIFE HCMC Vietnam Engineering Education Conference @Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon Entry: Registration The Vietnam Engineering Education Conference (VEEC) brings the academic, industry and government community together to experience two days of interactive plenary sessions, panel discussions, technical sessions and seminars. 14-15 APR All day veec.heeap.org Color Me Run @168 Truong Van Bang Street, D2 Entry: Registration Walk, jog or dance your way along the most colourful 5km event in Vietnam, to be followed by a world-class music concert. colormerun.vn 16 APR 12pm - 10pm Get Wet: Songkran Water and Music Festival 2016 @Ho Chi Minh City Youth Culture House Entry: VND260,000 in advance / VND360,000 at door After flooding its banks last year, District 2â€™s Saigon Outcast has gone mobile to take its annual waterfight and music festival to District 1. ticketbox.vn 16 APR Cosmobeaute Vietnam @Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre Entry: Registration 21-23 APR 9am - 8pm The most influential beauty trade exhibition in the Indochina region will once again be bringing in an extensive range of brands, products, technologies and services from the West. cosmobeauteasia.com 16-17 APR Tai La Trophy @Tai La Longhouse, Nam Cat Tien Entry: Registration Teams of two race through combinations of running, cycling, mountain biking, swimming and kayaking challenges. 23 APR talai-adventure.vn 3pm - late Outcast Beer Fest @Outcast Entry: VND50,000 The popular D2 venue will host an extensive range of some of the regionâ€™s finest brews. saigonoutcast.com 9 AsiaLIFE HCMC TOP5 HISTORIC WALKS Any meander through the pulsating streets of Saigon is enough to stir the numbest of senses. Adversely, this overload of the present also makes it easy to forget the city’s fascinating and, at times, tragic history. Historian Tim Doling’s book Exploring Ho Chi Minh City (2014) changes all that, with exhaustive insights into the attractions across the districts, even as far as Can Gio, 50 kilometres from downtown. Buy Doling’s work at bookshops throughout the city or visit historicvietnam.com. It lists plenty of routes, each taking about half a day. Remember: keep hydrated, take care crossing the roads and purchase the book for all the necessary maps and information. Of the historic walks, Lorcan Lovett and Simon Stanley briefly stroll through their top five. Photos by Vinh Dao and Simon Stanley. 10 AsiaLIFE HCMC 1 City Centre 2 This tour starts and finishes at the Majestic Hotel (1 Dong Khoi). Yes, novelist Graham Greene did enjoy the odd cocktail here, as did Thomas Fowler, the anti-hero in Greene’s famous novel The Quiet American, but no more Greene references. Head down Ham Nghi street, which in pre-colonial times was a waterway known as the Cau Sau (Crocodile Bridge) Canal, with the riverside end the site of Saigon’s first railway station. The street also had the first Ben Thanh Market, which was destroyed by a fire in 1869. The second market (still bustling today) was moved further down, near Bitexco Tower, and became a renowned spot to purchase stolen American goods during the war. For any astute history buffs, the marble bust of young Buddhist protester Quach Thi Trang at the square named after her was recently moved to the park opposite the HCMC Museum. Pass ‘23-9 Park’, named in memory of those patriots who died while resisting British forces helping the French to take Saigon on 23 September 1945. On your way back to the Majestic you can grab a snack from one of the plenty of food stalls on Truong Dinh or feast at TnT BBQ. Then stop off at Sri Mariamman Temple, admiring its beautiful tower, and Ben Thanh Market. You may have been here before, but have you climbed up the secret staircase at the main entrance to visit the hidden temple inside the clock tower? 2 Station to Station Until 1983, the ‘23-9 Park’ on Pham Ngu Lao Street was the location of Saigon’s second railway station (see ‘City Centre 2’ for the first). This walk begins and ends at the current Ga Saigon in District 3 and follows the path of the old line into the city. Highlights along the way include one of the surviving secret weapons cellars used during the Tet Offensive, and several stunning colonial-era villas. As your ghostly locomotive arrives at the former downtown terminus, the nearby backpacker area makes for an ideal halfway lunch stop to top-up the fuel tanks. The return journey briefly follows another former train line - the first in Indochina and impossibly narrow - before cutting across to District 10 to take in another weapons cellar, the Quoc Tu Pagoda and the Museum of Traditional Medicine. Rest your feet in F-Time cafe, a trendy corner spot a few doors away from FITO, then make the short trek back to the station through the hems. 3 Cholon Central This tangled, thorough route through the heart of Chinatown starts and ends at Arc-en-Ciel Hotel in Tan Da. Swampland once separated the area from Saigon, with the two connecting paths built into tracks for steam tramways by the French. These tracks have disappeared underneath the asphalt, though assembly halls built before the tram, in the 1800s, still survive. Visit them for their atmosphere, forged by hanging coils of burning incense, and follow the book to reveal the mythical fables behind their shrines and rich decoration. Take the walk on an empty stomach to try a range of delicious street food unlike anywhere else in Saigon. Look up to see intact colonial dwellings, like the one in Phu Dinh which was used for the film The Lover (1992). Inhale the potent smell of traditional medicines on Luong Nhu Hoc Street and hear the sound of smashing metal on Tran Tuong Cong as craftsmen plough their trade. On the way back, visit 5 Chau Van Liem. Before leaving for France, the young Nguyen Tat Thanh – later known to the world as Ho Chi Minh – stayed here. It’s open to visitors, as is the striking Franciso Xavier Church which played an important role in Vietnam’s recent history. Visit the church after wandering through nearby Binh Tay market. 12 AsiaLIFE HCMC 4 Around the Airport This walk is ideal for those looking to kill a morning before an afternoon flight, although one of its most interesting attractions, an abandoned Boeing 707 airliner, was dismantled for scrap material last year. Start at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, which, during the American War, was one of the busiest air bases in the world. The US Military Assistance Command based at the junction of Truong Son and Hong Ha streets has now been replaced by CT Plaza; a great place to catch a film or go shopping. Keep your eyes peeled for the patch of land that once hosted the abandoned plane further down Honh Ha street. The aircraft served as a cafe in the 1990s after Vietnam Airlines decommissioned it in 1985. Looping back to the airport, take in Phuoc Kien Temple, an old Chinese funeral home, and Vo Tanh Mausoleum, located down Hem 19 on Ho Van Hue street. Set amid well-kept gardens, this is the tomb of Von Tanh, a military commander who chose self-immolation rather than surrender while enduring a siege by Tay Son forces on a Cham citadel in 1801. The rest of the walk takes in another tomb - that of venerated scholar Phan Chau Trinh (1872-1926) - and the Air Force Museum, Southern Branch, which displays aircraft outside that served in the American War, the war in Cambodia and the Chinese border war of 1979. 5 Phu Nhuan While Saigon isn’t as easy to navigate on foot as other cities, it’s a pursuit with countless rewards. This tour begins and ends at the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, that large, ornate Buddhist temple you might have already seen - albeit briefly - through the window of a taxi during one of those bleary-eyed trips back from the airport. Offering ample parking and cool canalside breezes, it’s an impressive opener. Catch the Nguyen Van Troi martyr memorial opposite (make sure you read the full history), before ambling briefly into District 1 for lunch. Pho Binh, an otherwise easy-to-miss pho joint, has a secret. The room upstairs was the clandestine nerve centre for the planning of the Tet Offensive. Ask for the tour before leaving. Several pagodas and mausoleums line the route into Phu Nhuan District as we head towards the Phu Nhuan Communal House, a reminder of the 19th-century village that once stood here amid the marshland. Heading back towards our starting point, take a moment to absorb the sights of Nguyen Van Troi Street while you can. Finally, if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll tread carefully as you cross the Cong Ly Bridge. Q&A MY TAM My Tam has been hailed as Vietnamâ€™s number one pop star after selling out stadiums and releasing the highest selling album in Vietnamese recording history. The singer talks with Lorcan Lovett in time for the release of her new single. Photo by Tung Chu. 14 AsiaLIFE HCMC You have been one of Vietnam’s top pop stars since bursting onto the scene in 1999. How have you managed to stay relevant and popular for so long? I honestly have just one way to manage my career: everything I do today must be better than yesterday, and I have to motivate myself every single day. How has the pop scene changed since you released your first album? The pop scene has changed a lot; it’s much more diverse now. The easiest way to see the difference is that the lyrics are more (pointed) towards self-expression. Lyrics nowadays are taken more from spoken language than poetry. Some of your best hits are also the most popular karaoke songs in Vietnam. How do you feel about people singing (sometimes, not very well) your songs on karaoke? Only happy, despite how good or bad they are. They love and sing my songs and that makes me happy. Your music styles have ranged from soft ballads to dancepop and R&B. Which is your favourite? I love pop ballads and blues jazz. Many young women constantly copy your ever-changing styles. How do you feel about that? Back in 2001, whenever I went to my regular hair salon, they told me customers that came would ask for the My Tam hairstyle. I feel very happy to hear that. It is still the same now. I changed my hair to kind of a darkgreen mixed with brown, and quite a few of the young people like it. I honestly don’t mind having people copying my style or singing my songs at all. It’s nice they choose to follow; it’s a positive sign. Your third album Yesterday and Now is the most successful in your career and one of the best selling albums in Vietnamese musical history to “I honestly have just one way to manage my career: everything I do today must be better than yesterday.” date. What made that album so successful? I think it’s definitely because Yesterday and Now was released at the right time in the industry and my right moment. Moreover, it’s very close to the audiences, so got accepted quite comfortably. In 2008, you started the charity My Tam (MT) Foundation which builds houses for the poor, and also provides scholarships for the underprivileged. Why did you decide to help this part of society? I don’t know much about medication so I chose not to go for that direction. I followed charity groups when I was much younger and always wanted to have my own foundation for a charitable purpose. I chose to give away scholarships because I believe children that love to study should have more support to continue studying for their future. However, we do also support the underprivileged older people by building community houses and bridges. You often collaborate with Korean artists and producers. Is the Vietnamese music industry strong enough to support its own artists, or do you think it needs the help of Korea? Vietnam does not yet have a strong (enough) music industry, so it will be hard to support. Whatever we do, we always need to be consistent and professional. If we appear as permissive and scruffy, with an attitude of ‘it’s worked out anyway’, then it will be hard to get support in the region. Do you feel the music industry in Vietnam has an equal representation of women? Vietnam’s music industry has always been fair for both sexes; even I see the female side is more dominating. I’m lucky to have a great team to support me, making sure that everything goes smoothly and carefully. My shows have always been selective with good content, so they are often sold out. I am so glad and feel thankful to all my great audiences. As a judge on Vietnam Idol and The Voice of Vietnam, how good do you think reality TV competitions are at finding true talent? I think they’re very good indeed. Those reality TV competitions are best for those who are looking for chances to shine. To be straight, if they can prove themselves in those competitions, then they will have a good chance to be successful. Your new single Blue Eyes has a scenic, fairytale theme. What was the inspiration behind the song and the video? I’m glad to hear you like it. I was listening to some music when I was on the plane for my US tour. I suddenly thought, what if I go horse riding instead of taking the plane? - that’s my inspiration behind the song production. Regarding the lyrics, I wrote it from a relaxing afternoon of reading books and listening to music, and I wrote the lyrics quite fast. My inspiration comes and goes; it usually comes before I’m going to do something. Once I’m finished and that inspiration has gone, I then only feel enjoyment. Editor’s note: this interview was translated from Vietnamese by AsiaLIFE Vietnam. AsiaLIFE HCMC 15 Rounding up the latest business and economic news for Vietnam DROUGHT COSTS OVER BILLION THE worst drought the southern tip of the Mekong Delta has seen in recent years will cost over a billion US dollars in crop damage. Vietnam’s prime fertile rice-growing region is enduring a dry spell that has been forecast to peak this month. The Department of Crop Production had estimated that the drought would cost VND34 trillion (US$1.5 billion) to deal with the heavy damage caused by drought and saltwater intrusion. Director of the department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ma Quang Trung, told local media that the level of inland saline intrusion was unprecedented, resulting in damage to some 180,000 hectares (444,780 acres) of paddy fields. Trung said that 10 percent of the 1.5 million hectares of rice was sowed in the winter-spring crop in the delta and he estimated that one million tons of rice could be damaged by the saltwater intrusion. Accompanied by a saline intrusion, the drought is reported to have affected over a million people who face water shortages in the region. The situation has spurred China to dispense twice the amount of water from a hydropower station to aid the situation. Officials blamed the drought on the El Nino weather phenomenon and excessive construction of hydropower dams on the upper stream of the river, the Associated Press reported. PERSIAN PARTNER OFFERS NEW BUSINESS FRONTIER VIETNAM and Iran are targeting billions of US dollars in trade over the next few years following a visit from Vietnam’s President Truong Tan Sang to Tehran last month. During the visit, the State Bank of Vietnam and Iran’s Central Bank signed a memorandum of understanding at a business forum, signifying one of many lucrative opportunities Tehran has had since sanctions were lifted in January. Speaking at the forum, Iran’s Minister of Industries and Business, Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, said Vietnam-Iran bilateral trade turnover is expected to grow to US$2 billion in five years in view of the recent abolition of trade embargoes on the Persian Gulf country. “We will work closely with the representative bodies and authorities of the two countries to observe, study, and 16 AsiaLIFE HCMC Image by Tuoi Tre offer solutions and incentives to encourage cooperation among businesses, as well as increasing trade promotion activities,” Nematzadeh said. Addressing business representatives at the event, President Sang underlined that for the time being, the two nations should focus on finding solutions to existing financial and banking issues, especially in the payment process, to assist businesses in forming trade partnerships. Speaking with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, Nguyen Dong Tien, said: “Vietnam has joined the global transaction network, and Iran will do the same after the removal of embargoes on the country, which I believe will lay the foundation for future cooperation. “We will encourage domestic commercial banks of Vietnam to invest in the Iranian market.” The UN Security Council began imposing sanctions on Iran in 2006 after the nation refused to suspend its uranium enrichment program. The sanctions negatively affected multiple sectors of Iran’s economy, until they were lifted in January this year, following the country’s agreement to limit its nuclear programmes. TECH GIANT TARGETS VIETNAM APPLE is set to make its next move in the promising Vietnamese market by launching a US$1 billion data centre in Hanoi, according to local reports. The US tech giant is “completing necessary investment procedures, and looking for a suitable location for the facility,” Dien Dan Doanh Nghiep (a business forum) said, citing its own source. The forum is the media branch of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), one of Vietnam’s largest trade promotion agencies. The reported data centre will serve Apple’s Asia operations and may also feature research and development (R&D) activities, although it is unclear when the project will begin. Last year, Apple earmarked more than $8 billion, or 3 percent of its revenue for the fiscal year ending September 2015, for R&D, according to Dien Dan Doanh Nghiep. The iPhone maker runs R&D centers in the UK, China, Taiwan, the US, and Israel and has begun construction of new facilities in Japan and India Many of Apple’s rivals in the fields of tech gadgets, such as Samsung and LG from South Korea, and US giant Microsoft, already have operations in Vietnam. Apple opened a subsidiary company in the Southeast Asian nation last year – Apple Vietnam Limited Liability – which is based in Saigon. The subsidiary conducts wholesale business for various products including its signature smartphones, and provides maintenance and advisory services. Vietnam is proving an irresistible market for Apple after its sales there tripled in its fiscal first half of last year, a growth rate five times higher than in India. NEWS IN BRIEF FLYING THAI Thailand is now Vietnam’s 11th biggest foreign investor, with most of its investment channelled into the manufacturing and processing industry, the Vietnamese Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) said. As of last month, Thai investors had run 428 projects across Vietnam, with a total registered investment of around US$7.88 billion. There are 200 Thai-invested manufacturing and processing projects in Vietnam, together worth nearly $7 billion. APP BOOST Investors have ploughed US$28 million into Vietnamese start up M_Service, the operator of mobile e-wallet MoMo. Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) invested $25 million, while Goldman Sachs, an existing shareholder and strategic investor, put in an additional $3 million on top of its initial $5.75 million investment in 2013. Smartphone app MoMo provides an e-wallet service, allowing the user to store multiple credit card and bank account numbers securely. HAPPY HOLIDAYS BREWERS FROTHING AT TAX HIKE BREWERS in one of the largest beer markets in Asia are calling for a rethink on a new luxury tax policy that they say is pushing up prices and hurting sales. Vietnam’s government introduced the special consumption tax rate on beer which was increased from 50 percent to 55 percent on 1 January, reported Thanh Nien news. On top of that, new regulations changed how the tax is calculated. Brewers are now required to work out the average retail price of a product, and then add 7 percent to that number to come up with the final taxable price. The heads of Habeco and Sabeco – the country’s biggest beer makers – along with the chairman of the Vietnam Beer Alcohol Beverage Association, Nguyen Van Viet, have expressed their concerns. Viet said that once local products become expensive, cheap products such as smuggled and counterfeit items might flood the market, according to the news site. The brewers’ request was supported by the Vietnam Business Forum, a group of associations of foreign businesses such as the US and European commerce chambers. The group has sent a proposal to Vietnam’s national legislature, asking it to revoke or suspend the new rules. Companies that overcharge tourists in the north-central province of Quang Binh have been threatened with closure. Authorities declared they will revoke business licences from firms that rip off vistitors during a meeting last month that attracted nearly 200 local tourist companies. The province is home to Phong Nha – Ke Bang, a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. FREE WI-FI One thousand Mai Linh cabs in HCMC, Hanoi and Da Nang have begun providing free Wi-Fi as part of a pilot project. The taxi operator aims to make wireless broadband accessible to passengers and create additional revenue streams by offering more advertising channels to businesses. It will decide whether to install more Wi-Fi devices in its remaining cabs after assessing customer satisfaction at the end of May. AsiaLIFE HCMC 17 Veterinarian. DR NGUYEN VAN NGHIA By Simon Stanley. Photo by Vinh Dao. 39 -year-old Dr Nghia has dedicated his life to animal welfare, turning what began as a childhood hobby into a career. “When I was young,” he says, “I tried to help baby birds that had fallen from trees. They would often die, but now I recognise what I was doing wrong.” After studying animal sciences at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry, he turned his attention towards small animal medicine, eventually receiving a scholarship to study at the prestigious University of Bristol’s school of clinical veterinary medicine in the UK. He returned to Vietnam in 2008 and established the Saigon Pet Clinic in Thao Dien. Dr Nghia starts his day early. Waking at 5.30am, he tends to his nine cats before heading out for a jog with his dog, Lexus. Work begins at 6.30am when he arrives at the clinic and starts preparing for the day ahead. A staff meeting is held at 7am to discuss the day’s schedule and any special cases or procedures that will be taking place, and whether any emergency calls were taken overnight. He also receives an update on the condition of any animals in intensive care or those waiting to be re-housed in the adjoining Animal Rescue Centre (ARC). For many pet owners, their once loveable bundles of fur can become a financial burden too great to bear as food and vet bills rack up. In the case of expats planning a relocation, the cost of shipping their creatures has, for Dr Nghia, become another excuse for people to abandon their pets, although he works closely with airlines and foreign authorities to try prevent this. “When you adopt an animal,” he says, “please adopt them. I don’t want them to suffer again. You have them for life.” One of his proudest achievements was the rehoming of a husky named Sam. At just fourmonths-old, Sam was imported from Alaska by a wealthy Vietnamese family. Of course, Alaska and Saigon are two very different places and soon the tropical climate was beginning to cause severe skin conditions and infections. The dog’s first owners abandoned him at the clinic and although a second 18 AsiaLIFE HCMC family later adopted him, the clinic’s treatments proved to be unsuccessful. “The real treatment was to send the dog back to Alaska,” says Dr Nghia. With a Vietnamese stamp in Sam’s canine passport, US animal regulations wouldn’t allow him to return for fear of disease. With the help of a Canadian expat living in Saigon, along with a string of volunteers and donations, Sam was flown to Vancouver where his treatment could continue in a far more hospitable climate. Dr Nghia’s devotion to animals has become well-known in his community; he points to a box of kittens that has been left on the clinic’s doorstep overnight. “It’s not right,” he says. “If I take a group of kittens, three months later, another group will come. You have to neuter the mother.” A month’s hot topics from Vietnam and beyond Kick-Ass Over 90,000 Facebook followers have been supporting the actions of a group of vigilantes who fight crime in HCMC. Members of two Facebook pages - ‘Stolen Property Report’ and ‘HCMC Thief Hunter’ - post information on theft cases they have solved as well as photos of detained offenders. The ‘street heroes’ were formed in 2010, solving over 200 cases of theft and robbery so far, but lawyers have advised them to strictly comply with the law. A local chief police, on the other hand, told them to learn how to gather evidence. From King Kong to Miss Saigon? “If Les Mis is a success then Miss Saigon will be made into a film,” said legendary West-End producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh shortly before Les Miserables’ stage-to-screen debut in 2012, which grossed over US$440 million, many have been speculating about the Miss Saigon movie ever since. There was fresh excitement last month as Danny Boyle, the British Oscar-winning director behind Slumdog Millionaire, was reported to be in negotiations to direct the adaptation. with Mackintosh apparently showing an interest in shooting onlocation in Saigon itself. At 7.30am, consultations and the daily parade of sick and injured animals begin. If a surgical procedure is scheduled, Dr Nghia will focus all of his attention on the task. “I prefer to do surgery in the morning or the evening. At that time it’s very quiet,” he says, adding that he encourages owners to ask any questions the day before. “On the day of the procedure, I want to be mindful, to just concentrate on the animals.” After lunch, consultations continue unless he has arranged a school or orphanage visit when he will take a few of ARC’s cats and dogs along to teach young children how to properly respect and care for them. “We need to educate the younger generations. That is one of our jobs at ARC. I don’t need to teach adults; they learn from their kids.” At around 5.30pm he’ll head home to begin researching and studying, or preparing lectures and marking assignments as part of his ongoing role at the agricultural university. “People say I’m a crazy man, but I’m not sure. My whole day is for the animals.” For more complex surgical procedures, he will return to the clinic at around 7.30pm when the building and the telephones are quiet. Depending on the rotation of his shifts, he’ll then either go home for some much-needed rest, or stay on-call in the clinic until the following morning to deal with emergencies and watch-over the dozens of cats and dogs housed in the ARC accommodation facility. The newly-arrived kittens, for example, will require handfeeding every three hours. “There’s always something to do,” he says. “I’m busy but I’m a very happy man. I love my job very much. I just want to make things better for animals.” Hitting 60 From 1 March, commuters all over Vietnam were able to enjoy an extra 30 seconds in bed each morning as many of the country’s speed limits rose by 10kph. The Hanoi highway, for example, was bumped to 70kph for cars and 60 for bikes. Ironically, just three days after the new regulations were introduced, a Lamborghini reportedly worth US$630,000 was seriously damaged as its driver lost control in District 9 on a road with a speed limit of 120kph. Fortunately no one was injured. Four Dead in Hanoi Bomb Blast The Ministry of Public Security has confirmed that traces of bomb debris were found at the scene of a deadly blast on 19 March in Hanoi that killed four people and injured 10. The explosion at a scrap metal business seriously damaged 36 houses, leaving a large crater in Van Phu residential area according to Thanh Nien News. Police have yet to confirm the exact cause of the blast although locals and police are speculating that an unexploded bomb from the American war was detonated when the shop owner tried to cut open the object with a blowtorch. PICKING UP STEAM 20 AsiaLIFE HCMC Since the 1990s, advancing technologies and increasing globalisation have been changing the face of the modern-day workplace. Throughout the process, four specialisms emerged as vital components for success. But something was missing. By Simon Stanley and Lorcan Lovett. Photos by Vinh Dao. A t the turn of the millenium, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) were touted by many as the golden ticket to a future of successful, skilled workers – and a successful economy. Like acronyms, times change: STEM has exposed its flaws and gained an A for Art (STEAM), while Asia has become the largest market for international education, partly driven by demand from middle-class Asian families who have benefited from the region’s booming economy. The Time for Creativity In his 2006 TED Talk entitled Do Schools Kill Creativity?, educationalist Sir Ken Robinson argued that the conventional model of public education was failing to meet the needs of the new millennium. “Our education system has mined our minds in the way that we strip-mine the earth for a particular commodity. “Creativity is now as important in education as literacy and we should treat it with the same status,” he said, his speech now the most viewed TED Talk on YouTube. John Maeda, then president of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), later moulded this standpoint into STEAM, calling for a holistic, real-world approach to education. “The goal is to foster the true innovation that comes with combining the mind of a scientist or technologist with that of an artist or designer,” reads RISD’s website. British film producer and educator Lord Puttnam describes the separation of STEM and the arts as “nonsense”. “It is when (they) advance in harmony that you’ve got success,” he says. “I think that sooner or later, educationalists the world over will (realise) that we have spent far too many years creating bored generalists, (rather) than trying to find inspired geniuses.” The majority of Vietnam’s 95 international schools have embraced the STEAM approach to education, which recognises the importance of creativity when aiming for success in technical fields. This is a step away from the traditional model of rote learning combined with Confucian ethics of education and hard work that has come to define Vietnam’s national school system. Despite any perceived shortcomings of the latter system, such as a redundancy in encouraging independent, critical thinking, it has still come a long way since the 1990s. In 2012 an international assessment by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development ranked Vietnam in 8th place for mathematics and science; the US lagged 20 places behind. Yet this has not stopped an intense, domestic demand for international education. The appetite to be taught in English is slated to further increase – it’s the official language of the recently established ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) – but students will be leaving with more than a new language. Schools in HCMC such as ABC International School, the International School of HCMC, British International School and Saigon South International School are at the forefront of the STEAM movement, merging the five subjects like never before. The International School of Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) Of course, creativity is an innate skill built into our genes from birth. But, as Robinson pointed out a decade ago, it’s a trait that relies on trial and error, the latter being something most of us quickly taught to fear and avoid. “We’re now running national education systems where mistakes are the worst things you can make,” he said. “We’re educating people out of their creative capacities.” This is not the case at ISHCMC. From its pre-school classrooms, right up to the International Baccalaureate (IB), creative, imaginative and inspired thinking is encouraged in every subject, in every way. “The traditional classroom is thrown right out of the window here,” says Frank Hua, the school’s IT integration specialist and middle-school design teacher. “We’re trying to teach the students that it’s okay to fail, to learn from what you did, then improve. It’s an ongoing cycle.” The innovation at ISHCMC goes far beyond incorporating art into, say, a design and technology lesson - a rather AsiaLIFE HCMC 21 obvious leap. Instead, particularly in the earlier years, subjects appear to have no boundaries, with creativity and technology at the forefront in every class. As students mature and begin to look towards university applications and higher education courses, some subjects are chosen over others, arts often taking second place alongside more traditionally ‘high-value’ disciplines. Paul Gordon, ISHCMC’s college counsellor and careers and university advisor, says the school sees a lot of students strongly focused on mathematics and science. “There is still a stereotype; this idea that universities will somehow value a student taking two sciences versus having an arts,” he says. “We, as a school and as a counselling team, discourage that pretty strongly.” Much of ISHCMC’s work concentrates on developing real-world knowledge, utilising industry-standard software suites, for example, and encouraging students to employ the range of skills one would require in the workplace. “Employers are looking for students who can think creatively in a team setting a lot more than coming out with a degree in science and engineering,” says Gordon. “At a university level they’re also encouraging that, redesigning their classrooms to encourage hands-on, interactive learning and teamwork - not just having a big auditorium with rows of seats.” 22 AsiaLIFE HCMC British International School - A Nord Anglia Education School AsiaLIFE meets Richard Harper, Head of Art, Catherine Sargent, Head of Drama, and Ian Alexander, Director of Music, to discuss the arts at BIS. AL: Do you still see a reluctancy among parents or students to embrace the arts? RH: This is one of the biggest problems; this myth that the only careerpath is to become a famous artist. CS: Or actor. IA: Or musician. RH: It’s been well documented that the creative industries in the UK are some of the fastest growing. CS: According to the UK’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the creative industries made £71.4 billion (US$107.2 billion) for the British economy in 2012. AL: So how does BIS put the ‘A’ into STEM? RH: Right now we’re in the middle of a Nord Anglia global challenge which focusses on the principles of STEAM. It’s a Rube Goldberg competition, to create a silly machine that is overly engineered but highly creative. We’ve done one in art, we’ve done one in drama where we used people; science have built one, PE… It’s highly collaborative. CS: Also the Key-Stage 3 show next term will be all about STEAM. We’ll be showing mathematical equations through dance, for example, and explaining DNA and the stories of scientists’ lives through physical theatre. AL: The BIS arts programme recently received a glowing review from the Juilliard School. What makes a strong arts department? IA: In music, I think it is the inclusivity, so everyone can get involved, whether you’re interested in chamber music or drumming. There are opportunities for everyone. RH: In art we have the same kind of ideology. We’re giving students the freedom to explore what they want to study. CS: It’s about students taking ownership; being able to say ‘this is my idea’ and not, ‘my teacher has taught me this and now I’ve replicated it’. AL: Is there a risk that the pursuit of creativity might overshadow fundamental knowledge? RH: If you’re talking about learning facts by rote, it’s completely meaningless unless you know what to do with those facts. If you’re just blindly absorbing what’s fed to you, then you’re not being educated. That’s not learning. CS: It’s a much more skills-based education. There’s the idea of ‘futureroofing’; the idea that there are industries that we don’t even know about yet, so in all of our subjects we’re “THE MINUTE THEY’RE DOING MORE INTERESTING THINGS, THEY’RE MORE INTERESTED.” - SAM SHERRATT, PRIMARY YEARS IB COORDINATOR, ISHCMC. AsiaLIFE HCMC 23 SOUTHEAST ASIA HAS OVER 800 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS, CATERING FOR OVER 300,000 STUDENTS. 24 AsiaLIFE HCMC teaching students how to think for themselves, how to be independent, how to analyse and research things and ask questions. RH: It doesn’t matter how well trained you are as an engineer, for example. If you really want to design the next amazing thing, you’ve got to think outside of the box, think beyond what has been developed already, and create something new. And you can only do that if you can think creatively. Saigon South International School (SSIS) “Computer screens have become a new easel,” says Alfredo Papaseit, the elementary school technology coach at SSIS. His words are supported by a recent World Economic Forum report that asked chief humanresources and strategy officers from leading global employers about what the current shifts in employment mean. In the report’s top 10 skills, creativity ranked at 10 for 2015. By 2020, it’s forecast to be the third most essential skill, and with the current advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, this prediction is entwined with technology. “What skills do you need when 15 percent of your workforce are robots?” asks Robert Appino, the middle school’s technology coach. The answer is implied: imagination. “(Creativity) is something we have to nurture in schools,” he says. “Our kids are bombarded with all kinds of advertisements everyday. Part of being a critical thinker is being able to break down media. So more than ever, when we’re looking at STEM or STEAM, it has to include that artistic element, it has to include the creativity end of things.” Appino has seen firsthand how art can help students develop. He uses the example of a teenager in Grade 12 who he began teaching in Grade 6. “She is a very introverted learner and communicator, but the way she can communicate through art - and with a bunch of different people - is very different to how she communicates verbally. It gives kids access to another means of communication.” Both Appino and Papaseit encourage the 955 students aged from three to 18 at SSIS to think more creatively and critically. Papaseit says their main goal is to “get kids to believe they can be astronauts, engineers, computer scientists” and that this mindset “needs to start in elementary school”. A glance at the future of education demands that the typical childhood dream of becoming an astronaut will not be achieved without artistic thinking. “In the past we tended to think about art as something more like expressing your feelings,” he says. “We’ve reached that point where art is actual real work, is real money.” Papaseit sees students’ interaction with technology as an opportunity to create rather than consume. Funding is becoming less of a problem for schools with fewer resources, he says, because the tools are becoming cheaper. For instance, a small computer called Raspberry Pi costs just $25. “It’s really important we use tools like computers to help kids understand the concept behind STEAM,” adds Appino. “But if you are a lowincome school, if you have got the right teachers and some cardboard, you could easily create a STEAM project that hits all those same levels. “It would be a good starting point. Part of the thinking behind STEAM is to be able to rapidly produce different things and watch them fail. You can do that with cardboard and have physical computing.” AsiaLIFE HCMC 25 SAMARITAN MARITAN SA Alley ley Al Simon Stanley visits a corner of Saigon where those in need are given a helping hand. Photo by Vinh Dao. 26 AsiaLIFE HCMC 54 -year-old Do Van Ut, known as Viet, has lived on Hem 96, Phan Dinh Phung Street in Phu Nhuan district his whole life. For the past 30 years he has occupied a spot on the corner of the narrow alleyway offering roadside bike repairs and xe om rides. Ten years ago, noticing how so many road accidents were occurring nearby, Viet decided to keep a small collection of medical supplies with his tools to assist those in need of urgent care. If it was a particularly bad crash, Viet and his xe om buddies would take people to the hospital in District 1. The price for all of this? Nothing - “mien phi”, as the Vietnamese goes - particularly for those who could not afford it. For Viet, it seemed natural to help those in need, even if at the time he could barely afford it himself. As word of his idea spread, local residents were inspired by Viet’s generosity and began donating other types of medicines and medical supplies. People also collected funds for a small medicine cabinet as those less fortunate families came to rely on Viet’s offerings to help them with coughs, colds, headaches, sore throats and diarrhoea. Ten years on and Viet is still there, the original medicine cabinet now joined by a much larger one with both bolted to the wall of the alleyway’s entrance and filled with pills, medicines, bandages and ointments all purchased with the community’s own money or with the funds kindly donated to them. The alleyway’s charitable offerings have also stretched much further than free medicine. With the help of local and international donations, Viet and his neighbours are now able to volunteer a wide range of free services to the poor, the most popular of which appears to be the urn of iced tea parked out on the main road, with street vendors, road sweepers, scrap dealers and recycling collectors rolling up every few minutes to quench their thirst. For those who cannot afford it, Viet also gives free motorbike repairs and xe om rides. “I want to help people because I know what it is like to be poor. I have been there myself,” he says, referring to a period in his life when he too was without money, without a job and, for a time, without a home. “Also, I am Buddhist,” he adds, “so it is very important to me. For the lotteryticket vendors, they must sell 10 tickets to make just VND10,000 in profit. It’s so little. So when they need to repair their motorbikes, I don’t want to take anything from them.” In Saigon’s baking heat, purchasing just one small bottle of water represents a massive outlay for someone who earns so little. Of course, there are those who take advantage of Hem 96’s generosity. “Yes, everyone drinks the tea,” admits Viet, “but I don’t mind. To me, it doesn’t matter who you are. Even if someone came and drank one or two litres, it’s fine.” Hem 96, which has become known as ��Samaritan Alley’ or ‘Free Alley’, has appeared in the Vietnamese press several times over the past year. As more and more come to know about the good work of this close-knit community, the number of donations continues to rise. Viet and his neighbours can now provide a twicemonthly free meal. “Everybody around here helps out,” says Viet, “either by donating a little bit of money or cooking a particular dish.” In addition to medicines, iced tea, bike repairs, xe om rides and food, a local coffin maker completes the list of freebies, providing free coffins and funeral services when needed, something that frequently draws grieving families in from every corner of the city. Although Hem 96 has become famous for the number of services it offers, all over Saigon, citizens are engaged in small everyday acts of charity. Despite recent reports that local authorities in Hanoi were banning the practice, urns of iced tea labelled ‘mien phi’ are ubiquitous all over Vietnam; a small, but in some cases, lifesaving gesture. In September 2015 Thanh Nien news told the story of Nguyen Quoc Cuong, an 18-year-old street cobbler in HCMC who refuses to charge disabled people, lotteryticket vendors, cyclo drivers, street workers or those from disadvantaged families. “There are many poor people who can’t even afford to have their shoes repaired. We just want to make life a bit easier for them,” he told the newspaper. Further afield, a free bread and water cart quietly appeared in Hanoi recently, apparently wheeled out from a nearby shop each morning, with more than 100 banh mi rolls being made available throughout the day. Like Viet, the people behind the bread cart have been extremely modest about their kindness. It seems to be the Vietnamese way; this natural and selfless propensity to help those in need. Despite earning very little himself, Viet always refuses any personal donations, preferring instead to add everything to the pot for the next round of meals, or to resupply his medicine cabinet. “It is good for my heart,” he says. “I don’t care so much about money.” So if you ever find your self with a flat tyre near the Phan Dinh Phung / Hai Ba Trung bridge, look out for Viet and tip him well. Your money will be going to a good home. AsiaLIFE HCMC 27 G N I L L R A O C F P L E H y nc is e g er rvice By m e e . ew nce s igon s. n a r A ula . S b g to Majo Dao m a n ca nh i i mi co Mon by V oto Ph 28 AsiaLIFE HCMC O ne day I thought I was being smart by transiting on two feet instead of two wheels – until I was hit by four. The gory details of the incident aren’t important here, but as traffic continued unimpeded around the culprit-taxi and the red streak on the pavement, I was in need of medical assistance. Not only did I (apparently) not know how to successfully circumnavigate Saigon’s traffic, but I also did not know how or whom to call in an emergency (the official Vietnamese line for medical assistance is 115, by the way). The ever-soambitious taxi driver picked me up without consultation or approval and plopped me on the back seat of his vehicle. We then turned against traffic and zoomed toward an unknown destination – what I could only assume was either a dark hem or a hospital (50/50 at the time in my clouded mind). “Benh vien - hospital,” I uttered, interrupting his agitated, but concerned, tirade. “Roi, roi, roi,” he finally answered and delivered me quickly and carefully to the International SOS Hospital in District 3. Fortunately, the rest of the story, and my recovery, end happily. Based on my own experience, I spoke with locals, expatriates and tourists in HCMC regarding what to do in a medical emergency. Few were aware that there is a public system; less would call for assistance and even fewer expect an ambulance to arrive in time to be effective. Nearly all agreed that a taxi is the best option; some expats saying they’d rather call their embassy than the helpline. When asked if anyone has seen an ambulance in the city, most responded in question, “You mean that cryptic-looking van that sits in traffic like everyone else?” So where are we to turn? My question led me to Family Medical Practice Vietnam (FMP), where there is a long and arduous process well underway to offer Vietnam’s first privatised emergency response system, 9999. Starting four years ago and overseen by FMP’s CEO Dr Rafi Kot, the aim is not only to bring medical care in Vietnam up to date with the major world players, but also to “rattle and shake the establishment”. Dr Kot has done that through a carefully orchestrated tier of checks and balances, starting first with the procurement of ProQA, the leading automated emergency dispatch system operating in 52 countries around the world (Vietnam is now the 53rd). Saving Lives Where used, ProQA decreases mortality by up to 33 percent. Fully automated, operators follow on-screen prompts based on the information received from the caller. It effectively navigates operators through handling all medical queries, from itchy eyes and a running nose, to blood and ooze and heart palpitations, or the unimaginable. At the pre-ordained point of crisis, an ambulance is automatically dispatched while the operator continues to coach the caller through any helpful first-aid, or to collect more information. Two red flags here: qualified operators and effective ambulances. But Dr Kot’s taken care of that… “I scouted and screened 1,100 candidates,” he says, “fluent in both Vietnamese and English.” Screening further for empathy and improvisation, Dr Kot narrowed it down to the team of nine that is now ready to take our calls. But before the operators were put in charge of fielding any sort of medical call, they went through a stringent programme designed to further humanise their approach. “When patients call, they will likely feel uneasy, perhaps even panicked. They need to understand the instructions and feel that the operator on the end of the phone truly understands the urgency and details of the situation. The computer system FMP’s emergency 9999 line will soon be available to all. For an annual fee, you receive the full coverage and guaranteed priority assistance. In an emergency, you’ll be taken to the nearest hospital or clinic as deemed appropriate by the attending physician. is spectacular, but we need that human connection. Communication is key,” Dr Kot continues. A drama teacher offered the team lessons on active listening and imparting confidence, while assistance from the British Council trained enunciation. The last step for the team was mastering ProQA, a surprisingly easy-to-follow software for how quintessential it is in saving lives. In addition, the system was translated and enriched into Vietnamese so as to ensure full usability. According to FMP’s Head of Emergency Medicine, Dr Sergio Arellano, most accidents seen in the city are from motorbikes (as one would expect), and they normally happen at low speeds. Outside of such accidents there is a vast difference in the type of calls placed by locals and foreigners (including expats and tourists). Local Vietnamese will seek medical assistance for any and all related upsets to their children, but will often forego even the most telling of symptoms in adults. Expats and tourists flock to, or call, emergency rooms often for stomach-related issues, heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Dr Arellano was brought in to lead the emergency management system, including six state-of-the-art ambulances soon to be seen meticulously navigating Districts 1, 2, Binh Thanh and parts of 3. Imported from Canada and each identical in facade, power and equipment, they are the real deal, imposing in authority and capable of barrelling through median barriers and opposing traffic like a neon-orange lightsabre. All the necessary bells and whistles needed for triage, life support and transfer – including to as far away as Nha Trang are set in these mobile ICU’s. The one thing they’re missing: paramedics. Expertise The terminology for paramedics does not yet exist in Vietnam and as such is not a recognised occupation for work permit purposes. Instead, a physician and nurse make up the crew in each of the ambulances. Some of the nurses are actually certified paramedics from overseas, but are hired under the slightly less authoritative title. The rest are fully qualified and licensed nurses from around the world and Vietnam. With a fully qualified call centre, unparalleled EMS software, modern ambulances and well-trained professionals, the 9999 system will be a welcome addition to a city growing as rapidly as Saigon. It’s clever too. Based on artificial intelligence within ProQA, each of the six ambulances will be positioned throughout the three districts based on the probability that an incident will happen in the immediate vicinity. This calculation dramatically shortens the response time, which in the United States is benchmarked at eight minutes from the time a call is received to aid arriving on the scene. Eight minutes. Last I checked it took me that long to clear a single block on Pasteur Street. “There are two hurdles we still need to clear: the dogma that we are better off calling a taxi instead of a helpline, and the unrelenting traffic,” Dr Kot says with the confidence that his team can do so. FMP’s emergency 9999 line will soon be available to everybody in the city. For an annual fee, you receive the full coverage and guaranteed priority assistance from professionals. In an emergency, you’ll be taken to the nearest hospital or clinic as deemed appropriate by the attending physician. Nothing in the system is haphazard; even the number was chosen after focus groups determined which number was easiest to remember. While the programme is privatised, the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has already come through to examine the capabilities of the team and software, expressing a keen interest to advance the as yet untrusted public system. And for so many proven reasons, we’ll all be better off staying out of taxis with our bloodied elbows. AsiaLIFE HCMC 29 EXTRA FUN Foreign extras in Vietnam tell Lorcan Lovett about their experiences in the local film industry. Photo by Vinh Dao. 30 AsiaLIFE HCMC W hat Kong: Skull Island brought to Vietnam was bigger and more ferocious than anyone could have ever imagined. During the recent shooting of the King Kong sequel in the country’s most dramatic landscapes, a beast was stirred within the expat community by agencies calling for stand-ins who resembled the Hollywood cast to help with the lighting and camera setup. Ten tons of Facebook frenzy leapt from the screen as foreigners who thought they had the same skin tone, height and build as the actors responded to the chance of adventure and maybe a break into the heady industry. But those foreign thespians seeking fame, fortune and a chance to perfect their method acting may feel a tad restrained in Vietnam. English teacher-cum-actor and casting agent, Kris Wilkinson, 37, has bounced between playing businessmen, backpackers, and bad boyfriends for nine years. “The bad boyfriend is a very fun role,” says the former history teacher from Oldham, England. “You know, at the start of the movie you have ‘boy meets girl’, but the girl has the bad boyfriend and they have to get over that hurdle. I’m like the hurdle.” Playing a soldier is another common but more haphazard role for foreign men. Tales like ‘village hero kills French Colonialist/American GI’ go down nicely, as do ‘city boy signs contract with foreign businessman’. War Games “They were taking us 10ft up on these helicopters,” remembers teacher and musician Todd J Frye, 54, from Oregon in the US, who was acting out a raid on a village with his make-believe US battalion at the time. “These rotors are just spinning wild and I’m jumping out, like a soldier would, into what would be a swamp or a bog, and I’m falling on my face. It was a big workout.” For Wilkinson, things got real when he was playing a sword-wielding French general circa 1800s. The director wanted him to run, scream, and then fall over on a certain spot as he joined his lackeys in a deathly clash with the villagers. Wilkinson says he channeled the words of Michael Caine in the veteran’s book Acting in Film – apparently, a must-have for every TV actor – and asked the director to act out the stunt first incase there were any surprises. Unfortunately the director refused, pointing at the ground where Wilkinson was to fall. “I’m hacking through the peasants, leading this charge,” he recalls. “I run with my sword out and get there and the whole ground just disappears. “They built this huge trap about 8ft across into a proper man trap. I banged my head falling down into the mud and gunk. They could have put a mattress down there or something. It was 6ft deep.” In preparation for the next scene, Wilkinson donned a prosthetic belt of bamboo spikes and dropped back into the pit. “They got Vietnamese extras playing other dead people to lie on top of me and then they just filmed my face.” - Kris Wilkinson, 37 “They got Vietnamese extras playing other dead people to lie on top of me and then they just filmed my face. This is why I get asked back. Just saying yes is a big part of it.” Beautiful Ladies and Wealthy Men Being typecast as the ruthless invader has not deterred Frye. “I know my personality creates a very sinister villain on film. I typically would go after parts that involved the character of the villain when, you know, I’m a schoolteacher,” he says, cracking into a near-sinister laugh. Wilkinson’s break came in 2007 when his friends in the business said they were doing a show and, he says, “needed a white guy”. It was a telenovela soap opera called Kieu Nu va Dai Gia (Beautiful Ladies and Wealthy Men) which has been repeated numerous times on Vietnamese television. The plot, according to Wilkinson, was about “high quality escorts that come from the countryside,” and sells itself as “a sordid and moralistic tale about their unhappy lives in the city”. Frye is fairly sure he was in the same series, starring as “a French gangster pimping a girl that was married to a boy that owed me money”. Casting Out Wilkinson, whose strong grasp on the Vietnamese language has landed him roles as a TV presenter, made connections during the soap opera and has since become the go-to casting man for companies that need foreign extras. Vietnamese people in the streets occasionally recognise him from TV although he says they have a “more level-headed” approach to fame than Western culture. His last job in March was an advert to be aired in Australia for a luxury travel company. He was asked to find “a fat French man”. “Like a really big, fat French man,” he says. “I was told Thao Dien is a good place to find French people at night so I went to a bunch of the bars.” Wilkinson found his man but the production company had second thoughts and changed its request to, in his description, “a hot, 10/10 blonde girl”, which inspired a visit to Saigon Soul Pool Party. Naturally, he wore a shirt and tie to keep it formal. “I went around, talking to the girls in the bikinis,” he says. “None of them were keen to do it. I think they have had a lifetime of strange men coming up to them and asking them to do things. They’re naturally weary.” Wilkinson explains that ‘speaking talent’ can be paid anywhere from VND500,000 to over a million for each ‘scene set-up’ in which the crew arranges the cameras and lighting among other duties. He has also spoken to website Vice about his job as a casting agent. The feature reported that he gets paid anything from US$50 to several grand for a blockbuster and, in turn, he pays extras depending on their attitude. Enthusiasm gets you less, the story read, because it shows the extra is there for a “wacky experience” and not to pay the bills, plus the crew may take a liking to the person and poach Wilkinson’s job. Wilkinson, however, told me that people who are reliable and have a good attitude get the call back for more work. People don’t do it for the money, he says, but because it’s fun and exciting. Anyone looking for some of that fun in Saigon can possibly join Wilkinson, who is currently looking for comedy actors – particularly those who like British comedy - to help with a new project that he plans to post on YouTube. AsiaLIFE HCMC 31 tnamâ€™s res Vie lo p x e ech y the Cz Stanle h n it o w im ip S sh o. relation inh Da V y historic b o t lic. Pho Repub H C E Z 32 AsiaLIFE HCMC “W hat’s that doing there?” many first-time visitors to Hoa Vien Brauhaus will ask. Hidden at the end of an otherwise sedate hem on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, this cavernous and immensely popular Czech beerhall and restaurant feels rather incongruous among the bun bo hue and ca phe sellers nearby. Despite being 9,250 kilometres apart, the 65-year-old relationship between the Czech Republic and Vietnam is both a surprising and fascinating one. In the political turbulence of post-war Europe, Czechoslovakia became a socialist state in 1948 following a Soviet-backed coup. Seeking support from other socialist nations, it established diplomatic relations with The Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1950 and started a programme of economic and industrial cooperation in 1955. Throughout the American War, as well as supplying North Vietnam with technologies and machinery (in exchange for raw materials like rubber, bamboo and zinc), Czechoslovakia - a world leader in the production of weapons - became the main source of armaments for the North Vietnamese Army. Semtex was a particularly common import. Developed by the Czech chemist Stanislav Brebera in the late 50s, the plastic explosive went into mass-production principally to supply President Ho Chi Minh’s forces. According to Ondra Slowik, a linguist who works closely with the Vietnamese community in today’s Czech Republic, North Vietnam’s new ally also offered its expertise and know-how to help develop domestic industry and infrastructure. “Even today you can see the VietnameseCzechoslovak hospital in Hai Phong,” he says, “or the Vietnamese-Czechoslovak lock factory.” Labour Exchange “In 1956, 100 Vietnamese children arrived at an orphanage in Chrastava, Bohemia,” Slowik continues, “a region in the north of today’s Czech Republic. They were not orphans but carefully selected children of Vietnamese government officials or war heroes. They went to learn the Czech language in order to work as interpreters for the governments in the future.” This was the start of a long line of such programmes. In 1967 the first group of 2,100 skilled Vietnamese workers arrived in Czechoslovakia to be trained in fields such as heavy industry, construction, food processing and, interestingly, filmmaking. In the late 70s, with Vietnam now facing a large war debt (and Czechoslovakia a shortage of labour), an agreement was signed under which 8,700 students and 32,000 workers from Vietnam would be shipped out to take advantage of university scholarships and vocational training. Ngo Hong Chuyen was one of them. In 1983, aged 18, he left his family in Hanoi to study as an electrical technician in Prague. economies, so the strategic partnership with “I was quite lucky to be able to go (there),” the Czech Republic is not so appealing. he says. “It was much better to be able to There is a sense of sentiment on the study something and see the world.” Vietnamese side but not enough to provoke Chuyen and his comrades suddenly faced any major diplomatic action.” Slowik also a new and unfamiliar culture and a very points out that the Vietnamese President different climate, though few were overly visited Prague in 2015, so the situation is concerned, as he explains: “At that time, open to change. Vietnam was in a critical condition. Life was hard. We were very lucky… For the Vietnamese who chose not only because we could learn, not to return, many have gone but we had good food and on to own successful importgood living conditions. The export businesses, continuing By the mid 1980s, cold weather was nothing the flow of goods and Czechoslovakia was to us.” services between the two home to approximately old friends. In Czech cities, Chuyen finished his 28,000 Vietnamese studies and remained in the Vietnamese population the country, working for is becoming increasingly citizens. a further three years (as per integrated; Prague even the agreement), in order to has its own ‘Sapa Market’. In pay back his fees. As the Soviet recent years, Vietnamese food has Union collapsed, 1989’s Velvet Revolution experienced a boom too, offering new and brought about an end to communism in lucrative opportunities for the original Czechoslovakia and, in 1993, the Czech ‘settlers’ and their children. Today, around Republic emerged. Chuyen had returned to 60,000 Vietnamese nationals are living in Vietnam in 1990, though, as he explains, he the Czech Republic, making ‘Nguyen’ is was one of the few. “My family was here, the ninth most common surname in the but of course everyone had family. Many country. did not come back because they did not see As for Chuyen and his fellow former a future here.” expatriates, the Czech Republic and the The Velvet Revolution marked a turning warmth of its people will never be forgotten. point for the Vietnamese in Czechoslovakia. “For the people who have been there, they Previously forbidden from working outside still love it,” he says. “They are always of the state-run factories, or sleeping looking to go back to visit but it is very hard outside of state-run dormitories, they were to get a visa.” now able to start their own businesses, Today, Chuyen is the most famous nonmake their own money and integrate more Czech Czech man in Saigon. As well as fully. being the head of the Hoa Vien empire, he’s C is for Capitalism the president of Club Praha (a Viet-Czech friendship group), an avid promoter of As a newly formed state, ties to Czech culture and products, and has been Vietnam loosened in the early 90s and the the Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic exclusive trade deals became redundant in Ho Chi Minh City for the past 15 years. (although diplomatic relations continued “There are not too many Czechs visiting uninterrupted). Chuyen was back in Vietnam now,” he says, “but every month Vietnam and struggling to find work. “In there is something to do: lost passports, 1993 I went to a restaurant on Dong Khoi health issues, accidents…whatever the that sold German draft beer,” he says, embassy want, I do.” referring to Gartenstadt, Saigon’s oldest It’s a Monday night at Hoa Vien and German restaurant. I said ‘why aren’t we the place is buzzing. As we empty our drinking Czech beer?’ (so) I contacted the one-litre steins of beer, Chuyen presents a Pilsner brewery and we began importing bottle of Hammerhead Single Malt Whisky. Pilsner Urquell in 1995.” “Czech whisky?” I ask. He nods. “It’s a very Meanwhile, Chuyen had opened his interesting story.” own restaurant. The name? Hoa Vien. Over Distilled just before the Velvet 20 years later and his empire now boasts Revolution by a state-owned company, it five locations across Vietnam. While he was placed into oak barrels and - as the still imports Pilsner Urquell by the barrel blurb goes - “the wall fell and the whisky - making Vietnam one of only a handful of was forgotten”. It lay undiscovered for 25 nations outside of the Czech Republic to years. “They only bottle it when you order offer the lager on tap - Hoa Vien also brews it,” he adds, pouring me a dram. Distilled its own beers (with 100 percent Czech in Czechoslovakia, bottled in the Czech ingredients, of course). Republic and served in Vietnam - it’s history As Vietnam continues to open its doors in a glass. “Na zdraví!” to international markets, the attachments Ondra Slowik is a PhD student of phonetics at Charles to the Czech Republic have become more University, Prague, and is currently translating Vu of nostalgia than economic necessity. Trong Phung’s 1936 novel So Do (‘Dumb Luck’) from “Vietnam is now a rapidly developing Vietnamese into Czech. country,” says Slowik, “representing a lucrative market for many major world AsiaLIFE HCMC 33 HEALTH AND WELLNESS E R A D R HA Simon Stanley asks the question. Photo by Vinh Dao. 34 AsiaLIFE HCMC S D BE LY L A RE D O GO R O F U O Y ? A t one point in history, everyone slept on the floor, or at least on a mammoth-skin thrown on the ground. As time marched on and people began to raise themselves up from the cold and the dirt, two distinct styles of bed emerged: hard and soft. As Europeans stuffed their beds with straw, leaves and hair (eventually giving us the sprung mattress we know today), many parts of Asia stuck with firmer surfaces. For those in poorer countries, of course, regardless of location, the floor was often the only choice. As anyone who has travelled across Asia will tell you, the preference for hard beds remains, and indeed many Vietnamese will still take the floor over a soft mattress any day. For Westerners, however, the idea can be baffling - the softer the better, right? Wrong. “In general, the vast majority of people will have back problems develop much more readily on a soft bed than on a hard one,” explains Dr Wade Brackenbury, founder of HCMC’s American Chiropractic Clinic. “A soft bed tends to allow the body to sag which puts the spine into a slight ‘C’ curve. If you are sleeping on your side, this means that the top side of the spine will be compressed while the bottom of the spine, being on the outside of the curve, is stretched. This is often a problem caused by cheap, box-spring mattresses that have worn out.” If you’ve ever spent the night on an old cheap mattress, you’ll know the feeling. In the short-term, it might mean a crabby morning and a dozen hip circles in your PJs, but over time, poor quality sleep carries numerous health risks - not just back problems: anxiety, headaches, reduced cognitive ability; the list is long and scary. Expert advice suggests that if you frequently wake up with back pain that can be stretched out within 15 to 30 minutes, your mattress may be harming your health. overlook a few days of bruised shoulders and hips as your body adapts. It is, however, only recommended for those who sleep on their back. In contrast to soft beds that have sunk in the middle, a sideways sleeping position on a hard surface can raise the pelvis above the head and shoulders, leading to an S-shaped curve in the spine. So, are hard beds bad for you? In short, it seems that the answer is ‘not entirely’. For Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, the question is not about how hard or soft a bed is, but how well made it is. Thuy is a director at Family Care Asia, the sole importer of global mattress brand Sealy Posturepedic in Vietnam. “Sealy beds are famous for their special coil design system,” she explains. “It’s a linked system, not a pocket system like many cheaper beds, which are easily broken.” Made with titanium, this interlinked arrangement is virtually indestructible and offers the best support for the spine regardless of which model you choose, she says. “It just depends on how you feel. We don’t say that a hard mattress will be better or a soft mattress will be better, it’s based on your needs. “Sealy coils react to the weight of your body, so the heaviest part - the hips and the waist - will sink more, so the position of your body will not change and the spine will remain straight.” Sealy beds’ bombproof design and cloudlike comfort have made them the choice for high-end accommodation all over the globe, with the Caravelle, the Hotel des Arts and the Intercontinental among their long list of local clients. “The Sealy warranty lasts for 10 years,” says Thuy. “After that time, many hotels will sell them on to other resorts. We checked with them and found that some beds had been in use for 18 years. It’s quite unbelievable that a bed will last that long in a hotel and is still in a good condition.” Samuel Kettle patented the first coilsprung bed in 1865 Taking to the Floor People all over the world, including many professional health advisors, boast about the benefits of sleeping on a solid surface; improved posture, better hip and shoulder alignment, and reduced back pain are all supposedly up for grabs if you’re willing to particularly when spread over a decade or more. For those looking for something a little cheaper, Dr Brackenbury suggests opting for a bed that is soft on the very top but firm deeper in. “This prevents sagging, and, therefore, pain, yet the bed still feels soft enough to be comfortable,” he says. Though Sealy has had a retail presence in Vietnam since 2004 (mainly prompted by hotel guests wanting to purchase their own piece of five-star luxury), many older Vietnamese are still happy with the traditional option. “In Vietnamese culture, we don’t really care about our beds,” says Thuy. “We don’t really mind because we can sleep anywhere. People prefer to spend their money on things like TVs and airconditioning. But nowadays, young people are getting more educated, their quality of life is improving and they get to travel more. Also, work is getting more stressful and many are realising that sleep is very important, so they are paying more attention to their beds.” While sprung mattresses may take a while to become commonplace in Vietnam, both Thuy and Dr Brackenbury point to South Korea as being the most hardcore nation when it comes to beds. “I spent several years there in the 1980s,” says Dr Brackenbury. “At that time nearly all Koreans slept on hard, heated floors, often made of concrete with rice paper on top. When they travelled, they usually slept on the floor of the hotel, sometimes even finding the carpet to be disagreeably soft.” The American Chiropractic Clinic is at 161 Hai Ba Trung, D3. Visit acc.vn for more information. Let’s Talk Price A Sealy mattress is not cheap - prices start at around VND42 million (US$1,880) - yet given that we spend around a third of our lives in bed, it’s not such a bad investment, AsiaLIFE HCMC 35 48 SINGAPORE W hen you think of Singapore, you may think of the skyscrapers that dominate the skyline, or the picturesque Marina Bay area. The images may be conjured alongside the sheer expense of the visit and, let’s be honest, the word ‘sterile’ may appear in your mind. Out of the 10 countries in the ASEAN region, Singapore has portrayed itself as the sensible, straight-laced one. The rules and regulations that are plastered everywhere help perpetuate this image but, if you allow yourself to, you will find fun here. Tiger Airlines flies directly from Ho Chi Minh City (SGD$160 / VND2.6 million return). Check into the Robertson Quay Hotel (15 Merbau Rd) and, although it is $100 per night (VND1.6 million), it is basic, but right in the heart of a trendy suburb and only one kilometre to Chinatown. Exploring Singapore on the sophisticated MRT train network is the cheapest and 36 AsiaLIFE HCMC easiest way to access what the city has to offer. Friday 1) Jalan Sultan \| 10pm With a show to catch we headed straight to Fresh! Bar (#02-01 The Sultan, 101 Jalan Sultan) in the Arab Street and Kampong Glam area. The 90s inspired bar, with its loud pop art graffiti, also hosts events throughout the month with generous drink deals. Singapore’s famous Indian drag queen, Ra Ra Kumar, took centre stage that night. Tickets for the stand-up comedy show were $55 (VND900,000), with free flow drinks from 10pm until midnight. Political correctness was thrown completely out of the window with Kumar’s outspoken but hilarious jokes. After the show, walk less than 100 metres to where inexpensive delicious Chinese food is served up. Spicy beef with black pepper, stir-fried chicken noodles and an assortment dumplings all for $12.50 (VND204,000) per person which makes a tasty late night snack. Saturday 2) Robertson Quay \| 11am Recovery brunch was in order. Epicurious Café (#01-02 The Quay Side, 60 Robertson Quay) was a stone’s throw from the hotel. With its hearty breakfasts and detoxifying smoothies on offer, the unpretentious menu boasts a variety of dishes. Both tourists and residents alike frequent the cafe; some with sorer heads than others. The riverside Robertson Quay area is more relaxing that its sister neighbourhood, Clarke Quay, with some trendier bars and restaurants. A stroll along the riverbanks in the fresh air is a nice way to ease into the weekend. Stop off for lunch at one of the restaurants and find an array of different cuisines, from Spanish tapas and Chinese to Belgian and Vietnamese. The atmosphere Claudia Davaar Lambie celebrates her birthday in the island city-state with a weekend of fun and food. Photos by Vinh Dao. around this area begins to pick up in the late afternoon and tables soon fill amid the buzzing echoes resonating along the riverfront. 3) Marina Bay Sands \| 6pm Walking around this iconic architectural masterpiece is a weekend getaway in itself. Built in 2011, Marina Bay Sands was one of the most complex design projects in the world. The boat-shaped structure is home to an infinity pool that perches atop three 55-storey towers. There are a plethora of high-end fashion outlets, bars, restaurants, a casino and a museum. There are even gondola rides along the make-shift river which runs through the centre of the shopping area. But all this luxury comes at a price; a cocktail in one of the bars can set you back $30, making it one of the priciest places in the city. The harbour side is flanked by steel grey skyscrapers where by day, a flurry of business takes place. At night, the light show entertains passersby. The long promenade that stretches along the bay is lined with palm trees and it is common to see cyclists, roller-skaters and Segway riders whizzing by. 4) Show Time \| 7.30pm The Marina Bay Sands Theatre is home to a number of productions every month. The Cirque Eloize show iD is a must see. The two hour show cleverly blends circus art and urban dance. There are 15 performers, from contortionists and trapeze artists to bikers and jugglers. The show was reminiscent of a modern-day take on West Side Story, with each ‘gang’ trying to outdo one another with their perilous stunts. Watching the show, you can hear gasps as audience members shield their eyes, hoping that the performers make it safely back to the ground. 5) Bread Street Kitchen \| 9.30pm In June 2015, the world famous chef Gordon Ramsay opened the doors to one of his newest restaurants, right on the Marina Bay. Bread Street Kitchen is one of his more relaxed establishments, in a brasserie-style setting. In true Ramsay fashion, there are some British classic dishes on the menu. The beef brisket with piccalilli as a starter was delicious. His signature beef wellington was a showstopper: tender meat encased in perfectly crusted pastry with generous helpings of buttery vegetables, smooth mash potato and Béarnaise sauce. The cheese cake mixed with a drizzle of Monkey Shoulder whiskey was a tribute to the chef’s Scottish roots. Sunday 6) Orchard Road \| 11am There’s still time left to explore the city before returning to Saigon. On 68 Orchard Road, towards the Dhoby Ghaut area, you can find Plaza Singapura. This precinct is a gold mine of Asian cuisine eateries. A must try is the Tim Ho Wan restaurant on the ground floor which serves astonishingly affordable Michelin star dim sum at around $5 (VND81,000) per dish. Although there is always a queue to get in, it is worth the wait. Time to head home. The number 36 bus from Orchard Road takes you straight to Changi Airport for just $2.50 (VND40,500). Until next time, Singapore. AsiaLIFE HCMC 37 O ur tuk-tuk driver wears jeans, a Manchester City Football Club top, and a denim cap. Turning back to his passengers, he introduces himself as ‘Blue’. I try to explain my destination, although I’m not sure of the exact location. Blue nods, returning the same cheerful acknowledgement we expressed on hearing his name, closely followed by a caution about the town of Kep. Exploring the abandoned villas of this small curve in the Cambodian coastline is getting harder by the day. Caretakers, in the handful of unoccupied houses that have been purchased, have replaced the squatters; in others, renovation has already been completed; some have been swallowed by nature and local police have moved into the more stable structures. Whether it’s from the police or the families, Blue understandably doesn’t want any trouble for the sake of a couple of tourists, so he waits out of sight near the open gates of the ‘Queen’s Palace’. 38 AsiaLIFE HCMC Venturing up the drive, we see a troop of macaques squabbling over some domestic dispute. I reach a battered outdoor pantry from which, looking out across the landscape, one can grasp how small the town’s stretch of beach is below. Blue mentioned this building is around 80 years old. It’s a sprawling, hilltop bungalow with a bare flagpole that once waved something during its Gatsby-esque heyday. Now, naked, it still stands, long after the after-party. Referencing fiction rather than fact is easier in a place where recent history is dark beyond comprehension. Reports say all the local French speakers were taken to a nearby petrol station and burned alive when the Khmer Rouge came in 1975. The town’s spiralling path was settled before that. Founded by the French as a colonial retreat in 1908, it began to flourish during the 1950s and ‘60s, serving as a playground for Cambodia’s wealthy elite. Even royalty was drawn to the seaside attraction. King Norodom Sihanouk and his associates enjoyed Kep and its nearby islands, and locals say he gifted ‘Queen’s Palace’ to his wife. Sihanouk had his own stately residence where he entertained guests on the coastline. Then, in 1970, he was ousted in the Lon Nol coup and Cambodia became increasingly sucked into Vietnam’s war with the US, with the violence spilling across the border. The holidaymakers moved out, the ghosts moved in, and the looting of Phnom Penh’s aristocrats’ luxury homes began. It took decades for Kep’s beautiful surroundings to allure tourists again, partly because of local militia based in the decaying villas after Vietnam ended Pol Pot’s regime. Behind the bungalow, unseen dogs start barking and chattering voices amplify around the shattered bricks and glass. Realising this villa is definitely still inhabited, we pace out to avoid any confrontation. After a short drive to Sihanouk’s former residence, a gardener politely shuts the Remnants of luxury villas point towards Kep’s glamorous past on the coast of Cambodia, and, as the ruins fade away, the town’s beauty is taking hold again. By Lorcan Lovett. Photos by Vinh Dao. gates on us, but it’s for the best, says Blue, because the building’s structure, still peppered in bullet holes, is unsafe. In the hills, Blue jumps from his tuk-tuk and climbs a dilapidated wall tagged by Dutch street-artist Amok Island, who spraypainted a centipede along its side last year. Blue points to the art and utters his distaste for the biting insects, rubbing the skin of his arm. Out of the Ruins We see more ruins on the winding route to the national park, which offers an 8km trek through the wilderness (US$1 entry) - the remnants of an iron gate, half a stone wall – yet it’s the views, the pagodas, the wildlife including snakes, squirrels and more monkeys, that grab my attention. Unlike the symbiotic permanence of Angkor Wat’s temples, the jungle will be brief in consuming these architectural skeletons, but they bring a haunting salience that will unnerve this century’s visitors. I feel a tinge of shame for coming here, seeking voyeuristic thrills to see the desolate echoes of lives that probably came to a premature, violent end. Blue, now in his late 40s, had shared his own story with us. He undoubtedly sees a brighter future for his daughter. Perhaps it’s best to leave his story where we heard it. Maybe it’s better for visitors like me to acknowledge the history rather than seek it. We take a 30-minute boat ride ($9 return) to ‘Rabbit Island’ (or Koh Thonsay) from the town’s little port. Our boat, with its turquoise wooden hull sharing the hue of the sea, brushes up onto the golden coast. Palm trees and deck chairs dapple the sand and, behind these, are huts for rent (from $8 per night), thick forest, and nothing else. As the island’s chummy dogs rough out beds for themselves, we watch Kep swallow the sun and fall asleep with the knowledge that Cambodia’s present times will always draw us back. Getting There We travelled from Saigon to Ha Tien via a comfortable sleeper-bus ($12), then boarded a minibus to the Cambodian border five minutes away, paying $26 for a visa ($6 for greasing the agency’s hands, including a ‘health declaration’) and a curiously pricey $15 for the 40-minute ride from the border to Kep. All was pre-arranged with Viet Dream Travel on Bui Vien. Those short on cash can cut out the middle man: visit bus company kumhosamco. com, which travels from Mien Tay bus station, buy an overnight or daytime ticket, then go directly to the porous (at least for locals) border via a motorbike or cab. Just be prepared to haggle for taxis on the other side. This coastal route dodges Phnom Penh’s frantic transport hub. As well as saving time, it crosses bucolic scenes of white cows languidly grazing behind thatched huts, with the occasional temple-dotted hill rolling in the background. AsiaLIFE HCMC 39 FOOD NEWS Savouring the tastier side of Saigon life 24-Hour Banh Mi at Banh Nam After arriving in Binh Thanh District in January, Banh Nam has opened its second 24/7 branch, this time on Vo Van Kiet Street, D1. With the same five varieties as the original, prices start at just VND19,000. “Banh Nam is a grab-and-go Vietnamese street-food concept,” says co-founder Timen Swijtink, “with a focus on freshlymade banh mi along with a range of snacks, desserts, and drinks. Banh Nam is not trying to reinvent the banh mi; it is just adding cleanliness, convenience, and consistency. But we are, and always will be authentically Vietnamese.” 151A Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, Binh Thanh District - 24 Vo Van Kiet, D1. Banhnam.vn French Kebabs in Japan Town From among the ramen shops and sushi counters of Le Thanh Ton’s alleyways comes Panam, a slang term for ‘Paris’, serving up a compact menu of homemade kebabs inspired by those found on the streets of the French metropolis. Having arrived at the end of 2015, Panam recently added a lunchtime delivery service within District 1 (minimum spend VND60,000), perfect for a touch of mid-week office-based food envy. While marinated chicken and lamb options are standard (starting at just VND30,000), with a falafel version on the way, the American Breakfast Kebab sounds like our kind of lunch (VND100,000). 15B/62 Le Thanh Ton, D1. FB: Panam Kebab SaycheesE 12 April is officially Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day and there are plenty of places across town to get involved. Here are our top spots: The Elbow Room Bistro & Diner - For the puritans, go for the thick multigrain sandwich loaded with Emmental, cheddar and brie. The smoked ham, cranberry and brie sarnie is also a perfectly acceptable method of celebration. Both VND200,000. Con Bo Map - In addition to its burgers, Con Bo Map offers a range of cheese and breadbased concoctions to die for, from classic toasted sandwiches to panini and baguettes, stuffed with everything from cheddar and red onions to mozzarella and grilled peppers. Pasteur Street Brewing Company - With a glass of Jasmine IPA in one hand and a gooey wedge of bread and cheddar in the other, what more could you need? They even throw in a homemade tomato soup. VND125,000 +VAT (set lunch combo price, including a small beer). cafeof themonth Cutting the Ribbon on Thai Street Forget the HCMC Metro; Thao Dien has just been linked to Bangkok’s BTS system. Find the curious-looking (and fake) Thai food-cart parked at 26 Thao Dien and head down the adjacent alley into Thai Street, with authentic signs, neon lights, and yes, a model BTS station. Boasting several (real) food-carts pumping out steam, flames and a variety of superb Thai dishes, it’s one of the most exciting restaurants we’ve seen in a long time. With double thumbsup from several local Thai-food junkies including our own photo editor and food blogger, Vinh Dao, and prices hovering around VND100,000 per dish, it’s an institution in-the-making. 26 Thao Dien, District 2. FB: Thai Street Perfecting the Craft The brewers featured in our craft beer cover story for February 2016, Hops and Dreams, are seeing their vision rapidly come to light, particularly in District 2, as Bier Ecke on Nguyen Ba Lan opened its doors in March. The decor feels a little familiar to the district’s original craft beer hub, Bia Craft, but with Pasteur Street, Platinum and a dark Gauden beer on tap, it’s not the end of the world. While other local brews are missing from the lineup, Ecke’s still worthy of a pin in the craft beer map. Judging by a nearby venue under construction in March, Ecke may not be the last bar in town to follow the trend. 14 Nguyen Ba Lan, D2. FB: Bier Ecke The December Co. Collaborations between the Vietnam Coffee Republic, Pasteur Street Brewing Company and The Hair Club fashion line comprise the ‘coffee and clothes’ concept of The December Co. Its whiteout, minimalist theme, with neon accents vividly seen in their blue and orange cups, definitely makes the experience ‘Instagrammable’. Plus, if you don’t fancy specialty coffee, you can chill on their balcony with a glass of craft beer. Unit 4, 1st Floor, 42 Ly Tu Trong, D1 40 AsiaLIFE HCMC The Three Oldest Eateries in Town Thien Nam Restaurant 53 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D1 // 08 3822 3634 // 10am - 10.30pm Only a block away from The Elbow Room is Nha Hang Thien Nam. This familyrun establishment has been going strong for three generations and remains largely unchanged since opening in 1961. Entering the restaurant is like taking a trip into the past. The decor is European-Bavarian with white-cloth tables and stained-glass windows. The walls are bare except for the chalkboard menu which offers a mix of Western cuisine such as beefsteak, escargot and pastas, and Vietnamese / Chinese favourites. Clad in bow ties, white shirts and black slacks, some of the waiters are as old as the restaurant itself. We ordered the crispy-skin chicken and deep-fried mantou (Chinese steamed buns). Both were divine. Then came baked clams with Swiss cheese. For the finale I decided on the pan-fried pork chop with pomme frites. It was so tasty and tender. Even I have a hard time getting pork chops that tender. Chuyen Ky Restaurant 65-67 Ton That Dam, D1 // 08 3829 0150 // 9.30am - 9.30pm Since 1948, Tiem Com Tho Cho Cu Chuyen Ky has passed through three generations, from grandmother to mother and now daughter. The current owner, My, proudly told me that they are the oldest in the city (in truth, they are second). The name literally means ‘potted rice place in the old market’, but to the locals it is simply known as Chuyen Ky. The signature rice with steamed ginger chicken, cooked in a little clay pot, is the popular choice. The ginger was powerful and made the dish outstanding. They’re also known for their doubleboiled black chicken soup (ga ac tiem). Flavoured with traditional Chinese herbs such as ginseng root, dried red dates and wolf berries, it’s invigorating and nutritious; a great hangover cure if you can get over the blackness of the chicken. Tan Sanh Hoat Restaurant 322 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3 // 08 3834 0858 // 4am - 12pm Tan Sanh Hoat is a modest Cantonese establishment run by Mr Phuc and his wife. Mr Phuc’s father opened the restaurant in 1934 during the French colonialist era. This makes it the oldest continuously run eatery in town. For that reason alone, it demands a visit. The inside is crowded but clean. Don’t expect tablecloths and fine china, but instead homemade dim sum served on mini-plates upon arrival. Menu items such as steamed buns, ha cao (steamed shrimp dumplings), xiu mai (pork dumplings) and chicken feet are not bad, but they are better-known for their old-style noodle soups. These include hu tieu (white flat noodles), mi (egg noodles), mi hoanh thanh (noodles with wontons), mi sui cao (noodles with prawn dumplings) and bun gao (stir-fried vermicelli). Whichever you choose, the broth is outstanding - probably the best I have had in Vietnam. It’s a popular place so visit during off-peak hours. AsiaLIFE HCMC 41 8 CITY DRINKS MALT 46 – 48 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 // FB: Malt // 4pm – 12am // 09 1848 4763 This American-style bar offers a casual setting, good beer, and, in a groundbreaking move for Saigon, shuffleboard. By Lorcan Lovett. Photos by Vinh Dao. Continuing its endless embrace of Uncle Sam’s cultural pastimes, Saigon now has shuffleboard, which is like bowls but with discs. King Henry VIII of England would have me hanged for saying that shuffleboard originated in the US. Supposedly, it’s from Europe, but this miniaturised American version of the game fits into Malt neatly. It’s not the only reason to visit the District 1 bar. Go there for its casual ambience and warm atmosphere amid brickwork, Miller posters and wooden furnishings. Just remember, if you need something new in your life, it has shuffleboard. Tournaments take place every Thursday, usually around 7pm. You play in pairs and you play to win because there’s two bottles of quality spirits for the champions. Malt’s non-smoking so you can see your disc glide clearly along the smooth table while conveniently lowering your chances of contracting cancer. It opened in December without much fuss and has steadily attracted a regular crowd through word-of-mouth, striking a good balance between tasty snacks in a relaxing hangout and somewhere you can visit to start a big night. Happy hour is buy two, get one free, from 4pm to 7pm, except on craft beer and cocktails. 42 AsiaLIFE HCMC On the independent brewery roster, Malt’s got bottled Belgian wheat beer Te Te (VND120,000), draft Fuzzy Logic (VND60,000) and Pasteur Street Brewery’s Jasmine IPA and Saigon Saison (both VND95,000). Among the usual offerings, draft Tiger is VND45,000 and bottled Saigon Red VND35,000. The menu is interesting enough for a second glance, with the pub grub options including Truffle Parmesan Garlic Fries (VND60,000) and Chicken Enchilada (VND120,000). Revellers can order shared cocktail jugs or Malt’s signature cocktails like Mac Thi Buoi (a revolutionary who gave the street its name) which blends gin, sweet vermouth, lime, orange and cinnamon. Classic cocktails are VND120,000 and shots can be chased with a pickleback for an extra VND10,000. Despite this, owner Thao Tran doesn’t want to give the impression that Malt’s a cocktail bar, and it’s not. Flanked by fancy hotels and high-end bars, you can stumble in with crumbled shorts and a stained t-shirt and people won’t bat an eyelid. Themed nights are in the pipeline so keep in the loop via its Facebook page. Drop in for a drink and enjoy the good part-US culture without that tangerine, reality TV chap with the funny hair who may actually destroy the world. SOMTUM DER 136 Pasteur, D1 // 09 0294 2457 // somtumderhcmc.com // 11am – 2.30pm and 4.30pm – 10.30pm Claudia Davaar Lambie samples spicy dishes at one of the hottest Thai restaurants in town. Photos by Vinh Dao. Diners at Somtum Der are first greeted by paintings streaked in shades of red and yellow of Isan people native to the northeastern region of Thailand. One of the owners, Tran Huy, 29, explains that the artwork merges traditional Isan figures in a Vietnamese propaganda style. These hybrid creations are also present in the Isan cuisine; a delightful mix of Thai, Laotian and Vietnamese fare. The three-story restaurant opened in February 2016 after the success of its sister branches in Bangkok and New York, the latter boasting a Michelin Star. Thanaruek Laoraowirodge launched the restaurant with the sole purpose of bringing traditional Isan cuisine to Vietnam. “The food is as authentic as ever and we don’t compromise on the taste,” says Tran. Isan cuisine is known for its abundant use of spices and chili. The word ‘spicy’ appears as a prefix to most of the dishes on the menu yet anyone sensitive to that burning sensation shouldn’t be scared off. The spices are blended well, and are offset by the tang of pla ra - Thai for fermented fish sauce. Tran says the dishes are meant to be shared “family-style” and recommends some key ones to try. Sontum, or green papaya salad (VND95,000), is the star of the menu. Served with pla ra, vermicelli noodles and pork crackling, it bursts with a freshness and fragrance that, if too fiery, could be doused with a few swigs of the Thai Sabai cocktail, harbouring cooling hints of rum and Thai basil (VND110,000). A coating of chili flakes runs deep in the Der-styled deep fried chicken wings (VND85,000), seeping through the skin and into the tender meat. For any wing connoisseurs out there, they taste similar to former District 2 haunt Baan Thai’s offerings. The prawn sashimi (VND150,000) appears a little strange upon arrival. The de-shelled uncooked prawns remain whole and are cured in chili, ginger, lime juice and palm sugar. The result is tender zingy prawns but boy do they pack a punch. A hearty bowl of spicy catfish soup (VND85,000) was up next. The fish is barbequed before it is added to the soup and the combination of spicy, sour and charcoaled flavours blend well together. Der, or ‘warm invitation’ in the Isan language, reflects the casual and friendly ambience of the restaurant. Lights made from Isan wicker baskets hang from the walls while the baskets stowed on the shelves are also used for sticky rice. All of the decoration is imported from the region and some of the ingredients are imported from Thailand, adding authenticity to the food. As it’s time to leave, pla ra arrives by the box load. Tran enthusiastically waves me off. He’s achieved his main aim of the day: for “customers to leave with happiness”. AsiaLIFE HCMC 43 NAMO 74/6 Hai Ba Trung, D1 // 08 3822 7988 // namo.pizza // 11am - 11pm, 7 days Simon Stanley visits the artisanal pizzeria everyone’s talking about. Photos by Vinh Dao. “Why are your pizzas so ugly?” - Namo’s staff hear it all the time. For diners used to the mass-produced, perfectly round, photogenic pies churned out by those hangover-friendly pizza chains, the sight of a true Neapolitan pizza, it seems, can be quite a shock. Rustic? Yes. Homemade? Definitely. Artisanal? It’s in their tagline. Thick, bubbling, delicately charred crusts infused with the sweet smoke of a wood-oven? Mmm, yep. But ugly? No, no and no. So, what makes an artisanal pizza? “It’s the difference between a printed poster and a painted canvas,” says Julia Underwood, Namo’s marketing manager. “The more conventional pizzas aim for visual perfection. We 44 AsiaLIFE HCMC aim for perfection in terms of taste and ingredients.” Indeed, after a three-month search across Italy for the perfect pizza, Namo’s owners brought back more than just notes. Let’s start with the 3.5 tonne, dome-topped woodoven sitting in the downstairs open-kitchen / bar area. Handmade in Naples, its bricks were forged from the volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius itself. The flour, Caputa 00 - also imported from Naples - is one of the finest in existence and is widely considered to be a hallmark of genuine Neapolitan dough. Throw in some of the best Italian chefs in the world, a pinch of salt, a touch of yeast and mineral water, and after just one bite you’ll understand why many are already hailing Namo’s “ugly” offerings as the best in town. Split into classics and specials, choices cover everything from a Margherita (VND170,000) up to the Pescatora (VND450,000), a seafood feast of fresh crab, Atlantic salmon, seaweed, and shrimp roe. Namo’s relaxed, homely decor, spread over four unique floors and layered with natural tones, contrasting materials and Scandinavian-esque purity, provides a cosy setting for informal, sociable dining. For groups, the La Famiglia is ideal, offering a taste of six pizzas in a single, one-metre-long sharer (VND1.8 million / VND900,000 for the half-metre version). Pastas are also receiving plenty of attention. The veal fet- tuccine in particular is superb, consisting of handmade pasta, a touch of spice and a generous sprinkling of Parmigiano-Reggiano (VND270,000). Italian wines start at a very reasonable VND120,000 per glass, and cocktails are all VND190,000, though the daily happy hour (5pm until 7pm) offers a 50 percent discount on everything (excluding bottles). Proving that Italian cuisine goes far deeper than pizza and pasta, the enticing range of antipasti, salads, soups, grilled meat dishes and seafood is extremely hard for diners to overlook. The truffle and pork sausagestuffed chicken roulade (VND330,000) sounds too good to miss… but those pizzas, that dough… wow. Life is tough. MON NGON VIETNAM 72/1 Tran Quoc Toan, D3 // 08 3601 3022// monngonvietnam.vn // 7.30am - 10pm, 7 days Monica Majors discovers some of Vietnam’s ancient royal cuisine. Photos by Vinh Dao. “Not another Vietnamese restaurant with a menu as long as the Iliad,” you may be thinking. With heavy-hitters like Cuc Gach Quan, Chi Hoa and Nha Hang Ngon, what specialties could possibly be left uneaten? Well, have you ever tried authentic royal Vietnamese cuisine? Mon Ngon Vietnam’s restaurant and cooking class sits tucked in District 3, its brightlycoloured sign trimmed with blooming flowers. The building is a modestly converted home, but here beautiful monochrome tiles and lotus drawings elevate the elegance. Natural light shines through the wrought-iron trimmed windows and bold splashes of turquoise pillows add just the right amount of colour to the intimate dining room. The dark wood of the dining tables and chairs tie together the look and feel of an upscale home ready to serve some of the most delicious food in the country. Director Vo Dinh Quoc created the restaurant’s menu with the intention of providing some of the nation’s most regal dishes to us poor peons. With experience of cooking for the Singaporean Prime Minister’s family on a visit to Vietnam years back, Chef Vo Quoc is well-known among locals; as the country’s first Vietnamese Culinary Culture Ambassador, as a Council Member of the 2013 World Street-food Congress (photographed on Facebook alongside number one Vietnamese food-fan Anthony Bourdain), and as a leading TV personality on shows like Masterchef. When I sat down with him and business director Trinh Tuong Van they told me their goal is to, “set up a home-style restaurant, like family dining.” Van continued, translating for Vo Quoc, “We have a lot of Vietnamese restaurants in HCMC, but here we feature a little of all the regions, focussing on the authentic flavours of ancient Vietnamese royal cuisine.” A beautifully presented spread of three salads (red grapefruit with crab, baby shrimp and flower, and coconut tree and scallops - VND139,000 to VND199,000) led the presentation, followed by stir-fried Vietnamese abalone with shredded vegetables (VND119,000). My absolute favourite was the braised pork with orange (VND139,000), a simple, yet sumptuous dish that I refused to share with others. Other dishes like the sautéed tuberose (VND159,000) are unavailable in other Vietnamese restaurants, and I have never had a sweet and sour soup (VND99,000) quite like the one here. Drinks are no less tasty, and it’s rare that I can find cinnamon tea (VND49,000), let alone in iced form with such zest. Guests can also opt for the cooking class on the second floor, with either Chef Vo Quoc or other notables offering two hour classes at US$40 per person including a market tour to purchase the best ingredients. It all takes comfort food to the next level. AsiaLIFE HCMC 45 E U Q I T N E H T U A G N I LIV the vers d o c n u te mbie nely craf a L r . avaa ature in fi inh Dao D a i V n d Clau eauty of hotos by b P true ewares. hom 46 AsiaLIFE HCMC A fter living in the London rat race for three years, Vy Huynh, 29, moved back to Ho Chi Minh City. She wanted to move from her background in economics into a new field, one on the more creative side. After a chance encounter with the owner, Doan Minh Phuong, Huynh took on the role as business development manager at Authentique, which sells ceramics, furniture and textiles. Phuong founded the company in 1995. Her passion for homeware and interior design stemmed from seeing her grandfather work as a highly skilled carpenter in Hoi An. Authentique has three workshops located in the Thu Duc district of the city: Cam Kim carpentry, Cam Ha potteries and Cam Giang textiles, where there are around 50 artisans employed all together. Phuong’s brother Doan Thanh Nghia is the chief designer who focuses on the technical aspects of the business; namely furniture design and sculpting the clay in the kiln (a furnace designed to bake the clay). The prospect of working with fine handcrafted homewares excited Huynh. “I got carried away with Minh Phuong’s philosophy,” she says. For Phuong, her way of thinking in terms of the design process is simple. Importantly, it is influenced by Japanese aesthetics called Wabi-Sabi. This particular philosophical mindset is based on the pureness of nature, in all of its wonderful forms. Wabi-Sabi seeps into the design of each product. “When creating a product, we need to look at nature in the way that it is; its beauty and its imperfections,” explains Huynh, emphasising that this approach to creativity influenced the naming of the company. “You will never find the exact same design on any item here.” Vietnam’s affinity with ceramics dates back to the 15th to the 17th centuries, Bat Trang Village in the Gia Lam district of Hanoi was the heart of ceramic production in Vietnam. It still operates today, doubling as a pottery village and a tourist attraction, however Huynh believes commercialisation has tamed its artistic spirit; something which, she says, Authentique has remedied. “In tourist shops, the designs are very uniform, it’s the trap of handcrafts.” Phuong may give the artisans a subject to inspire the designs; this season it was chrysanthemums. Upon first glance, the flowers on the vases, teapots and bowls appear to be the same on each product. However, a closer inspection reveals that every chrysanthemum is different, be it a shadow catching the flower at a certain angle, the reflection of the sun, or even a wilted leaf. At work, the artisan meticulously copies the flower just as it moves in nature. A variety of different types of wood are used such as oak, sandalwood and honeywood to make the furniture. A solid dining table with chairs and a bookcase feature on the first floor of the shop, which serves as the showroom. Cleverly, no nails are used in the production process of the group’s furniture. Instead, wood joints are crafted so that the pieces can lock in together tightly. Again, the Wabi-Sabi philosophy prevails. “If you use nails, it can damage and kill the wood grains. [The wood] needs to be able to age and breathe,” explains Huynh. At Authentique, the clay is not bleached, the wood is not varnished and the textiles are made from natural fibres like wild cotton. The way that the Japanese treasure their objects in the home is admired by Phuong. The belief that any object in a house - a bowl, a chair or a tapestry - has a living soul which stands the test of time and is passed down through generations, makes Huynh smile. She picks up a vase and traces the daisy that has been carefully painted so it looks like an imprint. “Doan embraces and encourages this way of thinking and wants people to see, really see, what is around them,” she says. - 71/1/ Mac Thi Buoi, District 1 08 3823 8811 - 113 Le Thanh Ton, District 1 08 3822 8052 - Workshop: 68 Linh Trung, Thu Duc District www.authentiquehome.com AsiaLIFE HCMC 47 Luxury lands on the streets in Thuy Design House’s latest silk and embroidered Black Bird looks. The designer, Thuy Nguyen, of Thuy Design House, is a rare bird. At the age of 22 she flew with her husband from Vietnam to the Ukraine and later raised a family of four children. But during that time she also mastered the art of clothing design, particularly in feminine brocades – woven, ornamental and embossed fabrics – and set up her eponymous shop on the streets of Vietnam in 2011. Five years later, her latest lookbook Black Bird is a reflection that her creations are like rare birds too. Beguiling silk and floralembroidered ao dai, slip dresses and sleeveless pencil dresses in black retreat from their nest of luxury, earning some everyday street cred on model Hoang Oanh, who wanders through Saigon’s districts and storefronts. Although black is an admittedly unconventional colour for a springtime lookbook, it suggests that only the sky is the limit for Nguyen’s resplendent designs. 132-134 Dong Khoi, D1 thuydesignhouse.com By Ruben Luong FLIGHT OF FANCY 48 AsiaLIFE HCMC Photos by Thong Hoang Model: Hoang Oanh Make-up: Bao Bao AsiaLIFE HCMC 49 AsiaLIFE HCMC 51 listings hotel & travel CON DAO Con Dao Resort 8 Nguyen Duc Thuan Tel: 06 4830 939 www.condaoresort.com Modern hotel with 45 rooms and seven villas set on 2km of private beach. Onpremise facilities include restaurant, bar, beach-view swimming pool, tennis court and volleyball. Organizes outdoor activities and tours. Six Senses Con Dao Dat Doc Beach, Con Dao Dist, Ba Ria Tel: 064 3831 222 www.sixsenses.com/SixSensesConDao The first 5 star resort with 50 villas stretch across a mile-long beach, each villas has its own infinity-edge pool facing the ocean and a stunning restaurant. DALAT Ana Mandara Villas Resort & Spa Le Lai, Ward 5, Dalat Tel: 063 3555 888 www.anamandara-resort.com Luxury 35-acre resort encompasses 17 restored early 20th-century villas and 65 rooms set in the rural highlands. La Cochinchine Spa offers wide range of treatments. Le Petite Dalat Restaurant serves Vietnamese and fusion cuisine. Heated swimming pool, art gallery and cooking classes in organic garden. Dalat Edensee Lake Resort & Spa Tuyen Lam Lake, Zone VII.2, Dalat Tel: 063 383 1515 www.dalatedensee.com Nestled in the heart of the “Black Forest of Vietnam” and discretely hidden along the waterfront of Tuyen Lam Lake, this resort is a perfect launching point for exploring the Highland region. It has two fine-dining restaurants, a café and terrace, a cigar lounge, and golfing and tennis. Sofitel Dalat Palace 12 Tran Phu, Dalat Tel: 063 3825 444 www.accorhotels-asia.com Stately lakeside hotel was built in 1920s and retains the period’s aesthetic. It encompasses 38 rooms, five suites, a gourmet restaurant, brasserie, piano bar and Larry’s Bar. Golf can be arranged, and there’s tennis, boules, snooker and billiards on premise. HANOI Intercontinental Westlake Hanoi 1A Nghi Tam, Tay Ho Tel: 04 6270 8888 www.intercontinental.com Located on the waterfront with contemporary Vietnamese design, restaurants, business services, fitness centre including exercise classes and pool. Sheraton Hotel Hanoi K5 Nghi Tam, 11 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho Tel: 04 3719 9000 www.starwoodhotels.com 52 AsiaLIFE HCMC “Resort within a city” boasts 299 spacious guest rooms with panoramic views, fitness centre, international restaurant and Hemisphere Vietnamese restaurant. HO CHI MINH CITY Caravelle Hotel 19 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3823 4999 www.caravellehotel.com One of the city’s most prestigious venues. Features a casino, Reflections Restaurant and al fresco 9th-floor Saigon Saigon Bar. Equatorial 242 Tran Binh Trong, D5 Tel: 3839 7777 www.equatorial.com/hcm On the intersect of 4 districts, with 333 rooms, Orientica Seafood restaurant and bar, Chit Chat café, pool (swim-up bar), gym. InterContinental Asiana Saigon Corner of Hai Ba Trung & Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9999 [email protected] www.intercontinental.com/saigon 305 rooms/suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, five restaurants/bars, meeting/ banquet facilities, spa/health club and lounge with panoramic view. New World Hotel 76 Le Lai, D1 / Tel: 3822 8888 www.newworldsaigon.com Located in the city centre, with gym, outdoor pool, tennis court, event space and Dynasty Chinese restaurant. Sheraton 88 Dong Khoi, D1 / Tel: 3827 2828 www.sheraton.com/saigon Luxury downtown hotel: Level 23 bar, Mojo café, Li Bai Chinese restaurant, fine dining at The Signature on the 23rd floor. Sofitel Saigon Plaza 17 Le Duan, D1 / Tel: 3824 1555 www.sofitel.com/2077 One of the city’s top hotels with in-room Wi-Fi, two restaurants with international cuisine, two bars, six conference rooms, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre. HUE, HOI AN & DANANG Indochine Palace 105A Hung Vuong Street, Hue City Tel: 054 393 6666 www.indochinepalace.com Surrounded by the lush exotic garden, the hotel has is designed to appeal to the affluent, up-market leisure and business travellers with facilities offering for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort Bai Bac, Son Tra Peninsula Tel: 0511 393 8888 danang.intercontinental.com A world of poetic experiences and jungle-clad romance in a place that cloaks you with luxury. The mastery of traditional Vietnamese design meets modern architectural flair in this distinctive retreat within the dense rainforest of mythical Monkey Mountain. Nam Hai Tel: 0510 3940 000 www.ghmhotels.com/en/namhai/ Luxury resort accommodation from single villas to sumptuous five-room dwellings with private pools. Facilities include 8 private spa villas; 3 beachfront swimming pools; library; and tennis, basketball and badminton courts. NHA TRANG Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang Beachside, Tran Phu, Nha Trang Tel: 058 3522 222 www.sixsenses.com Beachside resort set in 26,000 square metres of tropical garden, with 74 guest villas, three restaurants, Six Senses Spa. InterContinental Nha Trang 32-34 Tran Phu Street, Nha Trang Tel: +84 058 388 7777 www.Ihg.com A luxury beachfront retreat located in the heart of the city, the resort overlooks the stunning coastline. From there getting around the city is convenient as shopping, attractions, restaurants and bars are easily accessible within walking distance of the hotel. Mia Resort Nha Trang Bai Dong, Cam Hai Dong, Cam Lam, Khanh Hoa / Tel: 58 398 9666 www.mianhatrang.com Ultimate luxury resort with 50 rooms, divided into villas and condos, catering by well-known restaurant Sandals and Mojito's bar. PHAN THIET Princess D’Ânnam Premier Village Danang Resort Vo Nguyen Giap Street, Ngu Hanh Son District, Danang City, Viet Nam Tel. (+84)511/3919999 Fax. (+84)511/3919998 Email: [email protected] Website: http://premier-village-danang.com Situated on a private stretch of the picturesque My An Beach, Premier Village Danang Resort Managed by Accorhotels is the perfect beach retreat. The resort house 111 villas, divided in 3 room types to suit different tastes and budgets with two swimming pools, a spa and wellness center and a range of sport activities. Resort and Spa Khu Hon Lan, Tan Thanh, Ham Thuan Nam, Binh Thuan. Tel: 062 3682 222 www.princessannam.com Located on Ke Ga Bay with 57 exclusive villas, eight swimming pools, two restaurants and 1,800 square metres spa complex. The Sailing Club 24 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet Tel: 062 3847 440 www.sailingclubvietnam.com Open bar overlooking the sea, spacious rooms, restaurant, swimming pool and day spa. Victoria Phan Thiet Resort and Spa Mui Ne Beach Tel: 84 62 3813 000 Located on a private beach, 60 cosy bungalows, natural spa experiences among other great activities on offer at the resort. SCUBA DIVING Note: AsiaLIFE only lists dive centres recognized by international dive training programs, such as the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) and Scuba Schools International (SSI). We strongly advise against diving with unaccredited dive centres in Vietnam. Rainbow Divers 55 Nguyen Dang Giai, An Phu, D2 Tel: 0908 781 756 www.divevietnam.com Diving tours and career/instructor development offered by Vietnam’s first PADI centre. established in the mid-90s. Operates dive centres in Nha Trang, Whale Island, Hoi An and Phu Quoc. Octopus Diving 62 Tran Phu, Nha Trang Tel: 058 826 528 www.divenhatrang.com PADI/SSI dive centre based in Nha Trang and affiliated with the Sailing Club Co. with additional centres in Mui Ne and Hoi An. Offers a range of services. VUNG TAU Ho Tram Beach Resort & Spa Ho Tram Village, Xuyen Moc Tel: 06 4378 1525 www.hotramresort.com Located about 45km from Vung Tau in the Phuoc Buu Reserve Forest, Ho Tram Beach Resort & Spa boasts uniquely designed bungalows and villas. The Grand-Ho Tram Strip Phuoc Thuan Commune, Xuyen Moc District, Ba Ria Vung Tau Tel: +84 64 3788 888 www.thegrandhotramstrip.com The Grand - Ho Tram Strip is Vietnam's first large scale integrated resort and ultimately will include an 1,100-room five-star hotel, a world-class casino, restaurants, high-tech meeting space, an exclusive VIP area, as well as a variety of beach-front recreation activities. The first 541-room tower of this development opened with its casino including 90 live tables and 614 electronic game positions. The Grand will be the initial component of The Ho Tram Strip, the largest integrated resort complex in Vietnam. TRAVEL AGENTS Exotissimo HCMC: 20 Hai Ba Trung St, D1 Tel: 3827 2911 [email protected] HANOI: 26 Tran Nhat Duat St, Hoan Kiem Tel: 04 3828 2150 [email protected] www.exotissimo.com CHUDU24 hotel booking service 12th floor, 242 Cong Quynh St, D1 Tel: 1900 5454 40 www.en.chudu24.com Chudu24.com - the locally famous Vietnam hotel booking website now has an English version. The company is known for having the best local prices and reliable service. It has been the number 1 Vietnam hotel booking service for Vietnamese since 2008. AIRLINES Air France 130 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 0981 Fax: 3822 0537 www.airfrance.com.vn An airline with a vast and effective global network. Now flies direct to Paris. Vietnam Airlines Hanoi: 25 Trang Thi, Hoan Kiem Tel: 6270 0200 HCM City: 16th Floor, Sun Wah, 115 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3832 0320 www.vietnamairlines.com The domestic route map is extensive, with several flights daily between major and less touristed cities throughout Vietnam. Flies internationally throughout Asia and to Paris, Frankfurt, Moscow, Sydney, Melboure, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Ultimate luxury resort with 50 rooms, divided into villas and condos, catering by well-known restaurant Sandals and Mojito's bar. PHAN THIET Princess D’Ânnam Resort and Spa Khu Hon Lan, Tan Thanh, Ham Thuan Nam, Binh Thuan. Tel: 062 3682 222 www.princessannam.com Located on Ke Ga Bay with 57 exclusive villas, eight swimming pools, two restaurants and 1,800 square metres spa complex. The Sailing Club 24 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet Tel: 062 3847 440 www.sailingclubvietnam.com Open bar overlooking the sea, spacious rooms, restaurant, swimming pool and day spa. Victoria Phan Thiet Resort and Spa Mui Ne Beach Tel: 84 62 3813 000 Located on a private beach, 60 cosy bungalows, natural spa experiences among other great activities on offer at the resort. SCUBA DIVING Note: AsiaLIFE only lists dive centres recognized by international dive training programs, such as the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) and Scuba Schools International (SSI). We strongly advise against diving with unaccredited dive centres in Vietnam. Rainbow Divers 55 Nguyen Dang Giai, An Phu, D2 Tel: 0908 781 756 www.divevietnam.com Diving tours and career/instructor development offered by Vietnam’s first PADI centre. established in the mid-90s. Operates dive centres in Nha Trang, Whale Island, Hoi An and Phu Quoc. Octopus Diving 62 Tran Phu, Nha Trang Tel: 058 826 528 www.divenhatrang.com PADI/SSI dive centre based in Nha Trang and affiliated with the Sailing Club Co. with additional centres in Mui Ne and Hoi An. Offers a range of services. VUNG TAU Ho Tram Beach Resort & Spa Ho Tram Village, Xuyen Moc Tel: 06 4378 1525 www.hotramresort.com Located about 45km from Vung Tau in the Phuoc Buu Reserve Forest, Ho Tram Beach Resort & Spa boasts uniquely designed bungalows and villas. The Grand-Ho Tram Strip Phuoc Thuan Commune, Xuyen Moc District, Ba Ria Vung Tau Tel: +84 64 3788 888 www.thegrandhotramstrip.com The Grand - Ho Tram Strip is Vietnam's first large scale integrated resort and ultimately will include an 1,100-room five-star hotel, a world-class casino, restaurants, high-tech meeting space, an exclusive VIP area, as well as a variety of beach-front recreation activities. The first 541-room tower of this development opened with its casino including 90 live tables and 614 electronic game positions. The Grand will be the initial component of The Ho Tram Strip, the largest integrated resort complex in Vietnam. TRAVEL AGENTS Exotissimo HCMC: 20 Hai Ba Trung St, D1 Tel: 3827 2911 [email protected] HANOI: 26 Tran Nhat Duat St, Hoan Kiem Tel: 04 3828 2150 [email protected] www.exotissimo.com CHUDU24 hotel booking service 12th floor, 242 Cong Quynh St, D1 Tel: 1900 5454 40 www.en.chudu24.com Chudu24.com - the locally famous Vietnam hotel booking website now has an English version. The company is known for having the best local prices and reliable service. It has been the number 1 Vietnam hotel booking service for Vietnamese since 2008. AIRLINES Air France 130 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 0981 Fax: 3822 0537 www.airfrance.com.vn An airline with a vast and effective global network. Now flies direct to Paris. Vietnam Airlines Hanoi: 25 Trang Thi, Hoan Kiem Tel: 6270 0200 HCM City: 16th Floor, Sun Wah, 115 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3832 0320 www.vietnamairlines.com The domestic route map is extensive, with several flights daily between major and less touristed cities throughout Vietnam. Flies internationally throughout Asia and to Paris, Frankfurt, Moscow, Sydney, Melboure, Los Angeles and San Francisco. ONLY5,000 VND99,000 PASTA ND8 IZZAV P AsiaLIFE HCMC 53 into its enduring quality. Specializes in American grain-fed steaks, hamburgers and salads served in a pleasant atmosphere.  listings Phatty’s 46-48 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3821 0796 www.phattysbar.com Jaspa’s Steve Hardy and Ben Winspear’s sports bar has five widescreen TVs, a large drop-down screen and lots of pub grub and beer for fans looking to take in a game or two. food & drink BAR RESTAURANTS Dublin’s Gate D1 19 Thai Van Lung, D1 This authentic Irish pub in downtown Saigon has a large wine list, a wide selection of single malt whiskey and local and imported beers, including widgets of Guinness. It also has a western and Asian menu. Buddha Bar Shrine 64 Ton That Thiep Tel: 08 39 142 817 ShrineBarSaigon.com A sleek cocktail bar on a street full of beer and football, Shrine is a standout for its décor and drink menu. Shrine offers everything from wine to drinks and snacks to full-blown meals, its cocktails are the reason to visit. The Tavern R2/24 Hung Gia 3, Bui Bang Doan, D7 Tel: 5410 3900 Boasts good international food, a pool table, dartboards and sports coverage on large screens. Outdoor seating on mutiple levels. Second floor sports lounge hosts DJs at the weekends.  Vasco’s Bar 74/7D Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3824 2888 Chic bar decked in deep reds that gets packed to capacity on weekends. Open Monday to Saturday with live music on Fridays. Food menu by chef with over 10 years experience at La Camargue. Also does excellent pizza.  D2 7 Thao Dien, D2 // Tel: 3744 2080 An Phu institution serves up tasty meals and good drinks in a friendly, chilled environment. Plenty of room to relax inside or out, plus a pool table on premise.  Bia Craft 90 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 083 744 2588 A cozy bar serving beerthemed snacks and some of the best craft ales in Saigon. Constantly buzzing with the friendly chat of local expats in the area. Chilli Pub 89 Ton That Dam, District 1 Tel: 098 376 33 72 Located in the heart of the nightlife area of District 1, Chilli pub is a cozy bar full of fun. Hosting regular events such as quiz night, darts, live music and live sports on the big screens. Menu revolves around Chili dishes with chili dogs and of course big bowls of Chilli. Corso Steakhouse & Bar Norfolk Hotel, 117 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Located in the chic Norfolk Hotel Corso Steakhouse & Bar is well known for its steak imported from the US and Australia. D2 5557 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 08 35 194 138 Stylish nonsmoking sports bar offering all the latest action on a choice of widescreen TVs.Perfect for sports fans who are looking for a cold pint and big portions from a tempting pub grub menu. Mogambos 50 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3825 1311 This restaurant has been around since the mid-1990s, which offers an insight 54 AsiaLIFE HCMC Game On Sport Pub 115 Ho Tung Mau, District 1 Tel: 08 62 51 98 98 www.gameonsaigon.com A great place to catch all the latest live games while enjoying some great food and a few drinks with friends. The two big screens showing the games via satellite means you will never miss a minute of the action, while the kitchen serves up some truly hearty pub grub. CAFES Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 12-14 Thai Van Lung, D1 94 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3 Nowzone, 235 Nguyen Van Cu, D5 Metropolitan Bldng, 235 Dong Khoi, D1 International café chain with a wide variety of coffees and teas, as well as light snacks and food. Also sells freshroasted coffee beans and tins of whole leaf tea.  Guanabana 23 Ly Tu Trong, District 1 Tel: 09 09 82 48 30 Guanabana brings a California approach with its all-natural range of healthy smoothies. The smoothies are available in three varieties and are priced between VND 45,000 and VND 65,000. Mojo 88 Dong Khoi, D1 www.sheratonsaigon.com A top-end café with an attractive interior, outdoor terrace at street level and comfortable lounges upstairs. Good business coffee or lunch venue. CHINESE Li Bai Sheraton Hotel, 88 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 2828 Imperial-styled restaurant named after a famous Chinese poet. Nightly à la carte menu with dishes going from 100k VND. Lotus Court 1st floor, Moevenpick Hotel Saigon 253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan Tel: 3844 9222 ext. 168 www.moevenpick-saigon.com Dim Sum and exciting Cantonese cuisine in a unique and elegant setting. Ngan Dinh Chinese Restaurant Windsor Plaza Hotel, 18 An Duong Vuong, D5 Tel: 3833 6688 Beautiful wood paneling, colourful hanging lanterns and a sparkling mineral gallery make for a relaxing dining experience at the Windsor. Feast on roasted Pi Pa duck, giant grouper and steamed king prawns. Be sure to check out monthly specials. Royal Pavilion Reverie Saigon Hotel, 4th Floor, 22 36 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 08 3823 6688 Located in the Reverie Saigon Hotel, the Royal Pavilion serves up classic Cantonese cuisine in fine dining style. Featuring a menu of epic proportions, there is sure to be something for everyone. Shang Palace Restaurant Norfolk Mansion, 17-19-21 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3823 2221 www.shangpalace.com.vn An upscale Chinese restaurant with a spacious and welcoming atmosphere. The menu boasts a wide range of Hong Kong Cantonese cuisine, including both dim sum, a la carte and set menus, regularly changed by the creative chefs. Yu Chu InterContinental Asiana Saigon, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 [email protected] Specializing in authentic Cantonese and Peking cuisine. Award-winning chef prepares dishes including handmade noodles, dim sum and wok-fried items. Wide selection of live seafood. Five interactive kitchens. FRENCH Camargue 74/7D Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 08 35 20 48 88 One of the first western restaurants in Saigon, Camargue offers a great selection of French food and wine in a romantic, rustic French villa. Le Bouchon de Saigon 40 Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3829 9263 This French diner-style restaurant has an emphasis on hearty home cooking, courteous service and a relaxed atmosphere. Chef David Thai is a wellknown industry figure, and this venue can hold its own among the city`s many French restaurants. INDIAN events.  Malt 46 – 48 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 09 1848 4763 American-style bar that offers good beer, shuffleboard and an interesting pub grub menu in a casual setting. INTERNATIONAL Al Fresco’s 21 Mac Dinh Chi D1 Tel: 3823 8427 27 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 3823 8424 D1-23 My Toan 3, D7 Tel: 5410 1093 www.alfrescosgroup.com Theme restaurant boasting a range of Tex-Mex, Italian and Australian-style BBQ dishes. Huge portions and tasty Australian ribs coupled with a good atmosphere and helpful staff. Good lunch menu.  Au Parc 23 Han Thuyen, D1 Tel: 3829 2772 Lavishly decorated brasserie borrowing from Moroccan and French styles and popular during lunchtime with expats. Specializes in Middle Eastern and North African food. The salad menu is a favourite, and a great range of lush smoothies and juices are on offer.  Bamboo Chic Le Meridien, 3C Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 086 263 6688 Slick, minimalistic restaurant boasting a stunning view of the Saigon River as well as a menu of highquality cuisine that mixes Japanese and coastal Chinese styles. Worth a visit, even if it’s just for a cocktail. Beets Salad Bar 111 Ham Nghi, District 1 Tel: 08 38 211 282 Arguably the city’s only salad bar, this fresh new spot provides healthy options for downtown diners by sticking to the basics. BOC Barbeque 43 Nguyen Van Giai, D1. Situated down a alleyway at the top of D1, this charming outdoor spot serves up quality Americanstyle barbeque at astonishingly reasonable prices. There is also a good selection of seafood and pasta dishes as well as cheap beers and cocktails. Con Bo Map 178/4B Pasteur, D1 Tel: 08 38 246 607 A small, modest space hidden down an alley off Pasteur serving some of the best burgers in town. Black Cat 13 Phan Van Dat, D1 Tel: 3829 2055 Tiny but popular District 1 restaurant serving up an excellent selection of Western and Vietnamese fare and an extensive range of sandwiches and burgers.  Saigon Indian 73 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3824 5671 Popular venue with an enormous menu. Serves both southern and northern Indian dishes like tandoori, biryani, dosa and idly snacks, plus a wide range of vegetarian dishes. Offers a set lunch menu. Cater service is available.  BoatHouse 40 Lily Road, APSC Compound, 36 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 6790 Riverside restaurant with umbrellashaded tables spread across outdoor deck and small indoor dining room. With revamped menu which includes a mix of family-style meals with Mexican featuring predomominately, followed by Italian and Asian fare.  Tandoor 39A-39B Ngo Duc Ke, D1 www.tandoorvietnam.com Part of a chain of restaurants covering Hanoi and Saigon, Tandoor features a large selection of standard northern Indian dishes, including a good vegetarian selection. Excellent cheap set lunches and reasonable prices all around. Will organize catering for Jaspa’s 33 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3822 9926 www.alfrescosgroup.com Unpretentious brasserie-style restaurant specializes in Australian-influenced international fusion cuisine. Full range of drinks including Australian and French wines and good cocktails. Hosts monthly Spam Cham networking event.  Koto 3rd Floor Rooftop, Kumho Link Plaza, 39 Le Duan, Ben Nghe Ward, D1 Tel: (+84) 3822 9357 This is the Saigon arm of the renowned organisation that began in Hanoi a decade ago. Vietnamese food is prepared with innovative twist by young people Koto are helping get a start in the hospitality industry and on a path for a better life. May Restaurant & Bar 19-21 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 6291 3686 [email protected] We have over 20 years experience in hospitality business in Vietnam with some famous Brand such as Shodow Bar & Café and MAY Restaurant & Bar. MAY- short for ‘Me and You’, it is all in one premium casual kitchen & bar downtown. Located centrally on the historic Dong Khoi street with a fusion of Western and Asian cuisine and pride themselves in their wine list and international standard of service. Market 39 InterContinental Asiana Saigon Ground Floor, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1 / Tel: 3520 9099 [email protected] Seven interactive live kitchens offering French, Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cuisines, including a bakery, French patisseries, pancakes, tossed salads, grilled steak, seafood, wokfried items, noodles and pasta dishes. Mekong Merchant 23 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 4713 Set in a courtyard, this rustic Australian-style brasserie has brought modern international cuisine to suburban An Phu. Popular for weekend brunches. Weekly specials and seafood flown in from Phu Quoc.  OMG 15-17-19 Nguyen An Ninh, D1 Tel: 09 37 20 02 22 Perched on the ninth-floor rooftop of a hotel adjacent to Ben Thanh market, OMG has superb views over downtown Saigon and food to match. The menu is focused but includes enough choices to satisfy everyone across hot and cold starters, pasta and risotto, mains and dessert. Quan Ut Ut 168 Vo Van Kiet, D1 Tel: 08 39 14 45 00 American-style barbecue meets Vietnam-style dining with big wooden tables and benches that are reminiscent of an open-air quan. Serving a wide range of smoked and barbecued meats. Reflections Caravelle Hotel, 19 - 23 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3823 4999 Contemporary fine dining that combines Asian flavors with classic Mediterranean cuisine in an ambiance of understated elegance and European style. Special culinary events include guest chefs from Michelin-star establishments around the world. Private rooms are available. Relish and Sons 44 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 012 07 214 294 Facebook.com/RelishAndSons Burgers are the stars of the show in Relish & Sons, with six varieties, all composed of different but expertly combined ingredients.  Skewers 9A Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3822 4798 www.skewers-restaurant.com Rustic Mediterranean restaurant where subtle colours and exposed brickwork combine with jazzy tunes. Serves tabouleh, falafel, couscous and kebab. Highly rated for its grilled meats, bread and dip combos, soups and pastas. Stoker Woodfired Grill & Bar 44 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 090 729 2725 District 1 venue with spacious bar downstairs and upstairs dining room. Serving a full selection of home aged US and Australian beef complimented by a delicious sides. The Deck 38 Nguyen U Di, D2 Tel: 3744 6632 Serves upmarket takes on regional specialties made with fresh local and imported products. Well-designed, minimalist dining space and bar on the river are a serious draw. The Elbow Room 52 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3821 4327 [email protected] American-style bistro offering a wide range of appetisers, soups, salads, sandwiches, mains and desserts, plus an extensive wine menu. Open daily 7.30 am to 11 pm. Breakfast served all day. The Refinery 74/7C Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3823 0509 Authentic bistro with cane furniture outside, informal indoor restaurant section and a bar area. Cuisine is light, modern European. The menu spans a price range to suit most budgets. Urban Kitchen + Bar 18 Ngo Van Nam, D1 Tel: 08 62 506 363 UrbanKitchenBar.com Urban Kitchen takes a nuanced approach to Western cuisine, producing an eclectic compilation of regional North American dishes – whether it’s comfort food of the American south, Quebecois specialties or East Coast-inspired. Viva Tapas Bar & Grill 90 Cao Trieu Phat, Phu My Hung, D7 Tel: 08 54 106 721 Tucked away on a quiet street in Phu My Hung, Viva is colourful and welcoming and has both indoor and outdoor seating. Tapas make up the bulk of the menu and cover traditional dishes as well as a few house specialties that put a quirky twist on things.  Pop Fries 14M Quoc Huong, D2 Tel: 09 3875 4251 French fries topped with a range of fresh ingredients inspired by dishes across the world. ITALIAN Basilico InterContinental Asiana Saigon, Ground Floor, corner of Nguyen Du and Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 [email protected] Contemporary and casual trattoriastyle restaurant specializing in authentic Italian dishes and homemade desserts. Wood-fired pizza oven and a wide selection of Italian wines. Good Morning Vietnam 197 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3837 1894 Popular authentic Italian restaurant with additional outlets around the country. Specializes in thin-crust pizza, pasta and a range of Italian dishes. Good selection of Italian wines.  LovEat 29 Hai Trieu, D1 AsiaLIFE HCMC 55 Tel: 08 62 602 727 Facebook.com/LovEatRestaurant Chic downtown bistro LovEat occupies a prime spot opposite the Bitexco Financial Tower, serving traditional Mediterranean cuisine with an Italian twist. The restaurant prides itself on organic local ingredients and offers full meals as well as coffee, drinks and Italian pastries. Open from 9am til late.  By Richie Fawcett IMBIBE JAPANESE ROLL OUT THE BARREL In a bar far far away, at a time long, long ago (2009 to be precise), the seeds of one of the greatest cocktail trends the most recent cocktail golden age has seen were sown. In 2015, the world production of miniature oak barrels could not keep up with demand. The trend had spread its high-alcohol infection from North London in 2009 at a bar called, well, it doesn’t have a name. The address is 69, Colebrook Row. The owner, Toni Conigliaro, was experimenting with aged Manhattans in glass jars. Visiting bartender from northwest USA, Jeffrey Morgenthaler, tried Toni’s aged concoctions. So impressed, he went back to his own bar, The Clyde Common, and did the same, but in oak barrels. From there the trend spread from the Portland, Oregon, bar scene, reaching the West coast and East coast of the USA in the same year. By late 2010, notable London bars were in on the act, from Mayfair to Hackney. Edinburgh, famed for its cocktail bar scene. wasn’t far behind. Then the migration of ideas and knowledge was rapid in today’s nanofast cocktail culture. Asia was exposed to the trend through Hong Kong bartenders Antonio Lai and Maxence Traverse. Max started with rum aged Negronis, Old Fashioneds and Sazeracs in 2012 at Honi Honi tiki bar Antonio in the same year with a six-month aged Manhattan at Quinary. Manhattan bar in the Regent Hotel, Singapore, opened with a barrel aging programme that 56 AsiaLIFE HCMC Romeo and Juliet Times Square Building, 57 – 69F Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 08 38 236 688 TheReverieSaigon.com Underground restaurant of the newlyopened Reverie Saigon, Romeo and Juliet is reinventing local dining to encourage the kind of slower, savourthe-moment experience that allows guests to enjoy the space’s ambiance, food and top-notch service. features over 100 barrels, proving the trend has gone from little more than an experiment in a bar in North London to being the central feature on a serious fivestar hotel bar menus in little over five years. Meanwhile in the sleepy cocktail backwater that is Vietnam, at last the waters are stirring... Ratcha Room, Sorae, Shri and soon-to-open Qui all feature various forms of barrel-aged cocktails on their menus. Ratcha Room, 2014 ‘Ratcha Nail’ by Greg Jacobs: Cutty Sark Whisky and Drambuie (aged two months) Sorae, Sept 2014 ‘Sumo Old Fashioned’ by Richie Fawcett: Bacon-washed Brugal rum, orange bitters and maple syrup (aged 30 days) Shri - Whisky Pop-up Bar, Nov 2015 ‘The Grandfather’ by Richie Fawcett: Macallan 12 yr and Amaretto (aged six to eight months) Qui, April 2016 ‘Boulevardier’ by Trang Tranh: Gin, Campari and Martini Rosso (aged 35 days) Shri Restaurant and Lounge manager Richie Fawcett is a designer and artist who sits on Asia’s 50 best bars voting panel and is responsible for training many of Vietnam’s best bartenders. Kissho 14 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3823 2223 Fax: 3823 3343 kissho.wmcvietnam.com Saigon’s newest Japanese restaurant boasts a multi-concept cuisine set in a cutting edge interior. Specialties include teppanyaki, yakiniku, sushi and sashimi crafted by expert chefs. The freshest imported meats and seafood round out the menu, accompanied by an extensive selection of fine wines and Japanese spirits. Open 11.30 am to 2 pm and 5.30 pm to 10 pm. Manmaru 71 Mac Dinh Chi, D1 Japanese izakaya with a solid lineup of affordable beers, sakes and whiskies. Whether you choose the casual, publike experience downstairs, or the formal dining terrace upstairs, expect excellent food and even better prices. Nishimura Mövenpick Hotel Saigon, 253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan Tel: 3844 9222 Exquisitely prepared sushi and sashimi from a globetrotting chef with three decades’ experience. A wide range of cooked dishes and monthly meal promotions are also available. The Sushi Bar 2 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3823 8042 3A Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3911 8618 This brightly lit Japanese-style restaurant serves over 40 varieties of sushi at reasonable prices. Sit at the sushi bar or in private rooms upstairs. Open until 11.30 pm, delivery available on request.  KOREAN Kim Bab Chun Gook R4 42 Hung Phuoc 2, Phu My Hung Tel: 6296 9057 Korean boonshik/snack food eatery serving up a wide variety of light but substantial foods including dumplings, rameyon and fish cakes. Kumdo 6A Pham Ngoc Thach, D3 Tel: 3824 3253 Korean beef barbecue served in small, welcoming dining rooms with barbecues built into tables. Large selection of raw meat specialties. SOUTHEAST ASIAN Lac Thai 71/2 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3823 7506 An elegant restaurant tucked in an alleyway, decorated with art-deco furniture. Authentic Thai cuisine prepared by two Thai chefs. Food is tasty but less spicy than you’d find in Thailand.  The Racha Room 12-14 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 09 08 791 412 RachaRoom.com.vn With street and hawker specialties from Thailand prepared under one roof – and in one room – The Racha Room is a restaurant-cum-lounge fit for a king. Tuk Tuk Thai Bistro 17/11 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 08 35 21 85 13 Tuktukthaibistro.com Tuk Tuk, a chic new modern Thai bistro. With three floors of seating, an open-air roof area and an array of Thai dishes to excite your palate. VEGETARIAN Hoa Dang 38 Huynh Khuong Ninh, D1 Swish vegetarian restaurant on a quiet street that serves up nutritious dishes, including meatless versions of bun bo, pho and steamboat. Cosy bar serving non-alcoholic drinks, fruits and other sweets. Viet Chay 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3 Tel: 3526 5862 Upscale vegetarian restaurant specializes in fake meat dishes. The attractive dining room is suffused with natural light. Located within the walls of Vinh Nghiem Pagoda. VIETNAMESE Cha Ca La Vong 3 Ho Xuan Huong, D3 Tel: 3930 5674 36 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3915 3343 Two HCM City ouposts of the legendary Hanoi original serve only one dish: the eponymous and delicious cha ca la vong, fish pan-fried at the table with turmeric and dill and served with cold noodles and peanuts. Com Nieu 19 Tu Xuong, D3 Tel: 3932 6288 The house specialty, com nieu (smashed rice), comes with a shattered-crockery and flying-rice show at this well-known restaurant, prominently featured in Anthony Bourdain’s A Cook’s Tour. An extensive and tasty selection of southern Vietnamese cuisine rounds out the menu. Circus Kitchen 232 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Outdoor barbeque covered by colorful awning, dishing out allyoucaneat deals every Thursday plus a combination of grills and a la carte every day of the week in an ambient environment. Hu Tieu Nam Vang Lien Hua 381 Vo Van Tan, D3 www.LienHua.com.vn Lien Hua has been serving Chinese Khmer noodle soup on this spot for over forty years. Pork and shrimp set hu tieu Nam Vang apart from your average pho while the house speciality dim sum selection is unmissable. Mountain Retreat 36 Le Loi, D1 Tel: +84 90 719 45 57 A rustic restaurant perched above downtown offering a secluded getaway and tasty traditional food. Quan Bui 17A Ngo Van Nam, D1 Tel: 08 38 29 15 15 From the team behind Quan Bui, the popular casual Vietnamese eatery on the north edge of District 1, is this four-floor fine-dining restaurant in downtown Saigon. The chic design and ambience, as well as its rooftop garden, are designed to attract a more up-market clientele. Saigon Lookout Schneider’s Finest 27 Han Thuyen, D1 Tel: 3829 1998 www.schneiders-finest.com Traditional German bakery bakes 45 different kinds of breads, rolls and baguettes and a wide range of danishes, pastries and cakes. Catering available. 37 bis Ky Con Tel 09 6688 4668 Tous Les Jours 180 Hai Ba Trung, D3 Part of the Korean bakery chain, Tous Le Jours stocks a superb range of freshly baked good from sugary treats like pain au chocolat to superior quality baguettes and loafs. D1 Saigon's Lookout is one of Saigon's hidden gems where east meets west, with a menu of twisted Vietnamese cuisine complimented by funky oriental cocktails. nightlife See bar restaurant listings for more popular watering holes. The Library InterContinental Asiana Saigon, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 [email protected] Unwind with a glass of wine or a cup of tea. The Library provides a welcoming atmosphere for those in search of calm, comfort and personalized service. Purple Jade InterContinental Asiana Saigon, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 Chic lounge blends the stylistic influences of contemporary design and opium dens. Hosts live music and serves special drinks, including Shaoxing and Maotai rice wines and an exclusive selection of luxury spirits. Saigon Saigon Bar Rooftop via 9th floor, Caravelle Saigon Hotel, 19 - 23 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3823 4999 A great iconic bar to watch the sun go down over the city skyline, or dance the night away. The panoramic views of the city are spectacular, particularly in the evenings. Live entertainment nightly with Cuban band Q’vans except Tuesday from 9:00pm till late. at home BAKERIES Harvest Baking 30 Lam Son, Tan Binh Tel: 3547 0577 [email protected] This authentic bakery offers a range of specialty baked goods for delivery. Offering bagels, scones, breads, desserts,cakes, tarts and more. Chocolate fudge cake and cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing highly recommended. Pat A Chou 65 Hai Ba Trung, D1 25 Thao Dien, D2 The home of the long and crusty baguette. Supplies many restaurants but also sells wholesale. The miniature patisseries such as crème brulée and cheesecake are worth a taste. Opens at 6.30 am. Voelker 17 A7 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 7303 8799 39 Thao Dien, An Phu, D2 Tel: 6296 0066 Small bakery turns out sweet and salted pies and mousses in addition to baguettes and a range of Western sweets. Le Padam – Saigon 230 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 090 704 6281 Cheese fanatics can indulge in delicious French imports amid a spacious, airy bistro that also serves wine and desserts. The homemade bread is crisp and soft, attracting many locals to buy baguettes daily. DELIVERY Food Panda www.foodpanda.vn Online delivery service with over 500 popular restaurants available. www.vietnammm.com A free website that allows users to order delivery from dozens of restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City. Simply provide your address and phone number and pay the delivery driver in cash when he arrives GROCERIES Annam Gourmet Market 16-18 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3822 9332 41A Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 2630 www.annam-gourmet.com Boutique grocer with wide selection of foreign foods; Annam-brand coffee, tea and spices; and household products. Wine and premium beer, full deli counter, produce, dairy-frozen and baked goods on second floor. Cosy café serves coffee, drinks and sandwiches. Big C Floor B1, Cantavil An Phu Building, D2, Tel: 3740 7105 www.bigC.vn This ‘supercentre’ offers a clean, comfortable shopping environment with a wide assortment of goods, including fresh food and home accessories, available at reasonable prices. Classic Fine Foods 17 Street 12, D2 Tel: 3740 7105 www.classicfinefoods.com Luxury food primarily imports for wholesale, but also takes orders for its range of dry goods, cheese, meat, poultry and seafood from private clients. Meatworks Butchery 1, Street 2, Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 08 3744 2565 Imported meats from Australia, including top-quality beef and lamb, and locally sourced pork and chicken.. Proudly Australian owned and managed. Our Australian beef is grass fed and selected from farms across Victoria. We also have Australian lamb and locally sourced fine pork and chicken. Proudly Australian owned and managed. No. 1 Street. 2, Thao Dien Ward. District 2. Ho Chi Minh City www.meatworksasia.com T:+84 8 37442565 AsiaLIFE HCMC 57 listings By Phil Kelly FITNESS Calories vs Chemicals (Part One) The calorie myth is a hard one to kill. My last few articles have discussed the math behind weight loss and calorie counting and the fact that trying to quantitate the process in numbers is impossible. Calories are not the most important issue when striving for effortless fat loss and health. Every organism tries to maintain homeostasis (state of balance) automatically. It is a fundamental part of our being. For example, if we drink a lot of water we urinate more and vice versa. If we don’t drink enough, our body redistributes what you do have to vital functions. However, the common misunderstanding is that when we consume more food we will automatically store more fat, but this is not the simple case. Our bodies try to regulate our weight just like they try to regulate hydration. This process is called the Homeostasis Regulatory System (HRS). This system can be broken by the wrong quality of foods. These break the HRS and, once broken, it doesn’t matter how little you eat or how much you exercise, the system is broken and we need to fix it. Diabetics, for example, are not told to eat less; they are generally told to not eat certain foods. The same is true for heart attack patients and most other ailments. The importance of reading labels is essential for your health. Let’s take peanut butter for example. What should the ingredient list be to make it? One item is all that is needed… peanuts! But we live in a society where advertising makes false promises. Food packages make amazing claims… Skippy reduced fat peanut butter promotes 25 percent less fat and boasts that 58 AsiaLIFE HCMC their product “fuels the fun”. Must be healthy, right? Far from it. They list 22 items in the ingredient list, the majority of which are hazardous to your health! All these chemicals build up in your body. Your internal system can only process and eliminate so much at a time, so the excess is pushed to and stored in body fat. If toxins and chemicals remain at higher levels than your body can process, you acquire more body fat. Our bodies can take a lot of punishment before we get into the red-zone. Gaining health and effortlessly staying lean has a lot more to do with the quality of our food rather than the quantity. When was the last time you heard of someone getting fat and becoming sick from eating too many vegetables? Nutrient-dense foods naturally have fewer calories than processed foods. Foods that are classified as empty calories (those that contain high calories but low vitamin and mineral content) throw our hormones out of balance, creating cravings, mood swings, and low energy levels. Whereas food high in nutrients do not cause imbalance. Reducing your consumption of chemically-laden food is one of the easiest ways to lose fat. Next month I will discuss some local foods you need to watch out for and how to eliminate chemicals from your system. Phil is a health practitioner and expert in body transformation. His services are available at Star Fitness (starfitnesssaigon.com), online or at your home. Contact him through his website philkelly.com or facebook.com/ BodyExpertSystemsVietnam. sports & leisure Sport Street Huyen Tran Cong Chua, D1 between Nguyen Du and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Services include mending and restringing broken tennis rackets. Products range from badminton birdies and rackets to basketball hoops, free weights, roller blades, scooters, soccer jerseys and all manner of balls. CRICKET Saigon Cricket Assocation Social cricket league plays 25 overs a side matches Sunday mornings at RMIT’s District 7 pitch. Season runs November through May, with friendly games throughout the pre-season. Practice on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons. Australian Cricket Club Terry Gordon [email protected] [email protected] www.saigoncricket.com English Cricket Club Richard Carrington [email protected] [email protected] www.eccsaigon.com Indian Cricket Club Manish Sogani, [email protected] United Cricket Club Mr. Asif Ali, [email protected] [email protected] DANCING DanCenter 53 Nguyen Dang Giai, Thao Dien, District 2 Tel: 3840 6974 www.dancentervn.com Purpose built studio with foreign trained dance instructors. Classes in jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, yoga, zumba, belly, hula, capoiera and more. Kids can start from 4+ and adults of all ages and levels are welcome. Schedule and news on events available on-line. Salsa Dancing at La Habana 6 Cao Ba Quat, D1 www.salsaigon.com [email protected] Salsa package for single persons and couple, run by Urko. Lessons every Tuesday (beginners L.A. style at 7.30 pm; intermediate L.A style at 8.30 pm). Registration required. FITNESS & YOGA AIS Sports Centre 36 Thao Dien, An Phu, D2 Tel: 3744 6960, ext 126 [email protected] www.aissportscentre.com Six-lane, 25-metre pool, basketball and netball courts, astroturf hockey/football area and outdoor gym equipment. Available for party hire - BBQ included on request. Membership packages available. Kids swim club and adult masters programmes. Rainbow Divers offers scuba diving courses for children and adults. Free morning yoga. California WOW Xperience Parkson Plaza, 126 Hung Vuong, D5 28/30-32 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 6291 5999 The world’s biggest fitness centre chain is one of Saigon’s most modern places to get your sweat on. Located in Hung Vuong Plaza, CWX offers a huge workout area and all kinds of classes including spinning, KickFit, yoga and more. Caravelle Club Spa 19 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3823 4999 Modern and stylish gym with lots of cardiovascular machines and free weights. The swimming pool is a great place for a dip, and the massage parlour, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi are there for winding down. Equinox Fitness & Leisure Centre Equatorial Hotel, 242 Tran Binh Trong, D5 Tel: 3839 7777 Decent-sized 3rd-floor gym with modern cardio and weights machines, sauna, steambath, jacuzzi, and large 4th floor pool great for swimming laps. Hollywood Fitness World H3 Building, 384 Hoang Dieu, D4 Tel: 3826 4639 One of the latest & best workout environments in the city, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Personal training is offered. L’Apothiquaire Fitness Centre 64A Truong Dinh, D3 Tel: 3932 5181 www.lapothiquaire.com Internationally-certified teachers offer daily classes in Sivananda, Iyengar, Power, Yoga, Abdo-Pilates, Taebo and Aqua-Aerobics. Peaceful swimming pool, sauna and steam room. La Cochinchine Rex Hotel, 146 Pastuer, D1 Tel: 3825 1812 (ext 7477) New and affordable fitness centre located in the heart of the city. This gym has a wide range of weight machines, as well as many cardio machines, including treadmills, cross-trainers and bikes. A good variety of classes are available, including yoga and aerobic dance. NTFQ2 Spa 34 Nguyen Dang Giai, D2 Tel: 3744 6672 Therapeutic massage with a focus on sports massage to increase circulation, remove lactic acid build-up, restore flexibility and relieve back pain. Sheraton Fitness Level 5, Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, 88 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 2828 [email protected] www.sheraton.com/saigon Sheraton Fitness features a team of trained professionals and new Technogym equipment. Members have full use of leisure facilities and receive discounts at hotel bars and restaurants and Aqua Day Spa. Star Fitness Gym Manor Apartments, 91 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh Tel: 3514 0255 This 1,600sqm gym is apparently the biggest in Vietnam. Has a good range of machines for any type of workout. Membership involves one time entry fee plus monthly subscriptions and gives free access to regular fitness classes. Saigon Yoga Tel: 090 835 2265 [email protected] www.saigonyoga.com A yoga centre with highly qualified instructors offering hot yoga, Hatha Flow, restorative yoga, kids’ yoga, pre and postnatal yoga and injury rehabilitation. Also does corporate team building and yoga teacher training as well as organising yoga retreats. FOOTBALL & RUGBY Australian Rules Football Tel: 093 768 3230 www.vietnamswans.com [email protected] The Vietnam Swans play regular international footy matches around Asia. Training sessions are held weekly in HCM City (2.30 pm Saturday, RMIT D7) and Hanoi (midday, Saturday, UN International School, Ciputra). All skill levels and codes welcome. RMIT Vietnam [email protected] A new player on the SIFL scene with a team made up of students from the University. They have their own football ground on-site consisting of two brand new pitches. Contact Landon Carnie. Saigon Raiders [email protected] Sociable football side who are always on the lookout for new talent for their weekly matches and training sessions. The team participates in the Saigon International Football League and also has regular fixtures against local teams in the outlying provinces and also participates in international tournaments. Saigon Saints [email protected] www.saigonsaints.com Expat football club of all ages, which has been running since 1995 and plays in the SIFL. Regularly venture on international tours especially to Bangkok and Manila and play in other local and international tournaments. The players train weekly, and new players are encouraged to join. GOLF Dalat Palace Golf Club Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Dalat Tel: 063 3821 101 [email protected] The most beautiful course in Vietnam, combining the crisp mountain air with an environment of stately pine trees. Overlooking Xuan Huong lake, the 7,009-yard course is an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all levels. Dong Nai Golf Resort Trang Bom Town, Trang Bom Tel: 061 3866 288 / 3677 590 www.dongnaigolf.com.vn Large golf resort with 27 holes, plus a villa complex, bar, sauna. jacuzzi and billiards. The resort sits on 160 hectares of land in Dong Nai Province, about 50 kilometres from the city. Ocean Dunes Golf Club 1 Ton Duc Thang, Phan Thiet Tel: 062 3821 995 [email protected] Designed by Nick Faldo, the 6,746-yard par-72 course winds through seaside dunes, with the variable coastal breezes changing its character each day. An enjoyable and eminently playable course and has become a favourite venue for expatriate tournaments. Saigon South Golf Nguyen Van Linh, Tan Phu, D7 Tel: 5411 2001 [email protected] Nine-hole mini golf course and driving range set amongst attractive gardens just behind FV Hospital. Club, shoe and umbrella hire is also available. Song Be Golf Resort 77 Binh Duong Blvd, Thuan An Tel: 0650 3756 660 [email protected] www.songbegolf.com Located 22 kilometres from the city centre, the premier golf course in the area features an 18-hole, 6,384-metre course. Also has tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a gymnasium. Vietnam Golf and Country Club Long Thanh My Village, D9 www.vietnamgolfcc.com This facility consists of two courses of 18 holes each, one of which is designed in a more traditional Asian style, and the other in international style. Has other attractions such as boating, tennis and a restaurant area. LEISURE Phun Runner [email protected] Social running group that meets Saturdays at 7 am for a scenic run around Saigon before breakfast. Great way to explore the city, meet fellow runners and get fit for future events. Check website for rendezvous points. Rangers Baseball Club Isao Shimokawaji [email protected] A baseball club always looking for additional players of any age, race or experience level. Plays Saturdays or Sundays, often against Korean or Vietnamese teams. Saigon International Dart League www.thesidl.com A highly popular group in town, the darts club runs a competitive year-long league for 16 pub-based teams. There are some excellent players in this sociable and international group. See website for details of how to join and latest 180 scores. Saigon International Softball League [email protected] www.saigonsoftball.info The league plays slo-pitch softball every Sunday (usually at the Taiwanese School in Phu My Hung) and always welcomes newcomers. Saigon Pony Club Lane 42, Le Van Thinh, D2 Tel: 0913 733 360 A standout facility offering pony rides, riding lessons, horse clinics and pony rentals. Also hosts events and birthdays. Squash The Landmark, 5B Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3822 2098 ext 176 www.thelandmarkvietnam.com One of three squash courts in town. Membership is open to non-Landmark residents and drop-in players. Lessons and racquets are available for additional fees. Balls are provided. Book in advance or phone for further information. Ultimate Frisbee RMIT, 702 Nguyen Van Linh, D7 www.saigon-ultimate.com Join in this exciting popular sport every Sunday afternoon from 3pm to 5pm in Saigon South. Pan-Asian competitions also organised for the more experienced. Contact David Jensen at 0909458890 Vietwings Paragliding [email protected] Promoted by a local advertising executive turned test pilot, paragliding, hanggliding, trike plane can be performed in several locations across southern Vietnam including Dalat, Phan Thiet, Tay Ninh. Call Loco on 0903 825607 for more information. X-Rock Climbing Phan Dinh Phung Sport Centre 75 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3 Tel: 6278 5794 503A Nguyen Duy Trinh, D2 Tel: 2210 9192 www.xrockclimbing.com Offering safe and professional climbing for anyone aged 4 and up. Featuring mountain climbing routes rated from beginner to advanced, climbing and belay-safety courses and training, birthday parties, corporate team building. Excellent facilities for children and annual membership for kids. Call Us listings health & beauty ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE American Chiropractic Clinic 161 Hai Ba Trung, D3 Tel: 3939 3930 www.vietnamchiropractic.com A chiropractic, physiotherapy, foot care clinic staffed by American-trained chiropractors speaking French, English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. Treatsback pain, neck pain, knee pain, also specializing in sports injuries, manufacture of medical grade foot orthotics. Ciro Gargiulo CARE1 Executive Health Care Center The Manor, 91 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh Tel: 3514 0757 [email protected] www.care1.com.vn A holistic approach is used by this acupuncturist and traditional medicine practitioner to rebalance the body’s energy fields. A wide range of ailments are treated including back pain, allergies and insomnia. Institute of Traditional Medicine 273-275 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan Dr. Le Hung is the man to see at this well-established traditional hospital & training centre. He speaks good English and provides excellent treatments in a clean environment. The Institute also provides acupuncture lessons. DENTAL Family Medical Practice HCMC Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3822 7848 95 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 2000 www.vietnammedicalpractice.com Leading international primary healthcare provider, with a 24-hour state-of-the-art medical centre and highly-qualified multilingual foreign doctors. Extensive experience in worldwide medical evacuations with car and air ambulance on standby. Also in Hanoi and Danang. HANH PHUC, International Hospital Binh Duong boulevard, Thuan An, Binh Duong Tel: 0650 3636068 www.hanhphuchospital.com The 1st Singapore Standard Hospital in Vietnam. 260 –bedder, provide a comprehensive range of quality healthcare services: Obstertrics, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Immunization, IVF, Health checkup, Parentcraft, Woman Cancer, Cosmetic Surgery… Just 20- minute driving from HCMC. HANH PHUC International Hospital Clinic 97 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3925 9797 www.hanhphuchospital.com The 1st Singapore Standard Hospital in Vietnam. The clinic is located at the center of Dist. 1, provides a comprehensive range of services specializing in Obstertrics, Gynaecology, Peadiatrics, Immunization, General Practice and Emergency. Open hours: Weekdays: 8am to 5pm; Saturday: 8am to 12pm. Accadent 39 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 08 6267 6666 A clinic that brings leading German dentistry to Vietnam. All dentists here were trained in Germany and all equipment comes from Germany to ensure proper hygiene and quality. International SOS 167A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3 Tel: 3829 8424 www.internationalsos.com Globally-renowned provider of medical assistance and international healthcare. Specializes in offering medical transport and evacuation both within and outside of Vietnam for urgent medical cases. Starlight Dental Clinic Dr. Philippe Guettier & International Team of Dentists 24 Thao Dien, D2 2Bis Cong Truong Quoc Te, D1 Tel: 3822 6222 With 14 years’ experience providing dental treatment to expat and Vietnamese patients, this well-known dental surgery is staffed by both foreign & local practitioners. Au fait with the latest treatments and techniques, the surgery prides themselves on their high standard of equipment & sterilization. Victoria Healthcare 135A Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan Tel: 3910 4545 79 Dien Bien Phu, D1 Tel: 39104545 Well-regarded clinic offering general examinations and specializing in pediatrics, digestive diseases, cardiology and women's health. Offers a membership program and cooperates with most insurance companies in Vietnam and abroad. Open with doctors on call 24/7. Minh Khai Dental Clinic 199 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 08 3925 3399 [email protected] www.nhakhoaminhkhai.com No.1 Dental Clinic 51 Ba Thang Hai, D10 Tel: 08 3929 0909 [email protected] www.nhakhoano1.com MEDICAL Centre Medical International (CMI) 1 Han Thuyen, D1 Tel: 3827 2366 www.cmi-vietnam.com Located downtown next to the cathedral, 60 AsiaLIFE HCMC the centre provides a high standard of medical care from qualified French and Vietnamese physicians. Its range of services include general and tropical medicine, cardiology, gynecology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, psychology, psychiatry, osteopathy, acupuncture and psychomotor therapy. . SKINCARE The Body Shop 87 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3823 3683 www.thebodyshop.com International cosmetics retailer with strong commitment to environment sources natural ingredients from small communities for its line of more than 600 products. The Face Shop 294 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3820 2325 Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 www.thefaceshop.com Local retailer for the South Korea-based international brand of natural body, bath and skincare products. The company offers hundreds of products for different skin types. Also has kiosks at in Phu My Hung, Diamond Plaza and Zen Plaza. IVE . EAT . DR G . K INK N I R .G .D IV AT NEW ZEALAND INK . GIVE . EAT R D . . G I V E . E listings family By Poppy NguyenEastwood EDUCATION HUB Sir Ken Robinson’s ‘How to Escape Education’s Death Valley’ This month, I decided to write about another TED Talks. Sir Ken Robinson, the speaker, is a well-known British educator and author. He discusses the imperfections of the American education system. He opens by raising awareness about the percentage of dropouts in the country and says that it is only the “tip of the iceberg’’. He shows that it is only a fraction of the many problems the US face which start with children being disengaged from school. America is a rich country. Money is not the issue, but it is the system that is flawed. For him, real education gives way to all subjects. Children prosper best when they are in a system that exploits all of their talents. For instance, Robinson addresses the inequality between the sciences and the arts. Although the former is essential to education, it is often perceived as superior. He states that, in fact, art is a stimulating factor for mathematics and also allows children to get in touch with the parts of themselves that other subjects cannot reach. He says that children are natural learners and that curiosity could be seen as the engine of their achievements. To teach is a creative profession. Teachers aren’t just passing down their knowledge, they are meant to stimulate, mentor and engage their students. They are here to facilitate learning. 62 AsiaLIFE HCMC However, exam results are the dominating factor. Robinson believes that tests should exist to help the students but not be the main priority. Education should awaken the imagination and creativity, it should individualise teaching and learning and recognise students’ abilities. However, instead, it is developing into an industrial process reaching for ‘better data’. To conclude, Robinson evokes a beautiful metaphor of Los Angeles’ Death Valley’ and education’s trap. He takes the example of a place that was barren and unwatered where nothing ever grew. The unheard of happened; it rained. In the following spring, flowers appeared lush and healthy. The valley wasn’t dead, but dormant. He compares this to the system. The seeds of possibility are just waiting to sprout and come to light (as long as they are watered). To quote him, “If you change the conditions, give people a different sense of possibilities, a different set of expectations ... offer people the discretion to be creative and to innovate in what they do, schools that were once bereft, spring to life.” Poppy Nguyen-Eastwood is a Grade 10 student at Lycée Français International Marguerite Duras. Turn to page 20 for more on creativity in the classroom. ACTIVITIES Conservatory of Music 112 Nguyen Du, D1 The established training centre for professional musicians offers private piano and violin lessons to foreigners in the evenings. DanCenter 53 Nguyen Dang Giai, Thao Dien, D 2 Tel: 3840 6974 www.dancentervn.com Children and teenagers from age 4+ can enjoy jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, acro dance and break dance classes at this professionally run, newly built dance studio. Schedule and news on events available on-line. Saigon Pony Club Lane 42, Le Van Thinh, D2 Tel: 0913 733 360 Close to X-rock climbing centre, kids from three and upwards can ride one of the stable’s 16 ponies. Lessons with foriegn teachers last 45 minutes for kids from age six. BABY EQUIPMENT Maman Bebe L2-11, Vincom Quang Trung, Go Vap 3rd Flr Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza, D5 L2-11K, Vincom 72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 www.mamanbebe.com.vn Stocks an assortment of modern strollers and car seats. Also sells various utensils and practical baby products. Small selection of clothing for ages newborn to 14 years. Me & Be 230 Vo Thi Sau, D3 52-54 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 191 Hoang Van Thu, Phu Nhuan S11-1 Sky Garden 1, Phu My Hung, D7 The closest thing to Mothercare the city has to offer. Stocks a substantial range of apparel for babies including bottles and sterilizers, cots (including travel cots), clothing, toys, safety equipment and more, all at reasonable prices. CLOTHES Albetta 32 Tran Ngoc Dien D2 58 Nguyen Duc Canh, Tan Phong, D7 Albetta is a British family owned company, with a factory in Saigon, which produces beautifully designed and handcrafted clothes, gifts, shoes and accessories for children. Their new Lucky Luca collection shown are available in Albetta shops now. DLS Paris Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1 A superb range of unique and beautiful clothing for young children (from newborns to pre-school age) at high to midrange prices. The quality compensates for the price. Bedding, baby equipment and furniture and organic and natural supplies also kept in stock. Little Anh – Em 41 Thao Dien, D2 A French brand made in Vietnam offering a wide selection of colourful, simply packaged and thoughtfully collated “sets” of garments for girls and boys from newborn to 10 years old. Lifestyle pieces also available include sleeping bags, bedroom accessories and bags. Ninh Khuong 42 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3824 7456 71B Dong Khoi, D1 22 Nguyen Trai, D1 344 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3 343 Hai Ba Trung, D1 27 Le Van Sy, Phu Nhuan www.ninhkhuong.vn Well-known hand-embroidered children’s clothing brand using 100% cotton. Newborn to 10 years old (girl) and fourteen years old (boy). Also stocking home linens. Prices are reasonable. EDUCATION ABC International School 2,1E Street, KDC Trung Son, Binh Hung, Binh Chanh Tel: 5431 1833/34/35/36 [email protected] www.theabcis.com Judged “an outstanding school” by British Government Inspectors, the ABCIS is accredited by CIE, AQA and Education Development Trust and members of COBIS and FOBISIA. Serving 2-18 year olds in a caring environment, it delivers a globally valued curriculum based on best UK practice. This culminates in the award of IGCSEs and A levels from the Cambridge and AQA examination boards. These “gold standard certifications” afford entrance to the very best universities around the world. American International School 220 Nguyen Van Tao, Nha Be, HCMC Tel: 08 3780 0909 www.ais.edu.vn [email protected] Established since 2006, American International School is a private school serving students from Preschool through grade 12. Operate on 3 campuses, the school offers innovative American curriculum with true Vietnamese heritage. All students are well prepared for academic success appropriate to their needs and aspirations in the US and around the world. The Australian International School Xi Campus (Kindergarten) 190 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 35192727 Thao Dien Campus (Kindergarten & Primary School) 36 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 6960 Thu Thiem Campus (Kindergarten, Primary, Middle & Senior School) 264 Mai Chi Tho (East-West Highway) An Phu ward, D2 Tel: 3742 4040 www.aisvietnam.com The Australian International School is an IB World School with 3 class campuses in District 2, HCMC, offering an international education from Kindergarten to Senior School with the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Cambridge Secondary Programe (including IGCSE) and IB Diploma Programme (DP). British International School Primary Campus 43 - 45 Tu Xuong, D3 225 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Secondary Campus 246 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 3744 2335 www.bisvietnam.com BIS is the largest international school in Vietnam operating from three purpose built campuses in HCMC catering for students from pre-school to Year 13. The school operates within the framework of the National Curriculum for England and is staffed primarily by British qualified and trained teachers with recent UK experience. Students are prepared for both IGCSE & the IB Diploma programmes. BIS is a member of FOBISSEA & is fully accredited by the Council of International schools EUROPEAN International School 730 F-G-K Le Van Mien, Thao Dien. Tel: 7300 7257 www.eishcmc.com [email protected] The EUROPEAN International School Ho Chi Minh City (EIS) offers an international education from Early Years through Primary and Secondary School. EIS is committed to educating students to become creative critical thinkers and problem solvers. In small student centred classes, students are immersed in a multicultural learning environment which values multilingualism. The language of instruction throughout the School is English; the language program includes Spanish, German, French and Vietnamese. International School HCMC 28 Vo Truong Toan, D2 Tel: 3898 9100 www.ishcmc.com One of 136 schools around the world to be accredited as an IB World School. Offers all three of the IB programmes from primary through to grade 12. The school is fully accredited by CIS and NEASC and has a strong focus on community spirit and fosters an awareness of other languages and cultures. The International School HCMC American Academy 26 Vo Truong Toan, D2 Tel: 3898 9098 www.aavn.edu.vn The International School Ho Chi Minh City - American Academy is a worldclass middle and high school for children aged 11 to 18 years old. Offering a comprehensive academic program built upon the principles and standards of the American education system.. International School Saigon Pearl 92 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh District Tel: 2222 7788/99 www.issp.edu.vn The International School Saigon Pearl (ISSP) is a world-class Elementary School for children aged 18 months to 11 years old offering a full American school curriculum in Vietnam. With a custom built primary campus ISSP’s ethos is centered on building caring relationships with each child and family. Montessori International School International Program 42/1 Ngo Quang Huy, D2 Tel: 3744 2639 Bilingual Program 28 Street 19, KP 5, An Phu, D2 Tel: 6281 7675 www.montessori.edu.vn Montessori utilizes an internationally recognized educational method which focuses on fostering the child’s natural desire to learn. The aim is to create an encouraging environment conducive to learning by developing a sense of self and individuality. A wide array of curriculum/extra-curricular activities are on offer including Bilingual programs. Renaissance International School 74 Nguyen Thi Thap, D7 Tel: 3773 3171 www.rissaigon.edu.vn An International British school providing inclusive curriculum based upon the British curriculum complemented by the International Primary Curriculum and International Baccalaureate. The school has made a conscious decision to limit numbers and keep class sizes small to ensure each student is offered an educa- tion tailored to meet his or her individual learning needs. It is a family school providing a stimulating and secure learning environment with first-class facilities including a 350-seat theatre, swimming pool, mini-pool, play-areas, gymnasium, IT labs, music and drama rooms, science labs and an all-weather pitch. RMIT 702 Nguyen Van Linh, D7 Tel: 3776 1369 Australian university located in District 7, offers a highly regarded MBA and undergraduate courses in various fields. SmartKids 1172 Thao Dien Compound, D2 Tel: 3744 6076 www.smartkidsinfo.com An international childcare centre that provides kindergarten and pre-school education for children aged between 18 months and 6 years. A fun and friendly environment, the school focuses on learning through play. Saigon South International School Nguyen Van Linh Parkway, D7 Tel: 5413 0901 www.ssis.edu.vn An International school environment offering an American/international program in a large, spacious campus, to children from age 3 to grade 12. Great facilities, extra-curricular activities and internationally trained teachers giving unique opportunities to learn. ENTERTAINMENT Diamond Plaza 34 Le Duan, D1 The top floor arcade and bowling alley is bound to keep your little ones entertained for hours with an impressive array of video games. Some child-friendly dining options too, with Pizza Hut on hand, a KFC and a New Zealand Natural ice cream concession. Gymboree Play & Music Somerset Chancellor Court 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3827 7008 The Gymboree Play & Music offers children from newborn to 5 years old the opportunity to explore, learn and play in an innovative parent-child programmes. PARTIES Beatrice’s Party Shop 235 Le Thanh Ton, D1 A lovely little shop selling everything you need to throw your little ones a good party. A catalogue of entertainers showcases a number of party favourites such as magicians, circuses and more. Nguyen Ngoc Diem Phuong 131C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 A curious shop stocking a range of hand-made fancy dress costumes such as masks, superman outfits and much more. The stock changes seasonally, so this is a good place to stock up on Halloween, Christmas and other costumes. Bibi Clown - Chu he Bibi Tel: 0933 131 012 bibiclown.blogspot.com Does exactly as his name suggests.Great service has earned him a reputation for turning up almost instantly with a superb selection of balloons and games in both English and Vietnamese. The Balloon Man Mr Hoat 0903 837 326 Does exactly as his name suggests – balloons. He will come to your place for decoration but English not as good. Also provides helium balloons. The Balloon Man Mr Hoat 0903 837 326 Does exactly as his name suggests – balloons. He will come to your place for decoration but English not as good. Also provides helium balloons. AsiaLIFE HCMC 63 listings living By Paul McLardie PERSONAL FINANCE The name’s Bond, Bond Fund Last week, a client of mine asked me to breakdown into plain English what he had investments in through his original investment manager. He had just let the manager invest on his behalf, but he really didn’t understand what his portfolio was and how it worked. After having a proportion sitting in cash (always a good idea), the rest was split between different types of mutual funds. There are basically two different types of fund, but how these are used and funded differ immensely, and the client needed to understand this. A fund is a type of investment that allows multiple people to join their money together to purchase into different securities such as equities, commodities, bonds or property. Each fund has a different aim and usage, whether it’s for growth or for income. They can also be categorised by where in the world the underlying stocks or bonds are from. These can again be split into two areas of actively managed and passively managed. Actively managed funds will have either an individual or a team picking and choosing what to buy to be placed in the basket of the fund. Passively buys into an index or commodity, providing that investor with the same returns as the underlying market. The client didn’t understand the bond provision as he said he didn’t want to have any 64 AsiaLIFE HCMC borrowing in his portfolio. I had to explain that he was not actually borrowing money to feed his investments; it was the other way around. Again, his bond holdings were in a fund, meaning he had exposure to a number of bonds. Bonds are at heart an ‘IOU’. Bond issuers can be either governments or companies and it is a way for them to raise money without having to borrow against a bank or offering a share release. You lend the issuer money and they say they will pay you back on a set date with regular interest paid throughout the term. The more chance of the bond not paying back, the higher the interest will be. These again can be bought and sold by an investor, and for easy access for private investors, they are bundled into funds. These can be classified at the lower end of the risk scale if picked properly and should be part of the client’s portfolio, as he is not using borrowed money (leveraged) to fund his plans. If you are at the lower end of the risk spectrum, please have a look at bond mutual funds for a proportion of your investments. Not all of it, just a proportion to keep it balanced. Paul McLardie is a partner at Total Wealth Management. Contact him at [email protected]. BUSINESS GROUPS AmCham New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1 Business Centre, Room 323 Tel: 3824 3562 www.amchamvietnam.com AusCham TV Building, Suite 1A, 31A Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D1 Tel: 3911 0272 / 73 / 74 www.auschamvn.org British Business Group of Vietnam 25 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3829 8430 [email protected] / www.bbgv.org CanCham New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1 Business Centre, Room 305 Tel: 3824 3754 www.canchamvietnam.org Citi Bank 115 Nguyen Hue St, D1 Tel: 3824 2118 Citibank Vietnam offers a wide range of banking services to both consumer and corpo-rate. Services include Corporate and Investment Banking, Global Transaction Services, and Consumer Banking. In Vietnam for 15 years, Citibank has a presence in both HCMC and Hanoi. Eurocham 257 Hoang Van Thu, Tan Binh Tel: 3845 5528 www.eurochamvn.org German Business Group 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 www.gba-vietnam.org Singapore Business Group Unit 1B2, 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3823 3046 www.sbghcmc.org Swiss Business Association 42 Giang Van Minh, Anh Phu, D2 Tel: 3744 6996 Fax: 3744 6990 Email: [email protected] www.swissvietnam.com Hong Kong Business Association New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1 Business Centre, Room 322 Tel: 3824 3757 / 3822 8888 www.hkbav.com NordCham Bitexco Building, 19-25 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3821 5423 www.nordcham.com CAMERAS Hung Hai 75 Huynh Thuc Khang, D1 A good place to purchase hard-to-find gear and some rare equipment, mainly auto focus lenses. Shop 46 46 Nguyen Hue, D1 Small shop run by photographer and collector. The owner’s more collectible pieces are pricey, but entry-level manual focus SLRs from the 70s and 80s are affordable. COMPUTERS Computer Street Luong Huu Khanh, D1 between Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Nguyen Trai This stretch of District 1 is literally wall to wall with small shops selling computers, printers, monitors and everything computer related, more so toward the NTMK end of the drag. iCenter 142A Vo Thi Sau, D3 Tel: 3820 3918 Professional, polished Apple retailer and repair centre with an attractive showroom featuring some of the latest in accessories and audio. English-speakers on staff. Honours Apple service plans. Future World 240 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3 Authorized reseller of Apple computers and products, as well as some off-brand items like headphones. Excellent service and English-speaking staff. Accepts credit cards. Phong Vu Computer 264C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3933 0762 www.vitinhphongvu.com The biggest and busiest of the PC stores in town. Known for good, efficient service, in-house maintenance and aftersales repair on the second floor. SYS Vi Tinh Saigon 96C Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D1 www.vtsaigon.com A superb place with an excellent reputation for after-sales service with competent English speaking staff and a wide range of products and services. Freeware and shareware also available on the store website. CONSULTING Concetti 33 Dinh Tien Hoang, D1 Tel: 3911 1480 www.concetti-vn.com Consulting and research company for technology transfer and investment. Embers Asia Ltd. 4th floor, 04 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D1 Tel: 3822 4728 www.embers-asia.com As the first team building provider established in Vietnam, Embers specializes in making teams better in globally competitive markets. Embers’ HR performance management services include: team building excursions, strategic planning retreats, conference facilitations and training workshops. Ernst & Young Saigon Riverside Office Center, 2A-4A Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3824 5252 www.ey.com Professional service firm specializing in advisory, assurance, tax, transactions and strategic growth markets. Le Duc 5B Huynh Tinh Cua, D3 A shop for all your professional accessory needs. From lighting equipment to tripods and reflectors, the shop offers the best equipment and service in HCM City. Grant Thornton Saigon Trade Centre, 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3910 9100 www.gt.com.vn International business advisors specializing in auditing, management consulting, corporate finance, risk management and information technology. Pham The 11 Le Cong Kieu, D1 An authorized service centre for Nikon camera that also specializes in repairing all camera makes. Measurement equipment and spare parts also available. IF Consulting IBC Building, 3rd Floor 1A Me Linh Square, D1 4th Floor, 5 Ba Trieu Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Tel: 3827 7362 Fax: 3827 7361 Email: [email protected] Private insurance and finance. Indochine Councel Han Nam Building, 65 Nguyen Du, D1 Tel: 3823 9640 www.indochinecounsel.com Business law firm specializing in legal services to corporate clients in relation to their business and investment in Vietnam. Inspired Image 42/2A Ho Hao Hon, D1 Tel: 091 635 2573 www.inspiredimage.co.uk Image consultant and personal stylist. Previous clients include business leaders, TV presenters and busy professionals. International Management Initiative for Vietnam (IMIV) [email protected] www.imiv.org The International Management Initiative for Vietnam (IMIV), a non-profit initiative within VinaCapital Foundation that promotes excellence in business leadership and management by bringing to Vietnam proven international executive education and professional development programmes. Phuong Nguyen Consulting TPC Business Center, 92-96 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3829 2391 www.pnp-consulting.com Specializing in business facilitation, conferences, education counselling, market-entry research and IT/business consulting. TMF Vietnam Company Limited Unit 501, 5th Floor, Saigon Trade Center 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3910 2262 ext. 113 Fax: 3910 0590 www.tmf-group.com With headquarters in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, TMF Vietnam specializes in accounting outsourcing and consulting. Total Wealth Management 66/11 Pham Ngoc Thach, D3 Tel: 3820 0623 www.t-wm.com Specialists in selecting and arranging tax-efficient savings and pension plans for expatriates. Offers councel on private banking services, wealth protection in offshore jurisdictions, currency risks and hedging strategies. Towers Watson Vietnam (formerly Watson Wyatt and SMART HR) Sun Wah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue, Suite 808, D1 Tel: 3821 9488 Global HR consulting firm specializing in executive compensation, talent management, employee rewards and surveys, HR effectiveness and technology, data services and total rewards surveys. DECOR Antique Street Le Cong Kieu Street, D1 between Nguyen Thai Binh and Pho Duc Chinh A variety of antiques and faux antiques from Thailand, China and Vietnam including silverware, compasses, lighters, brass knockers, urns, vases, abacuses, religious and pagan statues, candlestick holders, furniture and watches. Aquarium Street Nguyen Thong Street, D3 between Vo Thi Sau and Ly Chinh Thang Dedicated street has everything one needs to display fish: tanks, decor, feed, filters and the fish themselves. Budget Housewares Street Corner of Pasteur and Nguyen Dinh Chieu Stock up on shower heads, kitchen supplies (juicer, spatula, grater, etc.), coat racks, clothes hangers, pots, pans, champagne flutes, bowls, coolers, trash bins, ironing boards, magazine racks and the like. Chau Loan 213 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3825 7991 Gallery based in a colonial shophouse stocking mainly Vietnamese-themed oil paintings and images of Buddha. Also deals in better-known reproductions. Decosy 112 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 6281 9917 Producer of a large selection of European styled furniture and interior fittings, specializing in wrought iron and patine (distressed) wood finishes. Also stocks a wide-range of decorative accessories, crockery and fixtures. Custom design services available upon request. Dogma 175 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3836 0488 www.dogmavietnam.com Located upstairs from Saigon Kitsch, this art gallery deals in Vietnamese propaganda posters, apparel, accessories and random paraphernalia. Large prints are sold at USD $60 each and small prints cost $25. Minh Boutique 15 Nguyen Thiep, D1 Lacquerware pieces, tea boxes, teapot warmers, ice buckets and sake drinking sets all handmade in Vietnam. Also sells a range of silverware, egg holders and ice tongs. OUT-2 STUDIO L6 Fafilm annex 6 Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3825 6056 [email protected] www.out-2.com Studio space for independent designers to showcas their wares, sell their work and meet with clients. Open Monday t Saturday 10 am to 6 pm. Phuong Mai 213C Dong Khoi www.phuongmai-gallery.com Gallery specializing in original oils by Vietnamese artists. The works here are a mish-mash of styles but do contain some standouts, particularly well-known local artists La Hon, Quy Tam and Pham Trinh. Sapa 125 Ho Tung Mau, D1 Offers a better selection of hill tribe handicrafts than most of its rivals. Concentrates mainly on the hand-woven clothing of the indigenous tribespeople of the region. There is also a line in ladiesâ€™ shoes and the standard range of silk wraps and bags. Unity 12 Dang Tran Con, D1 Tel: 3823 9375 [email protected] www.facebook.com/unitycompany Located opposite Galaxy cinema, Unity offers accessories that are designed to seamlessly blend in with your life. Familiar basics are given a contemporary update with the use of modern, alternative materials like silicone, rubber, and brushed aluminum. From orbital lamps and eggshell-white china, to wire-clasped water bottles, each individual piece complements the others in the collection to give your home a sense of Unity. ELECTRONICS Hi End Audio 84 Ho Tung Mau, D1 A standout that stocks the very latest and greatest in home entertainment. Retails in everything from giant plasmascreen TVs to audio equipment. Most top brands are available. iDEAS Shopping Centre 133-141AB Cach Mang Thang Tam, D3 The largest of the electonics stores along the street, the three-storey iDEAS sells every type of electronic and home appliance imaginable. Offers proper warranties. Staff speaks some English. AsiaLIFE HCMC 65 Future World 240 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3 Authorized reseller of Apple computers and products, as well as some off-brand items like headphones. Excellent service and English-speaking staff. Accepts credit cards. By Gary Woollacott PEOPLE MATTER On Reading Normally I tackle a subject that is related to human resources; this month I’m taking a slightly different tack. I was reflecting on how little people read for pleasure these days. There is a hard-core of literature lovers, but I suspect that most people read only for information: newspapers, magazines; tablets; or just on smartphones. And, to me, that’s a shame. I would venture that reading is not only a great way to relax, it’s also an unmatched way of exploring the imagination, letting go of what’s happening around us and immersing ourselves in someone else’s world. Think of the Harry Potter series, how popular they are. And what extraordinary stories those books tell. Or the James Bond books, or any other series – from Enid Blyton to Frederick Forsyth to Jackie Collins (if you like that kind of thing). My point is that reading is pleasurable as well as educational – if only more people would do it. I’ve recently read a couple of startling stories, both with – controversial to some – Nazi themes. The first, Reunion, tells the (short) story of a friendship between two teenage boys in the early part of the 20th century and what happens to them as a result of the changes in German politics and society in the 1930s. It also has the most staggering last sentence that I have ever read. Go get a copy (and don’t sneak a look at the last page). The second was The Plot against America which imagines 66 AsiaLIFE HCMC a Nazi-sympathising American president at the outset of the second world war. He does a deal with Nazi Germany to keep the US out of the war. Pearl Harbor doesn’t happen in 1941, and so on. A gripping tale as casual anti-Semitism takes hold in the US and of how people’s liberties are gradually, almost imperceptibly, taken away. It could never happen now, right? Actually it’s worth reading it just to imagine if it could. There you are, I’ve come back to that word: imagine. Imagination can be somewhat lacking in this part of the world (to make a massive generalisation). So many just drift, living their lives, playing games on phones and tablets, going to work (and perhaps not getting any motivation at all from it), cruising shopping centres at the weekend – substituting one kind of boredom for another – and not living, yes, really living their lives. Imagination can help us to do that, to kick-start something that is away from the ordinary, the basic. Try it. Pick up a book and give it a go. Anything will do, just make a start somewhere. As usual, let me know if you have any particular topic you would like to see covered here. Gary Woollacott is an executive search consultant who works for Horton International in Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. He can be reached at +84 8 3910 7682 or via woollacott@ hortoninternational.com. Nguyen Kim Shopping Centre 63-65 Tran Hung Dao, D1 Tel: 3821 1211 www.nguyenkim.com Stocks DVD/CD players, cameras, TVs, hi-fis and more from Sony, Sanyo, Panasonic, Philips and other major manufacturers. Also a good place to pick up electronic kitchen supplies like coffee makers and rice cookers, as well as large and small appliances, from hot water heaters to regrigerators. Phong Vu 125 Cach Mang Thang Tam, D1 Tel: 6290 8777 www.vitinphongvu.com Two-storey electronics store retails in international products conveniently grouped by brand. Carries computers, home audio, printers, hard drives and more, as well as a variety of mobile phones, handheld electronic devices and accessories. Savico 117 Ho Tung Mau, D1 Tel: 3821 7993 One-stop electronics and home appliance superstore. All products have a one to three-year warranty. Tech Street Huynh Thuc Khang Street between Ton That Dam and Nguyen Hue, D1 Sells compact discs, DVDs, electronic money counters, video games and systems, Discmans, mp3 players and portable DVD players. FURNITURE Appeal 41 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3821 5258 A small, upscale shop that offers modern accents for the sleek dining room. The colours of the over-sized vases and fruit bowls are either glistening red or lacquered black. AustinHome 42 Nguyen Dang Giai, D2 Tel: 3519 0023 Outstanding quality and style for your home. The shop says its products are hand-picked by an American furniture expert from the best factories in Vietnam. Upholstery, accessories, antiques and more. Decosy 112 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 6281 9917 Producer of a large selection of European styled furniture and interior fittings, specializing in wrought iron and patine (distressed) wood finishes. Also stocks a wide-range of decorative accessories, crockery and fixtures. Custom design services available upon request. Esthetic 11 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh Tel: 3514 7371/7372 Fax: 3514 7370 [email protected] www.estheticfurnishing.com.vn Design and manufacture as order with a mixture of antique and modern furniture. Friendly staff speak excellent English. Furniture Street Ngo Gia Tu, D10 between Ly Thai To and Nguyen Chi Thanh Very affordable furniture can be found on this stretch: couches, mattresses, desks, chairs, etc. It often takes some looking to find a gem. A connected sidestreet, Ba Hat, features woodworkers’ shops. Gaya 6/39A Tran Nao Street 12, D2 Tel: 3740 6009 www.gayavietnam.com Gaya is re launching with new name at the new location featuring the work of foreign designers: furniture and lighting by Quasar Khanh, laquerware decor by Michele De Albert and other home accessories and outdoor furniture . Linh’s White 37 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 6281 9863 Furniture shop that focuses on solid wood furniture and decorative items ranging from pillows and lamps to bedding. Also offers kids’ furniture and custom pieces. Mai Home 92 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 08 62 818 399 MaiHomeDecor.com Producer of fine lacquerware lamps and furniture, Mai Home combines modern design with the traditional art of Vietnamese lacquer to create tasteful and durable homewares. Also provides worldwide shipping and customisable designs. The Lost Art 31 Nguyen Cong Tru, D1 Tel: 3829 0134 Extensive product range as well as comprehensive interior design service, from initial conceptualization to design, manufacture and installation of unique products. LEGAL Allens Arthur Robinson Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3822 1717 www.vietnamlaws.com Australian law firm for law translation services and legal advice on foreign investment and business in Vietnam. Baker & McKenzie Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3829 5585 www.bakernet.com International law firm providing on-theground liaison and support services to clients interested in investigating, negotiating and implementing projects in Vietnam. Frasers International Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3824 2733 www.frasersvn.com Full service commercial law firm providing international and Vietnamese legal advice to both foreign and local clients specializing in transactions in Vietnam. Indochine Counsel Han Nam Building, 65 Nguyen Du, D1 Tel: 3823 9640 www.indochinecounsel.com Business law practitioners specializing in mergers & acquistions, inward investment, and securities & capital markets. Phillips Fox Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3822 1717 Full service law firm providing legal services in healthcare, education, crime, banking and hospitality among others. Pricewaterhousecoopers Legal Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3823 0796 www.pwc.com/vn Part of a network of international legal and financial advisors, PWC gives both specialist and general legal advice with a focus on mutli-territory projects. Rödl & Partner Somerset Chancellor Court 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3824 4225 / www.roedl.com European legal firm assisting foreign investors with structuring/establishing companies, investment projects, and mergers & acquistions. LIGHTING Luxury Light 1483 My Toan 1, Nguyen Van Linh, Phu My Hung, D7 For those who really want to bring a touch of luxury to their homes, this place deals with Italian imported lighting from the ultra - modern to the traditional Murano style chandeliers. Mosaique 98 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 One of the best and most diverse selections of lamps in town with everything from the ordinary decorative lotus silk lamp to more inventive and original designs in lacquer and silk. MOTORBIKES Bike City 480D Nguyen Thi Thap, D7 Luxury motorcycle shop carries a range of accessories, including apparel. Sells Vemar helmets, a brand that passes rigorous European Union standards. Protec Helmets 18bis/3A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 248C Phan Dinh Phung, Phu Nhuan 417B Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3 American nonprofit manufacturer makes helmets with densely compressed polystyrene shell with ABS, PVC or fiberglass exterior, available with polycarbonate shatter-proof shield. Options for kids. REAL ESTATE CB Richard Ellis Me Linh Point Tower, 2 Ngo Duc Ke, D1 Tel: 3824 6125 www.cbre.com International property consultants and developers with both commercial and private properties for sale, lease and rent. Diamond Plaza 34 Le Duan Street / Tel: 3822 1922 [email protected] Located in the heart of District 1, connected to Diamond PLaza. Services 1- to 4-bedroom apartments with gym, swimming pool and panoramic views of the city. InterContinental Asiana Saigon Residences Corner of Hai Ba Trung & Nguyen Du, D1 / Tel: 3520 8888 [email protected] www.intercontinental.com/saigonres Contemporary residential space in the heart of the major business and cultural area in District 1. There are 260 one, two or three-bedroom units plus health club and outdoor swimming pool. Namhouse Corporation 48A Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien, D2 / Tel: 0989 007 700 www.namhouse.com.vn Provides rental properties, construction services and interior decorating. Supports professional services and after-sales. Thao Dien Village 195 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel. 3744 2222 A riverside complex of international-standard hospitality and F&B outlets with a boutique hotel, four restaurants featuring Italian, Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine, an event house, meeting rooms and a day spa with well-equipped health-club. Diamond Island Luxury Residences No 01 – Street No.104-BTT, Quarter 3, Binh Trung Tay Ward, D2 T: (84) 968 293 388 / 3742 5678 F: (84-8) 3742 3232) www.the-ascott.com Diamond Island Luxury Residences offers 68 fully-furnished apartments, ranging from two- to four-bedroom units with private balconies providing panoramic views of the stunning surroundings in one of the most spectacular sceneries in the city. Each lavish space features plush interiors, modern amenities, elegant furnishings and carefully chosen trimmings and fixtures, creating a luxurious harmony of comfort and sensorial tranquility that will have you relaxed and recharged, and functioning at peak performance. Savills Viet Nam Level 18, Fideco Tower, 81-85 Ham Nghi, D1 Tel: 823 9205 www.savills.com.vn Savills Vietnam is a property service provider that has been established in Vietnam since 1995 offering research, advisory services, residential sales, commercial leasing, asset management, retail advisory, valuation, investment advisory and more. Sherwood Residence 127 Pasteur St., D3 Tel: 3823 2288 Hotline: 0917470058 [email protected] www.sherwoodresidence.com Sherwood Residence is a luxury serviced apartment property and the first property certified by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. Modern living spaces meet prime location, comfort and class with 5-star facilities and service. RECRUITMENT First Alliances #609, Saigon Trade Center 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3910 2080 Fax: 3910 2079 www.firstalliances.net [email protected] As Vietnam’s most established recruitment consultancy, First Alliances operates across all major industry sectors and at all levels of seniority. Also provid- ing HR outsourcing solutions for staffing and payroll,overseas employment and education services. HR2B / Talent Recruitment JSC Thien Son Building, 5 Nguyen Gia Thieu, D3 / Tel: 3930 8800 www.hr2b.com HR consulting advises businesses on how to improve employee productivity. The search team specializes in matching senior level Vietnamese professionals and managers to top level opportunities in both major cities. Horton International 5F, Vitic Building 6B Nguyen Thanh Y Street, D1 Tel 3910 7682-3 www.hortoninternational.com Established in HCMC in 2005, Horton International services local and multinational companies seeking to recruit high quality personnel. Horton International is one of the world’s leading executive search groups with 50 offices in 30 countries. For more information, contact [email protected]. RELOCATION AGENTS AGS Four Winds 5th Floor, Lafayette De Saigon, 8A Phung Khac Khoan, D1 Tel: +84 8 3521 0071, www.agsfourwinds.com [email protected] Global leader in international removals and relocations, with 128 offices in 78 countries.They can move customers to and/or from any location worldwide. Crown Worldwide Movers 2ndFl 236/6 Dien Bien Phu, Binh Thanh Tel: 3823 4127 www.crownrelo.com [email protected] Not just International or local moving and storage. Crown Relocations offer a wide range of services including orientations, immigration, home search, intercultural training through to pet relocation. Call the team on the above number and check out our website for more information. made silk dresses and tops. Has a wide range of materials on the second floor. UTS Saigon Van Intl’ Relocations 1st Fl, 214 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 3744 7102 MOVING!? www.saigonvan.com Full service relocating agency with ware! housing, handyman, insurance & claim, ! orientation an partner career support services also availble. Laura V Signature 11 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 7304 4126 www.laurav.net Vintage designs aplenty with everything from jewellery and hair accessories to funky styled sunglasses, umbrellas and colourful maxi dresses. !"#$%&&'(!)%#)%&&'(!+),-.)%#)%&&'/! By Ruben Luong FASHION FIELD NOTE Vietnamese Fashion Victories Mainstream fashion coverage is saturated with the successes of Western models and personalities like Kendall Jenner or Gigi Hadid. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. But I appreciate when relatively lesser-known models, designers and fashion photographers with interesting backgrounds and timelines are given credit where they deserve it. As I serendipitously visited anyarena.com’s fashion vertical last month to catch up on Vietnamese fashion news, I was delighted to read about all the interesting Vietnamese models, designers and photographers who are enjoying important milestones in their fashion careers. Last month, for example, Italian brand Gucci invited Vietnamese model-stylist-designer Kelbin Lei to create artwork for its Instagram art initiative #GucciGram. For the initiative, Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele curated a selection of online graphics by Asian artists who each reinterpreted Gucci’s Tian, a new spring print inspired by ancient Chinese bird and flower paintings from the 10th century. Lei is the only Vietnamese artist to participate in any of the brand’s art initiatives, according to anyarena. com. And in February, the Vietnamese, US-based photographer An Le shot renowned supermodel Naomi Campbell for the cover of Vogue Portugal. He is the first Vietnamese photographer to photograph her for the magazine, according to anyarena.com. More of Le’s incredibly clean and professional work for industry publications like Harper’s Bazaar, 68 AsiaLIFE HCMC WWD, i-D and Nylon can be seen at anlestudio.com. Viewing his high-quality work, he is definitely remarkable and one of my favourite fashion photographers. In the same month, anyarena. com also praised a Vietnamese photographer based in Madrid, Viet Ha Tran, who had her work featured on Vogue Italia’s website PhotoVogue. Tran specialises in fine art photography. Her photographs are influenced by romanticism so the majority of her work captures the emotional and depicts traditionally feminine Asian women in soft, solemn and dreamy environments. Model-wise, the revered Vietnam’s Next Top Model 2010 winner Trang Khieu was selected to walk in January’s very hip and athleisure-oriented Adidas Originals x White Mountaineering Fall/Winter ’16 show and presentation at the 89th Pitti Uomo (a menswear event in Florence, Italy). Khieu told anyarena.com that the collection was one of the biggest runway shows she has been a part of. It seems like it’s been a very vogue year for Vietnamese in fashion so far. Happily, there is more good news about Vietnamese individuals working in fashion than I can fit in this column. I can’t wait to see what they all do next. Ruben Luong is AsiaLIFE’s style editor. Contact him at ruben@ asialifemagazine.com. 0#1.!2#3-(!#4$-(!5%$,#.'/!! !6--7!8,#.%9-!/! :&%))+)9!,#!.-&#$%,-!;#.&7;+7-/! ! !"#$%&$''(")'+,"-%,'.%$#/*0' !!! <=>=?!@!AB!!A!!CDBB!DEFG!!!!H!!!!8%&-8I8%+9#)J%)K$#3! ! <%)#+?!@!AB!!B!!CDEA!LDEM!!!!H!!!!+)5#I8%+9#)J%)K$#3! www.saigonvan.com Santa Fe Relocation Services 8th floor, Thien Son Building, 5 Nguyen Gia Thieu, D3 Tel: 3933 0065 www.santaferelo.com [email protected] With over 150 offices around world, Santa Fe offers local & international moving, pet transportation, relocation services including home search, orientation, cultural training, immigration & records management. STATIONERY Fahasa 40 Nguyen Hue, D1 / Tel: 3822 5796 Bookstore chain carries an expansive stock of office and home stationary; a one-stop shop for basic needs. Stationary and Printing Street Ly Thai To Street, D3 More than 25 stores providing photocopying & printing services. listings fashion ACCESSORIES Accessorize Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 www.monsoon.co.uk/icat/accessorize Fashion-forward accessories including necklaces, handbags, wallets, flip-flops, sunglasses, hair accessories, belts and more. Banana 128 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Women’s accessories and more, from bags, clutches and belts to clothes and jewellery, all at reasonable prices. Coconut 100 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Bags of all shapes and sizes rule the roost in this small shop. Made of silk and embroidered to the brim, these unique bags start at about USD $30, and many are suitable for both day and night. Creation 105 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 5429 A two-storey shop selling scarves, intricate handbags (from USD $30), tailor- Ipa-Nima 71 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3824 3652 77 Dong Khoi, D1 Well-known Hanoi-based fashion brand. Founder Christina Yu is a former lawyer turned designer who produces eclectic and eye-catching handbags. Also stocks costume jewellery and shoes. Louis Vuitton Opera View, 161 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 6318 Designer brand name housing traditional craftsmanship of luxury leather goods for men and women. An array of bags, wallets, cuff links and watches are available. Mai O Mai 4C Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 4007 A superb little place with beautiful jewellery and accessories to suit all budgets. Silver necklaces, bracelets, rings and more in both classic and imaginative designs, as well as gorgeous handembroidered bags. Mont Blanc Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan Notable for fine writing instruments, Mont Blanc also houses cuff links and other male accessories Scorpion Vincom Center B1, 70 - 72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3993 9889 www.scorpionbag.com Selling high-end leather products for both men and women, including shoes, handbags, belts and other accessories. Features a variety of leather in bright colors and styles. Umbrella 35 Ly Tu Trong, D1 and 4 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 6276 2730 www.umbrella-fashion.com Sophisticated boutique showcasing a diverse range of imported women’s accessories. Also houses women’s garments from office wear to cocktail and party creations. ACTIVE WEAR TBS Sports Centre 102 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan This store stocks a range of good sports clothes and equipment from big name brands such as Puma, Adidas, Ecco, Nike and Converse. Volcom Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1 Chic and funky ladies’ apparel brand from America. Lots of tank tops, minis and shorts for day tripping with girlfriends or lazing on the beach. READY TO WEAR unisex L’Usine 151/1 Dong Khoi, D1 Lifestyle store and cafe housed in a period building restored to evoke the aesthetic of an early 20th-century garment factory. Carries an exclusive, frequently refreshed line of imported men’s and women’s fashion, including T-shirts and footwear, and a range of unique accessories. Entrance via the street-level Art Arcade. Runway Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3993 9988 [email protected] Massive and minimalist design-led inte- rior lets ultra high-end designer garments stand out. Carries men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, swimwear, shoes, accessories along with home décor. Brands include Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, Sergio Rossi and Eres. Versace 26 Dong Khoi Designer brand in men’s formal wear. Houses suit jackets and trousers, shirts as well as an array of men’s accessories. Also stocks womens clothing and shoes. men Massimo Ferrari 42-A1 Tran Quoc Thao, D3 Tel: 3930 6212 Bespoke menswear shop also boasts its own brand of contemporary preppy attire tailored for the tropics. Carries a line of European-quality shoes, bags and accessories designed in-house, as well as exclusive Orobianco unisex bags, designer fragrances and eyewear. Timberland Parkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Sells everything the brand is known for, from heavy-duty boots to tops and trousers that are both smart and casual. Emphasises muted tones and unobtrusive logos. women BCBG MAXAZRIA Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 American brand sells women’s day dresses and tops, evening gowns and wear-to-work attire in many prints and colours. Also carries a small selection of accessories, sunglasses and watches. Bon Mua Boutique Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3993 9888 www.itamoda.com.vn Luxury women’s clothing store with racks organized by designer. Carries small collection of unique pieces from designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Alberta Ferretti, Blumarine, Valentino, Philosophy and Brunello Cucinelli. Corner Boutique 23 Ly Tu Trong, 1st floor Tel: 012 36 310 099 Corner.com.vn Hidden on the first floor of a downtown apartment building, Corner Boutique boasts an elegant, eclectic collection of womenswear, accessories, handbags, shoes and small trinkets. Open daily from 9am to 9pm. ER-Couture Boutique 43 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 2411 www. er-couture.com [email protected] Exclusive Scandinavian brand offering designer garments. Versatile fashion for women in European sizes 34-44. Each style is released in limited quantities and can be tailored to individual taste. Mango 96 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3824 6624 Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 A favourite with fashion-conscious women, this mid-range store stocks clothes from simple tees and jeans to evening wear. dresses, velvet corsets, chiffon shawls and a range of accessories, all designed in-house. SHOES Converse 186 Hai Ba Trung, D1 148 Nguyen Trai, D1 122 Ba Thang Hai, D10 Tel: 3827 5584 www.converse.com.vn Sells iconic Chuck Taylor, Jack Purcell and All-Star sneakers and Converse brand clothing and accessories. Also at department stores around HCMC. Dr. Marten’s 173 Hai Ba Trung, D3 Tel: 3822 4710 Air Wair sandals and shoes here feature the classic yellow stitching and chunky rubber soles. Also stocked with clothes and accessories by Replay and Kappa tracksuit tops. Footwear Street Ho Xuan Huong Street, D3 between Cach Mang Thang Tam and Ba Huyen Thanh Quan Le Thi Hong Gam in D1 between Pho Duc Chinh and Calmette Selection ranges from leather loafers to plastic thongs and everything in between. Nine West Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Stocks an extensive range of designer footwear for women. Handpicked by a global community of independent trendsetters and stylists. Sergio Rossi 146AB Pasteur, D1 Rex Hotel, 141 Nguyen Hue, D1 World-renowned Italian brand stocks a diverse European-style collection of upmarket shoes and bags made of quality materials, from crocodile and python skin laterals to garnishings of Swarovski crystals and colourful beads. Star Polo 97B Nguyen Trai, D1 Mix of imported shoes and locally made footwear crafted from Australian leather for men and women as well as imported ones. Sizes from 38 to 42 for men, and from 34 to 40 for women. TAILORS Dieu Thanh 140 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3824 5851 www.dieuthanh.com Experienced tailor shop specializes in swimwear and cotton clothing, as well as business suits, evening dresses, luxury fabrics and accessories. Dzung 221 Le Thanh Ton, D1 One of the most reliable and respected men’s tailors in town with prices and production time to reflect the quality of the workmanship. Fabric Street Hai Ba Trung, D1 across the street from Tan Dinh Market. Spools upon spools of fabric manufatured locally and abroad, with more than ample variety of textures, colours and materials to choose from. Marc Jacobs Rex Hotel, 155 Nguyen Hue , D1 Tel: 6291 3580 This spacious shop with high-ceilings carries up-market clothes, shoes and accessories from the internationally recognized designer brand. Massimo Ferrari 42-A1 Tran Quoc Thao, D3 Tel: 3930 6212 Traditional Italian sartorial techniques are employed to offer a full wardrobing service and custom tailoring for men. Stocked with imported fabrics primarily from Italy. Valenciani Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3821 2788 66-68 Nguyen Trai, D1 Tel: 7302 4688 [email protected] www.valenciani.com Homegrown luxury boutique carries silk Uyen 13 Nguyen Thiep, D1 An excellent option with English-speaking staff and a good selection of fabrics (although the price takes a dip if you bring your own) and some off-the-rack staples to copy. Reasonable prices. Marketing & Communications \| PR Design \| Video Production \| Photography Web Solutions \| Publications \| Editorial Contact Tel: 0903325543 Mail: [email protected] 1 h in Ch an h nh Di PHU NHUAN Ng uye nV an B Nh Tran 70 AsiaLIFE HCMC Nguyen Du C4, D3, D4 Nguyen Hai Tu B4 Nguyen Hue D4, D5 Nguyen Huu Canh B2 Nguyen Huu Canh C5 Nguyen Huu Cau B3 Nguyen Khac Nhu E3 Nguyen Khoai F3 Nguyen Ngoc Phuong B5 Nguyen Phi Khanh B3 Nguyen Sieu C5, D5 Nguyen Son Ha D2 Nguyen Tat Thanh E5 Nguyen Thai Binh D4, E4 Nguyen Thai Hoc D3, E3, E4 Nguyen Thi Dieu D2, D3 Nguyen Thien Thuat D1, E1, E2 Nguyen Thong C1, C2, D2 Nguyen Thuong Hien D2 Nguyen Trai D3, E2 Nguyen Trung Ngan C5 Nguyen Trung Truc D4 Nguyen Truong To E4, E5 Nguyen Van Cu E2 Nguyen Van Hai B3 Nguyen Van Lac B5 Nguyen Van Thu B4, C3, C4 Nguyen Van Troi B1 Pasteur C2, C3, C4, D4 Pham Hong Thai D2, D3 Pham Ngoc Thach C3 Pham Ngu Lao D3, D4, E3 Pham Viet Chanh B5 Pham Viet Chanh E2 Phan Dinh Phung B2 Phan Ke Binh B4 Phan Van Han B4, B5 Pho Duc Chinh D4, E4 Phung Khac Khoan C3, C4 Suong Nguyet Anh D2, D3 Tan Vinh E4 Thach Thi Thanh B3 Thai Van Lung C5 Thi Sach C5 Thu Khoa Huan D4 Ton Duc Thang C5, D4, D5, E4 Ton That Dam D4 Ton That Thiep D4 Ton That Tung D2, D3 Tran Binh Trong E1 Tran Canh Chan E2 Tran Cao Van C4 Tran Dinh Xu E2, E3 Tran Hung Dao D4, E2, E3 Tran Khac Chan B3 Tran Khanh Du B2, B3 Tran Minh Quyen D1 Tran Minh Quyen C1 Tran Nhan Ton E1 Tran Nhat Duat B3 Tran Phu E1 Tran Quang Dieu B1, B2 Tran Quang Khai B3, B2 Tran Quoc Thao C2, C3 Tran Quoc Toan B2, B3, B2 Tran Van Dang C1, C2 Truong Chinh C3 Truong Dinh C2, D3 Tu Xuong C2, C3, D2 Vinh Khanh E4, E5 Vo Thi Sau B3, C2, C3 Vo Van Tan C3, D2, D3 Vuon Chuoi D2 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh B4, B5 Yersin E4 Airport 3km ng Ho Le 3 Thang 2 D1 Alexandre de Rhodes C4 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan C1, C2, D2, D3 Ban Co D1 Ben Chuong Duong E4 Ben Van Don E4, E5 Bui Thi Xuan D3 Bui Vien E3 Cach Mang Thang Tam C1, D2, D3 Calmette E4 Cao Ba Nha E3 Cao Thang D1, D2, E2 Chu Manh Trinh C4, C5 Co Bac E3 Co Giang E3 De Tham E3 Dien Bien Phu B4, C3, C2, D1, D2 Dinh Cong Trang B3 Dinh Tien Hoang B3, B4, C4 Do Quang Dau E3 Do Thanh D1 Doan Nhu Hai E5 Doan Van Bo E4, E5 Dong Du D5 Dong Khoi C4, D4, D5 Hai Cua B5 Huynh Tinh Cua B2 Huynh Van Banh B1 Khanh Hoi E4 Ky Con B3, C3, C4, D5 Hai Trieu C5 Ham Nghi D4, C5 Han Thuyen C4 Ho Hao Hon E3 Ho Huan Nghiep D5 Ho Tung Mau D4, D5 Ho Xuan Huong C3, D2 Hoa Hung B1 Hoang Dieu E4, E5 Hung Vuong E1 Huyen Tran Cong Chua D3 Huynh Man Dat B5 Huynh Thuc Khang D4 Ky Dong C1, C2 Le Cong Kieu D4 Le Duan C4, C5 Le Hong Phong D1 Le Lai C3, C4, D3 Le Loi D4 Le Quoc Hung E4, E5 Le Quy Don C3 Le Thanh Ton C4, C5, D3, D4 Le Thi Hong Gam D4, E3, E4 Le Thi Rieng D3 Le Van Phuc B3 Le Van Sy C1, C2 Luong Huu Khanh D2, E2 Luu Van Lang D4 Ly Chinh Thang B2, C2 Ly Thai To E1 Ly Tu Trong C4, C5, D4, D5 Mac Dinh Chi B3, C4 Mac Thi Buoi D5 Mai Thi Luu B4 Mai Van Ngoc B1 Me Linh B5 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia B2, C2, C3, D4, E4 Ngo Duc Ke D5 Ngo Thoi Nhiem C2, D2 Ngo Van Nam C5 Nguyen Binh Khiem B4, B5, C5 Nguyen Cong Tru E4 Nguyen Cu Trinh E2, E3 Nguyen Dinh Chieu B4, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3 Nguyen Dinh Chinh B1 A Class Dojo (Free) \| R eportedly used in half of all schools in the USA, this classroom management app is aimed at teachers, students and parents, encouraging and rewarding student skill, effort and good behaviour via a system of instant merits and demerits, alongside a direct and convenient line of communication between all parties. From any tablet or smartphone, behaviour data and feedback can be recorded, received and shared instantly, with additional functions such as language translation, photo-sharing, instant-messaging and group announcements, making this the ideal tool for any classroom. Each user creates a profile and younger kids will enjoy picking out their own crazy monster avatars. T argeted at sports and fitness coaches, PE teachers and athletes, this video recording app allows users to slow down, break down and analyse technique, form or position (in any given sport or exercise), in frame-by-frame slow-motion. Using video footage captured on any device (including smartphones and tablets) and with full HD support, users can overlay drawings, diagrams and commentary, or even synchronise two videos for side-by-side comparison. A library of pre-recorded videos and drills for various sports is also available to hone your technique, placing your feeble attempts for perfection alongside the pros. Additionally, Airplay and social media support allows for data and recordings to be instantly displayed to the world. Inspiration Maps ($9.99) \| Math Bingo ($1.99) \| Zat Phonics (Free) \| Available for both iPhone and iPad, this brainstorming app provides an intuitive interface for capturing ideas, notes and inspiration in sprawling, fully customisable mind-maps. In the classroom, it can be used as another method of explaining ideas and concepts via colourful, annotated diagrams and flowcharts. Add icons, images, recorded narration and hyperlinks and share your creations instantly via Dropbox, Airdrop, iCloud and iTunes. Aimed at ages six to eight, this colourful and engaging app encourages children to collect ‘Bingo Bugs’ by answering math problems. With each correct answer, a bug is added to a bingo-style playing board and, of course, the aim is to get a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row of bugs. Points are awarded depending on the time it takes each answer to be correctly input, and incorrect answers attract penalties. High scores unlock bonus games such a ‘Bingo Bug Bungee’ and ‘Math Fling’. Designed to support the UK’s Year 1 Phonics Screening Check, this app can also be picked up and used in any setting to help a child learning to read. Phonics is a widely-used method for teaching reading and writing in English by developing a child’s ability to hear and identify sounds and match them to the correct spelling patterns. Zat Phonics provides a range of phonics tests of differing levels and lengths and includes non-words, or ‘alien’ words, to provide a child the skills to decode almost any unfamiliar word. 72 AsiaLIFE HCMC THE BOSS If comedies are up your street then this latest outing starring Melissa McCarthy should be top of the must-see list. Wealthy mogul Michelle Darnell (Melissa McCarthy) always comes out on top, until she gets busted for insider trading and sent to federal prison. After paying her debt to society, she emerges from jail broke, hated and homeless. Luckily, she tracks down former assistant Claire (Kristen Bell), the only person who can help. While staying at Claire’s apartment, the ex-con devises a plan for a new business venture that involves girl scouts, brownies and a willingness to change her ruthless ways. CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR Following on from the battle that is raging between Batman and Superman, more superheroes take each other on in this highlyanticipated film. Political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability when the actions of the Avengers lead to collateral damage. And this new status quo deeply divides members of the team. Captain America (Chris Evans) believes superheroes should remain free to defend humanity without government interference, while Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr) sharply disagrees and supports oversight. As the debate escalates into an all-out feud, Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) must pick a side. THE JUNGLE BOOK Rudyard Kipling’s book of the same name has been the inspiration for many a screen adaptation. This latest outing sees Walt Disney Pictures carry out a live-action remake of its classic 1967 animation film. Raised by a family of wolves since birth, Mowgli (Neel Sethi) must leave the only home he’s ever known when the fearsome tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) unleashes his mighty roar. Guided by a stern panther (Ben Kingsley) and a free-spirited bear (Bill Murray), the young boy meets an array of jungle animals, including a slithery python (Scarlett Johansson) and a smooth-talking ape. Along the way, Mowgli learns valuable life lessons as his epic journey of self-discovery leads to fun and adventure. RATCHET AND CLANK Fans of the platform game of the same name have been eagerly awaiting the release of this animated action comedy, which reveals how the two characters met. Ratchet is the last of his kind, a foolhardy lombax who grew up without a family. Clank is a pint-sized robot with more brains than brawn. After stumbling upon a weapon that can destroy entire planets, they join forces with a team of do-gooders known as the Galactic Rangers. Together, they must stop the evil alien Chairman Drek from using this dangerous technology. Along the way, Ratchet and Clank learn valuable lessons about heroism, friendship and discovering their own identity. 74 AsiaLIFE HCMC T HE A RT O F MIXOLOGY @Snuffbox Electric Berlin sounds @Broma House FU NK Y SU E YOSHI @Saigon Ranger Japanese super-drumming LET THE MUSIC TAKE YOU… Crazy rock n roll capers No.XXXXXIIIIVVIVI! ‘Looped, tied and taped forever in the etchings of modern civility lies the kingpin that acts pivot to celebration far and beyond the call of nature to complete understanding, but caters for a shared holler to cease animosities, thus paving the way for an analgesic smouldering of goodwill and merriment that generally forms its variable fold in a state of exotic connotations who limber the soul to a merry tune brought forth in the world’s music festival season. Riding on the baseline of knowledge, knowing that you win some and you lose some, as Lemmy explained to me in a cafe before he went to the great gig in the sky, whilst ordering a side plate of pigs in blankets; ‘those little crispy succulent critters’ as he refers to them while mentioning how that gig he did in the Young Ones house was supposed to be recorded in a hot air balloon, ‘That’s the kismet, the karma, the kingpin my friend, that’s the Ace of Spades.’ But by the belching banality of Beelzebub’s breeches did scurry the wind of balderdash and tosh. What in the wide, wide world of ghosts, ghouls, vampires and claptrap; is this nonsense that brims our cups of vanquished ideologies, for have we not sped through the ages of apocalyptic black fingernailed puppets of the macabre, who live the circus life of seemingly perpetual absurdness. takes tea with the Queen, Iggy Pop stopped self mutilating to sell insurance on TV and Judas Priest designs golf courses somewhere in the British Midlands – not sure where, because when I went to look for him one summer I got the wrong address and when I asked someone if the owner, Judas himself, was around he looked at me kind of funny. Nevertheless, one soul destroyer of conformatism and rebel rousers of irregularities was simply plain cuckoo in the belief that he actually thought he was Satan, until his wife told him he was probably just drunk and he’d be alright in the morning. A mere 146,000 mornings later did he take heed and realise he was just a bloke from Birmingham who had a rather large hit back in 1971, to which he pointed out to me the other day over tea and scones in a tuk tuk we shared home from the bingo. It was then his paranoia subsided and he realised he wasn’t in fact the devil he knew. The Prodigy however, Firestarted in ‘96 and still donned in a psychojokers haircut parade the music festival fields of the world with six under their belt for the northern hemisphere season – it is with that impulse to be no-one but yourself we offer The Prodigy their Get It Off Your Chest Request… hussar!… If you would like to send in your Get It Off Your Chest Request contact [email protected]. Where are they now? Alice Cooper AsiaLIFE HCMC 75 In this world of political correctness, Bradley Green asks what people are getting so offended about. 76 AsiaLIFE HCMC THIN SKIN I ronically, I get quite worked up by the easily offended; so much so, all I can think to do is be more offensive. You know, really rub salt in the wounds. Everyone with a similar mindset would react the same no doubt. Some what counter productive for the ‘victims’. I’m certainly not saying I’d go out of my way to annoy and upset people (depends who) - I’m no sociopath. It seems the world is probably just too grotesque and X-rated these days to be so delicate about things that could upset: “Now dear are you wrapped up enough? Perhaps an extra layer or two of cotton wool will do?” I just don’t buy it, there’s bigger fish to fry. A very recent example comes to mind involving the filming of the new Top Gear series. There is a scene in which a car is performing doughnuts near a very well known war memorial in London, the Cenotaph. This caused outrage amongst some people, because of disrespect etc. I realise this a memorial for fallen soldiers in what were two atrocious wars, yet it’s also in the centre of London on a busy street. It just seems a little hard to swallow in my opinion. This may be a little bit biased, but I remember having a lovely time with a group of friends in a bar. We were drinking and being rather garrulous, no less than you would expect from said patrons. One of us then swore a common swear word, and a person turned around and said something along the lines of… “Can you not swear in front of my children?” Well, I was most perturbed and thus retorted with “Can you not bring your children into our pub?” Oh the offense that was taken! Yet were we wrong for being adults in which is most definitely an adult zone? My feelings are that they should have never brought the sprogs along in the first place, rather irresponsible I think, am I right? I don’t rock up to the nursery and turn Peppa Pig off to put on Debbie does Dallas, nor do I turn up to village meetings in a village in which I have no business to tell the locals which coloured bunting to hang for this year’s parade. Leave me and my pub alone! It seems to get more and more ridiculous with each passing year, not forgetting this isn’t the 1890s and Mrs Bombadier’s uncovered ankle isn’t news, nor does it matter. This is the 21st century, and you can see just about as much as your stomach can handle with a click of a button or two. It is not an age of buttercups and liquorice sticks, it is an age of garbage television and celebrity nudes gone viral. Completely and utterly shameless nonsense. Whether you like it or not, it is here to stay, perhaps a sorry state of affairs, but reality nonetheless. I don’t condone people being generally vile and despicable (and there is a limit) but for the most part people aren’t trying to offend and upset, they’re just trying to enjoy life. Don’t go flashing your private parts at Mrs Smith next door, however don’t look over your shoulder when you get to the glorious punch line of your joke. Life’s too short. I think I’ve offended myself, time for an angry nap. The Library Project O n a recent early Friday morning, a minibus rolled through the crowded streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Aboard were volunteers and staff for The Library Project, some bright blue bookshelves, assorted globes, maps, educational posters and 500 brand new books for kids. The Library Project is an international non-governmental organisation that donates high quality books and literacy materials to primary schools in rural China, Vietnam and Cambodia. On the morning in question, The Library Project team was headed deep into the Mekong Delta to donate two reading corners to Hieu Thanh B Primary School in Vinh Long province. After leaving Ho Chi Minh City, the minibus navigated a series of increasingly smaller roads, eventually reaching a remote country lane so narrow that the driver exited the van several times to check that bridges more suitable for bicycles and motorbikes would safely hold the larger vehicle. When the team reached the rustic tworoom school, the experienced volunteers jumped into action, assembling the shelves, stamping The Library Project’s logo into the front of the books, and keeping the kids entertained with activities while the reading corners were being made ready. For the children, the break from the day’s routine was welcome, as was the presence of several guests. However, the real treat were the books – as soon as the corners were installed, each child was allowed to choose a book to read at his or her desk. After the buzzing excitement of a few minutes before, the room was suddenly silent as the kids began to devour their reads. For long-time members of The Library Project team, this is nothing new. In fact, since the organisation’s founding in 2006, similar scenes have played out in more than 1,700 schools and orphanages, giving nearly 600,000 children access to 1 million books. “Our programs have stayed razor focused on rural literacy though the donation of local language libraries,” said Tom Stader, the organisation’s founder. “This is what we do. This is what we will always do.” Stader and the rest of The Library Project team believe that literacy is the single best way to fight poverty and inequality. While global literacy has seen great strides forward in recent decades, today 16 percent of the world’s population is illiterate. The Library Project’s model is quite simple and very efficient. The in-country teams work with government officials and school districts to identify schools in need. They perform a pre-assessment to determine what set up will work best - for larger schools with a room dedicated to a library, reading rooms with 1,000 books, tables, chairs and comfy, padded places to sit are a good option. For a smaller school, like the one in Vinh Long Province, a reading corner installed in the classroom is a better fit. The Library Project has a vision to support 1 million children by 2019. If you’d like to help reach this goal, there are lots of ways to get involved: •Donate a reading room or reading corner. With The Library Project’s secure online giving tool, you can harness the power of your network to help raise money. •Become a monthly donor. With recurring gifts, a small monthly gift makes a huge difference over the year. •Make a one-time gift. Donating US$1 allows The Library Project to buy one book for a school. How many books would you like to buy? Visit library-project.org. AsiaLIFE HCMC 77 - District 7’s Pitchers Bar and Grill presents - Brainbuster trivia 1. Samite is a type of what ? a) Fabric b) Stone c) Dog Sách quảng cáo Responsible for Publishing: d) Cake NGUYỄN THỊ THU HÀ Director - Editor in Chief 2. Vermillion is a shade of which colour? a) Green b) Blue c) Red d) Yellow 3. In summer 2010 what species produced offspring in the wild in the UK for the first time in around 400 years after reintroduction to Scotland ? a) Beaver b) Bear c) Wolf d) Reindeer 4. A caparison is an ornamental cloth used to cover a what? a) Alter b) Horse c) Bed d) Window 5. In which famous building are rooms named Vermeil, China, Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow Oval? a) Buckingham Palace b) The White House c) Palace of Versailles d) Westminster Abbey Editors: Lê Đắc Quang - Bùi Thị Nga Designed by: ASIALIFE ADVERTISING LIMITED COMPANY Cover & content by: Asialife Advertising Limited Company Information and Communications Publishing House 9/90 Nguy Nhu Kon Tum - Thanh Xuan - Ha Noi Printed 2000 copies, size 20,5cm x 27cm, at ITAXA Company Address: 126 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 3 Publishing permit No: 315 - 2016 /CXBIPH/4-16/TTTT. Publication decision No: 53/QĐ - NXB TT&TT dated on 26, Feb, 2016. Copy right deposit in 2016. ISBN: 978-604-80-1653-1 6. Which 1920s film star’s third husband was Henri Le Bailly de la Falaise, Marquis de la Coudraye? a) Clara Bow b) Lillian Gish c) Mae West d) Gloria Swanson AsiaLIFE Advertising Limited 2 Street 11, Thao Dien Ward, District 2 For advertising and marketing enquiries please contact: +84 938 298 395 or [email protected] 7. In anatomy, ‘plantar’ relates to which part of the human body? a) Foot b) Stomach c) Head d) Hand 8. Which English royal house held the throne between 1154 and 1485? a) Stewart b) Tudor c) Plantagenet d) Lancaster For online advertising and video enquiries please contact: +84 903 325 543 or [email protected] Distribution: Super Long +84 937 633 283 (VN) +84 168 6830 250 (EN) AsiaLIFE is a registered trademark. No content may be reproduced in any form without prior authorisation of the owners. © AsiaLIFE Advertising Limited 9. Something annular is in the shape of a what? a) Leaf b) Ring c) Brick d) Pyramid 10. Sfumato is a technique in what? a) Painting b) Cooking c) Martial Arts d) Meditaton 4 5 1 13. Who dueted with Harry Nilsson on the 1975 Phil Spectre song ‘A Love Like Yours (Don’t Come Knocking Every Day)’? a) Dusty Springfield b) Barbra Streisand c) Diana Ross d) Cher 14. If something coruscates, what does it do? a) Expands b) Fades c) Sparkles d) Shrinks 2 6 11. Sprinter Merlene Ottey, then aged 50, was a member of which nation’s 4 x 100 metres relay squad at the 2010 European Championships? a) Bermuda b) Slovenia c) Jamaica d) Bahraintion 12. If you dropped three solid steel spheres, weighing 1kg, 2kg and 3kg, at the same time from a height of ten metres, in what order would they hit the floor? a) 1kg 2kg 3kg b) 3kg 2kg 1kg c) All at the same time d) Some other order Code: KK 02 Sm16.	i don't know
Which religion emerged from the Bible Student movement, founded in 1872 by Charles Taze Russell?	Summary of the Jehovah's Witnesses Summary of the Jehovah's Witnesses From Religious Beliefs Wiki Jump to: navigation , search Jehovah's Witnesses Jehovah's Witnesses is a restorationist, chiliastic Christian religion. They consider the Bible to be the ultimate authority for their teachings and practices. This denomination emerged from the Bible Student movement, founded in 1872 by Charles Taze Russell, with the creation of the Watch Tower Society. It underwent significant structural alterations between 1917 and the 1940s, having its authority organization centralized and its preaching techniques brought under greater regimentation. The religion reports international membership of over 7 million adherents involved in preaching; they report annual convention and memorial attendance between 12 and 18 million. They are prominently known for their door-to-door preaching, and for their refusal of military service and blood transfusions even in life-threatening situations. The religion's stance of conscientious objection to military service has brought it to contend with governments that draft citizens for military service, and activities of Jehovah's Witnesses have been consequently banned in some nations. Jehovah's Witnesses have had a major impact on US constitutional law concerning civil liberties and conscientious objection to military service. They endeavor to remain unattached from secular society, which is regarded as a place of moral contamination and under the control of Satan the Devil, and limit their social contact with non-Witnesses. Since its inception, the Watch Tower Society has taught that humanity is enduring the last days of the present world order. In the years leading up to 1914, 1925 and 1975, the Society's publications expressed strong expectations of Armageddon occurring in those years, resulting in surges in membership and following defections. The Watchtower later stated that it "regretted" the expectations that had been raised concerning 1975 by "persons having to do with the publication of the information". Their belief system greatly diverges from traditional Christian theology, which has caused several major Christian denominations to denounce the group as either a cult or sect. Studies of the religion have described it as authoritarian, claiming it demands unquestioning obedience from followers, with the consequence of expulsion and shunning facing those who oppose its doctrines. Organization Jehovah's Witnesses are organized under a hierarchical layout, which their leadership calls a "theocratic government", reflecting their belief that it is God's organization on earth. The organization is headed by the Governing Body – an all-male group that varies in numbers, but since 2007 has comprised nine members, all of whom profess to be of the "anointed" class with a hope of heavenly life – based in the Watch Tower Society's Brooklyn, New York headquarters. There is no election for governing membership, with new members appointed by the existing body. The Governing Body is described as the "spokesman" for God's "Faithful and Discreet Slave class" (the approximately 10,000 remaining "anointed" Jehovah's Witnesses), and is said to supply "spiritual food" for Witnesses worldwide on behalf of the "Faithful and Discreet Slave". In practice it seeks neither advice nor approval from any "anointed" Witnesses other than high-ranking members at Brooklyn Bethel when formulating policy and doctrines or when creating material for publications and conventions. The Governing Body directs multiple committees that are responsible for various administrative functions, including publishing, assembly programs and evangelizing activity. It directly appoints all branch committee members and District and Circuit Overseers, with traveling supervisors overseeing groups of congregations within their jurisdictions. Jehovah's Witnesses have no formal clergy-laity division. Each congregation has a body of selected male elders and ministerial servants. Elders maintain general responsibility for congregational governance, setting meeting times, choosing speakers and conducting meetings, directing the public preaching work, and creating "judicial committees" to investigate and determine disciplinary action for cases that are seen as breaching scriptural or organizational laws. New elders are chosen by the Watch Tower Society after recommendation by the existing body of elders. Ministerial servants – appointed in a fashion similar to that of the elders – fulfill clerical and attendant duties, but may also teach and conduct meetings. Beliefs Doctrinal positions are obtained by what Witness publications describe as "progressive revelation". The term is not explicitly defined in Watch Tower literature, but is commonly explained as the application of reason and study as well as the undefined guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Watchtower has also implied that the organization has received direct, latter-day revelations, including messages from "invisible angels". Bible The entire Protestant canon of scripture is considered the inspired, correct word of God. The Witnesses accept the Bible as scientifically and historically accurate and reliable, and interpret much of it literally, while also accepting it is abundant in symbolism. They claim to use the Bible as the basis for all of their beliefs, although studies of the religion show that the traditional teachings of Russell, as well as the pronouncements of the Governing Body, through Watch Tower publications, carry at least as much weight as the Bible, if not more. The leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses claims to be the single visible channel of Jehovah and asserts that the Bible cannot be understood without its assistance. Jehovah Also pronounced YAHWEH, the name "Jehovah" is a hybrid rendering of the biblical Hebrew letters "yod-hey-vav-hey" (YHWH), the Tetragrammaton combined with the vowel sounds of Adonai, the Hebrew name for God. Emphasis is given to the use of God's biblical name, the Tetragrammaton, and in English they favor using the name, Jehovah. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jehovah is the one and only true God, the creator of all things, and give him the title "Universal Sovereign". They believe that all of their worship should be directed toward him. Jesus Christ Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus was Jehovah's first creation, that Jehovah then created everything else by means of Jesus, and that the initial unassisted act of creation uniquely identifies Jesus as God's 'only-begotten Son'. Jesus served as a ransom sacrifice to pay for the sins of all humankind. They believe that Jesus was a killed on a single upright torture stake rather than the traditional cross. They believe that bilical references to the Archangel Michael, Apollyon and Abaddon, and the Word all refer to Jesus. Satan Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Satan is the evil, invisible ruler of the world. He was at one time a perfect angel, but he developed feelings of self-importance and craved worship that belonged to God the Father. Satan persuaded Adam and Eve to obey him rather than God, and mankind subsequently became participants in a challenge involving the competing claims of Jehovah and Satan to universal sovereignty. Other angels who also followed Satan in rebelling against God became demons. They teach that Satan and his demons were cast down to earth from heaven in October 1914, at which point the end of times began. Satan continues to mislead people and he and the demons are said to be the cause of much pain and anguish. Salvation Witness publications teach that all of humanity lies in a sinful state. Release from this is possible because Jesus' shed blood provided a payment, or atonement for the sins of all people. Witnesses believe there are two destinations for those who are saved by God. They say the number of Christians going to heaven is limited to exactly 144,000, who will rule with Jesus as kings and priests over earth. The remainder have the hope of living eternally in an earthly paradise. Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the only scriptural hope of surviving Armageddon comes through cleaving to the biblical teachings, including faith in Jesus' shed blood. Those who do not present such faith and become part of God's "organization" face destruction at Armageddon. Following Armageddon, most people will be resurrected with the prospect of living forever. God's Messianic Kingdom Witness publications teach that God's Kingdom is a government in heaven, ruled by Jesus Christ and 144,000 people selected from the earth. The kingdom is viewed as the means by which God will accomplish his original purpose for the earth, bringing about a world free of crime, illness, death, and poverty, ultimately transforming earth into a paradise. The kingdom is said to have been the focal point of Jesus' ministry on earth. It was established in heaven in 1914. Death Jehovah's Witnesses believe that death is a condition of non-existence without consciousness. They do not believe in any Hell of fiery torture. Hades and Sheol are understood to refer to the state of death, termed the common grave. They consider the body and soul to be the living entity that expires. Their hope for life after death involves being resurrected by God, either with a new body on earth after Armageddon, or to heaven as one of the limited number of 144,000. Defection Watch Tower publications stress that members of the religion are not compelled to remain part of the congregation. However, Jehovah's Witness doctrines provide no legitimate reason for baptised members to leave the religion. Those who do choose to depart and announce their decision to terminate their membership are described as apostates and antichrists. Watch Tower publications direct that they are to be shunned by other Witnesses, including even close relatives. Sociologist Andrew Holden claims his research indicated many Witnesses who would otherwise defect because of disillusionment with the organization and its teachings retain affiliation for fear of being shunned and losing contact with friends and family members. Practices Worship Meetings for study and worship are held at Kingdom Halls. Witnesses are assigned to a congregation in whose "territory" they reside and are expected to attend meetings weekly as scheduled by congregation elders. The meetings are essentially devoted to study of the Bible and Witness doctrines. The form and content of the meetings is established by the religion's Brooklyn headquarters, with the content of meetings in any week largely synchronized around the world. The week's two meetings are divided into five distinct sections, lasting a total of about four hours, with meetings opened and closed with hymns and brief prayers delivered from the platform. The Kingdom Halls are generally functional in character, and do not contain religious symbols. Each year, Witnesses from multiple congregations that form a "circuit" gather for one-day and two-day assemblies. Several circuits meet annually for a three-day "district convention", usually at rented stadiums or auditoriums. Their most important and sacred event is the celebration of the "Lord's Evening Meal", or "Memorial of Christ's Death". Evangelism Jehovah's Witnesses are probably best known for their efforts to spread their beliefs throughout the world. They do this mainly by visiting people from door to door. Free home Bible studies are offered to any people who show interest in their beliefs, which they present with the aid of their publications, such as The Watchtower. Witness literature is published in many languages through a wide variety of books, magazines and other publications, with a small selection available in over 440 languages. Witnesses are instructed to devote as much time as possible to preaching activities, and are required to submit a monthly report to their congregation on their 'witnessing' activity. Ethics and Morality The Jehovah's Witness view of morality reflects conservative Christian values. All extra-marital sexual relations are grounds for expulsion (disfellowshipping) if the accused is not deemed repentant. Abortions are considered murder. Modesty in wardrobe and grooming is frequently emphasized. Gambling, drunkenness, illegal drugs, and use of tobacco are forbidden. Drinking of alcoholic beverages is permitted, but in moderation. The family is of a patriarchal structure. The husband is considered the final authority on family decisions, but is encouraged to solicit the thoughts and feelings of his wife, as well as those of his children. Marriages must be monogamous. Divorce is allowed only for adultery. If a divorce is obtained for any other reason, remarriage is considered adultery (as long as the previous spouse is still alive). Abuse and willful non-support of one's family are actions considered to be remedied by separation. Discipline Formal discipline is conducted by congregation elders. When an accusation of major sin is made concerning a baptized member, a tribunal or judicial committee is formed to determine guilt, administer help and possibly apply sanctions. Disfellowshipping is the ultimate form of discipline administered, which requires the person to be shunned by all baptized members. Exceptions to this would include cases where a member was forced to have commercial dealings with a member who is disfellowshipped, or if the disfellowshipped member is living with baptized family members. The stated purpose of disfellowshipping is to keep the congregation free from immoral influences and to shame wrong-doers into repentance, but the threat of shunning also serves to deter other members from dissident behavior. Reproof involves sins that may lead to disfellowshipping. Those considered "truly repentant" are reproved rather than disfellowshipped. Marking is practiced if a member's course of action is regarded as a violation of Bible principles, reflecting badly on the congregation, but is not a disfellowshipping offense. An announcement is made, stating that the actions in question are wrong, while keeping the name of the individual anonymous. Congregation members limit social contact with the accused. The purpose of this is to shame the sinner into correcting their actions. Avoidance of Interfaith Activity Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible condemns the mixing of religions and their doctrines on the basis that there can only be one truth from God. They believe that only their religion represents true Christianity, and that all other religions fail to meet all of the requirements set by God and will be destroyed, and therefore reject interfaith and ecumenical movements. Separateness Jehovah's Witnesses believe their allegiance belongs to God's Kingdom, which is viewed as a literal government in heaven. They are taught that it is vital they remain "separate from the world" in harmony with Jesus' description of his followers found in John 17:14-16. Watch Tower publications define the "world" as "the mass of mankind apart from Jehovah’s approved servants" and teach that it is ruled by Satan, and is therefore a place of danger and moral contamination. Witnesses express their world-renouncing beliefs in many ways. They avoid involvement in social controversies, remain neutral in their political views, do not seek public office, and are discouraged from voting. They abstain from celebrating religious holidays and birthdays and reject many customs that they claim to have pagan origins. They do not work in industries associated with the military, do not serve in the armed forces and refuse national military service, which in some countries may result in their arrest and imprisonment. They do not salute or pledge allegiance to the national flag or sing national anthems and patriotic songs and demand high standards of morality within their ranks. Witnesses are advised to minimize social contact with non-members because of their perceived dangers of worldly association. A study by sociologist Andrew Holden indicated they are therefore highly selective in choosing who they spend leisure time with and usually select the company of other Witnesses. Blood Jehovah's Witnesses are opposed to blood transfusions, based on their interpretation of how the Bible describes the proper treatment of blood. In 1961, accepting a blood transfusion resulted in expulsion from the religion. They do not accept the threat of death as sufficient to dissuade them from rejecting blood transfusions for themselves or for their children. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible prohibits blood transfusions based on their understanding of Acts 15:28-29. Jehovah's Witnesses are forbidden from accepting red cells, white cells, platelets or plasma, though they may accept fractions made from these components at their own discretion. The Watch Tower Society provides members with Power of Attorney documents to indicate which optional fractions they may accept, with preformatted wording prohibiting major components. If a fraction "makes up a significant portion of that component" or "carries out the key function of a primary component", it may be objectionable to some but is still permissible. This page has been produced by Religion Resources Online using modified information gathered from Wikipedia . It complies with Wikipedia’s Terms of Use and international Copyright law.	Jehovah's Witnesses
In Dubai, Palm Judmeirah is a what?	Jehovah's Witnesses J Jehovah's Witnesses Jehovah's Witnesses is a restorationist, millenarian Christian denomination. The religion reports worldwide membership of over 7 million adherents involved in evangelism ; they report convention attendance of over 12 million, and annual Memorial attendance of over 17 million. They are directed by the Governing Body, a group of elders which exercises authority on all doctrinal matters, based on their interpretation of the Bible, with preference given to their own translation, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. The group emerged from the Bible Student movement, founded in the late 19th century by Charles Taze Russell , with the creation of Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society. Following a schism in the movement, the branch that maintained control of the Society underwent significant organizational changes, bringing its authority structure and methods of evangelism under centralized control. The name Jehovah's witnesses was adopted in 1931. Since its inception, the Watch Tower Society has taught that humans are now living in the last days of the present world order. They believe that after the current world order is destroyed at Armageddon , surviving righteous Jehovah's Witnesses and resurrected individuals will have the opportunity to live forever in an earthly paradise, ruled by Christ and 144,000 humans raised to heaven . In the years leading up to 1914, 1925 and 1975, the Society's publications expressed strong expectations of Armageddon or the establishment of Christ's kingdom over the earth occurring in those years. Jehovah's Witnesses are best known for their door-to-door preaching, distribution of literature such as The Watchtower and Awake!, and for their refusal of military service and blood transfusions even in life-threatening situations. They consider use of the name Jehovah – one of the common English-language pronunciations of the Tetragrammaton – vital to proper worship; they reject Trinitarianism, immortality of the soul, and hellfire, because they consider them to be unscriptural doctrines; and they do not observe celebrations such as Christmas, Easter or birthdays because of their perceived pagan origins. Members commonly refer to their body of beliefs as "the Truth", and adherents consider themselves to be "in the Truth". Jehovah's Witnesses regard secular society as a place of moral contamination and under the control of Satan , and limit their social interaction with non-Witnesses. Members who violate the organization's fundamental moral principles or who dispute doctrinal matters are subject to disciplinary action, the most severe being a form of shunning they call disfellowshipping. The religion's position regarding conscientious objection to military service and refusal to salute national flags has brought it into conflict with governments, particularly those that conscript citizens for military service. Activities of Jehovah's Witnesses have been consequently banned or restricted in some countries. Persistent legal challenges by Jehovah's Witnesses have had considerable influence on related legislation in several countries including the United States . History 1870-1916: Charles Taze Russell and the Bible Students In 1870, Charles Taze Russell and others formed an independent group to study the Bible; in particular, Russell cited contributions by Advent Christian Church pastor George W. Stetson, and George Storrs, an Adventist preacher and former Millerite. In 1877 Russell jointly edited a religious journal, Herald of the Morning, with Nelson H. Barbour. In July 1879, after separating from Barbour, Russell began publishing the magazine Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, highlighting his interpretations of biblical chronology, with particular attention to his belief that the world was in "the last days". In 1881, Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to disseminate tracts, papers, doctrinal treatises and bibles; three years later, on December 15, 1884, Russell became the president of the Society when it was legally incorporated in Pennsylvania . Watch Tower supporters gathered as autonomous congregations to study the Bible and Russell's writings. Russell firmly rejected as "wholly unnecessary" the concept of a formal organization for his followers, and declared that his group had no record of its members' names, no creeds, and no sectarian name. The group became known as "Bible Students". Russell died on October 31, 1916, and control of the Watch Tower magazine was temporarily passed to an Editorial Committee as outlined in Russell's will, with an Executive Committee in control of the Society. 1916-1942: Joseph Rutherford Organizational changes In January 1917, the Watch Tower Society's legal representative, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, was elected as its next president. A power struggle developed between Rutherford and four of the Society's Board of Directors, who objected to his style of leadership. On July 17, 1917, Rutherford dismissed four of the directors, claiming they had not been legally elected. On the same day he also announced the release of The Finished Mystery as the seventh volume of Russell's Studies in the Scriptures series. The book was widely advertised to the public as "a posthumous publication ... of Charles Taze Russell", but much was actually written by two other Bible Students under the direction of Joseph Rutherford. The Finished Mystery strongly criticised Catholic and Protestant clergy and Christian involvement in war. Patriotic fervor during World War I and other animosities fuelled persecution of the Bible Students in America and Europe, including mob violence and tarring and feathering. Citing this book, the United States federal government indicted Rutherford and the new board of directors for violation of the Espionage Act on May 7, 1918. They were found guilty and sentenced concurrently to 20 years' imprisonment. During their imprisonment, elections for the Watch Tower directors again took place and Rutherford was re-elected as president. In March 1919, the judgment against them was reversed and they were released from prison; the charges were later dropped. Opposition to Rutherford among the Bible Students began to mount, prompting a significant number of members to cut ties with the Watch Tower Society and form new organizations. Rutherford continued to tighten and centralize organizational control of those who remained loyal to the Society, with the Brooklyn headquarters appointing a "director" in each congregation in 1919, and a year later instructing all congregation members who participated in the preaching work to report their preaching activity weekly. In 1925, following a dispute over a proposed article, Rutherford dismissed the Watch Tower's Editorial Committee, giving him full control of the organization and of material published in the magazine. On July 26, 1931, the name Jehovah's witnesses was adopted by resolution at a convention in Columbus, Ohio, based on the American Standard Version 's rendering of Isaiah 43:10: "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah". In 1932, Rutherford eliminated the system of selecting elders by congregational vote. In 1938, he introduced a "theocratic" or "God-ruled" organizational system, under which, all appointments in congregations worldwide are made from the Brooklyn headquarters. Doctrinal changes At an international convention held at Cedar Point, in September 1922, a new emphasis was made on house-to-house preaching. Significant changes in doctrine were made under Rutherford's leadership, including the 1918 announcement that Jewish patriarchs (such as Abraham and Isaac ) would be resurrected in 1925, marking the beginning of Christ's thousand-year reign. The failed expectations for 1925, coupled with other doctrinal changes, resulted in a dramatic reduction in attendance at their yearly Memorial, from 90,434 in 1925 to 17,380 in 1928. By 1933, the timing of the beginning of Christ's presence (Greek: parousía), his enthronement as king, and the start of the "last days", were each moved to 1914. From 1935, it was considered that converts to the movement, if worthy, would survive Armageddon and live on a paradise earth. Membership before this time was generally composed of those who believed they would be resurrected to live in heaven to rule over the earth with Christ. As their interpretations of Scripture continued to develop, Witness publications taught that saluting the flag and standing for the national anthem are forms of idolatry. They were also instructed to refuse alternative service provided for conscientious objectors. (Objection to alternative civilian service was maintained until 1996, when it was deemed a 'conscience matter'.) In Germany, Jehovah's Witnesses came under persecution, with as many as 5000 imprisoned in concentration camps. Witnesses also experienced mob violence in the United States, and their activities were banned in Canada and Australia because of their refusal to accept military service. 1942-present: Knorr, Franz, Henschel and Adams Nathan Knorr was named the third president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society following Rutherford's death in January 1942. Knorr instituted major new training programs – the Theocratic Ministry School for all congregation members, and the Gilead School for missionaries. He also organized large-scale conventions, which attracted as many as 253,000 Witnesses to sports stadiums in the United States, Canada and Germany, and began a campaign of real estate acquisition in Brooklyn to expand the organization's world headquarters. He commissioned a new translation of the Bible, which was released progressively from 1950 before being published as the complete New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures in 1961. Knorr's vice-president, Frederick William Franz, became the religion's leading theologian , and helped shape the further development of explicit rules of conduct among members, with a greater emphasis on disfellowshipping as a disciplinary measure. From 1938 to 1955 the Witnesses launched a series of cases in the US Supreme Court to defend their right to worship and proselytise, winning 36 out of 45 cases. From 1966, Witness publications began using their interpretations of biblical chronology to heighten anticipation of Christ's thousand-year millennial reign beginning in late 1975. Focus on 1975 was intensified with talks given at conventions; in 1974 a Watch Tower Society newsletter commended Witnesses who had sold homes and property to devote themselves to preaching in the "short time" remaining. The number of baptisms increased significantly, from about 59,000 in 1966 to more than 297,000 in 1974, but membership declined after expectations for the year were proved wrong. In 1980, the Watch Tower Society admitted its responsibility in building up hope regarding 1975. The offices of elder and ministerial servant were restored to Witness congregations in 1972, with appointments being made from headquarters. In a major organizational overhaul in 1976, the power of the Watch Tower Society president was diminished, with authority for doctrinal and organizational decisions passed to the religion's Governing Body. Reflecting these organizational changes, publications of Jehovah's Witnesses began using the capitalized name, Jehovah's Witnesses. Prior to this, witnesses was consistently uncapitalized, except in headings and when quoting external sources. Since Knorr's death in 1977, the position of president has been occupied by Frederick Franz (1977-1992), Milton Henschel (1992-2000) and, when Milton Henschel resigned (the first resignation in the Society's history), Don A. Adams (2000-). Organization Jehovah's Witnesses are organized under a hierarchical arrangement, which their leadership calls a "theocratic government", reflecting their belief that it is God's organization on earth. The organization is headed by the Governing Body – an all-male group that varies in size, but since 2007 has comprised nine members, all of whom profess to be of the "anointed" class with a hope of heavenly life – based in the Watch Tower Society's Brooklyn, New York headquarters. There is no election for membership, with new members selected by the existing body. The Governing Body is described as the "spokesman" for God's "faithful and discreet slave class" (the approximately 10,000 remaining "anointed" Jehovah's Witnesses), and is said to provide "spiritual food" for Witnesses worldwide on behalf of the "faithful and discreet slave". In practice it seeks neither advice nor approval from any "anointed" Witnesses other than high-ranking members at Brooklyn Bethel when formulating policy and doctrines or when producing material for publications and conventions. The Governing Body directs several committees that are responsible for various administrative functions, including publishing, assembly programmes and evangelising activity. It directly appoints all branch committee members and District and Circuit Overseers, with travelling overseers supervising groups of congregations within their jurisdictions. Witnesses have no formal clergy-laity division. Each congregation has a body of appointed male elders and ministerial servants. Elders maintain general responsibility for congregational governance, setting meeting times, selecting speakers and conducting meetings, directing the public preaching work, and creating "judicial committees" to investigate and decide disciplinary action for cases that are seen as breaching scriptural or organizational rules. New elders are appointed by branch offices after recommendation by the existing body of elders. Ministerial servants – appointed in a similar fashion to elders – fulfill clerical and attendant duties, but may also teach and conduct meetings. Witness publications place strong emphasis on the need for members to be obedient and loyal to the Watch Tower organization, warning that individuals must remain part of it to receive God's favour and also to survive Armageddon. Publications state that acceptable service to God can be rendered only through that organization and that members should remain submissive to the religion's leaders and local congregational elders. Beliefs Sources of doctrine Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses are established by the Governing Body, which assumes responsibility for interpreting and applying scripture. Prior to the reorganization of the Governing Body in 1976, matters of doctrine were decided by the President of the Watch Tower Society. Watch Tower publications claim that doctrinal changes and refinements result from a process of progressive revelation, in which God gradually reveals his will and purpose. Watch Tower literature has suggested such enlightenment results from the application of reason and study, the guidance of holy spirit, and direction from Jesus Christ and angels. However the Governing Body makes no claim of infallibility or divine inspiration. The entire Protestant canon of scripture is considered the inspired, inerrant word of God. The Witnesses accept the Bible as scientifically and historically accurate and reliable and interpret much of it literally, while also accepting it is rich in symbolism. They consider the Bible to be the source of truth and the basis for all their beliefs. Sociologist Andrew Holden's ethnographic study of the religion concluded that pronouncements of the Governing Body, through Watch Tower publications, carry as much or more weight than the Bible. The leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses claims to be the sole visible channel of Jehovah and asserts that the Bible cannot be understood without associating with the Watch Tower organization. Jehovah and Jesus Christ Jehovah's Witnesses emphasize use of God's biblical name , the Tetragrammaton, and in English they prefer to use the name, Jehovah. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jehovah is the only true God, the creator of all things, and give him the title "Universal Sovereign". They believe that all worship should be directed toward him. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus was Jehovah's first creation, that Jehovah then created everything else by means of him, and that the initial unassisted act of creation uniquely identifies Jesus as God's 'only-begotten Son'. Jesus served as a ransom sacrifice to pay for the sins of humankind. They believe that Jesus died on a single upright torture stake rather than the traditional cross. They believe that references in the Bible to the Archangel Michael, Apollyon (a.k.a. Abaddon), and the Word all refer to Jesus. Satan Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Satan is a spirit creature who is the ruler of the world, and that he was at one time a perfect angel who developed feelings of self-importance, and craved worship. Satan persuaded Adam and Eve to obey him rather than God, and humanity subsequently become participants in a challenge involving the competing claims of Jehovah and Satan to universal sovereignty. Other angels who sided with Satan became demons . Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Satan and his demons were cast down to earth from heaven after October 1, 1914, at which point the end times began. Witnesses believe that the world is under the control of Satan and his demons, that they mislead people, and are the cause of much pain and suffering. However, they do not believe that individual rulers or governments are under Satan's direct control. Life after death For Jehovah's Witnesses, death is a state of non-existence with no consciousness . There is no Hell of fiery torment; Hades and Sheol are understood to refer to the condition of death, termed the common grave. Jehovah's Witnesses consider the body and the soul to be the same living being that expires. Their hope for life after death involves being resurrected by God, either with a new body on earth after Armageddon, or to heaven for the limited number of 144,000. Witness publications teach that all humanity is in a sinful state. Release from this is possible because Jesus' shed blood provided a payment, or atonement, for the sins of humankind. Witnesses believe there are two destinations for those saved by God. They say the number of Christians going to heaven is limited to precisely 144,000, who will rule with Jesus as kings and priests over earth. The remainder have the hope of living forever in an earthly paradise. Jehovah's Witnesses teach that only they meet scriptural requirements for surviving Armageddon, although God is the final judge. During the millennium, most other people who died since the time of Abel will be resurrected with the prospect of living forever; they will be taught the proper way to worship God in order for them to be ready for their final test before the end of the millennium. God's Messianic Kingdom Witness publications teach that God's Kingdom is a government in heaven, ruled by Jesus Christ and 144,000 Christians drawn from the earth. The kingdom is viewed as the means by which God will accomplish his original purpose for the earth, bringing about a world free of crime, sickness, death and poverty, ultimately transforming earth into a paradise. The kingdom is said to have been the focal point of Jesus' ministry on earth and established in heaven in 1914. Eschatology A central teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses is that the current world era, or "system of things", entered its "last days" in 1914 and faces imminent destruction through intervention by God and Jesus Christ, leading to deliverance for those who worship God in truth. This judgment will begin with the destruction by the United Nations of false religion, which they identify as "Babylon the Great", or the "harlot", of Revelation 17. This development will mark the beginning of the Great Tribulation. Satan will subsequently attack Jehovah's Witnesses, an action that will prompt God to begin the war of Armageddon, during which all forms of government and all people not counted as Christ's "sheep", or true followers, will be destroyed. After Armageddon, God will extend his heavenly kingdom to include earth, which will be transformed into a paradise similar to the Garden of Eden . After Armageddon, most of those who had died prior to God's intervention will gradually be resurrected to a "day of judgment" lasting for the thousand years referred to in Revelation 20. This judgment will be based on their actions after resurrection, not on past deeds. At the end of the thousand years a final test will take place when Satan is brought back to mislead perfect mankind. The end result will be a fully tested, glorified human race. Christ will then hand all authority back to God. Watch Tower Society publications teach that Jesus Christ returned invisibly and began to rule in heaven as king in October 1914. The resulting ouster of Satan from heaven to the earth has brought a period of "woe" to mankind, as prophesied in Revelation 12. They assert that the Greek word parousia (translated in most English Bible translations as "coming" when referring to Christ) is more accurately rendered as "presence," with his return perceived only as a series of "signs". Thus this Second Coming would be an invisible presence, lasting for an extended time. Practices Worship Meetings for worship and study are held at Kingdom Halls. Witnesses are assigned to a congregation in whose "territory" they reside and are expected to attend weekly services they refer to as "meetings" as scheduled by congregation elders. The meetings are largely devoted to study of the Bible and Watch Tower Society literature. The form and content of the meetings is established by the religion's Brooklyn headquarters, with the content of meetings in any week largely identical around the world. Congregations meet for two sessions each week comprising five distinct meetings that total about three-and-a-half hours, typically gathering mid-week (two meetings) and on the weekend (two meetings). Meetings are opened and closed with songs and brief prayers delivered from the platform. The Kingdom Halls are typically functional in character, and do not contain religious symbols. Each year, Witnesses from a number of congregations that form a "circuit" gather for one-day and two-day assemblies. Several circuits meet once a year for a three-day "district convention", usually at rented stadiums or auditoriums. Their most important and solemn event is the celebration of the "Lord's Evening Meal", or "Memorial of Christ's Death". Evangelism Jehovah's Witnesses are perhaps best known for their efforts to spread their beliefs, most notably by visiting people from house to house. They do this as they believe Jesus instructed and set the example to preach. Free home Bible studies are offered to people who show interest in their beliefs, which they present with the aid of their publications, such as The Watchtower. Literature is published in many languages through a wide variety of books , magazines and other publications, with a small selection available in over 440 languages. Witnesses are instructed to devote as much time as possible to preaching activities, and are required to provide a monthly report to their congregation on their 'witnessing' activity. Ethics and morality Their view of morality reflects conservative Christian values. All sexual relations outside of marriage are grounds for expulsion (disfellowshipping) if the accused is not deemed repentant. Abortion is considered murder. Modesty in dress and grooming is frequently emphasised. Gambling , drunkenness, illegal drugs, and tobacco use are forbidden. Drinking of alcoholic beverages is permitted in moderation. The family structure is patriarchal . The husband is considered the final authority on family decisions, but is encouraged to solicit his wife's thoughts and feelings, as well as those of his children. Marriages are required to be monogamous . Divorce is permissible only for adultery; such a divorce is referred to as "a Scriptural divorce". If a divorce is obtained for any other reason, remarriage is considered adultery while the previous spouse is still alive and has not begun another sexual relationship. Extreme physical abuse, willful non-support of one's family, and what the religion terms "absolute endangerment of spirituality" are considered grounds for legal separation and legal divorce. Disciplinary action Formal discipline is administered by congregation elders. When an accusation of what they term "serious sin" is made concerning a baptised member, a tribunal or judicial committee is formed to determine guilt, administer help and possibly apply sanctions. Disfellowshipping, a form of shunning, is the most severe form of discipline administered. Contact with disfellowshipped individuals is limited to direct family members living in the same home, and with congregation elders who annually invite disfellowshipped persons to apply for reinstatement; formal business dealings may continue if contractually or financially obliged. By avoiding most social and all spiritual interaction with a disfellowshipped former adherent, Witnesses state that the congregation is kept free from immoral influence and wrong-doers may be shamed into repentance, but the threat of shunning also serves to deter other members from dissident behaviour. Reproof is given formally by a judicial committee to a baptised Witness who is considered repentant for some act of “serious sin”; the reproved person temporarily loses conspicuous privileges of service, but suffers no restriction of social or spiritual fellowship. Marking is practiced if a baptised adherent persists in a course of action regarded as a violation of Bible principles but not a “serious sin”. Elders assign two elders to “correct” the person; if the person continues the same course, an elder delivers a congregation talk regarding “marking” (that is, their application of [http://watchtower.org/bible/2th/chapter_003.htm#bk14 2 Thessalonians 3:14]) and the Bible principle being violated. Members familiar with the marked person’s course of action are expected to limit social fellowship (but continue spiritual fellowship) with that person; the stated purpose is to shame the person into correcting their actions. Separateness Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible condemns the mixing of religions on the basis that there can only be one truth from God. They believe that only their religion represents true Christianity, and that all other religions fail to meet all the requirements set by God and will be destroyed, and therefore reject interfaith and ecumenical movements. Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught it is vital they remain "separate from the world." Watch Tower publications define the "world" as "the mass of mankind apart from Jehovah’s approved servants" and teach that it is ruled by Satan and a place of danger and moral contamination. Because of perceived dangers from "worldly" association, Witnesses are advised to minimise social contact with non-members to better maintain their own standards of morality. Jehovah's Witnesses believe their highest allegiance belongs to God's Kingdom , which is viewed as an actual government in heaven, hence they remain politically neutral, do not seek public office and are discouraged from voting, though individual members may participate in uncontroversial community improvement issues. They abstain from celebrating religious holidays and birthdays and reject many customs they claim have pagan origins. They do not work in industries associated with the military, do not serve in the armed services and refuse national military service, which in some countries may result in their arrest and imprisonment. They do not salute or pledge allegiance to flags or sing national anthems or patriotic songs. Rejection of blood transfusions Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions, which they consider a violation of God's law based on their interpretation of Acts 15:28, 29 and other scriptures. Since 1961 the acceptance of a blood transfusion has been grounds for expulsion from the religion. Watch Tower literature directs Witnesses to refuse transfusions in all cases including when death may result. Jehovah's Witnesses do accept non-blood alternatives, and other life-saving measures, in lieu of blood transfusions. Jehovah's Witnesses stand on blood transfusions have contributed to advancements in bloodless surgery, which have made possible many operations and procedures without blood. Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept red cells , white cells , platelets or plasma , though they may accept certain fractions made from these components at their own discretion. The Watch Tower Society provides members with Power of Attorney documents to indicate which optional fractions they accept, with preformatted wording prohibiting major components. If a fraction "makes up a significant portion of that component" or "carries out the key function of a primary component", it may be objectionable to some, but is permissible. Jehovah's Witnesses have established Hospital Liaison Committees as a cooperative arrangement between individual Jehovah's Witnesses and medical professionals and hospitals. Demographics Jehovah's Witnesses have an active presence in most countries, though they do not form a large part of the population of any country. As of February 2008, Jehovah's Witnesses have an average of 7.2 million "publishers", the term they use for members actively involved in preaching. In 2007, these reports indicated a total of over 1.3 billion hours spent in preaching and Bible study activity. Since the mid-1990s, the number of peak publishers has increased from 4.5 million to 7.2 million, though there has been a decline in growth rates, from over 8% per annum in the mid 1970s, to 5% per annum in the mid 1990s, to about 2%–3% per annum since 1999. The official published membership statistics only include those who have reported preaching activity, and do not include "inactive" and disfellowshipped members, and any who have either not been involved in preaching or have not submitted reports. Jehovah's Witnesses have the lowest retention rate of all religious traditions in the United States. A 2008 study in the United States reported that only about one-third who self-identified their upbringing as "Jehovah’s Witnesses" still identify themselves with the religion as adults. The convert retention rate among Jehovah's Witnesses however, is one of the highest, reaching into the 90th percentile, though only about half the number who self-identify as Jehovah's Witnesses in the study are actually considered "active" by the faith itself. Main publications used The publishing arm of Jehovah's Witnesses, known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, engages in extensive publishing work, with the production of books, brochures, and other media. The most widespread are: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, (1961, revised 1984) a translation of the Bible by the New World Bible Translation Committee. It extensively uses the name Jehovah, an English version of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton, also replacing the Greek word for "Lord" 237 times in the New Testament. It is available in 72 languages. The Watchtower, a 32-page magazine, published since 1879, for use in the public ministry; published twice per month, on the 1st and a 15th of each month. From 2008 onward, the issue published on the 15th of each month is a Study Edition for use at the Watchtower Study and not used in the public ministry. It is available in 171 languages. Awake!, a 32-page general interest magazine, with a wider scope than The Watchtower, usually including articles on science, nature, and geography, usually with a religious slant. Earlier titles for this magazine were The Golden Age (1919–1937) and Consolation (1937–1946). Until 2005, Awake! was published on the 8th and 22nd of each month; from 2006 onwards, one issue is published each month. It is available in 81 languages. What Does the Bible Really Teach?, (2005) the textbook used to conduct Bible studies. It is available in 176 languages. Keep Yourselves in God's Love (2008), used for Bible studies with people who have completed What Does the Bible Really Teach? Criticism and controversies Jehovah's Witnesses have attracted criticism over issues surrounding their Bible translation, doctrines, their handling of sexual abuse cases and what is claimed to be coercion of members. Biblical criticisms The Watch Tower Society has been criticised for its refusal to reveal the names and academic credentials of the translators of its New World Translation of the Bible. The society has claimed members of the translation committee wished to remain anonymous in order to exalt only the name of God, whileThe Watchtower said the educational qualifications of the translators were unimportant and that "the translation itself testifies to their qualifications". However former Governing Body member Raymond Franz has claimed that only one member of the translation committee had sufficient qualifications for the task. Some Bible scholars have noted that the translation of certain texts may be biased in favour of certain Witness practices and doctrines and theologians have also criticised the translators' insertion of the name Jehovah 237 times in the New Testament in places where the term is not used in the extant Greek manuscripts. Watch Tower publications have said the name was "restored" on a sound basis, particularly when New Testament writers used the Greek Kyrios (Lord) when quoting earlier Old Testament scriptures that contained the Tetragrammaton. The translation has also been criticised for favouring literalist interpretation over the poetic qualities of original texts. Doctrinal criticisms The Watch Tower Society has made various predictions about the coming of Armageddon and Christ's millennial reign, raising expectations of their imminence in the years leading up to 1914, 1925, and 1975. As a result, the organization has been accused of making false predictions. These accusations focus on the Watch Tower Society's claims to be God's "prophet organisation" – and its expectation that members should place unwavering trust in its predictions – while at the same time accusing other religions of being false prophets. Former Witnesses have criticised the Watch Tower Society for altering doctrines that had been previously claimed to be "the truth" and for abandoning teachings, many involving Bible chronology, that it had earlier claimed to be beyond question. Watch Tower Society publications counter that there can be only one truth, hence only one true religion. It says its explanations of Bible prophecy are not infallible and that its predictions were not claimed as "the words of Jehovah". It admits some of its expectations have needed adjustment because of its eagerness for God's Kingdom, but that those adjustments are no reason to "call into question the whole body of truth". Social criticisms Former Governing Body member Raymond Franz claims the religion's emphasis on its "theocratic" organization is designed to exercise control over all aspects of the lives of Jehovah's Witnesses and condition them to think it is wrong for them to question statements by the Watch Tower Society. Watch Tower literature warns against the "dangers" and "infection" of "independent thinking", such as questioning the counsel it provides and warns Witnesses against studying the Bible, either alone or in small groups, without the Society's direction through its literature. Critics including Franz claim that the Watch Tower Society's firm discouragement of members to read criticism of the organization or scriptural material published by other religions creates a form of mental isolation that has been cited as an element of mind control. Watch Tower publications claim "true Christians ... have always considered participation in the preaching work to be a matter of loyalty to God and a fundamental requirement of their faith", and that God appreciates the efforts of those who are limited by old age and poor health. Raymond Franz and others have described the Watch Tower Society's continual admonitions to Witnesses that they devote increasing amounts of time to door-to-door preaching as coercive pressure under the false belief that it follows a pattern set by Jesus and the apostles. Medical and legal commentators have also noted cases of Witness medical patients being coerced to obey the religion's ban on blood transfusions. Handling of sexual abuse allegations Critics such as Silentlambs have accused Jehovah's Witnesses of employing organizational policies that make the reporting of sexual abuse difficult for members. Some victims of sexual abuse have asserted that they were ordered by local elders to maintain silence so as to avoid embarrassment to both the accused and the organization. Since May 2002 the Watch Tower Society has instructed elders to report allegations of child abuse to the authorities where required by law to do so, even where there was only one witness and changed policy to ban any person guilty of sexual abuse from receiving any responsibility inside the organization. Unless considered by the congregation elders to demonstrate repentance, such a person is typically disfellowshipped. The Watch Tower Society describes child abuse as "abhorrent" and instructs elders to investigate all allegations of child abuse and take congregational action if there is sufficient evidence. If there is not sufficient evidence, elders are required to report the matter to authorities and to their local Watch Tower branch office. It says victims of abuse have the "absolute right" to report allegations to authorities. (Wikipedia)	i don't know
A nide is a brood or nest of which type of birds?	Palomar Audubon Society covey of pheasants (on the ground) nide of pheasants (on the ground) nye of pheasants (on the ground) bouquet of pheasants (when flushed) flight of pigeons	Pheasant
A Munro, of which there are 283, is a Scottish mountain which is over how many feet high?	ABCs of Animal World: Names of Animal Nests Names of Animal Nests What do you call the different nest of animals? The nest of a Badger is called a “Sett”. Image Source A Sett is a Badger’s den that usually consists of a network of tunnels that can accommodate 15 or more animals, with up to 300 meters of tunnels and as many as 40 openings. It takes many years for the animals to dig these large Setts. The tunnels are usually between 0.5 to 2 meters beneath the ground, and they incorporate larger chambers used for sleeping or rearing young. The nest of a Beaver is called a “Lodge”. Image Source Lodges are created from severed branches and mud. The Beavers cover their lodges late every autumn with fresh mud, which freezes when the frost sets in. The mud becomes almost as hard as stone. The lodge has underwater entrances to make entry nearly impossible for any other animal. The nest of an Eagle is called an “Eyrie”. Eyries are large structures that are much larger the size of the bird and these are often used for many years. The nest of a Hare is called a “Form”. Forms are shallow depressions or flattened nest of grass built and used by Hares. The nest of a Pheasant is called a “Nide”. A Nide is a brood or nest build by Pheasants. The nest of a Squirrel or Ringtail Possum is called a “Drey”. Drey is the nest of a Squrrel. It is built outside (as opposed to cavity). They will make their own Dreys but sometimes will occupy a vacant Drey. The nest of a Wasp is called a “Vespiary”. The nest of a Wasp is unique. They are made of paper-like materials. See also	i don't know
In a summer 2010 market trial, UK pub-chain Brakspear's launched free in-pub what?	The News Newspaper - Issue 113 by The News Newspaper - issuu VICTORIA CAR HIRE UK UK Self Drive £105 per week Fully inclusive No hidden extras Delivery & Collection Gatwick Airport only Tel: 0044 1293 432155 Fax: 0044 1293 402600 issue 113 Speed curbs to cut oil bill p3 Government introduces energy savings package - speed limit cut from Monday 7th, highway lighting halved Middle East - World News Libya on the brink British prime minister David Cameron and other Western leaders were yesterday on the brink of ordering military action against Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, amid fears he would use chemical weapons against his own people. Mr Cameron told MPs that the world could not stand by and that Britain and her allies were considering using fighter jets to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, patrolling and shooting down Libyan aircraft attacking protesters. The Pentagon announced that America was “repositioning forces” around Libya, and the French announced they would back a possible military intervention with Nato partners. It is believed that Gaddafi has up to 14 tons of chemicals needed to create mustard gas, stored in secret secure facilities in the desert. The vast majority of Britons have now been evacuated and the evacuation of foreign nationals was expected to be largely completed yesterday (Tuesday). Britain has announced emergency plans to freeze the regime's assets in The situation on Libya's border with Tunisia had reached crisis point on Tuesday, as tens of thousands of foreigners fled the chaotic situation there. Tel: 951 713 626 or 633 433 313 www.amigoprop.com Private Health Insurance From 49€ per month Funeral Plans Easy payment options, from 53€ per month 952 010 136 €15 * Drinks not included 1pm to 4pm Urb. La Montua C/ Chorreadero 39 29601 Marbella. 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By Kym Wickham [email protected] On Saturday morning we went with a friend to the over 50s exhibition in Torremolinos. unfortunately, we only found out about it ourselves on Friday afternoon due to the glaring lack of publicity but oﬀ we went and it was quite good as it turned out. There were quite a few health related stands (to do with blood pressure, hearing diﬃculties etc.) but there were also a few in respect of holidays and cruising that were very interesting and on the ground floor of the hall were some jewellery, ethnic clothing and food stalls. The stallholders were bemoaning the fact that very few Brits were turning up and contemplating whether it would be worth having a stall at any future events. Organisers take note then - if you want Brits to know about something and turn up – you have to let them know that it's on! let us know what you've got coming up and we can let over 50,000 people know each week. call 952 454 491 and speak to one of us or email [email protected] On Saturday evening we attended a retirement 'do' at the Tamisa Hotel for a fabulous lady called Georgina Shapiro. Georgie, as everyone calls her, has been the owner of the Jacaranda care Home in Alhaurin de la Torre. One of our girl’s dad stayed there for a while when he was over here and, when the time came to go back to the uK, he seriously didn't want to leave such was the standard of care he had received. So, good luck Georgie with whatever you do from all of us here at The news. Flamenco A photographic exhibition by Alberto Schommer, well known for his work examining the history of Spain. The exhibition looks at the complexities of Flamenco Centro Cultural de San Pedro Until March 11th rough e Eyes of Two Women II www.thenewsonline.es A second photographic exhibition by Ann Read and Bev Sheehan An exhibition of work by Malaga based artist Jose Medina Galeote ART Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in ExhIbITIon Coin Convento Opens Thu March 3rd See Out and About Until March 20th CAC Malaga continued from FRONT PAGE Libya on the brink Reporters at the scene said aid workers were unable to cope, with new refugees pouring in as quickly as others crossed over. A spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Melissa Fleming, said 70,00075,000 people have fled to Tunisia since violence began in Libya on February 20th. About 2,000 people are crossing into Tunisia every hour but once in Tunisia many of them have nowhere to go. Another 20,000 are said to be backed up on the Libyan side. Most are Egyptian, but there are also significant numbers of Chinese and Bangladeshis. Meanwhile, reports were coming in that Muammar Gaddafi was attempting to regain control of rebel areas in western Libya even as he told told Western journalists his people loved him, denying reports of protests in Tripoli. In an interview, Gaddafi accused Western countries of abandoning Libya and said that they had no morals and wanted to colonise the country. Asked if he would resign, he said he could not step down as he did not have an official position - and insisted that the power in the country was with the people. He also said true Libyans had not demonstrated but those who had come on to the streets were under the influence of drugs supplied by Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network. He said those people had seized weapons and that his supporters were under orders not to shoot back. After the interview, the US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said the fact he was laughing at questions while "slaughtering his own people" showed that he was disconnected from reality. Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has obtained promises of hefty investments during his visit to Qatar on Sunday and the United Arab Emirates on Monday. In other developments: -Austria has frozen assets of the Libyan leadership worth 1.2bn and Germany has frozen the bank account of one of Col Gaddafi's sons The latter recently bought the Cepsa petrol company for 4.8 billion dollars and invested 3.9 billion in Spain in 2009. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, told the PM that his country will contribute €150 million to the capitalization of the country's savings bank, as well as contracts for €1.4 billion with Spanish companies. -There are reports of long queues in Tripoli banks as people tried to collect the 500 dinars (£250) promised by the government in an attempt to quell the unrest -Protesters took to the streets in the Gulf state of Oman for a third day on Monday to call for political reforms. The new protests came a day after Oman's ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said promised to create more jobs. Until now, Oman had mostly been spared the unrest which has affected other Arab states in recent months. The oldest independent state in the Arab world, Oman has been ruled by Sultan Qaboos since he seized power from his father, Sultan Said bin Taimur, in 1970. WEATHER WEATHER The PM has been criticised for visiting two countries ruled by authoritarian monarchies, just as other Arab countries are trying to throw off the yoke of dictatorships. Sr Zapatero justified the visits, saying he was trying to diversify the Spain's supply sources of oil. If the situation does not worsen, Sr Zapatero is due to visit Tunisia on Wednesday together with Defence Minister Trinidad Jimenez but this had not been confirmed at press time. WEEKLY WEAThER FoRECAST FoR CoSTA DEL SoL MALAGA TODAY 1956 Morocco declared independence from France Measures to lower energy bill announced The government responded to rising oil prices with a flurry of measures over the weekend. On Friday the Cabinet approved the temporary reduction of the speed limit on 8,800 kilometres of national highways from 120 kph to 110 kph, which will reduce the country’s oil bill by €1.5 billion a year, according to the Industry Ministry. Another measure will reduce fares on local train services by five per cent to encourage more people to use them. The mixture of biodiesel in fuel will also be raised from 5.8 per cent to seven per cent, which will knock another €160 million a year off the oil bill. Spain imports more than 80 per cent of its energy, just under a quarter of it from Libya. Last year the total oil bill was €25.5 billion, an increase of 40 per cent over the previous year. The measure will mean replacing 6,000 traffic signals throughout the ews n N THE EWS the MEDIA MEDIA GROUP GROUP country at an undisclosed cost. Highway lighting halved On Sunday, public works minister Jose Blanco announced a cut of 50% of the lighting on national highways, which would produce a saving of €12.6 million a year. Industry minister Miguel Sebastian said critics of the measures should bear in mind that the government campaign to replace conventional light bulbs with low consumption ones has saved enough electricity to light every home and street in a city the size of Seville. The government gave free low consumption bulbs to more than 22 million households in 2009 and 2010. Meanwhile, the Spanish Highway Association (AEC) has said that reducing the lighting on highways could be dangerous be cause it may cause very serious accidents. The criticism FUJIMA MFX Tel: (0034) 952 45 44 91 Fax: (0034) 952 45 44 41 The News is a free and independent newspaper distributed weekly and edited by The Coin News Group S.L. The News is independent of political parties, private interests and/or government. Our policy is to provide readers with a news and information service that is fair, accurate and balanced. The Coin News Group S.L. accepts no responsibility for the claims or content of any letter, editorial, article, advertorial or advertisement. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. The News Media Group Deposito Legal: GR 2794-2008 PRiCEs iNCLUDE fiTTiNG aND Tax “mf” moDELs aRE maiNTENaNCE fREE D.i.Y moDELs 7000 - € 335 9000 - € 365 12000 - € 4 0 5 INCLUDES BRACKETS, TUBES & ENGLISH INSTRUCTIONS. READY GASSED NO VACUUM PUMP NEEDED - EASY PEASY! UK s ChEqUE ED aCCEPT The road is NOW OPEN and sO arE WE! Plants, Compost, Garden Furniture, Fruit trees, Pots, etc GREETINGS CARDS, HELIUM BALLOONS, PARTY DECORATIONS 2010 fUjima-ToshiBa mfx NoW WiTh fREE aiR ioNisER!! oNLY 75cm WE DO NOT EMPLOY SALESMEN BUT BIG JOHN WILL CALL TO MEASURE UP AND SHOW YOU THE AIRCONS. HE WILL ONLY TAKE UP 15 MINS OF YOUR TIME. OUR FITTERS ARE ENGLISH AND WILL MAKE A NEAT AND TIDY JOB IN ABOUT 2½ HOURS. PHONE JOHN NOW saving measures would be announced later this week. He said he and industry minister will be meeting regional and municipal authorities to discuss how to alter the ingrained consumption habits of the Spanish people. Luxury, whisper quiet aircons that never need servicing and at guaranteed low prices! C/ Vicario nº34-36, 2nd Floor - Oﬃce C 29100 Coin (Malaga) Executive Editor: Kym Wickham design and layout: Damian Merino advertising manager: Geoﬀ Heading advertising sales: Susan Kerrigan Charlotte Fleming accounts: Carol Livermore Contributors / Colaboradores: Martin Delfín - Cathy Stronach Pete Woodall - Andrea Maclean Mike Kerrigan - Muriel Pilkington Ricky Leach - Amy Thomas Deputy PM Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said on Sunday that more energy- CoLD WiNTER - fiT oUR aiRCoN aND GET haLf PRiCE hEaTiNG! THE NEWs mEdIa GrOUP The Coin News Group S.L. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.thenewsonline.es was echoed by the main opposition party, the Partido Popular. The PP’s spokesman on Parliament’s Road Safety Committee said that the individual will now responsible for safety on the roads. His Socialist Party counterpart admitted that it was “recommendable to have well lit highways” and said a balance between saving energy and road safety would be sought. 7000 B.T.U.* €695 €595 9000 B.T.U. €745 €645 12200 B.T.U. €795 €695 British Thermal Unit CUT YoUR ELECTRiCiTY BiLL! the party people!! sT PaTrICK’s daY, THUrsdaY marCH 17TH Cards aNd GIFTs NOW IN sTOCK Cakes made to order and Royal Mail Post service now available fancy dress can be ordered Upstairs Opp. Dunnes Stores. Las Rampas Fuengirola. 696 818 595 All our airconditioners provide heating at very low cost. Because they operate via a heat pump, they use less than half the electricity of oil-filled radiators or other electric heaters. John will explain! THE NEW 2010 MODEL FUJIMA FEATURES 1. Integral ioniser cleans,freshens and removes odours. 2. Built-in de-humidifier sucks moisture from all rooms in your home. 3. Galvanised outside unit to prevent rust in coastal areas. 4. Large airflow temperature range 12º to 38º. 5. Time clock, remote control and thermostat all included. 6. Last but not least - these top machines do not need servicing every year. FACT: No other air conditioner has all these features! LOW PrICE GUaraNTEE: If you ﬁnd any other company selling a similar product cheaper (it must be the same B.T.U. output and no maintenance) we will match the price on the spot and give you €50 Going strong since 1973 Bistro go to www.lesliesbistro.com for details of our James Bond Night! Friday fish n’ chips - buy 1 for €7.95 & get the 2nd half price Saturdays - 2 Steak Dinners and a bottle of wine for €19.95 We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers during our refurbishment New Opening Hours from 8am for Leslie’s Breakfast - Food served all day Information & Reservations Tel: 952 112 123 2 minutes from La Trocha towards Cartama at Km 9 email:[email protected] WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Arms theft an inside job Police and Defence Ministry sources have said that the five or six men who stole 20 assault rifles and 10 pistols from the arsenal at the General Menacho military base in Badajoz on Sunday had help from an insider. They categorically denied any involvement by the Basque terrorist group ETA, or any other terrorist group. One hypothesis is that it was the work of an organised criminal gang of Albanians or other eastern Europeans. Another is that it was the work of a group of Spaniards with Portuguese criminals, given the closeness of the border with Portugal. The Guardia Civil is also on the trail of a group with similar characteristics who are based in Extremadura and Andalucia. An alarm on the double fence surrounding the base went off at 10.30 pm but the soldiers who went to investigate saw nothing out of the ordinary. A police source said that small animals frequently triggered the alarms on the fence. The second alarm went off two hours later, this time inside the base. A security patrol found the arsenal door had been forced and a military vehicle had apparently been used to transport the arms to the fence where they were transferred to another vehicle. Prince 10-year highway safety plan approved attends The government has approved a ten-year plan to reduce the number of road deaths by 37 per cent â€“ from the current 59 deaths per million inhabitants to 37 by the year 2020. military funeral The 2011-2020 Strategic Road Safety Plan also aims to reduce the number of child deaths caused by not using the obligatory safety seats and also the number of young drivers aged from Crown Prince Felipe presided over the official funeral held in Madrid on Sunday for the five men who were killed in an accidental explosion last Thursday at the Academy 18 to 24 who make up a quarter of the current weekend road death toll. This year 100 new radars will be installed on the country's highways and the installation of speed limiters in vehicles will be promoted. Other measures include asking companies to include road accident prevention in the in-house worker safety courses. of Engineers at Hoyo de Manzanares in the capital. The explosion happened during a practice session at dismantling mines. Three others survived. Sixteen soldiers had been practising with what should have been blank mines and both the Guardia Civil and the Army to investigating how live ones had ended up being used. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Protest against airport changes Some 5,000 airport workers, union representatives, firemen and technicians marched from Atocha railway station to the Puerta del Sol in Madrid last Saturday to protest against the planned privatisation of the capital's Barajas airport and Barcelona's El Prat airport. A spokesman for the General Workers Union (UGT) accused Public Works minister José Blanco of lying. “He told us a year ago that the privatisation would not be more than 30 per cent but now he's saying 49 per cent,” Raul Gomez said, adding “and it won't end there”. He also predicted that Palma de Mallorca and Malaga airports would be the next ones to be privatised, and more would follow. He said Sr Blanco would get his “propaganda machine” to blame the workers for “kidnapping the airports” the excuse the minister used to make the privatisation decision during the air controllers strike last December. The airport workers have threatened to go on strike during Easter week if the government does not “rectify its idea of privatising the Airports Authority which manages Spain's airports”. Meanwhile, the air controllers' union agreed after talks ended on Sunday to accept a cap on their salaries of €200,000 a year instead of €334,000 that many had been earning with overtime. In exchange they get a shorter working day, with a gradual reduction from 1,670 hours this year to 1,595 in 2013. Mallorca political party dissolves itself N The Unió Mallorquina (UM) party is to change its initials “because they have been stigmatised and criminalised by corruption”, its president, Josep Melia announced on the same day that two of its former top members were arrested in connection with the so-called Picnic corruption case. Former UM mayor of Palma de Mallorca, Cristina Cerdó, and the Mallorca regional government's sports councillor, Mateu Cañellas, ran an operation to capture members and eventual votes for three years. A number of so-called environmental guides were paid the equivalent of 12 salaries each per month to wine and dine about 3,000 people during that period. MADRID Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] Cigarette sales fall Tobacco sales have fallen by more than 32 per cent since the tougher anti-smoking law came into eﬀect on January 2nd, according to figures from the Treasury's Tobacco Industry Commission. For the first time, the number of packets sold in one month dropped under the 200-million benchmark to 194,770,461 in January. The National Smoking Prevention Committee (CNPT) said the sharp drop could be due to the fact that many bars and restaurants have removed their cigarette vending machines CASTELLON Death by slow poisoning The Guardia Civil have arrested a 54-year-old woman in Peñíscola, Castellón province, for allegedly poisoning her partner. She had been trying to claim his possessions, producing false documents to back her claim that she was legally married to him, after his death two weeks ago. Suspecting foul play, the Guardia ordered an autopsy which showed he had been ingesting small doses of a toxic substance which, they allege, the woman had been putting in his drinks until it finally killed him. MADRID DAVID’S 1000’s NEW & SECOND HAND ENGLISH BOOKS ANN’S BOOKS VAST SELECTION ENGLISH GREETINGS CARDS UK PASSPORT RENEWAL Forms & service with a smile ANN’S BOOKSHOP DAVID’S BOOKSHOP Francisco Cano 49 Los Boliches Tel/Fax 952 588 685 Bonanza Sq. (upper level) opp Supersol, Benalmadena Tel/Fax 952 564 279 Latin Kings gang boss jailed A Madrid court has sentenced the leader the Latin Kings gang and his two “lieutenants” to jail sentences of four years, two years and three years respectively. Eric Javier Vara Velastegui, from Ecuador, was already in prison but prosecutors said he had continued to run the gang while inside. The Latin Kings appeared in the US in the 1940s Chicago and later spread through the US and South America. Most of its members in Spain are immigrants from South America. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in On ThiS dATE in sony and Phillips introduced the compact disc Minister steps down in row over contacts N "This was not a moral decision, but a political one. The voice of France was no longer audible, because Michele Alliot-Marie had become the object of an unjust campaign." She will be replaced by defence minister Alain Juppe, 65, who previously served as foreign minister and prime minister in the 1990s. In 2004, he was convicted of mishandling public funds. Just hours after the minister stepped down, Mr Fillon announced on Monday that France is to send two planes of aid to opposition territory in Libya: He told France's RTL radio: "In a few hours two French planes will leave for Benghazi on behalf of the French government with doctors, nurses, medical equipment and medicine." He added that it would be the start of a Two Danish crew members were also captured during the attack. The spokesman told reporters that the ship sent a distress signal on February 24th and that it had now been confirmed that the sailboat was hijacked by pirates and was apparently being taken to Somalia. The Danes are the second group of noncommercial sailors seized by pirates in recent weeks. A group of Americans was seized earlier in February, and four of them were IN BRIEF send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] massive humanitarian aid operation to the populations of liberated areas. He also said France had not ruled out backing a Nato-enforced "no-fly zone" over Libya. the government has removed 13 oﬀences from the list of 68 crimes punishable by death. Anti-death penalty campaigners said this would not lead to a significant fall in the numbers of criminals executed because the oﬀences were all economic crimes for which the death penalty was rarely applied. it is not known how many people are executed every year - the figure is a state secret - but China is thought to execute more people than the rest of the world put together. brAzil Judge blocks Amazon Belo Monte dam Observers said that by sending aid to rebels in Libya, Paris now appears to be taking steps to ensure it is seen as supporting democratic change in the region. federal judge ronaldo Desterro has blocked plans to build a huge hydroelectric dam in the Amazon rainforest because environmental requirements had not been met. killed as the US Navy tried to rescue them. US forces say the pirates shot them. According to the EU's antipiracy naval force, as of last week pirates were holding a total of 31 vessels, and 688 hostages. Many of the vessels they target are cargo ships sailing near the Gulf of Aden - one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Analysts say the piracy industry is becoming increasingly lucrative - Got a story? Got pictures? Death penalty list reduced Somali pirates seize Danish children A Danish foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday that three Danish children aged between 12 and 16 and their parents have been snatched by pirates who hijacked their sailing boat in the Indian Ocean. EWS ChinA Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie (pictured) has resigned amid controversy over her contacts with the former Tunisian regime. She came under heavy fire for initially oﬀering French help to quell the uprising in Tunisia. Her position became increasingly untenable after subsequent revelations about her and her family's links to the regime of former President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, and the fact that she had taken a Christmas holiday in Tunisia during the uprising. Prime Minister Francois Fillon has insisted Ms Alliot-Marie had done nothing wrong. "She was not at fault," Mr Fillon said. www.thenewsonline.es Somali gangs recently hijacked a tanker with $200m worth of crude oil on board. International naval forces patrolling the area are becoming more willing to send in commando teams to free hostages, but the pirates also appear to be responding with increasing violence - two Philippine sailors were murdered last month by pirates angered at an attempted rescue. he also barred the national development bank, bnDEs, from funding the project. the dam is a cornerstone of President Dilma rousseﬀ's plans to upgrade the country’s energy infrastructure, but it has faced protests and challenges from environmentalists and local indigenous groups who say it will harm the world's largest tropical rainforest and displace tens of thousands of people. AfghAnistAn 14 killed at dog fight At least 14 people were killed on sunday by two bombs at a dog fight on the outskirts of Kandahar city, a police spokesman said. five policemen and 12 civilians were injured. no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the taliban regularly target large public gatherings. Dog-fighting competitions, which were banned under the taliban regime, are a popular pastime in Afghanistan. nato forces have been battling to take control of Kandahar from the taliban, whose heartland it is. COME AND LIVE WITH US IN THE GUADALHORCE VALLEY “WHERE PEACE, TRANQUILITY AND WELL BEING IS OUR BEST VALUE UNIQUE AND EXCLUSIVE OFFER TO RENT OR BUY INCLUDING: ACCOMODATION IN A FULLY FURNISHED & EQUIPPED APARTMENT ON-SITE MEDICAL FACILITIES 24 HOURS HOME ASSISTANCE ON CALL FITNESS CENTRE, GYM, SAUNA, JACUZZI, INDOOR POOL DAILY SHUTTLE INTO TOWN EVERYTHING YOU NEED AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!! DON’T DENY YOURSELF TO ENJOY THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY Visit our web Page at: WWW.SOLANDALUSI.COM Camino Cuesta del Palmar s/n - La Alqueria - 29130 Alhaurin de La Torre - Malaga - For Further information please call + 34 951 01 47 47 ask for Blanca WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Baby thefts trial starts FACTORY CLEARANCE! Jorge Videla and Reynaldo Bignone, two of the members of the Junta which ruled Argentina from 1976-83, have gone on trial, accused of overseeing the systematic theft of some 30 babies from political prisoners. The parents were then killed or "disappeared". Six others, including exofficers and a doctor, are also on trial. More than 100 children are known to have been given for adoption to military or police couples. The defendants are charged with "taking, retaining and hiding minors and changing their identities". The trial is focusing on the fate of at least 34 children who were born to mothers being held in the two main prisons used during military rule, the Naval Mechanics School, or Esma, and the Campo de Mayo military base. The case came to trial mainly due to the efforts of the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo human rights group, who have campaigned to find out what happened not only to their children but also their grandchildren. Videla, 85, has already been sentenced to life after being found guilty of crimes against humanity, while Bignone, 83, was given 25 years in jail last April after being convicted of human rights abuses. Human rights groups say 30,000 people died or disappeared during what became known as the Dirty War, and that at least 400 children were "stolen". The Grandmothers have identified dozens of children of people who disappeared during this time, but some of them have said they would rather not know their origins, especially if the information implicates their adoptive parents in illegal acts. ITALIAN LEATHER CORNER SOFA with cushion back - available in black, brown or ivory €895 to clear 150 X 190 / 150 X 200 quality mattress with base €260 We also have a large selection of memory foam beds. Also sofa and bed sale now on hurry, limited stock! BED SOFA & FURNITURE CENTRE Next to Sunshine Golf on Slip Road next to BP La Cala 637 431 006 WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Gibraltar News Big queues to Places to visit while on e Rock get in on Monday With all the shops in Spain closed for Andalucia Day on Monday, long queues were the order of the day for getting into Gibraltar, sparking off fresh protests from La Linea Town Hall. Spokesman Minister Maria Teresa Garcia Mellado of La Linea said that “the queues on Monday should give pause to the government.” She said that wealth was being left in the British Colony (all Gibraltar shops were open on Monday) and the only thing that La Linea gets is pollution and damage to the roads caused by the heavy traffic. “All this happens a few days before the Minister of Public Works, Jose Blanco, meets with officials of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces to discuss issues of movement, energy saving and pollution from vehicles,” she said. A long tailback took hours to get in and out of the Rock which was full of Spanish visitors as well as British. However, local Spanish workers later called on the Town Hall asking them to stop affecting relations with Gibraltar because of the impact for Spanish workers with employment on the Rock. Hughes visits Gib A memorial service for Hilary Wines, the former Liberal Democrat Mayor of Southwark was held in Gibraltar at the weekend attended by well known UK Liberal MP Simon Hughes who was a personal friend. During his vist, the MP, who is the third senior Lib Dem to visit the Rock, told local Liberal Party Leader Dr Joseph Garcia that more visits by Senior Lib Dems from the coalition Government are planned. They also talked about the Western Beach's polution problems and the fact that Spanish Guardia Civil vessels have been straying into Gibraltar waters. Gib Fuel Prices from Morrison’s Is it worth going to Gib with an empty tank? Usually the answer is yes! Unleaded per litre £0.989 (€1.19) Super unleaded £1.07 (€1.29) Diesel per litre £0.959 (€1.16) The exchange rate used by Morrisons is €1.21 to £1 and the prices are as at 4pm Tuesday February 22nd. When people think Gibraltar they more often than not think – apes. But Gibraltar is home to a wealth of plant life - palms and jacaranda, lavender and jasmine, clematis, honeysuckle, geraniums and bougainvillea live side by side with many rarer species including two, Gibraltar Candytuft and Gibraltar Sea Lavender, named after the Rock itself. Great efforts are continuously made to ensure that the Rock's natural environment is kept as unspoilt and beautiful for future visitors as it is today. A large area of the upper rock has been designated as a nature reserve and Gibraltar's famous public park, the Alameda Gardens, has recently been transformed into a new botanical garden to rival the best in the world. Opened in 1816, adjacent to a historic parade ground, the Alameda Gardens present a magnificent botanical collection. Mediterranean pines and olive trees form a canopy along with Dragon Trees and palms from the Atlantic Islands. Beds display flora, cacti and succulent plants from far off sub-tropical places including South Africa, the Where can I get my copy of e News in Gibraltar? Morrisons Latinos (in the square) Latinos (High Street) Gibraltar Arms Elliot Hotel Tourist Centre Newsagents - Albor (Ocean Village) Newsagents - Ocean Village Express ICC Centre Bianca’s (Ocean Village) We will be adding to this list week by week and will let you know where any new drop-off points are on this page. Far East, Australia and California. In this oasis, a spectacular amphitheatre has been restored to its former glory and is open on special occasions for concerts and stage shows. Guided tours are available by arrangement. For further information please contact: The Gibraltar Botanical Gardens The Alameda, Red Sands RoadTel: (+ 350) 200 72639Fax: (+ 350) 200 74022E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gibraltargardens.gi If, however, you're more interested in things military then the Gibraltar Museum is a must. It is centrally located within the City of Gibraltar, just one minute walking distance from the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned in Main Street and covers all aspects of the rock's military and natural history. Situated in Bomb House Lane, the Gibraltar Museum houses the bestpreserved Moorish Bath House in Europe. The Museum contains a rich collection of artefacts, weapons, medals, costumes, coins and postage stamps, together with a magnificently detailed old model of the Rock, constructed by officers of the Royal Engineers in 1865. Of particular interest is the outstanding collection of natural history, with specimens presented against realistic backgrounds. A fifteenminute film showing the history of Gibraltar is included in the entrance price.The galleries cover a wide range of subjects, from the geological origins of the Rock in the Jurassic Period around 200 million years ago to the present day. Next visit the Moorish Baths, one of the more unique rooms, which portrays the Islamic history of Gibraltar. View a large-scale model of the Rock in 1865 and compare it to the Rock of today. There is also a large collection of photographs displaying spectacular episodes of the North African operations during the Second World War, the construction of the naval dockyards or life in the nineteenth century. Not to be missed is the Great Siege of Gibraltar TOURIST OFFICES Tourist offices in Gibraltar are located in Casemates Square, the Airport Arrivals Hall, the coach terminus and the cruise terminal and at the frontier. Main Tourist Administration Office Duke of Kent House Cathedral Square, Tel: +350 20074950 e-mail: [email protected] The Gibraltar Tourist Board also operates in London at: Gibraltar Government Office150 Strand,London WC 2R 1JA.Tel: +44 (0) 207 836 0777 email: [email protected] Note: Gibraltar phone numbers consist of eight digits. When phoning from within Gibraltar just dial the eight digits.When phoning from the Costa del Sol and the rest of Spain precede the number with 9567. When phoning from abroad precede the number with the international dialling code which is 00350. exhibition and an art gallery in honour of Gibraltar’s most famous painter, Gustavo Bacarisas. Following from here there is a large room which has been converted into a cave in which can be seen some of the spectacular prehistoric discoveries which have made the Rock famous. Complete your tour with a display of Gibraltar’s unique Natural History, from the spectacular bird migrations to the marine life, which abounds around its shores. There is much to see in the museum and an entire morning or afternoon can be spent browsing through the exhibits. Relax in the peaceful gardens of the museum and enjoy a coffee or refreshment or perhaps a local dish from the restaurant’s cuisine. For further information contact: The Gibraltar Museum 18/20 Bomb House Lane, P.O. Box 939.Tel: (+ 350) 200 74289Fax: (+ 350) 200 79158 E-mail: [email protected] PR E-mail: [email protected] Website:www.gib.gi/mu seum Gibraltar 2011 Bank Holidays January 1st New Year's Day March 14th Commonwealth Day April 22nd Good Friday April 25th Easter Monday May 2nd May Day May 30th Spring Bank Holiday June 13th Queen's Birthday Aug. 29th Summer Bank Holiday Sept. 12th Gibraltar National Day Dec. 25th Christmas Day Dec. 26th Boxing Day WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the UK News Wills and Kate Trips launch lifeboat to cost more Prince William and Kate Middleton carried out their first public engagement together last week when they launched the new Treardurr lifeboat named “Endeavour”. The village in Anglesey, North Wales is known to the couple, who said they welcomed having been allowed to live in peace in recent months by the locals while Prince William is serving at RAF Valley, and that they wished to give something back to the community. The boat's crew demonstrated some of the rescue capabilities to the couple and lifeboat station guests. Aubrey Diggle, the lifeboat's operations manager, said: "It's an honour to have Prince William and Miss Middleton at our naming ceremony. Naming a new lifeboat is always a special occasion for the charity where we can thank our supporters and fundraisers. Having the royal couple there will make the day even more memorable for the whole community." Holiday operator Thomas Cook announced yesterday (Tuesday) that a £160 fuel charge will be levied on the cost of a long haul family holiday, because of rising oil prices. The company blamed a 40 per cent rise in the cost of plane fuel in a year for the £40 per person surcharge. The surcharge applies to journeys of more than seven hours, and will hit trips to the US and Australia. Short haul trips of less than three hours, mainly to Spain and Portugal, will cost a family of four an extra £60, or £15 per head. Those heading off on a middle distance flight to countries like Greece and Turkey will find that they will have to pay an extra £25 per person. The rises hit all holidays booked from yesterday. In the meantime petrol prices in the UK have topped £1.30 a litre for the first time. Going to the 2012 Olympics? If you're thinking of buying tickets for the 2012 London Olympics, which have to be applied for from March 15th until April 26th, be aware that you will only be able to buy them with a Visa card – no other cards are being allowed. On top of that, if you do get a ticket and need to withdraw money from any of the ATMs in the stadia you will have to use either a Visa credit, debit or pre-paid card, again, no other cards will work. If you are successful in getting a ticket, payment will be taken between May 10th and June 10th but be aware that you are entering into a contract to purchase what you ask for so if you ask for 50, you'll be paying for fifty that you may not be able to sell on – rare but possible in today's economic climate. If you have a UK address certain retailers such as Boots, M&S and Tesco are offering 0% interest until April 2012 plus cashback on any purchases you make, so you could make money on the tickets as well. The AA is touting a Visa Egg credit card which gives you reward points on anything you purchase, such as the tickets, and also double points on the fuel you put in your car while you're there. However, be aware that if you don't pay off the full amount before the due date or when the 0% interest rate runs out, they revert to their usual interest rates and you could end up out of pocket. Many cards give you good interest rates so it pays to shop around but, because of the restrictions Visa have confirmed that pre-paid Visa cards will be made available so, like you can top-up your prepay phone, you can do the same with a Visa card. Virgin offers one for as little as £9.95 that can be pay-as-you-go that incurs a 2.95% transaction fee, or you can top up with a monthly amount. Why has this been allowed? Because Visa are the official sponsor of the games and this carries on until the summer Olympics of 2020. However, all is not lost as if you haven't already got a Visa card there are some really good interest rates being offered at the moment that you could take advantage of and still get your card before the tickets go on sale. If you do decide to get a prepaid card, you may want to hold onto it. Once the Games begin, Visa will be the only form of payment other than cash that will be accepted at Olympic venues. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 10 n Inland & Coastal News Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es 1983 the final episode of TV show M.A.S.H was watched by 125,000,000 viewers How to beat those scam gas inspectors The increasing number of reports about irregular gas inspectors has forced the Junta de Andalucia to issue an alert about the companies active in the province, especially in Nerja and Marbella. These unofficial inspectors are targeting two vulnerable groups – old people and foreigners – and usually end up relieving their victims of between €200 and €300 for “maintainence” work that probably was not even necessary. The News spoke to Repsol, the official maintenance company, which advises people not to let anyone claiming to be a gas inspector into their homes. Repsol said people who have had one of their official inspections will receive a letter four years and nine months later, advising them that the next inspection is due in three months. The letter will give them a telephone number to ring to arrange an appointment. “We never just turn up on your doorstep,” the Repsol spokesman said. In Malaga province, the inspection costs €61.03 (to be paid in cash) – a little more if a part has to be replaced, but the Repsol inspector will not replace anything unnecessarily, the spokesman said. Many people have never had a Repsol check because they think the men that just turn up are official, and the spokesman advised them to get a proper Repsol Guardia launch special unit in Strait heading Deputy PM Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba was in Cadiz last week to launch the Rio Segura, the Guardia Civil’s biggest search-and-capture boat which will start fighting drug and people traffickers in the Strait in April, together with the smaller Rio Miño, already in service. Both boats are part of the Guardia’s new Strait Maritime Group which will work out of Cadiz. Ships belonging to the Guardia’s regular Maritime Service have been patrolling off Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia since 2007 to try to stem illegal migrants from those countries setting out on the dangerous crossing to the Canary Islands. That operation has been a resounding success, with the lowest number ever of migrants arriving there last year. However, its success ADVERTISING FEATURE Head for the highway and take your holiday home with you! Go European Ltd have made it possible to hire a 6 berth luxury model Motor home with all the latest European specifications and safety features, and pick it up either in the UK or Spain for a touring holiday or one way hire. This gives you more time to enjoy the delights of southern Spain and France in the most leisurely way possible. No more trying to find a place to stay last thing at night now you can take your lounge complete with TV/DVD, your dining room and your bedroom with you and pull in when and where takes your fancy, if you want to stay longer at a particular spot then you can. We will pick you up at the closest airport to our depots and after a brief instruction to familiarise you with the vehicle you will be on your way. All vehicles are equipped with TV/DVD, Awning, Bike Rack, crockery, cutlery and bedding, so all you have to bring are your holiday clothes. Not only will this appeal to the holiday maker who would like to spend more time in southern Spain and France by not spending time driving both ways , but also for those who would prefer not to fly, or would like to bring their pets , yes they are pet friendly, or even would like to bring more luggage than the airlines would allow. For four/six people this is a truly economical way to travel. Call us for a quote and availability either Spain 0034 952 932 276 or UK 0044 (0)1527 850 585 [email protected] www.camperhirespain.com www.goeuropean.co.uk ST PATRICK’S DAY CARDS AND DECORATIONS C/ El Troncon, 14 behind the main Fuengirola Post Oﬃce Tel. 952 588 731 has diverted the people and drug traffickers to the Strait of Gibraltar which was seen as an easier smuggling route. As a result, the Guardia’s new unit will focus on the Strait. check now. If you do not speak Spanish well enough to handle a phone call, get a friend who does to call 901 100 100 to help you make an appointment. You will then have a Repsol receipt to show the next bogus gas inspector. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 Inland & Coastal News n 11 news Your outlook on the World the Spain’s only Miss Universe dies Actress Amparo Muñoz has died at her home in Malaga on Sunday after a long illness. She was 56. She won the Miss Costa del Sol and Miss Spain titles in 1973 and won the Miss Universe title the following year in the Philippines. However, she relinquished the title six months later after refusing to go to Japan. She took up acting and made several films, one of them with Carlos Saura, then Spain’s best known director. Ms Muñoz went to the Philippines in 1983 to attend the country’s film festival at the invitation of the then president, Ferdinand Marco. She stayed several years, but left the country before she was tried and sentenced to four years on a drugsrelated charge. She was again arrested in Barcelona in 1989 for possessing heroin, but was not sentenced. By then, the media had learned of her drug addiction and Most wanted arrested in Malaga The National Police have arrested one of the UK’s most wanted criminals – Dean Lawrence Rice – in Alhaurin just two days after his picture appeared in the media last week as part of the latest Crimestoppers campaign. Rice, 49, a native of Exeter, had been sentenced to life in 2006 for kidnapping one of his former employees. While on the run, he had also used the aliases Dean Borton and Steven Greenfield. He had been living as a recluse and barely left his house, but was recognized after his photo was published. The Special Response Group against Organized Crime stormed his house and arrested him on February 23rd. Rice was the second wanted criminal to be apprehended in 48 hours after publication of the list of Britain's 10 Most Wanted. Dutchman Everardus Wijtvliet,jailed for drugs offences, was captured on Tenerife. brushes with the law Ms Muñoz never spent a night in jail. Married three times, in 2005 Ms Muñoz published her memoir – La vida es el precio (Life is the price). +6%'0 '5+)05 19411/ 9+6 18'4 #07(#%674'& +0 -+6%'05 ,756 61 +052+4' '4/#0; 9+6 56700+0) 37#.+6; +0+5* .#55+% 61 %#0&+0#8+#0 /1&'40 4+%'5 !#6'8'4 ;174 $7&)'6 740+0) "174 &4'#/5 061 4'#.+6; +&'#5 claimed she had Aids, which she denied. Ms Muñoz appeared in court again in 1990 for not paying bills at the Malaga Palacio Hotel and the Oropesa National Parador in Toledo. Despite her N Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] MALAgA Blood needed for Easter To make sure there is enough blood in stock for Easter, when demand tends to rise, the Regional Blood Transfusion Centre (CRTS) is once again appealing to university students. in the first campaign at the university of Malaga last year, 2,416 students gave blood, 1,208 of them for the first time. From March 1st until Easter week, CRTS professionals and dozens of volunteers will be on campus hoping that even more students will respond to the appeal this time around. FuENgiRoLA One of top 20 tourist destinations The town is among the 20 most solicited tourist destinations, at position number 8, according to a study carried put by the website portal hoteles.com, tourism councillor José Sánchez announced last week. He added that Fuengirola’s hotels had also been considered among the best in Andalucia last year for their quality-price ratio, according to the hotel.info company website. He said the tourist return rate was “pretty high”, 54 per cent, supporting the town hall’s belief that its tourism policies are on target. 999 %1%+0#52.75 %1/ /#+. +0(1 161)4#0&' Martin Delfín Writes for the English language version of Overdue acknowledgement Parenting D uring last week's celebrations of the failed coup 30 years ago, Speaker José Bono had the guts to refer to one aspect of those long ago events which a lot of people – especially the Socialists – have preferred to ignore – the vile treatment dished out to Adolfo Suarez, which was one of the factors that led him to resign just three weeks before the coup attempt on February 23rd, 1981. Suarez was glaringly absent last week, because he's suffered from Alzheimer's for several years and can't even remember he was once the prime minister. T ogether with King Juan Carlos, Suarez dismantled the Franco regime, introduced many necessary political reforms and led the country into its first free post-dictatorship election, which he won. He then oversaw the drafting of the new Constitution, which was accepted by the people in a referendum held on December 6th, 1978. T he worst of the post-Franco years appeared to be over and that's when Suarez seemed to lose his way. There were still many aspects of Spanish life – legal and social – that needed to be reformed but Suarez just didn't seem to know what to do with the democracy he had helped to bring into the world. And the attacks came from all corners – from his own party as well as the Socialists, who had the smell of an election victory in their nostrils and wanted Suarez out of the way so that the election could be held even earlier than slated. Suarez's own party was a mish-mash of centre-right and centre-left Christian Democrats and Liberals who all felt they could govern better than he did. Overthrowing the government seemed to be the only way to dislodge Suarez from power so many politicians tacitly supported the military who were known to be planning a coup. M eanwhile, Suarez was treated with utter contempt by the likes of former PM Felipe Gonzalez, which is why José Bono got up in Parliament last week to regret the “pitiless” and “horrible” criticisms of the man “we would love to have here with us to acknowledge the courageous way he behaved during those terrible hours”. He said: “I am speaking in recognition of the worth of a man who cannot defend himself, cannot speak and who deserves our loudest applause this afternoon”. Election ploy O f course, Bono might have been laying the ground for his own shot at the top spot. Everyone is talking openly of who will succeed Zapatero – who is not expected to run for re-election next year. Deputy PM and interior minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba was a shoo-in, until the Partido Popular revived the scandal known as the Faisan case. Adolfo Suarez Faisan was the name of the bar where ETA sympathisers regularly picked up the money that had been collected for the terrorist group – some of it from “friends” but most of it from the “revolutionary tax” charged to Basque businessmen. “You pay this tax and we won't bomb your company or kill you or your family”. The security forces were about to raid the bar in early May 2006, hoping to catch the sympathisers red-handed, but the owner had been tipped off and warned them to stay away. The tip-off could only have come from someone inside the security forces or the interior ministry, which was in charge of the operation. Rubalcaba was interior minister at the time and didn't help matters by refusing all of the PP's demands for an “exhaustive investigation”. Rubalcaba is the man the PP is most afraid of, hence the revival of the Faisan case. T he other name being bandied about as Zapatero's successor is that of José Bono who lost the party leadership to him by nine votes at the party's annual meeting in September 2000. Bono, like Rubalcaba, says he does not aspire to the post but his recent utterings seem to indicate that he is trying to win over moderate Socialists – some three and a half million of whom are reportedly planning not to vote for Zapatero or any of his minions like public works minister José Blanco, who played a vital role in swinging the vote in favour of Zapatero in 2000. T hen we have defence minister Carme Chacon, who has hinted she may be interested in running in a primary to select her boss's successor. The biggest drawback here is that she's Catalan and the Catalans always put Catalonia above Spain. I doubt that many Spaniards would vote for a Catalan as PM but if they did, they would bitterly regret it. I think Spain is ready for a woman PM but a likely candidate does not immediately jump to mind. H owever, we have to get the municipal elections out of the way first – and the Socialists are really running scared, especially as it looks as if the PP may snatch Andalucia from them. But more about that next week. I t is impossible to present a plan in this country without some outlandish backlash of criticism. The other night I was listening to a journalist speak during a television panel debate about the government’s proposal that goes into effect on Monday to reduce the speed limit on highways from 120 kph to 110 kph. She complained that she had grown tired with prime minister Zapatero’s paternalistic government telling her what she can or cannot do. It reminded me of former Prime Minister José María Aznar’s similar gripe a few years back when the health ministry decided to order a popular US fast food chain to pull a calorie-filled, multi-layer burger for nutritional reasons. Aznar said that if he wanted to eat a burger high in fat and carbohydrates he should be able to do so without anyone telling him that he could not. As whacky or confusing as some laws may be, governments must enforce the rules and the citizens are obliged to obey them. T he jury is still out in my courtroom as to where this new speed limit law is going. Last Friday, the Cabinet decided to lower the maximum limit on highways as well as order a five per cent reduction in fares on all Renfe short- and middle-distance commuter trains in a bold effort to reduce energy consumption. The measures were announced as the nation prepares to deal with the impact from the soaring cost in oil prices fuel by the unrest in Libya . Drivers' associations say reducing the speed limit could cause more accidents on highways – another argument that I am not sure I understand. The Popular Party was quick to point out that the last person to change the speed limits was Franco during the Arab oil crisis of the 1970s. Other critics believe that the reduction is nothing more but a secret strategy for the government to generate more money by increasing traffic fines. It is difficult to understand how driving 10 kph less will save energy but apparently the Cabinet has on staff technicians who study these things. G asoline and diesel fuel prices in Spain are among the lowest in Europe but at the same time motorists here are some of the most abusive compared to the rest of the continent. In France, taxes make up 70 per cent of what you pay at the pump. When comparing the numbers of road fatalities, Spain ranks the fifth highest among European Union members. (Although fatalities are down from 8,837 in 1991 to 4,442 in 2005, according to a European Commission report issued in 2007.) Germany, with no limits on its highways, ranks first in the number of motor vehicle deaths. Driving slower may not save as much as €1.5 billion in oil exports, as the government stresses, but it will save lives. I f the Socialist administration really wants Spaniards to cutback on fuel consumption it should take even bolder steps such as hiking taxes on fuel and on the purchase of new vehicles (something it won’t do because it would mean that the beleaguered car dealerships will take more beatings); push to convince communities such as Madrid and Barcelona to begin charging fees for motorists entering the city; and educate citizens about the need to use environmentally friendly public transport systems. S paniards love their vehicles and it is going to take a lot of effort, and laws, to convince them not to take them out of the garage regularly. Many, of course, believe that such measures should not apply to them and will continue to carrying on in a rebellious mode. When people act like children, then maybe it is time that the government needs to step in and act like a parent. Doggy bag shortage E ver since the private company that provided Madrid dog owners free plastic bags to pick-up after their pets went broke earlier this year, there has been a massive shortage of sacks throughout the city. The local government has installed small dispensers at some sidewalk trash bins, but these are scarce. You have to look to find them and then hope that there are bags available. Some owners are taking more than their share, completely emptying the dispensers and leaving others to fend for themselves. Some enterprising groups are going around different parks, selling them at five cents per bag. The consequences are evident: sidewalks are a lot messier, pedestrians are barking at all pet owners, including the ones that clean up after dogs, and then there are the many dog lovers who refuse to comply with the law because they decline to hunt down the dispensers that in many cases are located far from their usual dog parks. There has to be better solutions. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Community “THE NEWS”WANTS TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS Is there something happening locally that you would like our readers to know about? Is your society or organization planning a fundraiser or special event? Contact us on [email protected] attended to Women’s World ousands by the Mijas Foreigners Day of Prayer Department in 2010 The Women’s World Day of Prayer will be held in St Andrew’s Church Los Boliches at 4:30pm on Friday March 4th. This year’s service has been written by the women of Chile, with the theme of ‘How Many Loaves Have You?’ Jean Hackett, president of the British National Committee of the Women’s World Day of Prayer, said: “This is always an exciting day as a great wave of prayer sweeps the world, beginning when the first service is held in Tonga and continuing around the world until the final service takes place some 35 hours later in neighbouring Western Samoa. By then the day will have been celebrated in over 170 countries.” Although organised and led by women, this is a day of prayer for everybody as women demonstrate their solidarity with their sisters and brothers in other countries, and all are welcome to attend. For further information about the service at St Andrews please contact the local organiser, Linda Hammond, on 952 494 184. And the winner is... The Royal British Legion, Coin Branch, held its annual photograph competition recently with over 40 entries on display and all members present taking part in the voting. The winning entry was from Charles Edwards who is pictured receiving the winner's trophy from Jo Taylor, chairman.The RBL Coin Branch are running a trip to Ronda on Wednesday March 23rd and a trip to Gibraltar on Thursday April 14th. Special interest groups include art, photography, cookery and dining groups that run monthly. For further details of events etc call Denise on 664 521 257. David By Pete Woodall The Mijas Foreigners Department has presented its annual report for 2010 the report shows that last year the department attended to some 19,833 foreigners, 10 per cent more than in 2009 (17,841). This was due mainly to the increase of enquiries by email and telephone. The people that consulted the department were divided into three groups: · attended personally in the office - 5,577 · by telephone - 8,034 · and by email - 6,222 The Foreigners Department is an information office for the foreigners that decide to live temporarily or permanently in the municipality of Mijas. General information is offered in 7 languages: Spanish, English, German, French, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish. In the main the nationalities that were attended to comprised of EU citizens; 10,736 British, 2,831 Germans, 2,750 Danes, 823 Swedes and 455 Dutch. The main queries were concerning payment of taxes, debts and embargoes, building licences and illegal builds, opening licences and 1st habitation licences. Further enquiries concerned the different departments of the Mijas Town Hall and the services offered by the Social Services Department. The Dogman The department has seen a marked increase by foreigners requesting information in their own language regarding their consumer rights pertaining to consumer complaints. The department can assist in such matters as well as giving general information on other administrative departments such as: the Traffic Department, Inland Revenue, National Police, Social Security and the Courts . Why cats scratch The Mijas Town Hall Foreign Residents Department was the first of its kind in Spain (March 1985) famous for its smile and ever present helpful attitude - it is considered by many to be an invaluable life line when living in Spain. It has been duplicated by many other municipalities since, especially where large concentrations of foreign residents reside. In Mijas 42 per cent of the inhabitants listed on the Padron are foreigners of over 120 different nationalities. You can contact the Mijas Town Hall Foreign Residents Department on 952 589 010 or [email protected] S K Estates Rare Opportunity! Raised ground floor apartment in Alessandra, Torreblanca, Fuengirola with own garden 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, lounge, kitchen and glassed-in terrace used as a dining room by the present owners Potential for holiday and long term letting Reduced from €99,000 to only €87,995 This apartment is sure to sell quickly so call now for an appointment to view Bargain of the year! 3 bedroomed house in Mula, Murcia right at the top of the town with fantastic views. Living room, dining room, big kitchen, bathroom and three bedrooms plus courtyard for barbecues and roof terrace. New electrics. This house is on a NO TRAFFIC road so is very safe for a family with children. Absolute bargain at €75,000 661 114 070 / 667 340 928 661 114 070 / 667 340 928 final part I have heard of two methods of stopping cats scratching wallpaper other than simply covering it. One is to bang in long nails into the wall above the scratches, and hang bits of string down so that the cat have to push their claws through the string. They don’t like this but then it’s not so good for the wall either! The second method is to get double sided sticky tape or wire netting or Prickler wall strips and put these on the floor, where the cat’s back legs are while it scratches. (You can’t really put this on the wall!) Thus the cat won’t be able to stand in the place and therefore cannot scratch. Remember to provide an alternative scratching area otherwise it will just scratch on wallpaper elsewhere. SCRATCHING OUTSIDE DOORS Cats scratch outside doors to get our attention. We then let them in. So scratching outside a door trains humans very well indeed. The only possible way to stop this will be stop rewarding the scratching, ie. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR. It will take two to three weeks minimum for the cat to learn that scratching doesn’t pay off. I have to say that I don’t think I could manage this, because I would weaken. This is going to take so much human self control that it will be difficult to manage. If it really matters to you, then buy some transparent thick plastic from a DIY store - the kind that covers carpets on heavily used walking areas. Tack this down in front of the door where the cat scratches. Then place double sided sticky tape on top of the plastic. Cats don’t like sticky surfaces. You could put tape directly on the carpet, if you are sure it won’t damage the carpet. A Cats Protection League supporter came up with the idea to attach to the bottom of the door a flap of wood/plastic on a piano hinge which folds upwards and is kept up with some kind of turnbuckle. When the flap is up, you can move the door. But when you are shutting the door, you let down the flap so that it covers the carpet next to the door – ie the cat will not have a carpet area to scratch. A secondary flap from the main flap turns outward to protect the area just at the side of the door, if needed. Strange.... but true! WALKING ON MANTLEPIECES ETC. To stop cats walking on mantlepieces, make seesaws from pencils and cardboard sheet. Booby trap one end with empty beer cans. The idea is to make the pencil the fulcrum with the cardboard on top of it. Cats dislike unstable surfaces. The beer cans are there so that they fall off with a clatter when the cat jumps on the other end of the cardboard. Or try putting cooking foil along the mantlepiece. Cats dislike walking on it. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es “THE NEWS”WANTS TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS Send letters to the editor as part of an e-mail text to [email protected] Wayne Hockenhull / Kelly Thirlwell Readers are well aware of the problems faced by our local animal charities and ‘protectores’ in dealing with abandoned animals and finding new homes for them so we are very pleased to be able to share with you the news of a very important inititative. The Director of El Paraiso Municipal pound, Manuel Tovar, with the support of the Alhaurin de la Torre Town Hall is introducing a special neutering programme aimed Pat Coleman FAMA the Foundation for Abandoned and Mistreated Animals would like to let all your readers know that we will be hosting the first of our Ladies Lunch and Fashion Shows for this year on Friday 11th March in Los Boliches. at helping animal charities rehome abandoned animals. El Paraiso has opened its doors to the animals from the closed down Parque de Animales in Torremolinos, and charities have already visited to see if they can help by taking some and finding them homes throughout Europe. Snr. Tovar knows that one of the main costs facing cashstrapped charities is that of neutering and as part of his efforts at El Paraiso to rehome C.H.A.I.N. as many animals as possible, he is to work with outside agencies to neuter animals free of charge. This means that representatives of the various charities can visit El Paraiso to identify which animals they can rehome without having to worry about finding the funds to pay for neutering them. This is early days but a very welcome step for all of us who, with El Paraiso, are so involved in animal welfare FAMA The fashion show starts at 12.00 noon and is accompanied by a three course lunch including a nice glass of wine for € 18.00 per person. These popular events are well organised and very enjoyable Stargazing By Ken Campbell If you would like to be kept up to date or take part in any of the events then go to www.kencampbell.info e Bull, the Twins and the Lion I’ve mentioned before that all of the constellations of the zodiac are actually real constellations that you can see in the night sky. with the proceeds going directly to the animal shelter but FAMA’s good work is in constant need of support so, if you're not busy on the 11th of March please give me, Pat Coleman a tinkle on 620 354 885 for more details on the venue and seat reservations. Event feature report Goodbye Georgie! Most of the 88 known constellations take a great deal of imagination to make out what they are meant to represent but there are a few of them that do actually resemble their namesake. And at this time of the year there are three of the signs of the Zodiac that can easily be identified. Taurus, Gemini and Leo do look a bit like what they are supposed to be; a bull, a set of twins and a lion. A party was held by one of the Costa’s great ladies last Saturday. Georgina Shapiro, dressed for the evening in a beautiful black taffeta gown with matching shrug, has retired from running the Jacaranda Care Home in Alhaurin el Grande to return to the UK to be with her husband Tony and her family. The event was held at the Tamisa Hotel where guests were greeted with glasses of champagne and canapes of wantons, tiny spring rolls and all manner of delicious delicacies. On entering the dining room Peruvian harpist Alex Espinola played some wonderful music while we dined on a sumptuous three course meal. Speeches followed with tributes from many quarters testifying to her achievments during the time she has lived on the Costa del Sol. Apart from being at the helm of Jacaranda, Georgie was the founder member of Age Care. She realised that contact for the elderly was almost nil here and set up a branch of Age Care that has been in constant demand ever since and she has been Pictured left: Tony & Georgina Pictured right: Iain & Martina its President for the last seven years. Georgie has also been involved in MABS, the cancer support group, in recent years and has been a godsend to many people who have found themselves, or a loved one, facing the disease. And just in case you thought she hadn’t got enough to do, Georgie also helped with the Diabetic Support Group and the Royal British Legion! Well known actress and songstress Polly Perkins sang “Georgia On My Mind” and a very fitting, specially adapted “I Am What I Am”. This was followed by an hilarious specially written Twelve Days of Springtime to the tune of the Twelve Days of Christmas from the Costa Chordbusters with such things as 9 zimmer frames, 8 bed pans and a bandage for a sore knee, each day being sung by a different table! A disco followed for everyone to burn off a few calories. The whole evening was a great tribute to a great lady who will be missed by so many on the coast. Georgie(pictured above left with husband Tony) was delighted to reveal that Martine and Iain Sands (on the right of the picture) are to take over Jacaranda, and they will be keeping up the excellent standard of care in the future that Jacaranda is renowned for. If you want to find them yourself then first of all locate one of the most well known and recognisable constellations, Orion. Orion looks like a huge hour glass or bow tie shape with three stars very close together in a straight line marking ‘the belt’ of the hunter. Follow the line of the belt up and to the right and you will see a bright red coloured star called Aldebaran. Aldebaran is about 65 light years away from us and is a huge star almost 100 times bigger than the Sun; it marks the red eye of the bull as it bears down upon Orion. You should be able to make out the two stars to the left of Aldebaran that form a ‘V’ shape; these are the horns of the bull. If you have binoculars try sweeping the area around Aldebaran and you will see thousands of stars all very close together and known as the Hyades cluster. Now go back to Orion and follow a line from the right hand star in the belt through the red star in the left hand corner of Orion (Betelgeuse) and carry on a bit further until you come to two reasonably bright stars quite close together. These are Castor and Pollux, the twin brothers in Gemini. The bodies of the twins are made from stars that form two faint lines heading back toward Orion. Castor and Pollux look about the same brightness as each other but in fact are nowhere near each other. The lower of the two, Pollux, is 34 light years away while the upper one, Castor, is 52 light years away. Both Castor and Pollux are not single stars but instead each has a companion star orbiting around it. Any aliens living on a planet going around these two would have not one but two suns in their skies. There are two ways to find Leo; either carry on to the left of Gemini or easier is to locate the saucepan shape of seven stars The Plough or Great Bear. At the moment The Plough is standing up on its ‘handle’ with the ‘bowl’ of the saucepan uppermost. The two top stars in the bowl are known as the pointers because if you follow a line to the left from them they point to the North Star. But if you follow the line of the pointers to the right instead you will come across a group of stars that look like a reversed question mark or sickle shape. This is the head of the lion with its body stretching back toward the horizon. It is meant to resemble the Lion in Trafalgar Square lying down with its head held high. The brightest star at the base of the ‘Question Mark’ is known as Regulus, the regal star. With a little imagination Leo really does look like a Lion! Try it for yourself and see what you think. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World OUT & the ABOUT Your weekly Entertainment Guide InsIdE thIs wEEk new date for La Risa Carribean evening second round of talent Contest at Buzby’s not Pancake tuesday at Jk’s in Coin A fistful of film fantasy in Europe's only desert Written by Andrea MacLean The Coen Brothers remake of “True Grit”, the Western that originally starred John Wayne as the irascible Rooster Cogburn, made a surprise sprint for award glory at the Baftas and the Oscars. T he new version got best picture and acting nominations, including the best actor nod for Jeff Bridges, who made the iconic Wayne's role his own. In the end, the movie lost out at the ceremonies - but what it did do is remind us just what a big part the Western has had to play in film making history. B ut you don't have to go to America if you want to vist the badlands - head towards Almeria and turn inland and visit the most remarkable desert landscape in Europe where great movie stars and directors have produced some of the most important movies in the annals of Hollywood, collecting a trunkful of Oscars in their time. A nd if you want to play cowboy and live out the fantasy then you can, by visiting the famous old film locations left behind by one of the greatest directors of the famous spaghetti Westerns, Sergio Leone. he Mini-Hollywood sets are located in the curiously beautiful socalled Desert of Tabernas but in fact there is a "golden triangle" of Hollywood memories that takes in Almeria itself and the Cabo de Gato natural park. So if you are a movie buff this is the place to visit. And if you want the kids to have a great day, then it is a must-do. T L eone had the equivalent of 120,000 euros back in 1964 when he made “For A Fistful of Dollars”. Nowadays that would not cover the cost of the leading actor's trailer for the shoot. And back then it forced the director to seek out the cheapest location he could find, and hire the little known actor Clint Eastwood to play the Man With No Name. MiniHollywood was built inland near Tabernas in 1965 and the rest is history. T he movie was a hit and became the first of a famous trilogy - all filmed among the twisted gulches and dried up river beds of Spain's desert. But Almeria's desert has doubled not just for Arizona. It represented the Middle East for “Cleopatra”, and David Lean - with a rather bigger budget of $20 million shot scenes for the Oscar winning “Lawrence of Arabia” in the area. Other scenes were shot at Cabo de Gato, and the train bombing scene was filmed with the help of locomotives and rolling stock bought from RENFE, using tracks laid on the beach. O ver the years the golden triangle has played host to more than 400 movies and has brought an array of famous stars to the area. The Nicolas Salmeron Park in Almeria was the setting for George C Scott's entry into Palermo in the Oscar winning “Patton: Lust for Glory”. More than 600 locals were used as extras in the film, about the exploits of General George S Patton and the city's cathedral square was used to film allied troops at Messina. A lmeria's Alcazaba, one of the largest Moorish buildings in Spain, has been a popular location. Sean Connery played Bond here for the last time in 1983 in “Never Say Never Again”, and returned a few years later as Harrison Ford's father in “Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade”. Some scenes were shot too at Cabo de Gato, which has also played host to movies including “Conan The Barbarian” and Stephen Spielberg's “Empire Of The Sun”. And of course John Lennon famously spent time in the area on location for Richard Attenborough's “Oh What a Lovely War!” S o there are plenty of opportunities to walk in the footsteps of the famous. But of course it is at the Western film location turned tourist attraction that you can actually pretend just for a moment that you are Anthony Quinn or Eli Wallach, or wearing the dusty poncho of Clint himself. Head inland via Nijar or Tabernas to MiniHollywood, hire a horse, or take a buggy ride, wander up to Boot Hill and push your way through the saloon doors. There are usually two staged gun fight shows each day with cowboys brawling and gunmen leaping to safety or clutching their chests and dying theatrically. Over the years Mini-Hollywood has added a picnic area, a swimming pool and a small zoo, should the kids want a break. N earby are two more sets Texas Hollywood and Western Leone - which are still working locations but also offer Mexican villages, an Indian village with wigwams and their own shows, so there is plenty to see and do. A nd you can fit in some shopping. Head to the little Almerian town of Nijar (yes, it rhymes with yee hah) and take a look at the town's many little pottery workshops tucked into the narrow streets pottery is a craft dating back to Moorish times. The town is also famous for its jarapas - the multicoloured hard-wearing cotton covers and rugs. They hang from every balcony and are piled high in the shops and come in all sizes from bathmat to large sitting room carpet. S o, if your fantasy has ever been to be a movie star then live it in Almeria's film making triangle. Contact www.uniquealmeria.com/mini-hollyw ood for more information about the cowboy sets. wEDnEsDay, March 2nd 2011 Cafe 119 experience CASA KON-TIKI Chris The Dish: 667 842 359 John The Fish: 678 292 792 2nd street behind Yaramar Hotel, Los Boliches Hot Chocolate £1.10 Serving a selection of freshly prepared snacks, sandwiches, wraps, baps and baguettes, paninis jacket potatoes, pizza, burgers. Early evening specials 5-7pm Buy 1 main meal - get the second half price! EvErything availablE for takEaway av antonio Machado benalmadena tel.: 645404911 Sunday Roast Lunch for €5.95pp from 12 noon £1.40 Call 952 474 542 from 10:30 - 1:30 and 7pm - 8pm to book your tickets. Alhaurin el Grande’s LIVEIC MUS Early Bird Special Monday to Saturday until 6pm - Fish Chips and Mushy Peas, Bread and Butter plus a free drink only €4.95pp Hot chocolate with Cream You never know, you may catch the fever and become part of the theatre yourself. Right now Salon Varietes is looking for a choreographer, stage hands, scenery painters, prop masters, singers, dancers, actors, directors, you name it. Ann Read and Bev Sheehan’s last exhibition in Coin in 2007 was such a success that they were asked to repeat it in 2009 but were unable at that time to do so. However, the Ayuntamiento in Coin didn’t give up and they have been asked to hold another this year. The fantastic standard of work from these two photographers will be on show at the Convento Santa Maria de la Encarnacion in Calle de las Cercanias de Santa Maria, Coin, from tomorrow Thursday March 3rd until April 27th and is well worth a visit. The exhibition, entitled “Through The Eyes Of Two Women II”, will be open daily from 10am until 1.30pm and from 5pm to 8pm Monday to Friday. nEwEst bistro CafE Café now open 8pm ‘til late for late night snacks 12 NOON ‘TIL 10PM Pot of Tea for one Selection of Speciality Twinings Teas Selection of various drinks available at the counter FREE ENTRY* Shows start at 9.30pm. Open all day. £1.50 Monday & Thursday Quiz Night Tuesday & Wednesday Live Football from 8:45pm Friday Siobhan - female vocalist from Dublin Fun for all ages Saturday Night Life - comedy vocal duo Not to be missed!! Sunday “Mr Blue Eyed Soul” Danny Stone Freshly made Thick and Creamy Milkshakes SPECIAL OFFER! 8oz entrecôte steak with all trimmings & bottle Rioja - only €20 per couple Wednesday 2nd Alex Avery Thursday 3rd Lesley Harrison Friday 4th Kevin “Copper Nitrate” Saturday 5th Mad Terry Sunday 6th Karaoke with Natalie Munroe from 3pm then Adele Lee Peters & Talent Contest start at 8.30pm Monday 7th Terri Fox followed by Natalie Monroe -after midnight Tuesday 8 Feb Jordana + Cher tribute Karaoke from midnight every night with Mad Terry ‘Copper’ Nitrate & Tommo Strawberry Terry @ Buz ad “LIVE” by’ s Plaza de Remo La Carihuela Torremolinos Chocolate Banana EL MOJITO You will have a good laugh, the bar will be open and you will be supporting a good cause while having a good time. Unlike most other theatres, the Salon Varietes is not supported by public funds, just the box office and the efforts of a group of dedicated and hard-working players and behind the scenes people. The theatre is a focal point and social centre for the English-speaking in Costa del Sol and if it closed it would be sorely missed. So come along, laugh, sing and have a good time. # %" % Exhibition by two artists The husband and wife team of AIA group artists, painter Roger Cummiskey and textile artist Dolores, jointly exhibit a selection of their works in Fuengirola reflecting his words in watercolour. Dolores will exhibit some of her delicately executed cross stitching based on Spanish and international themes. The exhibition started yesterday (Tuesday) and will run until April 26th, open daily between 12-4 and 7-11 pm, except Sundays when it is closed. The AIA-Group was formed six years ago by professional and dedicated visual artists from around the world, who are all living and working in Andalucía. Roger’s paintings are themed on the writings and wanderings of the author James Joyce and consist of quotations and poems Further information is available from the AIA web site www.aia-group.net indian Delight FINE INdIAN CUISINE WE WELCOME YOU TO COIN’S NEWEST INDIAN RESTAURANT special 4 course €10.9090 2 course €6. LUNCH MENU OPEN EVERY DAY Free bottle house wine with every 4 evening meals! Monday 18.30 - 23.30 Tuesday / Sunday 13.00 16.00 / 18.30 - 23.30 Free easy parking available RESERVATIONS 952453745 / 610317980 Calle Maria Zambrano, 7 - 29100 Coin MALAGA ie’s l l e N wEDnEsDay, March 2nd 2011 out & about n 17 news Your outlook on the World the First night success The first night round in the Buzby’s talent competition was a roaring success with two young ladies going straight through to the final in three weeks time. Clara and Nicol, both just 15-years-old, had stunning voices and beat off the competition to earn their places. Boozer Cruiser are supplying the prizes for the raffle, all proceeds of which will be going to the Malaga orphanage. Next week’s judges will be our own The News Editor plus well known performer Rob Stevens. There are still places if you think you can sing solo or are a group, so why not pop along next Sunday at 8:30pm to see what new talent we have on the Costa and meet Mad Terry and his friendly team. Call Terry on 645 404 911 for more information. Jump Change to Jazz of date Go along and join in at The Salon Varietes for an evening of toe-tapping Dixie and Trad Jazz in the company of the New Orleans Jump Band. This 5 piece international group (who recently backed Kenny Ball) will have you swinging in your seats for two nights only on Saturday March 5th at 8pm and Sunday March 6th at 7pm. Call 952 474 542 to book your tickets now. Please note that the date for the Caribbean Evening at La Risa has been changed. The new date is Saturday March 26th (instead of the 12th). Call La Risa on 660 350 896 to book your table if you haven’t already done so and for more information. And you thought it was Tuesday Well, yes, Tuesday is usually Pancake Day and indeed it is officially this coming Tuesday but Duncan at JK’s could never be descibed as usual so he’s decided that, this year, his Pancake Day is going to be this Sunday, March 6th. You might ask why this decision has been made and in all honesty, we haven’t got a clue but what we do know is that you now have two chances to indulge yourself on these wonderful offerings mine’s with lemon and caster sugar, Duncan! On top of an extra pancake day, JK’s in Coin are also going to have an extra auction this month so, not only will they be holding the one on the last Saturday of March (the 26th) they are also holding one on SUNDAY, March 13th (yes, different day too for all the people at the market who may not have sold all their wares. Bring along your articles from mid-day until 2pm for the auction at 3pm. Call 654 396 651 for more information. La Costa Rica Opening soon!! in Coin Offering you the best meNu deL dIA on the coast Tel: 951 319 439 The Village Inn only 8,50 8,50 Traditional home-made Spanish food. Why cook at home ?! OPeN every dAy FrOm 10Am Carib Playa, Opposite OpenCor, km 196, N340 952 835 731 rEstAurAntE El rio Now re-opened for you to enjoy their usual high standard of service and food 3 Course lunch Menu. €10. 50 3 Course Evening Menu €12. 50 full a la Carte Menu available Open 12.00 noon till 4.30 / 7.00 till late (Closed Sundays and Monday lunchtime) 952 664 311 - 691 406 453 Calle Francisco Cano, 60, Los Boliches, Fuengirola $#!"* &* (* #&% &* (# +* ) # " $ + $- & % &, %'( MOONLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT 22:00H: Wednesdays: Ricky Lavazza – don’t miss it! Sundays: Michael Jackson tribute show " ,) $+ DINE & DANCE EVERY NIGHT AT THE OASIS RESTAURANT 20:30H Mondays: Tuesdays: Wednesdays: Thursdays: Fridays: Saturdays: Sundays: BAR s N E t’ spor bar OPEN FROM 11am Michelle Jane – Diva Tribute Pearse Webb – Irish entertainer Mario Ross – Music for all Phoebe – Stunning female vocalist Tina Rose – Female soul vocalist Mark Burt – Piannist/singer Ricky Lavazza – The Musicals Show HOT & COLD FOOD SERVED ALL DAY INTERNET HOTSPOT Fish & Chips Friday Night Set menu dinner from 14€ pp. Non-diners welcome after 20:30h PANORAMA BAR : Daily Happy Hour 18:30h-19:30h Information / Reservations 952 579 400 All programmes subject to change. Aloha Gardens, next to El Jardin. Avda Del Prado Nueva Andalucia Open Mon-Fri 10.00am - 8.00pm Saturdays 10.00am - 6.00pm [email protected] This Week ! Monday & Thursday Belly Dancing 10.30am €5 per session Wednesdays 8.30pm Bingo - jackpot €400 Quiz - jackpot €120 Fri 4th March Party! This Sunday 6th March Shrove Sunday Pancakes! Sunday 13th March Extra Auction - 12-3pm for entry of items, 3pm Auction. Food available. More info:654 396 651 [email protected] MUMTAZ MAHAL Indian Restaurante Come and enjoy the best of Indian cuisine in our newly refurbished airconditioned restaurant or dine on our fabulous terrace Menu del Dia 3 courses €9,95 NEW 2011 MENU WITH PRICES REDUCED BY UP TO 10 & 15% Take-away service Free home delivery with orders over €25.00 OPEN 7 DAYS Lunch 1.30 - 4.00pm Dinner 7.00 - 12.00pm Urb. El Rodeo, Coin 952 455 599 626 977 224 QUALITY GOLF At Reduced Green Fees Available NOW at Lauro golf 2 Green Fees and a buggy €105, 5 & 7 day unlimited golf, Golf breaks in luxury accommodation on the golf course... plus many more options available " ! Take Away Home Cooking and Catering Scandinavian and International Specialities For fantastic tapas, drinks, raciones and typical Spanish specialities +& & )# &#!" ' )'&! & ' '% '& ) ' # #$$# %) JK’s Eat In or Take Away €7.50 Sunday Lunch - 2 courses for €8.50pp 1.30 - 6.00pm Meal Deal: buy one, get 2nd half price! Weds nights - everybody welcome - darts night ALL MAJOR SPORTS EVENTS ON ESPN LAS PALMERAS,COIN 952·454·267 Call 661 114 070 for more details La Risa @ Lauro Golf saturday 26th March Caribbean night with authentic 3 course menu €15 PlEasE notE thE nEw DatE for thE CaribbEan night saturday 19th March st Patrick’s - superb 3 course meal at €15pp from 7:30pm sunday lunch served from 1pm new: whole lamb shoulder for 2 persons €5 supplement - pre-booking required Mondays: new two course curry menu €7.50 For further details of all these events and our new winter opening times call us on 660 350 896 or pop into the bar. On the road between Alhaurin el Grande & Alhaurin de la Torre Across From the Clubhouse Reservations: 660 350 896 MOVIES TO WATCH OUT FOR MOVIE SPOTLIGHT Yes it’s worthy, but... By Amy Thomas BY DENNIS DUGAN Starring Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler email: [email protected] A rom-com with a plot built around a series of deceptions, this was a box oﬃce hit in the US despite some stinging reviews. Adam Sandler plays Danny, a Californian cosmetic surgeon who is single, who finds that for some reason women find him hugely attractive if he poses as an unhappily married man. So for 20 years he has had a string of one night stands and walked away with no recriminations, but now he has met "the one". Of course, he has to maintain the deception with the new girl in his life, and so Danny persuades his faithful asssistant Katherine, a single mother-of-two (Aniston) to pose as his estranged wife and family. But guess what - keeping the lie going isn´t as easy as it seemed, and the plan starts to backfire, the kids get caught up in the scam, and everyone ends up in Hawaii for a weekend break that will change all their lives. Nicole Kidman pops up here as Katherine's best friend nice job if you can get it. So, not too many prizes for guessing how the story ends. And for older cinema goers the plot may sound vaguely familiar. In which case think of the French play transferred to Broadway where it was a big hit, and later made into a movie called Cactus Flower with Walter Matthau, Ingrid Bergman and Goldie Hawn. Hawn won a best supporting actress Oscar for her role in this comedic confection - but Aniston and co need not bother clearing any space on the mantle piece because it ain't going to happen. So, maybe track down the "original". Or give this very loose remake a whirl if you are a Sandler - Aniston fan. Critics noted that the chemistry was there between the two leads...maybe a better script will pop up down the line. MOVIE NEWS And the Razzie Star Trek back goes to... on track? Speaking of Aniston she inevitably featured in the pre-Oscar Razzie celebrations for Hollywood's worst output and found herself nominated in the worst actress category. But oh dear, where did it all go wrong for director M Night Shyamalan, who managed to pretty well sweep the board with The Last Airbender.The man who kicked off his career with the sublime Sixth Sense has been slipping downhill since. Airbender picked up Razzies for worst picture, worst director, worst screenplay and worst eyegouging mis-use of 3D. Ashton Kutcher picked up worst actor while the Sex and The City gals did not The 2009 reboot of Star Trek did great box office businesss and scored with fans but the sequel has been long awaited. Director JJ Abraham said as recently as a month ago that he still did not have a script, which put a big question mark against its proposed June 2012 release. have to fight each other for the worst actress award. It was shared between Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis. They also picked up the worst ensemble award aand SATC 2 was worst prequel/remake/ripoff/sequel. But Simon "Scotty" Pegg has now tweeted that word from the Bridge is that there is now an amazing script in existence. All the key stars - including Pegg, Chris Pine (Kirk ) and Zachary Quinto (Spock) are all signed up so it looks like they may be hitting warp speed very soon. CInEMAS SHOwInG FILMS In EnGLISH To ﬁnd out the times and location online, go to www.entradas.com, click on Malaga, go to Cine and on drop down list select “Cartelera V.O.” and click on ﬁlm poster Malaga - Plaza Mayor: 902 902 103 Fuengirola - Parque Miramar: 952 198 600 Marbella - Gran Marbella: 952 810 077 Velez Malaga - C.C. El Ingenio: 902 221 622 please check times with the cinema direct D id you think “The King’s Speech” was Oscar worthy? Then again, answer me this, what won best picture last year? It’s sad, but true, that these new movies just aren’t very memorable – which is not a good thing. was a lot spunkier and inspirational than Colin Firth’s portrayal gave him credit for, although any blame cannot be laid at Mr Firth’s door as he masterfully performed the material written for him. I I don’t want to say that “The King’s Speech” was a bad movie, it wasn’t, but it was hardly a feel good movie or one that had any great quotes. It was a very adult biopic and while it tells a good story, well scripted, absorbing and believable (except for an odd line or two), Tom Hooper's film is far more driven by character than by plot. N ot so much a piece of entertainment than rather an interesting history lesson. Of course, lumping Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter and Geoﬀrey Rush together in a movie can only result in a vehicle chock full of fine acting performances, but I wonder if they were really Oscar worthy, or if the Acadamy did its usual gushing at anything “Royal” or that smacked of what they term “Masterpiece theatre”. F rom what I have been led to believe, King George found the casting rather interesting, as an English actress played an American (Mrs Simpson), an American actress played an Australian and Australian actor Guy Pierce played King Edward, and very well cast he was! J ennifer Ehle, you may remember, played Elizabeth Bennett in the BBC’s 1995 production of Pride and Prejudice, opposite Colin Firth’s Darcy. The past fifteen years may have been kind to Firth’s career, but sadly not his looks – as his face somehow seems to collapse upon itself. I think one of my problems with this movie was that I found it to be a little slow and over long. I don’t know how they managed to drag it out for so long, I mean how much can you pad out a story about speech therapy? All in all though I am glad that it won Best Actor, Best Picture and Best Director. Rule Britannia! WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the August 23rd September 22nd by Cathy Stronach Inspiration has found you and granted you a feeling of courage to tap into opportunities. Stability and certainty is slowly sinking into the depths of your being. Emotionally a sense of balance is returning allowing you to have an optimistic and confident outlook on your future. As you strive with the determination to make sweeping changes in your life, a new you rises from the ashes. Emotionally you have had a good spring clean – maybe the home could do with one too? Innovation mixed with determination is the key to the secret of your success this week. As Mars moves into Pisces you feel a sense of your dreams being delivered with punch into the real world. Do not ignore any crazy ideas you have at the moment as they may hold the solution to a problem that you have not been able to unravel. A solid framework is being built to put your life on a secure, solid and strong footing. Things may not turn out as you expected but in the end it will make perfect sense as to why they had to be the way they are. There is a method to the madness that has gone on and slowly you will start to see a vision turn into reality. If you keep your eye on the goal and keep your head focused on the game then eventually you will score a goal. This is a good time to get those priorities in order and remember to delegate other areas of your life so that you can keep those balls in the air. You have undergone a maturing process over the last eighteen months that has had the eﬀect of strengthening and deepening your inner resources. The universe has asked a lot from you lately and there may still be some unresolved issues that hang around for a few weeks more. Gradually you will feel your energy rise again and you will be ready to fly. A new path is being laid before you and just when you think you have it all worked out, it changes, for the better. This is not the time to bend the rules or try to outsmart the opposition regardless of how you currently feel about things. You need to gather facts and take the traditional route on a matter. To be willing to treat others around you as equals will enable you to build your relationships into a more rewarding status. This is a time when passions are smouldering and you are determined to make a casual encounter a more integrated part of your life. The moment is coming when you will push beyond any insecurities that you have and let your light shine forth. A personal passion that you hold for something is rising up within you and tugging at your heart strings. You are fed up with being surrounded by negativity and although it has weighed you down and made you feel despondent lately, a stronger force is now rising up within that is not prepared to tolerate it any more. LIBRA Buckling down and getting on with a project is what is needed right now. There is a serious need to get things in order, handle responsibilities eﬀectively, adhere to your duties and make your plans. All this is needed because you are due for some fast paced fun, so run your life this week as though it is coming up, start to create the space needed to be able to “play” September 23rd - next week. Socially you will be mingling and mixing with those who share nd October 22 your enthusiastic outlook. SCORPIO October 23rd November 21st Love and romance are in the air but it isn’t just a shallow aﬀair you are after, it is a deep friendship and trusting liaison that you are seeking, someone to share more than your pillow. So although socially and emotionally this is a fun-orientated week you are not tempted by brief encounters. Your immune system may have been a bit low lately and your emotions have taken a tumbling - pay attention to your diet and make sure you take adequate rest. SAGITTARIUS Stop, look and listen and when you do you will realise that you have been working so hard to make things happen in your life, that when you take a breather and consolidate, how quickly what you have been looking for finds you. This week is all about taking things slower, taking time to reflect on the fast paced moments of the last few months. An inner calmness and sense of achievement nd November 22 - and balance is finding its way into your being. st December 21 CAPRICORN Your mind is fairly active and this can cause you to over-think problems and over-analyse events and people, leading to you feeling frustrated and tense What will work for you this week is to simply relax and go with the flow, water always finds the path of least resistance and the answers will reveal themselves. It is easy to get over-emotional at this time and it can be tempting to follow December 22nd others but in the long run you know there is a better way. January 19th AQUARIUS PISCES February 19th March 20th More patience is being asked of you, yet again. You are being asked to embrace this virtue for a while longer knowing that the outcome will be worth it - all good things do come to those that wait. So trust in those spaces where the unknown lives and you will slowly come to learn faith, hope and peace in the stillness that is created. Your powers of attraction are high and others will want to be around you - this could be a busy time for acquaintances and networking. You are feeling back in the game again after a period of wandering lost in the desert. A sense of destiny is felt within as a door that has been blocked suddenly swings open. Give it your best shot and your sincere eﬀorts will make a huge diﬀerence. The universe is not going to let you sit there and “corrode” - you are the one with the imagination, innovation, originality and inspiration. The safe path does not always lend itself to your talents. Kym’s Kitchen ...you don’t have to be a chef! This recipe is amazingly easy because you can use a jar of pasta sauce if you can't be bothered to make it yourself - it’s also a bit diﬀerent to the usual way of making the dish. Potato Lasagne Ingredients: ● 1 jar pasta sauce of your choice ● 8½ fl oz milk ● 1½ kilo potatoes, peeled and sliced lengthwise about 1/8 inch thick ● 5 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese ● ½ teaspoon salt ● ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ● 225gr diced ham ● 230gr package chopped frozen broccoli, thawed ● 200gr grated cheese Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). 2. Lightly grease a 9 x13 inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together the pasta sauce and milk. Spread about 1/8 inch of the sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Then layer 1/3 of the potatoes over the sauce in the dish. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste. 3. In a separate medium bowl, combine the ham, broccoli and 150gr of the cheese. Mix well and spread 1/3 of this mixture over the potatoes in the baking dish. Then top with another layer of potatoes, followed by the ham mixture, finally topping all with the remaining cheese and Parmesan cheese. Pour the remaining pasta sauce over the top. 4. Cover and bake at 400º F / 200º C for 45 minutes, then uncover and bake at 350º F /175º C for additional 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Remove from the oven and let it stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving. ADVERTISING FEATURE Linea Directa launches an on line service oﬀering legal assistance in English • The service, offered by practising registered lawyers, will advise the company’s customers on Spanish legislation in areas such as housing, consumption, family law, labour law, motoring queries and penal law. • The service will provide 24 hour assistance in the case of urgent enquiries, the checking and editing of documents and discounts of up to 50% on lawyers’ fees if further action is required. Línea Directa, market leader in the sale of direct insurance in Spain, has launched an online service offering legal assistance to its customers, which will advise those policyholders purchasing this cover on areas such as housing, consumption, family law, labour law and penal law. Línea Directa’s new cover, the price of which will be up to 40% more economical than the market average, will answer queries on buying and selling, renting and house renovations; complaints against suppliers regarding consumer issues, divorce and the division of matrimonial property, labour issues or vehicle registration and deregistration, among many other areas. 24-HOUR ASSISTANCE FOR URGENT ENQUIRIES In addition, the service – the first of its kind in the insurance sector – will provide legal assistance in the case of road safety offences committed by the insured vehicle. If, however, assistance is given by a lawyer of the customer’s own choice, Línea Directa will offer 110 euros in legal aid, unless the lawyer is provided free of charge by the state. If in and out-of court actions are subsequently required Línea Directa can put the client in contact with its network of lawyers throughout Spain, which will save the customer between 10 and 50% on legal fees. The service of Legal Assistance for Motorists operates from Monday to Friday from 8am to 10pm. In the case of urgent enquiries, such as emergencies in the home, incidents occurring at night affecting families – including spouses or children – such as theft, credit cards being blocked or unreturned, or damage caused by pets, Línea Directa will offer a service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In both cases, the customer must call 902 123 206 or email atencionjuridica@ lineadirecta.es. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2010 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Contemporary lifestyle and celebrity gossip CELEBRITY SPOT King Colin rules in Hollywood As Colin Firth stepped up to collect his best actor Oscar at the weekend TV viewers might have been forgiven for thinking he looked almost as youthful as in the days when he set hearts racing as the dashing Mr Darcy in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice. According to reports the new King of Hollywood, who won his award for his role in “The King's Speech”, has been testing a revolutionary beauty treatment that has the same eﬀect as Botox but without the injections. The regime apparently costs a cool £500 a week and special cream is applied to the face and a pressured stream of oxygen pushes it into the skin, to plump it up and reduce wrinkles - all without the pain of needles. The actor's wife Livia reportedly introduced him to the treatment and he also uses a special moisturiser made from white and green tea and fennel seed and a brown algae eye gel. So, if you want to knock a few years oﬀ the man in your life, send him to the Knightsbridge clinic that carries out the treatment. Livia Firth is a great supporter of eco-green measures and looked stunning on the red carpet wearing a dress that had been made from recycled frocks from the very era that The King's Speech was set in. The movie scooped four of its 12 award nominations - best film, best actor, best director and best original screenplay. Natalie Portman, as predicted, won best actress for “Black Swan”, beating “The Kids Are All Right” star Annette Benning - the fourth time that Warren Beatty's wife has lost out at the Oscars. The other big winners were “The Social Network”, with three awards, and “Inception”, which picked up four technical awards. While the cat's away.... Who would want to be at the heart of UK politics? Life's hard, and there's always a spin doctor somewhere briefing against you. Now there's a new Downing Street victim of an anonymous campaign casting doubt on his abilities to deliver the goods. Poor old Larry, the Downing Street cat, has apparently been asleep on the job since his arrival from Battersea Cats and Dogs Home a couple of weeks ago and has not been living up to his job description as catcher in chief. vermin Instead the rescue tabby has been curling up for cosy naps but has been available for tummy tickling by prime minister David Cameron's children. Now though Downing Street insiders have leapt to Larry's defence. They have pointed out in counter briefings that he has only just started the job, and anyway, it is far too soon for him to be let outside - expert advice is that cats should be kept inside their new homes for the first few weeks so they don t take fright and run away. Officals have said that Larry is settling into his new home and will be ready soon to fully take up his responsibilites. Hollywood legend dies at 89 Hollywood sex symbol Jane Russell has died at her home in California, at the age of 89. She was discovered by the eccentric billionaire industrialist and movie producer Howard Hughes, who famously bought the ailing RKO Studios as a vehicle for her. She was cast in his movie “The Outlaw” in 1943, and the actress’s sultry performance led censors to ban it for two years. She went on to star with Bob Hope in “The Paleface” in 1948, and later starred with Marilyn Monroe in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”. She was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in the 40s and 50s, and later appeared in television adverts. Top designer sacked by Dior Fashion briefs British fashion guru John Galliano was yesterday (Tuesday) sacked as chief designer of Christian Dior after claims he made antisemitic remarks. Galliano, who has been creative director for the Paris-based firm for 14 years, had been suspended last week after allegedly launching an abusive attack on a couple sitting outside on a café terrace in the trendy Marais quarter of the city. It is home to top boutiques and bijou bars, and is the traditional Jewish quarter. But another video has now been made public in which Galliano appeared to abuse drinkers in a bar and declare “I love Hitler”. He also allegedly made a racist remark to someone Spanish high street store Zara has been hugely popular in the UK -and British brand leader Marks and Spencer is looking to learn lessons from how Zara have waved the fashion flag in Europe by employing a former Zara boss. M&S have appointed Jan Heere, formerly of Zara's parent company Inditex, to spearhead the British company's plans for international growth. from the Indian subcontinent. Dior have ensured that legal measures will be taken to arrange for the 50year-old’s departure from the company as soon as possible, but his designs for Dior will still feature on the catwalk at this week’s Paris Fashion Show. Oscar winning actress Natalie Portman, the face of a Dior perfume, said this week that she was proud to be Jewish and would not associate with Galliano in any way. He has denied the charges and launched a counter claim for defamation. Making anti semitic remarks in France is punishable by up to six months in jail or a fine of 22,500 euros. In the meantime Spanish fashion label Custo Barcelona has new plans to grow its penetration in the UK. The label was founded by brothers Custo and Damian Dalman in the late 80s and marked its 30th anniversary by recently opening its own flagship store in London's Brompton Road. The Custo range is already stocked by high street players like Harrods and House of Fraser and the plan is to launch a new range targeting younger, edgier customers. Custo traditionally aims at the 25 to 40 market and will now introduce new designs for the 18 to 35 age group. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Health &beauty News - Breakthroughs - Treatments - Trends Education reduces blood pressure Higher levels of education have been linked to lower levels of heart disease, and researchers at Brown University in the USA suggest that blood pressure could be the reason why, after analysing 30 years of data from 3,890 people. These were divided into three groups, low education (12 years or less), middle education (13 to 16 years) and high education (17 years or more), and the average systolic blood pressure for the 30 year period was then calculated. The researchers found that women with low education had a blood pressure 3.26 mmHg higher than those with a high level of education. In men the difference was 2.26 mmHg. Other factors, such as smoking, taking blood pressure medication and drinking, had been taken into account. The researchers concluded that low educational attainment predisposes individuals to high strain jobs, characterised by high levels of demand and low levels of control, which have been associated with elevated blood pressure. A spokesman for the British Heart Foundation said the findings support existing evidence about the link between socioeconomic deprivation and heart disease risk, adding that action is needed across all parts of society to give children the best possible start in life and reduce health inequalities. 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Instant results can reveal any health problems or allergies etc. www.future-health.biz Did you know that you should go twice a year to have your gums checked and your teeth cleaned? 951 260 767 www.laclinica.com.es [email protected] avda.clemente diaz ruiz 4, edif. tres coronas, portal D, apt 202, 29640 Fuengirola (behind mercacentro, close to the train station) Facials from 18€-Nails from 9€ Body Treatments from 18€ Waxing from 3€ Spray Tans 15€ Eyelash Extensions 45€ Full set of nail extensions 35€ and much much more !! NEW 4 in 1 facial machine, Visible results after one treatment Vie At Home products now available. Shop and get pampered in the comfort of your own home! Why go to a spa when the spa can come to you? Call to find out more 693 109 293 Pamper Parties Available Colonic Ir r igation at the SECRET SANCTUARY MARBELLA Spring is coming so get into tip-top shape for the pool and beach season. Also all forms of invigorating massage. and Agua Detox 666 911 071 www.secret-sanctuary.com Fake smile bad for you Faking a smile may be just another mundane aspect of work life, but new research suggests that putting on a game face to hide your inner unhappiness may have unexpected consequences: worsening your mood and causing you to withdraw from the tasks at hand. found that on days when the smiles were forced, the subjects’ moods deteriorated and they tended to withdraw from work. Researchers at Michigan State University tracked a group of bus drivers for two weeks, focusing on them because their jobs require frequent, and generally courteous, interactions with many people. But on days when the drivers tried to display smiles through deeper efforts - by actually cultivating pleasant thoughts and memories their overall moods improved and their productivity increased. They looked at what happened when the drivers put on fake smiles, known as “surface acting,” and its opposite, “deep acting,” where positive thoughts made them smile authentically. After following the drivers closely, the researchers Trying to suppress negative thoughts, it turns out, may have made those thoughts even more persistent. They also found that women were affected more than men, probably because women are socialized to be more emotionally expressive, they said, so hiding emotions may create more strain. HAIR, NAILS & BEAUTY All aspects of hairdressing Cutting - Wella Colours - Hi/Lo lights - Perming Sunbed ‘winter specials’ 60mins 25€ - Spray tans Clarins facials from 30€ PAMPER PACKAGES FOR IDEAL GIFTS FROM 55€ Reflexology and Massages from 25€ Manicure / Pedicure The latest Shellac & Foilwrap Minx Nails Teethwhitening also available for special price 125€ Mon - Closed / Tues - Fri 10 - 6.00pm / Sat 10 to 4.00pm Tel: 952 666 787 - Mobile 630 800 572 Are you looking for a good hairdresser? Come and try us. Quality work reasonable prices. Color, cut and style from 30€ HANNA Tricoderm SL • 952 917 126 Bernabé Tierno 3, Edif. Lindamar 2 Street between Paseo Mercadona and Feria 29640 Fuengirola, Malaga WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Take a break TARGET PUZZLE SUDOKU by Papocom Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. With no repeats, that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Level: Level: MEDIUM HARD See how many words of four or more letters you can make from the given nine letters. In making a word each letter may be used only once. The key letter must be used in each word. A D R L R E E B L I S G P I A N R L Target 1-5 Poor 6-12 Average 13-19 Good 20-22 Excellent 1-9 Poor 10-18 Average 19-30 Good 31-32 Excellent The following are not allowed: - Words beginning with a capital letter - Words with a hyphen or apostrophe - Plural words ending in “s” The 9-letter word BARRELLED Down 1. Pleasant and simple way to take your relaxation. (4,3,4) 9. Sum up the votes again. (2-5) 10. Extended note that a cockney might inhale? (5) 11. Heard that a vegetable was measured by value. (5) 12. I suggest that we roll over to a meeker person. (7) 13. Principal tryst revealing unimportance. (6) 15. Retain proprietor without hesitation. (6) 18. Shiver these nautical planks, maybe? (7) 20. A bill designed to give an explanation of whereabouts. (5) 22. Poetically below one atheist. (‘5) 23. Show ageless dedication of aﬀection. (7) 24. Thoughtful creations that editor destroyed. (11) 2. Ruin centennial contract that I aroused. (5) 3. Quote painter reproducing an imaginary planetary circle. (7) 4. Let ten provoke an irritation. (6) 5. Grease required to facilitate movement of joint. (5) 6. Exceptional place is repositioned. (7) 7. Print ace tip too hastily. (11) 8. Masterpiece unknown monarchs found in East London. (6,5) 14. Bum found in gaol suﬀering back pain. (7) 16. Stroll leisurely, like a cockney couple, it’s said. (7) 17. Announced the birth by producing 500 copies. (6) 19. Those displaying distinctive character. (5) 21. Do it one shift more, moron. (5) 1 Across Down 3. An anemometer is a guage used for recording the speed of what: Light; Spacecraft; Wind; or Athletes? 21 23 1. He betrayed for thirty pieces of silver (5,8) 8. Carrying from one place to another (7) 9. Area of short grass (5) 10. Passed on (but still not passed by!) (4) 11. Insincere praise (8) 13. Relating to the baby in the womb (6) 14. Socially clumsy (6) 17. It is found on a keyboard (5,3) 19. Speak as if drunk (4) 21. Night watch (5) 22. Fib - meaty snack - hat (4,3) 24. Type of ferry (4-2,4-3) 1. Plane - glossy black (stone) - stream (3) 2. US conscript (7) 3. Long strip of material - window frame (4) 4. Come to rest (6) 5. Police dog (8) 6. Picture (5) 7. Cuddly toy (5,4) 10. Vital help when in serious diﬃculty (9) 12. Napoleon's final battle (8) 15. West Indian music - nymph who kept Odysseus on her island (7) 16. Smart - well presented (6) 18. Heavenly messenger (5) 20. By mouth (4) 23. Pixie (able to cobble?) (3) 2 24 23 6. Catalonia, the Spanish Autonomous Community region comprising provinces Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona, banned what in 2010 with eﬀect from 2012: Lap-dancing; Bullfighting; Smoking in public outdoors; or Door-to-door selling? SOLUTION FOR QUIZ 14. Gauche 17. Space bar 19. Slur 21. Vigil 22. Pork pie 24. Roll on roll oﬀ 1. Judas Iscariot 8. Transit 9. Sward 10. Late 11. Flattery 13. Foetal 15. employ 18. timbers 20. alibi 22. ‘neath 23. undying 24. considerate 1. nice and easy 9. re-count 10. breve 11. carat 12. lowlier 13. paltry Across 1. Jet 2. Draftee 3. Sash 4. Settle 5. Alsatian 6. Image 7. Teddy bear 2. incur 3. equator 4. nettle 5. elbow 6. special 7. precipitant Down Hard SOLUTION FOR SUDOKU 4. London's city bike rental scheme, which launched in 2010, is based on the Bixi project which introduced bike rental to which city: Paris; Montreal; Venice; or New York? 5. Which of the Rolling Stones has a cameo role as Captain Jack Teague, father of Jack Sparrow in 'Pirates of the Caribbean, At World's End': Mick Jagger; Charlie Watts, Keith Richards; or Ronnie Wood? 9 SOLUTION FOR CRYPTIC / QUICK CROSSWORD 5 8 1. Literally meaning repentance in Italian, what is the visible trace of an earlier painting beneath newer artwork on canvas: Pimento; Paliamento; Pinto; or Pentimento? 2. In a summer 2010 market trial, UK pub-chain Brakspear's launched free in-pub what: Breath tests; Massage; Tarot-card readings; or Dogs' dinners? 12 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in New Series: New series: Country House Rescue Sun March 6th 21.00 Mon Mar 7th 21.00 WEDNESDAY March 2 Fri, Mar 4th 23:35 A Time to Kill Set in America's Deep South, a young lawyer must defend a black factory worker accused of murdering two racist thugs who raped his daughter, amid rising hysteria involving the Ku Klux Klan and civil rights campaigners. He is helped by a veteran attorney and a keen law student... FILM Sun, Mar 6th 18:20 Finding Neverland It's London in 1904, and writer JM Barrie is inspired by a family he meets, mother Sylvia and her four children, Peter, Jack, George and Michael. From the time he spends with them, he writes the famous children's novel ‘Peter Pan'. FILM Wed, Mar 2nd 02:40 The Cowboy Way A pair of championship rodeo riders ride into the Big Apple to track down a missing friend and his daughter. They may be fish out of water, but the two heroes are not daunted when they find themselves tangling with the owner of an illegal sweatshop. FILM Sat, Mar 5th 21 :00 Taken (One to watch) When his teenage daughter Kim is kidnapped on a backpacking trip to Europe, CIA man turned professional bodyguard Bryan Mills calmly warns her abductor to let her go or face the consequences. When his warning goes unheeded, Mills takes oﬀ to Europe and begins tracking the gang who took her... FILM Sun, Mar 6th 21:00 Bulletproof Crook Archie doesn't realise his pal is actually an undercover policeman. After a shootout, the thief realises he's safer with the good guys and tries to turn himself in, but with hitmen on his trail, is it too late? FILM Severance Sat, Mar 5th 21:45 Bradley Walsh, Jamie Bamber and Ben Daniels return. A former top flight footballer is murdered in the East End in what looks like a robbery gone wrong - but the finger of suspicion is being pointed on diﬀerent directions, making it diﬃcult for the prosecution. Law and Order: UK March 3 FRIDAY March 4th 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready? 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Deadly 60: Bitesize 15:40 Deadly Art 16:00 Trade Your Way to the USA 16:30 M.I. High 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 19:00 The One Show 19:30 The Boat That Guy Built 20:00 Waterloo Road 21:00 MasterChef 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 The Lottery Draws 22:45 Film 2011 with Claudia Winkleman 23:25 Poltergeist 01:15 Weatherview 01:20 Country Tracks 02:20 Stephen Fry and the Great American Oil Spill: Stephen Fry Loves Louisiana 03:20 The Money 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready? 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Deadly 60: Bitesize 15:40 Deadly Art 16:00 Prank Patrol 16:30 Serious Explorers: Livingstone 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 BBC London News 19:00 The One Show 19:30 EastEnders 20:00 Human Planet 21:00 Famous, Rich and in the Slums with Comic Relief 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 Question Time 23:35 This Week 00:20 Skiing Weatherview 00:25 Panorama 00:55 Countryfile 01:55 Antiques Roadshow 02:55 Britain's Banks: Too Big to Save? 03:55 Rip oﬀ Britain 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready? 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Deadly 60: Bitesize 15:40 Deadly Art 16:00 Dani's House 16:30 Tracy Beaker Returns 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 BBC London News 19:00 The One Show 19:30 Rip oﬀ Britain 20:00 EastEnders 20:30 QI 21:00 New Tricks 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 The Graham Norton Show 23:20 The National Lottery Friday Night Draws 23:35 A Time to Kill 01:55 Weatherview 02:00 South Riding 03:00 Horizon 04:00 BBC News 04:30 Talking Books 09:10 The Koala Brothers 09:25 Big Barn Farm 09:40 Little Human Planet 09:45 Big and Small 09:55 3rd and Bird 10:05 Postman Pat SDS 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:40 Waybuloo 11:00 In the Night Garden 11:30 The Daily Politics 13:00 See Hear 13:30 Hairy Bikers 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Nature's Top 40 15:00 Wanted Down Under 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 My Life in Books 19:00 Escape to the Country 20:00 Attenborough and the Giant Egg 21:00 A History of Ancient Britain 22:00 ICC World Cup Cricket 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 Fast and Loose 23:50 The Golden Age of Coach Travel 00:50 BBC World News America 01:00 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 09:10 The Koala Brothers 09:25 Big Barn Farm 09:40 Little Human Planet 09:45 Big and Small 09:55 3rd and Bird 10:05 Postman Pat SDS 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:45 Waybuloo 11:05 In the Night Garden 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT 13:00 Due South 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Nature's Top 40 15:00 Wanted Down Under 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 My Life in Books 19:00 The Culture Show 20:00 The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best 21:00 The Spice Trail 22:00 Mock the Week...Again 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 ICC World Cup Cricket 00:20 The Culture Show 01:20 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 02:00 BBC News 02:30 The Record 03:00 BBC News 09:10 The Koala Brothers 09:25 Big Barn Farm 09:40 Little Human Planet 09:45 Big and Small 09:55 3rd and Bird 10:05 Postman Pat SDS 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:45 Waybuloo 11:05 In the Night Garden 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT 13:00 Due South 13:45 Live: European Indoor Championship Athletics 15:00 Wanted Down Under 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 My Life in Books 19:00 Live: European Indoor Championship Athletics 19:30 Island Parish 20:00 Mastermind 20:30 Britain from Above 21:00 Hidden Treasures of African Art 22:00 Fast and Loose 22:30 Newsnight 23:00 The Review Show 23:50 ICC World Cup Cricket 00:50 The Mighty Boosh Live 03:15 BBC News 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Live: FA Cup Football 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 FA Cup Football 23:35 Police, Camera, Action! 00:30 The Zone 02:40 The Cowboy Way 04:25 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Tonight 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Marchlands 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 Benidorm 23:35 Send in the Dogs 00:30 The Zone 02:30 The Jeremy Kyle Show 03:25 Tonight 03:50 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Coronation Street 20:00 Children's Hospital 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Benidorm 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 The Cube 23:35 Take Me Out 00:35 The Zone 02:40 In Plain Sight 03:25 ITV Nightscreen 06:15 The Treacle People 06:25 The Hoobs 06:50 The Hoobs 07:15 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:05 Frasier 08:35 According to Jim 09:05 Supernanny US 10:00 The Good Wife 10:55 Country House Rescue 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 Heaven Can Wait 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Beauty and the Beast: Ugly Face of Prejudice 21:00 Jamie's Dream School 22:00 The Model Agency 23:05 Shameless 00:10 Sounds from the Cities 00:40 The Shockwaves Album Chart Show 00:55 Crash, Bang, Wallow 01:00 2046 03:10 High Anxiety 04:45 Without a Trace 06:50 The Hoobs 07:15 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:05 Frasier 08:35 According to Jim 09:05 Supernanny US 10:00 The Good Wife 10:55 The Restoration Man 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 Brief Encounters of the Sporting Mind 12:10 The Hunters 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Relocation, Relocation 21:00 Love Thy Neighbour 22:00 10 O'Clock Live 23:05 Friday Night Dinner 23:35 The Ricky Gervais Show 00:05 Ctrl Mx 00:40 On Track with Seat 00:55 On Track with Seat 01:05 The People's Supermarket 02:00 Dispatches 02:50 First Cut 03:15 Without a Trace 04:00 Hill Street Blues 04:50 Brothers & Sisters 06:20 Sali Mali 06:25 The Hoobs 06:50 The Hoobs 07:15 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:05 Frasier 08:35 According to Jim 09:05 Supernanny US 10:00 The Good Wife 10:55 Gok's Clothes Roadshow 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 Breakfast at Tiﬀany's 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:25 4thought.tv 19:30 First Cut 20:00 Relocation: Phil Down Under 21:00 Embarrassing Bodies 22:00 Friday Night Dinner 22:30 Rude Tube 23:30 10 O'Clock Live 00:35 Mercury Prize Sessions 00:50 Ctrl Mx 01:20 My Name Is Earl 01:45 My Name Is Earl 02:05 Modern Toss 02:30 Teenage Paparazzo 04:10 Reaper 07:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:10 Milkshake! Show Songs 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:25 Mio Mao 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The WotWots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:00 The Vanessa Show 11:45 House 12:40 Five News 12:45 Build a New Life in the Country 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 Home and Away 14:50 Extraordinary Dogs 15:20 Abducted: Fugitive for Love 17:00 Five News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 Five News at 7 19:30 Starlight: For the Children 20:00 Cowboy Builders 21:00 NCIS 22:00 Greatest TV Weddings 00:00 PartyPoker.com 01:05 Super Casino 04:00 Your Sport 04:10 Brian Sewell's Grand Tour 07:15 The Mr Men Show 07:30 Thomas and Friends 07:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:25 Peppa Pig 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The WotWots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:00 The Vanessa Show 11:45 House 12:40 Five News 12:45 Build a New Life in the Country 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 Home and Away 14:50 Extraordinary Dogs 15:20 Murder Without Conviction 17:00 Five News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 Five News at 7 19:30 Monkey Life 20:00 The True Story 21:00 Pistol Whipped 23:05 Steven Seagal v Justin Lee Collins 00:05 Super Casino 04:00 Your Sport 04:10 Brian Sewell's Grand Tour 04:55 Rough Guide to Islands 07:15 The Mr Men Show 07:30 Thomas and Friends 07:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:25 Peppa Pig 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The WotWots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:00 The Vanessa Show 11:45 House 12:40 Five News 12:45 Build a New Life in the Country 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 Home and Away 14:50 Animal Rescue Squad 15:05 The Family Recipe 15:15 Family Gathering 17:00 Five News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 Five News at 7 19:30 Vets in Action 20:00 Ice Road Truckers 21:00 The Mentalist 22:00 Law & Order 22:55 NCIS 23:55 Cops in Crisis 00:15 Super Casino 03:55 Motorsport Mundial 04:20 Royal Navy: Caribbean Patrol 19:00 Top Gear 20:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 21:00 Working Girls 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Lunch Monkeys 23:00 Family Guy 23:20 Family Guy 23:45 Working Girls 00:45 How to Live with Women 01:45 Lunch Monkeys 02:15 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 03:15 Is Oral Sex Safe? 04:10 How to Live with Women 05:10 SIGN OFF 19:00 Doctor Who 20:05 Great Movie Mistakes 2: The Sequel 20:30 The Lock Up 21:00 Little Britain 21:30 Lunch Monkeys 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 How to Live with Women 23:30 Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps 00:00 Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps 00:30 Family Guy 00:50 Family Guy 01:15 The Lock Up 01:45 Coming of Age 02:15 Lunch Monkeys 02:45 How to Live with Women 03:45 Great Movie Mistakes 2: The Sequel 19:00 Don't Tell the Bride 20:00 How to Live with Women 21:00 Scenes from a Teenage Killing 23:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 00:00 Family Guy 00:20 Family Guy 00:45 Being Human 01:45 American Dad! 02:05 American Dad! 02:25 American Dad! 02:50 American Dad! 03:10 American Dad! 03:35 American Dad! 04:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 05:00 The Lock Up 05:30 SIGN OFF WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the New series: Jamie’s Dream School Man City v Aston Villa Wed Mar 2nd 19.30 SATURDAY th March 6 NOTE: Add 1 hour for Spanish viewing times. Jamie Oliver’s latest project - 20 unruly, disruptive kids are being taught by the likes of historian David Starkey, Prof Robert Winston, and actor Simon Callow. Expect sparks to fly. MONDAY th March 7 TUESDAY March 8th 19:00 Countryfile 20:00 Antiques Roadshow 21:00 South Riding 22:00 BBC News 22:15 BBC London News; Weather 22:25 Outcasts 23:25 The Sky at Night 00:05 Reggie Perrin 00:35 Lead Balloon 01:05 Weatherview 01:10 Faulks on Fiction 02:10 Holby City 03:10 Imagine... 04:10 BBC News 04:30 HARDtalk 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready? 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 The Smokehouse 15:35 Deadly 60 15:40 Deadly Art 16:00 The Big Performance 16:30 Blue Peter 16:55 Shaun the Sheep 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 19:00 The One Show 19:30 Inside Out 20:00 EastEnders 20:30 Panorama 21:00 Motorway Cops 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 Mrs Brown's Boys 23:05 Late Kick Oﬀ 23:35 The Graham Norton Show 00:25 The Apprentice 01:05 The Apprentice 01:50 Weatherview 01:55 Silk 02:55 Imagine 03:55 Life in a Cottage Garden 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready? 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 The Smokehouse 15:35 Deadly 60 15:40 Deadly Art 16:00 Dead Gorgeous 16:30 Blue Peter 16:55 Shaun the Sheep 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 19:00 The One Show 19:30 EastEnders 20:00 Holby City 21:00 Silk 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 Neighbourhood Watched 23:20 Girls Behind Bars 00:20 Weatherview 00:25 See Hear 00:55 Human Planet 01:55 When Teenage Meets Old Age 02:55 The Foods That Make Billions 03:55 The Reporters 07:00 Basil and Barney's Game Show 07:30 Arthur 08:00 Richard Hammond's Blast Lab 08:30 Gimme a Break 09:00 Dick & Dom Go Wild 09:30 Cop School 10:00 Something for the Weekend 11:30 Film 2011 with Claudia Winkleman 12:00 In a Lonely Place 13:30 Live: European Indoor Championship Athletics 17:00 Coast 17:20 Attenborough and the Giant Egg 18:20 Finding Neverland 20:00 Top Gear 21:00 Wonders of the Universe 22:00 Match of the Day 2 23:00 ICC World Cup Cricket 00:00 Fast and Loose 00:30 Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait 02:00 BBC News 02:30 Dateline London 03:00 BBC News 03:30 The Record Europe 04:00 BBC News 04:10 The Super League Show 04:40 Pages from Ceefax 09:55 3rd and Bird 10:05 Postman Pat SDS 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:45 Waybuloo 11:05 In the Night Garden 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT 13:00 Diagnosis Murder 13:45 New Year New You: To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Nature's Top 40 15:00 Flog It! 15:45 Helicopter Heroes 16:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 Royal Upstairs Downstairs 19:00 Parents Under Pressure 20:00 University Challenge 20:30 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 21:00 When Teenage Meets Old Age 22:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 ICC World Cup Cricket 00:20 Island Parish 00:50 BBC World News America 01:00 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 09:40 Little Human Planet 09:45 Big and Small 09:55 3rd and Bird 10:05 Postman Pat SDS 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:45 Waybuloo 11:05 In the Night Garden 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT 13:00 Diagnosis Murder 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Nature's Top 40 15:00 Flog It! 15:45 Helicopter Heroes 16:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 Royal Upstairs Downstairs 19:00 Wonders of the Universe 20:00 The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best 21:00 Horizon 22:00 How TV Ruined Your Life 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 ICC World Cup Cricket 00:20 BBC News 00:30 BBC World News America 01:00 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer Monsters Unleashed 17:40 Granada News 17:55 ITV News 18:10 You've Been Framed! 18:40 Harry Hill's TV Burp 19:10 Ant & Dec's Push the Button 20:25 Take Me Out 21:40 The World Is Not Enough 22:50 ITV News 23:05 The World Is Not Enough 00:20 The Cube 01:15 The Zone 03:15 Swingtown 04:00 ITV Nightscreen 07:10 Curious George 07:25 Monk 07:30 Beyblade Metal Fusion 07:55 SpongeBob SquarePants 08:10 X-Men 08:35 Cool Stuﬀ Collective 09:00 Wizards of Waverly Place 09:25 May the Best House Win 10:25 The Biggest Loser 11:30 This Morning: Sunday 12:30 Dinner Date 13:30 ITV News and Weather 13:35 Columbo 15:35 Midsomer Murders 17:35 Granada News and Weather 17:50 ITV News and Weather 18:05 Harry Hill's TV Burp 18:35 Dancing on Ice 20:30 Wild at Heart 21:30 Dancing on Ice 22:05 ITV News and Weather 22:20 My Dad's Army 23:20 Rugby 00:20 The Zone 02:00 The Calcium Kid 03:30 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 Granada Reports 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Coronation Street 20:00 The Lakes 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Law & Order: UK 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 New Homes from Hell 2009 23:35 River Monsters 00:30 The Zone 02:35 UEFA Champions League Weekly 03:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show 03:55 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 Granada Reports 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Grimefighters 20:00 Lion Country 21:00 Caroline Quentin: A Passage Through India 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 The Big Tease 00:10 The Zone 02:15 Crossing Jordan 03:00 ITV Nightscreen 06:10 The Hoobs 06:35 The Hoobs 07:00 Motorcycle Racing 07:25 Mobil 1: The Grid 07:55 The Morning Line 08:50 Friends 09:25 4Music Favourites 09:40 Friends 10:15 4Music Favourites 10:50 Glee 11:45 Great British Hairdresser 12:45 Video Exclusive 12:50 The Big Bang Theory 13:20 The Big Bang Theory 13:50 Live: Channel 4 Racing 15:50 The Secret Supper Club 16:20 Come Dine with Me: Extra Portions 16:55 Come Dine with Me: Extra Portions 17:25 Come Dine with Me: Extra Portions 17:55 Come Dine with Me 18:25 The Political Slot 18:30 Channel 4 News 18:55 4thought.tv 19:00 River Cottage Everyday 20:00 Seven Ages of Britain 21:00 Taken 22:50 Flight of the Phoenix 00:55 Lady Vengeance 03:00 Shin Gi Tai 03:10 Without a Trace 03:55 Privileged 07:00 World Cup Skiing 07:30 That Paralympic Show 07:55 The Crush Wrap Party with KFC Krushems 08:20 Friends 08:50 Friends 09:25 Hollyoaks Omnibus 11:55 Glee 12:55 The Simpsons 13:25 The Simpsons 13:55 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 14:25 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 14:55 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 15:30 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 15:55 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 16:25 Deal or No Deal 17:30 Time Team 18:30 Channel 4 News 18:55 4thought.tv 19:00 Come Dine with Me 20:00 Civilization: Is the West History? 21:00 Country House Rescue 22:00 Mr & Mrs Smith 00:15 The Album Chart Show 00:45 The Album Chart Show 01:00 4Play 01:15 Going Back 02:05 The Fairy Jobmother 03:00 The Family 03:55 Without a Trace 06:20 The Hoobs 06:45 The Hoobs 07:15 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:05 Frasier 08:35 According to Jim 09:05 Supernanny US 10:00 The Good Wife 10:55 Relocation: Phil Down Under 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 The TV Book Club 12:30 Death Drums Along the River 14:05 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Dispatches 21:00 One Born Every Minute 22:00 Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan 23:40 Nacho Libre 01:20 Rome Wasn't Built in a Day 02:15 Royal Deaths and Diseases 03:10 Codex 04:05 The Bible: A History 06:20 The Hoobs 06:45 The Hoobs 07:15 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:05 Frasier 08:35 According to Jim 09:05 Supernanny US 10:00 The Good Wife 10:55 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 River Cottage Bites 12:15 The Long Memory 14:05 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Gok's Clothes Roadshow 21:00 Heston's Mission Impossible 22:00 Shameless 23:05 The Big C 23:45 Facejacker 00:15 Poker 01:15 World Cup Skiing 01:40 Freesports on 4 02:10 Mobil 1: The Grid 02:35 KOTV 03:05 Powerboat Racing 03:35 Britain's Favourite Yacht Race 07:30 Make Way for Noddy 07:40 Igam Ogam 07:55 The Little Princess 08:10 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 08:25 Play! 08:40 Rupert 08:55 Olivia 09:10 The Mr. Men Show 09:25 The Milkshake! Show 09:55 Castle Farm 10:00 Zoo Days 10:15 How Do They Do It? 10:45 The Gadget Show 11:50 Ice Road Truckers 12:50 Ride Clear of Diablo 14:25 Firecreek 16:25 Superman II 18:50 5 News Weekend 18:55 NCIS 19:45 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 20:40 CSI: Miami 21:40 CSI: NY 22:40 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:35 Forensic Files 00:10 Super Casino 04:05 Brian Sewell's Grand Tour 04:50 Zoo Days 07:15 Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs 07:30 Make Way for Noddy 07:45 Igam Ogam 07:55 The Little Princess 08:10 Hana's Helpline 08:20 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 08:30 Family! 08:40 Milkshake Monkey 08:45 Rupert 08:55 Castle Farm 09:00 Olivia 09:15 The Mr. Men Show 09:30 The Milkshake! Show 10:00 Zoo Days 10:15 Street Market Chefs 10:45 Stansted: The Inside Story 11:45 Cowboy Builders 12:45 Cowboy Builders 13:45 Freaky Friday 15:35 5 News Weekend 15:40 Spy Kids 17:35 Superman III 20:00 Royal Navy: Caribbean Patrol 21:00 Bulletproof 22:45 Stir Crazy 00:55 Cops in Crisis 01:10 Super Casino 04:05 Brian Sewell's Grand Tour 04:50 Meals in Moments 07:30 Thomas and Friends 07:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:25 Milkshake Monkey 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The WotWots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:05 Build a New Life in the Country 12:05 Meals in Moments 12:10 5 News Lunchtime 12:15 House 13:15 Home and Away 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 The Vanessa Show 15:05 Animal Rescue Squad 15:25 Avenging Angel 17:00 5 News at 5 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 5 News at 7 19:30 How Do They Do It? 20:00 The Gadget Show 21:00 Royal Navy: Caribbean Patrol 22:00 Kill Switch 23:55 The Ultimate Fighting Championship 00:55 Super Casino 03:55 Your Sport 04:05 Brian Sewell's Grand Tour 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:25 Milkshake Monkey 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The WotWots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:05 Build a New Life in the Country 12:05 Meals in Moments 12:10 5 News Lunchtime 12:15 House 13:15 Home and Away 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 The Vanessa Show 15:05 The Family Recipe 15:15 The Royal Scandal 17:00 5 News at 5 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 5 News at 7 19:30 Extraordinary Dogs 20:00 Stansted: The Inside Story 21:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 22:00 CSI: Miami 22:55 CSI: NY 23:55 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 00:50 Super Casino 03:55 Your Sport 04:05 Brian Sewell's Grand Tour 04:50 Nick's Quest 19:00 Top Gear 20:00 Great TV Mistakes 21:00 Russell Howard's Good News Extra 21:45 Severance 23:15 Family Guy 23:35 Family Guy 00:00 American Dad 00:20 American Dad 00:45 Russell Howard's Good News Extra 01:30 The Lock Up 02:00 Great TV Mistakes 03:00 Young, Jobless and Living at Home 04:00 A Dangerous Place to Meet My Family 05:00 Special 1 TV 05:05 SIGN OFF 19:00 The World's Strictest Parents 20:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 21:00 Being Human 22:00 Family Guy 22:20 Family Guy 22:45 American Dad! 23:05 American Dad! 23:30 Being Human 00:25 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 01:25 The World's Strictest Parents 02:25 Coming of Age 02:55 The Big Fat Truth About Low Fat Foods 03:55 The World's Worst Place to Be Gay? 04:55 Coming of Age 05:25 SIGN OFF 19:00 Working Girls 20:00 Hotter Than My Daughter 20:30 The Lock Up 21:00 How to Live with Women 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Being Human 23:30 Family Guy 23:50 Family Guy 00:15 How to Live with Women 01:15 Hotter Than My Daughter 01:45 The Lock Up 02:15 Is Oral Sex Safe? 03:15 Working Girls 04:10 Being Human 05:10 SIGN OFF 19:00 Total Wipeout 20:00 Snog Marry Avoid? 20:30 Hotter Than My Daughter 21:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Coming of Age 23:00 Family Guy 23:20 Family Guy 23:45 Snog Marry Avoid? 00:15 Hotter Than My Daughter 00:45 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 01:45 Coming of Age 02:15 Total Wipeout 03:15 How to Live with Women 04:15 Working Girls 05:15 SIGN OFF 06:00 Breakfast 10:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 11:30 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 12:00 BBC News 12:10 BBC London News; Weather 12:15 Football Focus 13:00 Live: European Indoor Championship Athletics 16:30 Final Score 17:20 BBC News 17:30 BBC London News; Weather 17:40 Total Wipeout 18:40 Let's Dance for Comic Relief 20:00 The National Lottery: Secret Fortune 20:50 Casualty 21:40 Live at the Apollo 22:10 BBC News 22:30 Match of the Day 23:50 The Football League Show 01:10 Weatherview 01:15 BBC News 01:30 The Bottom Line 02:00 BBC News 02:30 HARDtalk 03:00 BBC News 03:30 Our World 04:00 BBC News 04:30 Click 06:00 Breakfast 07:35 Match of the Day 09:00 The Andrew Marr Show 10:00 The Big Questions 11:00 Country Tracks 12:00 Politics Show 13:00 Bargain Hunt 13:30 EastEnders Omnibus 15:25 The Weakest Link 16:10 Escape to the Country 16:55 Songs of Praise 17:30 BBC News 17:50 BBC London News; Weather 18:00 Nigel Slater's Simple Suppers 18:30 The Boat That Guy Built 07:30 Arthur 08:00 Richard Hammond's Blast Lab 08:30 Project Parent 09:00 Dick and Dom's Funny Business 10:00 Trapped: Ever After 10:25 OOglies 10:45 Copycats 11:15 My Life 11:45 MOTD Kickabout 12:00 Escape to the Country 13:00 Bicentennial Man 15:00 Into the West 16:30 Live: European Indoor Championship Athletics 17:00 Churches: How to Read Them 17:30 Flog It! 18:00 The Story of Slapstick 19:00 Dad's Army 19:30 The Culture Show 19:55 World Book Night Live from Glasgow's Aye Write Festival 20:00 The Culture Show 20:55 World Book Night Live from Bath Literature Festival 21:00 The Culture Show 21:55 World Book Night Live from Royal Festival Hall 22:00 Brideshead Revisited 00:05 ICC World Cup Cricket 01:05 Brute Force 02:40 Pages from Ceefax 07:10 The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That 07:25 Monk 07:30 Beyblade Metal Fusion 07:55 Horrid Henry 08:10 Cool Stuﬀ Collective 08:35 The Suite Life of Zack and Cody 09:00 Hannah Montana 09:25 Coronation Street Omnibus 11:45 This Morning: Saturday 12:45 Monk 13:40 ITV News 13:50 Kindergarten Cop 16:00 Scooby-Doo 2: WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Sca real ndinav esta ia te a n gen t Properties Pr operties for sale at rreduced educed prices! FRONT LINE Lovely Lovely apartment in Fuengirola Fuengirola - FIRST FIRST LINE TO TO THE BEACH BEACH € 275,000 2 bedr bedrooms ooms · 1 bathr bathroom oom · 92 m² built · 14 m² terr terrace ace · Modernised · FFully ully fitted kitchen Close to shopping, rrestaurants estaurants and the beach and it has a high potential for rrentals entals · A/C hot & cold · Lift · RE-2144 New kitchen! T orrenueva Villa in Torr Villa Torrenueva ownhouse - Higuer Townhouse Higueron on € 425,000 T 4 beds · 2 baths · 188 m² built · 120 m² terr terrace ace · P Pool ool Utility rroom oom · Gar Garage age · Udating needed · RE-2092 € 289,000 3 bed · 2 bath · 120 m² built · Sea views · P Pool ool · A/C 24h security guar guard d and video · Private gar garden den · RE-2102 Bargain! Bargain! Finca - Mijas Costa Finca € 295,500 2 bed · 2 bath · 70 m² built · 30 m² terr terrace ace · P Pool ool Quiet · Plot 2,450 m² · Guest apartment · RE-2128 Mi C Capricho apricho Resale properties properties wanted! Scandinavian clients looking for apartments from and villas fr rom om Benalmaden Benalmadena to Marbella. For and valuation, onsultation a For a free free cconsultation nd v aluation, call our listing agents on 951 100 210 or or e-mail e-mail [email protected]. Apartment - Benalmadena € 145,000 List your property property online on casauna.com 1 bed · 1 bath · 70 m² built · Dir Direct ect access fr from om the liv liv-ing room room to the terr terrace ace · RE-2134 Tel. 951 100 210 Apartment - Calahonda Calahonda € 350,000 3 bedrooms bedrooms · 2 baths · 110 m² built · 22 m² terrace terrace Community pools · Garage Garage · Storage Storage room room · RE-2143 www.casauna.com news Your outlook on the World the M ww ore ph w. ot mor casaun os e inf a orm .com atio n Pr Properties operties for sale at rreduced educed d prices! Reduced! Villa V illa in quiet urbanisation in Benalmadena - work needed € 215,000 3 bedr bedrooms ooms · 2 bathr bathrooms ooms · 124 m² built · 38 m² terr terrace ace · Private garden garden as well as community gar garden den with pool Ther Theree is a lar large ge terr terrace ace with sea views and a rroof oof terrace terrace with even better views · Reference: Reference: RE-2068 Reduced! Fuengirola centre Apartment - F uengirola centr e € 202,000 Townhouse Townhouse - Estepona Estepon 3 bed · 2 bath · 106 m² built · Balcony · Marble Floors Bright · W Walking alking distance to everything · RE-2105 LLong ong let Apartment - F uengirola Fuengirola Riviera del Sol € 345,000 Apartment - Riviera 3 beds · 2 baths · 180 m² built · 65 m² terr terrace ace · A/C Firee place · Gar Fir Garage age · Quiet · Pool Pool · Near beach · RE-2007 Long Long let € 750 /mo 2 bedr bedrooms ooms · 2 bathr bathrooms ooms · 100 m² · P Panoramic anoramic views A/C · Gar Garage age · Unfurnished · LRLR-1811 1811 Apartment - Marbella € 239,000 3 bed · 2 bath · 145 m² built · 50 m² terr terrace ace · Quiet Sea views · A/C · Community pool · RERE-1701 1701 Long Long let € 800 /mo Villa Villa - Torrequebrada Torr Torrequebrada 2 bedrooms bedrooms · 2 bath · 116 m² · 20 m² terraces terraces · A/C Furnished Furnished · Gated · Pool Pool · Parking Parking · LR-1444 LR-1444 € 3,000 /mo 4 bedrooms bedrooms · 4 bathrooms bathrooms · 450 m² · Modern · Quality Pool Pool · Furnished Furnished · Garage Garage for 3 cars · RE-512 Call rental agent Malene on 687 88 77 00 or e-mail [email protected] WeDnesDay, March 2nd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in Classifieds Place an Ad by phone: Place an Ad by email: Place an Ad by fax: 952 45 44 91 / 902 00 11 00 [email protected] 952 45 44 41 air cOnDitiOninG cOOlflOW The Air Conditioning Specialists. Installation, servicing and repairs to all makes and models. Special oﬀers available. Call Ian 678491234. Established 7 (113)tnp years on the coast ---------------------------------------------KOlDair Supplying and fitting Europe’s best airconditioners at Spain’s lowest Prices. 605428307 (114)p See advert on Page 3. ---------------------------------------------airflOW Air conditioning, servicing and repairs, oﬃcial Panasonic Centre. No obligation quotations and advice - all makes. Contact Lynne or Alison on 952443222, (118)p [email protected] BUsiness eqUipment UnWanteD cars, vans. Wanted dead or alive. Removed free. (114)p 616835799 ---------------------------------------------WanteD good, bad, ugly, cars, caravans, even non-runners. Free collection. 951047311, 696321138(116) ---------------------------------------------Bentley year 2000, immaculate, full spec, Spanish plates. €48,000 (118) Call 609709466 ---------------------------------------------pOrscHe Carrera S. Perfect,year 2007. €55,000 Call 609709466 (118) ---------------------------------------------BmW 735i Year 1999. Full M Spec. Beautiful car. €6,950 Call (118) 609709466 ---------------------------------------------car Or small van wanted. Will pay (112)p max €2500 672901124 ---------------------------------------------peUGeOt Partner Rancho 2005, full spec, ITV, blue. Mint. €4995 (118)p 665955880 ---------------------------------------------merceDes E220 CDi 2002 full / panoramic sunroof, black, nav, Spanish plates, €14.950. Call (118)p 609709466 cleaners Residential and commercial. Established 2006 in Spain. 10 years in UK. 665269966 (0) ---------------------------------------------UpHOlstery and steam cleaning, sofas, carpets etc. J A Cleaning (116)p Services 626357955 ---------------------------------------------WinDOW cleaners Husband and (126)tnp wife team. 691140427 ---------------------------------------------cleaninG lady oﬀers services in Coin. €7 an hour. Excellent references. (118)p Call 678847146 for more info ---------------------------------------------HOme and oﬃce cleaning. Trustworthy, eﬃcient and economical. 952485026 (115)p www.elscleaning.com ---------------------------------------------Dirt dust, damp or mould prblems? Dry and steam cleaning. Bring your furniture back to life. (115)p MCS 692566584 cOmpUters 610 868 748 car repairs BUsiness Opps BUsy Cafe Bar in Sol’y`Mar area Los Porches, Benalmadena Costa. Two terraces, one enclosed. Family run for 6 years, genuine reason for (117)fg sale. 952964753 BUilDinG services BritisH mOBile mecHanics Fully qualified. Home visits. No call-out charge. Guaranteed, reasonably priced servicing and repairs for all car makes. For ITVs we come to you. For more info: 951400189, or mobile 695913592 (114) www.mbcmechanics.com caravans/campinG neW camp-let Concorde trailer ten, was €7995, oﬀer €4,995. 638467289 www.spanish(117)p vacations.com caterinG services & $ #" * We BUy and sell catering equipment and furniture. Also stainless steel fabrication, own workshops, extractor hoods, work benches etc. 650966374, 952338378 (0)p www.eurohosteleria.com classes General building work. Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, decorating, plastering, tiling etc. Free estimates. English, Spanish 634355214 + Finnish 648936476(121)p ---------------------------------------------HanDyman maintenance, electrician, plumbng, painting, free quotes. 681107418 www.handymanspain.com (115)p ---------------------------------------------plUmBinG electrics, bathrooms, kitchens, tiling. General building (116)p work. 673126749 ---------------------------------------------Granite and Silestone kitchen work tops. All prices beaten. Free (113)p estimates. 606538443 cars & vans We BUy accident damaged cars and mechanical failures. (117)p 609709466 w w w.self- defence -pro.com Group or private tuition. Helping weight loss. Los Boliches (119)wp 676200400 ---------------------------------------------WOOD tUrninG lessons for beginners. Please telephone 600655234 for more information.(113)tnp ---------------------------------------------spanisH evening courses for adults. Contact Valerie Mitchell of Centro de Idiomas, Coin. 952450747, vjeﬀ[email protected](0)f ---------------------------------------------cHilDrens after school classes. Contact Valerie Mitchell of Centro de Idiomas, Coin. 952450747, (0)f vjeﬀ[email protected] flOOrinG HOMESERVE FLOORING Domestic, contract, boats MDC see our main advert on Page 5 Sundays Calle Burgos 3, Fuengirola, Malaga EstimAtEs flOOr pOlisHinG cOmpUter Helpline. Desktops, laptops repaired, upgraded. New and used supplied. Internet, email problems solved. 952564274, (113)tnp 677702501 ---------------------------------------------cOin Computer Services. All repairs, virus removal, upgrades, Broadband. Free calls to UK. (113)tnp 951047292, 676909418 ---------------------------------------------laptOps and all computers, sales, repairs, upgrades etc., and oﬃce equipment repairs. Oﬃce Lines (Freddy Smith), Diana Centre, Km (112)gp 168, N340. 952880654 ---------------------------------------------pc prOBlems solved. Data transferred, ADSL problems solved, virus removal. Maintenance contracts available. 952932264, (116)p 609574455 ---------------------------------------------pc DOctOr desktop and laptop repair centre. Sales and upgrades. ADSL from €20 per month. Full range of internet, Telefonica and Telecom services. Anti-virus program €50 per year. We cover the coast. Certified and bilingual technicians. Call sales 952591071 (0)pwf Support 807488440 DecOratOrs Want the best? nº 1 on the coast for painting & decorating. call nick at Decor8. all aspects no problem. 678889933/952939561 (140)p www.decor8.es ---------------------------------------------painter Interior/exterior/rejas etc. Clean, tidy and eﬃcient. Job quotes or daily rates. Call Ray (114)p 952666354 or 622807702 DOmestic appliances cleaninG services WasHinG machine repairs, fast, reliable service. All work guaranteed. Also sales from €70. Can deliver. (125)pwp Call Joe 686271836 mr mUlti Klean - professional Window cleaning, marble floor polishing and carpet & upholstery cleaning. Best price and service. call andy on (115)p 606590728 tecHnical Drawings produced in Autocad. Call Danny 690745446 [email protected] (117)tnp www.ddbautocad.com DraUGHtsman marBle floor polishing (€2 m2) Why pay more? We clean, then crystalize and polish to a high gloss, non slip. Professional fast services. Cover all Costa. 14 years (140)p experience. 671244683 10.00am - 2.00pm Only limited space available OPEN 52 WEEKS OF THE YEAR HOUse clearances HOUse Clearances. Full or part. Fast and eﬃcient service. (120)tnp 628239174, 628564634 ---------------------------------------------place an aD! It’s quick, it’s easy and it works. Call 952454491 or email [email protected] (f ) HOUse/pet sittinG HOUse/pet/plant sitting. UK or Spain. Long or short term. References available 651106247 (115)p www.mindyermanors.com insUrance Great selectiOn Of carpets, laminates [email protected] sales Best Policies & Price HOME . LIFE . MOTOR HEALTH . TRAVEL . BOAT COMMUNITY . BUSINESS Tel: 952 934 963 www.rightwaysl.com Calahonda, Mijas Costa, Málaga 659 650 700 availaBle for roads, tracks, car parks etc., 300 ton crushed concrete. very good material for sub-base can be supplied laid & rolled for a good, free quote in english ring 637179373 or for your quote in spanish 673250707. (118)p ---------------------------------------------OppOrtUnity! Leftovers of German label - Gerry Weber, Blanca Nikowa ladies fashion design. Before €25 - €50 now €5€10. Over 500 pieces or more. (113)tnp 696330543/952860072 ---------------------------------------------laDies big size wear: Chalou Germany. Over 300 pieces. Before €25-€45 now €10. Its worth seeing!. (113)tnp 696330543 Wants BOOt sale items, tools, electrical, paperbacks, household, china etc. Top prices paid. 607780648 (114)catp ---------------------------------------------We BUy accident damaged cars and mechanical failures. 609709466 (118))p GarDeninG iris irriGatiOn Specialists in garden construction and maintenance. Clearance of abandoned / neglected gardens. 25 years experience. Look out for the Big Flower Van all along the coast. 676747521 (113)p www.gardensinspain.com ---------------------------------------------39 euros a week. Garden maintenance and more. (references). 634355441, (125)p 690049061 ---------------------------------------------GarDeninG services, cleaning, maintenance, etc. Hourly rate. Spanish: 670822949 / English: 685555834 For all your aDvertisinG needs in EWS N GeOff HeaDinG THE 622 050 409 HealtH & BeaUty Gillian your friendly mobile hairdresser for the elderly. Specialist in perms, sets, colours and blow-drys. Good rates. All products supplied unless advised (124)p otherwise. 635261483 ---------------------------------------------HairDressinG Mobile hairdresser, over 15 years experience, all aspects. Telephone (124)tnp Janet 645037335 ---------------------------------------------mOBile massage therapist. Reflexology, Swedish massage, aromatherapy, deep tissue and hotstones. Gift vouchers also available. www.relajacionpura.com (114)p 666144572 pets & animals ') ! " %+) prestiGe Insurance Consultants. For quality products and personal service. Motor (all types UK and Spanish). Home (Building/Contents). Travel Health - Life/Disability - Business. Registered with the Direccion General de Seguros as Exclusive Agents for Ibex Insurance and Generali Seguros. Tel/Fax 952453873 Mobile 667982418 www.prestige-insurance.com (117)p lOans fUlly licenseD paWnBrOKer fUlly licenseD GOlD Dealer fUlly licenseD JeWellers servicinG tHe pUBlic anD traDe aliKe. est 1983 WHere ??????? antHOnys DiamOnDs avDa. ramOn y caJal 40 fUenGirOla, malaGa 29640 952588795 / 609529633 [email protected] lOcKsmitHs l O c K s m i t H Emergency/Appointment. Doors opened without damage, locks changed, patio doors and windows secured. 24 hour honest, fast and reliable service. Call Paul (163)tnp 657466803 "$' & )'% ')( #&' & mets DOG training club. Fuengirola Glyn 605121831, Ken 627851379. Torre del Mar Colin 606616308 (124)p ---------------------------------------------laGUna Kennels and cosy cattery. Five star facilities, fully tiled quarters with airconditioning. Your pets lovingly cared for by English mother and daughter. Near Coin. (125)p 952112021 / 606838983 ---------------------------------------------expOrt Specialists. Cat and Dog World Kennels. 952112978, (115)p 630197435 ---------------------------------------------lUxUry professional kennels, Cat and Dog World. Fully licensesd. Cheap collection service. Viewing welcome. www.cat-and-dog-world.com (115)p 952112978 / 630197435 ---------------------------------------------prOBlems? David the Dogman from Estepona to Fuengirola (0)tnf 952883388 / 610868748 ---------------------------------------------cHiHUaHUa Pedigree puppies with passport. All year available. (115)p 952112870/654285667 ---------------------------------------------BeaUtifUl Ragdoll kittens. The ideal apartment cat. Sensibly priced. Animals transported and quarantined. 952960075 / 662645816 (116)p www.patriarcacats.com WeDnesDay, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the maincOOn cat, 2 years old. Gentle aﬀectionate girl, Anita is just waiting for someone to love (116)p again. 952486518 ---------------------------------------------siamese cat, loving beautiful little girl, 8 months old seeks a (116)p good home. 952486518 ---------------------------------------------cat White, 8 month old little boy. Aﬀectionate, good with people and would love to share your (116)p home. 952486518 ---------------------------------------------Kittens galore, boys and girls of all colours would love to share (106)p your home. 952486518 plUmBinG pUmps Reconditioned and repaired for pools, irrigation, pressure systems etc. Economical prices, fast (139)p turnaround. Tel. 667292493 ---------------------------------------------scOtt fOrBes the Plumber. All work guaranteed. 20 years British (0) Gas experience 652665410 ---------------------------------------------plUmBer All types of plumbing carried out by professional plumber with 30 years experience. (118)p 669009821 prOperty fOr sale cOrner townhouse Nagüeles. With many extras and complete with luxury furniture. It´s worth to see it! €595,000 696330543, (113)p 952860072 ---------------------------------------------mUla, mUrcia As featured in the British Airways in-flight magazine. 2 houses absolute bargain! Home and business. House 1 consists of 3 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, bathroom, courtyard and roof terrace. Fully rewired. House 2 has 4 bedrooms, 2 receptions plus cave room, kitchen, bathroom. Courtyard and huge roof terrace. The second house needs total refurbishment but is structurally sound and would yield in the region of €500 per month rental income when done up. Both houses are at the top of the town overlooking the rooftops of houses, churches etc., and the valley beyond. Mula is known for its hot spring baths and has planning for several golf courses and a spa in the area. Price for both houses is €125,000. Don’t delay! Tel: 661114 070 tO rent VILLAS, TOWNHOUSES PENTHOUSES WANTED for Long Term Rentals from Fuengirola to Marbella. NEEDED NOW 952932276 SOL VILLAS [email protected] www.solvillaspain.com lOvely finca close to Villa Franco, Alhaurin el Grande. Two houses, both legal, set in nearly 4,000m2. Entrance via electric gate. Main house - 2/3 bedrooms, lounge, diner, two bathrooms, separae kitchen. Second (wooden house) 1 bedroom, shower room and lounge with American kitchen. Lovely outside enclosed area with bar and kitchen. Two garages, outside w.c., pool, orange grove, dog kennel. (113)tnp €380,000 669343011 ---------------------------------------------prOperty finDer. Access to “below market value properties”, repossessions and refurbishments. Housing stock throughout the UK. Combined services available, tailored finance, conveyancing, refurbishment packages, tenant sourcing. Suitable for investment, repatriation and individual needs, block purchases available. Call Carla on 687921481 for an informal chat or email at (rbf) [email protected] ---------------------------------------------calaHOnDa Detached chalet, 4 bedrooms, 21/2 bathrooms, private pool, large garage, roof terrace, 620m2 plot, plenty of oﬀ road parking. Close to all amenities. A real family home just needs some TLC. €350,000 952930039, (113)f 606611228 - no agents ---------------------------------------------aBsOlUtely everything to do with property including sales, rentals, key holding, maintenance, cleaning. 696150765 (000)tnp www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------cOin Legal country home. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, private pool, 1,600m2 irrigated garden. Secure fencing, main services, phone and Sky. Reduced €250,000 (115)tnp 952455269, 639368014 ---------------------------------------------cOin 3 bedroom villa with pool. €178,000 Tel. 629903751 (113)p www.cabopinorealty.com ---------------------------------------------cOin tOWn centre. lovely large house with potential for B&B. 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms. €249,000 negotiable. BarGain 952453813, 00447968536556 (113)p BeD & BreaKfast evening meal and laundry. Sat TV in every room. (113)p €85 per week. 627379001 ---------------------------------------------lOnG term Rentals, super prices, no commissions, apartments, townhouses, villas, fincas, coast and (108)p inland. 679111522 ---------------------------------------------aBsOlUtely everything to do with property including sales, rentals, key holding, maintenance, cleaning. 696150765 (000)tnp www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------cOin Beautiful modern country house 105m2 and 6000m2 land. Accommodation on 2 floors, 2 bedrooms, open studio, 2 bathrooms, living room, nice fitted kitchen. Pefect road access. €600 (111)p 696150765 van spain-UK-pOrtUGal Regular deliveries - full/part loads. Competetive rates, honest and reliable. 25 years on the coast. Contact Dave on 952724698, 610686273or email (115)p [email protected] services cOin Nr. town. Nice house with 3 bedrooms, bathroom, living room, fitted kitchen, pool, central heating, air con. 800m2 plot. €650 (111)p 696150765 ---------------------------------------------cOin El Rodeo. Nice chalet, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fitted kitchen, pool, barbecue, garage, aircon with heating. Near to town. (111)p €850 696150765 ---------------------------------------------mOnDa Nice country house, 3 bedrooms, 8000m2 land. €500 (111)p 696150765 ---------------------------------------------lOOKinG for a property to rent? Finca, villa or apartment - we have the right one for you - if not, we will find it. Without commission!!!! Call us now on 696150765 (111)p www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------carvaJal next to Holiday Village, Benalmadena Costa. 3 bed, 2 bath fully furnished apartment, south west facing balcony with sea views and glass curtains. Community pool and tennis courts. €590 per month. (114)ghp 622130796, 633333854 ---------------------------------------------mOnDa 2 bedroom country house with pool. €450 629903751 (113)p www.cabopinorealty.com ---------------------------------------------cOin 2 bedroom country house . €500. 629903751 (113)p www.cabopinorealty.com ---------------------------------------------alHaUrin el Grande 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa. €900 629903751 (113)p www.cabopinorealty.com prOperty services inlanD property services. Property maintenance, pool cleaning, gardening, painting and decorating, holiday let changeovers, weekly cleans, builders clean, we can arrange for all your property needs. 663214803 [email protected] (109)p .uk remOvals & stOraGe r e f r i G e r a t i O n / airconditioning. Same day repair specialist. Fridges, displays, bottle (120)tnp coolers etc. 627769969 ---------------------------------------------frencH pOlisHinG repairs, restoration etc. Restore your valuable furniture to its former glory. 647579519 / 952119190 (117)p ---------------------------------------------cOin WinDOWs We make aluminium windows, doors and mosquito screens, also supply and fit sun canopies, blinds, shower screens, etc. spanish owned business. call lisa marie (125)p 646066351 aBsOlUtely everything to do with property including sales, rentals, key holding, maintenance, cleaning. 696150765 (000)tnp www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------BaBy-sittinG service available. lady with own car and references available. torremolinos to (00)p fuengirola. 639067664. ---------------------------------------------prOperty Management, cleaning, laundry, change-overs, pool cleaning, gardening, window cleaning. w w w. o s b o r n e p r o p e r t y. c o m (126)p 952664472, 616679453 ---------------------------------------------any JOBs around your property you don’t want to do, I can do for you. 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Translations Network 952776803 Fax 952824630, [email protected] (118)p www.GApp-propErTiEs.CoM LonG LETs Studio Hercules British TV, pool, w/machine 300€/month 1 bed Hercules, British TV, pool, w/machine 400€/month 3 bed El Pinillo, parking use of pool, can put SatTV 500€/month 2 bed nr Bonanza Sq,modern pool, sat TV parking 640€/month 5 bed unfurnished townhouse, Torrequebrada 900€/month 3 bed townhouse Torrequebrada, pool, parking, store terrace 750€/month many mOre prOperties availaBle, tOO many tO list We alsO DO HOliDay lets, JUst asK fOr pat rental prOperties UrGently reqUireD in JUpiter anD minerva Avenida Gamonal, Local 9, Edificio Jupiter, 29631 Arroyo de la Miel, Malaga Tel: (0034) 952 57 40 51 (0034) 952 57 77 51 Fax: (0034) 952 44 26 51 [email protected] # $ ! tv, viDeO & DvD WHite Sky Cards, Free to Air and Sky Boxes now available. 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Eight of the company’s new Rapid Charge Elektrobays will be installed across North East England as part of an initiative, led by the One North East regional development agency, to install more than 1,000 charging stations across the region within the next three years. Casey Stoner breaks two minutes to set Sepang record Classic February fun in the sun Members of SOL Classic Car Club met at Laguna Village last Saturday with tops down and sunscreen at the ready on what felt like a summer's day – perfect for a run into the Serrania de Ronda. Here and there were splashes of pink – patches of tiny wild flowers or orchards of later almond blossom. The cars then turned off on a quieter single track road into the Alto Genal of the Serrania de Ronda. The convoy of classics came as a surprise to both local goatherders and the driver of a large cement lorry! Typical Andalucian “pueblos blancos” are dotted around the hills here and chestnut trees cover the slopes – leafless skeletons at this time of the year mingling with plumes of smoke from controlled fires which spiral upwards into the skyline. The coffee stop was in Cartajima where club members were surprised and delighted to discover the delightful Hotel Los Castanos tucked away down a cobbled street next to the church in the centre of the village. After rest and refreshments it was back on the road, following lesser-known routes to Farajan and Jubrique before joining the main road to Algotocin where the cars turned down into the Genal Valley through the cork oak forests. Some of the older models found the climb out of the valley hard going so a stop for refreshments at the Puerto de Penas Blancas was a welcome chance to cool down. From there it was downhill all the way to Estepona and lunch at the small and friendly Eden Bar. If you are a classic enthusiast, check out the club website www.solclassiccarclub.net for details. Casey Stoner broke the lap record at Malaysia's Sepang circuit to end the final MotoGP pre-season test on a high. The Repsol Honda rider set a new record of one minute 59.665 and team-mate Dani Pedrosa also went under two minutes. But defending champion Jorge Lorenzo could only finish in seventh, while Britain's Cal Crutchlow was 14th. The first images of Volkswagen’s all-new Golf Cabriolet have been revealed ahead of the car making its public debut at this week’s Geneva Motor Show. The two-door, fourseater, front-engined soft top is the first Golf Cabriolet available since the Mk IV Golf, and builds on the company’s heritage for producing popular convertibles which started with the original Beetle cabriolet and still continues today with the Eos. With sales of around 1.42 million units, Volkswagen is one of the world’s most successful producers of convertibles. But the latest Golf Cabriolet marks a whole new era of open-top motoring, boasting an electrically-powered soft top which can be lowered in just 9.5 seconds including on the move at speeds up to around 18 mph, a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines as well as the highest levels of quality, refinement and safety. Coventry-born Crutchlow, the sole British rider in MotoGP, will make his debut with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team in Qatar on March 20th. Honda Gresini's Marco Simoncelli was third in testing, with the third Repsol rider, Andrea Dovizioso, in fourth, and Yamaha Factory Racing's Ben Spies next. Valentino Rossi, continuing his comeback after a shoulder injury and preparing for his first race on the Ducati, was almost two seconds slower than Stoner. He finished in 11th place, though this was an improvement from 13th in testing earlier in February. Extra funding to repair potholes Councils in England will be given more than £100 million of extra funding to spend on repairing potholes, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond announced last week. The funding is in addition to the £831 million already provided to councils for road maintenance this year and the £3 billion the Government has committed over the next four years. The severe weather at the end of last year has left many local roads in a poor condition. Every local authority has a responsibility leO’S AUTOS enGlISH MeCHAnICS WOrkSHOp & MOBIle prompt reliable Service City & Guilds Qualified New Golf Cabriolet breaks cover Stoner said: "I'm feeling more and more comfortable on the bike and I can't wait to get to Qatar for the first race." Open MOndAy TO FrIdAy 10 - 7pM nO SIeSTA Beat the Credit CrunCh Optimise your car to save you money itVs €85 repAIrS TO All MAkeS ITvS - OIl CHAnGeS ClUTCHeS - ServICInG TyreS - eXHAUSTS BATTerIeS - BrAkeS 952 917 353 687 727 460 - 687 727 516 at the end of the Coin road MIJAS COSTA to properly maintain their roads, including planning winter resilience measures, but this exceptional weather has caused significant additional damage. Mr Hammond said: “Millions of motorists across the country have their daily drives ruined by potholes. And the awful winter weather we had this year is only going to make that problem worse. “That is why, despite the tough financial position we are in, we are going to give councils over £100m extra to help carry out much needed repairs to England’s roads. I am determined to see the winter damage to our roads fixed as quickly as possible and we will be working with councils to make sure that happens.” AUTOSALON COIN www.autosaloncoin.com February's run had been designed as a “drivers' run” covering some little known roads in an area of changing landscapes and stunning scenery. Once clear of the San Pedro roadworks and past the exclusive urbanisations the road to Ronda climbs though the Puerto del Madrono into the mountains where the views are so spectacular that there are “miradors” every few kilometres. Being a main road it is kept in good condition so classic drivers could enjoy the sweeping bends and the smooth surface while passengers gazed at pine covered slopes giving way to almost bare rocks studded with bushes of bright yellow broom. www.thenewsonline.es COmE TO AUTOSALOn COIn FOR OUR SATURDAY SPECIAL OFFER Oil & Filter Change You pay for Parts Only LABOUR FREE ALL MAKES CAR SERVICING SAVE BETWEEN WITH NO EFFECT ON YOUR WARRANTY Part worn tyres from €25 Qualified English and German mechanics, ITV Services available.Vehicle Transfers and Registration undertaken • • • Aircon re-gas and leak testing TEL: 952 45 45 27 Diagnostic fault reading and emissions All makes and models - Petrol / Diesel www.autosaloncoin.com Fax: 952 453 144 Pol.Ind, Cantarranas. C/ Acero, 6. 29100Coin (Malaga) WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Luke Donald defies a desert storm of a diﬀerent kind The Mijas clubhouse and mountains beyond England’s Luke Donald defeated the new world number one Martin Kaymer after an extraordinary week at the Match Play Championship in Arizona. The 33-year-old, originally from Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire and now living in Florida, closed out Martin Kaymer on the 16th hole, winning his first World Golf Championship with a superb performance. The players had woken to find the desert course covered in a white blanket of snow, the many cactus trees looking like snowmen spectators lining the course! "I can't describe it - I'm close to tears. It feels amazing. I've put a lot of work in over the last five years and it's nice to see it pay off,” he said. Donald, who is blessed with one of the most economical and repeating golf swings in the game, reached the top 10 official rankings in 2006, for the first time in his career, and has trying and he has certainly made up for it now. Donald won three of the first five holes, but Kaymer took the short sixth with a par, the long eighth with a birdie and then the 476-yard ninth with a bogey five when Donald came up short and took a seven. Donald, in danger of slipping behind for the first time in any of his down from the sand at the 12th, the gap doubled and Kaymer then resigned himself to defeat when he missed a three-footer to lose the 15th. After such a great win for Luke Donald, Europe now holds the top four spots in the world rankings, with Kaymer first, Westwood second, Donald third and And Donald had tweeted: 'Pre-round snowball fight to see who has the honour off the first?' At one point there was a brief suspension for hailstones, and Kaymer, wearing the first golf snood, was clearly uncomfortable in the freezing conditions. The Englishman made history after he played just 89 holes in six matches, which is the fewest ever in the 13-year history of an event of this kind and he became the first player to never trail after any hole in any match. Donald was in the lead after 81 of those 89 holes. He made 32 birdies in total and became the first player to win a tournament without having to play the 18th hole, which was an incredible achievement; Donald’s longest match was in the second round, beating Eduardo Molinari on the 17th hole. Combined Colleges won the toss, elected to bat and scored 216/9 off their allotted 35 overs.Fuengirola kept the game very tight until the last 6 overs when they conceded 60 runs. Nashan on 47 and Mark scoring 24 for the Colleges whilst the only Fuengirola bowler with any real credit was Noel with 3 for 41. In reply Fuengirola started well with Assed on 48,good support from Afzal Coming Tuesday March 8th Mijas Lawn Bowls club is holding an International Fun Day, open to all bowlers from all countries. Dress in national dress or national colours. It will be 1.30 for a start at 2pm so if you fancy some fun bowling why not pop along. Phone Sheila on 952 387 078 or Carol on 952 592 607 for the details. Don’t forget the club has a whist drive on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 - its only €3 for a fun game with prizes and refreshments, roll up days are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. So head along and have a game. There is also going to be a race night, again open to everyone, which will be on April 2nd. It should be a good evening, so do phone for more information, and they look forward to welcoming along faces old and new. Suppliers of trophies for all sports and pastimes andalucia The Sunshine Golf Calahonda District Darts League Tel:952493709 www.sunshine-golf.com The Sunshine Golf Calahonda District Darts League Results for Friday 25th February Division 2 Division 1 Luke Donald and his caddie shelter from the desert hailstone storm now taken the number 3 spot in the world rankings. His sweet victory also landed him the winner’s cheque of £864,838. It had been five years since Donald last won a PGA Tour event, although it was not through lack of Cricket news from the Cartama Oval Rumours of the Cartama Oval hosting the Cricket World Cup Final are not true! However the ground did host a fabulous encounter between Fuengirola C.C and Combined Colleges on a lovely sunny Sunday February afternoon. International Fun Day at Mijas Lawn Bowls club with 29, but unfortunately for Fuengirola, Colleges’ Nushan had a brilliant bowling spell, taking 4 wickets for 5 runs. F.C.C were all out for 165. Six of the dismissals were for L.B.W which suggests that Fuengirola should start to hit the ball with the bat rather than their pads! We did have some excellent response from the article in last week’s The News....however we need more players,sponsors and volunteers..so if you can offer your help please contact me, Tim Meal, on 66 22 33 302,or e.mail [email protected] Report by Tim Meal six matches, did well to save a half on the 10th after running into trouble and then edged in front again when he holed from nine feet on the next and Kaymer missed from six. When the German failed to get up and McDowell fourth, which is the first time since 1992 when Ian Woosnam, Nick Faldo, Jose Maria Olazabal and Seve Ballesteros were at the top of the standings. Following on from Juan Antonio Flecha and Mathew Hayman taking second and third respectively at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday, Sutton grabbed the top spot on the podium 24 hours later after swooping past his rivals with 200 metres to go to claim a famous win. Sutton becomes the first Australian to win the Belgian Classic and speaking to www.teamsky.com he said: "I felt good this morning and have for the last few days. We spoke about it on the bus this morning and Edvald (Boasson Hagen) said he was happy to lead me out. "With one lap to go Mat All Sunshine Golf Darts League info is available on www.calahondadistrictdarts.com Sunshine Golf, the Costa Del Sol’s one stop golf shop “All we slice is the price” Report by Claire Voet Sutton win for TeamSky Chris Sutton crowned a fantastic weekend for Team Sky by sprinting to victory at Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne. Dempseys 7 - Sussex 5 Pickled Newt B 7 - Fools Fillies 5 Henrys 7 - Welcome 5 Rays B v Connect It (pp) Bunkers 4 - Rays A 8 CalaBella v Topcats (unknown) Fools v Pickled Newt A (unknown) Division 3 Oscars 6 - Charlys 6 Tonys v Henrys B (pp) Hayman asked if I was still up for it and I said 'mate, I can win'. All the boys had all confidence in me and it worked out so well. "I only won today because of the work the team did for me, they made it possible. It just goes to show how important teamwork is. I didn't have to do anything we had Hayman away, as well as Stannard and Flecha - we had all these other options." Polos & Logos [email protected] www.polosandlogos.com LAURO 27 GOLF NEW RATES 2011 1 year unlimited golf: 1.750€ (couple: 3.000€) MARCH OFFER: 2 green fees + buggy: 125€ Opening soon!! in Coin Urb. Jardines Butiplaya, 13-14 Downstairs in Sunshine Golf La Cala Mijas - MALAGA www.laurogolf.com Tel: 952 41 27 67 Fax: 952 41 47 57 email:[email protected] Front-line golf properties for sale Membership and golf included Call 952 41 27 67 for a private viewing LAURO LIVING 32 n Sports & Motors Sports Flash Sports Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in Angry World Cup cricket fans clash Fans queuing outside the Chinnaswamy stadium in the Indian city of Bangalore to buy tickets for the cricket World Cup have clashed with police. Television pictures showed policemen hitting dozens of fans on their legs and backs.Many of the fans had been waiting since Wednesday night. Reports said they were angered by the shortage of tickets available for Sunday's World Cup showdown between India and England. Derby day delight for Malaga After three draws Malaga were looking to take three points from their Andalucian relegation rivals Almeria on Andalucian Day. And the game produced the usual mix of red and yellow cards. Malaga 3- 1 Almeria However, Almeria, who began the day second to bottom, one point better off than Malaga, went ahead after eight minutes when midfielder Feghouli took advantage of a mistake from keeper Willy Caballero to slot home from close range. Malaga dominated possession for the rest of the half but failed to create anything of note,in what shaped up to be a typical derby game full of yellow cards. Luna was shown a second yellow card for a handball after he had broken free with the ball. The sendings off didn't stop there though as Almeria's manager Oltra was shown to the stands following his protests. Malaga's joy was complete when Maresca set up Juanmi in the final moments to seal a great win. Local lad Juanmi is congratulated by teammates Malaga got back in the match seven minutes after the break when substitute Maresca pounced on a loose ball, beat his marker and fired past Diego Alves. The game was an even affair after that, with Almeria having hit the post after Crusat was set free to lobb the ball over Caballero’s head but it clipped the top of the post and went to safety. Malaga took control after that and in the 76th minute Almeria's Ulloa was sent off for an elbow on Eliseu which was his second FRANK ELEC TRICS 669 009 821 [email protected] www.frank-multiservices.com Certified projects, boletins, emergency repairs, light and socket fittings, increasing circuits or complete circuit installations. ICP fro m €4 0 C e r t i fi c a t e s f r o m € 8 0 yellow card. And after 78 minutes Malaga went ahead much to the delight of the home fans. Apono crossed the ball for an unmarked Rondon to head home. Two minutes after the goal, Malaga's job was made slightly easier when top quality installations from €595 Coin meters to control electric consumption €300 no obligation quotations and advice - all makes Contact lynne or alison in the airflow offices tel: 952 443 222 [email protected] Malaga now leapfrog Almeria in La Liga, and the Bernabou beckons on Thursday night for the Real Madrid clash (10pm KO) followed by the visit of Osasuna to La Roseleda on Sunday evening (5pm). Report By: Scott Forbes QUALITY GOLF At Reduced Green Fees Available NOW at Lauro golf 2 Green Fees and a buggy €105, 5 & 7 day unlimited golf, Golf breaks in luxury accommodation on the golf course... plus many more options available Call 661 114 070 for more details DEAD FLOOR? Fully registered First for Quality First for Choice air Conditioning ServiCing & repairS oFFiCial panaSoniC Centre www.thenewsonline.es BRING IT BACK TO LIFE! Marble Restoration Service and Floor Polishing TONY’S Call for a truly professional long lasting high gloss finish at a realistic 620 726 875 price Your satisfaction is my motivation Ring for quotation without obligation VICTORIA CAR HIRE UK UK Self Drive £105 per week Fully inclusive No hidden extras Delivery & Collection Gatwick Airport only Tel: 0044 1293 432155 Fax: 0044 1293 402600 The Depot Andalucian Freight UK SPAIN IRELAND International & Local Removal Specialists Best prices on the Costa del Sol Packing materials sold Call 952 450 487 659 249 463 www.thedepot-andaluciafreight.com England earn lastball tie against India England tied an extraordinary World Cup game against India in Bangalore on Sunday thanks to Andrew Strauss' brilliant 158. The co-hosts set an intimidating 339-run victory target after a superb 120 from Sachin Tendulkar. Strauss and Ian Bell (69) put England in command with a 170-run third-wicket stand before Zaheer Khan dismissed both batsmen in successive balls. The tail set up a grandstand finish but England fell one run short of victory after needing 14 runs from the final over.The late drama finished off the most enthralling match of the 2011 tournament so far, a game which both teams will feel they should have won. Sporting SPOTLIGHT ATHLETICS Jessica Ennis out of Euro Indoors Great Britain's world and European heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis has withdrawn from the European Indoors because of a persistent ankle injury. Ennis has ended her indoor season because of inflammation to her left ankle, having initially made the squad. "I've thought long and hard about whether to compete," said Ennis, 25. "If I'm honest I don't want to risk any further damage to my ankle and calf. I cannot take this risk - the World Championships has to be my priority." DISABILITY SPORT ParalympicsGB chief departs organisation ParalympicsGB chief executive Phil Lane is to leave his post with immediate eﬀect after 10 years in charge. During his time in charge, GB finished second in the medal table at both Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008. It means the association will be looking for a new head just 18 months before the 2012 London Paralympics. “This exciting time for British sport is providing an ideal environment for me to pursue new career opportunities," said Lane. 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Siemens kitchen Modern kitchen with granite worktop, “Siemens” fitted kitchen – electric oven 4 hobs, American fridge, Washing machine. La Duquesa sports harbour The sportsharbour has several restaurants and bars open all year. It is a lovely holiday area with wide sandy beaches. There are plenty of charming places to enjoy lunch! sale ain s s Sp tre Dis nts in tme r a p Map of Duquesa Located close to the beach 5-8 mins walk and near the town Duquesa, these apartments have excellent road access and travel from either Malaga Airport or Gibraltar (Monarch and British Airways) Tel. 951 100 210	dogs dinners
An anemometer is a guage used for recording the speed of what?	The News Newspaper - Issue 113 by The News Newspaper - issuu VICTORIA CAR HIRE UK UK Self Drive £105 per week Fully inclusive No hidden extras Delivery & Collection Gatwick Airport only Tel: 0044 1293 432155 Fax: 0044 1293 402600 issue 113 Speed curbs to cut oil bill p3 Government introduces energy savings package - speed limit cut from Monday 7th, highway lighting halved Middle East - World News Libya on the brink British prime minister David Cameron and other Western leaders were yesterday on the brink of ordering military action against Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, amid fears he would use chemical weapons against his own people. Mr Cameron told MPs that the world could not stand by and that Britain and her allies were considering using fighter jets to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, patrolling and shooting down Libyan aircraft attacking protesters. The Pentagon announced that America was “repositioning forces” around Libya, and the French announced they would back a possible military intervention with Nato partners. It is believed that Gaddafi has up to 14 tons of chemicals needed to create mustard gas, stored in secret secure facilities in the desert. The vast majority of Britons have now been evacuated and the evacuation of foreign nationals was expected to be largely completed yesterday (Tuesday). Britain has announced emergency plans to freeze the regime's assets in The situation on Libya's border with Tunisia had reached crisis point on Tuesday, as tens of thousands of foreigners fled the chaotic situation there. Tel: 951 713 626 or 633 433 313 www.amigoprop.com Private Health Insurance From 49€ per month Funeral Plans Easy payment options, from 53€ per month 952 010 136 €15 * Drinks not included 1pm to 4pm Urb. La Montua C/ Chorreadero 39 29601 Marbella. 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By Kym Wickham [email protected] On Saturday morning we went with a friend to the over 50s exhibition in Torremolinos. unfortunately, we only found out about it ourselves on Friday afternoon due to the glaring lack of publicity but oﬀ we went and it was quite good as it turned out. There were quite a few health related stands (to do with blood pressure, hearing diﬃculties etc.) but there were also a few in respect of holidays and cruising that were very interesting and on the ground floor of the hall were some jewellery, ethnic clothing and food stalls. The stallholders were bemoaning the fact that very few Brits were turning up and contemplating whether it would be worth having a stall at any future events. Organisers take note then - if you want Brits to know about something and turn up – you have to let them know that it's on! let us know what you've got coming up and we can let over 50,000 people know each week. call 952 454 491 and speak to one of us or email [email protected] On Saturday evening we attended a retirement 'do' at the Tamisa Hotel for a fabulous lady called Georgina Shapiro. Georgie, as everyone calls her, has been the owner of the Jacaranda care Home in Alhaurin de la Torre. One of our girl’s dad stayed there for a while when he was over here and, when the time came to go back to the uK, he seriously didn't want to leave such was the standard of care he had received. So, good luck Georgie with whatever you do from all of us here at The news. Flamenco A photographic exhibition by Alberto Schommer, well known for his work examining the history of Spain. The exhibition looks at the complexities of Flamenco Centro Cultural de San Pedro Until March 11th rough e Eyes of Two Women II www.thenewsonline.es A second photographic exhibition by Ann Read and Bev Sheehan An exhibition of work by Malaga based artist Jose Medina Galeote ART Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in ExhIbITIon Coin Convento Opens Thu March 3rd See Out and About Until March 20th CAC Malaga continued from FRONT PAGE Libya on the brink Reporters at the scene said aid workers were unable to cope, with new refugees pouring in as quickly as others crossed over. A spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Melissa Fleming, said 70,00075,000 people have fled to Tunisia since violence began in Libya on February 20th. About 2,000 people are crossing into Tunisia every hour but once in Tunisia many of them have nowhere to go. Another 20,000 are said to be backed up on the Libyan side. Most are Egyptian, but there are also significant numbers of Chinese and Bangladeshis. Meanwhile, reports were coming in that Muammar Gaddafi was attempting to regain control of rebel areas in western Libya even as he told told Western journalists his people loved him, denying reports of protests in Tripoli. In an interview, Gaddafi accused Western countries of abandoning Libya and said that they had no morals and wanted to colonise the country. Asked if he would resign, he said he could not step down as he did not have an official position - and insisted that the power in the country was with the people. He also said true Libyans had not demonstrated but those who had come on to the streets were under the influence of drugs supplied by Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network. He said those people had seized weapons and that his supporters were under orders not to shoot back. After the interview, the US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said the fact he was laughing at questions while "slaughtering his own people" showed that he was disconnected from reality. Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has obtained promises of hefty investments during his visit to Qatar on Sunday and the United Arab Emirates on Monday. In other developments: -Austria has frozen assets of the Libyan leadership worth 1.2bn and Germany has frozen the bank account of one of Col Gaddafi's sons The latter recently bought the Cepsa petrol company for 4.8 billion dollars and invested 3.9 billion in Spain in 2009. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, told the PM that his country will contribute €150 million to the capitalization of the country's savings bank, as well as contracts for €1.4 billion with Spanish companies. -There are reports of long queues in Tripoli banks as people tried to collect the 500 dinars (£250) promised by the government in an attempt to quell the unrest -Protesters took to the streets in the Gulf state of Oman for a third day on Monday to call for political reforms. The new protests came a day after Oman's ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said promised to create more jobs. Until now, Oman had mostly been spared the unrest which has affected other Arab states in recent months. The oldest independent state in the Arab world, Oman has been ruled by Sultan Qaboos since he seized power from his father, Sultan Said bin Taimur, in 1970. WEATHER WEATHER The PM has been criticised for visiting two countries ruled by authoritarian monarchies, just as other Arab countries are trying to throw off the yoke of dictatorships. Sr Zapatero justified the visits, saying he was trying to diversify the Spain's supply sources of oil. If the situation does not worsen, Sr Zapatero is due to visit Tunisia on Wednesday together with Defence Minister Trinidad Jimenez but this had not been confirmed at press time. WEEKLY WEAThER FoRECAST FoR CoSTA DEL SoL MALAGA TODAY 1956 Morocco declared independence from France Measures to lower energy bill announced The government responded to rising oil prices with a flurry of measures over the weekend. On Friday the Cabinet approved the temporary reduction of the speed limit on 8,800 kilometres of national highways from 120 kph to 110 kph, which will reduce the country’s oil bill by €1.5 billion a year, according to the Industry Ministry. Another measure will reduce fares on local train services by five per cent to encourage more people to use them. The mixture of biodiesel in fuel will also be raised from 5.8 per cent to seven per cent, which will knock another €160 million a year off the oil bill. Spain imports more than 80 per cent of its energy, just under a quarter of it from Libya. Last year the total oil bill was €25.5 billion, an increase of 40 per cent over the previous year. The measure will mean replacing 6,000 traffic signals throughout the ews n N THE EWS the MEDIA MEDIA GROUP GROUP country at an undisclosed cost. Highway lighting halved On Sunday, public works minister Jose Blanco announced a cut of 50% of the lighting on national highways, which would produce a saving of €12.6 million a year. Industry minister Miguel Sebastian said critics of the measures should bear in mind that the government campaign to replace conventional light bulbs with low consumption ones has saved enough electricity to light every home and street in a city the size of Seville. The government gave free low consumption bulbs to more than 22 million households in 2009 and 2010. Meanwhile, the Spanish Highway Association (AEC) has said that reducing the lighting on highways could be dangerous be cause it may cause very serious accidents. The criticism FUJIMA MFX Tel: (0034) 952 45 44 91 Fax: (0034) 952 45 44 41 The News is a free and independent newspaper distributed weekly and edited by The Coin News Group S.L. The News is independent of political parties, private interests and/or government. Our policy is to provide readers with a news and information service that is fair, accurate and balanced. The Coin News Group S.L. accepts no responsibility for the claims or content of any letter, editorial, article, advertorial or advertisement. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. The News Media Group Deposito Legal: GR 2794-2008 PRiCEs iNCLUDE fiTTiNG aND Tax “mf” moDELs aRE maiNTENaNCE fREE D.i.Y moDELs 7000 - € 335 9000 - € 365 12000 - € 4 0 5 INCLUDES BRACKETS, TUBES & ENGLISH INSTRUCTIONS. READY GASSED NO VACUUM PUMP NEEDED - EASY PEASY! UK s ChEqUE ED aCCEPT The road is NOW OPEN and sO arE WE! Plants, Compost, Garden Furniture, Fruit trees, Pots, etc GREETINGS CARDS, HELIUM BALLOONS, PARTY DECORATIONS 2010 fUjima-ToshiBa mfx NoW WiTh fREE aiR ioNisER!! oNLY 75cm WE DO NOT EMPLOY SALESMEN BUT BIG JOHN WILL CALL TO MEASURE UP AND SHOW YOU THE AIRCONS. HE WILL ONLY TAKE UP 15 MINS OF YOUR TIME. OUR FITTERS ARE ENGLISH AND WILL MAKE A NEAT AND TIDY JOB IN ABOUT 2½ HOURS. PHONE JOHN NOW saving measures would be announced later this week. He said he and industry minister will be meeting regional and municipal authorities to discuss how to alter the ingrained consumption habits of the Spanish people. Luxury, whisper quiet aircons that never need servicing and at guaranteed low prices! C/ Vicario nº34-36, 2nd Floor - Oﬃce C 29100 Coin (Malaga) Executive Editor: Kym Wickham design and layout: Damian Merino advertising manager: Geoﬀ Heading advertising sales: Susan Kerrigan Charlotte Fleming accounts: Carol Livermore Contributors / Colaboradores: Martin Delfín - Cathy Stronach Pete Woodall - Andrea Maclean Mike Kerrigan - Muriel Pilkington Ricky Leach - Amy Thomas Deputy PM Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said on Sunday that more energy- CoLD WiNTER - fiT oUR aiRCoN aND GET haLf PRiCE hEaTiNG! THE NEWs mEdIa GrOUP The Coin News Group S.L. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.thenewsonline.es was echoed by the main opposition party, the Partido Popular. The PP’s spokesman on Parliament’s Road Safety Committee said that the individual will now responsible for safety on the roads. His Socialist Party counterpart admitted that it was “recommendable to have well lit highways” and said a balance between saving energy and road safety would be sought. 7000 B.T.U.* €695 €595 9000 B.T.U. €745 €645 12200 B.T.U. €795 €695 British Thermal Unit CUT YoUR ELECTRiCiTY BiLL! the party people!! sT PaTrICK’s daY, THUrsdaY marCH 17TH Cards aNd GIFTs NOW IN sTOCK Cakes made to order and Royal Mail Post service now available fancy dress can be ordered Upstairs Opp. Dunnes Stores. Las Rampas Fuengirola. 696 818 595 All our airconditioners provide heating at very low cost. Because they operate via a heat pump, they use less than half the electricity of oil-filled radiators or other electric heaters. John will explain! THE NEW 2010 MODEL FUJIMA FEATURES 1. Integral ioniser cleans,freshens and removes odours. 2. Built-in de-humidifier sucks moisture from all rooms in your home. 3. Galvanised outside unit to prevent rust in coastal areas. 4. Large airflow temperature range 12º to 38º. 5. Time clock, remote control and thermostat all included. 6. Last but not least - these top machines do not need servicing every year. FACT: No other air conditioner has all these features! LOW PrICE GUaraNTEE: If you ﬁnd any other company selling a similar product cheaper (it must be the same B.T.U. output and no maintenance) we will match the price on the spot and give you €50 Going strong since 1973 Bistro go to www.lesliesbistro.com for details of our James Bond Night! Friday fish n’ chips - buy 1 for €7.95 & get the 2nd half price Saturdays - 2 Steak Dinners and a bottle of wine for €19.95 We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers during our refurbishment New Opening Hours from 8am for Leslie’s Breakfast - Food served all day Information & Reservations Tel: 952 112 123 2 minutes from La Trocha towards Cartama at Km 9 email:[email protected] WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Arms theft an inside job Police and Defence Ministry sources have said that the five or six men who stole 20 assault rifles and 10 pistols from the arsenal at the General Menacho military base in Badajoz on Sunday had help from an insider. They categorically denied any involvement by the Basque terrorist group ETA, or any other terrorist group. One hypothesis is that it was the work of an organised criminal gang of Albanians or other eastern Europeans. Another is that it was the work of a group of Spaniards with Portuguese criminals, given the closeness of the border with Portugal. The Guardia Civil is also on the trail of a group with similar characteristics who are based in Extremadura and Andalucia. An alarm on the double fence surrounding the base went off at 10.30 pm but the soldiers who went to investigate saw nothing out of the ordinary. A police source said that small animals frequently triggered the alarms on the fence. The second alarm went off two hours later, this time inside the base. A security patrol found the arsenal door had been forced and a military vehicle had apparently been used to transport the arms to the fence where they were transferred to another vehicle. Prince 10-year highway safety plan approved attends The government has approved a ten-year plan to reduce the number of road deaths by 37 per cent â€“ from the current 59 deaths per million inhabitants to 37 by the year 2020. military funeral The 2011-2020 Strategic Road Safety Plan also aims to reduce the number of child deaths caused by not using the obligatory safety seats and also the number of young drivers aged from Crown Prince Felipe presided over the official funeral held in Madrid on Sunday for the five men who were killed in an accidental explosion last Thursday at the Academy 18 to 24 who make up a quarter of the current weekend road death toll. This year 100 new radars will be installed on the country's highways and the installation of speed limiters in vehicles will be promoted. Other measures include asking companies to include road accident prevention in the in-house worker safety courses. of Engineers at Hoyo de Manzanares in the capital. The explosion happened during a practice session at dismantling mines. Three others survived. Sixteen soldiers had been practising with what should have been blank mines and both the Guardia Civil and the Army to investigating how live ones had ended up being used. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Protest against airport changes Some 5,000 airport workers, union representatives, firemen and technicians marched from Atocha railway station to the Puerta del Sol in Madrid last Saturday to protest against the planned privatisation of the capital's Barajas airport and Barcelona's El Prat airport. A spokesman for the General Workers Union (UGT) accused Public Works minister José Blanco of lying. “He told us a year ago that the privatisation would not be more than 30 per cent but now he's saying 49 per cent,” Raul Gomez said, adding “and it won't end there”. He also predicted that Palma de Mallorca and Malaga airports would be the next ones to be privatised, and more would follow. He said Sr Blanco would get his “propaganda machine” to blame the workers for “kidnapping the airports” the excuse the minister used to make the privatisation decision during the air controllers strike last December. The airport workers have threatened to go on strike during Easter week if the government does not “rectify its idea of privatising the Airports Authority which manages Spain's airports”. Meanwhile, the air controllers' union agreed after talks ended on Sunday to accept a cap on their salaries of €200,000 a year instead of €334,000 that many had been earning with overtime. In exchange they get a shorter working day, with a gradual reduction from 1,670 hours this year to 1,595 in 2013. Mallorca political party dissolves itself N The Unió Mallorquina (UM) party is to change its initials “because they have been stigmatised and criminalised by corruption”, its president, Josep Melia announced on the same day that two of its former top members were arrested in connection with the so-called Picnic corruption case. Former UM mayor of Palma de Mallorca, Cristina Cerdó, and the Mallorca regional government's sports councillor, Mateu Cañellas, ran an operation to capture members and eventual votes for three years. A number of so-called environmental guides were paid the equivalent of 12 salaries each per month to wine and dine about 3,000 people during that period. MADRID Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] Cigarette sales fall Tobacco sales have fallen by more than 32 per cent since the tougher anti-smoking law came into eﬀect on January 2nd, according to figures from the Treasury's Tobacco Industry Commission. For the first time, the number of packets sold in one month dropped under the 200-million benchmark to 194,770,461 in January. The National Smoking Prevention Committee (CNPT) said the sharp drop could be due to the fact that many bars and restaurants have removed their cigarette vending machines CASTELLON Death by slow poisoning The Guardia Civil have arrested a 54-year-old woman in Peñíscola, Castellón province, for allegedly poisoning her partner. She had been trying to claim his possessions, producing false documents to back her claim that she was legally married to him, after his death two weeks ago. Suspecting foul play, the Guardia ordered an autopsy which showed he had been ingesting small doses of a toxic substance which, they allege, the woman had been putting in his drinks until it finally killed him. MADRID DAVID’S 1000’s NEW & SECOND HAND ENGLISH BOOKS ANN’S BOOKS VAST SELECTION ENGLISH GREETINGS CARDS UK PASSPORT RENEWAL Forms & service with a smile ANN’S BOOKSHOP DAVID’S BOOKSHOP Francisco Cano 49 Los Boliches Tel/Fax 952 588 685 Bonanza Sq. (upper level) opp Supersol, Benalmadena Tel/Fax 952 564 279 Latin Kings gang boss jailed A Madrid court has sentenced the leader the Latin Kings gang and his two “lieutenants” to jail sentences of four years, two years and three years respectively. Eric Javier Vara Velastegui, from Ecuador, was already in prison but prosecutors said he had continued to run the gang while inside. The Latin Kings appeared in the US in the 1940s Chicago and later spread through the US and South America. Most of its members in Spain are immigrants from South America. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in On ThiS dATE in sony and Phillips introduced the compact disc Minister steps down in row over contacts N "This was not a moral decision, but a political one. The voice of France was no longer audible, because Michele Alliot-Marie had become the object of an unjust campaign." She will be replaced by defence minister Alain Juppe, 65, who previously served as foreign minister and prime minister in the 1990s. In 2004, he was convicted of mishandling public funds. Just hours after the minister stepped down, Mr Fillon announced on Monday that France is to send two planes of aid to opposition territory in Libya: He told France's RTL radio: "In a few hours two French planes will leave for Benghazi on behalf of the French government with doctors, nurses, medical equipment and medicine." He added that it would be the start of a Two Danish crew members were also captured during the attack. The spokesman told reporters that the ship sent a distress signal on February 24th and that it had now been confirmed that the sailboat was hijacked by pirates and was apparently being taken to Somalia. The Danes are the second group of noncommercial sailors seized by pirates in recent weeks. A group of Americans was seized earlier in February, and four of them were IN BRIEF send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] massive humanitarian aid operation to the populations of liberated areas. He also said France had not ruled out backing a Nato-enforced "no-fly zone" over Libya. the government has removed 13 oﬀences from the list of 68 crimes punishable by death. Anti-death penalty campaigners said this would not lead to a significant fall in the numbers of criminals executed because the oﬀences were all economic crimes for which the death penalty was rarely applied. it is not known how many people are executed every year - the figure is a state secret - but China is thought to execute more people than the rest of the world put together. brAzil Judge blocks Amazon Belo Monte dam Observers said that by sending aid to rebels in Libya, Paris now appears to be taking steps to ensure it is seen as supporting democratic change in the region. federal judge ronaldo Desterro has blocked plans to build a huge hydroelectric dam in the Amazon rainforest because environmental requirements had not been met. killed as the US Navy tried to rescue them. US forces say the pirates shot them. According to the EU's antipiracy naval force, as of last week pirates were holding a total of 31 vessels, and 688 hostages. Many of the vessels they target are cargo ships sailing near the Gulf of Aden - one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Analysts say the piracy industry is becoming increasingly lucrative - Got a story? Got pictures? Death penalty list reduced Somali pirates seize Danish children A Danish foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday that three Danish children aged between 12 and 16 and their parents have been snatched by pirates who hijacked their sailing boat in the Indian Ocean. EWS ChinA Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie (pictured) has resigned amid controversy over her contacts with the former Tunisian regime. She came under heavy fire for initially oﬀering French help to quell the uprising in Tunisia. Her position became increasingly untenable after subsequent revelations about her and her family's links to the regime of former President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, and the fact that she had taken a Christmas holiday in Tunisia during the uprising. Prime Minister Francois Fillon has insisted Ms Alliot-Marie had done nothing wrong. "She was not at fault," Mr Fillon said. www.thenewsonline.es Somali gangs recently hijacked a tanker with $200m worth of crude oil on board. International naval forces patrolling the area are becoming more willing to send in commando teams to free hostages, but the pirates also appear to be responding with increasing violence - two Philippine sailors were murdered last month by pirates angered at an attempted rescue. he also barred the national development bank, bnDEs, from funding the project. the dam is a cornerstone of President Dilma rousseﬀ's plans to upgrade the country’s energy infrastructure, but it has faced protests and challenges from environmentalists and local indigenous groups who say it will harm the world's largest tropical rainforest and displace tens of thousands of people. AfghAnistAn 14 killed at dog fight At least 14 people were killed on sunday by two bombs at a dog fight on the outskirts of Kandahar city, a police spokesman said. five policemen and 12 civilians were injured. no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the taliban regularly target large public gatherings. Dog-fighting competitions, which were banned under the taliban regime, are a popular pastime in Afghanistan. nato forces have been battling to take control of Kandahar from the taliban, whose heartland it is. COME AND LIVE WITH US IN THE GUADALHORCE VALLEY “WHERE PEACE, TRANQUILITY AND WELL BEING IS OUR BEST VALUE UNIQUE AND EXCLUSIVE OFFER TO RENT OR BUY INCLUDING: ACCOMODATION IN A FULLY FURNISHED & EQUIPPED APARTMENT ON-SITE MEDICAL FACILITIES 24 HOURS HOME ASSISTANCE ON CALL FITNESS CENTRE, GYM, SAUNA, JACUZZI, INDOOR POOL DAILY SHUTTLE INTO TOWN EVERYTHING YOU NEED AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!! DON’T DENY YOURSELF TO ENJOY THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY Visit our web Page at: WWW.SOLANDALUSI.COM Camino Cuesta del Palmar s/n - La Alqueria - 29130 Alhaurin de La Torre - Malaga - For Further information please call + 34 951 01 47 47 ask for Blanca WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Baby thefts trial starts FACTORY CLEARANCE! Jorge Videla and Reynaldo Bignone, two of the members of the Junta which ruled Argentina from 1976-83, have gone on trial, accused of overseeing the systematic theft of some 30 babies from political prisoners. The parents were then killed or "disappeared". Six others, including exofficers and a doctor, are also on trial. More than 100 children are known to have been given for adoption to military or police couples. The defendants are charged with "taking, retaining and hiding minors and changing their identities". The trial is focusing on the fate of at least 34 children who were born to mothers being held in the two main prisons used during military rule, the Naval Mechanics School, or Esma, and the Campo de Mayo military base. The case came to trial mainly due to the efforts of the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo human rights group, who have campaigned to find out what happened not only to their children but also their grandchildren. Videla, 85, has already been sentenced to life after being found guilty of crimes against humanity, while Bignone, 83, was given 25 years in jail last April after being convicted of human rights abuses. Human rights groups say 30,000 people died or disappeared during what became known as the Dirty War, and that at least 400 children were "stolen". The Grandmothers have identified dozens of children of people who disappeared during this time, but some of them have said they would rather not know their origins, especially if the information implicates their adoptive parents in illegal acts. ITALIAN LEATHER CORNER SOFA with cushion back - available in black, brown or ivory €895 to clear 150 X 190 / 150 X 200 quality mattress with base €260 We also have a large selection of memory foam beds. Also sofa and bed sale now on hurry, limited stock! BED SOFA & FURNITURE CENTRE Next to Sunshine Golf on Slip Road next to BP La Cala 637 431 006 WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Gibraltar News Big queues to Places to visit while on e Rock get in on Monday With all the shops in Spain closed for Andalucia Day on Monday, long queues were the order of the day for getting into Gibraltar, sparking off fresh protests from La Linea Town Hall. Spokesman Minister Maria Teresa Garcia Mellado of La Linea said that “the queues on Monday should give pause to the government.” She said that wealth was being left in the British Colony (all Gibraltar shops were open on Monday) and the only thing that La Linea gets is pollution and damage to the roads caused by the heavy traffic. “All this happens a few days before the Minister of Public Works, Jose Blanco, meets with officials of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces to discuss issues of movement, energy saving and pollution from vehicles,” she said. A long tailback took hours to get in and out of the Rock which was full of Spanish visitors as well as British. However, local Spanish workers later called on the Town Hall asking them to stop affecting relations with Gibraltar because of the impact for Spanish workers with employment on the Rock. Hughes visits Gib A memorial service for Hilary Wines, the former Liberal Democrat Mayor of Southwark was held in Gibraltar at the weekend attended by well known UK Liberal MP Simon Hughes who was a personal friend. During his vist, the MP, who is the third senior Lib Dem to visit the Rock, told local Liberal Party Leader Dr Joseph Garcia that more visits by Senior Lib Dems from the coalition Government are planned. They also talked about the Western Beach's polution problems and the fact that Spanish Guardia Civil vessels have been straying into Gibraltar waters. Gib Fuel Prices from Morrison’s Is it worth going to Gib with an empty tank? Usually the answer is yes! Unleaded per litre £0.989 (€1.19) Super unleaded £1.07 (€1.29) Diesel per litre £0.959 (€1.16) The exchange rate used by Morrisons is €1.21 to £1 and the prices are as at 4pm Tuesday February 22nd. When people think Gibraltar they more often than not think – apes. But Gibraltar is home to a wealth of plant life - palms and jacaranda, lavender and jasmine, clematis, honeysuckle, geraniums and bougainvillea live side by side with many rarer species including two, Gibraltar Candytuft and Gibraltar Sea Lavender, named after the Rock itself. Great efforts are continuously made to ensure that the Rock's natural environment is kept as unspoilt and beautiful for future visitors as it is today. A large area of the upper rock has been designated as a nature reserve and Gibraltar's famous public park, the Alameda Gardens, has recently been transformed into a new botanical garden to rival the best in the world. Opened in 1816, adjacent to a historic parade ground, the Alameda Gardens present a magnificent botanical collection. Mediterranean pines and olive trees form a canopy along with Dragon Trees and palms from the Atlantic Islands. Beds display flora, cacti and succulent plants from far off sub-tropical places including South Africa, the Where can I get my copy of e News in Gibraltar? Morrisons Latinos (in the square) Latinos (High Street) Gibraltar Arms Elliot Hotel Tourist Centre Newsagents - Albor (Ocean Village) Newsagents - Ocean Village Express ICC Centre Bianca’s (Ocean Village) We will be adding to this list week by week and will let you know where any new drop-off points are on this page. Far East, Australia and California. In this oasis, a spectacular amphitheatre has been restored to its former glory and is open on special occasions for concerts and stage shows. Guided tours are available by arrangement. For further information please contact: The Gibraltar Botanical Gardens The Alameda, Red Sands RoadTel: (+ 350) 200 72639Fax: (+ 350) 200 74022E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gibraltargardens.gi If, however, you're more interested in things military then the Gibraltar Museum is a must. It is centrally located within the City of Gibraltar, just one minute walking distance from the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned in Main Street and covers all aspects of the rock's military and natural history. Situated in Bomb House Lane, the Gibraltar Museum houses the bestpreserved Moorish Bath House in Europe. The Museum contains a rich collection of artefacts, weapons, medals, costumes, coins and postage stamps, together with a magnificently detailed old model of the Rock, constructed by officers of the Royal Engineers in 1865. Of particular interest is the outstanding collection of natural history, with specimens presented against realistic backgrounds. A fifteenminute film showing the history of Gibraltar is included in the entrance price.The galleries cover a wide range of subjects, from the geological origins of the Rock in the Jurassic Period around 200 million years ago to the present day. Next visit the Moorish Baths, one of the more unique rooms, which portrays the Islamic history of Gibraltar. View a large-scale model of the Rock in 1865 and compare it to the Rock of today. There is also a large collection of photographs displaying spectacular episodes of the North African operations during the Second World War, the construction of the naval dockyards or life in the nineteenth century. Not to be missed is the Great Siege of Gibraltar TOURIST OFFICES Tourist offices in Gibraltar are located in Casemates Square, the Airport Arrivals Hall, the coach terminus and the cruise terminal and at the frontier. Main Tourist Administration Office Duke of Kent House Cathedral Square, Tel: +350 20074950 e-mail: [email protected] The Gibraltar Tourist Board also operates in London at: Gibraltar Government Office150 Strand,London WC 2R 1JA.Tel: +44 (0) 207 836 0777 email: [email protected] Note: Gibraltar phone numbers consist of eight digits. When phoning from within Gibraltar just dial the eight digits.When phoning from the Costa del Sol and the rest of Spain precede the number with 9567. When phoning from abroad precede the number with the international dialling code which is 00350. exhibition and an art gallery in honour of Gibraltar’s most famous painter, Gustavo Bacarisas. Following from here there is a large room which has been converted into a cave in which can be seen some of the spectacular prehistoric discoveries which have made the Rock famous. Complete your tour with a display of Gibraltar’s unique Natural History, from the spectacular bird migrations to the marine life, which abounds around its shores. There is much to see in the museum and an entire morning or afternoon can be spent browsing through the exhibits. Relax in the peaceful gardens of the museum and enjoy a coffee or refreshment or perhaps a local dish from the restaurant’s cuisine. For further information contact: The Gibraltar Museum 18/20 Bomb House Lane, P.O. Box 939.Tel: (+ 350) 200 74289Fax: (+ 350) 200 79158 E-mail: [email protected] PR E-mail: [email protected] Website:www.gib.gi/mu seum Gibraltar 2011 Bank Holidays January 1st New Year's Day March 14th Commonwealth Day April 22nd Good Friday April 25th Easter Monday May 2nd May Day May 30th Spring Bank Holiday June 13th Queen's Birthday Aug. 29th Summer Bank Holiday Sept. 12th Gibraltar National Day Dec. 25th Christmas Day Dec. 26th Boxing Day WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the UK News Wills and Kate Trips launch lifeboat to cost more Prince William and Kate Middleton carried out their first public engagement together last week when they launched the new Treardurr lifeboat named “Endeavour”. The village in Anglesey, North Wales is known to the couple, who said they welcomed having been allowed to live in peace in recent months by the locals while Prince William is serving at RAF Valley, and that they wished to give something back to the community. The boat's crew demonstrated some of the rescue capabilities to the couple and lifeboat station guests. Aubrey Diggle, the lifeboat's operations manager, said: "It's an honour to have Prince William and Miss Middleton at our naming ceremony. Naming a new lifeboat is always a special occasion for the charity where we can thank our supporters and fundraisers. Having the royal couple there will make the day even more memorable for the whole community." Holiday operator Thomas Cook announced yesterday (Tuesday) that a £160 fuel charge will be levied on the cost of a long haul family holiday, because of rising oil prices. The company blamed a 40 per cent rise in the cost of plane fuel in a year for the £40 per person surcharge. The surcharge applies to journeys of more than seven hours, and will hit trips to the US and Australia. Short haul trips of less than three hours, mainly to Spain and Portugal, will cost a family of four an extra £60, or £15 per head. Those heading off on a middle distance flight to countries like Greece and Turkey will find that they will have to pay an extra £25 per person. The rises hit all holidays booked from yesterday. In the meantime petrol prices in the UK have topped £1.30 a litre for the first time. Going to the 2012 Olympics? If you're thinking of buying tickets for the 2012 London Olympics, which have to be applied for from March 15th until April 26th, be aware that you will only be able to buy them with a Visa card – no other cards are being allowed. On top of that, if you do get a ticket and need to withdraw money from any of the ATMs in the stadia you will have to use either a Visa credit, debit or pre-paid card, again, no other cards will work. If you are successful in getting a ticket, payment will be taken between May 10th and June 10th but be aware that you are entering into a contract to purchase what you ask for so if you ask for 50, you'll be paying for fifty that you may not be able to sell on – rare but possible in today's economic climate. If you have a UK address certain retailers such as Boots, M&S and Tesco are offering 0% interest until April 2012 plus cashback on any purchases you make, so you could make money on the tickets as well. The AA is touting a Visa Egg credit card which gives you reward points on anything you purchase, such as the tickets, and also double points on the fuel you put in your car while you're there. However, be aware that if you don't pay off the full amount before the due date or when the 0% interest rate runs out, they revert to their usual interest rates and you could end up out of pocket. Many cards give you good interest rates so it pays to shop around but, because of the restrictions Visa have confirmed that pre-paid Visa cards will be made available so, like you can top-up your prepay phone, you can do the same with a Visa card. Virgin offers one for as little as £9.95 that can be pay-as-you-go that incurs a 2.95% transaction fee, or you can top up with a monthly amount. Why has this been allowed? Because Visa are the official sponsor of the games and this carries on until the summer Olympics of 2020. However, all is not lost as if you haven't already got a Visa card there are some really good interest rates being offered at the moment that you could take advantage of and still get your card before the tickets go on sale. If you do decide to get a prepaid card, you may want to hold onto it. Once the Games begin, Visa will be the only form of payment other than cash that will be accepted at Olympic venues. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 10 n Inland & Coastal News Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es 1983 the final episode of TV show M.A.S.H was watched by 125,000,000 viewers How to beat those scam gas inspectors The increasing number of reports about irregular gas inspectors has forced the Junta de Andalucia to issue an alert about the companies active in the province, especially in Nerja and Marbella. These unofficial inspectors are targeting two vulnerable groups – old people and foreigners – and usually end up relieving their victims of between €200 and €300 for “maintainence” work that probably was not even necessary. The News spoke to Repsol, the official maintenance company, which advises people not to let anyone claiming to be a gas inspector into their homes. Repsol said people who have had one of their official inspections will receive a letter four years and nine months later, advising them that the next inspection is due in three months. The letter will give them a telephone number to ring to arrange an appointment. “We never just turn up on your doorstep,” the Repsol spokesman said. In Malaga province, the inspection costs €61.03 (to be paid in cash) – a little more if a part has to be replaced, but the Repsol inspector will not replace anything unnecessarily, the spokesman said. Many people have never had a Repsol check because they think the men that just turn up are official, and the spokesman advised them to get a proper Repsol Guardia launch special unit in Strait heading Deputy PM Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba was in Cadiz last week to launch the Rio Segura, the Guardia Civil’s biggest search-and-capture boat which will start fighting drug and people traffickers in the Strait in April, together with the smaller Rio Miño, already in service. Both boats are part of the Guardia’s new Strait Maritime Group which will work out of Cadiz. Ships belonging to the Guardia’s regular Maritime Service have been patrolling off Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia since 2007 to try to stem illegal migrants from those countries setting out on the dangerous crossing to the Canary Islands. That operation has been a resounding success, with the lowest number ever of migrants arriving there last year. However, its success ADVERTISING FEATURE Head for the highway and take your holiday home with you! Go European Ltd have made it possible to hire a 6 berth luxury model Motor home with all the latest European specifications and safety features, and pick it up either in the UK or Spain for a touring holiday or one way hire. This gives you more time to enjoy the delights of southern Spain and France in the most leisurely way possible. 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Call us for a quote and availability either Spain 0034 952 932 276 or UK 0044 (0)1527 850 585 [email protected] www.camperhirespain.com www.goeuropean.co.uk ST PATRICK’S DAY CARDS AND DECORATIONS C/ El Troncon, 14 behind the main Fuengirola Post Oﬃce Tel. 952 588 731 has diverted the people and drug traffickers to the Strait of Gibraltar which was seen as an easier smuggling route. As a result, the Guardia’s new unit will focus on the Strait. check now. If you do not speak Spanish well enough to handle a phone call, get a friend who does to call 901 100 100 to help you make an appointment. You will then have a Repsol receipt to show the next bogus gas inspector. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 Inland & Coastal News n 11 news Your outlook on the World the Spain’s only Miss Universe dies Actress Amparo Muñoz has died at her home in Malaga on Sunday after a long illness. She was 56. She won the Miss Costa del Sol and Miss Spain titles in 1973 and won the Miss Universe title the following year in the Philippines. However, she relinquished the title six months later after refusing to go to Japan. She took up acting and made several films, one of them with Carlos Saura, then Spain’s best known director. Ms Muñoz went to the Philippines in 1983 to attend the country’s film festival at the invitation of the then president, Ferdinand Marco. She stayed several years, but left the country before she was tried and sentenced to four years on a drugsrelated charge. She was again arrested in Barcelona in 1989 for possessing heroin, but was not sentenced. By then, the media had learned of her drug addiction and Most wanted arrested in Malaga The National Police have arrested one of the UK’s most wanted criminals – Dean Lawrence Rice – in Alhaurin just two days after his picture appeared in the media last week as part of the latest Crimestoppers campaign. Rice, 49, a native of Exeter, had been sentenced to life in 2006 for kidnapping one of his former employees. While on the run, he had also used the aliases Dean Borton and Steven Greenfield. He had been living as a recluse and barely left his house, but was recognized after his photo was published. The Special Response Group against Organized Crime stormed his house and arrested him on February 23rd. Rice was the second wanted criminal to be apprehended in 48 hours after publication of the list of Britain's 10 Most Wanted. Dutchman Everardus Wijtvliet,jailed for drugs offences, was captured on Tenerife. brushes with the law Ms Muñoz never spent a night in jail. Married three times, in 2005 Ms Muñoz published her memoir – La vida es el precio (Life is the price). +6%'0 '5+)05 19411/ 9+6 18'4 #07(#%674'& +0 -+6%'05 ,756 61 +052+4' '4/#0; 9+6 56700+0) 37#.+6; +0+5* .#55+% 61 %#0&+0#8+#0 /1&'40 4+%'5 !#6'8'4 ;174 $7&)'6 740+0) "174 &4'#/5 061 4'#.+6; +&'#5 claimed she had Aids, which she denied. Ms Muñoz appeared in court again in 1990 for not paying bills at the Malaga Palacio Hotel and the Oropesa National Parador in Toledo. Despite her N Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] MALAgA Blood needed for Easter To make sure there is enough blood in stock for Easter, when demand tends to rise, the Regional Blood Transfusion Centre (CRTS) is once again appealing to university students. in the first campaign at the university of Malaga last year, 2,416 students gave blood, 1,208 of them for the first time. From March 1st until Easter week, CRTS professionals and dozens of volunteers will be on campus hoping that even more students will respond to the appeal this time around. FuENgiRoLA One of top 20 tourist destinations The town is among the 20 most solicited tourist destinations, at position number 8, according to a study carried put by the website portal hoteles.com, tourism councillor José Sánchez announced last week. He added that Fuengirola’s hotels had also been considered among the best in Andalucia last year for their quality-price ratio, according to the hotel.info company website. He said the tourist return rate was “pretty high”, 54 per cent, supporting the town hall’s belief that its tourism policies are on target. 999 %1%+0#52.75 %1/ /#+. +0(1 161)4#0&' Martin Delfín Writes for the English language version of Overdue acknowledgement Parenting D uring last week's celebrations of the failed coup 30 years ago, Speaker José Bono had the guts to refer to one aspect of those long ago events which a lot of people – especially the Socialists – have preferred to ignore – the vile treatment dished out to Adolfo Suarez, which was one of the factors that led him to resign just three weeks before the coup attempt on February 23rd, 1981. Suarez was glaringly absent last week, because he's suffered from Alzheimer's for several years and can't even remember he was once the prime minister. T ogether with King Juan Carlos, Suarez dismantled the Franco regime, introduced many necessary political reforms and led the country into its first free post-dictatorship election, which he won. He then oversaw the drafting of the new Constitution, which was accepted by the people in a referendum held on December 6th, 1978. T he worst of the post-Franco years appeared to be over and that's when Suarez seemed to lose his way. There were still many aspects of Spanish life – legal and social – that needed to be reformed but Suarez just didn't seem to know what to do with the democracy he had helped to bring into the world. And the attacks came from all corners – from his own party as well as the Socialists, who had the smell of an election victory in their nostrils and wanted Suarez out of the way so that the election could be held even earlier than slated. Suarez's own party was a mish-mash of centre-right and centre-left Christian Democrats and Liberals who all felt they could govern better than he did. Overthrowing the government seemed to be the only way to dislodge Suarez from power so many politicians tacitly supported the military who were known to be planning a coup. M eanwhile, Suarez was treated with utter contempt by the likes of former PM Felipe Gonzalez, which is why José Bono got up in Parliament last week to regret the “pitiless” and “horrible” criticisms of the man “we would love to have here with us to acknowledge the courageous way he behaved during those terrible hours”. He said: “I am speaking in recognition of the worth of a man who cannot defend himself, cannot speak and who deserves our loudest applause this afternoon”. Election ploy O f course, Bono might have been laying the ground for his own shot at the top spot. Everyone is talking openly of who will succeed Zapatero – who is not expected to run for re-election next year. Deputy PM and interior minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba was a shoo-in, until the Partido Popular revived the scandal known as the Faisan case. Adolfo Suarez Faisan was the name of the bar where ETA sympathisers regularly picked up the money that had been collected for the terrorist group – some of it from “friends” but most of it from the “revolutionary tax” charged to Basque businessmen. “You pay this tax and we won't bomb your company or kill you or your family”. The security forces were about to raid the bar in early May 2006, hoping to catch the sympathisers red-handed, but the owner had been tipped off and warned them to stay away. The tip-off could only have come from someone inside the security forces or the interior ministry, which was in charge of the operation. Rubalcaba was interior minister at the time and didn't help matters by refusing all of the PP's demands for an “exhaustive investigation”. Rubalcaba is the man the PP is most afraid of, hence the revival of the Faisan case. T he other name being bandied about as Zapatero's successor is that of José Bono who lost the party leadership to him by nine votes at the party's annual meeting in September 2000. Bono, like Rubalcaba, says he does not aspire to the post but his recent utterings seem to indicate that he is trying to win over moderate Socialists – some three and a half million of whom are reportedly planning not to vote for Zapatero or any of his minions like public works minister José Blanco, who played a vital role in swinging the vote in favour of Zapatero in 2000. T hen we have defence minister Carme Chacon, who has hinted she may be interested in running in a primary to select her boss's successor. The biggest drawback here is that she's Catalan and the Catalans always put Catalonia above Spain. I doubt that many Spaniards would vote for a Catalan as PM but if they did, they would bitterly regret it. I think Spain is ready for a woman PM but a likely candidate does not immediately jump to mind. H owever, we have to get the municipal elections out of the way first – and the Socialists are really running scared, especially as it looks as if the PP may snatch Andalucia from them. But more about that next week. I t is impossible to present a plan in this country without some outlandish backlash of criticism. The other night I was listening to a journalist speak during a television panel debate about the government’s proposal that goes into effect on Monday to reduce the speed limit on highways from 120 kph to 110 kph. She complained that she had grown tired with prime minister Zapatero’s paternalistic government telling her what she can or cannot do. It reminded me of former Prime Minister José María Aznar’s similar gripe a few years back when the health ministry decided to order a popular US fast food chain to pull a calorie-filled, multi-layer burger for nutritional reasons. Aznar said that if he wanted to eat a burger high in fat and carbohydrates he should be able to do so without anyone telling him that he could not. As whacky or confusing as some laws may be, governments must enforce the rules and the citizens are obliged to obey them. T he jury is still out in my courtroom as to where this new speed limit law is going. Last Friday, the Cabinet decided to lower the maximum limit on highways as well as order a five per cent reduction in fares on all Renfe short- and middle-distance commuter trains in a bold effort to reduce energy consumption. The measures were announced as the nation prepares to deal with the impact from the soaring cost in oil prices fuel by the unrest in Libya . Drivers' associations say reducing the speed limit could cause more accidents on highways – another argument that I am not sure I understand. The Popular Party was quick to point out that the last person to change the speed limits was Franco during the Arab oil crisis of the 1970s. Other critics believe that the reduction is nothing more but a secret strategy for the government to generate more money by increasing traffic fines. It is difficult to understand how driving 10 kph less will save energy but apparently the Cabinet has on staff technicians who study these things. G asoline and diesel fuel prices in Spain are among the lowest in Europe but at the same time motorists here are some of the most abusive compared to the rest of the continent. In France, taxes make up 70 per cent of what you pay at the pump. When comparing the numbers of road fatalities, Spain ranks the fifth highest among European Union members. (Although fatalities are down from 8,837 in 1991 to 4,442 in 2005, according to a European Commission report issued in 2007.) Germany, with no limits on its highways, ranks first in the number of motor vehicle deaths. Driving slower may not save as much as €1.5 billion in oil exports, as the government stresses, but it will save lives. I f the Socialist administration really wants Spaniards to cutback on fuel consumption it should take even bolder steps such as hiking taxes on fuel and on the purchase of new vehicles (something it won’t do because it would mean that the beleaguered car dealerships will take more beatings); push to convince communities such as Madrid and Barcelona to begin charging fees for motorists entering the city; and educate citizens about the need to use environmentally friendly public transport systems. S paniards love their vehicles and it is going to take a lot of effort, and laws, to convince them not to take them out of the garage regularly. Many, of course, believe that such measures should not apply to them and will continue to carrying on in a rebellious mode. When people act like children, then maybe it is time that the government needs to step in and act like a parent. Doggy bag shortage E ver since the private company that provided Madrid dog owners free plastic bags to pick-up after their pets went broke earlier this year, there has been a massive shortage of sacks throughout the city. The local government has installed small dispensers at some sidewalk trash bins, but these are scarce. You have to look to find them and then hope that there are bags available. Some owners are taking more than their share, completely emptying the dispensers and leaving others to fend for themselves. Some enterprising groups are going around different parks, selling them at five cents per bag. The consequences are evident: sidewalks are a lot messier, pedestrians are barking at all pet owners, including the ones that clean up after dogs, and then there are the many dog lovers who refuse to comply with the law because they decline to hunt down the dispensers that in many cases are located far from their usual dog parks. There has to be better solutions. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Community “THE NEWS”WANTS TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS Is there something happening locally that you would like our readers to know about? Is your society or organization planning a fundraiser or special event? Contact us on [email protected] attended to Women’s World ousands by the Mijas Foreigners Day of Prayer Department in 2010 The Women’s World Day of Prayer will be held in St Andrew’s Church Los Boliches at 4:30pm on Friday March 4th. This year’s service has been written by the women of Chile, with the theme of ‘How Many Loaves Have You?’ Jean Hackett, president of the British National Committee of the Women’s World Day of Prayer, said: “This is always an exciting day as a great wave of prayer sweeps the world, beginning when the first service is held in Tonga and continuing around the world until the final service takes place some 35 hours later in neighbouring Western Samoa. By then the day will have been celebrated in over 170 countries.” Although organised and led by women, this is a day of prayer for everybody as women demonstrate their solidarity with their sisters and brothers in other countries, and all are welcome to attend. For further information about the service at St Andrews please contact the local organiser, Linda Hammond, on 952 494 184. And the winner is... The Royal British Legion, Coin Branch, held its annual photograph competition recently with over 40 entries on display and all members present taking part in the voting. The winning entry was from Charles Edwards who is pictured receiving the winner's trophy from Jo Taylor, chairman.The RBL Coin Branch are running a trip to Ronda on Wednesday March 23rd and a trip to Gibraltar on Thursday April 14th. Special interest groups include art, photography, cookery and dining groups that run monthly. For further details of events etc call Denise on 664 521 257. David By Pete Woodall The Mijas Foreigners Department has presented its annual report for 2010 the report shows that last year the department attended to some 19,833 foreigners, 10 per cent more than in 2009 (17,841). This was due mainly to the increase of enquiries by email and telephone. The people that consulted the department were divided into three groups: · attended personally in the office - 5,577 · by telephone - 8,034 · and by email - 6,222 The Foreigners Department is an information office for the foreigners that decide to live temporarily or permanently in the municipality of Mijas. General information is offered in 7 languages: Spanish, English, German, French, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish. In the main the nationalities that were attended to comprised of EU citizens; 10,736 British, 2,831 Germans, 2,750 Danes, 823 Swedes and 455 Dutch. The main queries were concerning payment of taxes, debts and embargoes, building licences and illegal builds, opening licences and 1st habitation licences. Further enquiries concerned the different departments of the Mijas Town Hall and the services offered by the Social Services Department. The Dogman The department has seen a marked increase by foreigners requesting information in their own language regarding their consumer rights pertaining to consumer complaints. The department can assist in such matters as well as giving general information on other administrative departments such as: the Traffic Department, Inland Revenue, National Police, Social Security and the Courts . Why cats scratch The Mijas Town Hall Foreign Residents Department was the first of its kind in Spain (March 1985) famous for its smile and ever present helpful attitude - it is considered by many to be an invaluable life line when living in Spain. It has been duplicated by many other municipalities since, especially where large concentrations of foreign residents reside. In Mijas 42 per cent of the inhabitants listed on the Padron are foreigners of over 120 different nationalities. You can contact the Mijas Town Hall Foreign Residents Department on 952 589 010 or [email protected] S K Estates Rare Opportunity! Raised ground floor apartment in Alessandra, Torreblanca, Fuengirola with own garden 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, lounge, kitchen and glassed-in terrace used as a dining room by the present owners Potential for holiday and long term letting Reduced from €99,000 to only €87,995 This apartment is sure to sell quickly so call now for an appointment to view Bargain of the year! 3 bedroomed house in Mula, Murcia right at the top of the town with fantastic views. Living room, dining room, big kitchen, bathroom and three bedrooms plus courtyard for barbecues and roof terrace. New electrics. This house is on a NO TRAFFIC road so is very safe for a family with children. Absolute bargain at €75,000 661 114 070 / 667 340 928 661 114 070 / 667 340 928 final part I have heard of two methods of stopping cats scratching wallpaper other than simply covering it. One is to bang in long nails into the wall above the scratches, and hang bits of string down so that the cat have to push their claws through the string. They don’t like this but then it’s not so good for the wall either! The second method is to get double sided sticky tape or wire netting or Prickler wall strips and put these on the floor, where the cat’s back legs are while it scratches. (You can’t really put this on the wall!) Thus the cat won’t be able to stand in the place and therefore cannot scratch. Remember to provide an alternative scratching area otherwise it will just scratch on wallpaper elsewhere. SCRATCHING OUTSIDE DOORS Cats scratch outside doors to get our attention. We then let them in. So scratching outside a door trains humans very well indeed. The only possible way to stop this will be stop rewarding the scratching, ie. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR. It will take two to three weeks minimum for the cat to learn that scratching doesn’t pay off. I have to say that I don’t think I could manage this, because I would weaken. This is going to take so much human self control that it will be difficult to manage. If it really matters to you, then buy some transparent thick plastic from a DIY store - the kind that covers carpets on heavily used walking areas. Tack this down in front of the door where the cat scratches. Then place double sided sticky tape on top of the plastic. Cats don’t like sticky surfaces. You could put tape directly on the carpet, if you are sure it won’t damage the carpet. A Cats Protection League supporter came up with the idea to attach to the bottom of the door a flap of wood/plastic on a piano hinge which folds upwards and is kept up with some kind of turnbuckle. When the flap is up, you can move the door. But when you are shutting the door, you let down the flap so that it covers the carpet next to the door – ie the cat will not have a carpet area to scratch. A secondary flap from the main flap turns outward to protect the area just at the side of the door, if needed. Strange.... but true! WALKING ON MANTLEPIECES ETC. To stop cats walking on mantlepieces, make seesaws from pencils and cardboard sheet. Booby trap one end with empty beer cans. The idea is to make the pencil the fulcrum with the cardboard on top of it. Cats dislike unstable surfaces. The beer cans are there so that they fall off with a clatter when the cat jumps on the other end of the cardboard. Or try putting cooking foil along the mantlepiece. Cats dislike walking on it. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es “THE NEWS”WANTS TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS Send letters to the editor as part of an e-mail text to [email protected] Wayne Hockenhull / Kelly Thirlwell Readers are well aware of the problems faced by our local animal charities and ‘protectores’ in dealing with abandoned animals and finding new homes for them so we are very pleased to be able to share with you the news of a very important inititative. The Director of El Paraiso Municipal pound, Manuel Tovar, with the support of the Alhaurin de la Torre Town Hall is introducing a special neutering programme aimed Pat Coleman FAMA the Foundation for Abandoned and Mistreated Animals would like to let all your readers know that we will be hosting the first of our Ladies Lunch and Fashion Shows for this year on Friday 11th March in Los Boliches. at helping animal charities rehome abandoned animals. El Paraiso has opened its doors to the animals from the closed down Parque de Animales in Torremolinos, and charities have already visited to see if they can help by taking some and finding them homes throughout Europe. Snr. Tovar knows that one of the main costs facing cashstrapped charities is that of neutering and as part of his efforts at El Paraiso to rehome C.H.A.I.N. as many animals as possible, he is to work with outside agencies to neuter animals free of charge. This means that representatives of the various charities can visit El Paraiso to identify which animals they can rehome without having to worry about finding the funds to pay for neutering them. This is early days but a very welcome step for all of us who, with El Paraiso, are so involved in animal welfare FAMA The fashion show starts at 12.00 noon and is accompanied by a three course lunch including a nice glass of wine for € 18.00 per person. These popular events are well organised and very enjoyable Stargazing By Ken Campbell If you would like to be kept up to date or take part in any of the events then go to www.kencampbell.info e Bull, the Twins and the Lion I’ve mentioned before that all of the constellations of the zodiac are actually real constellations that you can see in the night sky. with the proceeds going directly to the animal shelter but FAMA’s good work is in constant need of support so, if you're not busy on the 11th of March please give me, Pat Coleman a tinkle on 620 354 885 for more details on the venue and seat reservations. Event feature report Goodbye Georgie! Most of the 88 known constellations take a great deal of imagination to make out what they are meant to represent but there are a few of them that do actually resemble their namesake. And at this time of the year there are three of the signs of the Zodiac that can easily be identified. Taurus, Gemini and Leo do look a bit like what they are supposed to be; a bull, a set of twins and a lion. A party was held by one of the Costa’s great ladies last Saturday. Georgina Shapiro, dressed for the evening in a beautiful black taffeta gown with matching shrug, has retired from running the Jacaranda Care Home in Alhaurin el Grande to return to the UK to be with her husband Tony and her family. The event was held at the Tamisa Hotel where guests were greeted with glasses of champagne and canapes of wantons, tiny spring rolls and all manner of delicious delicacies. On entering the dining room Peruvian harpist Alex Espinola played some wonderful music while we dined on a sumptuous three course meal. Speeches followed with tributes from many quarters testifying to her achievments during the time she has lived on the Costa del Sol. Apart from being at the helm of Jacaranda, Georgie was the founder member of Age Care. She realised that contact for the elderly was almost nil here and set up a branch of Age Care that has been in constant demand ever since and she has been Pictured left: Tony & Georgina Pictured right: Iain & Martina its President for the last seven years. Georgie has also been involved in MABS, the cancer support group, in recent years and has been a godsend to many people who have found themselves, or a loved one, facing the disease. And just in case you thought she hadn’t got enough to do, Georgie also helped with the Diabetic Support Group and the Royal British Legion! Well known actress and songstress Polly Perkins sang “Georgia On My Mind” and a very fitting, specially adapted “I Am What I Am”. This was followed by an hilarious specially written Twelve Days of Springtime to the tune of the Twelve Days of Christmas from the Costa Chordbusters with such things as 9 zimmer frames, 8 bed pans and a bandage for a sore knee, each day being sung by a different table! A disco followed for everyone to burn off a few calories. The whole evening was a great tribute to a great lady who will be missed by so many on the coast. Georgie(pictured above left with husband Tony) was delighted to reveal that Martine and Iain Sands (on the right of the picture) are to take over Jacaranda, and they will be keeping up the excellent standard of care in the future that Jacaranda is renowned for. If you want to find them yourself then first of all locate one of the most well known and recognisable constellations, Orion. Orion looks like a huge hour glass or bow tie shape with three stars very close together in a straight line marking ‘the belt’ of the hunter. Follow the line of the belt up and to the right and you will see a bright red coloured star called Aldebaran. Aldebaran is about 65 light years away from us and is a huge star almost 100 times bigger than the Sun; it marks the red eye of the bull as it bears down upon Orion. You should be able to make out the two stars to the left of Aldebaran that form a ‘V’ shape; these are the horns of the bull. If you have binoculars try sweeping the area around Aldebaran and you will see thousands of stars all very close together and known as the Hyades cluster. Now go back to Orion and follow a line from the right hand star in the belt through the red star in the left hand corner of Orion (Betelgeuse) and carry on a bit further until you come to two reasonably bright stars quite close together. These are Castor and Pollux, the twin brothers in Gemini. The bodies of the twins are made from stars that form two faint lines heading back toward Orion. Castor and Pollux look about the same brightness as each other but in fact are nowhere near each other. The lower of the two, Pollux, is 34 light years away while the upper one, Castor, is 52 light years away. Both Castor and Pollux are not single stars but instead each has a companion star orbiting around it. Any aliens living on a planet going around these two would have not one but two suns in their skies. There are two ways to find Leo; either carry on to the left of Gemini or easier is to locate the saucepan shape of seven stars The Plough or Great Bear. At the moment The Plough is standing up on its ‘handle’ with the ‘bowl’ of the saucepan uppermost. The two top stars in the bowl are known as the pointers because if you follow a line to the left from them they point to the North Star. But if you follow the line of the pointers to the right instead you will come across a group of stars that look like a reversed question mark or sickle shape. This is the head of the lion with its body stretching back toward the horizon. It is meant to resemble the Lion in Trafalgar Square lying down with its head held high. The brightest star at the base of the ‘Question Mark’ is known as Regulus, the regal star. With a little imagination Leo really does look like a Lion! Try it for yourself and see what you think. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World OUT & the ABOUT Your weekly Entertainment Guide InsIdE thIs wEEk new date for La Risa Carribean evening second round of talent Contest at Buzby’s not Pancake tuesday at Jk’s in Coin A fistful of film fantasy in Europe's only desert Written by Andrea MacLean The Coen Brothers remake of “True Grit”, the Western that originally starred John Wayne as the irascible Rooster Cogburn, made a surprise sprint for award glory at the Baftas and the Oscars. T he new version got best picture and acting nominations, including the best actor nod for Jeff Bridges, who made the iconic Wayne's role his own. In the end, the movie lost out at the ceremonies - but what it did do is remind us just what a big part the Western has had to play in film making history. B ut you don't have to go to America if you want to vist the badlands - head towards Almeria and turn inland and visit the most remarkable desert landscape in Europe where great movie stars and directors have produced some of the most important movies in the annals of Hollywood, collecting a trunkful of Oscars in their time. A nd if you want to play cowboy and live out the fantasy then you can, by visiting the famous old film locations left behind by one of the greatest directors of the famous spaghetti Westerns, Sergio Leone. he Mini-Hollywood sets are located in the curiously beautiful socalled Desert of Tabernas but in fact there is a "golden triangle" of Hollywood memories that takes in Almeria itself and the Cabo de Gato natural park. So if you are a movie buff this is the place to visit. And if you want the kids to have a great day, then it is a must-do. T L eone had the equivalent of 120,000 euros back in 1964 when he made “For A Fistful of Dollars”. Nowadays that would not cover the cost of the leading actor's trailer for the shoot. And back then it forced the director to seek out the cheapest location he could find, and hire the little known actor Clint Eastwood to play the Man With No Name. MiniHollywood was built inland near Tabernas in 1965 and the rest is history. T he movie was a hit and became the first of a famous trilogy - all filmed among the twisted gulches and dried up river beds of Spain's desert. But Almeria's desert has doubled not just for Arizona. It represented the Middle East for “Cleopatra”, and David Lean - with a rather bigger budget of $20 million shot scenes for the Oscar winning “Lawrence of Arabia” in the area. Other scenes were shot at Cabo de Gato, and the train bombing scene was filmed with the help of locomotives and rolling stock bought from RENFE, using tracks laid on the beach. O ver the years the golden triangle has played host to more than 400 movies and has brought an array of famous stars to the area. The Nicolas Salmeron Park in Almeria was the setting for George C Scott's entry into Palermo in the Oscar winning “Patton: Lust for Glory”. More than 600 locals were used as extras in the film, about the exploits of General George S Patton and the city's cathedral square was used to film allied troops at Messina. A lmeria's Alcazaba, one of the largest Moorish buildings in Spain, has been a popular location. Sean Connery played Bond here for the last time in 1983 in “Never Say Never Again”, and returned a few years later as Harrison Ford's father in “Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade”. Some scenes were shot too at Cabo de Gato, which has also played host to movies including “Conan The Barbarian” and Stephen Spielberg's “Empire Of The Sun”. And of course John Lennon famously spent time in the area on location for Richard Attenborough's “Oh What a Lovely War!” S o there are plenty of opportunities to walk in the footsteps of the famous. But of course it is at the Western film location turned tourist attraction that you can actually pretend just for a moment that you are Anthony Quinn or Eli Wallach, or wearing the dusty poncho of Clint himself. Head inland via Nijar or Tabernas to MiniHollywood, hire a horse, or take a buggy ride, wander up to Boot Hill and push your way through the saloon doors. There are usually two staged gun fight shows each day with cowboys brawling and gunmen leaping to safety or clutching their chests and dying theatrically. Over the years Mini-Hollywood has added a picnic area, a swimming pool and a small zoo, should the kids want a break. N earby are two more sets Texas Hollywood and Western Leone - which are still working locations but also offer Mexican villages, an Indian village with wigwams and their own shows, so there is plenty to see and do. A nd you can fit in some shopping. Head to the little Almerian town of Nijar (yes, it rhymes with yee hah) and take a look at the town's many little pottery workshops tucked into the narrow streets pottery is a craft dating back to Moorish times. The town is also famous for its jarapas - the multicoloured hard-wearing cotton covers and rugs. They hang from every balcony and are piled high in the shops and come in all sizes from bathmat to large sitting room carpet. S o, if your fantasy has ever been to be a movie star then live it in Almeria's film making triangle. Contact www.uniquealmeria.com/mini-hollyw ood for more information about the cowboy sets. wEDnEsDay, March 2nd 2011 Cafe 119 experience CASA KON-TIKI Chris The Dish: 667 842 359 John The Fish: 678 292 792 2nd street behind Yaramar Hotel, Los Boliches Hot Chocolate £1.10 Serving a selection of freshly prepared snacks, sandwiches, wraps, baps and baguettes, paninis jacket potatoes, pizza, burgers. Early evening specials 5-7pm Buy 1 main meal - get the second half price! EvErything availablE for takEaway av antonio Machado benalmadena tel.: 645404911 Sunday Roast Lunch for €5.95pp from 12 noon £1.40 Call 952 474 542 from 10:30 - 1:30 and 7pm - 8pm to book your tickets. Alhaurin el Grande’s LIVEIC MUS Early Bird Special Monday to Saturday until 6pm - Fish Chips and Mushy Peas, Bread and Butter plus a free drink only €4.95pp Hot chocolate with Cream You never know, you may catch the fever and become part of the theatre yourself. Right now Salon Varietes is looking for a choreographer, stage hands, scenery painters, prop masters, singers, dancers, actors, directors, you name it. Ann Read and Bev Sheehan’s last exhibition in Coin in 2007 was such a success that they were asked to repeat it in 2009 but were unable at that time to do so. However, the Ayuntamiento in Coin didn’t give up and they have been asked to hold another this year. The fantastic standard of work from these two photographers will be on show at the Convento Santa Maria de la Encarnacion in Calle de las Cercanias de Santa Maria, Coin, from tomorrow Thursday March 3rd until April 27th and is well worth a visit. The exhibition, entitled “Through The Eyes Of Two Women II”, will be open daily from 10am until 1.30pm and from 5pm to 8pm Monday to Friday. nEwEst bistro CafE Café now open 8pm ‘til late for late night snacks 12 NOON ‘TIL 10PM Pot of Tea for one Selection of Speciality Twinings Teas Selection of various drinks available at the counter FREE ENTRY* Shows start at 9.30pm. Open all day. £1.50 Monday & Thursday Quiz Night Tuesday & Wednesday Live Football from 8:45pm Friday Siobhan - female vocalist from Dublin Fun for all ages Saturday Night Life - comedy vocal duo Not to be missed!! Sunday “Mr Blue Eyed Soul” Danny Stone Freshly made Thick and Creamy Milkshakes SPECIAL OFFER! 8oz entrecôte steak with all trimmings & bottle Rioja - only €20 per couple Wednesday 2nd Alex Avery Thursday 3rd Lesley Harrison Friday 4th Kevin “Copper Nitrate” Saturday 5th Mad Terry Sunday 6th Karaoke with Natalie Munroe from 3pm then Adele Lee Peters & Talent Contest start at 8.30pm Monday 7th Terri Fox followed by Natalie Monroe -after midnight Tuesday 8 Feb Jordana + Cher tribute Karaoke from midnight every night with Mad Terry ‘Copper’ Nitrate & Tommo Strawberry Terry @ Buz ad “LIVE” by’ s Plaza de Remo La Carihuela Torremolinos Chocolate Banana EL MOJITO You will have a good laugh, the bar will be open and you will be supporting a good cause while having a good time. Unlike most other theatres, the Salon Varietes is not supported by public funds, just the box office and the efforts of a group of dedicated and hard-working players and behind the scenes people. The theatre is a focal point and social centre for the English-speaking in Costa del Sol and if it closed it would be sorely missed. So come along, laugh, sing and have a good time. # %" % Exhibition by two artists The husband and wife team of AIA group artists, painter Roger Cummiskey and textile artist Dolores, jointly exhibit a selection of their works in Fuengirola reflecting his words in watercolour. Dolores will exhibit some of her delicately executed cross stitching based on Spanish and international themes. The exhibition started yesterday (Tuesday) and will run until April 26th, open daily between 12-4 and 7-11 pm, except Sundays when it is closed. The AIA-Group was formed six years ago by professional and dedicated visual artists from around the world, who are all living and working in Andalucía. Roger’s paintings are themed on the writings and wanderings of the author James Joyce and consist of quotations and poems Further information is available from the AIA web site www.aia-group.net indian Delight FINE INdIAN CUISINE WE WELCOME YOU TO COIN’S NEWEST INDIAN RESTAURANT special 4 course €10.9090 2 course €6. LUNCH MENU OPEN EVERY DAY Free bottle house wine with every 4 evening meals! Monday 18.30 - 23.30 Tuesday / Sunday 13.00 16.00 / 18.30 - 23.30 Free easy parking available RESERVATIONS 952453745 / 610317980 Calle Maria Zambrano, 7 - 29100 Coin MALAGA ie’s l l e N wEDnEsDay, March 2nd 2011 out & about n 17 news Your outlook on the World the First night success The first night round in the Buzby’s talent competition was a roaring success with two young ladies going straight through to the final in three weeks time. Clara and Nicol, both just 15-years-old, had stunning voices and beat off the competition to earn their places. Boozer Cruiser are supplying the prizes for the raffle, all proceeds of which will be going to the Malaga orphanage. Next week’s judges will be our own The News Editor plus well known performer Rob Stevens. There are still places if you think you can sing solo or are a group, so why not pop along next Sunday at 8:30pm to see what new talent we have on the Costa and meet Mad Terry and his friendly team. Call Terry on 645 404 911 for more information. Jump Change to Jazz of date Go along and join in at The Salon Varietes for an evening of toe-tapping Dixie and Trad Jazz in the company of the New Orleans Jump Band. This 5 piece international group (who recently backed Kenny Ball) will have you swinging in your seats for two nights only on Saturday March 5th at 8pm and Sunday March 6th at 7pm. Call 952 474 542 to book your tickets now. Please note that the date for the Caribbean Evening at La Risa has been changed. The new date is Saturday March 26th (instead of the 12th). Call La Risa on 660 350 896 to book your table if you haven’t already done so and for more information. And you thought it was Tuesday Well, yes, Tuesday is usually Pancake Day and indeed it is officially this coming Tuesday but Duncan at JK’s could never be descibed as usual so he’s decided that, this year, his Pancake Day is going to be this Sunday, March 6th. You might ask why this decision has been made and in all honesty, we haven’t got a clue but what we do know is that you now have two chances to indulge yourself on these wonderful offerings mine’s with lemon and caster sugar, Duncan! On top of an extra pancake day, JK’s in Coin are also going to have an extra auction this month so, not only will they be holding the one on the last Saturday of March (the 26th) they are also holding one on SUNDAY, March 13th (yes, different day too for all the people at the market who may not have sold all their wares. Bring along your articles from mid-day until 2pm for the auction at 3pm. Call 654 396 651 for more information. La Costa Rica Opening soon!! in Coin Offering you the best meNu deL dIA on the coast Tel: 951 319 439 The Village Inn only 8,50 8,50 Traditional home-made Spanish food. Why cook at home ?! OPeN every dAy FrOm 10Am Carib Playa, Opposite OpenCor, km 196, N340 952 835 731 rEstAurAntE El rio Now re-opened for you to enjoy their usual high standard of service and food 3 Course lunch Menu. €10. 50 3 Course Evening Menu €12. 50 full a la Carte Menu available Open 12.00 noon till 4.30 / 7.00 till late (Closed Sundays and Monday lunchtime) 952 664 311 - 691 406 453 Calle Francisco Cano, 60, Los Boliches, Fuengirola $#!"* &* (* #&% &* (# +* ) # " $ + $- & % &, %'( MOONLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT 22:00H: Wednesdays: Ricky Lavazza – don’t miss it! Sundays: Michael Jackson tribute show " ,) $+ DINE & DANCE EVERY NIGHT AT THE OASIS RESTAURANT 20:30H Mondays: Tuesdays: Wednesdays: Thursdays: Fridays: Saturdays: Sundays: BAR s N E t’ spor bar OPEN FROM 11am Michelle Jane – Diva Tribute Pearse Webb – Irish entertainer Mario Ross – Music for all Phoebe – Stunning female vocalist Tina Rose – Female soul vocalist Mark Burt – Piannist/singer Ricky Lavazza – The Musicals Show HOT & COLD FOOD SERVED ALL DAY INTERNET HOTSPOT Fish & Chips Friday Night Set menu dinner from 14€ pp. Non-diners welcome after 20:30h PANORAMA BAR : Daily Happy Hour 18:30h-19:30h Information / Reservations 952 579 400 All programmes subject to change. Aloha Gardens, next to El Jardin. Avda Del Prado Nueva Andalucia Open Mon-Fri 10.00am - 8.00pm Saturdays 10.00am - 6.00pm [email protected] This Week ! Monday & Thursday Belly Dancing 10.30am €5 per session Wednesdays 8.30pm Bingo - jackpot €400 Quiz - jackpot €120 Fri 4th March Party! This Sunday 6th March Shrove Sunday Pancakes! Sunday 13th March Extra Auction - 12-3pm for entry of items, 3pm Auction. Food available. More info:654 396 651 [email protected] MUMTAZ MAHAL Indian Restaurante Come and enjoy the best of Indian cuisine in our newly refurbished airconditioned restaurant or dine on our fabulous terrace Menu del Dia 3 courses €9,95 NEW 2011 MENU WITH PRICES REDUCED BY UP TO 10 & 15% Take-away service Free home delivery with orders over €25.00 OPEN 7 DAYS Lunch 1.30 - 4.00pm Dinner 7.00 - 12.00pm Urb. El Rodeo, Coin 952 455 599 626 977 224 QUALITY GOLF At Reduced Green Fees Available NOW at Lauro golf 2 Green Fees and a buggy €105, 5 & 7 day unlimited golf, Golf breaks in luxury accommodation on the golf course... plus many more options available " ! Take Away Home Cooking and Catering Scandinavian and International Specialities For fantastic tapas, drinks, raciones and typical Spanish specialities +& & )# &#!" ' )'&! & ' '% '& ) ' # #$$# %) JK’s Eat In or Take Away €7.50 Sunday Lunch - 2 courses for €8.50pp 1.30 - 6.00pm Meal Deal: buy one, get 2nd half price! Weds nights - everybody welcome - darts night ALL MAJOR SPORTS EVENTS ON ESPN LAS PALMERAS,COIN 952·454·267 Call 661 114 070 for more details La Risa @ Lauro Golf saturday 26th March Caribbean night with authentic 3 course menu €15 PlEasE notE thE nEw DatE for thE CaribbEan night saturday 19th March st Patrick’s - superb 3 course meal at €15pp from 7:30pm sunday lunch served from 1pm new: whole lamb shoulder for 2 persons €5 supplement - pre-booking required Mondays: new two course curry menu €7.50 For further details of all these events and our new winter opening times call us on 660 350 896 or pop into the bar. On the road between Alhaurin el Grande & Alhaurin de la Torre Across From the Clubhouse Reservations: 660 350 896 MOVIES TO WATCH OUT FOR MOVIE SPOTLIGHT Yes it’s worthy, but... By Amy Thomas BY DENNIS DUGAN Starring Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler email: [email protected] A rom-com with a plot built around a series of deceptions, this was a box oﬃce hit in the US despite some stinging reviews. Adam Sandler plays Danny, a Californian cosmetic surgeon who is single, who finds that for some reason women find him hugely attractive if he poses as an unhappily married man. So for 20 years he has had a string of one night stands and walked away with no recriminations, but now he has met "the one". Of course, he has to maintain the deception with the new girl in his life, and so Danny persuades his faithful asssistant Katherine, a single mother-of-two (Aniston) to pose as his estranged wife and family. But guess what - keeping the lie going isn´t as easy as it seemed, and the plan starts to backfire, the kids get caught up in the scam, and everyone ends up in Hawaii for a weekend break that will change all their lives. Nicole Kidman pops up here as Katherine's best friend nice job if you can get it. So, not too many prizes for guessing how the story ends. And for older cinema goers the plot may sound vaguely familiar. In which case think of the French play transferred to Broadway where it was a big hit, and later made into a movie called Cactus Flower with Walter Matthau, Ingrid Bergman and Goldie Hawn. Hawn won a best supporting actress Oscar for her role in this comedic confection - but Aniston and co need not bother clearing any space on the mantle piece because it ain't going to happen. So, maybe track down the "original". Or give this very loose remake a whirl if you are a Sandler - Aniston fan. Critics noted that the chemistry was there between the two leads...maybe a better script will pop up down the line. MOVIE NEWS And the Razzie Star Trek back goes to... on track? Speaking of Aniston she inevitably featured in the pre-Oscar Razzie celebrations for Hollywood's worst output and found herself nominated in the worst actress category. But oh dear, where did it all go wrong for director M Night Shyamalan, who managed to pretty well sweep the board with The Last Airbender.The man who kicked off his career with the sublime Sixth Sense has been slipping downhill since. Airbender picked up Razzies for worst picture, worst director, worst screenplay and worst eyegouging mis-use of 3D. Ashton Kutcher picked up worst actor while the Sex and The City gals did not The 2009 reboot of Star Trek did great box office businesss and scored with fans but the sequel has been long awaited. Director JJ Abraham said as recently as a month ago that he still did not have a script, which put a big question mark against its proposed June 2012 release. have to fight each other for the worst actress award. It was shared between Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis. They also picked up the worst ensemble award aand SATC 2 was worst prequel/remake/ripoff/sequel. But Simon "Scotty" Pegg has now tweeted that word from the Bridge is that there is now an amazing script in existence. All the key stars - including Pegg, Chris Pine (Kirk ) and Zachary Quinto (Spock) are all signed up so it looks like they may be hitting warp speed very soon. CInEMAS SHOwInG FILMS In EnGLISH To ﬁnd out the times and location online, go to www.entradas.com, click on Malaga, go to Cine and on drop down list select “Cartelera V.O.” and click on ﬁlm poster Malaga - Plaza Mayor: 902 902 103 Fuengirola - Parque Miramar: 952 198 600 Marbella - Gran Marbella: 952 810 077 Velez Malaga - C.C. El Ingenio: 902 221 622 please check times with the cinema direct D id you think “The King’s Speech” was Oscar worthy? Then again, answer me this, what won best picture last year? It’s sad, but true, that these new movies just aren’t very memorable – which is not a good thing. was a lot spunkier and inspirational than Colin Firth’s portrayal gave him credit for, although any blame cannot be laid at Mr Firth’s door as he masterfully performed the material written for him. I I don’t want to say that “The King’s Speech” was a bad movie, it wasn’t, but it was hardly a feel good movie or one that had any great quotes. It was a very adult biopic and while it tells a good story, well scripted, absorbing and believable (except for an odd line or two), Tom Hooper's film is far more driven by character than by plot. N ot so much a piece of entertainment than rather an interesting history lesson. Of course, lumping Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter and Geoﬀrey Rush together in a movie can only result in a vehicle chock full of fine acting performances, but I wonder if they were really Oscar worthy, or if the Acadamy did its usual gushing at anything “Royal” or that smacked of what they term “Masterpiece theatre”. F rom what I have been led to believe, King George found the casting rather interesting, as an English actress played an American (Mrs Simpson), an American actress played an Australian and Australian actor Guy Pierce played King Edward, and very well cast he was! J ennifer Ehle, you may remember, played Elizabeth Bennett in the BBC’s 1995 production of Pride and Prejudice, opposite Colin Firth’s Darcy. The past fifteen years may have been kind to Firth’s career, but sadly not his looks – as his face somehow seems to collapse upon itself. I think one of my problems with this movie was that I found it to be a little slow and over long. I don’t know how they managed to drag it out for so long, I mean how much can you pad out a story about speech therapy? All in all though I am glad that it won Best Actor, Best Picture and Best Director. Rule Britannia! WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the August 23rd September 22nd by Cathy Stronach Inspiration has found you and granted you a feeling of courage to tap into opportunities. Stability and certainty is slowly sinking into the depths of your being. Emotionally a sense of balance is returning allowing you to have an optimistic and confident outlook on your future. As you strive with the determination to make sweeping changes in your life, a new you rises from the ashes. Emotionally you have had a good spring clean – maybe the home could do with one too? Innovation mixed with determination is the key to the secret of your success this week. As Mars moves into Pisces you feel a sense of your dreams being delivered with punch into the real world. Do not ignore any crazy ideas you have at the moment as they may hold the solution to a problem that you have not been able to unravel. A solid framework is being built to put your life on a secure, solid and strong footing. Things may not turn out as you expected but in the end it will make perfect sense as to why they had to be the way they are. There is a method to the madness that has gone on and slowly you will start to see a vision turn into reality. If you keep your eye on the goal and keep your head focused on the game then eventually you will score a goal. This is a good time to get those priorities in order and remember to delegate other areas of your life so that you can keep those balls in the air. You have undergone a maturing process over the last eighteen months that has had the eﬀect of strengthening and deepening your inner resources. The universe has asked a lot from you lately and there may still be some unresolved issues that hang around for a few weeks more. Gradually you will feel your energy rise again and you will be ready to fly. A new path is being laid before you and just when you think you have it all worked out, it changes, for the better. This is not the time to bend the rules or try to outsmart the opposition regardless of how you currently feel about things. You need to gather facts and take the traditional route on a matter. To be willing to treat others around you as equals will enable you to build your relationships into a more rewarding status. This is a time when passions are smouldering and you are determined to make a casual encounter a more integrated part of your life. The moment is coming when you will push beyond any insecurities that you have and let your light shine forth. A personal passion that you hold for something is rising up within you and tugging at your heart strings. You are fed up with being surrounded by negativity and although it has weighed you down and made you feel despondent lately, a stronger force is now rising up within that is not prepared to tolerate it any more. LIBRA Buckling down and getting on with a project is what is needed right now. There is a serious need to get things in order, handle responsibilities eﬀectively, adhere to your duties and make your plans. All this is needed because you are due for some fast paced fun, so run your life this week as though it is coming up, start to create the space needed to be able to “play” September 23rd - next week. Socially you will be mingling and mixing with those who share nd October 22 your enthusiastic outlook. SCORPIO October 23rd November 21st Love and romance are in the air but it isn’t just a shallow aﬀair you are after, it is a deep friendship and trusting liaison that you are seeking, someone to share more than your pillow. So although socially and emotionally this is a fun-orientated week you are not tempted by brief encounters. Your immune system may have been a bit low lately and your emotions have taken a tumbling - pay attention to your diet and make sure you take adequate rest. SAGITTARIUS Stop, look and listen and when you do you will realise that you have been working so hard to make things happen in your life, that when you take a breather and consolidate, how quickly what you have been looking for finds you. This week is all about taking things slower, taking time to reflect on the fast paced moments of the last few months. An inner calmness and sense of achievement nd November 22 - and balance is finding its way into your being. st December 21 CAPRICORN Your mind is fairly active and this can cause you to over-think problems and over-analyse events and people, leading to you feeling frustrated and tense What will work for you this week is to simply relax and go with the flow, water always finds the path of least resistance and the answers will reveal themselves. It is easy to get over-emotional at this time and it can be tempting to follow December 22nd others but in the long run you know there is a better way. January 19th AQUARIUS PISCES February 19th March 20th More patience is being asked of you, yet again. You are being asked to embrace this virtue for a while longer knowing that the outcome will be worth it - all good things do come to those that wait. So trust in those spaces where the unknown lives and you will slowly come to learn faith, hope and peace in the stillness that is created. Your powers of attraction are high and others will want to be around you - this could be a busy time for acquaintances and networking. You are feeling back in the game again after a period of wandering lost in the desert. A sense of destiny is felt within as a door that has been blocked suddenly swings open. Give it your best shot and your sincere eﬀorts will make a huge diﬀerence. The universe is not going to let you sit there and “corrode” - you are the one with the imagination, innovation, originality and inspiration. The safe path does not always lend itself to your talents. Kym’s Kitchen ...you don’t have to be a chef! This recipe is amazingly easy because you can use a jar of pasta sauce if you can't be bothered to make it yourself - it’s also a bit diﬀerent to the usual way of making the dish. Potato Lasagne Ingredients: ● 1 jar pasta sauce of your choice ● 8½ fl oz milk ● 1½ kilo potatoes, peeled and sliced lengthwise about 1/8 inch thick ● 5 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese ● ½ teaspoon salt ● ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ● 225gr diced ham ● 230gr package chopped frozen broccoli, thawed ● 200gr grated cheese Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). 2. Lightly grease a 9 x13 inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together the pasta sauce and milk. Spread about 1/8 inch of the sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Then layer 1/3 of the potatoes over the sauce in the dish. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste. 3. In a separate medium bowl, combine the ham, broccoli and 150gr of the cheese. Mix well and spread 1/3 of this mixture over the potatoes in the baking dish. Then top with another layer of potatoes, followed by the ham mixture, finally topping all with the remaining cheese and Parmesan cheese. Pour the remaining pasta sauce over the top. 4. Cover and bake at 400º F / 200º C for 45 minutes, then uncover and bake at 350º F /175º C for additional 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Remove from the oven and let it stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving. ADVERTISING FEATURE Linea Directa launches an on line service oﬀering legal assistance in English • The service, offered by practising registered lawyers, will advise the company’s customers on Spanish legislation in areas such as housing, consumption, family law, labour law, motoring queries and penal law. • The service will provide 24 hour assistance in the case of urgent enquiries, the checking and editing of documents and discounts of up to 50% on lawyers’ fees if further action is required. Línea Directa, market leader in the sale of direct insurance in Spain, has launched an online service offering legal assistance to its customers, which will advise those policyholders purchasing this cover on areas such as housing, consumption, family law, labour law and penal law. Línea Directa’s new cover, the price of which will be up to 40% more economical than the market average, will answer queries on buying and selling, renting and house renovations; complaints against suppliers regarding consumer issues, divorce and the division of matrimonial property, labour issues or vehicle registration and deregistration, among many other areas. 24-HOUR ASSISTANCE FOR URGENT ENQUIRIES In addition, the service – the first of its kind in the insurance sector – will provide legal assistance in the case of road safety offences committed by the insured vehicle. If, however, assistance is given by a lawyer of the customer’s own choice, Línea Directa will offer 110 euros in legal aid, unless the lawyer is provided free of charge by the state. If in and out-of court actions are subsequently required Línea Directa can put the client in contact with its network of lawyers throughout Spain, which will save the customer between 10 and 50% on legal fees. The service of Legal Assistance for Motorists operates from Monday to Friday from 8am to 10pm. In the case of urgent enquiries, such as emergencies in the home, incidents occurring at night affecting families – including spouses or children – such as theft, credit cards being blocked or unreturned, or damage caused by pets, Línea Directa will offer a service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In both cases, the customer must call 902 123 206 or email atencionjuridica@ lineadirecta.es. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2010 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Contemporary lifestyle and celebrity gossip CELEBRITY SPOT King Colin rules in Hollywood As Colin Firth stepped up to collect his best actor Oscar at the weekend TV viewers might have been forgiven for thinking he looked almost as youthful as in the days when he set hearts racing as the dashing Mr Darcy in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice. According to reports the new King of Hollywood, who won his award for his role in “The King's Speech”, has been testing a revolutionary beauty treatment that has the same eﬀect as Botox but without the injections. The regime apparently costs a cool £500 a week and special cream is applied to the face and a pressured stream of oxygen pushes it into the skin, to plump it up and reduce wrinkles - all without the pain of needles. The actor's wife Livia reportedly introduced him to the treatment and he also uses a special moisturiser made from white and green tea and fennel seed and a brown algae eye gel. So, if you want to knock a few years oﬀ the man in your life, send him to the Knightsbridge clinic that carries out the treatment. Livia Firth is a great supporter of eco-green measures and looked stunning on the red carpet wearing a dress that had been made from recycled frocks from the very era that The King's Speech was set in. The movie scooped four of its 12 award nominations - best film, best actor, best director and best original screenplay. Natalie Portman, as predicted, won best actress for “Black Swan”, beating “The Kids Are All Right” star Annette Benning - the fourth time that Warren Beatty's wife has lost out at the Oscars. The other big winners were “The Social Network”, with three awards, and “Inception”, which picked up four technical awards. While the cat's away.... Who would want to be at the heart of UK politics? Life's hard, and there's always a spin doctor somewhere briefing against you. Now there's a new Downing Street victim of an anonymous campaign casting doubt on his abilities to deliver the goods. Poor old Larry, the Downing Street cat, has apparently been asleep on the job since his arrival from Battersea Cats and Dogs Home a couple of weeks ago and has not been living up to his job description as catcher in chief. vermin Instead the rescue tabby has been curling up for cosy naps but has been available for tummy tickling by prime minister David Cameron's children. Now though Downing Street insiders have leapt to Larry's defence. They have pointed out in counter briefings that he has only just started the job, and anyway, it is far too soon for him to be let outside - expert advice is that cats should be kept inside their new homes for the first few weeks so they don t take fright and run away. Officals have said that Larry is settling into his new home and will be ready soon to fully take up his responsibilites. Hollywood legend dies at 89 Hollywood sex symbol Jane Russell has died at her home in California, at the age of 89. She was discovered by the eccentric billionaire industrialist and movie producer Howard Hughes, who famously bought the ailing RKO Studios as a vehicle for her. She was cast in his movie “The Outlaw” in 1943, and the actress’s sultry performance led censors to ban it for two years. She went on to star with Bob Hope in “The Paleface” in 1948, and later starred with Marilyn Monroe in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”. She was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in the 40s and 50s, and later appeared in television adverts. Top designer sacked by Dior Fashion briefs British fashion guru John Galliano was yesterday (Tuesday) sacked as chief designer of Christian Dior after claims he made antisemitic remarks. Galliano, who has been creative director for the Paris-based firm for 14 years, had been suspended last week after allegedly launching an abusive attack on a couple sitting outside on a café terrace in the trendy Marais quarter of the city. It is home to top boutiques and bijou bars, and is the traditional Jewish quarter. But another video has now been made public in which Galliano appeared to abuse drinkers in a bar and declare “I love Hitler”. He also allegedly made a racist remark to someone Spanish high street store Zara has been hugely popular in the UK -and British brand leader Marks and Spencer is looking to learn lessons from how Zara have waved the fashion flag in Europe by employing a former Zara boss. M&S have appointed Jan Heere, formerly of Zara's parent company Inditex, to spearhead the British company's plans for international growth. from the Indian subcontinent. Dior have ensured that legal measures will be taken to arrange for the 50year-old’s departure from the company as soon as possible, but his designs for Dior will still feature on the catwalk at this week’s Paris Fashion Show. Oscar winning actress Natalie Portman, the face of a Dior perfume, said this week that she was proud to be Jewish and would not associate with Galliano in any way. He has denied the charges and launched a counter claim for defamation. Making anti semitic remarks in France is punishable by up to six months in jail or a fine of 22,500 euros. In the meantime Spanish fashion label Custo Barcelona has new plans to grow its penetration in the UK. The label was founded by brothers Custo and Damian Dalman in the late 80s and marked its 30th anniversary by recently opening its own flagship store in London's Brompton Road. The Custo range is already stocked by high street players like Harrods and House of Fraser and the plan is to launch a new range targeting younger, edgier customers. Custo traditionally aims at the 25 to 40 market and will now introduce new designs for the 18 to 35 age group. WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Health &beauty News - Breakthroughs - Treatments - Trends Education reduces blood pressure Higher levels of education have been linked to lower levels of heart disease, and researchers at Brown University in the USA suggest that blood pressure could be the reason why, after analysing 30 years of data from 3,890 people. These were divided into three groups, low education (12 years or less), middle education (13 to 16 years) and high education (17 years or more), and the average systolic blood pressure for the 30 year period was then calculated. The researchers found that women with low education had a blood pressure 3.26 mmHg higher than those with a high level of education. In men the difference was 2.26 mmHg. Other factors, such as smoking, taking blood pressure medication and drinking, had been taken into account. The researchers concluded that low educational attainment predisposes individuals to high strain jobs, characterised by high levels of demand and low levels of control, which have been associated with elevated blood pressure. A spokesman for the British Heart Foundation said the findings support existing evidence about the link between socioeconomic deprivation and heart disease risk, adding that action is needed across all parts of society to give children the best possible start in life and reduce health inequalities. 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Also all forms of invigorating massage. and Agua Detox 666 911 071 www.secret-sanctuary.com Fake smile bad for you Faking a smile may be just another mundane aspect of work life, but new research suggests that putting on a game face to hide your inner unhappiness may have unexpected consequences: worsening your mood and causing you to withdraw from the tasks at hand. found that on days when the smiles were forced, the subjects’ moods deteriorated and they tended to withdraw from work. Researchers at Michigan State University tracked a group of bus drivers for two weeks, focusing on them because their jobs require frequent, and generally courteous, interactions with many people. But on days when the drivers tried to display smiles through deeper efforts - by actually cultivating pleasant thoughts and memories their overall moods improved and their productivity increased. They looked at what happened when the drivers put on fake smiles, known as “surface acting,” and its opposite, “deep acting,” where positive thoughts made them smile authentically. After following the drivers closely, the researchers Trying to suppress negative thoughts, it turns out, may have made those thoughts even more persistent. They also found that women were affected more than men, probably because women are socialized to be more emotionally expressive, they said, so hiding emotions may create more strain. HAIR, NAILS & BEAUTY All aspects of hairdressing Cutting - Wella Colours - Hi/Lo lights - Perming Sunbed ‘winter specials’ 60mins 25€ - Spray tans Clarins facials from 30€ PAMPER PACKAGES FOR IDEAL GIFTS FROM 55€ Reflexology and Massages from 25€ Manicure / Pedicure The latest Shellac & Foilwrap Minx Nails Teethwhitening also available for special price 125€ Mon - Closed / Tues - Fri 10 - 6.00pm / Sat 10 to 4.00pm Tel: 952 666 787 - Mobile 630 800 572 Are you looking for a good hairdresser? Come and try us. Quality work reasonable prices. Color, cut and style from 30€ HANNA Tricoderm SL • 952 917 126 Bernabé Tierno 3, Edif. Lindamar 2 Street between Paseo Mercadona and Feria 29640 Fuengirola, Malaga WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Take a break TARGET PUZZLE SUDOKU by Papocom Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. With no repeats, that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Level: Level: MEDIUM HARD See how many words of four or more letters you can make from the given nine letters. In making a word each letter may be used only once. The key letter must be used in each word. A D R L R E E B L I S G P I A N R L Target 1-5 Poor 6-12 Average 13-19 Good 20-22 Excellent 1-9 Poor 10-18 Average 19-30 Good 31-32 Excellent The following are not allowed: - Words beginning with a capital letter - Words with a hyphen or apostrophe - Plural words ending in “s” The 9-letter word BARRELLED Down 1. Pleasant and simple way to take your relaxation. (4,3,4) 9. Sum up the votes again. (2-5) 10. Extended note that a cockney might inhale? (5) 11. Heard that a vegetable was measured by value. (5) 12. I suggest that we roll over to a meeker person. (7) 13. Principal tryst revealing unimportance. (6) 15. Retain proprietor without hesitation. (6) 18. Shiver these nautical planks, maybe? (7) 20. A bill designed to give an explanation of whereabouts. (5) 22. Poetically below one atheist. (‘5) 23. Show ageless dedication of aﬀection. (7) 24. Thoughtful creations that editor destroyed. (11) 2. Ruin centennial contract that I aroused. (5) 3. Quote painter reproducing an imaginary planetary circle. (7) 4. Let ten provoke an irritation. (6) 5. Grease required to facilitate movement of joint. (5) 6. Exceptional place is repositioned. (7) 7. Print ace tip too hastily. (11) 8. Masterpiece unknown monarchs found in East London. (6,5) 14. Bum found in gaol suﬀering back pain. (7) 16. Stroll leisurely, like a cockney couple, it’s said. (7) 17. Announced the birth by producing 500 copies. (6) 19. Those displaying distinctive character. (5) 21. Do it one shift more, moron. (5) 1 Across Down 3. An anemometer is a guage used for recording the speed of what: Light; Spacecraft; Wind; or Athletes? 21 23 1. He betrayed for thirty pieces of silver (5,8) 8. Carrying from one place to another (7) 9. Area of short grass (5) 10. Passed on (but still not passed by!) (4) 11. Insincere praise (8) 13. Relating to the baby in the womb (6) 14. Socially clumsy (6) 17. It is found on a keyboard (5,3) 19. Speak as if drunk (4) 21. Night watch (5) 22. Fib - meaty snack - hat (4,3) 24. Type of ferry (4-2,4-3) 1. Plane - glossy black (stone) - stream (3) 2. US conscript (7) 3. Long strip of material - window frame (4) 4. Come to rest (6) 5. Police dog (8) 6. Picture (5) 7. Cuddly toy (5,4) 10. Vital help when in serious diﬃculty (9) 12. Napoleon's final battle (8) 15. West Indian music - nymph who kept Odysseus on her island (7) 16. Smart - well presented (6) 18. Heavenly messenger (5) 20. By mouth (4) 23. Pixie (able to cobble?) (3) 2 24 23 6. Catalonia, the Spanish Autonomous Community region comprising provinces Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona, banned what in 2010 with eﬀect from 2012: Lap-dancing; Bullfighting; Smoking in public outdoors; or Door-to-door selling? SOLUTION FOR QUIZ 14. Gauche 17. Space bar 19. Slur 21. Vigil 22. Pork pie 24. Roll on roll oﬀ 1. Judas Iscariot 8. Transit 9. Sward 10. Late 11. Flattery 13. Foetal 15. employ 18. timbers 20. alibi 22. ‘neath 23. undying 24. considerate 1. nice and easy 9. re-count 10. breve 11. carat 12. lowlier 13. paltry Across 1. Jet 2. Draftee 3. Sash 4. Settle 5. Alsatian 6. Image 7. Teddy bear 2. incur 3. equator 4. nettle 5. elbow 6. special 7. precipitant Down Hard SOLUTION FOR SUDOKU 4. London's city bike rental scheme, which launched in 2010, is based on the Bixi project which introduced bike rental to which city: Paris; Montreal; Venice; or New York? 5. Which of the Rolling Stones has a cameo role as Captain Jack Teague, father of Jack Sparrow in 'Pirates of the Caribbean, At World's End': Mick Jagger; Charlie Watts, Keith Richards; or Ronnie Wood? 9 SOLUTION FOR CRYPTIC / QUICK CROSSWORD 5 8 1. Literally meaning repentance in Italian, what is the visible trace of an earlier painting beneath newer artwork on canvas: Pimento; Paliamento; Pinto; or Pentimento? 2. In a summer 2010 market trial, UK pub-chain Brakspear's launched free in-pub what: Breath tests; Massage; Tarot-card readings; or Dogs' dinners? 12 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in New Series: New series: Country House Rescue Sun March 6th 21.00 Mon Mar 7th 21.00 WEDNESDAY March 2 Fri, Mar 4th 23:35 A Time to Kill Set in America's Deep South, a young lawyer must defend a black factory worker accused of murdering two racist thugs who raped his daughter, amid rising hysteria involving the Ku Klux Klan and civil rights campaigners. He is helped by a veteran attorney and a keen law student... FILM Sun, Mar 6th 18:20 Finding Neverland It's London in 1904, and writer JM Barrie is inspired by a family he meets, mother Sylvia and her four children, Peter, Jack, George and Michael. From the time he spends with them, he writes the famous children's novel ‘Peter Pan'. FILM Wed, Mar 2nd 02:40 The Cowboy Way A pair of championship rodeo riders ride into the Big Apple to track down a missing friend and his daughter. They may be fish out of water, but the two heroes are not daunted when they find themselves tangling with the owner of an illegal sweatshop. FILM Sat, Mar 5th 21 :00 Taken (One to watch) When his teenage daughter Kim is kidnapped on a backpacking trip to Europe, CIA man turned professional bodyguard Bryan Mills calmly warns her abductor to let her go or face the consequences. When his warning goes unheeded, Mills takes oﬀ to Europe and begins tracking the gang who took her... FILM Sun, Mar 6th 21:00 Bulletproof Crook Archie doesn't realise his pal is actually an undercover policeman. After a shootout, the thief realises he's safer with the good guys and tries to turn himself in, but with hitmen on his trail, is it too late? FILM Severance Sat, Mar 5th 21:45 Bradley Walsh, Jamie Bamber and Ben Daniels return. A former top flight footballer is murdered in the East End in what looks like a robbery gone wrong - but the finger of suspicion is being pointed on diﬀerent directions, making it diﬃcult for the prosecution. Law and Order: UK March 3 FRIDAY March 4th 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready? 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Deadly 60: Bitesize 15:40 Deadly Art 16:00 Trade Your Way to the USA 16:30 M.I. High 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 19:00 The One Show 19:30 The Boat That Guy Built 20:00 Waterloo Road 21:00 MasterChef 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 The Lottery Draws 22:45 Film 2011 with Claudia Winkleman 23:25 Poltergeist 01:15 Weatherview 01:20 Country Tracks 02:20 Stephen Fry and the Great American Oil Spill: Stephen Fry Loves Louisiana 03:20 The Money 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready? 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Deadly 60: Bitesize 15:40 Deadly Art 16:00 Prank Patrol 16:30 Serious Explorers: Livingstone 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 BBC London News 19:00 The One Show 19:30 EastEnders 20:00 Human Planet 21:00 Famous, Rich and in the Slums with Comic Relief 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 Question Time 23:35 This Week 00:20 Skiing Weatherview 00:25 Panorama 00:55 Countryfile 01:55 Antiques Roadshow 02:55 Britain's Banks: Too Big to Save? 03:55 Rip oﬀ Britain 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready? 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Deadly 60: Bitesize 15:40 Deadly Art 16:00 Dani's House 16:30 Tracy Beaker Returns 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 BBC London News 19:00 The One Show 19:30 Rip oﬀ Britain 20:00 EastEnders 20:30 QI 21:00 New Tricks 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 The Graham Norton Show 23:20 The National Lottery Friday Night Draws 23:35 A Time to Kill 01:55 Weatherview 02:00 South Riding 03:00 Horizon 04:00 BBC News 04:30 Talking Books 09:10 The Koala Brothers 09:25 Big Barn Farm 09:40 Little Human Planet 09:45 Big and Small 09:55 3rd and Bird 10:05 Postman Pat SDS 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:40 Waybuloo 11:00 In the Night Garden 11:30 The Daily Politics 13:00 See Hear 13:30 Hairy Bikers 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Nature's Top 40 15:00 Wanted Down Under 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 My Life in Books 19:00 Escape to the Country 20:00 Attenborough and the Giant Egg 21:00 A History of Ancient Britain 22:00 ICC World Cup Cricket 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 Fast and Loose 23:50 The Golden Age of Coach Travel 00:50 BBC World News America 01:00 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 09:10 The Koala Brothers 09:25 Big Barn Farm 09:40 Little Human Planet 09:45 Big and Small 09:55 3rd and Bird 10:05 Postman Pat SDS 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:45 Waybuloo 11:05 In the Night Garden 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT 13:00 Due South 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Nature's Top 40 15:00 Wanted Down Under 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 My Life in Books 19:00 The Culture Show 20:00 The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best 21:00 The Spice Trail 22:00 Mock the Week...Again 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 ICC World Cup Cricket 00:20 The Culture Show 01:20 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 02:00 BBC News 02:30 The Record 03:00 BBC News 09:10 The Koala Brothers 09:25 Big Barn Farm 09:40 Little Human Planet 09:45 Big and Small 09:55 3rd and Bird 10:05 Postman Pat SDS 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:45 Waybuloo 11:05 In the Night Garden 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT 13:00 Due South 13:45 Live: European Indoor Championship Athletics 15:00 Wanted Down Under 15:45 Flog It! 16:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 17:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 My Life in Books 19:00 Live: European Indoor Championship Athletics 19:30 Island Parish 20:00 Mastermind 20:30 Britain from Above 21:00 Hidden Treasures of African Art 22:00 Fast and Loose 22:30 Newsnight 23:00 The Review Show 23:50 ICC World Cup Cricket 00:50 The Mighty Boosh Live 03:15 BBC News 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Live: FA Cup Football 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 FA Cup Football 23:35 Police, Camera, Action! 00:30 The Zone 02:40 The Cowboy Way 04:25 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Tonight 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Marchlands 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 Benidorm 23:35 Send in the Dogs 00:30 The Zone 02:30 The Jeremy Kyle Show 03:25 Tonight 03:50 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 House Gift 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Chase 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Coronation Street 20:00 Children's Hospital 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Benidorm 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 The Cube 23:35 Take Me Out 00:35 The Zone 02:40 In Plain Sight 03:25 ITV Nightscreen 06:15 The Treacle People 06:25 The Hoobs 06:50 The Hoobs 07:15 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:05 Frasier 08:35 According to Jim 09:05 Supernanny US 10:00 The Good Wife 10:55 Country House Rescue 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 Heaven Can Wait 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Beauty and the Beast: Ugly Face of Prejudice 21:00 Jamie's Dream School 22:00 The Model Agency 23:05 Shameless 00:10 Sounds from the Cities 00:40 The Shockwaves Album Chart Show 00:55 Crash, Bang, Wallow 01:00 2046 03:10 High Anxiety 04:45 Without a Trace 06:50 The Hoobs 07:15 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:05 Frasier 08:35 According to Jim 09:05 Supernanny US 10:00 The Good Wife 10:55 The Restoration Man 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 Brief Encounters of the Sporting Mind 12:10 The Hunters 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Relocation, Relocation 21:00 Love Thy Neighbour 22:00 10 O'Clock Live 23:05 Friday Night Dinner 23:35 The Ricky Gervais Show 00:05 Ctrl Mx 00:40 On Track with Seat 00:55 On Track with Seat 01:05 The People's Supermarket 02:00 Dispatches 02:50 First Cut 03:15 Without a Trace 04:00 Hill Street Blues 04:50 Brothers & Sisters 06:20 Sali Mali 06:25 The Hoobs 06:50 The Hoobs 07:15 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:05 Frasier 08:35 According to Jim 09:05 Supernanny US 10:00 The Good Wife 10:55 Gok's Clothes Roadshow 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 Breakfast at Tiﬀany's 14:10 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Coach Trip 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:25 4thought.tv 19:30 First Cut 20:00 Relocation: Phil Down Under 21:00 Embarrassing Bodies 22:00 Friday Night Dinner 22:30 Rude Tube 23:30 10 O'Clock Live 00:35 Mercury Prize Sessions 00:50 Ctrl Mx 01:20 My Name Is Earl 01:45 My Name Is Earl 02:05 Modern Toss 02:30 Teenage Paparazzo 04:10 Reaper 07:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:10 Milkshake! Show Songs 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:25 Mio Mao 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The WotWots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:00 The Vanessa Show 11:45 House 12:40 Five News 12:45 Build a New Life in the Country 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 Home and Away 14:50 Extraordinary Dogs 15:20 Abducted: Fugitive for Love 17:00 Five News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 Five News at 7 19:30 Starlight: For the Children 20:00 Cowboy Builders 21:00 NCIS 22:00 Greatest TV Weddings 00:00 PartyPoker.com 01:05 Super Casino 04:00 Your Sport 04:10 Brian Sewell's Grand Tour 07:15 The Mr Men Show 07:30 Thomas and Friends 07:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:25 Peppa Pig 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The WotWots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:00 The Vanessa Show 11:45 House 12:40 Five News 12:45 Build a New Life in the Country 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 Home and Away 14:50 Extraordinary Dogs 15:20 Murder Without Conviction 17:00 Five News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 Five News at 7 19:30 Monkey Life 20:00 The True Story 21:00 Pistol Whipped 23:05 Steven Seagal v Justin Lee Collins 00:05 Super Casino 04:00 Your Sport 04:10 Brian Sewell's Grand Tour 04:55 Rough Guide to Islands 07:15 The Mr Men Show 07:30 Thomas and Friends 07:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:25 Peppa Pig 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The WotWots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:00 The Vanessa Show 11:45 House 12:40 Five News 12:45 Build a New Life in the Country 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 Home and Away 14:50 Animal Rescue Squad 15:05 The Family Recipe 15:15 Family Gathering 17:00 Five News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 Five News at 7 19:30 Vets in Action 20:00 Ice Road Truckers 21:00 The Mentalist 22:00 Law & Order 22:55 NCIS 23:55 Cops in Crisis 00:15 Super Casino 03:55 Motorsport Mundial 04:20 Royal Navy: Caribbean Patrol 19:00 Top Gear 20:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 21:00 Working Girls 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Lunch Monkeys 23:00 Family Guy 23:20 Family Guy 23:45 Working Girls 00:45 How to Live with Women 01:45 Lunch Monkeys 02:15 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 03:15 Is Oral Sex Safe? 04:10 How to Live with Women 05:10 SIGN OFF 19:00 Doctor Who 20:05 Great Movie Mistakes 2: The Sequel 20:30 The Lock Up 21:00 Little Britain 21:30 Lunch Monkeys 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 How to Live with Women 23:30 Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps 00:00 Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps 00:30 Family Guy 00:50 Family Guy 01:15 The Lock Up 01:45 Coming of Age 02:15 Lunch Monkeys 02:45 How to Live with Women 03:45 Great Movie Mistakes 2: The Sequel 19:00 Don't Tell the Bride 20:00 How to Live with Women 21:00 Scenes from a Teenage Killing 23:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 00:00 Family Guy 00:20 Family Guy 00:45 Being Human 01:45 American Dad! 02:05 American Dad! 02:25 American Dad! 02:50 American Dad! 03:10 American Dad! 03:35 American Dad! 04:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 05:00 The Lock Up 05:30 SIGN OFF WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the New series: Jamie’s Dream School Man City v Aston Villa Wed Mar 2nd 19.30 SATURDAY th March 6 NOTE: Add 1 hour for Spanish viewing times. Jamie Oliver’s latest project - 20 unruly, disruptive kids are being taught by the likes of historian David Starkey, Prof Robert Winston, and actor Simon Callow. Expect sparks to fly. MONDAY th March 7 TUESDAY March 8th 19:00 Countryfile 20:00 Antiques Roadshow 21:00 South Riding 22:00 BBC News 22:15 BBC London News; Weather 22:25 Outcasts 23:25 The Sky at Night 00:05 Reggie Perrin 00:35 Lead Balloon 01:05 Weatherview 01:10 Faulks on Fiction 02:10 Holby City 03:10 Imagine... 04:10 BBC News 04:30 HARDtalk 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready? 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 The Smokehouse 15:35 Deadly 60 15:40 Deadly Art 16:00 The Big Performance 16:30 Blue Peter 16:55 Shaun the Sheep 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 19:00 The One Show 19:30 Inside Out 20:00 EastEnders 20:30 Panorama 21:00 Motorway Cops 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 Mrs Brown's Boys 23:05 Late Kick Oﬀ 23:35 The Graham Norton Show 00:25 The Apprentice 01:05 The Apprentice 01:50 Weatherview 01:55 Silk 02:55 Imagine 03:55 Life in a Cottage Garden 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Wreck or Ready? 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 BBC London News 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 The Smokehouse 15:35 Deadly 60 15:40 Deadly Art 16:00 Dead Gorgeous 16:30 Blue Peter 16:55 Shaun the Sheep 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 19:00 The One Show 19:30 EastEnders 20:00 Holby City 21:00 Silk 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 Neighbourhood Watched 23:20 Girls Behind Bars 00:20 Weatherview 00:25 See Hear 00:55 Human Planet 01:55 When Teenage Meets Old Age 02:55 The Foods That Make Billions 03:55 The Reporters 07:00 Basil and Barney's Game Show 07:30 Arthur 08:00 Richard Hammond's Blast Lab 08:30 Gimme a Break 09:00 Dick & Dom Go Wild 09:30 Cop School 10:00 Something for the Weekend 11:30 Film 2011 with Claudia Winkleman 12:00 In a Lonely Place 13:30 Live: European Indoor Championship Athletics 17:00 Coast 17:20 Attenborough and the Giant Egg 18:20 Finding Neverland 20:00 Top Gear 21:00 Wonders of the Universe 22:00 Match of the Day 2 23:00 ICC World Cup Cricket 00:00 Fast and Loose 00:30 Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait 02:00 BBC News 02:30 Dateline London 03:00 BBC News 03:30 The Record Europe 04:00 BBC News 04:10 The Super League Show 04:40 Pages from Ceefax 09:55 3rd and Bird 10:05 Postman Pat SDS 10:20 Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane 10:45 Waybuloo 11:05 In the Night Garden 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT 13:00 Diagnosis Murder 13:45 New Year New You: To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Nature's Top 40 15:00 Flog It! 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08:40 Rupert 08:55 Olivia 09:10 The Mr. Men Show 09:25 The Milkshake! Show 09:55 Castle Farm 10:00 Zoo Days 10:15 How Do They Do It? 10:45 The Gadget Show 11:50 Ice Road Truckers 12:50 Ride Clear of Diablo 14:25 Firecreek 16:25 Superman II 18:50 5 News Weekend 18:55 NCIS 19:45 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 20:40 CSI: Miami 21:40 CSI: NY 22:40 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:35 Forensic Files 00:10 Super Casino 04:05 Brian Sewell's Grand Tour 04:50 Zoo Days 07:15 Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs 07:30 Make Way for Noddy 07:45 Igam Ogam 07:55 The Little Princess 08:10 Hana's Helpline 08:20 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 08:30 Family! 08:40 Milkshake Monkey 08:45 Rupert 08:55 Castle Farm 09:00 Olivia 09:15 The Mr. Men Show 09:30 The Milkshake! Show 10:00 Zoo Days 10:15 Street Market Chefs 10:45 Stansted: The Inside Story 11:45 Cowboy Builders 12:45 Cowboy Builders 13:45 Freaky Friday 15:35 5 News Weekend 15:40 Spy Kids 17:35 Superman III 20:00 Royal Navy: Caribbean Patrol 21:00 Bulletproof 22:45 Stir Crazy 00:55 Cops in Crisis 01:10 Super Casino 04:05 Brian Sewell's Grand Tour 04:50 Meals in Moments 07:30 Thomas and Friends 07:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:25 Milkshake Monkey 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The WotWots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:05 Build a New Life in the Country 12:05 Meals in Moments 12:10 5 News Lunchtime 12:15 House 13:15 Home and Away 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 The Vanessa Show 15:05 Animal Rescue Squad 15:25 Avenging Angel 17:00 5 News at 5 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 5 News at 7 19:30 How Do They Do It? 20:00 The Gadget Show 21:00 Royal Navy: Caribbean Patrol 22:00 Kill Switch 23:55 The Ultimate Fighting Championship 00:55 Super Casino 03:55 Your Sport 04:05 Brian Sewell's Grand Tour 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:25 Milkshake Monkey 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The WotWots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:05 Build a New Life in the Country 12:05 Meals in Moments 12:10 5 News Lunchtime 12:15 House 13:15 Home and Away 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 The Vanessa Show 15:05 The Family Recipe 15:15 The Royal Scandal 17:00 5 News at 5 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 5 News at 7 19:30 Extraordinary Dogs 20:00 Stansted: The Inside Story 21:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 22:00 CSI: Miami 22:55 CSI: NY 23:55 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 00:50 Super Casino 03:55 Your Sport 04:05 Brian Sewell's Grand Tour 04:50 Nick's Quest 19:00 Top Gear 20:00 Great TV Mistakes 21:00 Russell Howard's Good News Extra 21:45 Severance 23:15 Family Guy 23:35 Family Guy 00:00 American Dad 00:20 American Dad 00:45 Russell Howard's Good News Extra 01:30 The Lock Up 02:00 Great TV Mistakes 03:00 Young, Jobless and Living at Home 04:00 A Dangerous Place to Meet My Family 05:00 Special 1 TV 05:05 SIGN OFF 19:00 The World's Strictest Parents 20:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 21:00 Being Human 22:00 Family Guy 22:20 Family Guy 22:45 American Dad! 23:05 American Dad! 23:30 Being Human 00:25 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 01:25 The World's Strictest Parents 02:25 Coming of Age 02:55 The Big Fat Truth About Low Fat Foods 03:55 The World's Worst Place to Be Gay? 04:55 Coming of Age 05:25 SIGN OFF 19:00 Working Girls 20:00 Hotter Than My Daughter 20:30 The Lock Up 21:00 How to Live with Women 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Being Human 23:30 Family Guy 23:50 Family Guy 00:15 How to Live with Women 01:15 Hotter Than My Daughter 01:45 The Lock Up 02:15 Is Oral Sex Safe? 03:15 Working Girls 04:10 Being Human 05:10 SIGN OFF 19:00 Total Wipeout 20:00 Snog Marry Avoid? 20:30 Hotter Than My Daughter 21:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Coming of Age 23:00 Family Guy 23:20 Family Guy 23:45 Snog Marry Avoid? 00:15 Hotter Than My Daughter 00:45 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 01:45 Coming of Age 02:15 Total Wipeout 03:15 How to Live with Women 04:15 Working Girls 05:15 SIGN OFF 06:00 Breakfast 10:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 11:30 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 12:00 BBC News 12:10 BBC London News; Weather 12:15 Football Focus 13:00 Live: European Indoor Championship Athletics 16:30 Final Score 17:20 BBC News 17:30 BBC London News; Weather 17:40 Total Wipeout 18:40 Let's Dance for Comic Relief 20:00 The National Lottery: Secret Fortune 20:50 Casualty 21:40 Live at the Apollo 22:10 BBC News 22:30 Match of the Day 23:50 The Football League Show 01:10 Weatherview 01:15 BBC News 01:30 The Bottom Line 02:00 BBC News 02:30 HARDtalk 03:00 BBC News 03:30 Our World 04:00 BBC News 04:30 Click 06:00 Breakfast 07:35 Match of the Day 09:00 The Andrew Marr Show 10:00 The Big Questions 11:00 Country Tracks 12:00 Politics Show 13:00 Bargain Hunt 13:30 EastEnders Omnibus 15:25 The Weakest Link 16:10 Escape to the Country 16:55 Songs of Praise 17:30 BBC News 17:50 BBC London News; Weather 18:00 Nigel Slater's Simple Suppers 18:30 The Boat That Guy Built 07:30 Arthur 08:00 Richard Hammond's Blast Lab 08:30 Project Parent 09:00 Dick and Dom's Funny Business 10:00 Trapped: Ever After 10:25 OOglies 10:45 Copycats 11:15 My Life 11:45 MOTD Kickabout 12:00 Escape to the Country 13:00 Bicentennial Man 15:00 Into the West 16:30 Live: European Indoor Championship Athletics 17:00 Churches: How to Read Them 17:30 Flog It! 18:00 The Story of Slapstick 19:00 Dad's Army 19:30 The Culture Show 19:55 World Book Night Live from Glasgow's Aye Write Festival 20:00 The Culture Show 20:55 World Book Night Live from Bath Literature Festival 21:00 The Culture Show 21:55 World Book Night Live from Royal Festival Hall 22:00 Brideshead Revisited 00:05 ICC World Cup Cricket 01:05 Brute Force 02:40 Pages from Ceefax 07:10 The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That 07:25 Monk 07:30 Beyblade Metal Fusion 07:55 Horrid Henry 08:10 Cool Stuﬀ Collective 08:35 The Suite Life of Zack and Cody 09:00 Hannah Montana 09:25 Coronation Street Omnibus 11:45 This Morning: Saturday 12:45 Monk 13:40 ITV News 13:50 Kindergarten Cop 16:00 Scooby-Doo 2: WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Sca real ndinav esta ia te a n gen t Properties Pr operties for sale at rreduced educed prices! FRONT LINE Lovely Lovely apartment in Fuengirola Fuengirola - FIRST FIRST LINE TO TO THE BEACH BEACH € 275,000 2 bedr bedrooms ooms · 1 bathr bathroom oom · 92 m² built · 14 m² terr terrace ace · Modernised · FFully ully fitted kitchen Close to shopping, rrestaurants estaurants and the beach and it has a high potential for rrentals entals · A/C hot & cold · Lift · RE-2144 New kitchen! T orrenueva Villa in Torr Villa Torrenueva ownhouse - Higuer Townhouse Higueron on € 425,000 T 4 beds · 2 baths · 188 m² built · 120 m² terr terrace ace · P Pool ool Utility rroom oom · Gar Garage age · Udating needed · RE-2092 € 289,000 3 bed · 2 bath · 120 m² built · Sea views · P Pool ool · A/C 24h security guar guard d and video · Private gar garden den · RE-2102 Bargain! Bargain! Finca - Mijas Costa Finca € 295,500 2 bed · 2 bath · 70 m² built · 30 m² terr terrace ace · P Pool ool Quiet · Plot 2,450 m² · Guest apartment · RE-2128 Mi C Capricho apricho Resale properties properties wanted! Scandinavian clients looking for apartments from and villas fr rom om Benalmaden Benalmadena to Marbella. For and valuation, onsultation a For a free free cconsultation nd v aluation, call our listing agents on 951 100 210 or or e-mail e-mail [email protected]. Apartment - Benalmadena € 145,000 List your property property online on casauna.com 1 bed · 1 bath · 70 m² built · Dir Direct ect access fr from om the liv liv-ing room room to the terr terrace ace · RE-2134 Tel. 951 100 210 Apartment - Calahonda Calahonda € 350,000 3 bedrooms bedrooms · 2 baths · 110 m² built · 22 m² terrace terrace Community pools · Garage Garage · Storage Storage room room · RE-2143 www.casauna.com news Your outlook on the World the M ww ore ph w. ot mor casaun os e inf a orm .com atio n Pr Properties operties for sale at rreduced educed d prices! Reduced! Villa V illa in quiet urbanisation in Benalmadena - work needed € 215,000 3 bedr bedrooms ooms · 2 bathr bathrooms ooms · 124 m² built · 38 m² terr terrace ace · Private garden garden as well as community gar garden den with pool Ther Theree is a lar large ge terr terrace ace with sea views and a rroof oof terrace terrace with even better views · Reference: Reference: RE-2068 Reduced! Fuengirola centre Apartment - F uengirola centr e € 202,000 Townhouse Townhouse - Estepona Estepon 3 bed · 2 bath · 106 m² built · Balcony · Marble Floors Bright · W Walking alking distance to everything · RE-2105 LLong ong let Apartment - F uengirola Fuengirola Riviera del Sol € 345,000 Apartment - Riviera 3 beds · 2 baths · 180 m² built · 65 m² terr terrace ace · A/C Firee place · Gar Fir Garage age · Quiet · Pool Pool · Near beach · RE-2007 Long Long let € 750 /mo 2 bedr bedrooms ooms · 2 bathr bathrooms ooms · 100 m² · P Panoramic anoramic views A/C · Gar Garage age · Unfurnished · LRLR-1811 1811 Apartment - Marbella € 239,000 3 bed · 2 bath · 145 m² built · 50 m² terr terrace ace · Quiet Sea views · A/C · Community pool · RERE-1701 1701 Long Long let € 800 /mo Villa Villa - Torrequebrada Torr Torrequebrada 2 bedrooms bedrooms · 2 bath · 116 m² · 20 m² terraces terraces · A/C Furnished Furnished · Gated · Pool Pool · Parking Parking · LR-1444 LR-1444 € 3,000 /mo 4 bedrooms bedrooms · 4 bathrooms bathrooms · 450 m² · Modern · Quality Pool Pool · Furnished Furnished · Garage Garage for 3 cars · RE-512 Call rental agent Malene on 687 88 77 00 or e-mail [email protected] WeDnesDay, March 2nd 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in Classifieds Place an Ad by phone: Place an Ad by email: Place an Ad by fax: 952 45 44 91 / 902 00 11 00 [email protected] 952 45 44 41 air cOnDitiOninG cOOlflOW The Air Conditioning Specialists. 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For more info: 951400189, or mobile 695913592 (114) www.mbcmechanics.com caravans/campinG neW camp-let Concorde trailer ten, was €7995, oﬀer €4,995. 638467289 www.spanish(117)p vacations.com caterinG services & $ #" * We BUy and sell catering equipment and furniture. Also stainless steel fabrication, own workshops, extractor hoods, work benches etc. 650966374, 952338378 (0)p www.eurohosteleria.com classes General building work. Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, decorating, plastering, tiling etc. Free estimates. English, Spanish 634355214 + Finnish 648936476(121)p ---------------------------------------------HanDyman maintenance, electrician, plumbng, painting, free quotes. 681107418 www.handymanspain.com (115)p ---------------------------------------------plUmBinG electrics, bathrooms, kitchens, tiling. General building (116)p work. 673126749 ---------------------------------------------Granite and Silestone kitchen work tops. All prices beaten. 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Call sales 952591071 (0)pwf Support 807488440 DecOratOrs Want the best? nº 1 on the coast for painting & decorating. call nick at Decor8. all aspects no problem. 678889933/952939561 (140)p www.decor8.es ---------------------------------------------painter Interior/exterior/rejas etc. Clean, tidy and eﬃcient. Job quotes or daily rates. Call Ray (114)p 952666354 or 622807702 DOmestic appliances cleaninG services WasHinG machine repairs, fast, reliable service. All work guaranteed. Also sales from €70. Can deliver. (125)pwp Call Joe 686271836 mr mUlti Klean - professional Window cleaning, marble floor polishing and carpet & upholstery cleaning. Best price and service. call andy on (115)p 606590728 tecHnical Drawings produced in Autocad. Call Danny 690745446 [email protected] (117)tnp www.ddbautocad.com DraUGHtsman marBle floor polishing (€2 m2) Why pay more? We clean, then crystalize and polish to a high gloss, non slip. Professional fast services. 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Gentle aﬀectionate girl, Anita is just waiting for someone to love (116)p again. 952486518 ---------------------------------------------siamese cat, loving beautiful little girl, 8 months old seeks a (116)p good home. 952486518 ---------------------------------------------cat White, 8 month old little boy. Aﬀectionate, good with people and would love to share your (116)p home. 952486518 ---------------------------------------------Kittens galore, boys and girls of all colours would love to share (106)p your home. 952486518 plUmBinG pUmps Reconditioned and repaired for pools, irrigation, pressure systems etc. Economical prices, fast (139)p turnaround. Tel. 667292493 ---------------------------------------------scOtt fOrBes the Plumber. All work guaranteed. 20 years British (0) Gas experience 652665410 ---------------------------------------------plUmBer All types of plumbing carried out by professional plumber with 30 years experience. (118)p 669009821 prOperty fOr sale cOrner townhouse Nagüeles. With many extras and complete with luxury furniture. It´s worth to see it! €595,000 696330543, (113)p 952860072 ---------------------------------------------mUla, mUrcia As featured in the British Airways in-flight magazine. 2 houses absolute bargain! Home and business. House 1 consists of 3 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, bathroom, courtyard and roof terrace. Fully rewired. House 2 has 4 bedrooms, 2 receptions plus cave room, kitchen, bathroom. Courtyard and huge roof terrace. The second house needs total refurbishment but is structurally sound and would yield in the region of €500 per month rental income when done up. Both houses are at the top of the town overlooking the rooftops of houses, churches etc., and the valley beyond. Mula is known for its hot spring baths and has planning for several golf courses and a spa in the area. Price for both houses is €125,000. Don’t delay! Tel: 661114 070 tO rent VILLAS, TOWNHOUSES PENTHOUSES WANTED for Long Term Rentals from Fuengirola to Marbella. NEEDED NOW 952932276 SOL VILLAS [email protected] www.solvillaspain.com lOvely finca close to Villa Franco, Alhaurin el Grande. Two houses, both legal, set in nearly 4,000m2. Entrance via electric gate. Main house - 2/3 bedrooms, lounge, diner, two bathrooms, separae kitchen. Second (wooden house) 1 bedroom, shower room and lounge with American kitchen. Lovely outside enclosed area with bar and kitchen. Two garages, outside w.c., pool, orange grove, dog kennel. (113)tnp €380,000 669343011 ---------------------------------------------prOperty finDer. Access to “below market value properties”, repossessions and refurbishments. Housing stock throughout the UK. Combined services available, tailored finance, conveyancing, refurbishment packages, tenant sourcing. Suitable for investment, repatriation and individual needs, block purchases available. Call Carla on 687921481 for an informal chat or email at (rbf) [email protected] ---------------------------------------------calaHOnDa Detached chalet, 4 bedrooms, 21/2 bathrooms, private pool, large garage, roof terrace, 620m2 plot, plenty of oﬀ road parking. Close to all amenities. A real family home just needs some TLC. €350,000 952930039, (113)f 606611228 - no agents ---------------------------------------------aBsOlUtely everything to do with property including sales, rentals, key holding, maintenance, cleaning. 696150765 (000)tnp www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------cOin Legal country home. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, private pool, 1,600m2 irrigated garden. Secure fencing, main services, phone and Sky. Reduced €250,000 (115)tnp 952455269, 639368014 ---------------------------------------------cOin 3 bedroom villa with pool. €178,000 Tel. 629903751 (113)p www.cabopinorealty.com ---------------------------------------------cOin tOWn centre. lovely large house with potential for B&B. 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms. €249,000 negotiable. BarGain 952453813, 00447968536556 (113)p BeD & BreaKfast evening meal and laundry. Sat TV in every room. (113)p €85 per week. 627379001 ---------------------------------------------lOnG term Rentals, super prices, no commissions, apartments, townhouses, villas, fincas, coast and (108)p inland. 679111522 ---------------------------------------------aBsOlUtely everything to do with property including sales, rentals, key holding, maintenance, cleaning. 696150765 (000)tnp www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------cOin Beautiful modern country house 105m2 and 6000m2 land. Accommodation on 2 floors, 2 bedrooms, open studio, 2 bathrooms, living room, nice fitted kitchen. Pefect road access. €600 (111)p 696150765 van spain-UK-pOrtUGal Regular deliveries - full/part loads. Competetive rates, honest and reliable. 25 years on the coast. Contact Dave on 952724698, 610686273or email (115)p [email protected] services cOin Nr. town. Nice house with 3 bedrooms, bathroom, living room, fitted kitchen, pool, central heating, air con. 800m2 plot. €650 (111)p 696150765 ---------------------------------------------cOin El Rodeo. Nice chalet, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fitted kitchen, pool, barbecue, garage, aircon with heating. Near to town. (111)p €850 696150765 ---------------------------------------------mOnDa Nice country house, 3 bedrooms, 8000m2 land. €500 (111)p 696150765 ---------------------------------------------lOOKinG for a property to rent? Finca, villa or apartment - we have the right one for you - if not, we will find it. Without commission!!!! Call us now on 696150765 (111)p www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------carvaJal next to Holiday Village, Benalmadena Costa. 3 bed, 2 bath fully furnished apartment, south west facing balcony with sea views and glass curtains. Community pool and tennis courts. €590 per month. (114)ghp 622130796, 633333854 ---------------------------------------------mOnDa 2 bedroom country house with pool. €450 629903751 (113)p www.cabopinorealty.com ---------------------------------------------cOin 2 bedroom country house . €500. 629903751 (113)p www.cabopinorealty.com ---------------------------------------------alHaUrin el Grande 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa. €900 629903751 (113)p www.cabopinorealty.com prOperty services inlanD property services. Property maintenance, pool cleaning, gardening, painting and decorating, holiday let changeovers, weekly cleans, builders clean, we can arrange for all your property needs. 663214803 [email protected] (109)p .uk remOvals & stOraGe r e f r i G e r a t i O n / airconditioning. Same day repair specialist. Fridges, displays, bottle (120)tnp coolers etc. 627769969 ---------------------------------------------frencH pOlisHinG repairs, restoration etc. Restore your valuable furniture to its former glory. 647579519 / 952119190 (117)p ---------------------------------------------cOin WinDOWs We make aluminium windows, doors and mosquito screens, also supply and fit sun canopies, blinds, shower screens, etc. spanish owned business. call lisa marie (125)p 646066351 aBsOlUtely everything to do with property including sales, rentals, key holding, maintenance, cleaning. 696150765 (000)tnp www.sunshine-immo.com ---------------------------------------------BaBy-sittinG service available. lady with own car and references available. torremolinos to (00)p fuengirola. 639067664. ---------------------------------------------prOperty Management, cleaning, laundry, change-overs, pool cleaning, gardening, window cleaning. w w w. o s b o r n e p r o p e r t y. c o m (126)p 952664472, 616679453 ---------------------------------------------any JOBs around your property you don’t want to do, I can do for you. 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Translations Network 952776803 Fax 952824630, [email protected] (118)p www.GApp-propErTiEs.CoM LonG LETs Studio Hercules British TV, pool, w/machine 300€/month 1 bed Hercules, British TV, pool, w/machine 400€/month 3 bed El Pinillo, parking use of pool, can put SatTV 500€/month 2 bed nr Bonanza Sq,modern pool, sat TV parking 640€/month 5 bed unfurnished townhouse, Torrequebrada 900€/month 3 bed townhouse Torrequebrada, pool, parking, store terrace 750€/month many mOre prOperties availaBle, tOO many tO list We alsO DO HOliDay lets, JUst asK fOr pat rental prOperties UrGently reqUireD in JUpiter anD minerva Avenida Gamonal, Local 9, Edificio Jupiter, 29631 Arroyo de la Miel, Malaga Tel: (0034) 952 57 40 51 (0034) 952 57 77 51 Fax: (0034) 952 44 26 51 [email protected] # $ ! tv, viDeO & DvD WHite Sky Cards, Free to Air and Sky Boxes now available. 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Call (118)p Margaret 672564410 0 BenalmaDena Young lady, 34, attractive, sexy, educated, for gentleman. €30 Tel: 634209427 (114tnp & % !!! UniOn JacK Removals (The Original) See main advert on front (0)p page. 90210956 ---------------------------------------------spainUKspain@HOtmail.cOm Vehicle leaving Spain on 9th, 19th 28th of each month, 19, returning 10th, 20th, 29th of each month. Prices from £80 per cubic metre. Cars £495, bikes £250, dogs £395, cats £295. Free removal boxes with all jobs undertaken. 952160096 / (118)p 665150227 ---------------------------------------------transpOrt vehicle to and from UK every month. Small loads - full house, door to door. 952960075, (116)p 679932071 ---------------------------------------------remOvals Man and large van. Experienced. €20 per hour. Extra (114)p help available. 619604114 ---------------------------------------------cHeap as chips, van and man removals, anywhere, anytime. (111)p 635253549 ---------------------------------------------van leavinG 14th March to Cheshire. Part loads required. (115)p 697671661 "# mOt (spanisH itv) test with home or work vehicle collection. Smart service - your time savers. 647810494, 647810495 [email protected] (113)wp ---------------------------------------------Damp problems. Sourced and cured by master builder. Ted (115)p 693859894 ---------------------------------------------man/van Odd jobs/gardening. Richard 698322822, 952452734 (120)p ---------------------------------------------retaininG walls. Master builder. All types of retaining walls. (115)p 637997752 Adverts Editorial Local Events 30 n Sports & Motors Motors Flash Motors Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in Installers chosen for charger network Elektromotive has been commissioned to install the UK’s largest network of publicly accessible high-speed charging units for electric vehicles (EVs). Eight of the company’s new Rapid Charge Elektrobays will be installed across North East England as part of an initiative, led by the One North East regional development agency, to install more than 1,000 charging stations across the region within the next three years. Casey Stoner breaks two minutes to set Sepang record Classic February fun in the sun Members of SOL Classic Car Club met at Laguna Village last Saturday with tops down and sunscreen at the ready on what felt like a summer's day – perfect for a run into the Serrania de Ronda. Here and there were splashes of pink – patches of tiny wild flowers or orchards of later almond blossom. The cars then turned off on a quieter single track road into the Alto Genal of the Serrania de Ronda. The convoy of classics came as a surprise to both local goatherders and the driver of a large cement lorry! Typical Andalucian “pueblos blancos” are dotted around the hills here and chestnut trees cover the slopes – leafless skeletons at this time of the year mingling with plumes of smoke from controlled fires which spiral upwards into the skyline. The coffee stop was in Cartajima where club members were surprised and delighted to discover the delightful Hotel Los Castanos tucked away down a cobbled street next to the church in the centre of the village. After rest and refreshments it was back on the road, following lesser-known routes to Farajan and Jubrique before joining the main road to Algotocin where the cars turned down into the Genal Valley through the cork oak forests. Some of the older models found the climb out of the valley hard going so a stop for refreshments at the Puerto de Penas Blancas was a welcome chance to cool down. From there it was downhill all the way to Estepona and lunch at the small and friendly Eden Bar. If you are a classic enthusiast, check out the club website www.solclassiccarclub.net for details. Casey Stoner broke the lap record at Malaysia's Sepang circuit to end the final MotoGP pre-season test on a high. The Repsol Honda rider set a new record of one minute 59.665 and team-mate Dani Pedrosa also went under two minutes. But defending champion Jorge Lorenzo could only finish in seventh, while Britain's Cal Crutchlow was 14th. The first images of Volkswagen’s all-new Golf Cabriolet have been revealed ahead of the car making its public debut at this week’s Geneva Motor Show. The two-door, fourseater, front-engined soft top is the first Golf Cabriolet available since the Mk IV Golf, and builds on the company’s heritage for producing popular convertibles which started with the original Beetle cabriolet and still continues today with the Eos. With sales of around 1.42 million units, Volkswagen is one of the world’s most successful producers of convertibles. But the latest Golf Cabriolet marks a whole new era of open-top motoring, boasting an electrically-powered soft top which can be lowered in just 9.5 seconds including on the move at speeds up to around 18 mph, a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines as well as the highest levels of quality, refinement and safety. Coventry-born Crutchlow, the sole British rider in MotoGP, will make his debut with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team in Qatar on March 20th. Honda Gresini's Marco Simoncelli was third in testing, with the third Repsol rider, Andrea Dovizioso, in fourth, and Yamaha Factory Racing's Ben Spies next. Valentino Rossi, continuing his comeback after a shoulder injury and preparing for his first race on the Ducati, was almost two seconds slower than Stoner. He finished in 11th place, though this was an improvement from 13th in testing earlier in February. Extra funding to repair potholes Councils in England will be given more than £100 million of extra funding to spend on repairing potholes, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond announced last week. The funding is in addition to the £831 million already provided to councils for road maintenance this year and the £3 billion the Government has committed over the next four years. The severe weather at the end of last year has left many local roads in a poor condition. Every local authority has a responsibility leO’S AUTOS enGlISH MeCHAnICS WOrkSHOp & MOBIle prompt reliable Service City & Guilds Qualified New Golf Cabriolet breaks cover Stoner said: "I'm feeling more and more comfortable on the bike and I can't wait to get to Qatar for the first race." Open MOndAy TO FrIdAy 10 - 7pM nO SIeSTA Beat the Credit CrunCh Optimise your car to save you money itVs €85 repAIrS TO All MAkeS ITvS - OIl CHAnGeS ClUTCHeS - ServICInG TyreS - eXHAUSTS BATTerIeS - BrAkeS 952 917 353 687 727 460 - 687 727 516 at the end of the Coin road MIJAS COSTA to properly maintain their roads, including planning winter resilience measures, but this exceptional weather has caused significant additional damage. Mr Hammond said: “Millions of motorists across the country have their daily drives ruined by potholes. And the awful winter weather we had this year is only going to make that problem worse. “That is why, despite the tough financial position we are in, we are going to give councils over £100m extra to help carry out much needed repairs to England’s roads. I am determined to see the winter damage to our roads fixed as quickly as possible and we will be working with councils to make sure that happens.” AUTOSALON COIN www.autosaloncoin.com February's run had been designed as a “drivers' run” covering some little known roads in an area of changing landscapes and stunning scenery. Once clear of the San Pedro roadworks and past the exclusive urbanisations the road to Ronda climbs though the Puerto del Madrono into the mountains where the views are so spectacular that there are “miradors” every few kilometres. Being a main road it is kept in good condition so classic drivers could enjoy the sweeping bends and the smooth surface while passengers gazed at pine covered slopes giving way to almost bare rocks studded with bushes of bright yellow broom. www.thenewsonline.es COmE TO AUTOSALOn COIn FOR OUR SATURDAY SPECIAL OFFER Oil & Filter Change You pay for Parts Only LABOUR FREE ALL MAKES CAR SERVICING SAVE BETWEEN WITH NO EFFECT ON YOUR WARRANTY Part worn tyres from €25 Qualified English and German mechanics, ITV Services available.Vehicle Transfers and Registration undertaken • • • Aircon re-gas and leak testing TEL: 952 45 45 27 Diagnostic fault reading and emissions All makes and models - Petrol / Diesel www.autosaloncoin.com Fax: 952 453 144 Pol.Ind, Cantarranas. C/ Acero, 6. 29100Coin (Malaga) WEDNESDAY, March 2nd 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Luke Donald defies a desert storm of a diﬀerent kind The Mijas clubhouse and mountains beyond England’s Luke Donald defeated the new world number one Martin Kaymer after an extraordinary week at the Match Play Championship in Arizona. The 33-year-old, originally from Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire and now living in Florida, closed out Martin Kaymer on the 16th hole, winning his first World Golf Championship with a superb performance. The players had woken to find the desert course covered in a white blanket of snow, the many cactus trees looking like snowmen spectators lining the course! "I can't describe it - I'm close to tears. It feels amazing. I've put a lot of work in over the last five years and it's nice to see it pay off,” he said. Donald, who is blessed with one of the most economical and repeating golf swings in the game, reached the top 10 official rankings in 2006, for the first time in his career, and has trying and he has certainly made up for it now. Donald won three of the first five holes, but Kaymer took the short sixth with a par, the long eighth with a birdie and then the 476-yard ninth with a bogey five when Donald came up short and took a seven. Donald, in danger of slipping behind for the first time in any of his down from the sand at the 12th, the gap doubled and Kaymer then resigned himself to defeat when he missed a three-footer to lose the 15th. After such a great win for Luke Donald, Europe now holds the top four spots in the world rankings, with Kaymer first, Westwood second, Donald third and And Donald had tweeted: 'Pre-round snowball fight to see who has the honour off the first?' At one point there was a brief suspension for hailstones, and Kaymer, wearing the first golf snood, was clearly uncomfortable in the freezing conditions. The Englishman made history after he played just 89 holes in six matches, which is the fewest ever in the 13-year history of an event of this kind and he became the first player to never trail after any hole in any match. Donald was in the lead after 81 of those 89 holes. He made 32 birdies in total and became the first player to win a tournament without having to play the 18th hole, which was an incredible achievement; Donald’s longest match was in the second round, beating Eduardo Molinari on the 17th hole. Combined Colleges won the toss, elected to bat and scored 216/9 off their allotted 35 overs.Fuengirola kept the game very tight until the last 6 overs when they conceded 60 runs. Nashan on 47 and Mark scoring 24 for the Colleges whilst the only Fuengirola bowler with any real credit was Noel with 3 for 41. In reply Fuengirola started well with Assed on 48,good support from Afzal Coming Tuesday March 8th Mijas Lawn Bowls club is holding an International Fun Day, open to all bowlers from all countries. Dress in national dress or national colours. It will be 1.30 for a start at 2pm so if you fancy some fun bowling why not pop along. Phone Sheila on 952 387 078 or Carol on 952 592 607 for the details. Don’t forget the club has a whist drive on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 - its only €3 for a fun game with prizes and refreshments, roll up days are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. So head along and have a game. There is also going to be a race night, again open to everyone, which will be on April 2nd. It should be a good evening, so do phone for more information, and they look forward to welcoming along faces old and new. Suppliers of trophies for all sports and pastimes andalucia The Sunshine Golf Calahonda District Darts League Tel:952493709 www.sunshine-golf.com The Sunshine Golf Calahonda District Darts League Results for Friday 25th February Division 2 Division 1 Luke Donald and his caddie shelter from the desert hailstone storm now taken the number 3 spot in the world rankings. His sweet victory also landed him the winner’s cheque of £864,838. It had been five years since Donald last won a PGA Tour event, although it was not through lack of Cricket news from the Cartama Oval Rumours of the Cartama Oval hosting the Cricket World Cup Final are not true! However the ground did host a fabulous encounter between Fuengirola C.C and Combined Colleges on a lovely sunny Sunday February afternoon. International Fun Day at Mijas Lawn Bowls club with 29, but unfortunately for Fuengirola, Colleges’ Nushan had a brilliant bowling spell, taking 4 wickets for 5 runs. F.C.C were all out for 165. Six of the dismissals were for L.B.W which suggests that Fuengirola should start to hit the ball with the bat rather than their pads! We did have some excellent response from the article in last week’s The News....however we need more players,sponsors and volunteers..so if you can offer your help please contact me, Tim Meal, on 66 22 33 302,or e.mail [email protected] Report by Tim Meal six matches, did well to save a half on the 10th after running into trouble and then edged in front again when he holed from nine feet on the next and Kaymer missed from six. When the German failed to get up and McDowell fourth, which is the first time since 1992 when Ian Woosnam, Nick Faldo, Jose Maria Olazabal and Seve Ballesteros were at the top of the standings. Following on from Juan Antonio Flecha and Mathew Hayman taking second and third respectively at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday, Sutton grabbed the top spot on the podium 24 hours later after swooping past his rivals with 200 metres to go to claim a famous win. Sutton becomes the first Australian to win the Belgian Classic and speaking to www.teamsky.com he said: "I felt good this morning and have for the last few days. We spoke about it on the bus this morning and Edvald (Boasson Hagen) said he was happy to lead me out. "With one lap to go Mat All Sunshine Golf Darts League info is available on www.calahondadistrictdarts.com Sunshine Golf, the Costa Del Sol’s one stop golf shop “All we slice is the price” Report by Claire Voet Sutton win for TeamSky Chris Sutton crowned a fantastic weekend for Team Sky by sprinting to victory at Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne. Dempseys 7 - Sussex 5 Pickled Newt B 7 - Fools Fillies 5 Henrys 7 - Welcome 5 Rays B v Connect It (pp) Bunkers 4 - Rays A 8 CalaBella v Topcats (unknown) Fools v Pickled Newt A (unknown) Division 3 Oscars 6 - Charlys 6 Tonys v Henrys B (pp) Hayman asked if I was still up for it and I said 'mate, I can win'. All the boys had all confidence in me and it worked out so well. "I only won today because of the work the team did for me, they made it possible. It just goes to show how important teamwork is. I didn't have to do anything we had Hayman away, as well as Stannard and Flecha - we had all these other options." Polos & Logos [email protected] www.polosandlogos.com LAURO 27 GOLF NEW RATES 2011 1 year unlimited golf: 1.750€ (couple: 3.000€) MARCH OFFER: 2 green fees + buggy: 125€ Opening soon!! in Coin Urb. Jardines Butiplaya, 13-14 Downstairs in Sunshine Golf La Cala Mijas - MALAGA www.laurogolf.com Tel: 952 41 27 67 Fax: 952 41 47 57 email:[email protected] Front-line golf properties for sale Membership and golf included Call 952 41 27 67 for a private viewing LAURO LIVING 32 n Sports & Motors Sports Flash Sports Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in Angry World Cup cricket fans clash Fans queuing outside the Chinnaswamy stadium in the Indian city of Bangalore to buy tickets for the cricket World Cup have clashed with police. Television pictures showed policemen hitting dozens of fans on their legs and backs.Many of the fans had been waiting since Wednesday night. Reports said they were angered by the shortage of tickets available for Sunday's World Cup showdown between India and England. Derby day delight for Malaga After three draws Malaga were looking to take three points from their Andalucian relegation rivals Almeria on Andalucian Day. And the game produced the usual mix of red and yellow cards. Malaga 3- 1 Almeria However, Almeria, who began the day second to bottom, one point better off than Malaga, went ahead after eight minutes when midfielder Feghouli took advantage of a mistake from keeper Willy Caballero to slot home from close range. Malaga dominated possession for the rest of the half but failed to create anything of note,in what shaped up to be a typical derby game full of yellow cards. Luna was shown a second yellow card for a handball after he had broken free with the ball. The sendings off didn't stop there though as Almeria's manager Oltra was shown to the stands following his protests. Malaga's joy was complete when Maresca set up Juanmi in the final moments to seal a great win. Local lad Juanmi is congratulated by teammates Malaga got back in the match seven minutes after the break when substitute Maresca pounced on a loose ball, beat his marker and fired past Diego Alves. The game was an even affair after that, with Almeria having hit the post after Crusat was set free to lobb the ball over Caballero’s head but it clipped the top of the post and went to safety. Malaga took control after that and in the 76th minute Almeria's Ulloa was sent off for an elbow on Eliseu which was his second FRANK ELEC TRICS 669 009 821 [email protected] www.frank-multiservices.com Certified projects, boletins, emergency repairs, light and socket fittings, increasing circuits or complete circuit installations. ICP fro m €4 0 C e r t i fi c a t e s f r o m € 8 0 yellow card. And after 78 minutes Malaga went ahead much to the delight of the home fans. Apono crossed the ball for an unmarked Rondon to head home. Two minutes after the goal, Malaga's job was made slightly easier when top quality installations from €595 Coin meters to control electric consumption €300 no obligation quotations and advice - all makes Contact lynne or alison in the airflow offices tel: 952 443 222 [email protected] Malaga now leapfrog Almeria in La Liga, and the Bernabou beckons on Thursday night for the Real Madrid clash (10pm KO) followed by the visit of Osasuna to La Roseleda on Sunday evening (5pm). Report By: Scott Forbes QUALITY GOLF At Reduced Green Fees Available NOW at Lauro golf 2 Green Fees and a buggy €105, 5 & 7 day unlimited golf, Golf breaks in luxury accommodation on the golf course... plus many more options available Call 661 114 070 for more details DEAD FLOOR? Fully registered First for Quality First for Choice air Conditioning ServiCing & repairS oFFiCial panaSoniC Centre www.thenewsonline.es BRING IT BACK TO LIFE! Marble Restoration Service and Floor Polishing TONY’S Call for a truly professional long lasting high gloss finish at a realistic 620 726 875 price Your satisfaction is my motivation Ring for quotation without obligation VICTORIA CAR HIRE UK UK Self Drive £105 per week Fully inclusive No hidden extras Delivery & Collection Gatwick Airport only Tel: 0044 1293 432155 Fax: 0044 1293 402600 The Depot Andalucian Freight UK SPAIN IRELAND International & Local Removal Specialists Best prices on the Costa del Sol Packing materials sold Call 952 450 487 659 249 463 www.thedepot-andaluciafreight.com England earn lastball tie against India England tied an extraordinary World Cup game against India in Bangalore on Sunday thanks to Andrew Strauss' brilliant 158. The co-hosts set an intimidating 339-run victory target after a superb 120 from Sachin Tendulkar. Strauss and Ian Bell (69) put England in command with a 170-run third-wicket stand before Zaheer Khan dismissed both batsmen in successive balls. The tail set up a grandstand finish but England fell one run short of victory after needing 14 runs from the final over.The late drama finished off the most enthralling match of the 2011 tournament so far, a game which both teams will feel they should have won. Sporting SPOTLIGHT ATHLETICS Jessica Ennis out of Euro Indoors Great Britain's world and European heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis has withdrawn from the European Indoors because of a persistent ankle injury. Ennis has ended her indoor season because of inflammation to her left ankle, having initially made the squad. "I've thought long and hard about whether to compete," said Ennis, 25. "If I'm honest I don't want to risk any further damage to my ankle and calf. I cannot take this risk - the World Championships has to be my priority." DISABILITY SPORT ParalympicsGB chief departs organisation ParalympicsGB chief executive Phil Lane is to leave his post with immediate eﬀect after 10 years in charge. During his time in charge, GB finished second in the medal table at both Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008. It means the association will be looking for a new head just 18 months before the 2012 London Paralympics. “This exciting time for British sport is providing an ideal environment for me to pursue new career opportunities," said Lane. Sca real ndinav esta ia te a n gen t Bank repossession in Spain - buy directly from the bank Approx 30 apartments for sale in Duquesa Price € 120,000 - 135,000 Lounge · 2 bedrooms · 2 baths · 70 - 80 m² built · Terrace · Spacious · 3 large community pools · Garages · Paddle tennis · Gated community · Exclusive area · Reference: RE-2060 High quality development ALL APARTMENTS have 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms They are 70 - 80 m² built · Bright · Spacious Elevator · Siemens kitchen · Private terrace Some available with parking and storage room included 100% mortgage* • • • • 2.5% mortgage rate Interest only for 2 years! No redemption fee No opening cost for mortgage (only a 1% penalty if change lender) • Mortgage application supplied in English *Notes: Banco Espana instructed all Spanish Banks that they are no longer permitted to offer mortgages above the selling price of the property, so purchase costs and fees cannot be included in the mortgage amount. Siemens kitchen Modern kitchen with granite worktop, “Siemens” fitted kitchen – electric oven 4 hobs, American fridge, Washing machine. La Duquesa sports harbour The sportsharbour has several restaurants and bars open all year. It is a lovely holiday area with wide sandy beaches. There are plenty of charming places to enjoy lunch! sale ain s s Sp tre Dis nts in tme r a p Map of Duquesa Located close to the beach 5-8 mins walk and near the town Duquesa, these apartments have excellent road access and travel from either Malaga Airport or Gibraltar (Monarch and British Airways) Tel. 951 100 210	i don't know
Which of the Rolling Stones has a cameo role as Captain Jack Teague, father of Jack Sparrow in 'Pirates of the Caribbean, At World's End'?	Keith Richards \| PotC Wiki \| Fandom powered by Wikia ― Rob Marshall [src] Keith Richards is an English musician and songwriter, and a founding member of The Rolling Stones . Richards had come to be seen as the quintessential rock and roll guitarist. He had been called "the Human Riff," and his playing, an uncanny combination of irreducible rawness and innate musicality, had made him one of the most influential musicians in rock history. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs," and ranked him 4th on its list of 100 best guitarist. Fourteen songs Richards wrote with Rolling Stones' lead vocalist Mick Jagger are listed among Rolling Stone magazine's " 500 Greatest Songs of All Time ." His candor, rigorous personal integrity, and uncompromising commitment to the music he loved had earned him the respect not only of the people who grew up with The Rolling Stones, but of succeeding generations of younger fans. He was an outlaw, but with an aristocratic bearing; a fearsome figure, but with unmistakable touches of sweetness and vulnerability; a feral rocker who can also break your heart with a lovely ballad. That's why Johnny Depp had cited Keith Richards as an inspiration for his portrayal of Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series , which made Richards the ideal choice to portray Jack's father Captain Teague in At World's End and On Stranger Tides . Contents Life and career The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones , of course, were among the handful of artists who redefined popular music when they emerged from London in the 1960s, and Keith Richards was one of the seminal group's founding members. In particular, he loved the American blues and R&B that have proven to be important elements of the Stones' music. Richards was the engine that drove the band's irresistibly rhythmic sound, and collaborating with singer Mick Jagger , he had written some of the most indelible songs of the rock era, including "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," "Start Me Up," "Brown Sugar" and "Jumping Jack Flash." In addition, Richards had made two solo albums, Talk Is Cheap and Main Offender, with his band, the XPensive ("as in formerly thinking," he wryly explained) Winos. [1] Film career Nor was Richards a stranger to the world of film. He produced the music for the concert film Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll (1987), directed by Taylor Hackford, in honor of Berry's 60th birthday. Gimme Shelter , the Maysles Brothers documentary of the Stones' tumultuous American tour in 1969, is widely regarded as one of the best rock and roll films ever made. Martin Scorsese, Jean-Luc Godard and Hal Ashby are among the other directors the Stones have worked with in the course of their storied career. [1] Pirates of the Caribbean Johnny Depp's inspiration Johnny Depp , a close friend of Richards, had cited Keith Richards as an inspiration for his portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl . Depp, who developed his ideas for the character, had strong ideas about Jack's attitude and appearance. He modeled a large part of Jack Sparrow after Keith Richards, saying that "Pirates were the rock stars of their day." [2] Captain Jack Sparrow's famous look was a collaboration in the first film between costume designer Penny Rose , key makeup artist Ve Neill, key hairstylist Martin Samuel, and Johnny Depp himself. "Having spent some time with Keith Richards was certainly a huge part of the inspiration for the character," said the actor. "I spent a little time with Keith here and there, and each time I'd see him he'd have a new thing tied into his hair. 'What is that hanging?' I'd ask, and Keith would say, 'Ah yeah, I got that in Bermuda,' or wherever. So it felt to me like Jack, on his travels and adventures, would see something and go, 'Oh yeah, I'll keep that,' tie it in his hair or have someone else do it. Each little trinket would have a story. For example, the bone that hangs just above the bandana is a shinbone from a reindeer. Then Jack has the dangly bits, beads, a chicken foot, a fertility symbol, weird animal tails. There's no telling where he got those, and it might have been lunch!" [3] Keith Richards with Johnny Depp in costume. In later interviews, after Keith Richards came aboard the Pirates series as Captain Teague . "The sort of connection I made when first thinking about Captain Jack," said Johnny Depp, "was the idea that pirates were the rock and roll stars of that era. Their myths or legends would arrive months before they would ever make port, much like rock stars." "It's about freedom, baby," adds Richards. "Open the cage, let the tigers out. Somebody's gotta do the naughty work. It's not so much about destroying the establishment. It's to prevent them from destroying you." [1] In 2005 , rumors had floated around, saying that Keith Richards would appear in Dead Man's Chest as Jack Sparrow's father. But was tied up with a tour with The Rolling Stones . [4] At World's End For At World's End , there was the matter of who would be chosen as Captain Teague , Keeper of the Code , the Pirata Codex . For nearly a year, rumors have said that it would be none other than Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones , which for a refreshing change, were true. [1] Along with designing costumes for the buccaneers from all corners of the globe who convene in Shipwreck Cove, costume designer Penny Rose would design the costume for Captain Teague. "I was fortunate enough to give Mr. Richards a fitting in July 2005, when he was in Los Angeles just prior to the band rehearsals," recalls Rose. "And it so happened that it was a week when Johnny Depp was not working, so I asked him to come with me, which he very kindly did. I must say, it was fairly hilarious to see the two of them together, because once Keith was dressed in costume, you really could believe that the two of them were related." "It was a bizarre moment," continues Rose, "because how often do you get to costume a rock icon? But Keith was dying to be a pirate. I mean, he wanted to go out that night dressed in the pirate costume! So I think he really enjoyed the process. [1] In June 2006 , Pirates director Gore Verbinski finally managed to make room in Keith Richards' schedule to shoot that September , in which they would film scenes with the Brethren Court . [5] Richards almost missed filming following injuries sustained by falling out of a tree. [6] Richards was understandably somewhat wary at first of accepting the role of Captain Teague. "When I first heard about it, I was thinking, oh my God, this is an Elvis Presley thing. You pop in and sing. But when I saw how it fit into the whole scenario, then it felt quite natural to do it. And they've also made me a lovely guitar." [1] Keith Richards playing a guitar on set. Strumming that guitar—especially designed and built for him by the legendary instrument maker Danny Farrington at the request of prop master Kristopher E. Peck —and wielding a mean flintlock pistol, Richards took the company, and the days on which he filmed, by hurricane force. "It was kind of a long shot to even think about getting Keith to do this," said Depp. "The fact that he agreed was above and beyond a dream come true. Experiencing his arrival on set was unbelievable. Every single person on the crew, including people you hadn't seen in months, suddenly showed up. It was a beautiful, perfect symmetry." [1] As for the unique connection between Captains Jack and Teague, Johnny Depp notes, "You get the feeling that there was a real tough-love relationship there. Teague is one of those pirates who would give you a hug one minute, and blow you away the next. Or maybe he'll blow you away and then give you a hug. You don't know what to expect from him." [1] "It was really interesting to see the kind of mutual respect that Keith seemed to have for the actors and crew, and that they had for him, his artistry and his long, celebrated career," notes producer Jerry Bruckheimer . "I think he had a lot of fun. In fact, he didn't want to quite leave the set. Usually, when an actor is finished with a scene, they go to their trailer until the next setup. But Keith was hanging around the set even in between his scenes. I think Keith took his personalized chair when he left as a remembrance of the experience, and I'm sure he took his costume. If he didn't, I hope he did." [1] For At World's End, Keith Richards was listed in the film's ending credits as a "Special Appearance", along with his name also following in the main cast credits. Richards was also credited for writing and performing Only Found Out Yesterday , which he did play on guitar onscreen as Captain Teague. On Stranger Tides Keith Richards with director Rob Marshall . In April 2010 , was confirmed that Johnny Depp was in talks to get Keith Richards to return, with his fellow Rolling Stones band member Mick Jagger , for the fourth Pirates installment, On Stranger Tides . [7] While Mick Jagger was unable to make an appearance, Keith Richards was able to reprise his cameo role as Captain Teague. Johnny Depp, who has openly stated that Richards was one of his key inspirations for Captain Jack Sparrow, says, "After having Keith on the third film, I knew that he had to come back. I spoke to Jerry and the screenwriters early on, and everyone agreed. The global reaction to Keith's presence as Captain Teague was monumental. Keith was more than ready to come back, as long as it made sense within the context of the story. I thought the way Ted and Terry handled it was wonderful, because yet again, he comes in just at the right moment." [8] "He's a fascinating man, you know," continues Depp. "I've known him for a long time, and to get periods like that where it's just him and me hanging out, sitting around in the trailer yakking about music, movies, whatever, was a real pleasure." "Johnny was the engineer," adds Richards. "He said to me, 'Are you in?' And I said, 'Just give me the rig, baby.' It's so much fun." [8] Director Rob Marshall , who succeeded Gore Verbinski in On Stranger Tides, was also thrilled to be working with the rock legend. "He is a very sweet man and very funny, very self-deprecating," said the director. "After we shot his scene, I said, 'Keith, that was fantastic. I'm so impressed.' And he said slyly, 'You should see my Hamlet.' It was a joy to work with him, because he's such fun. He's terrific in the movie and Johnny adores him. They have this amazing chemistry." [8] It was for the making of this film that Richards and Depp maintain that Teague was Jack Sparrow's father. Their belief was further proven from the scenes they filmed where Jack called Teague "Dad", and Teague called Jack "Son". [9] The scenes that Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow and Keith Richards as Captain Teague filmed at was on the backlot set and E Stage in Pinewood Studios , with one scene taking place in the Captain's Daughter tavern, which was illuminated by flickering candlelight and populated by the two characters. [8] For On Stranger Tides, as was for the previous film At World's End, Keith Richards was listed in the film's ending credits as a "Special Appearance", along with his name also following in the main cast credits. A Fifth Pirates Having previously appeared in the last two movies in the series, At World's End and On Stranger Tides, Keith Richards was asked whether or not he would return for the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean film. Richards revealed he was unsure when the next installment would start filming but knew he would again make an appearance as Captain Teague, saying "So they say, you know, I've got the costume, and I'm waiting for the heads up, but apparently there is. I don't know if it'll be next year that we shoot it or whatever, but as I say, you know, I got the costume and the beard and the shirt." Keith Richards also said he would know when he is required as soon as he heard word from his friend and co-star Johnny Depp , "I'll wait for a call from Johnny." [10] On April 2014, producer Jerry Bruckheimer was asked if Keith Richards would return. Bruckheimer responded in saying, "I hope so. We'd love to have him back, so we'll see." [11] Keith Richards' skull ring. Behind the scenes Richards used one of his personal effects, a skull ring, as one of the three rings Captain Teague wears.	Keith Richards
Catalonia, the Spanish Autonomous Community region comprising provinces Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona, banned what in 2010 with effect from 2012?	Johnny Depp \| Keith Richards: Johnny wants me for Pirates 5 \| Contactmusic.com Keith Richards: Johnny wants me for Pirates 5 Keith Richards: Johnny wants me for Pirates 5 Johnny Depp wants Keith Richards to reprise his role as Captain Teague in the fifth 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film. Johnny Depp wants Keith Richards to star in another 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film. The actor based his iconic character, Captain Jack Sparrow, on The Rolling Stones star and Keith made cameo appearances as Sparrow's father, Captain Teague, in 2007's 'At World's End' and 2011's 'On Stranger Tides'. Now, Johnny wants Keith to put on his pirate outfit once again for the fifth movie. Keith said: ''I spoke to Johnny a couple of weeks ago and he said, 'Are you up for another one?' I can leave it at that because I know no more. But I do have the costume.'' The 68-year-old musician is more often recognised by the younger generation for his role in the films than he is as a member of The Rolling Stones, In a radio interview, he said: ''Some kids who don't know nothing about The Rolling Stones [say], 'It's Johnny Depp's dad! It's Captain Teague!' I was born for the part.'' Keith - who is celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Rolling Stones this year - feels love from his fans wherever he goes and he credits them for creating his rock star image and reputation. He explained: ''The image thing is a weird thing. It's not that you go around ... Everybody out there creates the image for you, and this is your role and you become it. It's unbeatable. You can't fight it, hence the skulls and of course, getting busted a few times didn't help. ''I always felt I was given a licence to sort of ... Forget 007, that's nothing! Everybody sort of gave me a licence to be what they wanted to be, but the trick is to stay alive and do it. People want to be wicked things, you know?'' Contactmusic	i don't know
In the UK in the 1930s, what was named after the Minister of Transport?	History of road safety, The Highway Code and the driving test - GOV.UK GOV.UK History of road safety, The Highway Code and the driving test Updated 26 March 2015 4. Development and timeline of British driving, road safety and driving tests 1. Overview of road safety in Great Britain Driver licences were first introduced in Britain by the Motor Car Act, 1903, purely as a means of identifying vehicles and their drivers. All motor vehicles had to be registered, display registration marks and be licensed annually at a cost of 20 shillings (£1). The fee for the first driving licence, which was obtained over the counter at Post Offices, was 5 shillings (25p). Failure to sign your driving licence with your ‘ordinary signature’ could lead to a fine of up to £5. In 1921 there were only 1 million drivers in Britain. By 1939 this figure had risen to 3 million. But it was only during the 1960s, when cars became more affordable, that motoring really took off. In 1973 the number of drivers had risen to about 20 million and a centralised computer-based licensing system was brought in to cope with the huge increase in demand for both driver and vehicle licences. 2. The Highway Code Hundreds of thousands of copies of The Highway Code are sold each year, ensuring that it never leaves the bestseller lists. It’s one of the few books in print that can lay claim to saving thousands of lives. When it was first launched in 1931 there were just 2.3 million motor vehicles in Great Britain, yet over 7,000 people were killed in road accidents each year. The Highway Code first edition. Today there are more than 27 million vehicles on our roads but, thanks to greater public awareness, advances in technology and the introduction of British summer time, only half the number of road deaths occur. Some things have not changed over the years: the very first edition of The Highway Code urged all road users to be careful and considerate towards others, putting safety first. However, other aspects of the code have changed considerably. For example, in 1931 mirrors were not even mentioned and drivers were advised to sound their horn when overtaking. Nowadays, advice on how to cross the road fills a whole chapter, but in the early days it only merited a paragraph. More than a third of the original 24-page booklet described the various hand signals the police and road users should use, compared to the single page given to the subject in the current edition. The first edition The first edition was published in 1931, it: cost 1 old penny was the only one to carry advertisements, for the AA, The Autocar magazine, The Motorcycle magazine, Castrol Motor Oil, BP, Motor Union Insurance and the RAC contained 18 pages of advice, compared to 135 pages in the 2007 edition included advice to drivers of horse drawn vehicles to ‘rotate the whip above the head; then incline the whip to the right or left to show the direction in which the turn is to be made.’ Since those early days, regular revisions of the Code have reflected changes in technology and developments in traffic management and road safety. Road signs Diagrams of road signs - just 10 signs in all - were first seen in the second edition, as was a warning about the dangers of driving when affected by alcohol or fatigue. Stopping distances Stopping distances made their first appearance in the third edition, along with new sections giving hints on driving and cycling. In colour The 1954 Highway Code, complemented by brand new colour illustrations, gave over the back cover to first aid guidance, while the expanded traffic signs section contained the first triangular warning signs. Motorways The arrival of motorways in the late 1950s led to the inclusion, in the fifth edition, of a new section on motorway driving. It explained such things as how to use exit slip roads and advising drivers to avoid drowsiness by stretching their legs at the parking or service areas. Photographs and 3D illustrations By the sixth edition in 1968 photographs and 3D illustrations had been included to help make rules clear and the price had risen from 6 old pence to 1/3d (6p). After decimalisation reprinted editions cost just 6 new pence. Green Cross Code The 70-page 1978 edition introduced the Green Cross Code for pedestrians and the new orange badges for people with a disability. Prompted by soaring car crime statistics, the amended version contained advice on vehicle security. Theory test The 1990s saw a new format taller booklet and the inclusion of a section geared to the new driving theory test, which in the current edition has now become part of the Code itself. Getting social In 2011 the Highway Code joined social networking websites Twitter and Facebook to share reminders of the rules of the road. The Highway Code app In May 2012 The Official Highway Code app for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad was launched, priced £3.99. 3. Top 10 driving test facts The driving test’s been going for 80 years. Here are the top 10 driving test facts: Mr Beere was the first person to pass the driving test in 1935: he paid the grand total of 7/ 6d (37.5p) to take the test. There were no test centres in 1935 so you had to arrange to meet the examiner somewhere like a post office, train station or town hall. The test was suspended for the duration of World War 2 and didn’t resume until 1 November 1946. In 1975, candidates no longer had to demonstrate hand signals. The theory test was introduced in 1996, replacing questions about The Highway Code during the practical test. Driving was much more hazardous 80 years ago - 7,343 people were killed on Great Britain’s roads when only 2.4 million vehicles were in use - in 2008, 2,538 people were killed with 26.5 million vehicles on the road. Candidates could book their theory test online for the first time in December 2001. The pass rate in 1935 was 63% compared to 46% in 2009 . 1969 saw the first driving test set for an automatic vehicle. Since 1935 more than 46 million tests have been taken. 4. Development and timeline of British driving, road safety and driving tests 1888 The first recorded sale of a manufactured motor car was to Emile Roger of Paris, who bought a petrol-driven Benz. 1907 Cabs with meters began operating in London. 1930 Regulations introduced covering endorsements and fitness declaration. The Road Traffic Act 1930 introduces licensing system for public service vehicles ( PSV ). In the early days of motoring, one licence covered both cars and motorcycles use. Age restrictions and a form of driving tests brought in for disabled drivers. Full licences for disabled drivers valid for 1 year. 1931 PSV drivers could be required to take a test, at discretion of Traffic Commissioners. The first edition of the Highway Code was published including advice for motorcycle riders. 1934 Licences for lorry drivers were introduced on 16 February 1934 under the Road Traffic Act, 1934 - the licensing authority could require the applicant to submit to a practical test of their ability. ‘Belisha’ beacons provide advanced warning of new pedestrian crossings. 1935 Voluntary testing was introduced on 16 March 1935 by the Road Traffic Act 1934. This was done to avoid a rush of candidates when the test becomes compulsory. Mr R Beere was the first person to pass the driving test, at a cost of 7/ 6d (37.5p). Mr R Beere's pass certificate (Photo above used with permission of M Beere). Compulsory testing was brought in on 1 June 1935 for all drivers and riders who started driving on or after 1 April 1934: around 246,000 candidates applied the pass rate was 63% between 9 and 16 half-hour tests were conducted each day by 250 examiners Those passing the motorcycling test did not need to take another test to drive a car. The test was conducted by the examiner positioning themselves at a point where they could observe the motorcyclist’s riding such as beside a common or in a city square. In the case of sidecar outfits or three-wheelers, the examiner might have accompanied the rider. Examiners were responsible for: handling the booking of driving tests they met candidates at pre-arranged locations such as car parks or railway stations because there were no test centres Other road safety milestones included: anyone buying a driving licence must put ‘L’ plates on the car and eventually take a driving test to get their full licence a 30 miles per hour (mph) speed limit was introduced in urban areas windscreen wipers were used for the first time 1937 Speedometers and safety glass in windscreens were made compulsory on 1 January 1937. Provisional licences were brought in for heavy goods vehicle ( HGV ) drivers. 1939 Driving tests were suspended on 2 September 1939 for the duration of World War 2. During the war, examiners were redeployed to traffic duties and supervision of fuel rationing. 1940 HGV licences and tests were suspended on 1 January 1940 because of World War 2. 1946 Testing resumed on 1 November 1946 following the end of World War 2 the previous year. 1947 The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations placed motorcyclists in their own licence group, but testing remained virtually unchanged until the 1960s. On 18 February 1947, a period of 1 year was granted for wartime provisional licences to be converted into full licence without passing the test. 1950 The pass rate for the driving test was 50%. 1951 1956 The test fee doubled from 10 shillings (50p) to £1 on 19 October 1956. Testing was suspended from 24 November 1956 during the Suez Crisis. Learners were allowed to drive unaccompanied and examiners helped to administer petrol rations. 1957 Testing resumed on 15 April 1957 after the Suez Crisis. Provisional licences were no longer stamped with ‘passed test’ from 15 July 1957. The 3-year driving licence was introduced on 1 September 1957 under the Road Traffic Act 1956. The fee for a replacement licence, if lost or defaced, rises by 150% from 1 shilling (5p) to 2/ 6d (12.5p). 1958 From 1 March 1958, provisional licences are valid for 6 months. The M6 Preston bypass was the first stretch of motorway built in December 1958. 1959 A new examiner training facility was acquired at Stanmore training school, near Heathrow. Until then, examiners were trained ‘on the job’. The M1 was officially opened on 2 November 1959. In the early days it had none of the following: speed limit motorway lighting 1961 From 1 July 1961, learner riders were restricted to machines of no more than 250cc capacity in order to deal with the high number of motorcycling fatalities. 1962 From 1 April 1962, people who had held more than 7 provisional licences were required to take a driving test. If they failed to do so, the licensing authority could refuse a further application for a licence. 1963 The Road Traffic Act 1962 permitted riders to ride motorcycles of more than 250cc after passing their test. New grouping systems were introduced for driving tests and driving licences and a distinction was made between the test of competence and the test of fitness. Mopeds were placed in their own vehicle group for driving test purposes. 1964 A voluntary register of approved driving instructors (ADIs) was set up under the Road Traffic Act 1962. To become an ADI you had to pass stringent written and practical tests. 1965 Centralised licensing system was set up at new Swansea Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre ( DVLC ), taking over licence issue from County/Borough councils. The application form for a driving or motorcycle licence was revised from 1 May 1965. The medical standard for eyesight was changed. The distance from which a driving test candidate must be able read a number plate was changed to 67 feet for 3 1/8 inch high characters. 1967 On 10 May 1967, The Road Safety Act 1967 paved the way for regulations covering the licensing and testing of HGV drivers. The Driving and Motor Licences Division began promoting safe driving through film and TV ‘shorts’. New drink-drive laws came into force on 8 October 1967. The legal limit was 80mg alcohol in 100ml blood. 1968 The test fee was increased to £1 and 15 shillings (£1.75p) on 2 July 1968. 1969 Changes to the driving test from 2 June 1969 included: vehicles used in the test must not have dual accelerator control unless this had been made inoperable a separate driving licence group for automatic vehicles was introduced candidates were required to produce their driving licence to the examiner at the test and sign the examiner’s attendance record - examiners could refuse to conduct a test if these requirements were not met The Vehicle and Driver Licences Act introduced new regulations from 25 June 1969, including a licence fee increase and the specification of vehicle groupings for the purposes of driving tests. An up-to-date scheme was introduced for licensing and testing new lorry drivers on 4 August 1969. The first official driving manual was published in November 1969. Called ‘Driving - the Ministry of Transport Manual’, it was priced 12/ 6d (62.5p). 'Driving - The Ministry of Transport Manual' 1970 All driving instructors now had to be officially registered. A total of 3,500 people are prosecuted for driving on a forged licence or wrongfully attempting to obtain a licence. The new HGV test prompted a change in PSV testing. Previously, vehicle inspectors had carried out PSV driving tests: this was taken over by HGV qualified examiners. 1972 The demand for driving tests rose by 20% in 1972, and a further 15% in the following year, leading to a huge backlog of tests. The minimum age for riders of motorbikes over 50cc was raised from 16 to 17 from 16 December 1972. 1973 Safety helmets were made compulsory for moped and motorcycle riders. The top speed for mopeds was set at 30mph. Computerised driving licences were issued from 1 March 1973, with green paper licences replacing the old-style red booklets. A full licence was still only valid for 3 years. 1975 Candidates no longer have to demonstrate arm signals in the driving test from May 1975. 1976 Full licences become valid until the age of 70 from 1 January 1976. In July 1976, the Stanmore training school where examiners were trained was relocated to new premises at Cardington, Bedfordshire. Newly recruited ‘L’ test examiners had to undergo four weeks of training. 1981 The government produced a 3 point package of changes: the maximum size of learner machines was reduced to 125cc provisional motorcycling licence entitlement was limited to 2 years a 2-part test was introduced with the intention of reducing accidents by steering learners to take training with approved organisations on suitable motorcycles - the first part of the test included some basic off-road motorcycle control exercises - usually conducted at large goods vehicle (LGV) centres - the second part included the usual on-road riding 1982 Provisional licences were extended until the age of 70 from 1 October 1982. 1985 PSV driving tests became compulsory in March 1985. Previously, Traffic Commissioners decided whether local applicants took the test. 1988 Driving tests were now conducted under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988. 1989 A new accompanied motorcycle test was introduced on 1 October 1989. Prompted by alarming accident figures, the old-style ‘part 2’ motorcycle test, where the examiner stood by the roadside, was replaced by the new, more demanding ‘pursuit test’. The examiner now follows the candidate on a motorcycle and maintains radio contact during the test. 1990 The Driving Standards Agency ( DSA ) was created as an executive agency of the Department for Transport (DfT) on 1 April 1990. DVLC became an executive agency of DfT and was renamed the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Provisional licence holders were prevented from carrying pillion passengers, even if the passenger is a full licence holder. Compulsory Basic Training ( CBT ) was introduced for all new learner riders of motorcycles and mopeds. CBT comprises 5 elements including a minimum two-hour accompanied road ride. The course was designed to ensure new riders have a basic level of competence before they are allowed to ride on public roads displaying L plates and continue the learning process. From 1 May 1990, examiners gave candidates a brief explanation of faults committed during the test, plus advice on areas for improvement. Under new legislation, anyone accompanying a learner driver from October 1990 must be at least 21 and must have held a driving licence for a minimum of 3 years. 1995 The Pass Plus scheme was introduced in November 1995 to help newly qualified young drivers gain valuable driving experience and reduce the risk of them being involved in an accident. 1996 A separate written theory test was introduced on 1 July 1996. It replaced questions asked about the Highway Code during practical test. Candidates now have to produce their driving licence for their test. The theory test pass mark was raised from 26/35 to 30/35 on 1 October 1996. 1997 Introduction of additional licence categories and tests for learners aged over 21 years riding larger motorcycles (Direct Access Scheme) and small motorcycles. New riders under 21 years restricted to riding machines of 125cc whilst learning. Once they pass the test they were then restricted to riding machines of 25kw (33bhp) for two years. After this period they could ride any size of motorcycle. New licence and test changes on 1 January 1997 included: a new test category was created for a car with large trailer (B+E) licence categories and tests were introduced for Direct Access and small motorcycles the written theory test was introduced for LGV and PCV drivers Photographic ID was required for both practical and theory tests from 1 March 1997. From 1 June 1997, if a new driver gained 6 or more penalty points during the first 2 years of driving, they lost their licence and must retake both the theory and practical driving test before being allowed back on the roads. On 29 September 1997, waiting times between tests were reintroduced for unsuccessful candidates: for car drivers and motorcycle riders, the minimum wait of 10 days between tests of the same category for lorry and bus driver testing, a minimum wait of 3 days between tests of the same category 1999 The newly revised Highway Code was published in February 1999, with current advice and up-to-date legislation for all road users. From 6 April 1999, cars being used for a driving test must have a front passenger seat belt, head restraint and rear-view mirror. Changes to the ‘L’ test on 4 May 1999 included extending the length of the test, randomising the emergency stop manoeuvre and failing candidates for committing 16 or more driving faults. Photocard licences were introduced from 1 July 1999 for both first time issues and licence renewals. 2000 The touch-screen theory test was introduced on 4 January 2000. The touch-screen theory test was introduced in 2000. 2001 Drivers getting a full car licence from 1 February 2001 must now pass compulsory basic training ( CBT ) before being allowed to ride a moped. Various changes to the motorcycle training regulations were introduced, including the: reduction of the validity period for a CBT certificate from 3 to 2 years removal of the 2 year on - 1 year off rule for provisional licence holders requirement for drivers gaining a full car licence to take CBT before being able to ride a moped Candidates could book their theory test via the internet from 19 December 2001. 2002 A hazard perception element was introduced into the car and motorcycle theory test; this uses video clips to test candidates’ awareness of hazards on the road. 2003 ‘Show me’ and ‘tell me’ vehicle safety questions were added to the beginning of the driving test on 1 September 2003. Candidates could book their practical test on the internet for the first time from 24 October 2003. 2006 The enhanced rider scheme for motorcyclists was launched in November 2006. 2007 The register of post-test motorcycle training ( RPMT ) was introduced in February 2007. The number of questions in car and motorcycle theory test changed from 35 to 50 on 3 September 2007 - the pass rate became 43 out of 50. The 2007 edition of The Highway Code was published. 2008 An assessment of eco-safe driving was introduced in the driving test in September 2008. The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence ( CPC ) was introduced for professional bus and coach drivers on 10 September 2008. 2009 A new 2-part modular motorcycle test was introduced on 27 April 2009. It enabled the UK to comply with the EU Second Directive requiring new and more demanding manoeuvres to be tested: module 1 contains the specified manoeuvres element of the test which is conducted off-road. It includes exercises designed to assess the rider’s ability to control their machine safely, including avoidance and emergency stop exercises module 2 includes an eyesight test and 30 minutes of on-road riding, assessing the rider’s ability to safely interact with other road users. A new 2-part modular motorcycle test was introduced on 27 April 2009. Driver CPC for lorry drivers was introduced on 10 September 2009. A case study was introduced into the theory test on 28 September 2009. 2010 From 6 April 2010, driving test candidates have been encouraged to take their instructor with them on their test. ‘ Independent driving ’ became part of the practical driving test on 4 October 2010. Candidates have to drive for 10 minutes making their own decisions. 2011 A new case study was introduced into the theory test in September 2011. 2013 New rules affecting motorcyclists in Great Britain were introduced on 19 January 2013. They included changes to motorcycles you can ride and the age you have to be to ride them. 2014 DSA and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency ( VOSA ) merged to create the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency ( DVSA ) on 2 April 2014. DVSA is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. The launch of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency in April 2014. On 7 April 2014, driving test candidates were stopped from being able to use foreign language voiceovers and interpreters on their theory and practical driving tests. The change was made to cut out the risk of fraud, and to make sure that all drivers can read road signs and fully understand the rules of the road. The ADI check test was replaced by the ADI standards check on 7 April 2014. This assesses the ADI ’s ability to instruct and whether their instruction helps a person to learn in an effective way. At the same time a new grading system for ADIs was introduced. 2015 New computer-generated imagery (CGI) clips replaced old filmed clips in the hazard perception part of the theory test on 12 January 2015. An old-style video clip (left) and an updated CGI clip (right).	Belisha beacon
How many pieces are on the board at the start of a game of chess?	History of road safety, The Highway Code and the driving test - GOV.UK GOV.UK History of road safety, The Highway Code and the driving test Updated 26 March 2015 4. Development and timeline of British driving, road safety and driving tests 1. Overview of road safety in Great Britain Driver licences were first introduced in Britain by the Motor Car Act, 1903, purely as a means of identifying vehicles and their drivers. All motor vehicles had to be registered, display registration marks and be licensed annually at a cost of 20 shillings (£1). The fee for the first driving licence, which was obtained over the counter at Post Offices, was 5 shillings (25p). Failure to sign your driving licence with your ‘ordinary signature’ could lead to a fine of up to £5. In 1921 there were only 1 million drivers in Britain. By 1939 this figure had risen to 3 million. But it was only during the 1960s, when cars became more affordable, that motoring really took off. In 1973 the number of drivers had risen to about 20 million and a centralised computer-based licensing system was brought in to cope with the huge increase in demand for both driver and vehicle licences. 2. The Highway Code Hundreds of thousands of copies of The Highway Code are sold each year, ensuring that it never leaves the bestseller lists. It’s one of the few books in print that can lay claim to saving thousands of lives. When it was first launched in 1931 there were just 2.3 million motor vehicles in Great Britain, yet over 7,000 people were killed in road accidents each year. The Highway Code first edition. Today there are more than 27 million vehicles on our roads but, thanks to greater public awareness, advances in technology and the introduction of British summer time, only half the number of road deaths occur. Some things have not changed over the years: the very first edition of The Highway Code urged all road users to be careful and considerate towards others, putting safety first. However, other aspects of the code have changed considerably. For example, in 1931 mirrors were not even mentioned and drivers were advised to sound their horn when overtaking. Nowadays, advice on how to cross the road fills a whole chapter, but in the early days it only merited a paragraph. More than a third of the original 24-page booklet described the various hand signals the police and road users should use, compared to the single page given to the subject in the current edition. The first edition The first edition was published in 1931, it: cost 1 old penny was the only one to carry advertisements, for the AA, The Autocar magazine, The Motorcycle magazine, Castrol Motor Oil, BP, Motor Union Insurance and the RAC contained 18 pages of advice, compared to 135 pages in the 2007 edition included advice to drivers of horse drawn vehicles to ‘rotate the whip above the head; then incline the whip to the right or left to show the direction in which the turn is to be made.’ Since those early days, regular revisions of the Code have reflected changes in technology and developments in traffic management and road safety. Road signs Diagrams of road signs - just 10 signs in all - were first seen in the second edition, as was a warning about the dangers of driving when affected by alcohol or fatigue. Stopping distances Stopping distances made their first appearance in the third edition, along with new sections giving hints on driving and cycling. In colour The 1954 Highway Code, complemented by brand new colour illustrations, gave over the back cover to first aid guidance, while the expanded traffic signs section contained the first triangular warning signs. Motorways The arrival of motorways in the late 1950s led to the inclusion, in the fifth edition, of a new section on motorway driving. It explained such things as how to use exit slip roads and advising drivers to avoid drowsiness by stretching their legs at the parking or service areas. Photographs and 3D illustrations By the sixth edition in 1968 photographs and 3D illustrations had been included to help make rules clear and the price had risen from 6 old pence to 1/3d (6p). After decimalisation reprinted editions cost just 6 new pence. Green Cross Code The 70-page 1978 edition introduced the Green Cross Code for pedestrians and the new orange badges for people with a disability. Prompted by soaring car crime statistics, the amended version contained advice on vehicle security. Theory test The 1990s saw a new format taller booklet and the inclusion of a section geared to the new driving theory test, which in the current edition has now become part of the Code itself. Getting social In 2011 the Highway Code joined social networking websites Twitter and Facebook to share reminders of the rules of the road. The Highway Code app In May 2012 The Official Highway Code app for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad was launched, priced £3.99. 3. Top 10 driving test facts The driving test’s been going for 80 years. Here are the top 10 driving test facts: Mr Beere was the first person to pass the driving test in 1935: he paid the grand total of 7/ 6d (37.5p) to take the test. There were no test centres in 1935 so you had to arrange to meet the examiner somewhere like a post office, train station or town hall. The test was suspended for the duration of World War 2 and didn’t resume until 1 November 1946. In 1975, candidates no longer had to demonstrate hand signals. The theory test was introduced in 1996, replacing questions about The Highway Code during the practical test. Driving was much more hazardous 80 years ago - 7,343 people were killed on Great Britain’s roads when only 2.4 million vehicles were in use - in 2008, 2,538 people were killed with 26.5 million vehicles on the road. Candidates could book their theory test online for the first time in December 2001. The pass rate in 1935 was 63% compared to 46% in 2009 . 1969 saw the first driving test set for an automatic vehicle. Since 1935 more than 46 million tests have been taken. 4. Development and timeline of British driving, road safety and driving tests 1888 The first recorded sale of a manufactured motor car was to Emile Roger of Paris, who bought a petrol-driven Benz. 1907 Cabs with meters began operating in London. 1930 Regulations introduced covering endorsements and fitness declaration. The Road Traffic Act 1930 introduces licensing system for public service vehicles ( PSV ). In the early days of motoring, one licence covered both cars and motorcycles use. Age restrictions and a form of driving tests brought in for disabled drivers. Full licences for disabled drivers valid for 1 year. 1931 PSV drivers could be required to take a test, at discretion of Traffic Commissioners. The first edition of the Highway Code was published including advice for motorcycle riders. 1934 Licences for lorry drivers were introduced on 16 February 1934 under the Road Traffic Act, 1934 - the licensing authority could require the applicant to submit to a practical test of their ability. ‘Belisha’ beacons provide advanced warning of new pedestrian crossings. 1935 Voluntary testing was introduced on 16 March 1935 by the Road Traffic Act 1934. This was done to avoid a rush of candidates when the test becomes compulsory. Mr R Beere was the first person to pass the driving test, at a cost of 7/ 6d (37.5p). Mr R Beere's pass certificate (Photo above used with permission of M Beere). Compulsory testing was brought in on 1 June 1935 for all drivers and riders who started driving on or after 1 April 1934: around 246,000 candidates applied the pass rate was 63% between 9 and 16 half-hour tests were conducted each day by 250 examiners Those passing the motorcycling test did not need to take another test to drive a car. The test was conducted by the examiner positioning themselves at a point where they could observe the motorcyclist’s riding such as beside a common or in a city square. In the case of sidecar outfits or three-wheelers, the examiner might have accompanied the rider. Examiners were responsible for: handling the booking of driving tests they met candidates at pre-arranged locations such as car parks or railway stations because there were no test centres Other road safety milestones included: anyone buying a driving licence must put ‘L’ plates on the car and eventually take a driving test to get their full licence a 30 miles per hour (mph) speed limit was introduced in urban areas windscreen wipers were used for the first time 1937 Speedometers and safety glass in windscreens were made compulsory on 1 January 1937. Provisional licences were brought in for heavy goods vehicle ( HGV ) drivers. 1939 Driving tests were suspended on 2 September 1939 for the duration of World War 2. During the war, examiners were redeployed to traffic duties and supervision of fuel rationing. 1940 HGV licences and tests were suspended on 1 January 1940 because of World War 2. 1946 Testing resumed on 1 November 1946 following the end of World War 2 the previous year. 1947 The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations placed motorcyclists in their own licence group, but testing remained virtually unchanged until the 1960s. On 18 February 1947, a period of 1 year was granted for wartime provisional licences to be converted into full licence without passing the test. 1950 The pass rate for the driving test was 50%. 1951 1956 The test fee doubled from 10 shillings (50p) to £1 on 19 October 1956. Testing was suspended from 24 November 1956 during the Suez Crisis. Learners were allowed to drive unaccompanied and examiners helped to administer petrol rations. 1957 Testing resumed on 15 April 1957 after the Suez Crisis. Provisional licences were no longer stamped with ‘passed test’ from 15 July 1957. The 3-year driving licence was introduced on 1 September 1957 under the Road Traffic Act 1956. The fee for a replacement licence, if lost or defaced, rises by 150% from 1 shilling (5p) to 2/ 6d (12.5p). 1958 From 1 March 1958, provisional licences are valid for 6 months. The M6 Preston bypass was the first stretch of motorway built in December 1958. 1959 A new examiner training facility was acquired at Stanmore training school, near Heathrow. Until then, examiners were trained ‘on the job’. The M1 was officially opened on 2 November 1959. In the early days it had none of the following: speed limit motorway lighting 1961 From 1 July 1961, learner riders were restricted to machines of no more than 250cc capacity in order to deal with the high number of motorcycling fatalities. 1962 From 1 April 1962, people who had held more than 7 provisional licences were required to take a driving test. If they failed to do so, the licensing authority could refuse a further application for a licence. 1963 The Road Traffic Act 1962 permitted riders to ride motorcycles of more than 250cc after passing their test. New grouping systems were introduced for driving tests and driving licences and a distinction was made between the test of competence and the test of fitness. Mopeds were placed in their own vehicle group for driving test purposes. 1964 A voluntary register of approved driving instructors (ADIs) was set up under the Road Traffic Act 1962. To become an ADI you had to pass stringent written and practical tests. 1965 Centralised licensing system was set up at new Swansea Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre ( DVLC ), taking over licence issue from County/Borough councils. The application form for a driving or motorcycle licence was revised from 1 May 1965. The medical standard for eyesight was changed. The distance from which a driving test candidate must be able read a number plate was changed to 67 feet for 3 1/8 inch high characters. 1967 On 10 May 1967, The Road Safety Act 1967 paved the way for regulations covering the licensing and testing of HGV drivers. The Driving and Motor Licences Division began promoting safe driving through film and TV ‘shorts’. New drink-drive laws came into force on 8 October 1967. The legal limit was 80mg alcohol in 100ml blood. 1968 The test fee was increased to £1 and 15 shillings (£1.75p) on 2 July 1968. 1969 Changes to the driving test from 2 June 1969 included: vehicles used in the test must not have dual accelerator control unless this had been made inoperable a separate driving licence group for automatic vehicles was introduced candidates were required to produce their driving licence to the examiner at the test and sign the examiner’s attendance record - examiners could refuse to conduct a test if these requirements were not met The Vehicle and Driver Licences Act introduced new regulations from 25 June 1969, including a licence fee increase and the specification of vehicle groupings for the purposes of driving tests. An up-to-date scheme was introduced for licensing and testing new lorry drivers on 4 August 1969. The first official driving manual was published in November 1969. Called ‘Driving - the Ministry of Transport Manual’, it was priced 12/ 6d (62.5p). 'Driving - The Ministry of Transport Manual' 1970 All driving instructors now had to be officially registered. A total of 3,500 people are prosecuted for driving on a forged licence or wrongfully attempting to obtain a licence. The new HGV test prompted a change in PSV testing. Previously, vehicle inspectors had carried out PSV driving tests: this was taken over by HGV qualified examiners. 1972 The demand for driving tests rose by 20% in 1972, and a further 15% in the following year, leading to a huge backlog of tests. The minimum age for riders of motorbikes over 50cc was raised from 16 to 17 from 16 December 1972. 1973 Safety helmets were made compulsory for moped and motorcycle riders. The top speed for mopeds was set at 30mph. Computerised driving licences were issued from 1 March 1973, with green paper licences replacing the old-style red booklets. A full licence was still only valid for 3 years. 1975 Candidates no longer have to demonstrate arm signals in the driving test from May 1975. 1976 Full licences become valid until the age of 70 from 1 January 1976. In July 1976, the Stanmore training school where examiners were trained was relocated to new premises at Cardington, Bedfordshire. Newly recruited ‘L’ test examiners had to undergo four weeks of training. 1981 The government produced a 3 point package of changes: the maximum size of learner machines was reduced to 125cc provisional motorcycling licence entitlement was limited to 2 years a 2-part test was introduced with the intention of reducing accidents by steering learners to take training with approved organisations on suitable motorcycles - the first part of the test included some basic off-road motorcycle control exercises - usually conducted at large goods vehicle (LGV) centres - the second part included the usual on-road riding 1982 Provisional licences were extended until the age of 70 from 1 October 1982. 1985 PSV driving tests became compulsory in March 1985. Previously, Traffic Commissioners decided whether local applicants took the test. 1988 Driving tests were now conducted under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988. 1989 A new accompanied motorcycle test was introduced on 1 October 1989. Prompted by alarming accident figures, the old-style ‘part 2’ motorcycle test, where the examiner stood by the roadside, was replaced by the new, more demanding ‘pursuit test’. The examiner now follows the candidate on a motorcycle and maintains radio contact during the test. 1990 The Driving Standards Agency ( DSA ) was created as an executive agency of the Department for Transport (DfT) on 1 April 1990. DVLC became an executive agency of DfT and was renamed the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Provisional licence holders were prevented from carrying pillion passengers, even if the passenger is a full licence holder. Compulsory Basic Training ( CBT ) was introduced for all new learner riders of motorcycles and mopeds. CBT comprises 5 elements including a minimum two-hour accompanied road ride. The course was designed to ensure new riders have a basic level of competence before they are allowed to ride on public roads displaying L plates and continue the learning process. From 1 May 1990, examiners gave candidates a brief explanation of faults committed during the test, plus advice on areas for improvement. Under new legislation, anyone accompanying a learner driver from October 1990 must be at least 21 and must have held a driving licence for a minimum of 3 years. 1995 The Pass Plus scheme was introduced in November 1995 to help newly qualified young drivers gain valuable driving experience and reduce the risk of them being involved in an accident. 1996 A separate written theory test was introduced on 1 July 1996. It replaced questions asked about the Highway Code during practical test. Candidates now have to produce their driving licence for their test. The theory test pass mark was raised from 26/35 to 30/35 on 1 October 1996. 1997 Introduction of additional licence categories and tests for learners aged over 21 years riding larger motorcycles (Direct Access Scheme) and small motorcycles. New riders under 21 years restricted to riding machines of 125cc whilst learning. Once they pass the test they were then restricted to riding machines of 25kw (33bhp) for two years. After this period they could ride any size of motorcycle. New licence and test changes on 1 January 1997 included: a new test category was created for a car with large trailer (B+E) licence categories and tests were introduced for Direct Access and small motorcycles the written theory test was introduced for LGV and PCV drivers Photographic ID was required for both practical and theory tests from 1 March 1997. From 1 June 1997, if a new driver gained 6 or more penalty points during the first 2 years of driving, they lost their licence and must retake both the theory and practical driving test before being allowed back on the roads. On 29 September 1997, waiting times between tests were reintroduced for unsuccessful candidates: for car drivers and motorcycle riders, the minimum wait of 10 days between tests of the same category for lorry and bus driver testing, a minimum wait of 3 days between tests of the same category 1999 The newly revised Highway Code was published in February 1999, with current advice and up-to-date legislation for all road users. From 6 April 1999, cars being used for a driving test must have a front passenger seat belt, head restraint and rear-view mirror. Changes to the ‘L’ test on 4 May 1999 included extending the length of the test, randomising the emergency stop manoeuvre and failing candidates for committing 16 or more driving faults. Photocard licences were introduced from 1 July 1999 for both first time issues and licence renewals. 2000 The touch-screen theory test was introduced on 4 January 2000. The touch-screen theory test was introduced in 2000. 2001 Drivers getting a full car licence from 1 February 2001 must now pass compulsory basic training ( CBT ) before being allowed to ride a moped. Various changes to the motorcycle training regulations were introduced, including the: reduction of the validity period for a CBT certificate from 3 to 2 years removal of the 2 year on - 1 year off rule for provisional licence holders requirement for drivers gaining a full car licence to take CBT before being able to ride a moped Candidates could book their theory test via the internet from 19 December 2001. 2002 A hazard perception element was introduced into the car and motorcycle theory test; this uses video clips to test candidates’ awareness of hazards on the road. 2003 ‘Show me’ and ‘tell me’ vehicle safety questions were added to the beginning of the driving test on 1 September 2003. Candidates could book their practical test on the internet for the first time from 24 October 2003. 2006 The enhanced rider scheme for motorcyclists was launched in November 2006. 2007 The register of post-test motorcycle training ( RPMT ) was introduced in February 2007. The number of questions in car and motorcycle theory test changed from 35 to 50 on 3 September 2007 - the pass rate became 43 out of 50. The 2007 edition of The Highway Code was published. 2008 An assessment of eco-safe driving was introduced in the driving test in September 2008. The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence ( CPC ) was introduced for professional bus and coach drivers on 10 September 2008. 2009 A new 2-part modular motorcycle test was introduced on 27 April 2009. It enabled the UK to comply with the EU Second Directive requiring new and more demanding manoeuvres to be tested: module 1 contains the specified manoeuvres element of the test which is conducted off-road. It includes exercises designed to assess the rider’s ability to control their machine safely, including avoidance and emergency stop exercises module 2 includes an eyesight test and 30 minutes of on-road riding, assessing the rider’s ability to safely interact with other road users. A new 2-part modular motorcycle test was introduced on 27 April 2009. Driver CPC for lorry drivers was introduced on 10 September 2009. A case study was introduced into the theory test on 28 September 2009. 2010 From 6 April 2010, driving test candidates have been encouraged to take their instructor with them on their test. ‘ Independent driving ’ became part of the practical driving test on 4 October 2010. Candidates have to drive for 10 minutes making their own decisions. 2011 A new case study was introduced into the theory test in September 2011. 2013 New rules affecting motorcyclists in Great Britain were introduced on 19 January 2013. They included changes to motorcycles you can ride and the age you have to be to ride them. 2014 DSA and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency ( VOSA ) merged to create the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency ( DVSA ) on 2 April 2014. DVSA is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. The launch of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency in April 2014. On 7 April 2014, driving test candidates were stopped from being able to use foreign language voiceovers and interpreters on their theory and practical driving tests. The change was made to cut out the risk of fraud, and to make sure that all drivers can read road signs and fully understand the rules of the road. The ADI check test was replaced by the ADI standards check on 7 April 2014. This assesses the ADI ’s ability to instruct and whether their instruction helps a person to learn in an effective way. At the same time a new grading system for ADIs was introduced. 2015 New computer-generated imagery (CGI) clips replaced old filmed clips in the hazard perception part of the theory test on 12 January 2015. An old-style video clip (left) and an updated CGI clip (right).	i don't know
How many presidents of France had there been as at 2010? 7; 12; 23; or 35?	Paris attacks: as they happened - BBC News BBC News Paris attacks: as they happened Play video What we know about Paris attacksVideo What we know about Paris attacks 5:06 13 Nov 201513 Nov 2015 Related Video and Audio Video 2 minutes 11 seconds Video 2 minutes 11 seconds2:11 Play video Paris attacks: 'IS' claims responsibility Video 40 seconds Play video Hollande: 'Attacks a barbaric act' Video 46 seconds Play video Bataclan attack 'was a bloodbath' Video 33 seconds Play video Amateur video shows panic at stadium Video 49 seconds Play video 'I saw him shoot... then I understood' Video 1 minute 13 seconds Video 1 minute 13 seconds1:13 Play video 'There was a whole pile of bodies' Video 1 minute Play video Explosions at hall as siege ends Video 15 seconds Play video Blast heard during Paris football match Video 1 minute 45 seconds Video 1 minute 45 seconds1:45 Play video Paris attacks: 'A lot of dead people' Video 30 seconds Play video Fans evacuate stadium by pitch Video 1 minute 45 seconds Video 1 minute 45 seconds1:45 Play video 'We heard automatic gunshots' Video 1 minute 10 seconds Video 1 minute 10 seconds1:10 Play video Hollande: Attacks 'unprecedented' Video 1 minute 26 seconds Video 1 minute 26 seconds1:26 Play video Obama: 'We stand with France' Video 2 minutes 11 seconds Video 2 minutes 11 seconds2:11 Play video Footage shows Paris attack scenes RTL Play video What we know about Paris attacks Got a TV Licence? You need one to watch live TV on any channel or device, and BBC programmes on iPlayer. It’s the law. 129 people were killed and 352 injured in Friday's attacks 'Three co-ordinated teams' appear to have been behind attacks Bataclan attacker 'was Frenchman known to police' Stade de France attackers 'had Egyptian and Syrian passports' French interior minister gives local authorities right to impose curfews One Briton is confirmed to have been killed Islamic State claims responsibility for attacks in official statement All times in GMT By Joel Gunter, Yaroslav Lukov, Thom Poole, Harry Low, Emma Harrison and Tom Spender All times stated are UK Goodbye from us Posted at 23:00 This brings to an end our live coverage of the dramatic and fast-changing events in Paris, where at least 129 people were killed in attacks on a number of sites across the French capital. Thanks for staying with us. You can still get all the latest updates on this story here . AP 'Large European contingent' Posted at 22:50 Jean Charles Brisard, who is Chairman of the Centre for Analysis of Terrorism in Paris, told the BBC he believes there are 3,800 radicalised individuals in France. In addition to this we have two thousand French citizens or residents that are, were involved in jihadi networks in Syria and in Iraq, whether they've been staying in France as sympathisers or travelled abroad as jihadists. Six hundred of our citizens are currently fighting in Syria and Iraq and it's the largest European contingent of foreign fighters on the ground." Share BBC Radio 5live's Chief Political Correspondent, London Posted at 22:47 Very soon attention will turn to the question of whether David Cameron and his ministers' arms will be strengthened by the events in Paris on Friday as they formulate policy to confront and take on extremism both in Syria and in this country." Share Second attacker 'may have passed through Greece' Posted at 22:35 A second suspect in the Paris attacks may have travelled to Europe through Greece, Greek officials say. Investigations are now under way, a source says. Earlier it was reported that the holder of a passport found near the body of a gunman who died on Friday had passed through Greece in October. Share CNN's Chief National Security, Jim Sciutto, tweets: Posted at 22:21 Scenic solidarity Posted at 22:19 Like many landmarks around the world, the Erasmusbridge in Rotterdam has been illuminated with the colours of the French flag. AFP/Getty Images 'Change in tactics' from IS Posted at 22:13 The BBC's Security Correspondent, Frank Gardner, has been considering the implications of the Paris attacks. Under more pressure than ever in the territory they hold, Islamic State militants "are increasingly looking to direct or inspire attacks further afield", our correspondent says. Western counter-terrorism officials had recently come round to the conclusion that while there were still people aspiring to such grand-scale attacks, the prevailing threat was more likely to come from 'self-starters', people like the murderers of British soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich near London in 2013. In the light of what has happened in Paris and elsewhere, they may now be revising that assessment." AFP Suspect's father and brother 'in police custody' Posted at 22:11 The father and brother of one of the Paris attackers are now in police custody, sources close to the investigation are quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. Share New York solidarity rally Posted at 22:06 A vigil in solidarity with France has been taking place in New York's Washington Square Park. Reuters Key attack locations - video Posted at 21:53 The BBC has put together a fly-through video of the locations where the attacks took place. BBC Backlash fears Posted at 21:39 Yasser Louati, a member of the Collective Against Islamaphobia in France, says the Muslim community is disgusted by Friday's attacks. He told BBC Radio 5live Muslims now live in fear of a backlash. "The reports we are receiving from the ground is that now people are being attacked, mosques are being attacked, death threats are being written all over social media. "Unfortunately less than a year ago when the attacks were carried out against the newspaper Charlie Hebdo and the Jewish supermarket, we provided the wrong answers. "We added more division to division and we have put Muslims as if they were somehow responsible or somehow connected. I fear for the Muslim community right now. People are calling us worried whether they should send their children to school or not on Monday." Share British victim named Posted at 19:56 A Briton killed at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris has been named as Nick Alexander. He was selling merchandise at the venue. His family have issued a statement. It is with huge sorrow that we can confirm that our beloved Nick lost his life at the Bataclan last night. Nick was not just our brother, son and uncle, he was everyone's best friend - generous, funny and fiercely loyal. Nick died doing the job he loved and we take great comfort in knowing how much he was cherished by his friends around the world." Foreign Commonwealth Office/PA Wire	twenty three
How many Horsemen of the Apocalypse feature in the Bible's Book of Revelation?	The Rwandan Genocide: The Guilty Bystanders The Rwandan Genocide: The Guilty Bystanders Bernard-Alexandre Merkel , Jan 14 2010, 20038 views This content was written by a student and assessed as part of a university degree. E-IR publishes student essays & dissertations to allow our readers to broaden their understanding of what is possible when answering similar questions in their own studies. History has seen its share of wars, deaths, failures, successes and heroes. Never had it experienced horrors as it had in the 20th century; as technology continued to evolve, so did the atrocities of war. A new kind of horror emerged, one that was not targeted towards soldiers, but towards the very core of civilizations, towards specific races; genocide. Armenians in Turkey were the first unfortunates of these horrors, but nothing has matched the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust. Other genocides have continued to occur, almost one every decade since the Second World War. The world cries out “never again” every time but has not yet managed to stop a genocide. This is not something humans can simply look back on as a mistake in history, this is not yet something from the past, it is still very much something from the present. It did not end in the 20th century, as Darfur proves that it continues to plague our society. The question that remains is why does no one stop these atrocities once they begin? Why are they simply ignored until they “resolve” themselves? This essay will be seeking to answer why the humanitarian intervention failed to prevent the genocide in Rwanda. The reason for the genocide will not be the focus point, as this essay will assume that there was no possible way to prevent it. It will focus on three main possible reasons why the intervention failed; the first being that the roots of the conflicts were too deep to simply stop it, the intervention was poorly designed and executed, and there was a lack of interest from foreign governments to intervene. The Rwandan Genocide Before focusing on these main points, it is important to give some background on the events in Rwanda. This was the biggest genocide of the 90s, with an estimate 800,000 deaths. There were only one-hundred days separating the beginning and the end of the killings. This massacre started with a plane shot down, killing the Rwandan president. Tensions had been mounting between the two ethnic groups in Rwanda, the Tutsis and the Hutus. There was a history of rivalry between the two, which was augmented by the Belgian colonization, and in 1994 the tensions reached its breaking point. All it needed was the assassination of the Hutu president which launched a wave of attacks from Hutu militants on Tutsi civilians. But why was it considered a genocide? Genocide is a term that was defined by the United Nations (UN) convention in 1949 after the end of the Second World War. This convention was ratified by most of the UN members, stating that if genocide occurs, they must act to stop it. The word is rooted from both Greek (geno) and Latin (cide) literally meaning “the killing (cide) of a race (geno).” Although the UN has a list defining what consists of genocide (see appendix A [1] ), for the purpose of this essay, the definition used when describing genocide will be “the systematic killing of an ethnic group or race”. In 1994, Hutu militants took to the streets and engaged in the systematic killing of the Tutsis. They were not fighting rebels, or even armed men. They would kill anyone that was Tutsi and in some cases would also kill those who were “moderate Hutus” (Hutus that did not see the same way they did). Primordialism versus Modernism The Tutsis and Hutus are two different nations. What is meant by nations? When most of the English speakers think of the word “nation”, its synonym would be country or state. However, there is a distinction between these words which can drastically change their meaning. Definitions of nations differ depending on the school of thought, two in particular, primordialism and modernism. Both schools believe that a state is the government, geographical lines and elites of the nation. However, the primordialists, consider nations as people coming together because of one or more factors. These issues can be ethnicity, religion, language, etc…Their beliefs are that nations are created because of people’s common identity which binds them together to fight in some instances for their autonomy of a nation that they do not have an identity with. Conversely, modernists believe that a nation is created by the elites and the state. The people that ‘belong’ to a nation are simply told what they belong to and create their nation around what their elites tell them. Neither one of these schools is necessarily more right than the other. There is in fact a spectrum between these two schools of thoughts which takes from both ideas. For example, if a state (with all the same ethnicity) engages in a war with a neighboring state, they would not fight simply on the basis of being different; politicians (elites) would have used massive propaganda to have the country feel as though they were in danger and needed to fight. This would be an example of a primordialist state (all ethnicities are the same) but there are modernist components to it (elites tell the people what distinguish them from others). Why is this important in this case? One possible reason for the failure was that the conflict was rooted too deeply in primordialism. It is true that Hutu killings were initially instigated by the Rwandan radio station Radio Mille Collines broadcasters. But was this conflict rooted too deeply in primordialist behavior? Tutsi and Hutu have been two different groups for a long time and this was aggravated by the Belgians when they colonized the country. To discover the answer to this question, we will investigate its history when the Tutsi herders came onto the territory. Background A caste system based on ethnicity began over 400 years ago when Tutsi herders moved into the Rwandan-Burundi lands. Rwanda is a very small country, with an area of about 26,338 km2. Most of its land is used in agriculture to maintain the high density population. “The whole country looks to some degree like a gigantic garden, meticulously tended, almost manicured resembling more the Indonesian or Filipino paddy fields than the loose extensive agricultural pattern of many African landscapes.” [2] This high density population, “together with such a capacity for producing all the basic necessities of life in plenty, led at a very early stage to centralized forms of political authority and to a high degree of social control”. [3] Thus, a monarchy developed, with Tutsi kings being in control of a mostly Hutu population. There was in fact little difference between the two ethnicities as “they shared the same language, culture, and religion; interethnic marriages were commonplace.” [4] The only differences between the two ethnicities were purely physical. Tutsi were describes by colonizers as “extremely tall and thin, and often displaying sharp, angular facial features” [5] and a lighter skin color while Hutu were described as “generally short and thick-set with a big head, a jovial expression, a wide nose and enormous lip.” [6] These physical differences are important to the history between the two groups because throughout colonization, Tutsi will be deemed more human and better than their Hutu counter parts. Going back to the Rwandan King, although Tutsi, this was not much of a problem until after Western countries came into the country and colonized. Although he had great control over the land and was usually surrounded by mostly Tutsi personnel, his decisions did not affect Tutsi or Hutu any differently. The only difference between the two during the Rwandan monarchy was that the Tutsis were usually seen as a higher societal class than Hutu. However, before colonialist powers invaded, a Hutu could become Tutsi if he/she had a certain amount of cattle, just as a Tutsi could become Hutu if he/she lost a certain amount of cattle. The name was not originally used to distinguish ethnicities but rather economic differences. Germany was the first colonizer in Rwanda, staying only a short period of time, leaving in 1916. Their presence was nonetheless important for two reasons; the first is that they categorized Hutu and Tutsi as genetically different, the second is that their indirect rule led to increase centralization of the government. By believing that the Tutsi were genetically superior, the Germans created a psychological effect that would continue with the Belgians and remain in Rwanda. The genetic superiority coupled with keeping a centralized government left Tutsis solely in charge of the country with no representation of Hutus. When Belgium came into the country in 1916, they continued to depict Tutsi and Hutu’s as two different ethnic groups. Like the Germans, they gave greater preference to the Tutsi and kept them in charge of the government. The Belgians were able to manipulate the government and the King in charge. In 1931, the Belgians successfully brought a new King that was more “westernized”. Mutara III Rudahigwa, the new king, “dressed in Western clothes…drove his own car, was monogamous and in due course converted to Christianity.” [7] His rule was seen nothing more than a white man’s king; taking orders from the Belgians in adopting policies. He died the same year a Hutu revolt gained political power. Thousands of Tutsis fled the country in order to escape the violence and in 1962 Rwanda and Burundi gained independence from Belgium and split up right after. [8] The Hutu leadership quickly abolished the democratic system and it became a single party rule. President Kayibanda was president from early 1960 until 1973 when a coup gave Major General Habyarimana, also a Hutu, power of the country. He died in 1994 in the place crash which instigated the genocide. Before the end of colonization, there was a radical change between the two ethnic groups. The younger generations which were educated through the colonial system believed that the Tutsi and Hutu were two different ethnic groups. Some Hutu radicals began to believe that the Tutsis were colonizers, the same as Belgians and by the “end of the 1950s, an ethnic awareness had certainly developed among the Rwandan elite.” [9] This belief continued to exist up until the 1990s. The four decades after colonization were difficult for Tutsi civilians as they “were blamed for almost all problems the country faced.” [10] A large percentage of the Tutsi population fled to neighboring countries in order to escape violence that was perpetuated on them. This also led to the organization of a rebel group up in Uganda which was called the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). In 1990, a civil war between the Hutu government and the RPF broke out. Ethnic violence occurred between these years but on a very small scale. As the conflict grew towards a stalemate, the parties were signing peace treaties. That is when the Hutu president’s plane got shot down. It was never known whether the plane was shot down by RPF forces or Hutu militias that did not want the deal to go through. The consequence, however, was devastating. The history and background of this country is important to understand not only for the reason of the genocide, but whether or not it was possible for someone to stop it. Looking at the history, “the massacres in Rwanda are not the result of a deep-rooted and ancient hatred between two ethnic groups.” [11] This is very important in answering the question we are seeking on whether or not the history between the two groups would have led to this eventual outcome. The colonizers were the first ones to implement a division between the two groups which unfortunately continued after they left and this led to the genocide. Speaking the same language, having the same culture and the same territory should qualify “Rwanda as a nation in the true sense.” [12] In this case the failure in the state lies with the elites. The clash in history between Tutsi and Hutu is not primordialist and the failure in the intervention does not derive from any deep hatred but rather the failure of elites to recognize each other as brothers and sisters. There is no denial that psychological effects were at hand in this; both groups were targeted at one time and their education was tarnished by unfounded information on both Tutsis and Hutus. Additionally, “the tendency of Hutu peasants to conform collectively to the orders of their leaders has been frequently remarked upon by those seeking to explain the manner in which they participated in the genocide”. [13] This obvious pressure by elites proves that deeply rooted hatred was non existent. It is also important to realize that 90% of the population was rural and had poor education. As a result, it is much easier for elites to manipulate the population. However, outside help might have prevented the ethnic cleansing to occur because these attacks were instigated by elites and not true hatred. Primordial hatred is not to blame for the failure of the intervention, is the United Nations? International Humanitarian Intervention The world did not act, at least not very fast, to save the Tutsis. UN representatives and commanders were there and they also had some peacekeepers on the ground but their efforts were minimal. “Western” countries or more developed countries did not act either. Even though most countries ratified the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, nothing was done to stop the on-going on slaughter. There are several reasons nothing was done. The first is that this might have been a civil war and foreign states should not intervene in national self-determinations. Another explanation is that no one knew about the massacres that were occurring. The last reason that other countries did not intervene is because they did not really care what was happening in the country. Unfortunately, Rwanda is not the only nation that has been ignored when genocides occurred. Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Cambodia and Sudan have all had some “ethnic cleansing” which occurred after the ratification of the UN convention and yet, nothing was done to stop it. However, before putting blame on a single state or league of states, it is important to investigate their claims for no or poor intervening. Self Determination Intervening, whether humanitarian or not, has always been a dilemma for states. “It is focused on the conflict of values – state autonomy versus state responsibility.” [14] The conclusion usually finds that a state should not involve itself in a sovereign state for two simple reasons; to preserve autonomy and freedom. Although critics of this could say that intervention would indeed help preserve the autonomy and freedom of a state where basics rights have been violated, it is unlikely that a country would do this. The only time that this has actually happened in history has been the recent invasion of Iraq by the United States to give “freedom” to people. However, the world has seen how the Iraq war has turned out and how the Iraqi government is still struggling. States are much more cautious and are much more likely to not get involved. Although the United Nations was created to continue communication and cooperation between nations, it was not created to solve world problems, especially not within countries. Since the creation of the United Nations, there have actually been fewer wars between countries and instead civil wars have exponentially grown. This is a result of the Western colonizing powers creating artificial boundaries between their colonies, not taking into consideration ethnic groups and divides. As a consequence, ethnic clashes are more prevalent and the world, as well as the UN, is unsure how to deal with the problem. However, the UN provides basic services to countries in need. Services range from food relief, to imposing sanctions on countries, to peacekeeping. These services are seen, not as violating any sovereign entities, but rather as ways of helping civilian populations whom may not be involved in the conflict. The UN has sent hundreds of missions around the world, Rwanda being one of them. Rwanda Rwanda was in civil war from October 1990 until August 1993 between the government troops and a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). The two were mostly divided based on ethnicity; the government troops were Hutus and the rebel group consisted mostly of Tutsis. When they signed a cease fire in 1993, the UN sent a peacekeeping mission (UNAMIR) in order to help reconcile the two parties. [15] However, in 1994, the fighting began once again and the entire UN mission collapsed. The UN decided to pull most of its troops because it was believed that the civil war would begin again. It is important to understand why the United Nations decided to pull troops out instead of bringing more in. As mentioned earlier, states and organizations do not want to get involved in autonomy issues. It was seen as a civil war between two legitimate groups that were trying to fight for their autonomy. A simple example to use to compare this would be the American Revolution. Rebels were fighting the English crown, in order to have representation in their land. Intervention from another power would have changed the outcome of the result, and in consequence, the United States and most of other Western countries do not want to intervene in self-determination fights. So, the United Nations was going to pull most of their forces out to let the two groups fight for their self-determination. The second reason the UN does not want to get involve is that it does not want to get itself involved in local politics. By getting itself engaged in local politics, it might end up taking sides and not be neutral as they are supposed to be. The United Nations believes itself a neutral organization and will go to great lengths to continue maintaining this neutrality; otherwise it might lose some of its legitimacy. The final reason why they usually do not involve themselves very much in conflicts is because the countries do not want to lose their men. As it was seen in Rwanda, when several soldiers were slaughtered by the government troops, Belgium and Bangladesh decided to pull out their troops. UNAMIR started with over 2,500 military personnel, and when fighting broke out in 1994, “UNAMIR was directed to mediate a cease-fire, and to evacuate all but 270 UN personnel.” [16] With the war beginning once again, the personnel that were left in Rwanda were not there to protect civilians or kept even necessarily for peacekeeping but rather in order to attain a cease fire once again. The problem this time however was that this was not the continuation of the civil war, it was the ethnic cleansing of Tutsis in Rwanda. The United Nations Could the UN have done anything to stop the on-slaught? It is easy to blame the UN for their failure in stopping the violence, especially seeing emotional movies such as Hotel Rwanda or listening to testimonies recounting the horrors. However, it is important to understand the UN was, especially at the beginning, unaware of the atrocities happening. Once knowledge that ethnic cleansing was occurring, the UN had to continue its primary purpose of establishing a cease-fire as well as keeping itself neutral in the conflict. Immediate action on the ground was difficult as the personnel had to follow UN procedures, and the UN Security Council was indeed trying to stay informed. However, “not enough accurate analysis was available to the Council” and thus it failed “to recognize the systematic and one-sided nature of the ethnic massacres until a few weeks later when more numerous reports, relating death totals of much great magnitude, became available.” [17] With poor information reaching the Security Council, and nothing that could be done on the ground, it is not surprising that nothing was done to stop the atrocities. Critics point out that UN personnel were at killing sites, not doing anything. They also mention that the UN could have taken out the Radio and Télévision Libre des Mille Collines, the national radio which was instigating the killings. However, as mentioned earlier, killing violence instigators or disabling the radio would have put the UN in the middle of the political problem. This would have been seen as giving an edge to the RPF, and would have taken the UN’s neutrality away. Even with reports on the grounds, the UN cannot act as decisively as a sovereign state, because of the bureaucracy involved in situations. It is also important to remember that the UN does not have a standing army, and thus would have needed to assemble a force comprised of multi-nationalities which most likely would have taken several months to create; and by that the time the damage would have been done; the atrocities would be over. There was a UN document (Appendix B [18] ) that showed that the UN’s commander on the ground in Rwanda, General Romeo Dallaire, had an informant that gave the UN information of the atrocities that were going to happen. A fax sent to the UN headquarters in January of 1994 (a few months before the actual killings began) gave indications that executions were going to happen: “In 20 minutes [his Hutu militia] could kill up to 1,000 Tutsis.” [19] This is overwhelming evidence that the UN knew something more was going to happen, or was it? This information was from a single source. The UN had to make a decision on how credible this source was and how to act afterwards. Although there is no information on the credibility of the source (it is assumed he was credible because the facts given occurred later on that year), it is still important to realize that the United Nations could not do too much differently. There is no denying that this document was concerning, however it is unrealistic to assume that at the time the UN could have been able to act. In all probability, placing more troops in Rwanda would not have changed much since the UN had to stay neutral and would need to continue working on reaching a cease-fire. The UN was in a difficult position to act because of its responsibilities as a neutral organization; however, foreign sovereign states could have intervened in order to prevent the horrors. Hindsight is always 20-20, and the UN did have some information on the ground that suggested there was going to be a massacre occurring. However, the UN could not do anything because of their mandates; they were bound as an organization to continue with their mission. Looking at the UN as an organization and their mandate concerning Rwanda, the UN did not fail in any intervention. There was no success either, but from the evidence, the organization did what it could under its protocol. The failure from the UN does not come from its mission, but rather from the organization itself. The UN is only a communication tool, and it should be remodeled to be able to deal with crises that need intervention. Although the UN was not able to act, foreign countries were able to deal with the situation. The fax sent by Dallaire in early 1994 was sent to the UN, but those UN members consist of countries. The US, France, or others had the possibility of intervening. In my opinion, these states did not intervene until later on because the conflict was not in their interest and they did not want the same catastrophe that happened in Somalia only a few years earlier. Lack of Interest No state intervened until after the genocide was over because there was essentially a lack of interest in stopping the atrocities. There are several reasons explaining this position by foreign countries. The first is the idea of self-determination, once again, the second is that the conflict in Somalia had happened a few years earlier. The final reason is that there was a genuine lack of information about the conflict. These different reasons established a slow response; not only by the UN but by independent foreign nations. Self Determination or Self Interest? As mentioned previously, states all over the world, especially the West, use the principle of self-determination when not getting involved in a civil war. Although it is understandable that Western nations would use this philosophy, it is important to look at whether this was simply a case of self-determination. There is an exception to the self-determination rule; a neighboring nation has the right to intervene if this conflict will affect them. Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire (now called the Democratic Republic of Congo) were all neighbors and all had the right to intervene. They all played minor roles as they did not have the resources to deal with the clash as it would have been necessary and had their own internal conflicts. Uganda was obviously pro-RPF since the rebel army attacked Rwanda from Uganda. Both Zaire and Burundi had internal conflicts which resulted in no interest in Rwanda. Tanzania did indeed try to act as a mediator. Even though this rule states that neighboring countries can intervene, especially if the civil war will affect them, none of those states contributed much to a possible intervention for Rwanda. If the neighbors cannot do anything, then the intervention falls to the rest of the world. Although bordering countries have the right to intervene in self-determination conflicts, there are problems with this notion. While it is very true that a conflict would affect their neighbors, such as refugees seeking shelter from the conflict, any intervention by the neighbors would probably be more for self-interest. One of the neighboring countries may want one party in power instead of another and this would defeat the idea of self-determination. Near Rwanda, Uganda was Tutsi controlled, and in consequence the RPF army was able to operate from a separate country. It was for self-interest that Uganda was involved in the conflict. An argument against the theory of self-determination mentions that neighboring states would actually get involved for self-interest, instead of keeping their region stable. And it may, against all previous belief, be more beneficial if states that have nothing to do with the conflict intervene. This leads me to believe that the theory of self-determination may have to be revisited on a world scale, especially when conflicts degenerate into genocidal murders, which they have tended to do in the past fifty years. Another reason why there was no foreign intervention, at least not American, after the genocide took place was what happened in Somalia in October of 1993. Eighteen American soldiers died in fighting in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The US had been there assisting a UN mission to help civilians during Somalia’s civil war. Soon after the deaths, the US quickly pulled out of Somalia. Going into Rwanda was obviously not a possibility after a public outcry of American dying “needlessly”. Following the Somalia affair, “Senate Republicans demanded that the Clinton administration become less trusting of the United Nations.” [20] America is a world leader; if they are not interested in intervening, the chances that someone else will go in and help are much less likely as well. The Hutu militias involved in the genocidal acts were deliberate in their plans. Belgian peacekeepers were stationed in Rwanda, and “the militia planned first to provoke and murder a number of Belgian peacekeepers, in order to ‘guarantee Belgian withdrawal from Rwanda.’” [21] The militia knew that states would pull out their personnel if they were targeted. Belgium did end up pulling their troops out of Rwanda after several died. No country was going to send troops in now; the US was not interested in intervening and the militias were targeting foreign troops in order for them to leave. This basically gave the green light for these atrocities to be perpetuated. One excuse that foreign governments gave to their lack of involvement was the lack of information on the ground in order to actually do anything. While there were difficulties getting all the facts to state departments; it is in fact untrue that there was a lack of information. Romeo Dallaire, the UN peacekeeping force commander on the ground in Rwanda, relayed information to both the UN and to countries. In January of 1994, months before the actual genocidal acts began, Dallaire “relayed information to New York…that Hutu extremists ‘had been ordered to register all the Tutsi in Kigali.’” [22] Although this did not necessarily mean that a genocide was imminent, these clues should have been seen with greater interest and concern. When the killings began in April, scores of reporters and foreigners coming back from Rwanda, told horrid stories of massacres. The Washington Post and The New York Times had front page stories about the atrocities in Rwanda. The State Department even met with RPF representatives to the UN to discuss the genocidal acts. It was clear from the beginning the US would not involve itself in any intervention as seen in a memo sent to Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State, “You should be in a listening mode during this meeting. You can voice general sympathy for the horrific situation in Rwanda, but should not commit the USG to anything.” [23] The philosophy that has been as an excuse in the past is becoming less and less of a justification. Although the philosophy states that no country should interfere in the dealings of another state, as this would affect that states self-determination, it is difficult to find a time in this globalizing world where there is not intervention in some way in other states. An intervention does not have to necessarily result in armies or personnel intervening, but instead can involve economical intervention. In Rwanda, France and Belgium played were important external actors which accelerated the atrocities and the fighting between the two. Although Belgium was for the Hutu government before the 1990s, it switched sides and sent over 500 troops in 1990s to protect their nationals. This act was seen by the Hutu government as support for the RPF. On the other side, the French are believed to have provided “substantial amounts of military training and equipment and political endorsement” [24] to the Hutu government. This clearly shows that before, and even during the war, there were external actors making a direct impact on the outcome of the war. The philosophy of self-determination does not apply anymore to these countries as they already have a hand in the politics of the nation. The CNN Effect An interesting event that also had an impact on the outcome of the Rwandan genocide was the media attention given during the atrocities. Even though countries kept on denying that they had information, the media was able to create enough attention to what was happening in the country. “The programming directors of large television networks such as CNN have become some of the most influential actors on the international scene.” [25] Their intense or lack of coverage have the ability to change international policies. The US government was pressured by media to act on the atrocities happening in Rwanda. At one press conference, the State Department issued a statement calling the horrors in Rwanda “acts of genocide”. A reporter asked “how many acts of genocides does it take in order to intervene?” which left the speaker uncomfortable and unable to answer the question. This “CNN effect” has shaped international politics in the past few years and this may have been the reason that France intervened towards the end of the conflict. France’s Intervention In Rwanda’s case, France finally did intervene in the conflict. The operation named Turquoise was undertaken in June and ended in August of 1994. The mission began when most of the killings had ended and the RPF was making great advances in the country. The timing of the operation seemed a little suspicious and was seen by the RPF as France trying to stop their advances and by the Hutu militia as the foreign power coming to save the Hutu from the Tutsis. Although France’s efforts did save almost 9,000 Tutsis [26] , the world was surprised by this change in administration to suddenly stop the conflict. This is an important point in looking at foreign interest levels because this shows that France or another country had the capability to stop what was happening. It was a conscientious decision not to get involved until after the atrocities were done. There is also a question of motives that has recently come out on the part of the French. In August of 2008, a Rwandan commission looking at the genocide believes that the French government was involved in the actual genocide. The commission “accuse Paris d’avoir été au courant des préparatifs du massacre qui a fait entre 800 000 et 1 million de morts” [27] (accuses Paris to have known about the preparations of the massacre that had between 800,000 and 1 million dead). This is the first time that the French have been formally accused by a commission regarding their dealings with Rwanda as previous French and journalistic commissions found that France was not involved in the genocide. It is unsure whether France was involved in the genocide or not and it may be the reason that they intervened was to stop their own doing. One certainty is that intervention was possible from the very start. Looking at the evidence, I do believe that foreign countries were capable of acting sooner and could have stopped most of the massacre. States can go in unilaterally into a conflict and use as much force as they deem necessary to accomplish the mission. States also have the right to take sides, because it is not expected for any states to always remain completely neutral in all conflicts. It is a lie when states say they should not intervene in self-determination conflicts because they do get involved some different way. It is also a lie that the US and France did not know what was happening as media coverage was bountiful and reports from UN commanders were available at these states’ disposal. Genocide’s Future Although genocide has existed for around a century, it is possible to get rid of it. It just needs the cooperation of countries around the world. Simply putting foreign troops in an area where a genocide is occurring will drastically reduce the chance that these people will be killed. A UN search commission could quickly assess whether a genocide is occurring or not if reports have come to the surface in a certain country. This neutral, unaffiliated committee would say whether it is happening or not and countries could send troops to stop the murder. There could also be camps set up with foreign guards and troops protecting the innocent. If a genocide occurs or is attempted, all commanders involved must face judicial actions. In the Kosovo case, the president Milosevic was tried at the international court and sentenced to prison for his role in the genocide. Although many of these solutions would invade self-determination principles, this goes beyond just one country. Such a massacre affects the entire world and the whole world should hold these people accountable, not just one country. And with these implementations, it is likely that genocides would happen less often because they are surely not deeply rooted hatred (if they were, genocides would have existed for centuries), but instead they are commanded killings in order to achieve greater power. Conclusion The failure in stopping the genocide in Rwanda falls not to primordial roots, not even to the UN but to foreign western countries who had the means to stop it (such as the US and France). The genocide might have been avoidable, but it is certain that the genocide could have been avoided if countries were willing to act. It is true that hindsight is always 20-20 however, looking at the reasons why these countries did not intervene, we can see that they were just using lies in order not to intervene. There was no deeply rooted hatred between the Hutu and the Tutsis, which means that this entire massacre was led by only a small amount of people. The UN was indeed on the ground but they had their hands tied down by the mandate. They could not use force except to protect themselves and were only there to find a peaceful resolution between both parties. The only failure of the UN is the organization itself. The failure to stop this genocide lies only with the countries that were unwilling to help, unwilling to take a stance and stop this brutal murder. After the Holocaust, the world stood up and said “never again” but history has shown us that in the past 50 years, genocide happens time and time again. Questions remain on humanitarian intervention and what the international community should do. The remains of colonialism are a great cause for the ethnic wars that occur today, should it be the West to fix its mistake or would this been seen again as an act of colonialist power? The world cannot change its past, but it can learn from its mistakes; yet these mistakes happen time and time again. Self-interest has played a powerful role in international politics, but maybe it is time to protect the people who have no protection. There are also concerns about what humanitarian intervention should consist of. Should the slightest abuse in human rights give the right for states to “intervene”. Who decides those human rights? The West? The U.S invaded Iraq because of weapons of mass destruction and because of the horrible man Saddam Hussein was. However, when he gassed his own people, there was no invasion of the country. The world may not be able to agree on all human rights issues; however they should realize that everyone has the right to live. When there is systematic killing of an ethnic civilian group, genocide is occurring. There are no acts of genocides, there is just genocide. Rwanda is not the last genocide and unfortunately genocidal violence continues to ravage certain African regions. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda’s neighbor, has been in a long civil war. Genocide may be occurring; it is uncertain. The CNN effect has not yet taken affect, once it does, maybe someone will intervene. Genocide can be eradicated; the world has the ability to stop it right after it begins. It is up to countries around the world to finally say “never again” and make sure it never happens again. Appendix A	i don't know
How many players are (on the field) in a men's lacrosse team (one team not both teams)?	How Many Players are Needed in Lacrosse? How Many Players are Needed in Lacrosse? by Anonymous How many players are required to play lacrosse? ------------------------------------------------------------- Answer This is a tricky question. And it depends on the type and level of lacrosse. For college mens field lacrosse according to the NCAA rule book 10 players must start a game per side but a team can play with fewer if a team loses a player during the game due to penalty or injury. For High School and Youth boys/mens field lacrosse each team should start with 10 each, but that number can be lowered as low as 7 per side if both sides agree to play with less. For Womens/Girls Field Lacrosse 12 players per side is a full team and is typically the number played with. However the rule book states that any number of players up to 12 may be used if agreed by both sides. Box Lacrosse is played with 6 players per side. I hope this helps Happy Laxin. Jamey	10
In the conventional western musical scale there are how many notes including sharps and flats, excluding those which repeat in a different octave?	Rules \| Field Dimensions \| FIL Field Dimensions Common Field Markings for Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Implementation Plan Background For many years, at least at the international competition level, men’s and women’s lacrosse has been played with different field dimensions and field markings. With many new countries introducing the sport of lacrosse, the FIL, at its General Assembly in June 2012, established a set of common perimeter and bench markings, in the hope of making as many of the field dimensions similar so they are more easily understood, remembered and implemented by lacrosse enthusiasts across the globe. Benefits The benefits in having a common lacrosse field for both men’s and women’s field lacrosse include: Increased chance of having permanent lines included in synthetic surfaces Reduced time required to mark both a men’s and women’s field Less confusion regarding what line is used for what game Alignment with other field sports where field markings are the same Fields can be more easily shared by both men’ and women’s teams Goals can be permanent on grass fields and not have to move for each game Increasing potential for inclusion of lacrosse in the Olympics Implementation schedule The following implementation schedule has been established for the unified field: FIL International events 2015 U19 Women’s World Championship – unified dimensions 2016 U19 Men’s World Championship – traditional dimensions 2017 Women’s World Cup – unified dimensions 2018 Men’s World Championship – unified dimensions 2019 and beyond – unified dimensions National and domestic Changes may be introduced as soon as practical, and are encouraged. Recognizing that these dimensions are now available and that FIL is recommending members to adopt these domestically at their discretion, we also know that our existing Men’s and Women’s rule books do not contain the new dimensions. It has been determined that both the Men’s and Women’s Rule books will remain as is until after the 2014 GA, at which time, changes will be made, along with any other approved rules changes. This will result in the following: 2015-16 Men’s Rule book to contain the new field dimensions 2015-2018 Women’s Rule book contain the new field dimensions Summary of changes A summary of these changes is as follows, with more detail provided in the attached documents. Men Size of field increased from 110 yard X 60 yard to 110 m X 60 m (120.30 yard X 65.62 yard) Goal crease radius increased from 3 yard to 3 m (3.28 yard) Space behind the goal reduced from 15 yard to 12 m (13.12 yard) Substitution area or gate increased from 10 yard to 13 m (14.22 yard) Centre face-off X to wing line and goal line to men’s restraining line remain essentially the same but the measurement has been adjusted to metric. Additional field length is added to the centre of the field between the 2 restraining lines and the additional width is added between the wing lines and the sidelines. Women Size of field reduced from 120m x 60m to 110m x 60m Restraining line reduced from 27m to 25m Space behind goal reduced from 15m to 12m Team bench area reduced from 28m to 18.5m Alternative measurements for existing facilities FIL has developed a set of measurements for existing fields. These are for the following size pitches: Unified field pitch – 110m x 60m Location of markings for the women’s game only	i don't know
How many times (as at 2010) has Roger Federer won the Wimbledon Men's Singles final? 4; 5; 6; or 7?	Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final: Nadal Beats Berdych - The Daily Fix - WSJ Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final: Nadal Beats Berdych By Jul 4, 2010 8:21 am ET Getty Images Rafael Nadal lifts the Wimbledon champion’s trophy for the second time. The Journal provides minute-by-minute analysis of today’s Wimbledon men’s singles final as Rafael Nadal defeated Tomas Berdych 6-3, 7-5, 6-4. Guest blogger Tom Perrotta is at Centre Court to offer commentary on the match. Copyright ©2016 Dow Jones & Company , Inc. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2014 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.	six
How many people (as at 2010) have walked on the moon?	Andy Murray loses Wimbledon semi-final to Roger Federer \| Sport \| The Guardian Andy Murray Andy Murray loses Wimbledon semi-final to Roger Federer UK tennis star crashes out of tournament with 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 Centre Court defeat to Swiss rival, who is now oldest player in the final since 1974 Andy Murray during his match against Roger Federer. Photograph: Mike Frey/BPI/Rex Shutterstock Friday 10 July 2015 14.45 EDT Last modified on Monday 4 April 2016 08.42 EDT Close This article is 1 year old Andy Murray has once again become the disappointed nearly man of Wimbledon, when he was squeezed out of the tournament by the seven-time champion Roger Federer in an exhilarating semi-final. The 2013 champion had been battling to win a place in his third Wimbledon final – and become, with his older brother Jamie, the first brothers to contest the men’s singles and doubles finals in the same year for more than a century. But despite acknowledging immediately after the match that he had not, in fact, made too many mistakes, Murray was unable to equal the almost faultless tennis played by his 33-year-old opponent. In a scoreline that does not represent their tense and ferocious duel on Centre Court, Federer claimed the match 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 in just over two hours. He will play Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final after the Serbian world No 1 won his semi-final against Richard Gasquet . “At times I played some very good tennis and I served well – the best I had served in the tournament myself,” said a downbeat Murray after the match. “All losses hurt, especially in the major events.” He added that losing at Wimbledon was particularly tough because the tournament presented his best chance of winning his third Grand Slam. Murray may be the local hero in SW19, but Federer, who has won here seven times, is so widely adored around the world that almost every court he plays on offers home advantage. It was no different on Friday, with the Centre Court crowd’s loyalties divided between the two men and huge roars greeting Federer’s winners as well as Murray’s holds at crucial points in the game. On Murray mound, too, while there were plenty of union flags and saltires on display, other people were dressed in the scarlet and white of Federer’s Swiss flag, and roared their approval when he claimed the third set, some leaping to their feet and punching the air. Wimbledon has seen some titanic matches this tournament, but no contest was more hotly anticipated. Federer may just have become the oldest player in a Wimbledon final since 1974 – and may not have won a Grand Slam since defeating Murray here in 2012 – but there is no hint of his powers declining so far. Murray had been widely regarded to be playing the best tennis of his career – an assessment which the Scotsman shared. So eager was the expectation inside the All England Club that security guards closed access to Murray mound before the match began, roping off the front of the grassy hill with the tournament’s big screen and barring access to its stairwells. The atmosphere on the hill was almost as tense as inside the ground, with tennis fans staring fixedly at the screen but many too caught up in the action to cheer. At least a Murray can still win Wimbledon this year. Jamie Murray , who at 29 is 15 months older than his brother, will partner John Peers in Saturday’s men’s doubles final in what could be his second title at the All England Club after winning mixed doubles with Jelena Jankovic in 2007. Would Andy come to watch his brother tomorrow? “I’m not sure,” he said. He certainly would not sit in court, but he might come to the ground and follow the match. “I find it very, very difficult watching. I would love to – but I get extremely nervous. I’ll maybe ask Jamie if he would like me to come … I’ll see what he wants.”	i don't know
In the Imperial Measurement system how many pounds are in a stone?	Convert stone to pounds - Conversion of Measurement Units ›› More information from the unit converter How many stone in 1 pounds? The answer is 0.0714285714286. We assume you are converting between stone and pound. You can view more details on each measurement unit: The SI base unit for mass is the kilogram. 1 kilogram is equal to 0.157473044418 stone, or 2.20462262185 pounds. Note that rounding errors may occur, so always check the results. Use this page to learn how to convert between stones and pounds. Type in your own numbers in the form to convert the units! ›› Want other units? You can do the reverse unit conversion from pounds to stone , or enter any two units below: Enter two units to convert From: I'm feeling lucky, show me some random units . ›› Definition: Stone A stone is a unit of mass within the Imperial units system used in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and formerly in a number of Commonwealth countries. It is equal to 14 pounds avoirdupois, i.e. 6.35029318 kilograms. ›› Definition: Pound The pound (abbreviation: lb) is a unit of mass or weight in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. Its size can vary from system to system. The most commonly used pound today is the international avoirdupois pound. The international avoirdupois pound is equal to exactly 453.59237 grams. The definition of the international pound was agreed by the United States and countries of the Commonwealth of Nations in 1958. In the United Kingdom, the use of the international pound was implemented in the Weights and Measures Act 1963. An avoirdupois pound is equal to 16 avoirdupois ounces and to exactly 7,000 grains. ›› Metric conversions and more ConvertUnits.com provides an online conversion calculator for all types of measurement units. You can find metric conversion tables for SI units, as well as English units, currency, and other data. Type in unit symbols, abbreviations, or full names for units of length, area, mass, pressure, and other types. Examples include mm, inch, 100 kg, US fluid ounce, 6'3", 10 stone 4, cubic cm, metres squared, grams, moles, feet per second, and many more!	14
What number Pennsylvania Avenue is the Whitehouse?	British Imperial System \| measurement system \| Britannica.com British Imperial System metrology British Imperial System, traditional system of weights and measures used officially in Great Britain from 1824 until the adoption of the metric system beginning in 1965. The United States Customary System of weights and measures is derived from it. British Imperial units are now legally defined in metric terms. Early origins The British Imperial System evolved from the thousands of Roman, Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and customary local units employed in the Middle Ages . Traditional names such as pound, foot, and gallon were widely used, but the values so designated varied with time, place, trade, product specifications, and dozens of other requirements. Early royal standards established to enforce uniformity took the name Winchester, after the ancient capital of Britain, where the 10th-century Saxon king Edgar the Peaceable kept a royal bushel measure and quite possibly others. Fourteenth-century statutes recorded a yard (perhaps based originally on a rod or stick) of 3 feet , each foot containing 12 inches , each inch equaling the length of three barleycorns (employed merely as a learning device since the actual standard was the space between two marks on a yard bar). Units of capacity and weight were also specified. In the late 15th century, King Henry VII reaffirmed the customary Winchester standards for capacity and length and distributed royal standards (physical embodiments of the approved units) throughout the realm. This process was repeated about a century later in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I . In the 16th century the rod (5.5 yards, or 16.5 feet) was defined (once again as a learning device and not as a standard) as the length of the left feet of 16 men lined up heel to toe as they emerged from church. By the 17th century usage and statute had established the acre , rod, and furlong at their present values (4,840 square yards, 16.5 feet, and 660 feet, respectively), together with other historic units. The several trade pounds in common use were reduced to just two: the troy pound, primarily for precious metals, and the pound avoirdupois , for other goods sold by weight. Weights and measures being tested during the reign of Henry VII. Photos.com/Jupiterimages ounce The Weights and Measures Act of 1824 and the Act of 1878 established the British Imperial System on the basis of precise definitions of selected existing units. The 1824 act sanctioned a single imperial gallon to replace the wine, ale, and corn (wheat) gallons then in general use. The new gallon was defined as equal in volume to 10 pounds avoirdupois of distilled water weighed at 62 °F with the barometer at 30 inches, or 277.274 cubic inches (later corrected to 277.421 cubic inches). The two new basic standard units were the imperial standard yard and the troy pound, which was later restricted to weighing drugs, precious metals, and jewels. A 1963 act abolished such archaic measures as the rod and chaldron (a measure of coal equal to 36 bushels) and redefined the standard yard and pound as 0.9144 metres and 0.45359237 kg respectively. The gallon now equals the space occupied by 10 pounds of distilled water of density 0.998859 gram per millilitre weighed in air of density 0.001217 gram per millilitre against weights of density 8.136 grams per millilitre. While the British were reforming their weights and measures in the 19th century, the Americans were just adopting units based on those discarded by the act of 1824. The standard U.S. gallon is based on the Queen Anne wine gallon of 231 cubic inches and is about 17 percent smaller than the British imperial gallon. The U.S. bushel of 2,150.42 cubic inches, derived from the Winchester bushel abandoned in Britain, is approximately 3 percent smaller than the British imperial bushel. In the British system, units of dry and liquid capacity are the same, while in the United States they differ; the liquid and dry pint in Britain both equal 0.568 cubic decimetre, while the U.S. liquid pint is 0.473 cubic decimetre, and the U.S. dry pint is 0.551 cubic decimetre. British and American units of linear measure and weight are essentially the same. Notable exceptions are the British stone of 14 pounds, which is not used in the United States, and a divergence in definition of the hundredweight (100 pounds in the United States, 112 in Britain) that yields two different tons , the short U.S. ton of 2,000 pounds and the long British ton of 2,240 pounds. In 1959 major English-speaking nations adopted common metric definitions of the inch (2.54 cm), the yard (0.9144 metres), and the pound (0.4536 kg). Weights and measures in the British Imperial System Britannica Stories	i don't know
A peculiar frequency of roughly how many years saw US presidents dying in office (either assassinated or otherwise) from the 1840s to the 1960s?	United States \| U.S. State United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia For other uses of terms redirecting here, seeUS (dis ambiguation) , USA (disambiguation) The United States of America (commonly referred to as the United States, the U.S., the USA, or America) is afederal constitutional republiccomprising fifty statesan d a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its forty-eight contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the capital district, lie between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, bordered byCanada to the north andMexico to the south. The state ofAlaska is in the northwest of the continent, with Canada to its east andRus s ia to the west across the Bering Strait. The state of Hawaii is an scattered around theCaribbean and Pacific. At 3.79 million square miles (9.83 million km\u00b2) and with about 305 million people, the United States is the third or fourth largest country by total area, and third largest by land area and by population. The United States is one of the world's most ethnically diverse andmulticu ltura l nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many countries.[7] The U.S. economy is the largest national economy in the world, with an estimated 2008 gross domestic product (GDP) ofUS$14.3 trillion (23% of the world total based on nominal GDP and almost 21% at purchasing power parity ).[4][8] .. The nation was founded bythirteen coloniesof Great Britain located along the Atlantic seaboard. On July 4, 1776, they issued the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed their independence from Great Britain and their formation of a cooperative union. The rebellious states defeated Great Britain in theAmerican Revolutionary War, the first successful colonial war of independence.[9] A federal conventionadopted the currentUnited States Cons titution on September 17, 1787; its ratification the following year made the states part of a single republic with a strong central government. The Bill of Rights, comprising ten Research and the Republic of Hawaii. Disputes between theagrarian Southand industrial Northover states' rights and the expansion of the institution of slavery provoked the American Civil War of the 1860s. The North's victory prevented a permanent split of the country and led to theend of legal slavery in the United States. By the 1870s, the national economy was the world's largest.[10] TheSpanish\u2013 American Warand World War I confirmed the country's status as a military power. In 1945, the United States emerged from World War II as the first country with nuclear weapons, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and a founding member ofNATO. The end of the Cold War left the United States as the solesuperpower. The country accounts for approximately 50% of global military spending and is a leading economic, political, and cultural force in the world.[11] The United States of to as the United States, the U.S., the USA, or America) is afederal constitutional statesan d a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central Nor th America, where its forty- eight contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the capital district, lie between the Pacificand Atlantic Oceans, bordered byCanada to the north andMexico to the south. The state ofAlaska is in the northwest of the continent, with Canada to its east andRussia to the west across the Bering Strait. The state ofHawaii is an Research archipelago in the mid-Pacific. The country also possesses several territories, or insular areas, scattered around theCaribbean and Pacific. At 3.79 million square miles (9.83 million km\u00b2) and with about 305 million people, the United States is the third or fourth largest country by total area, and third largest by land area and by population. The United States is one of the world's most ethnically diverse andmulticu ltura l nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many countries.[7] The U.S. economy is the largest national economy in the world, with an estimated 2008 gross domestic product (GDP) ofUS$14.3 trillion (23% of the world total based on nominal GDP and almost 21% at purchasing power parity ).[4][8] The nation was founded by thirteen colonies of Great Britain located along the Atlantic seaboard. On July 4, 1776, they issued the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed their independence from Great Britain and their formation of a cooperative union. The rebellious states defeated Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War, the first successful colonial war of independence.[9] Afederal convention adopted the current United States Constitution on September 17, 1787; its ratification the following year made the states part of a single republic with a strong central government. The Bill of Rights, comprising ten constitutional amendments guaranteeing many fundamental civil rights and freedoms, was ratified in 1791. In the 19th century, the United States acquired land fromFrance,Spain, theUnited Kingdom,Mexico, andRussia, andannexed the Republic of Texas and the Republic of Hawaii. Disputes between the agrarian Southand industrial Northover states' rights and the expansion of the institution of slavery provoked the American Civil War of the 1860s. The North's victory prevented a permanent split of the country and led to the end of legal slavery in the United States. By the 1870s, the national economy was the world's largest.[10] The Spanish\u2013American War and World War I confirmed the country's status as a military power. In 1945, the United States emerged from World War II as the first country with nuclear weapons, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and a founding member of NATO. The end of the Cold War left the United States as the sole superpower. The country accounts for approximately 50% of global military spending and is a leading economic, political, and cultural force in the world.[11]	twenty
New York City comprises how many boroughs?	Re-Scripting Walt Whitman: An Introduction to His Life and Work - The Walt Whitman Archive The Walt Whitman Archive Re-Scripting Walt Whitman: An Introduction to His Life and Work Ed Folsom and Kenneth M. Price Contents Acknowledgments Our collaboration on this book began in 1996 when we worked together on a searchable electronic scholarly resource called Major Authors on CD-ROM: Walt Whitman (Primary Source Media, 1997). At that time, we began tracking and writing about the evolution of Leaves of Grass from manuscript to print and from edition to edition. Later, we co-authored the Whitman biography for the Dictionary of Literary Biography: Antebellum Writers in New York (Bruccoli Clark Layman, Gale Group, 2002) and adapted it for the online biography on the Walt Whitman Archive (www.whitmanarchive.org). That work stands behind and informs this work. Part of chapter 2 appeared in another form as Ed Folsom, "'Many MS. Doings and Undoings': Walt Whitman's Writing of the 1855 Leaves of Grass," in Anthony Mortimer, ed., From Wordsworth to Stevens (Peter Lang, 2005), and part of chapter 6 appeared in another form as Ed Folsom, "Trying to Do Fair: Walt Whitman and the Good Life," Speakeasy (March/April 2004). The authors want to thank the ever-growing staff of the Whitman Archive for their dedication, good work, and friendship. So much of what we have learned about Whitman and his work derives from the extraordinary work our colleagues and graduate students are doing every day on the Archive. Chapter 1 Growing Up in the Age of Accelerating Print: Whitman as Printer, Journalist, Teacher, and Fiction Writer Walt Whitman, arguably America's most influential and innovative poet, was born into a working-class family in West Hills, New York, a village near Hempstead, Long Island, on May 31, 1819, just 30 years after George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the newly formed United States. When Whitman was born, the new country was still very much in formation. Only five years before the poet's birth, the United States Capitol Building, the White House, the Library of Congress, and other key governmental buildings in Washington had been burned by the British in the War of 1812, a war that most Americans did not want to fight, and the purposes of which seemed as amorphous to many citizens then as they do to students of American history today. Andrew Jackson, however, emerged as a wildly popular figure after he led American troops to victory in the battle of New Orleans that ended the war. Jackson would soon turn his attention to conquering Spanish Florida—and the Seminole Indians and escaped black slaves who fought with Spain—and claiming it for the US. As Whitman entered the world, the US Congress was just beginning to meet again in the reconstructed Capitol Building. But Congress, like the nation, was already torn in fierce debate over the issue of slavery, and within the first year of Whitman's life, the Missouri Compromise was enacted, part of the tormented balancing act between slave and free states that would define so much of the nation's history while Whitman was growing up, a tension that would culminate in the Civil War. Virtually all of the political issues that would occupy Whitman during his lifetime, and that would inspire and inform his poetry, were gestating at the time of his birth. Walt Whitman was named after his father, a carpenter and farmer who was 34 years old when Whitman was born. Walter Sr had been born just after the end of the American Revolution; always a liberal thinker, he knew and admired Thomas Paine. Trained as a carpenter but struggling to find work, Walter Sr had taken up farming by the time Walt was born, but when Walt was just about to turn four, Walter Sr moved the family to the growing city of Brooklyn, across from New York City, or "Mannahatta" as Whitman would come to call it in his celebratory writings about the city that was just then emerging as the nation's major urban center. One of Walt's favorite stories about his childhood concerned the time General Lafayette visited New York and, selecting the 6-year-old Walt from a crowd in Brooklyn, lifted him up and carried him. Whitman later came to view this event as a kind of laying on of hands, the French hero of the American Revolution anointing the future poet of democracy in the energetic city of immigrants, where the new nation was being invented day by day. Walt Whitman is thus of the first generation of Americans who were born in the newly formed United States and grew up assuming the existence of a unified new country. Despite the nation's many problems, pride in the United States was rampant, and Walter Sr—after giving his first son Jesse (1818-70) his own father's name, his second son his own name, his daughter Mary (1822-99) the name of Walt's maternal great-grandmother, and his daughter Hannah (1823-1908) the name of his own mother—turned to the heroes of the Revolution and the War of 1812 for the names of his other three sons: Andrew Jackson Whitman (1827-63), George Washington Whitman (1829-1901), and Thomas Jefferson Whitman (1833-90). Only the youngest son, Edward (1835-1902), who was mentally and physically handicapped, carried a name that tied him to neither the family's nor the country's history. Walter Whitman Sr was of English stock, and his marriage in 1816 to Louisa Van Velsor, of Dutch and Welsh stock, led to what Walt always considered a fertile tension in the Whitman children between a more smoldering, brooding Puritanical temperament and a sunnier, more outgoing Dutch disposition. Whitman's father was a stern and sometimes hot-tempered man, maybe an alcoholic, whom Whitman respected but for whom he never felt a great deal of affection. His mother, on the other hand, served throughout his life as his emotional touchstone. There was a special affectional bond between Whitman and his mother, and the long correspondence between them records a kind of partnership in attempting to deal with the family crises that mounted over the years, as Jesse became mentally unstable and violent and eventually had to be institutionalized, as Hannah entered a disastrous marriage with an abusive husband, as Andrew became an alcoholic and married a prostitute before dying of ill health in his thirties, and as Edward required increasingly dedicated care. During Walt's childhood, the Whitman family moved around Brooklyn a great deal as Walter Sr tried, mostly unsuccessfully, to cash in on the city's quick growth by speculating in real estate—buying an empty lot, building a house, moving his family in, then trying to sell it at a profit to start the whole process over again. Walt loved living close to the East River, where as a child he rode the ferries back and forth to New York City, imbibing an experience that would remain significant for him his whole life: he loved ferries and the people who worked on them, and his 1856 poem eventually entitled "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" explored the full resonance of the experience. The act of crossing became, for Whitman, one of the most evocative events in his life—at once practical, enjoyable, and mystical. The daily commute suggested the passage from life to death to life again and suggested too the passage from poet to reader to poet via the vehicle of the poem. By crossing Brooklyn ferry, Whitman first discovered the magical commutations that he would eventually accomplish in his poetry. While in Brooklyn, Whitman attended the newly founded Brooklyn public schools for six years, sharing his classes with students of a variety of ages and backgrounds, though most were poor, since children from wealthier families generally attended private schools. In Whitman's school, all the students were in the same room, except African Americans, who had to attend a separate class on the top floor. Whitman had little to say about his rudimentary formal schooling, except that he hated corporal punishment, a common practice in schools and one that he would attack in later years in both his journalism and his fiction. But most of Whitman's meaningful education came outside of school, when he visited museums, went to libraries, and attended lectures. He always recalled the first great lecture he heard, when he was 10 years old, given by the radical Quaker leader Elias Hicks, an acquaintance of Whitman's father and a close friend of Whitman's grandfather Jesse. While Whitman's parents were not members of any religious denomination, Quaker thought always played a major role in Whitman's life, in part because of the early influence of Hicks, and in part because his mother Louisa's family had a Quaker background. Whitman's grandmother Amy Williams Van Velsor was especially committed to her Quaker beliefs, and her death—the same year Whitman first heard Hicks—hit young Walt hard, since he had spent many happy days at the farm of his grandmother and colorful grandfather, Major Cornelius Van Velsor. Visiting his grandparents on Long Island was one of Whitman's favorite boyhood activities, and during those visits he developed his lifelong love of the Long Island shore, sensing the mystery of that territory where water meets land, fluid melds with solid. One of Whitman's greatest poems, "Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking," is on one level a reminiscence of his boyhood on the Long Island shore and of how his desire to be a poet arose in that landscape. The idyllic Long Island countryside formed a sharp contrast to the crowded energy of the quickly growing Brooklyn-New York City urban center. Whitman's experiences as a young man alternated between the city and the Long Island countryside, and he was attracted to both ways of life. This dual allegiance can be traced in his poetry, which is often marked by shifts between rural and urban settings. By the age of 11, Whitman was done with his formal education (by this time he had far more schooling than either of his parents had received), and he began his life as a laborer, working first as an office boy for some prominent Brooklyn lawyers, who gave him a subscription to a circulating library, where his self-education began. Always an autodidact, Whitman absorbed an eclectic but wide-ranging education through his visits to museums, his nonstop reading, and his penchant for engaging everyone he met in conversation and debate. While most other major writers of his time enjoyed highly structured, classical educations at private institutions, Whitman forged his own rough and informal curriculum of literature, theater, history, geography, music, and archeology out of the developing public resources of America's fastest-growing city. In 1831, Whitman became an apprentice on the Long Island Patriot, a liberal, working-class newspaper, where he learned the printing trade and was first exposed to the excitement of putting words into print, observing how thought and event could be quickly transformed into language and immediately communicated to thousands of readers. At the age of 12, young Walt was already contributing to the newspaper and experiencing the exhilaration of getting his own words published. Whitman's first signed article, in the fashionable New York Mirror in 1834, expressed his amazement at how there were still people alive who could remember "the present great metropolitan city as a little dorp or village; all fresh and green as it was, from its beginning," and he wrote of a slave, "Negro Harry," who had died in 1758 at age 120 and who could remember New York "when there were but three houses in it" (Journ., 1:3). Here, at age 15, Whitman was already exploring subjects—his city's and his nation's remarkable growth and heterogeneous population—that would continue to fascinate him throughout his career as a writer. Even late in his life, he could still recall the excitement of seeing this first article in print: "How it made my heart double-beat to see my piece on the pretty white paper, in nice type" (PW, 1:287). For his entire life, he would maintain this fascination with the materiality of printed objects, with the way his voice and identity could be embodied in type and paper. Living away from home—the rest of his family moved back to the West Hills area in 1833, leaving 14-year-old Walt alone in the city—and learning how to set type under the Patriot's foreman printer William Hartshorne, Whitman was gaining skills and experiencing an independence that would mark his whole career: he would always retain a typesetter's concern for how his words looked on a page, what typeface they were dressed in, what effects various spatial arrangements had, and he would always retain his stubborn independence, remaining a bachelor and living alone for most of his life. These early years on his own in Brooklyn and New York remained a formative influence on his writing, for it was during this time that he developed the habit of close observation of the ever-shifting panorama of the city, and a great deal of his future poetry and prose came to focus on catalogs of urban life and the history of New York City, Brooklyn, and Long Island. Walt's brother Thomas Jefferson, known to everyone in the family as "Jeff," was born during the summer of 1833, soon after his family had resettled on a farm and only weeks after Walt had joined the crowds in Brooklyn that warmly welcomed the newly re-elected president, Andrew Jackson. Brother Jeff, 14 years younger than Walt, would become the sibling he felt closest to, their bond formed when they traveled together to New Orleans in 1848, when Jeff was about the same age as Walt was when Jeff was born. But while Jeff was a young child, Whitman spent little time with him. Walt remained separated from his family and furthered his education by absorbing the power of language from a variety of sources: various circulating libraries (where he read Sir Walter Scott, James Fenimore Cooper, and other romance novelists), theaters (where he fell in love with Shakespeare's plays and saw Junius Booth, John Wilkes Booth's father, play the title role in Richard III, always Whitman's favorite play), and lectures (where he heard, among others, Frances Wright, the Scottish radical emancipationist and women's rights advocate). By the time he was 16, Walt was a journeyman printer and compositor in New York City. His future career seemed set in the newspaper and printing trades, but then two of New York's worst fires wiped out the major printing and business centers of the city, and, in the midst of a dismal financial climate, Whitman retreated to rural Long Island, joining his family at Hempstead in 1836. He was only 17, but this five-year veteran of the printing trade was already on the verge of a career change. His unlikely next career was that of a teacher. Although his own formal education was, by today's standards, minimal, his work as a newspaper apprentice had helped him develop the skills of reading and writing, more than enough for the kind of teaching he would find himself doing over the next few years. He knew he did not want to become a farmer, and he rebelled at his father's attempts to get him to work on the new family farm. Teaching was therefore an escape but was also clearly a job he was forced to take in bad economic times, and some of the unhappiest times of his life were these five years when he taught school in at least 10 different Long Island towns, rooming in the homes of his students, teaching three-month terms to large and heterogeneous classes (some with over 80 students, ranging in age from 5 to 15, for up to nine hours a day), getting very little pay, and having to put up with some very unenlightened people. After the excitement of Brooklyn and New York, these often isolated Long Island towns depressed Whitman, and he recorded his disdain for country people in a series of letters (not discovered until the 1980s) that he wrote to a friend named Abraham Leech: "Never before have I entertained so low an idea of the beauty and perfection of man's nature, never have I seen humanity in so degraded a shape, as here," he wrote from Woodbury in 1840: "Ignorance, vulgarity, rudeness, conceit, and dulness are the reigning gods of this deuced sink of despair" (Corr., 7:3). The little evidence we have of his teaching (mostly from short re-collections by a few former students) suggests that Whitman employed what were then progressive techniques—encouraging students to think aloud rather than simply recite, refusing to use corporal punishment, involving his students in educational games, and joining his students in baseball and card games. He did not hesitate to use his own poems—which he was by this time writing with some frequency, though they were rhymed, conventional verses that indicated nothing of the innovative poetry to come—as texts in his classroom. While he would continue to write frequently about educational issues and would always retain a keen interest in how knowledge is acquired, he was clearly not suited to life as a country teacher. One of the poems in his first edition of Leaves of Grass, eventually called "There Was a Child Went Forth," can be read as a statement of Whitman's educational philosophy, celebrating unrestricted extracurricular learning and an openness to experience and ideas that would allow for endless absorption of variety and difference: this was the kind of education Whitman had given himself and the kind he valued. He would always be suspicious of classrooms, and his great poem "Song of Myself" is generated by a child's wondering question, "What is the grass?," a question that Whitman spends the rest of the poem ruminating about as he discovers the complex in the seemingly simple, the cosmos in himself—an attitude that is possible, he says, only when we put "creeds and schools in abeyance." He kept himself alive intellectually by taking an active part in debating societies and in political campaigns: inspired by the Scottish reformist Frances Wright, who came to the United States to support Martin Van Buren in the presidential election of 1836, Whitman became an industrious worker for the Democratic party, campaigning hard for Van Buren's successful candidacy. By 1841, Whitman's second career was at an end. He had interrupted his teaching in 1838 to try his luck at starting his own newspaper, the Long Islander, devoted to covering the towns around Huntington. He bought a press and type and hired his younger brother George as an assistant, but, despite his energetic efforts to edit, publish, write for, and deliver the new paper, it struggled financially, and he reluctantly returned to the classroom. Newspaper work made him happy, but teaching did not, and two years later, he abruptly quit his job as an itinerant schoolteacher and never returned to the classroom. The reasons for his decision continue to interest biographers. One persistent but unsubstantiated rumor has it that Whitman committed sodomy with one of his students while teaching in Southold, though it is not possible to prove that Whitman actually even taught there. The rumor suggests he was run out of town in disgrace, never to return and soon to abandon teaching altogether. But in fact Whitman did travel again to Southold, writing some remarkably unperturbed journalistic pieces about the place in the late 1840s and early 1860s. It seems far more likely that Whitman gave up schoolteaching because he found himself temperamentally unsuited for it. And, besides, he now had a new career opening up: he decided to become a fiction writer. Best of all, to nurture that career, he would need to return to New York City and re-establish himself in the world of journalism, since most fiction at the time was published in magazines and newspapers. How ambitious was Whitman as a writer of short fiction? The evidence suggests that he was definitely more than a casual dabbler and that he threw himself energetically into composing stories. Still, he did not give himself over to fiction with the kind of life-changing commitment he would later give to experimental poetry. He was adding to his accomplishments, moving beyond being a respectable journalist and developing literary talents and aspirations. About twenty different newspapers and magazines printed Whitman's fiction and early poetry. His best years for fiction were between 1840 and 1845, when he placed his stories in a range of magazines, including the American Review (later called the American Whig Review) and the Democratic Review, one of the nation's most prestigious literary magazines. As a writer of fiction, he lacked the impulse toward innovation and the commitment to self-training that later moved him toward experimental verse, even though we can trace in his fiction some of the themes that would later flourish in Leaves of Grass. His early stories are captivating in large part because they address obliquely (not to say crudely) important professional and psychological matters. His first published story, "Death in the School-Room," grew out of his teaching experience and interjected direct editorializing commentary: the narrator hopes that the "many ingenious methods of child-torture, will [soon] be gazed upon as a scorn'd memento of an ignorant, cruel, and exploded doctrine." This tale had a surprise ending: the teacher flogs a student he thinks is sleeping only to make the macabre discovery that he has been beating a corpse. Another story, "The Shadow and the Light of a Young Man's Soul," offered a barely fictionalized account of Whitman's own circumstances and attitudes: the hero, Archibald Dean, left New York because of the great fire to take charge of a small district school, a move that made him feel "as though the last float-plank which buoyed him up on hope and happiness, was sinking, and he with it." Other stories concern themselves with friendships between older and younger men (especially younger men who are weak or in need of defense since they are misunderstood and at odds with figures of authority). Whitman's steady stream of stories in the Democratic Review in 1842—he published five between January and September—must have made Park Benjamin, editor of the New World newspaper, conclude that Whitman was the perfect candidate to write a novel that would speak to the booming temperance movement. Whitman had earlier worked for Benjamin as a printer, and the two had quarreled, leading Whitman to write "Bamboozle and Benjamin," an article attacking this irascible editor, whose practice of rapidly printing advance copies of novels, typically by English writers, threatened both the development of native writers and the viability of US publishing houses. But now both men were willing to overlook past differences in order to seize a good financial opportunity. In an extra number in November 1842, Benjamin's New World published Whitman's Franklin Evans; or The Inebriate. The novel centers on a country boy who, after falling prey to drink in the big city, eventually causes the deaths of three women. The plot, which ends in a conventional moralistic way, was typical of temperance literature in allowing sensationalism into literature under a moral guise. Whitman's treatment of romance and passion here, however, is unpersuasive and seems to confirm a remark he had made two years earlier that he knew nothing about women from either "experience or observation." The novel stands nonetheless as one of the earliest explorations in American literature of the theme of miscegenation, and its treatment of the enslaved (white) body, captive to drink, has resonance, as does the novel's fascination with "fatal pleasure," Evans's name for the strong attraction many feel for sinful experience, be it drink or sex. Interestingly, Franklin Evans sold more copies (approximately 20,000) than anything else Whitman published in his lifetime. The work succeeded despite being a patched-together concoction of hastily composed new writing and previously composed stories. Whitman claimed he completed Franklin Evans in three days and that he composed parts of the novel in the reading room of Tammany Hall, inspired by gin cocktails (another time he claimed he was buoyed by a bottle of port). He eventually described Franklin Evans as "damned rot—rot of the worst sort." Despite these old-age remarks, Whitman's original purpose was serious, for he supported temperance consistently in the 1840s, including in two tales—"Wild Frank's Return" and "The Child's Champion"—that turn on the consequences of excessive drinking. Moreover, Whitman began another temperance novel (The Madman) within months of finishing Franklin Evans, though he soon abandoned the project. His concern with the temperance issue may have derived from his father's drinking habits or even from Whitman's own drinking tendencies when he was an unhappy schoolteacher. Whatever the source, his concern with the issue remained throughout his career, and his poetry records, again and again, the waste of alcoholic abuse, the awful "law of drunkards" that produces "the livid faces of drunkards," "those drunkards and gluttons of so many generations," the "drunkard's breath," the "drunkard's stagger," "the old drunkard staggering home." During the time he was writing temperance fiction, Whitman remained a generally successful journalist. He cultivated a fashionable appearance: William Cauldwell, an apprentice who knew him as lead editor at the New York Aurora, said that Whitman "usually wore a frock coat and high hat, carried a small cane, and the lapel of his coat was almost invariably ornamented with a boutonniere." In 1842 and 1843 he moved easily in and out of positions (as was then common among journalists) on an array of newspapers, including, in addition to the Aurora, the New York Evening Tattler, the New York Statesman, and the New York Sunday Times. And he wrote on topics ranging from criticizing how the police rounded up prostitutes to denouncing Bishop John Hughes for his effort to use public funds to support parochial schools. Whitman left New York in 1845, perhaps because of financial uncertainty resulting from his fluctuating income. He returned to Brooklyn and to steadier work in a somewhat less competitive journalistic environment. Often regarded as a New York City writer, his residence and professional career in the city actually ended, then, a full decade before the first appearance of Leaves of Grass. However, even after his move to Brooklyn, he remained connected to New York: he shuttled back and forth via the Fulton ferry, and he drew imaginatively on the city's rich and varied splendor for his subject matter. Opera was one of the many attractions that encouraged Whitman's frequent returns to New York. In 1846 Whitman began attending performances, often with his brother Jeff, a practice that was disrupted only by the onset of the Civil War (and even during the war, he managed to attend operas whenever he got back to New York). Whitman loved the thought of the human body as its own musical instrument, and his fascination with voice would later manifest itself in his desire to be an orator and in his frequent inclusion of oratorical elements in his poetry. For Whitman, listening to opera had the intensity of a "love-grip." In particular, the great coloratura soprano Marietta Alboni sent him into raptures: throughout his life she would remain his standard for great operatic performance, and his poem "To a Certain Cantatrice" addresses her as the equal of any hero. Whitman once said, after attending an opera, that the experience was powerful enough to initiate a new era in a person's development. When he later composed a poem describing his dawning sense of vocation ("Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking"), opera provided both structure and contextual clues to meaning. By the mid-1840s, Whitman had a keen awareness of the cultural resources of New York City and probably had more inside knowledge of New York journalism than anyone else in Brooklyn. The Long Island Star recognized his value as a journalist and, once he resettled in Brooklyn, quickly arranged to have him compose a series of editorials, two or three a week, from September 1845 to March 1846. With the death of William Marsh, the editor of the Brooklyn Eagle, Whitman became chief editor of that paper (he served from March 5, 1846, to January 18, 1848). He dedicated himself to journalism in these years and published little of his own poetry and fiction. However, he introduced literary reviewing to the Eagle, and he commented, if often superficially, on writers such as Thomas Carlyle and Ralph Waldo Emerson, who in the next decade would both have a significant impact on Leaves of Grass. The editor's role gave Whitman a platform from which to comment on various issues, from street lighting to politics, from banking to poetry. But Whitman claimed that what he most valued was not the ability to promote his opinions, but rather something more intimate, the "curious kind of sympathy . . . that arises in the mind of a newspaper conductor with the public he serves. He gets to love them." For Whitman, to serve the public was to frame issues in accordance with working-class interests—and for him this usually meant white working-class interests. He sometimes dreaded slave labor as a "black tide" that could overwhelm white working men. He was adamant that slavery should not be allowed into the new western territories because he feared whites would not migrate to an area where their own labor was devalued unfairly by the institution of black slavery. Periodically, Whitman expressed outrage at practices that furthered slavery itself: for example, he was incensed at laws that made possible the importation of slaves by way of Brazil. Like Lincoln, he consistently opposed slavery and its further extension, even while he knew (again like Lincoln) that the more extreme abolitionists threatened the Union itself. In a famous incident, Whitman lost his position as editor of the Eagle because the publisher, Isaac Van Anden, as an "Old Hunker" (a member of a political faction within the New York Democratic party that opposed anti-slavery agitation), sided with conservative proslavery Democrats. He could no longer abide Whitman's support of free soil and the Wilmot Proviso (a legislative proposal designed to stop the expansion of slavery into the western territories). Fortunately, on February 9, 1848, Whitman met, between acts of a performance at the Broadway Theatre in New York, J. E. McClure, who intended to launch a New Orleans paper, the Crescent, with an associate, A. H. Hayes. In a stunningly short time—reportedly in 15 minutes—McClure struck a deal with Whitman to become editor and provided him with an advance to cover his travel expenses to New Orleans. Whitman's younger brother Jeff, then only 15 years old, decided to travel with Walt and work as an office boy on the paper. The journey—by train, steamboat, and stagecoach—widened Walt's sense of the country's scope and diversity, as he left the New York City and Long Island area for the first time. Once in New Orleans, Walt did not have the famous New Orleans romance with a beautiful Creole woman, a relationship first imagined by the biographer Henry Bryan Binns and further elaborated by others who were charmed by the city's exoticism and eager to identify heterosexual desires in the poet. The published versions of his New Orleans poem called "Once I Pass'd Through a Populous City" seem to recount a romance with a woman, though the original manuscript reveals that he initially wrote with a male lover in mind. Here, as is so often the case, Whitman's manuscripts provide an insight into the original motivations and tonalities of his poems, often revealing aspects of his thoughts that his published versions erased or disguised. Whatever the nature of his personal attachments in New Orleans, he certainly encountered a city full of color and excitement. He wandered the French quarter and the old French market, attracted by "the Indian and negro hucksters with their wares" and the "great Creole mulatto woman" who sold him the best coffee he ever tasted. He enjoyed the "splendid and roomy bars" (with "exquisite wines, and the perfect and mild French brandy") that were packed with soldiers who had recently returned from the war with Mexico, and it was in New Orleans that his first encounters with young men who had seen battle, many of them recovering from war wounds, occurred, a precursor of his Civil War experiences. He was entranced by the intoxicating mix of languages—French and Spanish and English—in that cosmopolitan city and began to see the possibilities of a distinctive American culture emerging from the melding of races and backgrounds (his own fondness for using French terms may well have derived from his New Orleans stay). But the exotic nature of the Southern city was not without its horrors: slaves were auctioned within an easy walk of where the Whitman brothers were lodging at the Tremont House, around the corner from Lafayette Square. Whitman never forgot the experience of seeing humans on the selling block, and he kept a notice of a slave auction hanging in his room for many years as a reminder that such dehumanizing events occurred regularly in the United States. The slave auction was an experience that he would later incorporate in his poem "I Sing the Body Electric." Walt felt wonderfully healthy in New Orleans, concluding that it agreed with him better than New York, but Jeff was often sick with dysentery, and his illness and homesickness contributed to their growing desire to return home. The final decision, though, was taken out of the hands of the brothers, as the Crescent owners exhibited what Whitman called a "singular sort of coldness" toward their new editor. They probably feared that this Northern editor would embarrass them because of his unorthodox ideas, especially about slavery. Whitman's sojourn in New Orleans lasted only three months. His trip South produced a few lively sketches of New Orleans life and at least one poem, "Sailing the Mississippi at Midnight," in which the steamboat journey becomes a symbolic journey of life: Vast and starless, the pall of heaven Laps on the trailing pall below; And forward, forward, in solemn darkness, As if to the sea of the lost we go. (EPF, 42) Throughout much of the 1840s Whitman wrote conventional poems like this one, often echoing the poet and editor William Cullen Bryant, and, at times, Shelley and Keats. Bryant—and the eighteenth-century graveyard school of English poetry—probably had the most important impact on his sensibility, as can be seen in his pre-Leaves of Grass poems "Our Future Lot," "Ambition," "The Winding-Up," "The Love that is Hereafter," and "Death of the Nature-Lover." The poetry of these years is artificial in diction and didactic in purpose; Whitman rarely seems inspired or innovative. Instead, tired language, conventional forms, and predictable thoughts usually render the poems inert: O, beauteous is the earth! and fair The splendors of Creation are: Nature's green robe, the shining sky, The winds that through the tree-tops sigh, All speak a bounteous God. (EPF, 8) By the end of the decade, however, Whitman had undertaken serious self-education in the art of poetry, conducted in a typically unorthodox way—he clipped essays and reviews about leading British and American writers, and as he studied them he began to be a more aggressive reader and a more resistant respondent. His marginalia on these articles demonstrate that he was now committed to write not in the manner of his predecessors but against them. On July 16, 1849, the publisher, health guru, and social reformer Lorenzo Fowler confirmed Whitman's growing sense of personal capacity when his phrenological analysis of the poet's head led to a flattering—and in some ways quite accurate—description of his character. Whitman at this time believed strongly in phrenology, the reading of the "bumps" on the skull to determine which emotions and qualities were well developed and which needed further work. Fowler was a well-known manipulator of skulls, and often gave examinations and wrote out his "charts of bumps" in his New York office. On this particular day, he registered his new client as "W. Whitman (Age 29 Occupation Printer)" (Stern 1971, 102). As Fowler felt around the bumps and indentations of Whitman's head, he expressed some amazement at this printer's "large sized brain" and noted how "few men have all the social feelings as strong as you have." While Fowler's emphasis on how much Whitman loved home life and how much he wanted to become a husband and father and how he might make a good accountant seems wide of the mark, his other perceptions are keen: You choose to fight with tongue and pen rather than with your fist . . . You are in fact most too open at times and have not alway[s] enough restraint in speech . . . Your sense of justice, of right and wrong is strong and you can see much that is unjust and inhuman in the present condition of society. You are but little inclined to the spiritual or devotional and have but little regard for creeds or ceremonies . . . You have a good command of language especially if excited. (Stern 1971, 103-4) It's as if Fowler's phrenological reading gave Whitman certification as a kind of ideal person, large in appetites and yet balanced in temperament, someone with what Fowler called a "grand physical constitution" (Stern 1971, 105) and therefore fit to become America's poet. In addition to bolstering Whitman's confidence, the positive reading of the "bumps" on his skull gave him some key vocabulary for Leaves of Grass. "Amativeness" and "adhesiveness," phrenological terms delineating affections between and among the sexes, were particularly important for him, and "adhesiveness"—the bonding of people of the same sex—provided Whitman with an early word for male-male affection at a time when such terms were not easy to find. Whitman's association with Lorenzo Fowler and his brother Orson would prove to be of continuing importance well into the 1850s. The Fowler brothers, along with their brother-in-law Samuel R. Wells, ran the firm of Fowler and Wells, which would distribute the first edition of Leaves of Grass, publish the second anonymously, and provide a venue in their firm's magazine for one of Whitman's first self-reviews of his book. Whitman would later work for Fowler and Wells as a bookseller and as a writer for their Life Illustrated magazine. While he eventually drifted apart from them, the impact of phrenology always stayed with him: late in his life, Whitman admitted that "I probably have not got by the phrenology stage yet" (WWC, 1:385). When he later wrote in "Song of Myself" that "my palms cover continents" (LG, 61), he was still imagining himself as a kind of cosmic phrenologist, reading the mountains and valleys of continents to determine their telltale characteristics just as Fowler read the nooks and crannies of skulls. Whitman entered Fowler's studio as a "printer," but he left dreaming of larger ambitions. Along with Fowler's 1849 description of Whitman as a "printer," we have other evidence about just how Whitman's career was perceived in 1850. James J. Brenton, owner of the Long Island Democrat, a newspaper on which Whitman had worked, put together a book in 1850 that collected what he called "sketches, essays, and poems by practical printers." The idea was to demonstrate that printers—"they who have so often assisted in ushering into the world the productions of others"—could also be writers, could "now in turn venture to originate ideas of their own, and appear before the public in the ambitious character of Authors" (Brenton, iii). The result, Voices from the Press, contained Whitman's short story "The Tomb Blossoms," the first appearance by Whitman in a book. He is presented as one of the printers who could also write, and in the contributors' notes we find a short biography of Whitman that describes him as a printer, former schoolteacher, and writer of popular sketches; he is now, we are told, "connected to the press" and is "an ardent politician of the radical democratic school." He is seen, in short, as anything but a poet: even his numerous early poems, many of which had appeared in Brenton's newspaper, are not mentioned. In 1850, only five years before publishing Leaves of Grass, a book that would forever change American literature, Whitman was still very much seen as just a "practical printer," but a huge transformation was just around the corner. I am the poet of the body And I am the poet of the soul I go with the slaves of the earth equally with the masters And I will stand between the masters and the slaves, Entering into both so that both shall understand me alike. (NUPM, 1:67) The audacity of that final line remains striking. While most people were lining up on one side or another, Whitman placed himself in that space—sometimes violent, sometimes sexual, always volatile—between master and slave. His extreme political despair led him to replace what he now named the "scum" of corrupt American politics in the 1850s with his own persona—a shaman, a culture-healer, an all-encompassing "I." The new all-encompassing "I" that emerged in Whitman's early notebook became the main character of Leaves of Grass, the explosive book of 12 poems that he wrote in the early years of the 1850s, and for which he set some of the type, designed the cover, and carefully oversaw all the details. When Whitman wrote "I, now thirty-six years old, in perfect health, begin," he announced a new identity for himself, and his novitiate came at an age quite advanced for a poet. Keats had died ten years younger; Byron had died at exactly that age; Wordsworth and Coleridge produced Lyrical Ballads while both were in their twenties; Bryant had written "Thanatopsis," his best-known poem, at age 16; and most other great Romantic poets Whitman admired had done their most memorable work early in their adult lives. Whitman, in contrast, by the time he had reached his mid-thirties, seemed destined, if he were to achieve fame in any field, to do so as a journalist or perhaps as a writer of fiction, but no one could have guessed that this middle-aged writer of sensationalistic fiction and sentimental verse would suddenly begin to produce work that would eventually lead many to view him as America's greatest and most revolutionary poet. One source of Whitman's influence was his radical reconception of the art of poetry. What we now think of as his "poetry" is actually a new kind of writing, a hybrid form that draws not only on the tones and diction of the Bible and on the traditions of British, European, and American literature, but equally on such things as American newspapers, booming mid-nineteenth-century political oratory, and the lingoes of the emerging urban working classes (of which he was a product and a member). Whitman immersed himself in American culture, and his work resonates through the multiple levels of that culture. It is a writing that reaches deep into the numerous corners of the roiling nineteenth-century society, absorbing the nation's stormy politics, its motley musical and theatrical stages, its athletic contests, and its new technologies (including the chemical art of photography and the rapidly developing printing trade). It is writing remarkably open to the century's scientific discoveries (evolutionary, geological, astronomical, archeological, and phrenological), to new discourses about the body (medical and sexual), and to advances in understandings about language (lexicographical, etymological, and theoretical). Figure 1. Daguerrotype portrait of Whitman (1854), called by Whitman's disciple R.M. Bucke "the Christ likeness." Ed Folsom collection. "Births have brought us richness and variety," Whitman wrote in "Song of Myself," "And other births will bring us richness and variety" (LG, 80). Whitman's own family taught him that lesson, but it was a lesson he sought to learn again and again in all aspects of his life. He celebrated the self, but not a self that was narrowly and securely defined—rather a self that took the risks of imaginative absorption and creative dispersion. The opening words of the first poem in Leaves of Grass, the poem that would become "Song of Myself," set the tone for the book—pride in a nondiscriminating self mixed with a demand that the reader agree to give up, at least for the duration of the poem, biases and tenets and, instead, join the "I" on a dizzying journey of discovery: "I celebrate myself, / And what I assume you shall assume, / For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you" (LG 1855, 13). "We are powerful and tremendous in ourselves," he wrote, but the power came in one's ability to open the self to its latent pluralities: "we are sufficient in the variety of ourselves" (LG, 341). Whitman's goal was the multitudinous self, a self capacious enough to identify with the vast variety of human types that American democracy was producing: he loved America's "loose drift of character, the inkling through random types" (LG, 186), and Whitman's pun on "ink" and "type" here would become his great metonymic invention—to turn human types into printed type, to ink character on a page, to turn a book into a man. "Camerado, this is no book," he writes, "Who touches this touches a man" (LG, 505), and throughout Leaves, we can feel an identity straining to make human contact through the print and paper: "I pass so poorly with paper and types . . . . I must pass with the contact of bodies and souls" (LG 1855, 57). This extraordinary conflation of book and identity grew out of Whitman's experience as a printer and a newspaper editor. He was always conscious of the way that different types and different page sizes and different titles altered otherwise identical words: for him, paper and type were more than a vehicle to present poems, they were indeed bodies themselves. He conceived of the "body of his work" as something more than a dead metaphor. Thus he was always engaged in the act of bookmaking as well as poetry writing. He knew how to set type, and he knew how books were printed and bound. He wanted to have an actual physical involvement in the creation of the physical object of the book, and so he set a few pages of type for the first (1855) edition of Leaves and chose the large-paper format to give his long lines room to stretch across the page. Late in his life, Whitman noted how "I sometimes find myself more interested in book making than in book writing . . . the way books are made—that always excites my curiosity: the way books are written—that only attracts me once in a great while" (WWC, 4:233). He never stopped being a printer, and his various editions of Leaves all show the marks of his idiosyncratic printer's eye. The mystery that has intrigued biographers and critics over the years has been about what prompted the transformation: did Whitman undergo some sort of spiritual illumination that opened the floodgates of a radical new kind of poetry, or was this poetry the result of an original and carefully calculated strategy to blend journalism, oratory, popular music, and other cultural forces into an innovative American voice like the one Ralph Waldo Emerson had called for in his essay "The Poet"? "Our logrolling, our stumps and their politics, our fisheries, our Negroes, and Indians, our boasts, and our repudiations, the wrath of rogues, and the pusillanimity of honest men, the northern trade, the southern planting, the western clearing, Oregon, and Texas, are yet unsung," wrote Emerson; "Yet America is a poem in our eyes; its ample geography dazzles the imagination, and it will not wait long for metres" (Emerson 1983, 465). Whitman began writing poetry that seemed, wildly yet systematically, to record every single thing that Emerson called for, and he began his preface to the 1855 Leaves by paraphrasing Emerson: "The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem." The romantic view of Whitman is that he was suddenly inspired to impulsively write the poems that transformed American poetry; the more pragmatic view holds that he devoted himself in the five years before the first publication of Leaves to a disciplined series of experiments that led to the gradual and intricate structuring of his singular style. Was he truly the intoxicated poet Emerson imagined or was he the architect of a poetic persona that cleverly constructed itself according to Emerson's formula? There is evidence to support both theories. We know very little about the details of Whitman's life in the early 1850s; it is as if he retreated from the public world to receive inspiration, and there are relatively few remaining manuscripts of the poems in the first edition of Leaves, leading many to believe that they emerged in a fury of inspiration. On the other hand, the manuscripts that do remain indicate that Whitman meticulously worked and reworked passages of his poems, heavily revising entire drafts of the poems, and that he issued detailed instructions to the Rome brothers, the printers who were setting his book in type, carefully overseeing every aspect of the production of his book. The 1855 Leaves of Grass, as we have come to know it, consists of 12 poems, all either untitled or headed with the identical title "Leaves of Grass." But a manuscript now held at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas indicates that Whitman referred to his 1855 poems by name, even though he would withhold the titles in print. In the manuscript, he gives most of the 12 poems first-line titles, a practice he would frequently employ during the rest of his career. Further, his listing of poems in the Texas manuscript appear in an order significantly different from the arrangement he finally settled on: "I celebrate myself" ("Song of Myself") came first (as it would in the printed edition), followed by "A young man came to me" (the poem that would develop into "Song of the Answerer"), "A child went forth" ("There Was a Child Went Forth"), "sauntering the pavement" ("Faces"), "great are the myths" ("Great Are the Myths"), "I wander all night" ("The Sleepers"), "Come closer to me" ("A Song for Occupations"), "Who learns my lesson complete" ("Who Learns My Lesson Complete"), "Clear the way there Jonathan" ("A Boston Ballad"), "Resurgemus" ("Europe: The 72d and 73d Years of These States"), "To think through the retrospections" ("To Think of Time"), and "Blacks" ("I Sing the Body Electric"). Whitman's use of these shorthand names allowed him to work out an arrangement of poems. Only one of the 12 poems had previously been published, and Whitman continued to call it by the same title under which it had originally appeared in the New York Tribune—"Resurgemus." Perhaps the most interesting working title is "Blacks" (the word is smudged almost beyond recognition on the manuscript), which underscores the fact that a slave auction is the setting of the poem that would become "I Sing the Body Electric." At the time he wrote these notes, "Blacks" was to be the concluding piece, a position that, had he published the poems in this order, would have intensified the importance of the slavery issue in the book. In two cases, Whitman groups pairs of poems: "A young man came to me" is bracketed with "A child went forth," and "Who learns my lesson complete" is bracketed with and joined by an ampersand to "Clear the way there Jonathan." These subgroups suggest that Whitman had a hitherto unrecognized organizational plan for the book, one that involved small "clusters" of poems, a plan he would soon abandon in favor of what became the final arrangement. Figure 2. Whitman's alternative plan for structuring the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas at Austin. Whitman seems, then, to have been both inspired poet and skilled craftsman, at once under the spell of his newly discovered and intoxicating free verse style while also remaining very much in control of it, adjusting and altering and rearranging. For the rest of his life, he would add, delete, fuse, separate, and rearrange poems as he issued six very distinct editions of Leaves of Grass. Emerson once described Whitman's poetry as "a remarkable mixture of the Bhagvat Ghita and the New York Herald" (Sanborn 2000, 144), and that odd joining of the scriptural and the vernacular, the transcendent and the mundane, effectively captures the quality of Whitman's work, work that most readers experience as simultaneously magical and commonplace, sublime and prosaic. It was work produced by a poet who was both sage and huckster, who touched the gods with ink-smudged fingers, and who was concerned as much with the sales and reviews of his book as with the state of the human soul. It is striking that, 150 years after the appearance in 1855 of Leaves of Grass, we still know almost nothing for certain about its genesis. Long after published versions have appeared of all of Whitman's juvenilia, all of his late daybooks with listings of his supper guests and gas bills, all of his postcards and much of his marginalia, his poetry manuscripts have not been collected and edited, and few of them are readily accessible to students and scholars. When the variorum edition of Leaves of Grass was announced in 1955, the poetry manuscripts were promised as a central feature, but when the Textual Variorum (LG Var.) actually appeared in 1980, it contained only the published versions of each poem (in fact, only the published book versions—even the periodical variations have not yet been gathered and edited). There was speculation that a companion set of volumes dealing with the manuscripts would soon be following, but that has not happened, and Whitman's poetry manuscripts remain largely a mystery. Because so little is known about the manuscript origins of Leaves, we need to take some time to review just what we do know about the book's early composition and then examine a particularly revealing manuscript draft of a section of the long opening poem (eventually called "Song of Myself") of the 1855 edition. This will help us understand the intricate complexity of Whitman's process of revision. Whitman kept a number of small notebooks in which some rough ideas and trial lines of some of the poems in the original Leaves can be found, and versions of those notebooks were included in Edward F. Grier's 1984 edition of Whitman's Notebooks and Unpublished Prose Manuscripts. But some of the early notebooks, including the one that contained the most important pre-Leaves notes, were lost when the Library of Congress packed them up and shipped them to a college in the midwestern United States for safekeeping during World War II; some are still missing, but several turned up unexpectedly in 1995. The so-called "earliest notebook," containing what are thought to be Whitman's first notes leading to Leaves of Grass, was one of the recovered items, and, while most of it had already been transcribed in NUPM, the physical notebook itself offers evidence of dating unavailable to Grier (who made his transcriptions from microfilm and photostats, which had been the only surviving evidence). These early notebooks—a number of which contain what could be considered preliminary versions of Leaves poems—have still not been fully examined and evaluated in relation to what they reveal about Whitman's writing process and what they tell us about the development of the 1855 Leaves. Because of this lack of knowledge about Whitman's notebooks, critics and biographers have usually portrayed Leaves as an artistic immaculate conception, apparently emerging from nowhere. Most biographers, from John Burroughs and Richard Maurice Bucke in the nineteenth century on up to the most recent, have been remarkably vague about Whitman's actual writing of the original Leaves. Since Whitman directly contributed to both Burroughs's and Bucke's books, it is useful to recall just how they present the composition of the first Leaves. Burroughs, writing in 1867 and repeating phrases Whitman had given him, tells us the writing process was relatively brief and intense: It is at this period (1853 and the season immediately following,) that I come on the first inkling of Leaves of Grass. Walt Whitman is now thirty-four years old, and in the full fruition of health and physique . . . In 1855, then, after many manuscript doings and undoings, and much matter destroyed, and two or three complete re-writings, the essential foundation of Leaves of Grass was laid and the superstructure raised. (Burroughs 1867, 83) Burroughs's words echo Whitman's own description that he included in a chronology of his life (he claims to have written this in 1856 or 1857, though he did not publish it until much later): '55 . . . Commenced putting Leaves of Grass to press for good, at the job printing office of my friends, the brothers Rome, in Brooklyn, after many MS. doings and undoings—(I had great trouble in leaving out the stock "poetical" touches, but succeeded at last.) (PW, 1:22; Traubel 1889, 4) Bucke, in his biography, adds some specificity to this outline; Whitman tells us, or so Bucke says, that he had more or less consciously the plan of the poems in his mind for eight years before, and that during those eight years they took many shapes; that in the course of those years he wrote and destroyed a great deal; that, at the last, the work assumed a form very different from any at first expected; but that from first to last (from the first definite conception of the work in say 1853-'54, until its completion in 1881) his underlying purpose was religious . . . By the spring of 1855, Walt Whitman had found or made a style in which he could express himself, and in that style he had (after, as he has told me, elaborately building up the structure, and then utterly demolishing it, five different times) written twelve poems, and a long prose preface which was simply another poem. (Bucke 1883, 135, 137) All subsequent descriptions of Whitman's compositional process derive from Bucke's and Burroughs's early descriptions, both of which were endorsed by (and largely written by) Whitman himself. The problem has been that those "MS. doings and undoings" and those "five different" versions of the book apparently disappeared, and scholars have been left guessing at whether what we have here is another of Whitman's infamous exaggerations or an actual description of invaluable but lost manuscript materials. If there were indeed five complete, different manuscript versions of Leaves, the evidence has never been found. Whitman himself, late in his life, talked occasionally with his young friend Horace Traubel about the missing manuscripts of the first Leaves of Grass. In 1891 (in a conversation not published until 1996), Whitman reminisced about the early versions in a suggestive way: Bucke probably does not know that long long ago, before the 'Leaves' had ever been to the printer, I had them in half a dozen forms —larger, smaller, recast, outcast, taken apart, put together—viewing them from every point I knew - even at the last not putting them together and out with any idea that they must eternally remain unchanged. (WWC, 8:351) Here Whitman seems to suggest that he has been withholding evidence even from his good friend and loyal disciple Bucke (perhaps he has forgotten that Bucke already included in his biography the comment about five versions of the book), but here the form of those "MS. doings and undoings" seems even more fluid and fragmentary: "recast, outcast, taken apart, put together." Three versions, five versions, six versions: the actual number will never be known, and the nature of the "versions" can never be fully determined. All we finally can know, as Roger Asselineau observed in the 1950s, is that the evolution of the first Leaves "was a slow growth with many complex exchanges which we can guess at, but which it is impossible for lack of documentation to follow in detail or completely reconstruct. Only the result of this evolution has reached us" (Asselineau 1960, 1962, 1:45). Most biographies and critical studies finesse the issue of Whitman's process of writing the original Leaves of Grass by referring vaguely to the now-missing "manuscript" for the book. "The manuscript" comes to be for biographers a convenient term for an assumed final handwritten "printer's copy" of Leaves, and the term has some basis in Whitman's own descriptions. On a couple of occasions late in his life, he mentioned "the manuscript" to Traubel: "You have asked me questions about the manuscript of the first edition. It was burned. Rome [the printer] kept it several years, but one day, by accident, it got away from us entirely—was used to kindle the fire or to feed the rag man" (WWC, 1:92). Another time, Whitman recalled that "[t]he first manuscript copy of the Leaves—1855—the first edition—is gone—irretrievably lost—went to the ragman: . . . But I make nothing of that—of the money value of the manuscripts—attach no importance to curios" (WWC, 2:56). By the time he made those statements, however, he was struck by how copies of the first edition of Leaves had become collectors' items and were selling for high prices, and he had begun to realize how valuable the 1855 manuscript would have been had he kept it: "The collectors are inflamed with the curio desire but to me the appetite is unwholesome," he said, even as he went on to think of how the money he might earn from such "curios" would help him take care of his mentally incapacitated brother Eddy: "And yet, . . . for Eddy's sake it might be wise for me to husband such stuff" (WWC, 2:56). It is difficult, on the basis of any biographical images of Whitman, to imagine him actually writing five or six complete drafts of Leaves. If we want to picture him in the act of writing and revising, in fact, we have very little evidence to go on. His brother George gives us one of the few contemporary reports of his early writing habits, and his recollection of Walt is hardly of the disciplined wordsmith: "He would lie abed late, and after getting up would write a few hours if he took the notion—perhaps would go off the rest of the day. We were all at work—all except Walt" (Traubel 1893, 35). Bucke, again aided by Whitman, offers a more active portrayal of the poet at work: "Early in 1855 he was writing Leaves of Grass from time to time, getting it in shape. Wrote at the opera, in the street, on the ferry-boat, at the sea-side, in the fields, sometimes stopped work to write. Certainly no book was ever more directly written from living impulses and impromptu sights, and less in the abstract" (Bucke 1883, 25-6). Whitman, throughout his whole life, would try to keep alive this active, experimental image of his younger self, combining it—sometimes uneasily—with his claim of meticulous revision. An anonymous London, Ontario, interviewer in 1880, for example, reported that Whitman said he "gave this work [Leaves] a great deal of revision, experiencing a difficulty in eliminating the stock poetical touches, if the idea may be conveyed in that way" (Myerson 1991, 20). To the end of his life, Whitman would continue to extol the virtues of ceaseless revision: I know an author's temptation always to [revise]—I myself, for one—I am always tempted to put in, take out, change. Though, having been a printer myself, I have what may be called an anticipatory eye—know pretty well as I write how a thing will turn up in the type—appear—take form. But in spite of that, I remember how, years ago, I used to wish for the privilege for myself—the privilege to alter—even extensively. (WWC, 5:390) It was important, in other words, for Whitman to portray himself both as the casual outdoor writer, jotting things down spontaneously while crossing Brooklyn Ferry, and as the careful craftsman, continually worrying over insertions and deletions, searching always for the precise word. His manuscripts demonstrate that he was in fact both kinds of writer; there are signs of speed and spontaneity in his notebooks and brief jottings, but also, in his more extended manuscripts, signs of careful, nearly obsessive, revising. There is, however, more evidence of the process than we have up to this point assumed. All the extant manuscripts of the poems in the first edition of Leaves are now being gathered for inclusion in the online Walt Whitman Archive (www.whitmanarchive.org). This process of gathering has revealed some fascinating traces of Whitman's manuscript doings and undoings. In addition to the notebooks that have been known for nearly a century, there also exist a large number of manuscript fragments on various single sheets and scraps of paper, containing lines and passages very close to those that appear in the 1855 Leaves. These fragments do indicate different stages of composition and revision, and most clearly date from later than the notebooks, which contain much rougher notes toward the book. We mentioned earlier the manuscript preserved in the University of Texas Humanities Research Center, the one on which Whitman listed and named the poems for the 1855 edition of Leaves. This manuscript provides the first actual evidence of the extent of his active involvement in the design and structuring of the 1855 Leaves and allows us finally to confirm some previously unsubstantiated claims about the first edition—including his recollection that his prose preface to the first Leaves was added at the last minute ("It was written hastily while the first edition was being printed in 1855" [Corr., 2:100]). The Texas manuscript—worn and soiled, after obviously spending some time on the Rome brothers' printing-shop floor—consists of, on one side (see figure 3 below), a heavily revised section of a proto-version of the poem that would eventually become "Song of Myself" (key images of the eventual poem here appear in surprising juxtapositions); on the other side (see figure 2 above) are Whitman's scribbled notes for the arrangement, size, and decoration of the 1855 Leaves. We have already talked about the side of the manuscript on which Whitman made his list of poems; let's focus now on the other side—the weird proto-version of a section of "Song of Myself." Whitman often wrote notes and drafts on the backs of various documents, including the backs of abandoned drafts of poems, and that is the case with this manuscript. But what is striking here is that the abandoned poetry on the verso appears to be a section of an entirely different version of "Song of Myself" from the one Whitman published. It may be the only remaining evidence that there once actually was an entirely different version of the 1855 Leaves. Let's take a close look at this draft fragment. Here is a transcription of the poetry side of the manuscript: 25 *tr (And to me each minute of the night and day is chock with something vital and visible as vital live as flesh is trs in here page 34—And I say the stars are not echoes And I perceive that the salt marsh sedgy weed has delicious refreshing odors; And potatoes and milk afford a fit breakfast dinner of state, And I dare not say guess the the bay mare is less than I chipping bird mocking bird sings as well as I, because although she reads no newspaper; never learned the gamut; And to shake my friendly right hand governors and millionaires shall stand all day, waiting their turns. And on to me each acre of the earth land and sea, I behold exhibits to me perpetual unending ^marvellous pictures; And ^to me the cow crunching with depressed head surpasses is an a every statue ^perfect and plumb; [illegible line, cut off] This manuscript passage, it turns out, is made up of versions of lines from numerous places widely scattered in the first published version of the poem (and of the 1855 preface). From this one passage, in fact, lines scatter throughout what would become the printed version of "Song of Myself," and pieces reappear in what eventually would be sections 5, 13, 16, 31, 36, and 43, while other pieces appear in the poem eventually entitled "To Think of Time" and the pre-1855 manuscript poem "Pictures." Figure 3. Draft lines from "Song of Myself." Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas at Austin. Virtually every line of this early version of a section of "Song of Myself," then, gets used somewhere in the poem or elsewhere in Leaves. But the section itself is entirely dismantled and scattered; it ceases to exist as a unit. We recall Whitman's comment that his early drafts of Leaves were "recast, outcast, taken apart, put together." It's as if he mined early drafts for lines much like some sort of proto-word-processing system, lifting and moving lines and juxtaposing them with others, dissolving entire sections into other newly forming sections. This evidence strongly suggests that for Whitman the line was the basic unit of his poetry, since he seems always to move entire lines. This habit of composition may well have derived from Whitman's experience as a typesetter, where lines of text were separate, moveable units assembled into galleys. For Whitman, then, passages emerge from the juxtaposition and accretion of lines, and those lines can be recast and put together in different combinations to form different but equally coherent larger units. These notes were written quite close to the publication of Leaves, and so this manuscript reveals that Whitman was actively making substantive last-minute changes—reorganizing, adding, and deleting, even while Andrew Rome was typesetting the poetry. These manuscripts suggest that the poems of the 1855 Leaves of Grass were extremely unstable right up to their being set in type (and even after that, since we now know that Whitman stopped the press at least once to rewrite a line and another time to correct a typographical error in the preface). Many biographers have assumed—since the "earliest" notebook to contain lines that sound like precursors to the 1855 Leaves had been mistakenly dated 1847—that Whitman must have been working for nearly ten years on drafts and trials of the poems that would appear in Leaves. But Esther Shephard argued in the 1950s that the evidence for the 1847 dating was faulty. Now that the notebook has been recovered by the Library of Congress and is available for examination on the World Wide Web, it is clear that Whitman, in characteristic fashion, cut out already used pages from an earlier notebook and used the blank pages and almost-blank pages as a new notebook sometime around 1854. All of this is to say that he moved from first jottings to final product in a much briefer period than is usually thought. If he in fact composed three or four or five or six separate drafts of the 1855 Leaves, he did so with astonishing speed. The available evidence would seem to indicate that the first edition of Leaves was no more than two years, and perhaps significantly less, in the making—from notebook jottings to printed book. The Texas manuscript, with the proto-version on one side and the printer's instructions on the other, gives us a snapshot of how quickly the poem was coming together, since, as we noted earlier, the apparently abandoned version of the poem on the verso of the sheet contains a number 25 on it, indicating that it is part of a longer manuscript. (It also contains the intriguing note "tr[an]s[fer] in here page 34," indicating that Whitman was in fact doing a lot of "taking apart and putting together," pre-computer cutting and pasting that, if this one example is an accurate indication of his general process, was breathtaking in the complexity and scope of rearrangement.) It is a process that invites us to play the dangerous but instructive game of shuffling Whitman's lines all through "Song of Myself" (or, indeed, all through the 1855 Leaves) and discovering how easily new poems emerge that sound perfectly plausible: Whitman's lines, all concerned with absorption and the celebration of the democratic scatter of the world, are often interchangeable, and, when shuffled in myriad ways, keep forming different poems that say the same things. Let's look closely now at the last line from this manuscript proto-version of the poem that would become "Song of Myself": "And ^to me the cow crunching with depressed head surpasses is an a every statue ^perfect and plumb." It is one of the stranger lines in Whitman's poetry, but it offers a key to one of the central meanings of his work. On one hand, it is a simple and typical Whitmanian statement that common natural life outshines art. But the oddness of the word "crunching" and the surprising juxtaposition of a grazing cow and a statue captures something we recognize as Whitman's idiosyncratic genius. In the context of the manuscript passage, the image is the culminating emblem of an emphasis on the artistic importance of the diurnal, the small, the neglected, the commonplace. The first line, insisting on how each minute is "vital and visible," evokes sight, and then Whitman systematically engages each of the senses: the second line (with the "echoes") suggests hearing, the third line (with the "refreshing odors") smell, the fourth (with "potatoes and milk") taste, the fifth (with the singing bird) sound again, and the sixth (with the shaking hands) touch. Then the passage turns the world into an infinite art gallery, where every sensation becomes a work of art worthy of display: "And on to me each acre of the earth land and sea, I behold exhibits to me perpetual ^unending marvellous pictures." Whitman then populates every remote crevice of the world with these exhibits—the worm-fence (a kind of zigzag fence), the heaped stones, and the weeds (in an image that would later appear in section 5 of "Song," where it would be the extreme border of "love," "the kelson of creation")—and, by offering us the image of the crunching cow as a perfect statue, he clinches his argument about the teeming art gallery that is available to us every minute of the day through every sensation. When the line appears in the published version of the poem, it comes near the end of a slightly different kind of catalog, one that begins with "I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars" and goes on to juxtapose small and large, the tiny and the vast, the commonplace and the exalted: we get pismires, grains of sand, wren-eggs, tree-toads, and blackberries offered as "a chef-d'ouvre for the highest," fit to "adorn the parlors of heaven," before the culminating series: And the narrowest hinge in my hand puts to scorn all machinery, And the cow crunching with depressed head surpasses any statue, And a mouse is miracle enough to stagger sextillions of infidels, And I could come every afternoon of my life to look at the farmer's girl boiling her iron tea-kettle and baking shortcake. (LG 1855, 34) In this new context, the image is more incongruous. The cow seems too large in this catalog of the small (blackberries, wrens' eggs, knuckle joints, mice, and a cow?), and its comparison to a statue is not parallel to the other comparisons, which are all based on differentials in size and number and complexity (journeywork of stars, parlors of heaven, all machinery, sextillions of infidels, and any statue?). While, in the catalog of Whitman's poem, the image may be harmlessly absorbed into the cascade of his images, once we have seen the manuscript where the line is more precisely situated among analogous images, we begin to realize that the line in its new context is somewhat out of place, as if Whitman had moved it randomly. So why would Whitman have made this decision? Surely the final version of the first Leaves did not result from a random shuffling of lines. To begin to answer why it finally appears where it does, we need to track the line back through even earlier layers of Whitman's manuscript "doings and undoings." In Whitman's recovered "earliest" notebook (Library of Congress Notebook #80), the notebook we mentioned earlier and the one generally thought to contain the first stirrings of "Song of Myself," there is a two-page passage in which the "cow crunching" line reappears, this time in the context of a catalog demonstrating that Whitman is "the poet of little things." But if this notebook version is in fact the earliest of Whitman's manuscript drafts, the lines here are surprisingly much closer to the arrangement Whitman ended up with in the first edition of Leaves. Is this notebook draft, then, actually a later revision of the apparently extensive draft of the proto-"Song" evidenced in the Texas manuscript passage we have been examining, or did Whitman distribute the images in this notebook into an extensive draft of the poem that he later abandoned, after which he returned to his early notes to write his final draft? The more we investigate the evidence, the more confusing Whitman's process of revision seems. Here is the relevant passage from the notebook: I am the poet of little things and of babes Of each gnat in the air, and of beetles rolling balls of dung, Afar in the sky was a nest And my soul flew thither, and squat, and looked out, And saw the journeywork of suns and systems of suns, And that a leaf of grass is not less than they And that the pismire is equally perfect, and all grains of sand, and every egg of the wren. And the salt marsh and creek have delicious odors, And potato and ears of maize make a fat breakfast, And huckleberrys from the woods distill joyous deliriums. (NUPM, 1:70-2) This notebook passage has elements of both the proto-"Song" passage and the published passage. Here the lines up through the crunching cow image are a near-draft of the published passage, and the lines following the crunching cow image are versions of lines that appear in the Texas draft fragment—from the fence, stones, and pokeweed through the odors of the salt marsh and on through the potatoes (here combined with maize for a "fat breakfast" instead of combined with milk for a "dinner of state"). The mouse-infidels image becomes part of the published passage, but some of the images just drop away, not to be used anywhere (like the huckleberry-induced "joyous deliriums"). In this notebook passage, the sequence of images seems to produce a key declaration—"I am the poet of Equality"—and all the lines support this claim in some way, with the poet equating the significance of little things to large things and discovering the power of the commonplace (from those powerful huckleberries to the statue-surpassing cows). So, if we assume the notebook passage is the earliest one, then Whitman clearly broke up the passage and recombined the images in one of the drafts of Leaves, then moved the crunching-cow line back to the grouping it had originally been in. Even though, as we have noted, the line does not fit quite as well in the large/small grouping as it did in the nature-better-than-art grouping, there are good formal and thematic reasons Whitman may have chosen to move it there. First, the sequence of lines in the 1855 Leaves begins with the central assertion of Whitman's book, its title trope: "I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journeywork of the stars." Nearly twenty pages after the unnamed child had asked "What is the grass?" (LG 1855, 16), the question that in many ways precipitates the rest of the long poem, the poet is still answering it, and the "cow crunching with depressed head" carries on the answer, for the cow of course is eating grass. Let us consider for a moment some of the wider implications of the crunching cow image. As George Hutchinson argues, the "riddle of the grass" is the central mystery that Whitman deals with in the first edition of Leaves: The riddle of the grass and the riddle of death are fully entwined in Whitman's conception, binding all the other riddles of "Song of Myself" together . . . To get to the bottom of the riddle of the grass is to get to the bottom of death and democracy, and to be renewed with supreme power. The dead are absorbed into the earth, their bodies broken apart to feed the grass, which in turn feeds us - as Whitman would feed us after he departs at the open end of his poem, "and filter and fibre [our] blood." Thus "the smallest sprout shows there is really no death, / And if ever there was it led forward life." The way in which Whitman leads us toward a solution of the riddle of the grass by enacting its germination (and, metaphorically, his own) is the process of the poem. (Hutchinson 1986, 75) Thus, suggests Hutchinson, the image of the cow eating grass is at the center of the riddle-structure of the poem: "'How is it I extract strength from the beef I eat?' (answer: because the cattle eat grass, which grows from soil well-manured by death. Notice that this hidden 'answer' only implies an endless succession of further insoluble questions unfolding from the symbolism of grass)" (Hutchinson 1986, 80). The cow is one intermediary between the grass and us and the stars: in Whitman's composting faith, all the atoms of the universe cycle through various forms, and humans and the grass are literally stardust. The cow crunching the grass is an emblem and manifestation of the transformative and democratic energy of the universe, as all forms become all other forms. Whitman always remained fascinated with this image of the cow crunching the grass, and throughout his life he invoked it, in a variety of contexts, from reveries about rural life to harangues about American politics. In Memoranda During the War, his book of Civil War memories, he uses the image to emphasize the ways that all profundities are devoured and digested by time: Let us not be deceiv'd by flatulent fleeting notorieties, political, official, literary and other. In any profound, philosophical consideration of our politics, literature &c., the best-known leaders—even the Presidents, Congresses, Governors, &c.—are only so many passing spears or patches of grass on which the cow feeds. (PW, 1:327) In Specimen Days, when Whitman portrays himself sitting out in restorative nature, the crunching cow is never far from his sight and hearing and smell: "Near me are the cattle, feeding on corn-stalks. Occasionally a cow or the young bull . . . scratches and munches the far end of the log on which I sit. The fresh milky odor is quite perceptible" (PW, 1:159). Even late in his life, he was still obsessed with this image that had been with him from the very inception of Leaves: talking to Horace Traubel in 1890 about his book, Whitman made this remarkable statement: Leaves of Grass is an iconoclasm, it starts out to shatter the idols of porcelain worshipped by the average poets of our age—not ruthlessly—not wantonly—but to do it seriously, as having a great purpose imposed. I love to go along through the land, taking in all natural objects, events,—noting them. For instance, watching the cow crunching the grass—I can hear its melodious crunch—crunch—its bovine music: the lips, soul, of song as much there as anywhere. And the mother at home knitting her children's stockings: not forgetting the yarn—not omitting the needle. The poet would not have that—it would lack in sound, elegance, what he calls poetic evidence. But for me it is my necessity—it is all music—the clef of things—to discriminate—not so much to produce an effect, or that at all—but to state the case—the case of the universe: to seize upon its typical phasings. (WWC, 6:343) Traubel notes that Whitman spoke these words with particular emotion: "This was all said with a great vehemence as if it came of deep and long rumination." It is as if, for Whitman, this odd image of the crunching cow gets at the very core of the meaning and music of Leaves of Grass. Here, nearly forty years after starting Leaves, Whitman recreates in his conversation with Traubel that passage from the first "Song of Myself" where the "cow crunching" is followed by an expression of the love of the sounds of the domestic and the day-to-day: in the first Leaves it was "And I could come every afternoon of my life to look at the farmer's girl boiling her iron tea-kettle and baking shortcake," and in 1890 it was "the mother at home knitting her children's stockings." We gain a sense of Whitman writing—actually writing—by tracing the movement of this line about crunching cows from its first appearance in a notebook through a draft of Leaves and finally into the printed version, where the line is folded into a section that immediately precedes the astonishing image of Whitman as a kind of evolutionary monument: "I find I incorporate gneiss and coal and long-threaded moss and fruits and grains and esculent roots, / And am stucco'd with quadrupeds and birds all over." Just as the crunching cow "surpasses any statue," so does Whitman's body, which contains in its evolutionary memory all the fruits and grains and roots and birds and quadrupeds that he has just catalogued (the grass, the wren, the toad, the blackberry, the mouse, the cow, the grain of the shortcake). And it is significant that this section just precedes the section of "Song of Myself" that begins "I think I could turn and live awhile with the animals . . . they are so placid and self-contained, / I stand and look at them sometimes half a day long." There was more than a randomness in Whitman's scattering of his lines, though it is clear that many of our favorite lines in the 1855 Leaves could easily and effectively appear elsewhere in the book (and many of them apparently at some time did). Whitman's drafts of the first Leaves reveal how central his "placid" and lingering look at the animals really is. The process we have just traced involving the image of the crunching cow is repeated many times as Whitman constructs Leaves of Grass. Most of the early manuscripts are gone, but the ones that remain form the basis for an understanding of the compositional process of Whitman's book, an understanding that will remain rudimentary until all the extant manuscripts are gathered, sorted, and edited. Only then will we begin to comprehend the complexity of Whitman's drafting of the 1855 Leaves. Chapter 3 "I Was Chilled with the Cold Types and Cylinder and Wet Paper Between Us": The First and Second Editions of Leaves of Grass Whitman paid out of his own pocket for the production of the first edition of his book and had only 800 copies printed, 795 of which he bound at various times as his finances permitted. He designed the cover, chose the paper and binding, and set some of the type himself. He chose an oversize-format to allow for his long, absorptive poetic lines to flow across the page, making room for a poetry as spacious as the expanding American nation. Whitman believed that American poetry would have to be essentially different from any poetry written previously—it would have to look different, sound different, and deal with different subject matter if it was to guide the development of a radical new American democracy. So he designed his book to look unlike any previous book of poetry, and the binding was a key element of his innovation. Whitman chose a dark-green ribbed morocco cloth to suggest the organic nature of the poetry, and his title set up a pun on "leaves"—the leaves (or pages) of this book would be like leaves of grass, hearty and alive, growing everywhere, a poetry of the outdoors, rooted in the soil of America. He designed the stamping on the cover: he gold-stamped the lush letters of "Leaves of Grass," with the very letters of the title sprouting roots and leaves, and he surrounded the title with images of foliage stamped into the morocco green, with even more foliage prominently gold-stamped on the spine. (When Whitman found enough money to bind another batch of the books, however, he made the binding a bit cheaper by leaving more of the stamped decorations ungilded, and he bound the last batch in paper wrappers.) It is a book whose stylized cover insists on an organic understanding of literature, with words rooted in nature, with language as abundant as grass. And just as striking as the fertile letters of his title are the letters that are missing on the cover—the letters of the author's name. Though it was no secret who the author of Leaves of Grass was (Whitman's name did appear on the copyright notice on the back of the title page), the fact that he did not put his name on the title page was an unconventional and suggestive act (his name would in fact not appear on a title page of Leaves until the 1876 "Author's Edition" of the book, and then only when Whitman signed his name on the title page as each book was sold). The absence of a name indicated, perhaps, that the author of this book believed he spoke not for himself so much as for America. But opposite the title page was a portrait of Whitman, an engraving by Samuel Hollyer, based on a daguerreotype taken by the photographer Gabriel Harrison during the summer of 1854. It has become the most famous frontispiece in literary history, showing Walt in workman's clothes, shirt open, hat on and cocked to the side, standing insouciantly and fixing the reader with a challenging stare. It is a full-body pose that indicates Whitman's recalibration of the role of poet as the democratic spokesperson who no longer speaks only from the intellect and with the formality of tradition and education: the new poet pictured in Whitman's book is a poet who speaks from and with the whole body and who writes outside, in Nature, not in the library. It was what Whitman called "al fresco" poetry, poetry written outside the walls, the bounds, of convention and tradition. Figure 4. Frontispiece portrait of Whitman from 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass; engraving by Samuel Hollyer. University of Iowa Special Collections. Whitman's book was an extraordinary accomplishment: after trying for over a decade to address in journalism and fiction the social issues (such as education, temperance, slavery, prostitution, immigration, democratic representation) that challenged the new nation, Whitman now turned to an unprecedented form, a kind of experimental verse cast in unrhymed long lines with no identifiable meter, the voice an uncanny combination of oratory, journalism, and the Bible—haranguing, mundane, and prophetic—all in the service of identifying a new American democratic attitude, an absorptive and accepting voice that would catalog the diversity of the country and manage to hold it all in a vast, single, unified identity. "Do I contradict myself?" he asked confidently toward the end of the long poem he would come to call "Song of Myself": "Very well then . . . . I contradict myself; / I am large . . . . I contain multitudes" (LG 1855, 55). This new voice spoke confidently of union at a time of incredible division and tension in the culture, and it spoke with the assurance of one for whom everything, no matter how degraded, could be celebrated as part of itself: "What is commonest and cheapest and nearest and easiest is Me." His work echoed with the lingo of the American urban working class and took pride in an American language that was forming as a tongue distinct from British English. Whitman wrote this new poetry in free verse, picking up the rhythms of American speech and developing vast, flowing sentences that crossed over his lengthy lines, each one a kind of extended exhalation of breath. His poetry, he announced at the beginning of "Song of Myself," was based on "respiration and inspiration," the breathing in of the world around him in all its diversity and the breathing out again in words that echoed that world. For him, poetry was very much a physical activity, an exercise of the body: My respiration and inspiration . . . . the beating of my heart . . . . the passing of blood and air through my lungs, The sniff of green leaves and dry leaves, and of the shore and darkcolored sea-rocks, and of hay in the barn, The sound of the belched words of my voice . . . . words loosed to the eddies of the wind. (LG 1855, 13) Whitman reveled in slangy words like "sniff" and "belch," with their edge of earthiness and natural process: the idea of poetry as a kind of sniffing and belching upset traditionalists but excited others, who saw in Whitman's poetry something new, closer to the body, a poetry expressed out of a primitive urge rather than the result of studied procedure. The "belch'd words of my voice" were words that were not abstract and separate from the body, but rather words made by the body's blood and the body's breathing and the body's muscles. Whitman emphasizes that words don't come into existence as print on paper; they begin in an actual process of the body. Without "the beating of my heart," the blood does not circulate to the brain and ideas don't form; and blood needs to circulate to the arms and hands so that ideas can get put on paper by the workings of muscles and bones. And words don't get pushed out of the mouth by their own power, either, but rather by the physiological functioning of "the passing of blood and air through my lungs." Whitman often works to reattach the act of writing and speaking poetry to the functioning of the body: "I believe in the flesh and the appetites, / Seeing hearing and feeling are miracles, and each part and tag of me is a miracle" (LG 1855, 29). Whitman thus invents a style that captures the easy influx of sensory experience, that catalogs the world he sees, hears, smells, tastes, and touches. Throughout the first edition of Leaves, he pictures himself as the ultimate absorber of physical experience, with the five senses wide open, allowing each moment to redefine who and what he is: "In me the caresser of life wherever moving"; "I am of old and young, of the foolish as much as the wise"; "I resist anything better than my own diversity"; "To me the converging objects of the universe perpetually flow, / All are written to me, and I must get what the writing means" (LG 1855, 20, 23, 24, 26). The speaker of Leaves is someone whose senses are charged up, heightened, electric: I have instant conductors all over me whether I pass or stop, They seize every object and lead it harmlessly through me. I merely stir, press, feel with my fingers, and am happy, To touch my person to some one else's is about as much as I can stand. Is this then a touch? . . . . quivering me to a new identity. (LG 1855, 32) By simply moving the legs to carry the organs of sense through the world, Whitman suggests, any self can grow exponentially. The less we discriminate, the fewer things we refuse to absorb through our senses, the larger we become. And so Whitman's notorious catalogs, sometimes stretching for pages at a time, can be read as a series of random and endless democratic moments, incidents of sensory intake, each given its own line, and each generated simply by turning the head on the neck and apprehending the world. "My head evolves on my neck" (LG 1855, 46), Whitman writes, and the word "evolves" suggests both a revolving—a turning of the head to take in more of the world's sights and sounds and smells—and an "evolving," a growth and progression of the self that occurs when it accumulates additional experience: sees new vistas, hears new ideas, tastes the bounty of the world. Whitman later altered this line to "My head slues round on my neck" (LG, 76), and his change emphasizes the pivot of the head, the sweeping of the eyes, as the endless sensations of the world enter the body and remake the soul. Part of Whitman's invention of a new democratic style involved his creation of the reader as a major character in his poems. "You" comes to play as vital a role as "I." Whitman loved the easy fluidity of the English second-person pronoun, which moved seamlessly from signaling an intimate encounter with a lover to indicating an address to the whole nation or the whole world. In English, unlike in most other languages, there is only one pronoun to refer to a single or plural other, someone you know well or someone you do not know at all: in English, a lover and a stranger are both "you," and a single person and a crowd are both "you." So when Whitman begins his first poem with "I celebrate myself, / And what I assume you shall assume, / For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you" (LG 1855, 13), he addresses the reader at once as part of a vast readership, a world of possible "you"s, but he also addresses the reader as a single, separate, and important person, an intimate "you" to whom this "I" speaks in confidence: "This hour I tell things in confidence, / I might not tell everybody but I will tell you" (LG 1855, 25). We know that the things we are being told in confidence are in fact being told to everyone who reads this book, but the "you" does not seem impersonal and distant; rather, the "you" enfolds us in the poet's embrace and makes each of us a kind of co-creator of the poem. Whitman thus turns the impersonal act of reading into an intimate experience and talks to us as if the print on the page were itself a sentient being, aware of our presence: "Listener up there! Here you . . . . what have you to confide to me? / Look in my face while I snuff the sidle of evening, / Talk honestly, for no one else hears you, and I stay only a minute longer" (LG 1855, 55). We as readers are being addressed more directly than we are used to being addressed by a writer, and we are even being asked to respond, to confide to the "I" of this poem our secrets, dreams, anxieties. Whitman's exclamation to the reader—"Listener up there!"—comes as a shock, because it expresses awareness of the physical positioning of the reader in relation to the text, the reader's face hovering above the page. When he instructs us to "look in my face," we recall the striking frontispiece wherein Whitman fixes us with his stare, and we might also hear a kind of printer's pun on "typeface": the "face" we are literally looking into at this moment of reading is the type on the page, the ink that Whitman is reminding us contains his words, his breath, his being. The great twentieth-century Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges has written eloquently about how Whitman created in Leaves of Grass a singular fictional entity, a hero with a "threefold nature": one being Walt Whitman, the biographical entity living in the United States in the nineteenth century; the second being a projected shadow of that man, also named Walt Whitman, "magnified by hope, by joy, by exultation"; and, finally, also the reader, any reader, any one of his present or future readers. How this was done we shall never quite know. Whitman felt very keenly the strangeness of the link between the man who reads a book and the unknown or dead man who wrote it; this may have helped him to work the miracle he needed. He makes the reader speak to him: "What do you hear Walt Whitman?" Whitman's great feat, Borges says, was to make "the editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle into Walt Whitman, into America, into all of us," and this "plan of making a character out of the writer and the reader," Borges claims, "has not been attempted again; and, for all we know, it may be impossible" (Jaén 1969, xv-xvii). Borges captures here the revolutionary nature of Whitman's accomplishment. Whitman creates a "you" that is an intimate confidant and, at the same time, a vast democratic readership—everyone who can read is invited to this one-on-one personal encounter. He creates, in other words, a new democratic act of reading, where the author is not so much the "authority" as the companion, someone not only to be listened to but also to be talked to. Whitman always believed that a democracy would have to develop new, more rigorous reading habits, would have to learn to wrestle with authority and never passively accept what authority claimed. So democracy would require a new concept of "author" and "reader," a more intimate interaction between the "I" and the "you" of any text. It will help us to better understand the first edition of Leaves and Whitman's new poetic style if we zero in on the composition of an especially haunting and accomplished poem, eventually known as "The Sleepers." This poem appeared under the recurring label "Leaves of Grass," the fourth of the 12 poems in the first edition. In the 1856 Leaves, Whitman entitled it "Night Poem," and then "Sleep-Chasings" in 1860 and 1867. In the 1871 edition of Leaves, Whitman gave it its final title, "The Sleepers." In the context of the first edition of Leaves, "The Sleepers" offers Whitman's new democratic "I" the chance to slip across many boundaries. The persona of this poem is the most fluid "I" in all of Whitman, crossing gender and race, penetrating walls, invading minds of people around the world. Whitman plays on the way that sleep dissipates a sharp sense of self-identity. Sleep is a state in which we sense conscious control of our thoughts slipping away, where we experience the weird, sometimes frightening, and often liberating escapes from the more rational forms of our waking lives. Thoughts and images and scenes that we may repress in waking thought are released in the dreaming state of sleep; habitual dichotomies and patterns of discrimination break down as we imagine ourselves in situations that we may be embarrassed to admit when we remember our dreams upon awakening. Whitman expresses this embarrassment in the poem, evoking dream-scenes that most of us have experienced in some form—finding ourselves naked in public ("my clothes were stolen while I was abed, / Now I am thrust forth, where shall I run?"), dreaming of our own death ("A shroud I see—and I am the shroud. . . . I wrap a body and lie in the coffin"), experiencing ourselves as someone else ("I am the actor and the actress . . . . the voter . . the politician, / The emigrant and the exile . . the criminal that stood in the box"), released from the categories of gender and class that, in our waking lives, define us. Sleep for Whitman, then, is a democratic condition. Throughout the first edition of Leaves, he seeks those experiences that cross the boundaries of class, gender, and race: all humans live in bodies and apprehend the world through the five senses and breathe the same air. His emphasis on the body and on sensuality grows out of his belief that such an appeal to physical experience breaks down hierarchies and discriminations among his readers. To represent those experiences that we all share is to create a democratic poetry, a poetry accessible to everyone, a poetry that invites all readers to assume the role of Whitman's "you." Sleep is another of those democratic experiences. Not only do we all sleep, we all know and have felt the "breakdown" of "sleep-chasings," the way that falling asleep gives us the experience of losing control, the ways that dreams allow us to undergo shape-shifting, to wander worlds beyond our own waking experiences. Sleep, Whitman indicates in this poem, allows us finally to move into deeper and deeper levels of common psychic territory, where we all descend at night to plumb the depths of human emotion. Among the fragmented dreams and nightmares that Whitman records in this poem are three longer dreams, one following upon another, that break the opening quick-moving pace of the poem and offer sustained narratives. This fluctuation between fast-paced catalogs of imagery and more deliberate narrative interludes is a characteristic of all the poems in the 1855 Leaves. The first sustained narrative in "The Sleepers" is a memory of General George Washington after the battle of Brooklyn Heights during the Revolutionary War, as he meets with his officers following the battle and "encircles their necks with his arm and kisses them on the cheek, / He kisses lightly the wet cheeks one after another" (LG 1855, 74). This tender moment softens the image of Washington and shows him unashamedly exhibiting affection to his comrades, as if offering a sanction for physical expressions of male-male affection. This scene is followed by a memory of the poet's mother spending the day with an American Indian woman who has come by to cane chairs; again, we have a scene of same-sex affection as "My mother looked in delight and amazement at the stranger," and "The more she looked upon her she loved her, / Never before had she seen such wonderful beauty and purity" (LG 1855, 74). This scene intensifies Whitman's portrayal of affection by carrying it across racial lines, as the white mother experiences deep affection for the Indian woman. The third scene, however, is shocking in the abrupt change of tone. Suddenly the poem is taken over by a black slave's expression of hatred for his white master, and, for the first time in American poetry, a white poet turns over the narration of a poem to a black character: Now Lucifer was not dead . . . . or if he was I am his sorrowful terrible heir; How he laughs when I look down the bend after the steamboat that carries away my woman. Now the vast dusk bulk that is the whale's bulk . . . . it seems mine, Warily, sportsman! though I lie so sleepy and sluggish, my tap is death. (LG 1855, 74) This powerful threat by a slave named after the rebellious angel Lucifer was, in 1855, an explosive moment in Leaves of Grass. This was a time when slave rebellions were still common in the South, and a time when the fear of a massive slave uprising haunted slaveholding states. This slave's anger at the injustice of the slavery system is likened to a whale, whose black bulk is hidden beneath the water, but whose strength and size, when inflamed, could quickly destroy the "sportsman" who blithely captains the boat that seems in command, until the whale's fluke taps death. This scene is one of the most powerful antislavery statements Whitman ever wrote, and it has a long and illuminating pre-history in his manuscripts, where we find a number of versions of the passage, indicating that he was well aware of the significance of this scene and worked it over and over again, seeking just the right resonance. In the same early notebook in which he wrote his "I am the poet of slaves" passage that we looked at in the last chapter, he also wrote a striking curse, angry words that he would eventually put in the mouth of Lucifer. It is important to remember that these pages come very soon after Whitman decides to speak for both the slaves and the masters of slaves. I am a Curse: But for them, I sh too should have been on the steambo[at? - page cut off] I should soon Here Whitman works to turn his poem over to the consciousness and the sensibility of a black slave, allowing himself to be thought by "a negro" and letting his voice emerge from the black slave's mouth. Whitman's attempt is not to speak for the black slave but to speak as the black slave. We can read this attempt as a kind of subjugation of the black, who can speak only when the white poet speaks for him, or we can read the attempt as a remarkable recognition of the black's subjectivity, with the poet inhabited by another subjectivity, one that in mid-nineteenth-century America was alien to the white poet. Whether the poem enacts Whitman's domination of the slave or the slave's domination of Whitman—or some endless, tensed identity transfer—it remains one of the most powerful and evocative passages about slavery in American literature. Two other manuscripts at Virginia allow us to see how painstakingly Whitman revised and re-revised, working toward the amazing passage. Crush Topple down upon him Curse [illegible] Light! ! for ^you seem to ^me I am all one lurid Curse Oath curse I look down off the river with my bloodshot eyes, after I see the steamboat that carries off away my woman.— Damn him! how he does defile me ^This day, or some other, I will have him lie at peace and the like of him to do my will upon; curse the They shall not hide themselves even in their graves tombs with pennies on their eyes The I will pursue For a million hundred years ^I will pursue those who have injured me so much: Though they cover hide themselves with under the lappets of God I will drag them there pursue them there. I will stop drag them out - the the, sweet marches of heaven ^shall be stopped with my maledictions.— Here the passage contains an image of death ("pennies on their eyes") that Whitman would later transfer to "Song of Myself," so these manuscripts reveal just how interwoven all the poems of the first edition of Leaves were: Whitman again and again moves parts of single manuscripts into multiple poems. In this passage, too, we can see the coffins and the lappets of the early notebook pages still at work and evolving. His next draft carries the passage much closer to the version he would eventually publish, and he even writes "Sleepchasers" in the upper right-hand corner, indicating that he was already thinking of giving the poem a distinctive title. Sleepchasers He He Laughed when I looked ^from my iron necklace, after the steam- boat that carried away my woman— Now the lappets and the coffins are gone, but the "negro" has at this point taken on the identity of "Black Lucifer." By the time of this draft, Whitman has settled on the language for the published version of the passage and has obliterated his own "I" and given the "I" over totally to Black Lucifer. The slave is subject instead of object here, and Lucifer has powerful access to his own subjectivity and agency ("I will either destroy him," he says of his white master, "or he shall release me"). But Lucifer's expression of hate and his vow of action against the slavemaster are not the final words in "The Sleepers." Whitman ends the poem with a vast, unifying catalog, a vision of the universe "duly in order . . . every thing is in its place." This absorptive vision includes, surprisingly, Lucifer now joined with his master, presumably after they have experienced the illumination of their oneness in an emerging democratic sensibility: "The call of the slave is one with the master's call . . . and the master salutes the slave." The image of Lucifer flaring into hatred and violent action is subsumed by the final image that offers a resolution more exalted than violence and hate, a seemingly unlikely resolution of love, understanding, oneness, in which the slaveowner now sees the error of his ways and joins voices with the slave, saluting him in some unspecified gesture of respect. Here at the end of the poem, Whitman comes as close as he ever would to attaining the voice that would speak for the slaves and the masters of slaves—"The diverse shall be no less diverse, but they shall flow and unite . . . they unite now"—but it is a voice that fails to alter the course of American history, as would become painfully clear five years after Leaves was published, when the Civil War broke out. The Lucifer passage lingers in Leaves through the first two post-Civil War editions as a kind of vestige of Whitman's antebellum desire to voice the subjectivity of the slave, to give the slave power and agency, and to imagine that that poetic act might be enough to change the slavemaster's perception of slaves, to coerce the slavemasters into recognizing the humanity in those they treated as objects and possessions, as less than human. In the late 1870s, however, as Whitman revised his book for a new edition that would be published in 1881, he made a stunning decision. He deleted the "Lucifer" section of "The Sleepers," crossing it out on his working copy of his 1871-2 edition and marking two "d's" (one in pencil and one emphatically in dark ink) to indicate to the printer to omit the section. (Whitman deleted the George Washington section of the poem at the same time, but then reconsidered and marked "stet" by that section, thus preserving the feminized image of the Father of the Country.) Whitman's decision to remove the Lucifer section meant that one of the great passages about black slaves gaining voice in American poetry vanished from subsequent editions of Leaves of Grass. Most reprintings of Whitman's work are made from his final edition, so most copies of "The Sleepers" in print today do not contain one of his most powerful passages. Whitman's manuscripts and the changes in his various editions offer us a living workshop of his poetic development and his changing ideas about America. The 1855 edition of Leaves clearly was a book written for an America that still was wrestling with the issue of slavery, an America that had not yet broken apart in civil war. Slavery is an issue throughout the poems of the first edition, and the opening long poem that became "Song of Myself" is built on a slave escape narrative, from the moment when the speaker houses "the runaway slave" and nurses him ("putting plasters on the galls of his neck and ankles") and feeds him at his own table (LG 1855, 19), to the scene where the speaker identifies with the runaway slave who is caught ("I am the hounded slave . . . I wince at the bite of the dogs" [LG 1855, 39]). These leaves of grass, Whitman says, speak for the ideal of equality, "Growing among black folks as among white" (LG 1855, 16). His attempts to fuse with and experience black subjectivity, then, are key components of the book. Whitman always recalled the first edition of Leaves of Grass as appearing, fittingly, on the Fourth of July, as a kind of literary Independence Day: he saw his book as offering a new declaration—a declaration of interdependence—that might hold the United States together. His joy at getting the book published was quickly diminished, however, by the death of his father within a week of the appearance of Leaves. Walter Sr had been ill for several years, and though he and Walt had never been particularly close, they had only recently traveled together to West Hills, Long Island, to the old Whitman homestead where Walt was born. Now his father's death along with his older brother Jesse's absence as a merchant marine (and later Jesse's growing violence and mental instability) meant that Walt would become the father-substitute for the family, the person his mother and siblings would turn to for help and guidance. He had already had some experience enacting that role even while Walter Sr was alive; perhaps because of Walter Sr's drinking habits and growing general depression, young Walt had taken on a number of adult responsibilities—buying boots for his brothers, for instance, and holding the title to the family house as early as 1847. Now, however, he became the only person his mother and siblings could turn to. But even given these growing family burdens, he managed to concentrate on his new book, and, just as he oversaw all the details of its composition and printing, so now did he supervise its distribution and try to control its reception. Even though Whitman claimed that the first edition sold out, the book in fact had very poor sales. He sent copies to a number of well-known writers (including John Greenleaf Whittier, who, legend has it, threw his copy in the fire), but only one responded, and that, fittingly, was Emerson, who recognized in Whitman's work the very spirit and tone and style he had called for in "The Poet." "I greet you at the beginning of a great career," Emerson wrote in his private letter to Whitman, noting that Leaves of Grass "meets the demand I am always making of what seemed the sterile and stingy nature, as if too much handiwork, or too much lymph in the temperament, were making our western wits fat and mean." Whitman's was poetry that would literally get the country in shape, Emerson believed, give it shape, and help work off its excess of aristocratic fat. Despite its poor sales, Whitman always loved the first edition of his work like a first child. Over the course of his career, many of his friends expressed—sometimes to his consternation—a preference for the slim first edition over all the larger editions of Leaves that would come after. In 1888, he told his friend Horace Traubel, "Do you know, I think almost all the fellows who came first like the first edition above all others. Yet the last edition is as necessary to my scheme as the first edition: no one could be superior to another because all are of equal importance in the fulfillment of the design." But Whitman goes on to say why he does not consider his friends' preference for the 1855 Leaves "unreasonable": "there was an immediateness in the 1855 edition, an incisive directness, that was perhaps not repeated in any section of poems afterwards added to the book: a hot, unqualifying temper, an insulting arrogance . . . that would not have been as natural to the periods that followed. We miss that ecstasy of statement in some of the after-work" (WWC, 2:225). No one has expressed better than Whitman does here the qualities that so many readers have found in the 1855 Leaves of Grass. Within a few months of producing his first edition of Leaves, Whitman was already hard at work on the second edition. He was busy reconceptualizing his book, and he would continue to do so for his whole life. Each edition of Leaves is essentially a different book, not just another version of the same book. For his 1856 edition, Whitman added 20 new poems to the original 12. But as the book grew in number of poems, it shrank in page size; the paper for this edition is less than half the size of that of the first. As in the first, no publisher appears in this edition, but the book was in fact printed by Fowler and Wells, the combination phrenology firm, bookseller, and publisher for which Whitman had worked. Fowler and Wells distributed the first edition, and, while they in effect published the second edition, they still did not want their names appearing on the title page of such a controversial work (even though an ad for their various bookselling outlets appears at the back of the volume!). The second edition demonstrates Whitman's changing attitudes toward his book and the revised goals he now had for his work. He quickly gave up his desire to have spacious pages that would easily accommodate his long and flowing lines, and instead he shrank the book to a "pocket-size" edition. His dream now was to have working people carry his poetry with them and read it during breaks: "to put a book in your pocket and off to the seashore or the forest—that is an ideal pleasure." So he created a book that he hoped would "go into any reasonable pocket," something the first edition clearly would not do. What he ended up with, however, was what he called "the chunky fat book," its cramped pages and tight margins forcing the poet to break his lines frequently so that they fit on the page. The 1856 edition manifests Emerson's influence on Whitman. As we have noted, Whitman owed a great deal to the great Concord writer and philosopher, whose essay "The Poet" seemed in many ways to prophesy Walt Whitman (some critics would argue that Whitman simply modeled himself on Emerson's essay). Whitman reportedly said that by the mid-1850s he was "simmering, simmering; Emerson brought me to a boil" (quoted in Myerson 1991, 173). If that is true, then this edition is the most furious roiling of the waters. Whitman here prints the supportive letter that Emerson had sent him after reading the 1855 Leaves (a letter that Whitman had reprinted in the New York Tribune), prints his own 12-page response to Emerson (addressing him as "Master"), and brazenly features Emerson's name and endorsement on the spine of the book—one of the first blurbs in American publishing history. Whitman carefully sketched out plans for the spine, figuring precisely how he wanted to position the carefully selected words from Emerson's letter: "I greet you at the beginning of a great career." This statement appears in gold letters, followed by "R. W. Emerson." Whitman used this emblazoned blurb without Emerson's permission, initiating a controversy that rages to this day, and Emerson, for his part, reluctantly learned to accept such behavior from Whitman (when Emerson loaned his copy of the 1856 edition to a friend, he said that "the inside was worthy [of] attention even though it came from one capable of so misusing the cover"). Of all the important lessons Whitman learned from Emerson, the one that he seems to have most taken to heart was Emerson's definition of "genius" in his essay on "Intellect": "To genius must always go two gifts, the thought and the publication. The first is revelation, always a miracle . . . It affects every thought of man, and goes to fashion every institution. But to make it available, it needs a vehicle or art by which it is conveyed to men" (Emerson 1983, 422). The 1856 edition of Leaves is Whitman's carefully orchestrated attempt to convey his radical thought in an Emerson-fueled vehicle. Beyond the Emerson blurb, the cover of the 1856 edition is a miniature version of the 1855 cover, still green with blind-stamped foliage, but now with an unornamented and inorganic "Leaves of Grass" on the front cover. On the spine, however, the "a" in "Grass" and the "m" in "Whitman" both sprout leaves, and Whitman's sketches for the spine show him playfully pulling roots out of the letters of his title. In order to generate publicity for the volume, Whitman appended at the back of the book a group of reviews of the first edition—including three he wrote himself, along with a few negative reviews—and called the gathering Leaves-Droppings, a pun on "eaves-dropping," the act of listening in on what you're not supposed to be hearing. It's as if he is suggesting that the excerpts are simply overheard comments—good and bad—that others were making about Leaves. He was a pioneer of the "any publicity is better than no publicity" strategy. His long public letter to Emerson at the back of the book serves as a kind of apologia for his poetry, much as the preface had in the first edition. Although Whitman would later downplay the influence of Emerson on his work, at this time he had what he later called "Emerson-on-the-brain." Among the new poems added to this edition was the powerful "Sun-Down Poem," later called "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry." Whitman had provided no titles other than "Leaves of Grass" in 1855, but in 1856 he was doing all he could to make the new edition look and feel different: small pages instead of large, a fat book instead of a thin one, and individualized titles—some of them long and eccentric—for each of his poems. So the untitled introductory poem from the first edition that would eventually be named "Song of Myself" was in 1856 called "Poem of Walt Whitman, an American," and the poem that would become "This Compost" appeared here as "Poem of Wonder at the Resurrection of The Wheat." Some titles seemed to challenge the very bounds of titling by incorporating rolling catalogs like the poems themselves: "To a Foil'd European Revolutionaire" appeared as "Liberty Poem for Asia, Africa, Europe, America, Australia, Cuba, and The Archipelagoes of the Sea." It is as if Whitman was setting out to counter some of the early criticism that he was not really writing poetry at all: the review in Life Illustrated, for example, called Whitman's work "lines of rhythmical prose, or a series of utterances (we know not what else to call them)," and even Emerson in his positive letter to Whitman avoided the use of the term "poetry," calling Whitman's work instead "wit and wisdom." So Whitman put the word "Poem" in the title of all 32 works in the 1856 Leaves. Like them or not, he seemed to be saying, they are poems, and more and more of them were on the way. But, despite his efforts to remake his book, the results were depressingly the same: sales of the thousand copies that were printed were even poorer than for the first edition. Hours discouraged, distracted,—For he, the one I cannot content myself without—soon I saw him content himself without me, Hours when I am forgotten—. . . Sullen and suffering hours—(I am ashamed—but it is useless—I am what I am;). (Bowers 1955, 82) "Live Oak, with Moss" was composed as a sequence of 12 sonnet-like love poems. Whitman took care with this powerful sequence, inscribing fair-copy versions of the poems into a notebook. (These manuscripts are far less messy than his typical poetry drafts.) He never published the sequence as such. Instead, he tore the individual leaves out of the notebook, revised some of the poems, and altered their order when he published the much longer 45-poem "Calamus" cluster. These changes made a once fairly clear narrative of love and loss far less clear. Whitman may have concluded that the poems, frank in their treatment of male-male love, were too risky, revealing, or compromising. Most critics have concluded that the "Calamus" poems are an attempt to disguise what seems like a much more frank and direct portrayal of a male-male love relationship in the "Live Oak" sequence. Whatever is the case, these poems bring us to one of the most controversial and most discussed aspects of Whitman's work in the past several decades—the nature of his sexuality, and the meaning of his poems that celebrate affection between males. We need to look for a moment at some of the lively critical debate that has raged in recent years about this issue. Despite the daring and originality of Whitman's achievement in the "Live Oak" poems, critics have been slow to appreciate it. He himself didn't help much: he said next to nothing about the sequence in later years, and if a love affair does lie behind the sequence, he commented on it only obliquely. In fact, the existence of the "Live Oak" sequence was utterly unknown to scholars until 1953, when Fredson Bowers discovered it while working with manuscripts now at the University of Virginia. For various reasons, including the reluctance of scholars at that time to discuss same-sex love, Bowers's discovery was left largely ignored and its implications unexplored. We cannot know with certainty about Whitman's romantic life in the late 1850s. As Carroll Smith-Rosenberg (1986) and other cultural historians have noted, it is a tricky matter to draw inferences from nineteenth-century discourses of intimacy. The coded expressions and indirections of love talk are not easy to decipher, and expressions of fervent attachment may or may not imply the same level of sexual intimacy as such an expression would imply in our own time. It is good to remember that we inescapably read Whitman from a post-Freudian, post-Stonewall perspective, a perspective that is simultaneously distorting and illuminating. It has only been recently that sexual historians like Jonathan Ned Katz have offered detailed examinations of sexual behavior in the nineteenth century. Katz, in his study Love Stories, effectively creates a historical panorama of nineteenth-century male-male sexual behavior and demonstrates how American culture at the time worked to keep "romantic, spiritual love" between men totally separate from sexual lust between men. Whitman becomes for Katz the breakthrough figure who "began to explore the erotic intimacy of men and to invent a new language to express it" (Katz 2001, 122). Until Whitman, Katz argues, men could express love toward other men, or they could have sex with other men, but they could not express doing both together. Whitman discovered a way to talk about men loving men sexually. It may be that, before the twentieth century, there were homosexual acts but no homosexuals, but Katz shows there were "sodomites"—it's just that that particular identity did not allow for love relationships: a sodomite was constructed as a monster, a freak of nature. Whitman in this sense, then, did invent gay identity, because, after him, it became possible to express love through acts that before had been cast outside of love's reach. He had a number of such affectionate bondings—his 1850s relationship with Fred Vaughan; his numerous affectional relationships with young Civil War soldiers; his well-known partnership with Peter Doyle (see chapter 5); his troubled and intense relationship with Harry Stafford (see chapter 6); and less well-documented relationships with Edward Cattell, Bill Duckett, and Warren Fritzinger (see chapters 6 and 7). It is striking that Whitman turned his attention to working out a language of male-male affection at precisely the historical moment that male-male violence was about to break out across the country, as the US moved inexorably toward civil war. What may seem at first an avoidance of the country's divisive politics and a turn instead to personal concerns can in fact be viewed as Whitman's powerful attempt to affirm the necessity of males caring for other males as a basis for a successful democracy, as a foundation for a republic that perhaps too often inculcates in its youth the idea of fierce competition as its central value. In this light, the "Live Oak" poems are revelatory. Still, to find satisfactory language with which to discuss Whitman's love poetry is difficult: one would like to avoid both the squeamishness of euphemisms and the inaccuracy of anachronism. The critic Alan Helms, for example, talks about Whitman as a man who had "come out as America's first self-identified 'homosexual'" (Martin 1992, 186). Helms then suggests that we ought to "at last begin where Whitman himself began" (Martin 1992, 186), implying that he will be sensitive to Whitman's historical context. Although Helms puts the term homosexual in quotation marks, suggesting that he uses the word advisedly, he doesn't explicitly talk about the paradox (not to say anachronistic impossibility) of Whitman becoming a "self-identified 'homosexual'" a decade before the word homosexual was coined by the German-Hungarian journalist Karl Maria Kertbeny, in a letter written to the sexologist Karl Heinrich Ulrichs. (The earliest known usage of homosexual in a US text was in the Chicago Medical Recorder, May 1892.) Nor does Helms comment on the problems of thinking of "coming out" as a transhistorical phenomenon and not as something that is very much culturally and temporally conditioned. In many ways Whitman's culture was not like that of the modern-day US. His culture was far more accepting of open displays of same-sex affection. Moreover, male-male love, though not encouraged, had not been pathologized as it would be later in the nineteenth century. In similar fashion one has to question Hershel Parker's description of the "Live Oak" sequence as a "gay manifesto" (Parker 1996, 145), not only because the meaning of the sequence was as much obscured as trumpeted by Whitman, but also because "gay" is a term as anachronistic as "homosexual" to describe Whitman in the 1850s. The poet himself developed a rich terminology to describe love between men, and we do well to follow his lead in opting for terms such as "manly love," "adhesiveness," and the like. His key term in this regard was "calamus," referring to an aromatic marsh-plant sometimes known as sweet-flag; the phallic shape of the cylindrical, spike flower of calamus made it richly suggestive. Whitman's choice of terms do not prohibit one from concluding that he engaged in genital sexuality with his male lover, but neither do they require that conclusion. The terms themselves retain an insistent mystery, a feature Whitman prized highly in his love poetry. As Steven Olsen-Smith and Hershel Parker point out, the tendency in Whitman criticism has been to speak inexactly about clusters and even individual poems (Olsen-Smith and Parker 1997). Critics frequently refer to, say, "Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking" or "Calamus" without specifying which edition is meant and sometimes with the implication that the remark holds for all versions of a poem or cluster. Given Whitman's current status as icon of gay America, and given the imprecision with which critics have typically referred to Whitman texts, an explosive mix has been brewing in Whitman criticism. In 1992, Alan Helms published the "Live Oak with Moss" sequence in a book of essays on Whitman (Martin 1992). But Helms's choice of texts created a small critical storm. He articulated his editorial policy as follows: "I give the 'Live Oak' poems in their first published form—that is, as they appeared in the third Leaves of Grass in 1860 in the form Whitman approved for publication. I've simply removed them from 'Calamus' and restored them to Whitman's original order" (Martin 1992, 187). Helms's editing of the sequence received blistering criticism in 1996 from Hershel Parker, who pointed out that Helms had put forward a combined text different than Whitman had ever compiled (the revised 1860 versions of the "Live Oak" poems in the original sequence's order). Parker notes that "there is nothing merely 'academic' about the distinction between a correct text and an incorrect text of this Whitman sequence" (Parker 1996, 159). He insists that Helms has misinterpreted Whitman by reading a spurious text and that he himself rather than Helms offers the "genuine" or the "real" "Live Oak, with Moss" by publishing a transcription of the manuscripts in the Norton Anthology of American Literature (Baym 1994). As it happens, we think Parker gets the better of the textual editing argument, though his language is unnecessarily harsh. He offers a careful transcription of Whitman's text, a closer approximation to what the poet originally inscribed in "Live Oak," though Parker, curiously, invokes a language of authenticity that is typically reserved only for original artifacts (such as the actual manuscripts themselves, now housed in the University of Virginia Special Collections). One can see why the stakes are high: as Helms points out, it is possible to argue that "Live Oak" as opposed to the fuzzier "Calamus" is the "only sustained treatment of homosexual love in all of his poetry" (p. 186). How those documents are edited, taught, and interpreted is a matter, then, of considerable academic and social importance. Helms, reading his particular textual version of "Live Oak," found the poems to trace a "sad journey" and offer a "narrative of homophobic oppression" (pp. 191, 190). Parker, reading his textual version of the sequence, found almost the opposite—an affirming "gay manifesto" contained in an "ebullient narrative" (p. 155) in which the speaker overcomes the abandonment by his lover and, secure in his identity, moves on. This critical debate underscores the importance of Whitman's often overlooked poetry manuscripts. Lying behind all of the familiar printed poems in Leaves of Grass are manuscripts that tell originating stories of how and why he ended up publishing what he did. A comparison of the "Live Oak" sequence with the various published "Calamus" sequences (starting in the 1860 Leaves and developing through the 1881 edition) reveals how he turned a sequence of poems mainly about a personal affair into a longer sequence that maintains his concern with male-male affection, while also widening that concern to the national crisis of Union that the US faced at this time. Whitman knew that these feelings he experienced—feelings that at the time literally had no name—were important, not just for himself but for the developing nation. They might be thought of as his "calamus emotions," manifested in a protean set of relationships that extended throughout his life from at least the late 1850s on. It is sometimes forgotten that he kept returning to and redefining the term "calamus" after its initial appearance in print in the 1860 edition of Leaves. In the 1860 "Calamus," the cluster opens by announcing Whitman's new decision to "proceed, for all who are, or have been, young men, / To tell the secret of my nights and days, / To celebrate the need of comrades" (LG 1860, 342), and he goes on to try to imagine what a country would be like that embodied "[t]he institution of the dear love of comrades" (LG 1860, 368). Betsy Erkkila has argued convincingly that we can best understand the "Calamus" poems not as expressions of Whitman's private life as distinct from his more "public" poems, but rather as the first expression of "a homosexual republic," a new conception of American democracy that joins non-procreative sexual feelings with the sense of comradeship and democratic union (Erkkila 1994). So, by 1876, Whitman would define the "Calamus" poems as very much political poems: [I]mportant as they are in my purpose as emotional expressions for humanity, the special meaning of the Calamus cluster of Leaves of Grass . . . mainly resides in its Political significance. In my opinion it is by a fervent, accepted development of Comradeship, the beautiful and sane affection of man for man, latent in all the young fellows, North and South, East and West—it is by this, I say, and by what goes directly and indirectly along with it, that the United States of the future, (I cannot too often repeat,) are to be most effectually welded together, intercalated, anneal'd into a Living Union. (LG, 753) Whitman would continue to come back to and rethink the implications of the term throughout his life. Even as late as 1890, when confronted with the charge that "the subject of 'Calamus'" might be understood as condoning homosexual behavior, "verging upon the licentiousness of the Greek," his response was to once again reconstruct the meaning of the term: Yes I see! And indeed I can see how it might be opened to such an interpretation. But I can say further, that in the ten thousand who for many years now have stood ready to make any possible charge against me—to seize any pretext or suspicion—none have raised this objection; perhaps all the more reason for having it urged now. "Calamus" is a Latin word—much used in Old English writing, however. I like it much—it is to me, for my intentions, indispensible—the sun revolves about it, it is a timber of the ship—not there alone in that one series of poems, but in all, belonging to all. It is one of the United States—it is the quality which makes the states whole—it is the thin thread—but, oh! the significant thread!—by which the nation is held together, a chain of comrades; it could no more be dispensed with than the ship entire. I know no country anyhow in which comradeship is so far developed as here—here, among the mechanic classes. (WWC, 6:342-3) Without denying the homosexual interpretation of "Calamus," then, Whitman deftly dilates its meaning into a wide social realm and insists that it is essential to his entire poetic project. His suggestion that "Calamus" is "indispensible . . . a timber of the ship" recalls his line in "Song of Myself"—"a kelson of the creation is love" (LG, 33)—and reminds us how much he sees love, in whatever forms it takes, as the foundational structural beam of America's ship of state. Near the end of the "Calamus" cluster is the short poem called "I Dream'd in a Dream": I dream'd in a dream I saw a city invincible to the attacks of the whole of the rest of the earth, I dream'd that was the new city of Friends, Nothing was greater there than the quality of robust love, it led the rest, It was seen every hour in the actions of the men of that city, And in all their looks and words. (LG, 133) Here is a dream of the "homosexual republic." And yet it is a dream that transcends sexual behavior and choice and imagines a city founded on "robust love," suggesting not just love between men and women, but between men and men and women and women. Lines from this poem are in fact carved into the City Hall of Camden, New Jersey, where Whitman lived during the last years of his life, as an indication of a civic ideal. The 1860 edition of Leaves, by including the "Calamus" poems and the related "Enfans d'Adam" cluster (later titled "Children of Adam"), alters the purposes and goals of Whitman's poetic project. These poems introduced the issue of sexuality into the book in even more direct and frank ways than the 1855 and 1856 editions had. Many critics have claimed that the "Enfans d'Adam" poems celebrate heterosexual passion while the "Calamus" poems focus on homosexual desire. But in fact the division is not that clear, and the manuscripts indicate that the poems in both clusters were written at about the same time and were intermingled in Whitman's mind. Many of the "Calamus" poems are gender-neutral, and their expression of desire can work effectively for any affectional relationship, with the language unspecific enough to fit any reader's needs: "Passing stranger! you do not know how longingly I look upon you, / You must be he I was seeking, or she I was seeking, (it comes to me as of a dream,) / I have somewhere surely lived a life of joy with you" (LG, 127). It is the desire of love, of one person to care deeply for another, that Whitman is concerned about, at precisely the time in the nation's history when brothers were about to begin to kill brothers, and fathers sons, and cousins cousins. He had been concerned for many years about the paucity of words in the English language for love relationships, words that signaled more than simple friendship. He wrote in some mid-1850s notes he made on language: "This is to be said among the young men of These States, that with a wonderful tenacity of friendship, and passionate fondness for their friends, and always a manly readiness to make friends, they yet have remarkably few words of names for the friendly sentiments . . . they never give words to their most ardent friendships" (AP, 15). Intensification of affectional bonds became a foundation for Whitman's poetry and for his vision of a perfected democracy, and so sexual expressions of affection had to be broken loose from American Puritanical notions that sex was only for procreation: sexual desire, Whitman realized, was a powerful force for love across all kinds of boundaries and had to be more openly expressed in America's literature than it had been before. Whitman's remade self-image is evident on the frontispiece of the new edition of Leaves that appeared in 1860. It would be the only time he used this portrait, an engraving based on a painting done by his artist friend Charles Hine. Whitman's friends called it the "Byronic portrait," and Whitman does look more like the conventional image of a poet—with coiffure and cravat—than he ever did before or after. This is the portrait of an artist who has devoted significant time to his image and one who has also clearly enjoyed his growing notoriety among the arty crowd at Pfaff's. Ever since the 1856 edition appeared, Whitman had been writing poems at a furious pace; within a year of the 1856 edition's appearance, he wrote nearly seventy new poems. He continued to have them set in type by the Rome brothers and other printer friends, as if he assumed that he would inevitably be publishing them himself, since no commercial publisher had indicated an interest in his book. But there was another reason he set his poems in type: at a certain point in his revision process, he preferred to deal with his poems in printed form instead of in manuscript. He often would continue to revise directly on printed versions of his poetry; for him, poetry was very much a public act, and until the poem was in print he did not consider it fully realized as a poem. Although he did painstaking work on his poems in manuscript, the poetic manuscripts themselves were never sacred objects for Whitman, who often simply discarded them; getting the poem set in type was the most important step in allowing it to begin to do its cultural work. In 1860, while the nation seemed to be moving inexorably toward a major crisis between the slaveholding and free states, Whitman's poetic fortunes took a positive turn. In February, he received a letter from the Boston publishers William Thayer and Charles Eldridge, whose aggressive new publishing house specialized in abolitionist literature; they wanted to become the publishers of the new edition of Leaves of Grass. Whitman, feeling confirmed as an authentic poet now that he had been offered actual royalties, readily agreed, and Thayer and Eldridge invested heavily in the stereotype plates for Whitman's idiosyncratic book—over 450 pages of varied typeface and odd decorative motifs, a visually chaotic volume all carefully tended to by Whitman, who traveled to Boston to oversee the printing. It was an exciting and foreboding time. Thayer and Eldridge—both strong antislavery militants—made their initial publishing impact by issuing James Redpath's incendiary Public Life of Capt. John Brown just weeks after Brown had been executed for his attack on the US Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, and had immediately become for many Northerners the great martyr to the antislavery cause. Within days of signing up Whitman, Thayer and Eldridge also issued a contract to William Douglas O'Connor to write an antislavery novel, and so it was through this connection with his Boston publishers that Whitman was first to meet O'Connor, who would become his ardent defender and lifelong friend. This was Whitman's first trip to Boston, then considered the literary capital of the nation. Whitman is a major part of the reason that America's literary center moved from Boston to New York in the second half of the nineteenth century, but in 1860 the superior power of Boston was still evident in its influential publishing houses, its important journals (including the new Atlantic Monthly), and its venerable authors (including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, whom Whitman met briefly while in town). Whitman was proud of the "immense sensation" he caused in the generally formal streets of Boston: "Every body here is so like everybody else—and I am Walt Whitman!" (Corr., 1:49-50). And, of course, Boston was the city of Emerson, who came to see Whitman shortly after his arrival in the city in March. In one of the most celebrated meetings of major American writers, the Boston Brahmin and the Yankee rowdy strolled together on the Boston Common, while Emerson tried to convince Whitman to remove from his Boston edition the new "Enfans d'Adam" cluster of poems, works that portrayed the human body more explicitly and in more direct sexual terms than any previous American poems. Whitman remained firm in the belief, as he later recalled, "that the sexual passion in itself, while normal and unperverted, is inherently legitimate, creditable, not necessarily an improper theme for poet." "That," he insisted, "is what I felt in my inmost brain and heart, when I only answer'd Emerson's vehement arguments with silence, under the old elms of Boston Common" (PW, 2:493-4). Emerson's caution notwithstanding, the body—the entire body—would be Whitman's theme, and he would not shy away from any part of it, not discriminate or marginalize or form hierarchies of bodily parts any more than he would of the diverse people making up the American nation. His democratic belief in the importance of all the parts of any whole was central to his vision: the genitals and the armpits were as essential to the fullness of identity as the brain and the soul, just as, in a democracy, the poorest and most despised citizens were as important as the rich and famous. This, at any rate, was the theory of radical union and equality that generated Whitman's work. So he ignored Emerson's advice and published the "Enfans d'Adam" poems in the 1860 edition along with his "Calamus" cluster. The body remained very much Whitman's subject, but it was never separate from the body of the text, and he always set out not just to write about sensual embrace but also to enact the physical embrace of poet and reader. Whitman became a master of sexual politics, but his sexual politics was always intertwined with his textual politics. Leaves of Grass was not a book that set out to shock the reader so much as to merge with the reader and make him or her more aware of the body each reader inhabited, to convince us that the body and soul were conjoined and inseparable, just as Whitman's ideas were embodied in words that had physical body in the ink and paper that readers held physically in their hands. Ideas, Whitman's poems insist, pass from one person to another not in some ethereal process, but through the bodies of texts, through the muscular operations of tongues and hands and eyes, through the material objects of books. So, when Whitman writes in the "Enfans d'Adam" poem later entitled "A Woman Waits for Me": Through you I drain the pent-up rivers of myself, In you I wrap a thousand onward years, On you I graft the grafts of the best-beloved of me and of America, The drops I distil upon you shall grow fierce and athletic girls, new artists, musicians, and singers, The babes I beget upon you are to beget babes in their turn, I shall demand perfect men and women out of my love-spendings, I shall expect them to interpenetrate with others, as I and you inter- penetrate now, (LG 1860, 304) he is at once evoking an explicit sexual experience and the intimate reading experience that the reader is experiencing at this moment. The lover is pictured "interpenetrating" with the speaker of the poem, just as the reader—at the moment of reading—"interpenetrates now" with the speaker's words. Reading is itself an intimate experience, a kind of sexual act of interpenetration. In sexual intercourse, the sperm is the seed planted in the womb to create babies, while in reading, the words of the poem are the seeds planted in the reader's mind to create new ideas. The result of both acts will be new gestations, "fierce and athletic girls, new artists, musicians, and singers": Whitman imagines his radical poems having the effect of creating new individuals, of generating new artists and poets. Even though the poem fantasizes from a male perspective about taking a woman sexually by force ("I make my way, / I am stern, acrid, large, undissuadable . . . / I do not hurt you any more than is necessary for you" [LG 1860, 303]), it was nonetheless a favorite of some nineteenth-century women reformers, both for the way it celebrated female sexuality ("Without shame the man I like knows and avows the deliciousness of his sex, / Without shame the woman I like knows and avows hers" [LG 1860, 302]) and for the way it projected a new kind of independent American woman ("They know how to swim, row, ride, wrestle, shoot, run, strike, retreat, advance, resist, defend themselves, / They are ultimate in their own right—they are calm, clear, well-possessed of themselves" [LG 1860, 303]). Today, as we've indicated, Whitman's "Calamus" poems still stir up controversy. In the nineteenth century, however, they did not cause as much sensation as "Enfans d'Adam" (or "Children of Adam") because, even though they portrayed same-sex affection, they were only mildly sensual, evoking handholding, hugging, and kissing, while the "Children of Adam" poems evoked a more explicit genital sexuality. Emerson and others were apparently unfazed by "Calamus" and focused their disapprobation on "Children of Adam." Only later in the century, when homosexuality began to be formulated in medical and psychological circles as an aberrant personality type, did the "Calamus" poems begin to be read by some as dangerous and "abnormal" and by others as brave early expressions of gay identity. These were the two most prominent clusters of the 1860 edition of Leaves, but throughout this edition Whitman focused on rearranging his poems in various clusters and groupings. As we have seen, as early as 1855 he began experimenting with clusters, but now he definitely settled on cluster arrangements as the most effective way to organize his work, though his notion of particular clusters changed from edition to edition as he added, deleted, and rearranged his poems in patterns that often alter their meanings and recontextualize their significance. In addition to "Calamus" and "Enfans d'Adam," the 1860 edition contained clusters called "Chants Democratic and Native American" and "Messenger Leaves," and another named the same as the book, "Leaves of Grass." This edition also contained the first book printings of "Starting from Paumanok" (here called "Proto-Leaf") and "Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking" (here called "A Word Out of the Sea"), along with over 120 other new poems. He also revised many of his other poems, including "Song of Myself" (here called simply "Walt Whitman"), and throughout the book he numbered his poetic verses, creating a biblical effect. The Thayer and Eldridge edition is a big book—456 pages—and it has the feel of a monumental work, something Whitman was by this point in his career trying consciously to produce. He had been writing in his notes about his desire to create "the New Bible," a Bible for American democracy that would reconfigure morality on radically democratic terms. In his own working copy of the 1860 edition of Leaves, Whitman carefully noted the number of words in the Bible (895,752), the number of words in the New Testament (212,000), and the number of words in the "Boston ed. Leaves of Grass" (150,500). He had achieved by his own count an impressive amount of verbiage but was still quite a ways from overtaking his ancient rival. This edition is the first not to have a green binding. Whitman bound the 1860 book in several different colors—from yellowish brown to reddish orange. On the front cover "Leaves of Grass" appears blind-stamped around a blind-stamped globe, revealing the Western hemisphere, floating in clouds. The letters of "Leaves of Grass" have stylized roots or vines emerging from the "L" and "G." On the spine, "Leaves of Grass" is gold-stamped, and at the bottom of the spine is the name "Walt Whitman," blind-stamped as if to suggest that the poet still had some reticence about trumpeting his individual identity; it is the first time his name appeared on a cover. Above the name is a blind-stamped hand with a butterfly perched on a pointing finger; this emblem of the union of man and nature, of the body and the soul, reappears several times in the book, and some years later Whitman brought the figure to life by posing for a photograph with a fake butterfly perched on his finger. The 1860 edition sold fairly well, with the first printing of 1,000 copies quickly exhausted and an additional printing (totaling at least 1,000 and perhaps as many as 3,000 or 4,000 more copies) promptly ordered by Thayer and Eldridge. The 1860 edition received many reviews, most of them positive, particularly those by women readers, who, it seems, were more exhilarated than offended by Whitman's candid images of sex and the body, and who welcomed his language of equality between the sexes, his attempts to sing "The Female equally with the Male." Whitman's time in Boston—the first extended period he had been away from New York since his trip to New Orleans 12 years earlier—was a transforming experience. He was surprised by the way African Americans were treated much more fairly and more as equals than was the case in New York, sharing tables with whites at eating houses, working next to whites in printing offices, and serving on juries. He also met a number of abolitionist writers who would soon become close friends and supporters, including O'Connor and John Townsend Trowbridge, both of whom would later write at length about Whitman. When he returned to New York at the end of May, his mood was ebullient. He was now a recognized author; the Boston papers had run feature stories about his visit to the city, and photographers had asked to photograph him (not only did he have a growing notoriety, he was a striking physical specimen at over six feet in height—especially tall for the time—with long, already graying hair and beard). All summer long he read reviews of his work in prominent newspapers and journals. And in November, his young publishers announced that his new project, a book of poems he called Banner at Day-Break, would be forthcoming. The projected title indicated that Whitman was turning his attention to war. Chapter 5 Blood-Stained Memoranda Whitman's fortunes turned unexpectedly good early in 1860 only to turn unexpectedly bad. The deteriorating national situation made any business investment risky, and his publisher for the 1860 edition, Thayer and Eldridge, compounded the problem by making a number of bad business decisions. At the beginning of 1861, they declared bankruptcy and sold the plates of Leaves to Boston publisher Richard Worthington, who would continue to publish pirated copies of this edition for decades, creating difficulties for Whitman every time he tried to market a new edition. Because of the large number of copies that Thayer and Eldridge initially printed, combined with Worthington's ongoing piracy, the 1860 edition became the most commonly available version of Leaves for the next twenty years and diluted the impact (as well as depressing the sales) of Whitman's subsequent editions. Whitman had dated the title page of his 1860 Leaves "1860-61," as if he anticipated the liminal nature of that moment in American history—the fragile moment, between a year of peace and a year of war. In February 1861 he saw Abraham Lincoln pass through New York on the way to his inauguration, and in April Whitman was walking home from an opera performance when he bought a newspaper and read the headlines about Southern forces firing on Fort Sumter. He witnessed a group gathering in the New York streets that night as those with newspapers read the story aloud to the others in the crowd. Even though no one anticipated the full extent of what was to come—Whitman, like many others, thought the struggle would be over in sixty days or so—the nation was in fact slipping into four years of the bloodiest fighting it would ever know. A few days after the firing on Fort Sumter, Whitman recorded in his journal his resolution "to inaugurate for myself a pure, perfect, sweet, cleanblooded, robust body by ignoring all drinks but water and pure milk—and all fat meats, late suppers—a great body—a purged, cleansed, spiritualized, invigorated body" (quoted in Kaplan 1980, 262). It was as if he wished to banish any sense of complacency, to cease his Pfaff's beerhall habits and bohemian ways, and to prepare himself for the challenges that now faced the divided nation. But it would take Whitman some time before he was able to discern the form his war sacrifice would take. Whitman's brother George immediately enlisted in the Union Army and would serve for the duration of the war, fighting in many of the major battles; he eventually was incarcerated as a prisoner of war in Danville, Virginia. George had a distinguished career as a soldier and left the service as a lieutenant colonel; his descriptions of his war experiences provided Walt with many of his insights into the nature of the war and of soldiers' feelings. Whitman's chronically ill brother Andrew would also enlist but would serve only three months in 1862 before dying, probably of tuberculosis, in 1863. Walt's other brothers—the hot-tempered Jesse (whom Whitman had to have committed to an insane asylum in 1864 after he physically attacked his mother), the recently married Jeff (on whom fell the burden of caring for the extended family, including his own infant daughter), and the mentally enfeebled Eddy—did not enlist, and neither did Walt, who was already in his early forties when the war began (very few men beyond their twenties volunteered for service in the war). One of the haziest periods of Whitman's life, in fact, is the first year and a half of the war. He stayed in New York and Brooklyn, writing some extended newspaper pieces about the history of Brooklyn for the Brooklyn Daily Standard; these pieces, called "Brooklyniana" and consisting of 25 lengthy installments, form a book-length anecdotal history of the city Whitman knew so well but was now about to leave—he would return only occasionally for brief visits. It was during this period that he first encountered casualties of the war that was already lasting far longer than anyone had anticipated. He began visiting wounded soldiers who were moved to New York hospitals, and he wrote about them in a series called "City Photographs" that he published in the New York Leader in 1862. Whitman had in fact been visiting Broadway Hospital for several years, comforting injured stage drivers and ferryboat workers (serious injuries in the chaotic transportation industry in New York at the time were common). While he was enamored of the idea of having literary figures as friends, Whitman's true preference for companions had always been and would continue to be working-class men, especially those who worked on the omnibuses and the ferries ("all my ferry friends," as he called them), where he enjoyed the endless rhythms of movement, the open road, the back-and-forth journeys, with good companions. He reveled in the energy and pleasure of travel instead of worrying about destinations: "I cross'd and recross'd, merely for pleasure," he wrote of his trips on the ferry (PW, 1:186). He remembered fondly the "immense qualities, largely animal" of the colorful omnibus drivers, whose company he said he enjoyed "for comradeship, and sometimes affection" as he would ride "the whole length of Broadway," listening to the stories of the driver and conductor, or "declaiming some stormy passage" from one of his favorite Shakespeare plays (PW, 1:18-19). So his hospital visits began with a kind of obligation of friendship to the injured transportation workers, and, as the Civil War began taking its toll, wounded soldiers joined the transportation workers on Whitman's frequent rounds. These soldiers came from all over the country, and their reminiscences of home taught Whitman about the breadth and diversity of the growing nation. He developed an idiosyncratic style of informal personal nursing, writing down stories the patients told him, giving them small gifts, writing letters for them, holding them, comforting them, and kissing them. His purpose, he wrote, was "just to help cheer and change a little the monotony of their sickness and confinement," though he found that their effect on him was every bit as rewarding as his on them, for the wounded and maimed young men aroused in him "friendly interest and sympathy," and he said some of "the most agreeable evenings of my life" were spent in hospitals (Glicksberg 1963, 42). By 1861, his New York hospital visits had prepared him for the draining ordeal he was about to face when he went to Washington, DC, where he would nurse thousands of injured soldiers in the makeshift hospitals there. Whitman once said that, had he not become a writer, he would have become a doctor, and at Broadway Hospital he developed close friendships with many of the physicians, even occasionally assisting them in surgery. His fascination with the body, so evident in his poetry, was intricately bound to his attraction to medicine and to the hospitals, where he learned to face bodily disfigurations and gained the ability to see beyond wounds and illness to the human personalities that persisted through the pain and humiliation. It was a skill he would need in abundance over the next three years as he began yet another career. With the nation now locked in an extended war, all of Whitman's deepest concerns and beliefs were under attack. Leaves of Grass had been built on a faith in union, wholeness, the ability of a self and a nation to contain contradictions and absorb diversity; now the United States had come apart, and Whitman's very project was in danger of becoming an anachronism as the Southern states sought to divide the country in two. Leaves had been built, too, on a belief in the power of affection to overcome division and competition; his "Calamus" vision, as we have seen, was of a "continent indissoluble" with "inseparable cities" all joined by "the life-long love of comrades" (LG, 117). But now the young men of America were killing each other in bloody battles; fathers were killing sons, sons fathers, brothers brothers. Whitman's prospects for his "new Bible" that would bind a nation, build an affectionate democracy, and guide a citizenry to celebrate its unified diversity were shattered in the fratricidal conflict that engulfed America. Like many Americans, Whitman and his family daily checked the lists of wounded in the newspapers, and one day in December 1862 the family was jolted by the appearance of the name of "G. W. Whitmore" on the casualty roster from Fredericksburg. Fearful that the name was a garbled version of George Washington Whitman's, Walt immediately headed to Virginia to seek out his brother. Changing trains in Philadelphia, Whitman had his pocket picked on the crowded platform, and, penniless, he continued his journey to Washington, where, fortunately, he ran into William Douglas O'Connor, the writer and abolitionist he had met in Boston, who loaned him money. Futilely searching for George in the nearly forty Washington hospitals, Walt finally decided to take a government boat and army-controlled train to the battlefield at Fredericksburg to see if George was still there. After finding George's unit and discovering that his brother had received only a superficial facial wound, Whitman's relief turned to horror as he encountered a sight he would never forget: outside of a mansion converted into a field hospital, he came upon "a heap of amputated feet, legs, arms, hands, &c., a full load for a one-horse cart" (PW, 1:32). They were, he wrote in his journal, "human fragments, cut, bloody, black and blue, swelled and sickening" (NUPM, 2:504). Nearby were "several dead bodies . . . each cover'd with its brown woolen blanket" (PW, 1:32). The sight would continue to haunt this poet who had so confidently celebrated the physical body, who had claimed that the soul existed only in the body, that the arms and legs were extensions of the soul, the legs moving the soul through the world and the hands allowing the soul to express itself. Now a generation of young American males, the very males on whom he had staked the future of democracy, were literally being disarmed, amputated, killed. It was this amputation, this fragmenting of the Union—in both a literal and a figurative sense—that Whitman would address for the next few years, as he devoted himself to becoming the arms and legs of the wounded and maimed soldiers in the Civil War hospitals. By running errands for them, writing letters for them, encircling them in his arms, he tried, the best he could, to make them whole again. This extraordinary hospital service, which took a tremendous toll on Whitman's own health as he spent countless long nights in the poorly ventilated wards, began spontaneously during his mission to George. He had fully anticipated that he would return to New York after determining that George was safe, but, after telegraphing his mother and the rest of the family that he had found George, he decided to stay with his brother for a few days. During this time he got to know the young soldiers, both Union and Confederate (he talked to a number of Southern prisoners of war). He assisted in the burial of the dead still lying on the bloody battlefield, where on December 13 there had been 18,000 Northern and Southern troops killed or wounded (and where, the next day, Robert E. Lee, sickened by the carnage, declined to attack General Ambrose Burnside's Union troops, even though they were in a vulnerable position). Figure 5. Photograph by Alexander Gardner, Washington, DC (1863?). Courtesy Charles E. Feinberg Collection of Walt Whitman, Library of Congress Although Whitman had already written some of the poems that he would eventually publish in his Civil War book Drum-Taps (notably the "recruitment" poems like "Beat! Beat! Drums!" or "First O Songs for Prelude" that evoked the frightening yet exhilarating energy of cities arming for battle), it was only now, encountering the horrifying after-effects of a real battle, that the powerful Civil War poems began to emerge. In the journal he kept while at George's camp, Whitman noted a "Sight at daybreak (in camp in front of the hospital tent) on a stretcher, three dead men lying, each with a blanket spread over him—I lift up one and look at the young man's face, calm and yellow. 'tis strange! (Young man: I think this face, of yours the face of my dead Christ!)" (NUPM, 2:513). As would be the case with many of the poems in Drum-Taps, this journal sketch gradually was transformed into a poem: A sight in camp in the day-break grey and dim, As from my tent I emerge so early, sleepless, As slow I walk in the cool fresh air, the path near by the hospital-tent, Three forms I see on stretchers lying, brought out there, untended lying, Young man, I think I know you—I think this face of yours is the face of the Christ himself; Dead and divine, and brother of all, and here again he lies. (D-T, 46) The journal entry and poem offer a glimpse into how Whitman began restructuring his poetic project after the Civil War began. He was still writing a "new Bible" here, re-experiencing the Crucifixion in Fredericksburg. But this crucifixion does not redeem sinners and create an atonement with God so much as it posits divinity in everyone and mourns senseless loss: this one young man's death amidst the thousands is as significant as any in history. And, for Whitman, the massive slaughter of young soldier-Christs would create for all those who survived the war an obligation to construct a nation worthy of their great sacrifice. The America that he would write of after the Civil War would be a more chastened, less innocent nation, a nation that had gone through its baptism in blood and one that would from now on be tested against the stern measure of this bloodshed. During the days he spent with George's unit, Whitman often went into the makeshift hospital outside of which he had seen the pile of amputated limbs. "I do not see that I do much good to these wounded and dying," he wrote; "but I cannot leave them" (PW, 1:33). As if to underscore his own attempts to hold the Union together, to reconcile rather than punish, to help love triumph over revenge, he found himself particularly attracted to a 19-year-old Confederate soldier from Mississippi, who had had a leg amputated. Whitman visited him regularly in the battlefield hospital and then continued to visit him when the soldier was transferred to a Washington hospital. "Our affection is quite an affair, quite romantic," he wrote (Corr., 1:81). It wouldn't be the last intimacy he would experience with a Confederate soldier; at the end of the war, Whitman would enter the longest affectional relationship of his life with a former Confederate soldier named Peter Doyle, a friendship discussed later in this chapter. Something surprising—and perhaps unexpected even to Whitman—was happening to the "calamus" emotions that he had described in 1860; the intimate expressions of manly friendship now became generalized, perhaps sublimated, in the poet's many close relationships with injured soldiers over the next three years. Extant letters from these soldiers clearly indicate the intensity of the love that these young men felt for Whitman, and his letters to them demonstrate that the affection was reciprocated. The language of this correspondence is difficult to categorize—it is partly that of lovers, partly that of friends, partly that of son to father and father to son (many of the letters to Whitman are addressed to "Dear Father"), and partly that of calm, wise, old counselor to confused, scared, and half-literate young men. We cannot be certain when Whitman made his decision to stay in Washington, DC. Like virtually all of the abrupt changes in his life, this one came with no planning, no advance notice, no preparation. He had gone to New Orleans on a similar spur-of-the-moment decision, just as he had suddenly quit teaching, just as he had packed up and gone to Boston, and just as he would years later decide overnight to settle in Camden, New Jersey. He was a profoundly unsettled person, who seemed able to shuck expected obligations and even relationships without much regret: he existed, as he said, on a kind of "Open Road": "The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose . . . I will scatter myself among men and women as I go": Allons! we must not stop here, However sweet these laid-up stores, however convenient this dwelling we cannot remain here, However welcome the hospitality that surrounds us we are permitted to receive it but a little while. (LG, 154) One day Whitman simply left Brooklyn and New York and his family home to find his brother, and he never really came back. Perhaps the decision was made while he was in the field hospital, nursing the wounded and developing his relationship with the young Mississippi soldier; it was then that he wrote to his mother and told her he might seek employment for a while in Washington, and it was then that he wrote to Emerson to ask for letters of recommendation to the secretary of state and the secretary of the treasury, who were both acquaintances of Emerson. But perhaps Whitman's decision was conclusively made on his trip back from Fredericksburg to Washington, right after a somber New Year's Day 1863, when—quickly earning the trust and respect of the doctors at the battlefield—he was put in charge of a trainload of casualties who had to be transferred to hospitals in the capital. While the wounded were being moved from a train to a steamboat for the trip up the Potomac, Whitman wandered among them, writing down their messages to their families, promising to send them, comforting the soldiers with his calm and concern. Perhaps by the time he got to Washington, determined to stay a few days in order to visit wounded soldiers from Brooklyn, he already knew at some level that he would have to remain there for the duration of the war. His Boston connections were serving him well now; not only did he get letters of introduction from Emerson, but he got a room in the boarding house of William Douglas O'Connor and, through the efforts of Charles Eldridge—the publisher of the 1860 Leaves, who was now assistant to the army paymaster—he got a part-time job as a copyist in the paymaster's office. O'Connor and his wife Nellie provided Whitman his meals, and the poet began receiving contributions from his brother Jeff and others in Brooklyn who heard of his work in the hospitals. Whitman used what funds he had to buy small gifts for the wounded soldiers—candy and tobacco and flavored syrup and books—and he soon became a familiar figure in the hospitals. Prematurely gray and looking a decade or two older than his 43 years, Whitman must have seemed to the soldiers—many of whom were still in their teens—some sort of tattered Saint Nick, handing out treats and bringing good cheer. Many referred to him as "Old Man," and his presence was for some of the young men avuncular, for some paternal, and, for almost all, magical. Whitman strove to exude a buoyant, healthy personality as he brought these men oranges, stamps and stationery, tobacco, small change, ice cream, friendship, and love. He visited the wards almost daily, often writing letters for the soldiers. In his visits to approximately 100,000 soldiers, his passionate devotion to young men—the "calamus" relationships we explored in the previous chapter—found a socially sanctioned outlet. He addressed himself to the emotional needs of soldiers while doctors worked (often with disastrous results) on soldiers' bodies. Given that pre-antiseptic medical intervention was as likely to cause infection as to heal, Whitman's ministrations were the more effective of the two. Several soldiers believed that he saved their lives. He had the full support of D. Willard Bliss, the chief surgeon at Armory Square Hospital, who testified later that "no one person who assisted in the hospitals during the war accomplished so much good to the soldier and for the Government as Mr. Whitman." Still, the poet's attachment to soldiers raised concerns in some quarters. Two women nurses, Harriet Foote Hawley and Amanda Akin, reacted to him in very negative ways, disliking his unorthodox beliefs and disapproving of his charged relationships with men (Murray 1996-7, 70-2). Those critical of Whitman probably held that he promoted not a "beautiful and sane affection" but an unmanly manhood. This was certainly the conclusion of Thomas Wentworth Higginson, who, after the war, accused Whitman of evading his manly duty of military service and of embodying an "intermediate sex," neither man nor woman. Whitman's war work would come to color discussions of his poetry, his morality, and his overall reputation. For his defenders, such as William Douglas O'Connor, John Burroughs, and later Richard Maurice Bucke, Whitman's war work represented Christ-like efforts to restore life rather than destroy it. They recognized the male-male attachments at the heart of his work and his unconventional version of masculinity. John Burroughs, gesturing toward Whitman's complexity, speculated that "he was not an athlete, or a rough, but a great tender mother-man" (Barrus 1931, 339). The gender-role fluidity that was so bothersome to Higginson fascinated Burroughs and Bucke just as it did the soldiers in the hospitals. To better support his hospital work, Whitman tried to exploit every connection he had in order to find a good job. The nation's capital was in a chaotic—even surreal—state in 1863, with unpaved, muddy streets and many half-built governmental edifices, including the Capitol building itself, with its vast new dome rising above the city, but still in only skeletal form. President Lincoln insisted that construction of the capital's buildings proceed at full pace, so, while the nation was tearing itself apart in civil war, the nation's capital was continuing to erect a unified and elegant governmental center, designed by the French architect Pierre L'Enfant. It was as if the capital had become a metaphor of the nation itself, half-built and in a struggle to determine whether it would end in fulfillment or destruction. Some of the newly constructed buildings almost immediately became hospitals, and when Whitman described the Civil War as turning the nation into a ward of casualties—America, "though only in her early youth," he wrote, was "already to hospital brought"—he no doubt had in mind the way the emerging governmental center of the country was being transformed into a vast hospital (PW, 2:378). The US Patent Office became a hospital in 1863, and Whitman noted the irony of the "rows of sick, badly wounded and dying soldiers" surrounding the "glass cases" displaying American inventions—guns and machines and other signs of progress (PW, 1:40). The wrecked bodies dispersed among the displays were what "progress" had brought, the result of new inventions that had created modern warfare. Washington was a noisy city during these years: the noise in the city was of construction; the noise just outside the city was of destruction; and the two activities conjoined in the dozens of makeshift Washington hospitals that held the shattered bodies of America's young men. These were active and intense times for Whitman. In addition to his exhausting daily hospital rounds, he continued his job in the paymaster's office. This work usually took up only a few hours a day, though occasionally Whitman had to go on trips to visit troops, as when he traveled to Analostan Island in July of 1863 to help issue paychecks to the First Regiment US Colored Troops and was "well pleas'd" with their professional conduct and strong demeanor, as well as struck by the names of the black soldiers as the roll was called—George Washington, John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, James Madison, John Brown. The heritage of the nation, Whitman realized, was now being carried forward and fought for by a much more diverse citizenry; the African American soldiers, like Whitman's own brothers, bore the names of the nation's proud past. The war, for all of its destruction, was clearing the space for a broader American identity. Meanwhile, the news from Whitman's family was not good. His brother Andrew was extremely ill; his brother Jesse was increasingly violent (and even threatened his brother Jeff's young daughter); his sister Hannah was miserable in a disastrous marriage to an abusive husband; and Whitman's mother wanted Walt home to help sort things out. Whitman did go back to New York for a visit toward the end of 1863 and saw Andrew for the last time; Andrew died at age 36, leaving behind two children and a pregnant, alcoholic wife, who later became a prostitute. The proliferating family problems were a deep concern to Whitman, but he nonetheless felt compelled to return to Washington and his soldier-friends there, to whom he wrote regularly during the weeks he was in New York. Whitman came to know many people in Washington who would be important to him in the future: at the O'Connors' home, he met powerful Washington figures from political, literary, and social circles. One day while heading to the hospitals, he met John Burroughs, an aspiring young writer who, a couple of years previously, had started frequenting Pfaff's beerhall in New York in the hope of meeting Whitman, whose work he greatly admired. Now this chance encounter in Washington led to one of the most enduring friendships of Whitman's life; he spent most Sundays at the home of Burroughs and his wife Ursula, who also became one of Whitman's closest friends. Burroughs and O'Connor would both end up writing (with considerable help from Whitman himself) some of the earliest biographical treatments of the poet, and, despite some arguments with him over the years, both would remain unwavering supporters. Whitman also met artists in Washington, like the photographer Alexander Gardner, who admired Leaves of Grass and who photographed Whitman frequently during the war years, recording the striking toll the war was taking on Whitman's appearance. The Gardner photographs show a tired, somber, yet very determined Whitman, who seemed to be absorbing not only soldiers' stories but their pain also. The war was taking a similar toll on many faces: often Whitman would watch Lincoln's carriage pass by, and he noted how the president "looks more careworn even than usual—his face with deep cut lines" (Corr., 1:113). One day Whitman ran into another Boston acquaintance, the publisher James Redpath, who, impressed with the work Whitman was doing, organized a fund-raising campaign for the poet's hospital work. Redpath also considered (but finally decided against) publishing the sketches Whitman was writing about his war experiences, a book Whitman called Memoranda During the War. Redpath had published Louisa May Alcott's account of her Civil War nursing, Hospital Sketches, and Whitman was anxious to offer his own alternative version of nursing during the war. (He offered Redpath a volume that would be considerably more than "mere hospital sketches" and that would "ventilate my general democracy" [Corr., 1:171].) Whitman's book, when it finally did appear as a self-published volume copyrighted in 1875, was composed of numerous short articles, many of which he had published in Brooklyn newspapers and in the New York Times, for whom he served as a kind of occasional Washington correspondent. These pieces would eventually form the heart of his autobiographical work, Specimen Days. Walking the wards was for Whitman like walking America: every bed contained a representative of a different region, a different city or town, a different way of life. He loved the varied accents and the diverse physiognomies. "While I was with wounded and sick in thousands of cases from the New England States, and from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and from Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and all the Western States, I was with more or less from all the States, North and South, without exception" (PW, 1:113). His trip to New Orleans had taken him across a good part of the nation, but it was in the hospital wards that he really traveled the United States and crossed boundaries otherwise not easily passed: "I was with many rebel officers and men among our wounded, and gave them always what I had, and tried to cheer them the same as any . . . Among the black soldiers, wounded or sick, and in the contraband camps, I also took my way whenever in their neighborhood, and did what I could for them" (PW, 1:113-14). And with all those he met, he both sought and offered love: "What an attachment grows up between us, started from hospital cots, where pale young faces lie & wounded or sick bodies," he wrote; "The doctors tell me I supply the patients with a medicine which all their drugs & bottles & powders are helpless to yield" (Corr., 1:122). He had become a physician after all, dispensing the medicine of hope and affection, the same medicine he hoped would heal a country, suture its wounds, repair its fracture. And he sought to dispense this medicine not only to soldiers on his hospital visits but to all Americans through his books. During all the time of his hospital service, Whitman was writing poems, a new kind of poem for him, poems about the war experience, but almost never about battles—rather about the after-effects of warfare: the moonlight illuminating the dead on the battlefields, the churches turned into hospitals, the experience of dressing wounds, the encounter with a dead enemy in a coffin, the trauma of battle nightmares for soldiers who had returned home. He gathered these poems along with the few he had written just before the war (the ones that Thayer and Eldridge had originally planned to publish as Banner at Day-Break) and worked on combining them in a book called Drum-Taps, the title evoking both the beating of the drums that accompanied soldiers into battle and the beating out of "Taps," the death march sounded at the burial of soldiers (originally played on the drum instead of the bugle). After the burst of creativity in the mid- and late 1850s that resulted in the vastly expanded 1860 Leaves, Whitman had not written many poems until he got to Washington, where the daily encounters with soldiers opened a fresh vein of creativity, resulting in a poetry more modest in ambition and more muted in its claims, a poetry in which death was no longer something indistinguishable from life ("Has any one supposed it lucky to be born?" Whitman had written in "Song of Myself"; "I hasten to inform him or her it is just as lucky to die, and I know it") but rather now revealed itself as something horrifying, grotesque, and omnipresent. The poems were so different from any that had appeared in Leaves, in fact, that Whitman originally assumed they could not be joined in the same book with those earlier poems. It would be a long, slow process that would eventually allow the absorption of Drum-Taps into Leaves of Grass. As the war entered its final year, Whitman was facing physical and emotional exhaustion. Eighteen sixty-four began with one of his closest soldier-friends, Lewis Brown (with whom he had imagined living after the war was over), having his leg amputated; Whitman watched the operation through a window at Armory Square Hospital. In February and March, he traveled to the Virginia battlefront to nurse soldiers in field hospitals, then in April he stood for three hours watching General Burnside's troops march through Washington, until Whitman could pick out his brother George. He marched with George and gave him news from home. It would be the last time Whitman would see his brother before George was captured by Confederate troops after a battle in the fall. During the early summer, Whitman began to complain of a sore throat, dizziness, and a "bad feeling" in his head. Physician friends urged him to check into one of the hospitals he had been visiting, and they finally convinced him to go back to New York for a rest. He took his manuscript of Drum-Taps with him to Brooklyn, hoping to publish it himself while he was there. Soon after he left Washington, the capital was attacked by the Confederates and many thought it was about to be captured; he missed the most terrifying months of the war in the District of Columbia. In Brooklyn, Whitman could not stop doing what had now become both a routine and a reason for his existence: he visited wounded soldiers in New York-area hospitals. But he also re-established contacts with old friends from the Pfaff's beerhall days, and he explored some new beer saloons with them. He wrote some more articles for the New York Times and other papers, and he took care of pressing family matters, including the commitment of his increasingly unstable brother Jesse to the Kings County Lunatic Asylum (where he would die six years later). The year ended with the arrival at the family home of George's personal items, including his war diary, which Whitman presumably read at this time. Though Whitman did not then know it, George had been sent to the Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, and would also serve time in military prisons in Salisbury, North Carolina, and finally in Danville, Virginia. In the hope of effecting George's release, Whitman began a campaign, in both newspaper articles and letters to government officials, to support a general exchange of prisoners between the Confederacy and the Union, something Union generals tended to oppose because they believed such an exchange would benefit the South by returning troops to an army in desperate need of more men. By the beginning of 1865, Whitman was very anxious to return to Washington, which he now considered to be his home. Friends there had been working on getting him a better government position, and O'Connor helped arrange a clerkship in the Indian Bureau of the Department of the Interior. Whitman carried his Drum-Taps manuscript back to Washington, hoping that his increased income might allow him to publish the book. He moved to a new apartment, run by what he called a "secesh" (or Southern-sympathizing) landlady, and he began work in the Indian Bureau; his desk was in the US Patent Office Building, which he had been visiting when it was used as a temporary hospital. As a clerk there, he met delegations of various Indian tribes from the West, and, just as he had come to know the geographical range of America through his hospital visits, so now he gained direct experience with Native Americans. He had included Indians in his poems of America, cataloguing "the red aborigines" in "Starting from Paumanok," for example, celebrating the way they "charg[ed] the water and the land with names" (thus he always preferred the name "Paumanok" to "Long Island" and often argued that aboriginal names for American places were always superior to names imported from Europe). The impact of his experiences at the Indian Bureau is apparent in such later poems as "Osceola" and "Yonnondio," memorializing the native cultures that were, he believed, inevitably disappearing. George Whitman was released from Danville prison in February and returned to the family home in Brooklyn in March. Whitman got a furlough from the Indian Bureau so that he could go see George, and, while in Brooklyn, Whitman arranged with a New York printer for the publication of Drum-Taps. He signed a contract on April 1, and then, eight days later, while he was still in Brooklyn, the Civil War ended, with General Lee surrendering at Appomattox; five days after that, President Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theatre in Washington. It is ironic that Whitman, who spent most of the final two years of the war in the capital, was not there for its most traumatic and memorable events: he was back in New York during the main Confederate assault on Washington, and he was in New York again when the capital celebrated the end of the war and then mourned the loss of the president. But the fact that Whitman was at his mother's home in Brooklyn led to one of his greatest poems, because he heard the news about Lincoln that April morning when the lilac bushes were blooming in his mother's dooryard, where he went to console himself and where he inhaled the scent of the lilacs, which became for him viscerally bound to the memory of Lincoln's death. He began writing his powerful elegy to Lincoln, "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd," after Drum-Taps had already been delivered to the printer. He was able quickly to add to Drum-Taps, before the book was set in type, a brief poem about Lincoln's death, "Hush'd Be the Camps To-day," but his "Lilacs" elegy and his uncharacteristically rhymed and metered elegy for Lincoln, "O Captain! My Captain!," were written after the book was in press. Whitman therefore compiled a Sequel to Drum-Taps and had it printed up when he went back to Washington. In October he returned to Brooklyn to oversee the collating and binding of Sequel with Drum-Taps. He subtitled Sequel "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd and Other Pieces," and the very title registered the fragmentation that now characterized his poetry and his nation, shattered and in pieces (in "Lilacs," he described the "debris and debris" of the war's casualties and of the nation's current condition). He dated the Sequel 1865-6, offering another significantly hyphenated moment. Just as his 1860-1 Leaves marked the division between a nation at peace and a nation rent by war, so now did the sequel mark the reunification, a country moving from a year of war to the difficult first year of its reunified peace, from the horror of disintegration to the challenge of reconstruction. In joining Drum-Taps and Sequel, Whitman created a book whose physical form echoed the challenges the postwar nation was facing as it entered the stormy period of Reconstruction. Whitman, too, was entering a period of poetic reconstruction, searching for ways to absorb the personal and national trauma of the Civil War into Leaves of Grass. As soon as the war ended, he began to realize that the nation's hopes and history had to be reunified and that his original goals for Leaves of Grass—to project an optimistic democratic future for America—should not be abandoned but rather had to be integrated with the trauma of the Civil War. He faced the difficult task now of reopening Leaves of Grass to find a way to absorb into his growing book the horror of the nation's fratricidal war. His life was undergoing many changes in the weeks and months following the end of the war. One major event happened unexpectedly: on a stormy night, while riding the streetcar home after dinner at John and Ursula Burroughs' apartment, Whitman began talking with the conductor, a 21-year-old Irish immigrant and former Confederate soldier named Peter Doyle. Doyle later recalled that Whitman was the only passenger, and "we were familiar at once—I put my hand on his knee—we understood." "From that time on," Doyle recalled, "we were the biggest sort of friends" (Bucke 1897, 23). It would be a friendship that would last for the rest of Whitman's life, and it was the most intense and romantic friendship the poet would have. Like Whitman, Doyle came from a large family, and Walt got to know Doyle's widowed mother and his siblings well; they came to be a second family for him. Whitman continued visiting soldiers in Washington hospitals during the first years following the war, as the number of hospitals gradually decreased and only the most difficult cases remained, but he now focused his attention increasingly on this single young former artilleryman from the South. Like so many of Whitman's closest friends, Doyle had only a rudimentary education and was from the working class. These young men were reflections of Whitman's own youthful self, and he saw his poetry as speaking for them, putting into words what they could not, becoming the vocalization of the common man, without aristocratic airs, without elite schooling, without the weary formalities of tradition. For Whitman, then, Doyle represented America's future: healthy, witty, handsome, good-humored, hard-working, enamored of good times, he gave Whitman's life some energy and hope during an otherwise bleak time. They rode the streetcars together, drank at the Union Hotel bar, took long walks outside the city, and quoted poetry to each other (Whitman recited Shakespeare, Doyle limericks). As Whitman's health continued to deteriorate in the late 1860s and early 1870s, the young former soldier nursed the aging former nurse and offered comfort to the poet just as Walt had to so many sick soldiers. And just as Whitman had picked up the germs of many of his poems from the stories soldiers had told him, so now he picked up from Doyle—who had been at Ford's Theatre the night John Wilkes Booth shot the president—the narrative of the assassination of Lincoln that he would use for the Lincoln lectures that he would deliver regularly in his later years. Only in 1870 did the Doyle-Whitman relationship encounter severe problems. In some of the most intriguing and often-discussed entries in all of Whitman's notebooks, the poet records a cryptic resolution: "TO GIVE UP ABSOLUTELY & for good, from the present hour, this FEVERISH, FLUCTUATING, useless UNDIGNIFIED PURSUIT of 16.4—too long, (much too long) persevered in,—so humiliating" (NUPM, 2:888). Critics eventually broke Whitman's numeric/alphabetic code (16 = P; 4 = D) and realized that he was writing about his relationship with Doyle. Whitman goes on to urge himself to "Depress the adhesive nature / It is in excess—making life a torment / Ah this diseased, feverish disproportionate adhesiveness / Remember Fred Vaughan" (NUPM, 2:889-90). Vaughan, the close friend who probably inspired Whitman's "Calamus" poems, shared many traits with Doyle, and Whitman came to be jealous of both men when they did not return his love with the fervor he demanded. Soon after Whitman had met Doyle, he revised his "Calamus" sequence and removed the darker poems that expressed despair at being abandoned. But in 1870, those same dark emotions reappeared, though somehow this time Whitman and his partner managed to work their way through the trouble. They never lived together, though Walt dreamed of doing so, and, while their relationship would never regain the intensity it had in the mid-1860s, Doyle and Whitman continued to correspond, and Doyle visited Whitman regularly for the next two decades after the poet moved to Camden, New Jersey. Just when Whitman was feeling secure in his government employment, all hell broke loose. In May, 1865, a new secretary of the interior, James Harlan of Iowa, was sworn in and immediately set out to clean up his department, issuing a directive to abolish non-essential positions and to dismiss any employee whose "moral character" was questionable. Harlan was a formidable figure—a former US Senator, Methodist minister, and president of Iowa Wesleyan College—and, when he saw Whitman's working copy of the 1860 Leaves of Grass (which the poet kept in his desk so that he could revise his poems during slow times at the office), he was appalled. On June 20, Whitman (along with a number of other Interior Department employees) received a dismissal notice. He quickly turned to his fiery friend O'Connor, who at that time worked in the Treasury Department. O'Connor, at some risk to his own career, took immediate action: he contacted the assistant attorney general, J. Hubley Ashton, who in turn talked with Harlan, only to find that not only was Harlan dead set against rescinding the dismissal order, he was ready to prevent Whitman from getting work in any other governmental agency. Ashton talked Harlan out of interfering with Whitman's appointment outside of the Interior Department, and then he convinced attorney general James Speed to hire Whitman in his office. Whitman became a clerk in that office the next day, liked the work better (he aided in the preparation of requests for pardons from Confederates and later copied documents for delivery to the president and cabinet members), and held the job until 1874, when he forfeited it because of ill health. The whole flap over Whitman's firing seemed to be over in a day, but O'Connor, a highly regarded editor, novelist, and journalist as well as a governmental servant, could not control his rage at Harlan and began to write a diatribe against the moralistic secretary of the interior and his "commission of an outrage"—the unceremonious dumping of Walt Whitman, "the Kosmical man—. . . the ADAMUS of the nineteenth century—not an individual, but MANKIND" (Loving 1978, 171). O'Connor went on for nearly fifty pages, excoriating Harlan and sanctifying Whitman, offering a ringing endorsement of the poet's work and his life, emphasizing his hospital work and his love of country, and locating any indecency in Harlan's "horrible inanity of prudery," not in the poetry itself (Loving 1978, 191). Whitman offered O'Connor advice and suggestions on the piece, which O'Connor titled "The Good Gray Poet," creating an epithet that would attach itself to Whitman from then on. The pamphlet was published at the beginning of 1866 and had a major impact on the changing public perception of Whitman: though O'Connor did not downplay Whitman's frankness about the body, in his hands the transformation had begun from outrageous, immoral, indiscriminate, and radical poet of sex to saint-like, impoverished, aging poet of strong American values. Around this time, Whitman visited George Washington's home in Mount Vernon, perhaps looking for some stable point in a national history that now seemed to be spinning out of control. That pile of body parts he had seen when he first went to Fredericksburg to search for his brother had expanded almost infinitely during the years of the war. There was now a new stubborn reality he would have to learn to incorporate in his radically altered post-1860 poetry: instead of absorbing an ameliorative, evolving, progressive, expanding self and nation and cosmos into his affirmative song, he would begin cataloging mass death. This grisly catalog would eventually expand to over 600,000 deaths (projected as a percentage of the nation's population, we'd be talking about nearly seven million dead young men today). We can find pieces of this dark catalog throughout Whitman's wartime poetry, but perhaps never so effectively as in his prose Memoranda During the War, where he writes the longest sentence he would ever compose, inventing a syntax of mass death, an utterance that wanders the ruined nation to gather up "the infinite dead," pausing again and again to absorb the horror, the details, the unimaginable numbers of dead young men whose bodies eluded the grave and were composted back into the landscape itself. The sentence buries seven parenthetical insertions among its thirty-some dashes, creating a jagged syntactical field. And this astonishing catalog of a sentence ends up, after its nearly 400 words, being a sentence fragment. There is no way, Whitman discovered, to predicate this subject: "The dead in this war." These numberless dead are of course beyond animation, themselves now fragments of bodies, amputated selves, irretrievable, that have so "saturated" America's land that we the living are now fated to reap forevermore a harvest of death, with blood in every grain we eat: The dead in this war—there they lie, strewing the fields and woods and valleys and battle-fields of the south—Virginia, the Peninsula—Malvern hill and Fair Oaks—the banks of the Chickahominy—the terraces of Fredericksburgh—Antietam bridge—the grisly ravines of Manassas—the bloody promenade of the Wilderness—the varieties of the strayed dead, (the estimate of the War department is 25,000 national soldiers kill'd in battle and never buried at all, 5,000 drown'd—15,000 inhumed by strangers, or on the march in haste, in hitherto unfound localities—2,000 graves cover'd by sand and mud by Mississippi freshets, 3,000 carried away by caving-in of banks, &c.,)—Gettysburgh, the West, Southwest—Vicksburgh—Chattanooga—the trenches of Petersburgh—the numberless battles, camps, hospitals everywhere—the crop reap'd by the mighty reapers, typhoid, dysentery, inflammations—and blackest and loathesomest of all, the dead and living burial-pits, the prison-pens of Andersonville, Salisbury, Belle-Isle, &c., (not Dante's pictured hell and all its woes, its degradations, filthy torments, excell'd those prisons)—the dead, the dead, the dead—our dead—or South or North, ours all, (all, all, all, finally dear to me)—or East or West—Atlantic coast or Mississippi valley—somewhere they crawl'd to die, alone, in bushes, low gullies, or on the sides of hills—(there, in secluded spots, their skeletons, bleach'd bones, tufts of hair, buttons, fragments of clothing, are occasionally found yet)—our young men once so handsome and so joyous, taken from us—the son from the mother, the husband from the wife, the dear friend from the dear friend—the clusters of camp graves, in Georgia, the Carolinas, and in Tennessee—the single graves left in the woods or by the road-side, (hundreds, thousands, obliterated)—the corpses floated down the rivers, and caught and lodged, (dozens, scores, floated down the upper Potomac, after the cavalry engagements, the pursuit of Lee, following Gettysburgh)—some lie at the bottom of the sea—the general million, and the special cemeteries in almost all the States—the infinite dead—(the land entire saturated, perfumed with their impalpable ashes' exhalation in Nature's chemistry distill'd, and shall be so forever, in every future grain of wheat and ear of corn, and every flower that grows, and every breath we draw)—not only Northern dead leavening Southern soil—thousands, aye tens of thousands, of Southerners, crumble to-day in Northern earth. (PW, 1:114-15) Whitman entitled this section of his Memoranda "The Million Dead, Too, Summ'd Up," using his characteristic contraction-apostrophe, which here creates a haunting ambiguity, because the sentence with all its embedded statistics, its death-data, does give us the Civil War dead summed up, but the contraction also invites us to fill in a few more letters, as we realize this death sentence literally summons up the dead, reminding us of their physical presence throughout the landscape, North and South, and insisting on their physical emergence in everything that grows from the soil they dissolved into. Whitman's catalog is a summing and a summoning, and the summons is not just of the dead but also of the living, who are being summoned to witness this mass death and, grotesque as it may seem, ingest it, live off of it, make a future out of it. Making a future out of that landscape of death would be Whitman's challenge for the rest of his life, as he tried to generate a nation worthy of such sacrifice. His old idea of "compost" was cast into a national process: the country had to create new life out of the decomposing bodies of a generation of its young men. Everywhere, America was being redefined, and Whitman was now searching for hints, answers, suggestions, about America's future. He attended baseball games; the new sport was quickly becoming the national game after returning Civil War soldiers, who had learned to play it in military camps, began organizing teams in various parts of the country. Whitman would be the first to call it "America's game," with the "snap, go, fling, of the American atmosphere." Maybe this unifying sport could help give the country a single identity again: he said the game was as important to "the sum total of our historic life" as our laws and Constitution. And he worked on Leaves of Grass, revising his 1860 edition incessantly (he still had the marked-up copy that Harlan had found in his desk), looking for a way that his book could continue to develop as an organizing force of American identity. By 1866, almost in desperation, Whitman felt it was imperative that he issue the first postwar edition of Leaves. Apart from the pulling and hauling stands what I am, Stands amused, complacent, compassionating, idle, unitary, Looks down, is erect, bends an arm on an impalpable certain rest, Looking with sidecurved head curious what will come next, Both in and out of the game, and watching and wondering at it. Backward I see in my own days where I sweated through fog with linguists and contenders, I have no mockings or arguments . . . . I witness and wait. (LG 1855, 14-15) However much he was the poet of the Open Road, Whitman was also always the poet "by the road-side," like the little liberal flower he urged Harry to become, witnessing and waiting, apart from the arguments and the pulling and the hauling, reaching above the fog of the contenders, into the liberal sunlight, the sunlight that was for Whitman the emblem of what we might call democratic virtue. As he wrote in his 1860 poem "To a Common Prostitute," "Not till the sun excludes you do I exclude you" (LG, 387). The good life, he tells young Harry, "shines like the sun" and brings us "the fresh air of a May morning" even in the heart of winter. And Whitman teaches Harry that a sunny disposition will be achieved only if he can "be quiet & good natured & even attentive & not get mad worth a cent." Witness and wait, he advises Harry; stand apart (by the roadside); stand amused and compassionating (not impassioned and gassed up). In this letter to Harry, Whitman's use of the little phrase "by the road-side" is suggestive, since, when he wrote this note, he had just been working on rearranging the poems of Leaves of Grass for one final time, and he had created a new cluster of poems, made up of pieces that spanned his career; he gave this cluster the title "By the Roadside." His use of the phrase in the context of defining the "good life" suggests that we might read the odd miscellany of poems he gathered under that title as a kind of gloss on his conception of what the good life entailed. Those poems record moments of alert observation of the world and of his life passing by. They are often brief epiphanies, like "A Child's Amaze": Silent and amazed even when a little boy, I remember I heard the preacher every Sunday put God in his statements, As contending against some being or influence. (LG, 275) Walt, too, like Harry Stafford, had spent some time in church as a young man, and he quickly decided that the preachers seemed more interested in making God a "contender" rather than a "tolerant liberal" force. Amazed at this, Whitman never attended church as an adult, and it would finally be the great atheist Robert Green Ingersoll, the same one who upset Harry, who would speak at Whitman's funeral instead of a minister. In his eulogy, Ingersoll celebrated this quality of virtuous democracy in Whitman: "He was, above all I have known, the poet of humanity, of sympathy . . . He sympathized with the imprisoned and despised, and even on the brow of crime he was great enough to place the kiss of human sympathy" (Ingersoll 1920, 473-4). In his long address, Ingersoll quoted only one line of Whitman's poetry: "One of the greatest lines in our literature is his, and the line is great enough to do honor to the greatest genius that has ever lived. He said, speaking of an outcast: 'Not till the sun excludes you do I exclude you'" (Ingersoll 1920, 474). For Ingersoll, God and religion throughout history had divided, judged, excluded, condemned, separated. Whitman was the opposite force, inclusive as the sun, recognizing and loving all that he encountered. Whitman, in defining what the democratic poet would have to become, put it this way: "He judges not as the judge judges but as the sun falling around a helpless thing." He does not separate the guilty from the innocent, the evil from the good; he simply cares for all. One little poem in "By the Roadside" is just called "Thought": Of Justice—as if Justice could be any thing but the same ample law, expounded by natural judges and saviors, As if it might be this thing or that thing, according to decisions. (LG, 276) The "ample law" is what the "natural judge," the sun, applies to all things, and it stands above "decisions," which are by definition discriminatory judgments that divide and label and reduce. Another "Thought" in "By the Roadside" is "Of Equality—As if it harmed me, giving others the same chances and rights as myself—As if it were not indispensable to my own rights that others possess the same" (LG, 611). Whitman's good life shines like the sun, then, reaching out to everything in an inclusive embrace that seeks not to exclude but to include. The good life, for him, was finding that all life was good. If we widen our acceptance, stop discriminating, we will find ourselves more at home in a cluttered world. No wonder he celebrated the new technology of photography as the perfect tool of democratic art: while others complained that photography was a flawed representational art because it was indiscriminate and included everything that appeared in a visual field, producing a clutter, Whitman embraced it for exactly that quality: beauty would no longer be defined as that which was selected out and placed above, but rather as that which included all. He once said the real power of photography was that "it lets nature have its way" (WWC, 4:125). Fullness of diversity became democratic beauty, and the photograph, with its sensitive plate that absorbed the impression of every detail that formed a scene, became the model for Whitman's absorptive lines, his flowing catalogs that sought to accumulate details toward a diverse unity, excluding nothing, gathering up a grand democratic clutter. "In these Leaves," he wrote, "everything is literally photographed" (NUPM, 4:1523). An early term for photography was "sun-painting": the sun as a painter did not discriminate and select but instead only accumulated, made room for everything it illuminated. Whitman is our sun-poet, and the good life for him begins with an understanding of the "tolerant liberal disposition" of the sun. Be as still, as patient, as absorptive, as a prepared and waiting photographic plate, welcoming the impress of the infinitely varied world. But there's also an active component to the good life for Whitman, as he underscores in his advice to Harry: "True religion (the most beautiful thing in the whole world,, & the best part of any man's or woman's, or boy's character) consists in what one does square and kind & generous & honorable all days, all the time—& especially with his own folks & associates & with the poor & illiterate & in devout meditation, & silent thoughts of God, & death—& not at all in what he says." It is this way of being—of doing—in the world that Whitman articulated early on, way back in his preface to his first edition of Leaves of Grass, where he instructs us on what we must do to live the good life: This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body. (LG 1855, v-vi) Whitman's conception of the good life here is derived from Aristotle, who reasoned that it was a life acted in accord with virtue. Our job is to create a virtuous soul, Aristotle said; the result will be a good life. Eudaimonia, the state of contentment brought on by feeling healthy and prosperous and happy, was the "good life" sought by many Greek philosophers, but for Aristotle prosperity and health were often the results of luck or chance, and a happiness based on them was finally empty; true happiness emerged only through virtuous acts. His Ethics is a long exploration of what constitutes the "virtuous." Whitman was a notorious dabbler in philosophy, picking up and jotting down bits and pieces of Greek, French, and German philosophical writings throughout his lifetime. In the 1850s, around the time he was writing his preface to Leaves of Grass, he was reading Rousseau's Social Contract, with the help of a friend who was translating it, and Whitman recorded this summary: Aristotle had said . . . that men are not equal by nature, but that some were born for slavery, and some for dominion.—Aristotle was right, but he mistook the effect for the cause. Every man that is born in slavery is born for slavery; nothing is more certain.—Slaves lose everything in their fetters; even to the desire of quitting them; they love their servitude, as the companions of Ulysses loved their brutishness. If there are slaves by nature, it is because there have been slaves against nature.—Force made the first slavery; cowardice has perpetuated it. (NUPM, 5:1848) Here was the source of Whitman's admonition about what we must do: hate tyrants, take hats off to no one, challenge authority as a habit of mind, re-examine everything we've ever been taught. Avoid the fetters, because once they're on, you may have no choice but to love your servitude. His own hatred of American slavery is indicated here, but for him "slavery" was always more than the South's peculiar institution; we were all slaves to habits and conventions and modes of thought that killed a good life just as effectively as chattel slavery. Another little note Whitman once scribbled about Aristotle is equally revealing: "Aristotle mediums between extremes, also experimental philosophy. (It seems to be the substratum on which are based modern literature, education, and very largely modern character)" (NUPM, 5:1884). This little note indicates Whitman's awareness of Aristotle's belief that virtue comes in finding the middle way. Temperance, generosity, prudence, magnanimity: all these "middle" virtues (mediating the extremes, as generosity, for example, mediates between profligacy and parsimony) Whitman could find in phrenology as easily as in Aristotle, but, wherever he found it, he took the lesson to heart, and it is everywhere in his writings, as in the 1855 preface: "The soul has that measureless pride which consists in never acknowledging any lessons but its own. But it has sympathy as measureless as its pride and the one balances the other and neither can stretch too far while it stretches in company with the other. The inmost secrets of art sleep with the twain" (LG 1855, vi). To find that middle ground between pride and sympathy was, for Whitman, the great challenge of living in a democracy—to find a way of celebrating individualism while also celebrating the unity of the diverse collective. He announced this middle ground in the poem that in 1870 he placed first in Leaves of Grass: One's-Self I sing, a simple separate person, Yet utter the word Democratic, the word En-Masse. (LG, 1) Or, as he once told another young Camden friend, Horace Traubel: "Be individualistic, be individualistic, be not too damned individualistic." Always seeking the moderate response is what stands behind Whitman's warning to Harry Stafford to "not get mad worth a cent," to live the "good life, steady trying to do fair." Steadiness, a temperate temper, standing apart: it's all part of Whitman's recipe for the good life. Whitman embraced one other key aspect of Aristotle's examination of the good life, and that was friendship: "For without friends," Aristotle said, "no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods." Aristotle offers a kind of anatomy of friendship in his Ethics, privileging what he defines as virtuous friendship, a "friendship for the good," that emerges when two people act together to develop the overall goodness of each other. Like Aristotle, Whitman believed this kind of relationship was best experienced by an older male with a younger male. Through his lifetime, Whitman had his photograph taken often, but almost always alone; there are no photos of him with any family member or with his adult friends, but there is a series of photos of him with his young boy friends, and they record a kind of restless seeking of this aspect of the good life. In the 1860s, he was photographed with Peter Doyle; in the 1870s with Harry Stafford; in the 1880s with Bill Duckett; and in the 1890s with Warren Fritzinger (see chapter 7 on Duckett and Fritzinger). Whitman never published any of these odd, wedding-like portraits, but he kept them near him at all times. He sought some radical and unnamed new affectional structure for which he had only old and inappropriate terms of relationship. The good life for Walt Whitman was finally, then, a lonely (but not unhappy) affair. Growing up in a largely dysfunctional family, finding his affectional energies directed toward males, he knew from early on that for him the good life would not be the conventional arrangement of a wife and family and stable home. He built a poetry that was based on the idea of an "I" that was always fluid and changing, on the move, loath to settle down, cruising. His expansive, democratic persona would wither and die if it ever began to focus its attention on a single person or place. He invented a poetic syntax of continual forgetting and moving. What sustained him throughout his life was his series of relationships with young men, right up to the end when his so-called disciples nursed him and held him and kissed him, just as he had done with all those hundreds of injured and dying boy-soldiers in the Civil War. So it is fitting that a group of English men—an array of writers, intellectuals, shopkeepers, and laborers—also regarded Whitman as a figure of pivotal importance. These men were struggling to establish a positive identity based on same-sex love (what was just then beginning to be called "homosexuality") within a culture which increasingly categorized such love as morbid and criminal. Edward Carpenter, a major interpreter of Whitman in England, first came to Camden to visit Whitman in 1877 and returned again in 1884. Carpenter influenced various artists, intellectuals, and sex radicals through the example of his life (notable for his decades-long relationship with a working-class man, George Merrill), and through his writings, including his Whitman-inspired poetry in Towards Democracy (1883-1902), his many essays, and later his Days with Walt Whitman (1906), a memoir of his association with Whitman and an analysis of Whitman's work and influence. Carpenter helped spread word of Whitman to the labor movement in England, where the poet's language of comradeship was employed by English followers eager to advance a more egalitarian society. Many other people made pilgrimages to Camden in these years, with Oscar Wilde among the most famous. In 1882 Wilde drank elderberry wine with the poet, enthused over his Greek qualities, and declared that there is "no one in this great wide world of America whom I love and honor so much." Chapter 7 Dying into Leaves Whitman's work, repeatedly endorsed by English readers and by European admirers, especially in France and Germany, received a further boost in 1881 when a mainstream Boston publisher, James R. Osgood & Co., decided to issue Leaves of Grass under its imprint. Osgood, though struggling financially, had a reputable publishing house, with a list that once included Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mark Twain, and Charles Dickens. Just as Thayer and Eldridge had offered Whitman respectable Boston publication over twenty years earlier, so he could once again look forward to wide distribution, high visibility, and institutional validation (a paradoxical idea, of course, for a renegade poet). He again traveled to Boston to oversee the printing of his book, and he spent his time there in the Rand, Avery, & Co. typesetting shop, where he had worked on the 1860 edition. "I am coming on to see to & oversee it, every page—will take six or eight weeks," he wrote (Corr., 3:236). Once again, however, he encountered problems. The Boston district attorney, Oliver Stevens, wrote to Osgood on March 1, 1882: "We are of the opinion that this book is such a book as brings it within the provisions of the Public Statutes respecting obscene literature and suggest the propriety of withdrawing the same from circulation and suppressing the editions thereof" (Corr., 3:267n). The notorious moralist Anthony Comstock and the New England Society for the Suppression of Vice encouraged this proceeding, but numerous reviews had also predicted trouble for the book. Osgood lacked financial resources (and perhaps the will) to fight Stevens and so sought a compromise, hoping that the poet would agree to excise objectionable passages; Whitman, thinking that the required alterations might involve only ten lines "& half a dozen words or phrases," looked for a way around the ban. But once he recognized how thoroughgoing the changes would need to be, his position stiffened. The offending passages appeared in "Song of Myself," "From Pent-up Aching Rivers," "A Woman Waits for Me," "I Sing the Body Electric," "Spontaneous Me," "The Dalliance of the Eagles," "Native Moments," "By Blue Ontario's Shore," "To a Common Prostitute," "Unfolded Out of the Folds," "The Sleepers," and "Faces." For most poems, only particular passages or words were at issue, but the district attorney insisted that "A Woman Waits for Me" and "To a Common Prostitute" had to be removed entirely. Intriguingly, the "Calamus" section and other poems treating male-male love raised no concern, perhaps because the male-male poems infrequently venture beyond handholding and hugging while the male-female poems are frank about copulation. Whitman wrote to Osgood: "The list whole & several is rejected by me, & will not be thought of under any circumstances" (Corr., 3:270). Osgood stopped selling Leaves of Grass and transferred the plates to Whitman, who took them to Rees Welsh, a Philadelphia publisher. Rees Welsh printed around 6,000 copies of the book, and initial sales were brisk. David McKay of Rees Welsh was particularly supportive of Whitman; soon McKay broke away and began publishing Whitman through his own firm. Another benefit of the suppression controversy was that it helped restore an important friendship with O'Connor, who ignored past differences and came to Whitman's defense with a vigorous essay, "Mr. Comstock as Cato the Censor," in the New York Tribune. O'Connor heaped praise on Whitman, argued that Leaves of Grass (like the Decameron) was a "book [that] belonged to literature and not to lust," and invoked Emerson's praise as further evidence of its high-mindedness (Loving 1978, 234). Whitman's "Memorandum at a Venture," an essay written in the same year Leaves was banned in Boston, argues that the "current prurient, conventional treatment of sex is the main formidable obstacle" to women's advancement in business, politics, and social life (PW, 2:494). His depictions of women have been criticized (for example, D. H. Lawrence claimed that Whitman reduced women to wombs). While Leaves of Grass clearly emphasized motherhood, Whitman also valued other roles for women. In fact, the women he most celebrated—among them the critic and reformer Margaret Fuller, the radical reform writer Frances Wright, the novelist George Sand, and the eccentric critic Delia Bacon—were those who challenged conventional social arrangements. Some nineteenth-century women criticized Whitman: the suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, for example, thought he presented a skewed portrayal of women's sexuality in "A Woman Waits for Me," even though she endorsed the freedom and assertiveness Whitman insisted on when he said, in the same poem, that women must "know how to swim, row, ride, wrestle, shoot, run, strike, retreat, advance, resist, defend themselves" (LG, 102). Most women of his day looked beyond his occasional lapses, and several wrote him letters praising the liberating value of his poetry. In addition, notable writers ranging from Kate Chopin to Charlotte Perkins Gilman to Edith Wharton invoked his work in their own writings both because of what he said about women and because of his vision of comradeship. They perceived that Whitman's comradeship—with its promise of mutuality and equality—could be retooled to critique hierarchical relations between men and women. The autobiographical prose work Specimen Days, issued as a counterpart to the 1881-2 Leaves of Grass, was described by Whitman as the "most wayward, spontaneous, fragmentary book ever printed" (PW, 1:1). The spontaneity could be questioned, since it was a multiply re-scripted work: the powerful sections on the war were first drafted at hospital bedsides, often reworked for initial publication in newspapers, further refined for use in Memoranda During the War, and reshaped once again for publication in the war section of Specimen Days. The book is an unusual autobiography in many ways, including its emphasis on the middle and late stages of life rather than the early ones. Whitman reveals little about a central mystery: the development of the first edition of Leaves of Grass. After a concise treatment of his family background, he moves quickly past his "long foreground" to focus on the Civil War. Knowing that his direct and extensive connection to the war set him apart from other writers, he argues that the hospitals were central to the war just as the war was a defining experience for America. He famously said "my book and the war are one," asserting implicitly that his life and the war are one (LG, 5). It is the love, sacrifice, comradeship, and courage of the hospitals that Whitman now decides to record as central to his life, not the creating of Leaves of Grass, a book of world-wide significance. He attributes his paralysis to the war, and now, after the conflict, the crisis of his culture remains inscribed on his body. His personal efforts to overcome paralysis are mirrored in the larger cultural efforts to find new vitality and hope despite the injuries of the past, the fundamental damage already done. Following the war section of Specimen Days , Whitman shifts to nature reflections evoked by the Stafford farm setting at Timber Creek, where he underwent a self-imposed, idiosyncratic, but effective regimen of physical therapy (including wrestling with saplings and taking mud baths) to restore his body from the ravages of stroke. He also describes his 1879 trip to participate in the quarter-centennial celebration of the Kansas settlement and to visit his brother Jeff in St Louis. Whitman traveled as far as Denver and the Rockies, finding in the landscape a grandeur that matched his earlier visions of it and a ruggedness that he believed justified his approach to American poetry. Throughout Specimen Days, he keeps in mind his standing in the national pantheon. In "My Tribute to Four Poets" and in discussions of Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edgar Allan Poe, and Carlyle, Whitman seeks to position himself as magnanimous in relation to his key predecessors. Showing a new generosity, he now praises fellow poets he once belittled for their "perpetual, pistareen, paste-pot work" (PW, 2:388-9). Putting aside earlier slights, he takes a large-minded position: he shows no ill will toward Emerson, Whittier, or Bryant, all of whom, in the 1870s, had compiled anthologies of poetry that pointedly excluded Whitman's work altogether. Specimen Days, long neglected in criticism, is now being read by many critics as an eccentric and experimental work, a fitting counterpart in prose to Whitman's radically new poetry. One useful way of thinking of the book, as George Hutchinson has noted, is in terms of "life review," the psychological process of coming to terms with death by making sense of personal history, the contour of life (Hutchinson 1987, 4). As the number of elderly Americans increases in the coming years, Whitman's late work may be re-evaluated and even more greatly admired. There is much to be learned from his capacity to remake himself and his project under very trying circumstances, and from his ability to read an individual life in terms of larger historical, cultural, and natural processes. Whitman found another opportunity to shape his life story when the Canadian Richard Maurice Bucke undertook the first full-length biography of the poet, published as Walt Whitman in 1883. The book appeared through David McKay, who was establishing himself as the primary publisher of Whitman and Whitman-related materials. Bucke was immediately enthralled when he first read Whitman in 1867, though his initial overtures toward the poet went nowhere when Whitman did not answer his letters. Once the two men met in the late 1870s, however, they began a key friendship and literary relationship. Bucke was fascinated by science and mysticism: he was superintendent of the largest mental asylum in North America and the author of Man's Moral Nature and Cosmic Consciousness. He believed that Whitman's achievement put him near the head of a group of luminaries including Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Socrates, and Wordsworth. Whitman provided information for the biography when he visited Bucke in Ontario for four months in the summer of 1880, yet even after Whitman drafted parts of this study and edited much that Bucke wrote, he did not think the book created a truthful portrait. Interestingly, he himself excised some of Bucke's better insights, including his accounts of Whitman's motherly nature and of the intimate friendship the poet struck up with a Canadian soldier while traveling with Bucke. Whitman's life story was also bound up with Lincoln's, and the poet worked hard to strengthen that connection. For about a decade, beginning in the late 1870s, Whitman regularly offered lectures on Lincoln. These lectures, complementing his famous elegies, "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd" and "O Captain! My Captain!," brought Whitman much-needed income, while underscoring again his connection with the war and the martyred president. These Lincoln lectures were as close as Whitman ever came to becoming the wandering lecturer he had dreamed of being in his youth. He usually concluded with "O Captain!," signaling his willingness to serve the role of popular elegist despite his personal misgivings about the conventionality of the poem. In the 1880s, as Whitman was compiling authoritative versions of his writings and overseeing various accounts of his life, he was also putting his domestic arrangements in better order. He had been living with his brother George's family, but when George retired and moved his family to a farm outside of town, Whitman refused to leave Camden. With royalty money from the 1881-2 edition of Leaves and a loan from publisher George W. Childs, the poet purchased "a little old shanty of my own" (Corr., 3:368). In March, 1884, he moved into the only home he ever owned. The poet thought that the two-story frame house at 328 Mickle Street, lacking a furnace and in need of repairs, suited him well. His personal room quickly took on a distinctive aura: many visitors noted how the poet resided in a sea of chaotic papers. One guest remarked: "I found Whitman calmly sitting in the midst of such utter and appalling literary confusion, I wondered for a moment how he breathed—vast heaps of everything piled about him. It seemed as though an earthquake had thrown all the life and literature of the hour, everything, in fact, into ruins, but the old god" (quoted in Haven 2004, 13). With Whitman becoming decreasingly mobile, Thomas Donaldson, a Philadelphia lawyer, devised a plan in 1885 to get the poet a horse and buggy by asking 35 men to donate 10 dollars apiece. Bill Duckett, a teenage boy who boarded briefly with Whitman and his housekeeper Mrs Davis, often accompanied Whitman on his drives. As a carriage driver and companion, Duckett held a role in some ways similar to that of Fred Vaughan, Peter Doyle, and Harry Stafford. Yet it is unlikely that Duckett meant as much to the poet as these earlier intimate companions. Whitman was, however, photographed with the youth, once while Duckett was driving Whitman's horse and carriage, and another time in one of those noteworthy pictures (similar to wedding poses) in which Whitman appears with various younger men—Doyle, Stafford, and Duckett himself—creating an iconography for relationships based on "calamus" friendship. The friendship with Duckett eventually ended. Mrs Davis took him to court for failing to pay his boarding bill, though the young man claimed he owed nothing since the poet had invited him into his house. Other efforts to aid the poet were less successful. When several individuals—William Sloane Kennedy, a member of Whitman's inner circle, Sylvester Baxter, a Boston journalist, and Henry B. Lovering, a congressman from Massachusetts—attempted to secure a war pension for Whitman, the poet himself refused to support this effort. He wrote to Baxter that he did "not consent to being an applicant for a pension as spoken of—I do not deserve it" (Corr., 4:56). Nonetheless, the mere rumor that Whitman was being considered for a pension was enough to provoke Thomas Wentworth Higginson to vigorously oppose the idea in the pages of Harper's Bazaar. Higginson ridiculed Whitman's manhood: There is, it is true, a class of men whose claims are intermediate between those of the soldiers and those of the women. There were many men who, being rejected from enlistment for physical defects, sought honorably to serve their country as hospital nurses or agents of the Sanitary Commission. A beginning has been made in the way of pensioning these men in the case of the proposed pension for Mr. Whitman, the poet; although he . . . deliberately preferred service in the hospital rather than in the field. (Higginson 1887, 162) Higginson (who had met the poet back in 1860 in Boston when Higginson was actively supporting the radical abolitionist John Brown) had taken a powerful disliking to Whitman, and in a series of essays (including, ultimately, an obituary notice) he attacked Whitman on various grounds including the poet's fondness for men. Higginson's animosity led some in Whitman's circle to conclude that he was behind the banning of Leaves in Boston, though no evidence has been found to support that suspicion. Lacking a guaranteed source of income, Whitman helped himself by peppering periodicals in these years with poems and essays that kept his name before the public and brought in needed money. He published more than eighty poems in periodicals in the last decade of his life. (This was more than half of all the poems he published in periodicals from 1855 to 1892.) The poems written after 1881 did not alter the fundamental shape of his life's work. In fact, he made a point of leaving the basic structure of Leaves unchanged following the suppression controversy. The late poems—typically appearing first in a periodical and then in a separate volume such as November Boughs or Good-Bye My Fancy—were placed in appendices or, as he called them, "annexes" when he finally incorporated them into Leaves of Grass, the main book. Figure 6. Photograph by Dr William Reeder of Whitman in his Camden, New Jersey, home (1891). Photo courtesy New York Public Library. November Boughs (1888) was a volume containing 64 poems, collected under the title "Sands at Seventy," and various prose works previously published in periodicals. Some of the prose writings are effective and accomplished pieces, especially "Father Taylor (and Oratory)," "Robert Burns as Poet and Person," and "Slang in America." Good-Bye My Fancy (1891) was published initially as a miscellany of prose and verse. Whitman later printed 31 poems from the book in "Good-Bye my Fancy: 2d Annex" to Leaves of Grass (1891-2). While he lacked the poetic daring, range, and acuity of his early years, he still could write engaging poems such as "A Twilight Song," "Osceola," and "To the Sun-Set Breeze." "A Twilight Song" is a haunted poem, capturing Whitman's final attempt to bring the forgotten Civil War dead ("each name recall'd by me from out the darkness and death's ashes") to the attention of a nation that had, by the end of the poet's life, turned away from memories of the war. "Osceola" recalls the death of the Seminole leader Osceola in the 1830s (he "literally died of 'a broken heart,'" Whitman writes), a death that seems to presage the loss of American Indian culture as well as to evoke Whitman's own impending death. "To the Sun-Set Breeze" is a delicate poem capturing a moment when the aged and sick poet is refreshed by a gentle wind that brings to his fading senses a touch of "the sky, the prairies vast" and eventually "the globe itself swift-swimming in space"; the twentieth-century poet Ezra Pound, usually a Whitman detractor, would praise the "deliberate artistry" of this poem (quoted in Perlman et al. 1998, 113). Whitman continued writing, "garrulous" to the very end, and this resulted in a brave and often painful poetry recording invalidism and old age. He worried that his new writing might undermine his previous accomplishments: As I sit writing here, sick and grown old, Not my least burden is that dulness of the years, querilities, Ungracious glooms, aches, lethargy, constipation, whimpering ennui, May filter in my daily songs. (LG, 509-10) Aware that illness had overtaken him, that the national fame he sought was spotty, and that his celebration of the human body and his own body in particular could now be seen as a cruel joke, Whitman nonetheless mustered the honesty and drive to record his life—with its diminishment and indignities—candidly and courageously. A crucial development of Whitman's final years was the growth of his friendship with Horace Traubel, who was nearly forty years younger than the poet. Traubel met Whitman when the poet first moved to Camden, but starting in the late 1880s he became a daily visitor and recorder of Whitman's conversation. Later he would become one of the three executors of the estate and a vigorous defender of the poet's reputation. Traubel was devoted to the poet and believed that all that Whitman said was memorable: he kept detailed notes of his daily exchanges with the poet and published three large volumes of them as With Walt Whitman in Camden (six more volumes, based on Traubel's manuscripts, were published after his death). With Walt Whitman in Camden is the longest biography yet written of an American. Fittingly, it is an extraordinary, experimental work, full of riches that have yet to be appreciated because of the long delay of its full publication in print and because of its sheer unwieldiness (it is nearly 5,000 pages long). Because one of his parents was a Jew, the other a Christian, Traubel felt especially suited to interpret Whitman, the poet of inclusiveness. Traubel, who was forced to resign from his job in a bank because of his socialist views, urged Whitman to express support for socialism. After Whitman's death, Traubel became editor of the Conservator, a journal dedicated to continuing the poet's message. Traubel was the pivotal figure among Whitman's American disciples, a group sometimes disparagingly called the "hot little prophets." Although Traubel—married and with a child—had at least one passionate love affair with a man, he was characteristic of Whitman's American followers in trying to protect Whitman's reputation by resisting attempts to associate the poet with homosexuality, even going so far as to refer to same-sex love as "muck and rot" (Krieg 1996-7, 91). The American disciples had counterparts in England. J. W. Wallace was the indefatigable leader of a group of socialists (sometimes known as "Bolton College") there, in Lancashire, who ardently admired Whitman. Wallace visited Camden in the autumn of 1891 to see the "prophet" of a new socialist religion. Wallace's group was confident of its place in history: "We stand in closest relation to Walt Whitman—the divinely inspired prophet of world democracy" (Salveson 1996-7, 65). Other active members of the group were Fred Wild, a cotton waste merchant, and Dr John Johnston, a general practitioner, who corresponded with the poet, photographed him, and, with Wallace, wrote about him in Visits to Walt Whitman in 1890-1891 by Two Lancashire Friends. Whitman looked for his most enthusiastic audience to come from the US, though he welcomed the unexpected support he received from English readers. Still, at times he found some of his supporters trying. John Addington Symonds, the poet, student of sexuality, and classical scholar, began in the 1870s to question Whitman about the meaning of the "Calamus" cluster. Did it authorize sexual relations between men? Interested in the same-sex attachments depicted in Leaves of Grass, Symonds did not want to explicate the poems without reassurance from Whitman, something the poet refused to give. (Symonds's hesitancy resulted from his earlier disastrous "outing"—to use an anachronistic term—of Dr Charles Vaughan, headmaster of Harrow, who had an affair with a student, Symonds's friend Alfred Pretor.) Whitman was eventually so annoyed by Symonds's questioning that in 1890 the poet concocted a lie of grand proportions: "Tho' always unmarried I have had six children—two are dead—One living southern grandchild, fine boy, who writes to me occasionally. Circumstances connected with their benefit and fortune have separated me from intimate relations" (Corr., 5:73). The outrageousness of Whitman's claim—the flamboyance of his story—signaled something different and more complex than a simple denial. He evaded Traubel's inquiries, too, repeatedly suggesting that he had a great secret to divulge, but refusing to tell it. Whitman wanted to cultivate sexual mystery rather than clarity, and he was not going to reduce his life or thought to narrow and distorting labels or answers, especially on anyone else's terms. Leaves of Grass took its final shape as authorized by the poet in the "deathbed" edition, technically a reissue of the 1881-2 edition with supplemental material, which appeared in Whitman's final year of life. The first printing was a paperback copy to make sure it reached the poet before his death. He concluded the book with an expanded version of "A Backward Glance O'er Travel'd Roads," an essay that had appeared earlier, in parts, in the Critic and in the New York Star. "A Backward Glance" and the 1855 preface are the two essays that frame Leaves of Grass, beginning his first book of poetry and closing his final one. If the preface is brash, irreverent, and forward looking, "A Backward Glance" is dignified, conciliatory, and retrospective. He explains, in the latter essay, his purpose: to articulate and faithfully express in literary or poetic form, and uncompromisingly, my own physical, emotional, moral, intellectual, and æsthetic Personality, in the midst of, and tallying, the momentous spirit and facts of its immediate days, and of current America—and to exploit that Personality, identified with place and date, in a far more candid and comprehensive sense than any hitherto poem or book. (LG, 563) Leaves of Grass was autobiographical but not an autobiography—as much a record of a culture as of a person. In his final months, Whitman was very sick, beset by an array of ailments, and he seemed to endure through sheer force of will. For some time, he had been preparing for his death. He had a large mausoleum built in Camden's Harleigh Cemetery, on a plot given to him in 1885, shortly after the cemetery was opened. The tomb was paid for in part by Whitman with money donated to him for buying a house in the country and in part by one of his literary executors, Thomas Harned. (Eventually, several family members—George, Hannah, Louisa, Edward, and his parents—were reinterred in the same tomb, on which the inscription reads simply "Walt Whitman.") On December 24, 1891, the poet composed his last will and testament. In an earlier will of 1873 he had bequeathed his silver watch to Peter Doyle, but now, with Doyle largely absent from his life, he made changes, giving his gold watch to Traubel and a silver one to Harry Stafford. Frederick Warren Fritzinger ("Warry"), a former sailor, nursed Whitman in his final illness. Whitman liked Warry's touch, a blend of masculine strength and feminine tenderness. The poet's last words—a request to be moved in bed, "Shift, Warry"—were addressed to Fritzinger. The poet died on March 26, 1892, his hand resting in that of Traubel. The cause of death was miliary tuberculosis, with other contributing factors. The autopsy revealed that one lung had completely collapsed and the other was working only at one-eighth capacity; his heart was surrounded by a number of small abscesses and about two and a half quarts of water. According to Daniel Longaker, Whitman's physician in the final year, the autopsy showed Whitman to be free of alcoholism or syphilis. Longaker rejected the "slanderous accusations that debauchery and excesses of various kinds caused or contributed to his break-down" (Traubel et al. 1893, 410). In "Poets to Come" Whitman claimed: "I am a man who, sauntering along without fully stopping, turns a casual look upon you and then averts his face, / Leaving it to you to prove and define it, / Expecting the main things from you" (LG, 14). That casual look has had an uncanny impact on countless followers who have sought to complete Whitman's project and thereby to better know themselves. The responses have ranged from indictments to accolades. Some poets mimic his cadences or style, but many poets have understood, with William Carlos Williams, that the only way to write like Whitman is to write unlike Whitman, to forge a new kind of poetry instead of to imitate a poetry that already exists. To an unusual degree, however, Whitman's legacy has not been limited to poetry. He has had an extensive and often unpredictable impact on fiction, film, architecture, music, painting, dance, and other arts. We've noted that Whitman said, "my book and the war are one." He might have said as well that his book and the United States are one. Whitman, a writer who strove to define national identity and to imagine an inclusive society, has been of crucial importance to writers from various racial and ethnic groups who extended, refined, rewrote, battled, endorsed, and sometimes rejected the poet's work. Recent critics sometimes find fault with Whitman for his shortcomings and occasional failure to live up to his own finest ideals. But writers as diverse as Michael Gold, Langston Hughes, Muriel Rukeyser, Allen Ginsberg, June Jordan, Garrett Hongo, Sherman Alexie, Rudulfo Anaya, and Yusef Komunyakaa have, with rare exceptions, appreciated Whitman's sympathy, generosity, and capaciousness. Whitman's bold claim of 1855 that "the proof of a poet is that his country absorbs him as affectionately as he has absorbed it" is justified by his absorption into American culture (LG, 729). Over a century after his death, Whitman is a vital presence in American cultural memory. Television shows depict him. Musicians allude to him. Schools and bridges bear his name. His name can also be found on truck stops, apartment complexes, parks, think tanks, summer camps, corporate centers, and shopping malls. And he has enjoyed an international renown that is as remarkable as is his reception in American culture. Perhaps William Faulkner can match Whitman's impact in South America, but no US writer, including Faulkner, has had a comparable influence world-wide. Leaves of Grass has been translated in complete editions in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese, and partial translations have appeared in all major languages. Whitman's influence is due to his literary qualities as well as his standing as a political prophet. Not only has he served as a major icon for socialists and communists, but he has also been invoked on occasion by writers and politicians on the far right, including even the National Socialists in Germany. In general, however, Whitman has been most influential in liberal circles as a writer who articulated the beauty, power, and always incompletely fulfilled promise of democracy and camaraderie. Those You fathomless latent souls of love— those you pent and unknown oceans of love! (Notebook 94, Harned-Whitman Collection, Library of Congress) In 1868 Whitman finally published the poem in Broadway Magazine, as one of several untitled poems in a group called "Whispers of Heavenly Death." Here, the poem is close to what it would be in its final form in Leaves of Grass, but still with some key differences in punctuation. In the periodical version, the casting of the spider/soul is still tentative, broken again and again by commas: "I mark'd, where, on a little promontory, it stood, isolated." In the final version, Whitman's "exploration"—his "crying out," as the etymology of the word suggests—becomes dominant, erasing the pauses, the separations, as the poem enacts the casting out of long, seamless filament/lines: "I mark'd where on a little promontory it stood isolated, . . . ." Once again, all of these changes—which are many, often subtle, and which move us from the ur-poem to the familiar final version—are invisible in the Variorum of the Collected Writings. Our work in progress on the Whitman Archive is designed to allow students and scholars for the first time to track such illuminating shifts and revisions and fracturings in Whitman's poems as they move from originating ideas, often in prose notebooks, to drafts of poems that often led to several different published poems, to periodical publications that are sometimes close to the final version but contain key differences. The manuscripts and periodical versions of all of Whitman's poems are steps in a compositional evolution—crucial steps for this poet who based his poetics on evolution, on faith in an ongoing process of life, democracy, and poetry—that an electronic edition can explore in its entirety. As a result of an unannounced but profoundly important theoretical commitment to singularity and the individual author, the Collected Writings routinely omitted work that could be thought of as collaborative. One exception to this generalization is worth noting. Rambles Among Words was printed in Edward Grier's edition of Whitman's Notebooks and Unpublished Prose Manuscripts. Following the lead of C. Carroll Hollis, Grier concluded that Whitman had a hand in this text by William Swinton, though it is by no means certain that Whitman wrote any of this text at all (Folsom 1986, 290). (Indisputably, as a published book, it is neither a notebook nor an unpublished prose manuscript, so it is in any case an odd item to include in this section of the Collected Writings.) In short, a piece that Whitman just possibly wrote collaboratively was included in the Collected Writings, while many other texts that he definitely wrote collaboratively are excluded altogether. As a range of theorists and textual scholars have variously demonstrated, the idea of an individual, autonomous author is open to significant challenge, and the term author, if we are to use it now, might be best understood as a convenient shorthand marker for the many agents—a writer or writers, editors, typesetters, proofreaders, and others—who typically contribute to the production of a text. Whitman himself recognized that texts are rarely the product of a single individual. After the publication of the 1881-2 Leaves of Grass, he commented on the importance of his proof-reader's work: All this is not only to show my obligation to Henry Clark, but in some sort to all proof-readers everywhere, as sort of a tribute to a class of men, seldom mentioned, but to whom all the hundreds of writers, and all the millions of readers, are unspeakably indebted. More than one literary reputation, if not made is certainly saved by no less a person than a good proof-reader. The public that sees these neat and con-secutive, fair-printed books on the centre-tables, little knows the mass of chaos, bad spelling and grammar, frightful (corrected) excesses or balks, and frequent masses of illegibility and tautology of which they have been extricated. (DBN, 1:256) No one would claim that Henry Clark was the equal of Whitman in the making of Leaves of Grass, but he contributed to the social production of his text. The editors of the Collected Writings, despite printing the passage above, did little to acknowledge printers and proofreaders (in fact they erased in large measure the contributions of printers). The Collected Writings is committed to solitary authorship, and the consequences of this view are enormous. Intellectual content produced jointly by Whitman and others did not fit this model and hence was not represented. To be sure, complicated questions arise when considering the biographies that were partially ghost-written by Whitman, though they appeared under the names of John Burroughs and Richard Maurice Bucke. However, these complications are not sufficient reason to justify excluding this Whitman-mediated material from the record of Whitman's writings. Similarly complicated questions arise again regarding his marginalia, much of it written during the pivotal early phase of his career, some of it trenchant commentary on poetry and poetics. How exactly should we conceive of such writing? Perhaps it should be thought of as a multi-authorial but non-collaborative production (non-collaborative since the writer of the original text in, say, a magazine was an unwitting participant in Whitman's creation of a new text) that depends on an original document and a reaction to that document. The Whitman Archive anticipates that the marginalia will be included as time and resources allow. Horace Traubel's With Walt Whitman in Camden—the 5,000-page record of Traubel's daily conversations with the poet—raises related questions. Is this nine-volume work published sporadically over a ninety-year period a Whitman text, a Traubel text, or a Whitman-Traubel text? Many speakers are quoted in these volumes, either through Traubel's reproduction of documents or through transcribed conversation. (The transcribed conversation was actually recreated from Traubel's memory on the basis of notes he jotted down shortly after returning home from his almost daily visits to Whitman's room.) But no one—not even Traubel himself—is allotted the number of words that are attributed to Whitman here. These volumes, though excluded from the Collected Writings, are a treasure trove of Whitman's opinions on all manner of subjects both trivial and important. The Traubel volumes, representing nothing less or more than Whitman's mediated words, need to be included in any encompassing Whitman resource. Matt Cohen is now well along in editing these nine volumes for the Walt Whitman Archive. Making these volumes available in an electronically searchable form will be a great benefit to Whitman studies since few libraries have a complete set, and they are cumbersome to use because of their inadequate indexing. The same issues pertain to the many other, shorter interviews conducted with Whitman over his lifetime. These interviews have never been systematically collected and studied. Brett Barney is now editing these items for the Whitman Archive, for they too, if read with appropriate caution, can be the source of vitally important information. Much of Whitman's journalism can be thought of as falling into that same category of jointly produced intellectual work that the editors of the Collected Writings regularly ignored. Representation of the journalism has been restricted by previous editors to the newspaper essays that are thought to be authored by Whitman. That is, Herbert Bergman and his co-editors printed the essays, usually anonymous, that they attributed to Whitman. But when Whitman was the editor of the newspaper—for example, in his two-year stint with the Brooklyn Daily Eagle—where does "Whitman" stop? Given that he controlled the inclusion and exclusion and layout of material, should his journalism be limited only to Whitman-authored material? To what extent is the entire newspaper one of his intellectual creations, part of what we need to know for a full or ideal assessment of his career? Clearly there is a difference between material Whitman wrote and material that he edited. But both ought to fall within an inclusive presentation of his intellectual contributions. Like journalism, correspondence is by its nature fundamentally collaborative, and because the Collected Writings treats Whitman's correspondence by printing only his outgoing letters, it effectively erases much of the crucial information and context of the exchanges. A one-sided correspondence is inevitably partial and distorted. In the Collected Writings, incoming letters are at best quoted in part or rendered via summary in the footnotes. For the first time, the Whitman Archive will make available both sides of Whitmans's correspondence. In addition, he wrote letters for soldiers who could not write for themselves because of injury or illiteracy, and the Archive also plans to make these letters available. Is it wise for a digital thematic research collection to try to include everything Whitman ever wrote and much that has been written about him? As John Unsworth notes, one problem of digital editing is that "the medium seems to elicit scholarly hubris: an infinite amount of material can be stored here, sorted, analyzed and retrieved instantly, provided only that decades of grinding labor have made it all possible, that all the rights have been cleared, and that no fatal mistakes were made, years ago, when the project was designed" (Unsworth 2000, online). Amassing vast amounts of material does not guarantee either clarity or usefulness. That material needs to be transcribed and described in ways that allow for internal integration and easy navigability, presented in a coherent way, and made accessible through search engines and by other means. Masses of data can obscure important information unless the presentation and organization are carefully considered. The challenges for the Archive are to present a huge amount of material from incidental to profound, to render it accurately, and to develop effective means of using electronic tools to organize a vast resource in ways that will be accessible rather than overwhelming. The Archive also finds itself with—and welcomes—a large and diverse audience. If a scholarly print edition had a predictably confined audience, a freely available website on a well-known figure like Whitman does not. Like some other large electronic "archives," the Whitman Archive is used in classrooms from junior high school to graduate school and has thousands of users from all over the globe. We said above that one ambition of the Collected Writings was to gather in one place "all of Whitman's writings." That is, of course, a deceptively simple remark. The question of what constitutes "all of Whitman's writings" is in fact quite complicated. The editors of the Collected Writings discussed this point: At first the editorial staff hoped to print everything, so that the Collected Writings could be called absolutely "complete." But some items . . . will probably continue to come to light for years to come. Moreover, many of the miscellaneous manuscripts are hardly more than lists of words, names, address[es], trial titles, and trivial memoranda. Is a poet's laundry list worth publishing? This is not a rhetorical question, for maybe it should be. But the question is still being debated by the editors of the Collected Writings and the New York University Press. (quoted in Folsom 1982, 70) With regard to the Notebooks and Unpublished Prose Manuscripts and the Daybooks and Notebooks, it seems that the principle of their editors, Edward Grier and William White, was to publish all scraps of prose writing in Whitman's hand, presumably on the grounds that he is one of those writers of such rare importance that every conceivable bit of evidence about him is worth retaining and recording. But there are inexplicable omissions: for example, why are we given an entire entry for the offhand notation "I am writing this at Providence, where there is a long wait" when things as important as Whitman's wills are excluded? Electronic editing has some disadvantages (including unresolved questions regarding preservation), but digital technologies also provide some significant advantages that are worth considering. Specifically, the Whitman Archive is involved in the tagging of documents—the application of computer-readable markers to describe textual features—that will eventually enable users to perform sophisticated research on the documents we include. The tagging that enriches documents in the Whitman Archive is ordinarily invisible to users when they view them through a standard web browser. A thorough discussion of the Archive's technical practices is not possible here, but a general explanation of how tagging enables scholarship is useful in further distinguishing print and digital projects. (Those interested in the Whitman Archive tagging practices can consult encoding guidelines at www.whitmanarchive.org/guidelines.) Our project uses a customized implementation of XML (eXtensible Markup Language) to flag important textual features of Whitman's manuscripts, indicating, for example, that a certain string of text is a title rather than a poetic line or a paragraph. This type of mark-up will allow users to quickly gather useful, reliable facts, such as the frequency of "America" in his titles or the number of drafts in which he mentions the soul or the prairies or prostitutes. Other aspects of our tagging will allow scholars to derive reliable information about Whitman's revising processes and artistic development: it will be possible to discover how often he changed the word "poem" to "song," examine all instances in which he revised "lover" to "comrade," calculate how often he numbered stanzas, or locate and compare his uses of the word "death" in poems from two different periods of his career. Formerly, such scholarship involving thousands of manuscripts spread among dozens of institutions would have been unreliable and career-consuming at best, and most likely simply impossible. An electronic edition also has the power to give multiple views of the same object. The Whitman Archive, for example, describes a poetry manuscript through the use of Encoded Archival Description (EAD), transcribes the text so that it is compliant with the Text Encoding Initiative (TEI), and provides a digital surrogate for the original through a high-quality color scan or a digital photograph. Each is an important representation of the original artifact, and each provides different kinds of information. It was not feasible, for example, for the editors of the Collected Writings to reproduce in facsimile more than an occasional sample of the source material underlying their edition. This is a genuine possibility with an electronic edition, given adequate financing and cooperation from repositories. Users can check the work of Archive editors, see the basis of editorial decisions, and offer suggested corrections. The Archive's critics become the editors' collaborators. The Whitman Archive, then, allows us to see Whitman anew, re-scripted in ways informed by recent developments in editorial theory and textual scholarship. Accordingly, the Archive editors are more attentive to what Jerome McGann has called "bibliographic codes" than were the editors of the Collected Writings (McGann 1991, 57). Throughout his career Whitman designed covers and bindings, chose fonts and ornaments, controlled layout, and inserted photographs—these features were integral components of the poetic effects he worked to achieve. With regard to the 1881-2 Leaves of Grass, he explained that he wanted the famous image of himself with arm akimbo, which had appeared as the frontispiece in the first edition (reproduced above as figure 4), to now face "Song of Myself" because the portrait "is involved as part of the poem." And with regard to the "deathbed" edition he requested that future editors present not just his words but a "facsimile" of this text. In their treatment of Whitman's poetry, the editors of the Collected Writings honor his line breaks, but in other regards they ignore his sense of the visual; textual expressiveness is limited to the semantic content. The Whitman Archive is able to present both searchable etext and facsimiles of all the editions by means of its digital surrogates for the originals. Covers, bindings, and front matter, though excluded from the Collected Writings, can be included in an electronic edition. Users can study not only Whitman's words, but the fonts he chose to display those words in. As John Lavagnino has remarked: It is impossible for a transcription to reproduce the original object; it's always a selection of features from that object: the words but not their size on the page or the depth of the chisel marks, major changes in type style but not variations in the ink's darkness from page to page or over time. Any such features that do seem essential for a particular transcription can be encoded; what's impossible is notating every observable feature. (Lavagnino forthcoming) The Archive encoding is primarily based on non-controversial structural aspects of Whitman's documents: lines, line groups, titles, and so on. But even these apparently self-evident units are hardly self-evident in particular curious cases that appear regularly. Given the size of the Whitman corpus, the editors have not noted all the information about manuscripts, some of which is no doubt important: paper type, inks, and pinholes, among other matters. These physical features of manuscripts provide potentially illuminating avenues for inquiry. As editors, we have judged, however, that we should invest our limited time recording other information that seems to us even more important. Fortunately, tagging can be a reiterative process, and what hasn't been tagged on a first pass, by us with our interests, could be tagged later by others, who could build on our initial transcriptions and tagging. The Whitman Archive has, in the first nine years of its existence, accomplished about 20 percent of the work described in this chapter. Given the magnitude of what the Whitman Archive could be, it is important to think from an early stage about the possibility of handing the project over in the future. Fortunately the Whitman Archive is already a multi-generational undertaking that, we hope, can be built upon, migrated to new formats as software evolves, and refreshed. As previously indicated, we are documenting our editing practices extensively, so that later editors will understand what we did and why. Unlike print editions of the past that generally rejected previous work in order to start afresh, we are trying to create a resource that can be passed on to later scholars and continuously improved. An electronic edition, unlike a print edition, is typically issued as work in progress rather than as a finished product. As it is made public, its readers become active agents in its continuing creation—pointing out omissions, suggesting improvements, challenging transcriptions. The Archive is revised and expanded virtually every day, and newly discovered documents can be seamlessly folded into the existing structures so that the edition is always up to date. It is the perfect medium for an author who was always revising and reordering and rethinking his work. As editors, we are confident that the Archive will keep the re-scripting of Whitman active for generations hence. Asselineau, Roger. The Evolution of Walt Whitman: The Creation of a Personality, 2 vols. (Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1960, 1962). Barrus, Clara. Whitman and Burroughs: Comrades (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1931). Baym, Nina, general ed. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Vol. 1 (New York: W. W. Norton, 1994). Bowers, Fredson, ed. Whitman's Manuscripts: Leaves of Grass (1860) (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1955). Brenton, James J., ed. Voices from the Press (New York: Charles B. Norton, 1850). Bucke, Richard Maurice. Walt Whitman (Philadelphia: David McKay, 1883). Bucke, Richard Maurice, ed. Calamus: A Series of Letters Written During the Years 1868-1880 by Walt Whitman to a Young Friend (Peter Doyle) (Boston: Laurens Maynard, 1897). Burroughs, John. Notes on Walt Whitman as Poet and Person (New York: J. S. Redfield, 1867). Ceniza, Sherry. Walt Whitman and 19th-Century Women Reformers (Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1998). Emerson, Ralph Waldo. Essays and Lectures (New York: Literary Classics of the United States, 1983). Erkkila, Betsy. "Whitman and the Homosexual Republic." In Ed Folsom, ed., Walt Whitman: The Centennial Essays (Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1994). Folsom, Ed. "The Whitman Project: A Review Essay." Philological Quarterly 61 (1982), 369-94. Folsom, Ed. Review of Walt Whitman, Notebooks and Unpublished Prose Manuscripts, ed. Edward Grier. Philological Quarterly 65 (1986), 287-91. Glicksberg, Charles I., ed. Walt Whitman and the Civil War. 1933. Rpt. (New York: Barnes, 1963). Haven, Cynthia L. "Man of Letters." Washington Post Book World (August 8, 2004), 13. Higginson, Thomas Wentworth. "Women and Men: War Pensions for Women." Harper's Bazaar (March 5, 1887), 162. Hutchinson, George B. The Ecstatic Whitman (Columbus: Ohio State University Press, 1986). Hutchinson, George B. "Life Review and the Common World in Whitman's Specimen Days." South Atlantic Review 52 (November, 1987), 3-23. Ingersoll, Robert Green. Fifty Great Selections (New York: C. P. Farrell, 1920). Jaén, Didier Tisdel, trans. Homage to Walt Whitman: A Collection of Poems from the Spanish (University, AL: University of Alabama Press, 1969). Kaplan, Justin. "The Naked Self and Other Problems." In Marc Pachter, ed., Telling Lives: The Biographer's Art (Washington, DC: New Republic Books, 1979). Kaplan, Justin. Walt Whitman: A Life (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1980). Katz, Jonathan Ned. Love Stories: Sex between Men before Homosexuality (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2001). Krieg, Joan. "Without Walt Whitman in Camden." Walt Whitman Quarterly Review 14 (1996-7), 85-112. Lavagnino, John. "When Not to Use TEI." In Lou Burnard, Katherine O'Brien O'Keeffe, and John Unsworth, eds., Electronic Textual Editing (New York: Modern Language Association, forthcoming). Loving, Jerome. Walt Whitman's Champion: William Douglas O'Connor. (College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 1978). Martin, Robert K., ed. The Continuing Presence of Walt Whitman (Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1992). McGann, Jerome. The Textual Condition (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1991). Murray, Martin. "Traveling with the Wounded: Walt Whitman and Washington's Civil War Hospitals." Washington History 8 (1996-7), 58-73, 92-93. Myerson, Joel, ed. Whitman in His Own Time (Detroit: Omnigraphics, 1991). Olsen-Smith, Steven, and Hershel Parker. "'Live Oak, with Moss' and 'Calamus': Textual Inhibitions in Whitman Criticism." Walt Whitman Quarterly Review 14 (1997), 153-65. Palmer, Carole. "Thematic Research Collections." In Susan Schreibman, Ray Siemens, and John Unsworth, eds. A Companion to Digital Humanities (Oxford: Blackwell, 2004). Parker, Hershel. "The Real 'Live Oak, with Moss': Straight Talk about Whitman's 'Gay Manifesto.'" Nineteenth-Century Literature 51 (1996), 145-60. Perlman, Jim, Dan Campion, and Ed Folsom, eds. Walt Whitman: The Measure of His Song (Duluth: Holy Cow! Press, 1998). Price, Kenneth M. "Whitman's Solutions to 'The Problem of the Blacks.'" Resources for American Literary Study 15 (1985), 205-208. Salveson, Paul. "Loving Comrades: Lancashire's Links to Walt Whitman." Walt Whitman Quarterly Review 14 (1996-7), 57-84. Sanborn, Franklin Benjamin. "Reminiscent of Whitman." In Joel Myerson, ed., Whitman in His Own Time (Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 2000). Shephard, Esther. "Possible Sources of Some of Whitman's Ideas and Symbols in Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus and Other Works." Modern Language Quarterly 14 (1953), 62-81. Smith-Rosenberg, Carroll. Disorderly Conduct: Visions of Gender in Victorian America (New York: Oxford University Press, 1986). Stern, Madeleine B. Heads and Headlines: The Phrenological Fowlers (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1971). Traubel, Horace, ed. Camden's Compliment to Walt Whitman (Philadelphia: David McKay, 1889). Traubel, Horace, Richard Maurice Bucke, and Thomas B. Harned, eds. In Re Walt Whitman (Philadelphia: David McKay, 1893). Unsworth, John. "The Importance of Failure." Journal of Electronic Publishing 3 (December, 1997). www.press.umich.edu/jep/03-02/unsworth.html. Accessed October 7, 2004. Unsworth, John. "Second-Generation Digital Resources in the Humanities." www.iath.virginia.edu/%7Ejmu2m/DRH2000.html. Accessed October 8, 2004. Publication Information Re-Scripting Walt Whitman, by Ed Folsom and Kenneth M. Price, was first published by Blackwell Publishing in 2005. Electronic rights to this text are held jointly by the press and the authors. The print edition of Re-Scripting Walt Whitman is available from Blackwell Publishing . Whitman Archive ID	i don't know
How British King Georges have there been? 4; 5; 6 or 7?	Timeline of the Kings & Queens of England There have been 66 monarchs of England and Britain spread over a period of 1500 years. SAXON KINGS EGBERT 827 - 839 Egbert (Ecgherht) was the first monarch to establish a stable and extensive rule over all of Anglo-Saxon England. After returning from exile at the court of Charlemagne in 802, he regained his kingdom of Wessex. Following his conquest of Mercia in 827, he controlled all of England south of the Humber. After further victories in Northumberland and North Wales, he is recognised by the title Bretwalda ( Anglo-Saxon , "ruler of the British". A year before he died aged almost 70, he defeated a combined force of Danes and Cornish at Hingston Down in Cornwall. He is buried at Winchester in Hampshire. AETHELWULF 839-856 King of Wessex , son of Egbert and father of Alfred the Great. In 851 Aethelwulf defeated a Danish army at the battle of Oakley while his eldest son Althelstan fought and beat the Danes at sea off the coast of Kent , in what is believed to be the first naval battle. A highly religous man, Athelwulf travelled to Rome with his son Alfred to see the Pope in 855. AETHELBALD 856 - 860 The eldest son of Aethelwulf, Æthelbald was born around 834. He was crowned at Kingston-upon-Thames in southwest London, after forcing his father to abdicate upon his return from pilgrimage to Rome. Following his fathers death in 858, he married his widowed stepmother Judith, but under pressure from the church the marriage was annulled after only a year. He is buried at Sherbourne Abbey in Dorset . AETHELBERT 860 - 866 Became king following the death of his brother Æthelbald. Like his brother and his father, Aethelbert (pictured to the right) was crowned at Kingston-Upon-Thames. Shortly after his succession a Danish army landed and sacked Winchester before being defeated by the Saxons. In 865 the Viking Great Heathen Army landed in East Anglia and swept across England. He is buried at Sherborne Abbey. AETHELRED I 866 - 871 Aethelred succeeded his brother Aethelbert. His reign was one long struggle with the Danes who had occupied York in 866, establishing the Viking kingdom of Yorvik . When the Danish Army moved south Wessex itself was threatened, and so together with his brother Alfred, they fought several battles with the Vikings at Reading, Ashdown and Basing. Aethelred suffered serious injuries during the next major battle at Meretun in Hampshire; he died of his wounds shortly after at Witchampton in Dorset, where he was buried. ALFRED THE GREAT 871 - 899 - son of AETHELWULF Born at Wantage in Berkshire around 849, Alfred was well educated and is said to have visited Rome on two occasions. He had proven himself to be a strong leader in many battles, and as a wise ruler managed to secure five uneasy years of peace with the Danes, before they attacked Wessex again in 877. Alfred was forced to retreat to a small island in the Somerset Levels and it was from here that he masterminded his comeback, perhaps ' burning the cakes ' as a consequence. With major victories at Edington, Rochester and London, Alfred established Saxon Christian rule over first Wessex, and then on to most of England. To secure his hard won boundaries Alfred founded a permanent army and an embryonic Royal Navy. To secure his place in history, he began the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. EDWARD (The Elder) 899 - 924 Succeeded his father Alfred the Great. Edward retook southeast England and the Midlands from the Danes. Following the the death of his sister Aethelflaed of Mercia , Edward unites the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia. In 923, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles record that the Scottish King Constantine II recognises Edward as "father and lord". The following year, Edward is killed in a battle against the Welsh near Chester . His body is returned to Winchester for burial. ATHELSTAN 924 - 939 Son of Edward the Elder, Athelstan extended the boundaries of his kingdom at the Battle of Brunanburh in 937. In what is said to be one of the bloodiest battles ever fought on British soil, Athelstan defeated a combined army of Scots, Celts, Danes and Vikings, claiming the title of King of all Britain. The battle saw for the first time individual Anglo-Saxon kingdoms being brought together to create a single and unified England. Athelstan is buried in Malmesbury, Wiltshire . EDMUND 939 - 946 Succeeded his half-bother Athelastan as king at the tender age of 18, having already fought alongside him at the Batlle of Brunanburh two years earlier. He re-established Anglo-Saxon control over northern England, which had fallen back under Scandanavian rule following the death of Athelstan. Aged just 25, and whilst celebrating the feast of Augustine, Edmund was stabbed by a robber in his royal hall at Pucklechurch near Bath . His two sons, Eadwig and Edgar, were perhaps considered too young to become kings. EADRED 946 - 955 The son of Edward the Elder by his third marriage to Eadgifu, Eadred succeeded his brother Edmund following his premature death. He followed in the family tradition of defeating Norsemen, expelling the last Scandanavian King of York, Eric Bloodaxe, in 954. A deeply religious man, Eadred suffered a serious stomach ailment that would eventually prove fatal. Eadred died in his early 30s, unmarried and without an heir, at Frome in Somerset. He is buried in Winchester. EADWIG 955 - 959 The eldest son of Edmund I, Eadwig was about 16 when he was crowned king at Kingston-upon-Thames in southeast London. Legend has it that his coronation had to be delayed to allow Bishop Dunstan to prise Eadwig from his bed, and from between the arms of his "strumpet" and the strumpets' mother. Perhaps unimpressed by the interruption, Eadwig had Dunstan exiled to France. Eadwig died in Gloucester when he was just 20, the circumstances of his death are not recorded. EDGAR 959 - 975 The youngest son of Edmund I, Edgar had been in dispute with his brother concerning succession to the throne for some years. Following Eadwig's mysterious death, Edgar immediately recalled Dunstan from exile, making him Archbishop of Canterbury as well as his personal advisor. Following his carefully planned (by Dunstan) coronation in Bath in 973, Edgar marched his army to Chester, to be met by six kings of Britain. The kings, including the King of Scots, King of Strathclyde and various princes of Wales , are said to have signalled their allegience to Edgar by rowing him in his state barge accross the River Dee. EDWARD THE MARTYR 975 - 978 Eldest son of Edgar, Edward was crowned king when aged just 12. Although supported by Archbishop Dunstan, his claim to the throne was contested by supporters of his much younger half-brother Aethelred. The resulting dispute between rival factions within the church and nobility almost led to civil war in England. Edward's short reign ended when he was murdered at Corfe Castle by followers of Aethelred, after just two and half years as king. The title 'martyr' was a consequence of him being seen as a victim of his stepmother's ambitions for her own son Aethelred. AETHELRED II THE UNREADY 978 - 1016 Aethelred was unable to organise resistance against the Danes, earning him the nickname 'unready', or 'badly advised'. He became king aged about 10, but fled to Normandy in 1013 when Sweyn Forkbeard, King of the Danes invaded England. Sweyn was pronounced King of England on Christmas Day 1013 and made his capital at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. He died just 5 weeks later. Aethelred returned in 1014 after Sweyn's death. The remainder of Aethelred's reign was one of a constant state of war with Sweyn's son Canute. EDMUND II IRONSIDE 1016 - 1016 The son of Aethelred II, Edmund had led the resistance to Canute's invasion of England since 1015. Following the death of his father, he was chosen king by the good folk of London. The Witan (the king's council) however elected Canute. Following his defeat at the Battle of Assandun, Aethelred made a pact with Canute to divide the kingdom between them. Edmund died later that year, probably assassinated. CANUTE (CNUT THE GREAT) THE DANE 1016 - 1035 Canute became king of all England following the death of Edmund II. The son of Sweyn Forkbeard, he ruled well and gained favour with his English subjects by sending most of his army back to Denmark. In 1017, Canute married Emma of Normandy, the widow of Aethelred II and divided England into the four earldoms of East Anglia, Mercia, Northumbria and Wessex. Perhaps inspired by his pilgrimage to Rome in 1027, legend has it that he wanted to demonstrate to his subjects that as a king he was not a god, he ordered the tide not to come in, knowing this would fail. HAROLD I 1035 - 1040 Also known as Harold Harefoot, in recognition of his speed and skill as a hunter. Harold was the illegitimate son of Canute, he claimed the English crown on the death of his father whilst his half-brother Harthacanute, the rightful heir, was in Denmark fighting to protect his Danish kingdom. Harold died three years into his reign, just weeks before Harthacanute was due to invade England with an army of Danes. He was buried in Westminster Abbey before Harthacanute had his body dug up, beheaded, and thrown into the Thames. His bits were later gathered and re-buried at St. Clement Danes in London. HARTHACANUTE 1040 - 1042 The son of Cnut the Great and Emma of Normandy, Harthacanute sailed to England with his mother, accompanied by a fleet of 62 warships, and was immediately accepted as king. Perhaps to appease his mother, the year before he died Harthacanute invited his half-brother Edward, Emma's son from her first marriage to Aethelred the Unready, back from exile in Normandy. Harthacanute died at a wedding whilst toasting the health of the bride; he was aged just 24 and was the last Danish king to rule England EDWARD THE CONFESSOR 1042-1066 Following the death of Harthacanute, Edward restored the rule of the House of Wessex to the English throne. A deeply pious and religious man, he presided over the rebuilding of Westminster Abbey, leaving much of the running of the country to Earl Godwin and his son Harold. Edward died childless, eight days after the building work on Westminster Abbey had finished. With no natural successor, England was faced with a power struggle for control of the throne. HAROLD II 1066 Despite having no royal bloodline, Harold Godwin was elected king by the Witan (a council of high ranking nobles and religious leaders), following the death of Edward the Confessor. The election result failed to meet with the approval of one William, Duke of Normandy, who claimed that his relative Edward had promised the throne to him several years earlier. Harold defeated an invading Norwegian army at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire, then marched south to confront William of Normandy who had landed his forces in Sussex. The death of Harold at the Battle Of Hastings meant the end of the English Anglo-Saxon kings and the beginning of the Normans. NORMAN KINGS WILLIAM I (The Conqueror) 1066- 1087 Also known as William the Bastard (but not normally to his face!), he was the illigitimate son of Robert the Devil, whom he succeeded as Duke of Normandy in 1035. William came to England from Normandy, claiming that his second cousin Edward the Confessor had promised him the throne, and defeated Harold II at the Battle of Hastings on 14th October 1066. In 1085 the Domesday Survey was begun and all of England was recorded, so William knew exactly what his new kingdom contained and how much tax he could raise in order to fund his armies. William died at Rouen after a fall from his horse whilst beseiging the French city of Nantes. He is buried at Caen. WILLIAM II (Rufus) 1087- 1100 William was not a popular king, given to extravagance and cruelty. He never married and was killed in the New Forest by a stray arrow whilst out hunting, maybe accidentally, or possibly shot deliberately on the instructions of his younger brother Henry. Walter Tyrrell, one of the hunting party, was blamed for the deed. The Rufus Stone in The New Forest, Hampshire , marks the spot where he fell. HENRY I 1100-1135 Henry Beauclerc was the fourth and youngest son of William I. Well educated, he founded a zoo at Woodstock in Oxfordshire to study animals. He was called the 'Lion of Justice' as he gave England good laws, even if the punishments were ferocious. His two sons were drowned in the White Ship so his daughter Matilda was made his successor. She was married to Geoffrey Plantagenet. When Henry died of food poisoning, the Council considered a woman unfit to rule and so offered the throne to Stephen, a grandson of William I. STEPHEN 1135-1154 Stephen was a very weak king and the whole country was almost destroyed by the constant raids by the Scots and the Welsh. During Stephen's reign the Norman barons wielded great power, extorting money and looting town and country. A decade of civil war known as The Anarchy ensued when Matilda invaded from Anjou in 1139. A compromise was eventually decided, under the terms of the Treaty of Westminster Matilda's son Henry Plantagenet would succeed to the throne when Stephen died. HENRY II 1154-1189 Henry of Anjou was a strong king. A brilliant soldier, he extended his French lands until he ruled most of France. He laid the foundation of the English Jury System and raised new taxes (scutage) from the landholders to pay for a militia force. Henry is mostly remembered for his quarrel with Thomas A Becket, and Becket's subsequent murder in Canterbury Cathedral on 29th December 1170. His sons turned against him, even his favourite John. RICHARD I (The Lionheart) 1189 - 1199 Richard was the third son of Henry II. By the age of 16, he was leading his own army putting down rebellions in France. Although crowned King of England, Richard spent all but 6 months of his reign abroad, preferring to use the taxes from his kingdom to fund his various armies and military ventures. He was the leading Christian commander during the Third Crusade. On his way back from Palestine, Richard was captured and held for ransom. The amount paid for his safe return almost bankrupt the country. Richard died from an arrow-wound, far from the kingdom that he so rarely visited. He had no children. JOHN 1199 -1216 John Lackland was the fourth child of Henry II. Short and fat, he was jealous of his dashing brother Richard I whom he succeeded. He was cruel, self-indulgent, selfish and avaricious, and the raising of punitive taxes united all the elements of society, clerical and lay, against him. The Pope excommunicated him. On 15th June 1215 at Runnymede the barons compelled John to sign Magna Carta , the Great Charter, which reinstated the rights of all his subjects. John died - from over-eating - a fugitive from all his enemies. He has been termed "the worst English king". HENRY III 1216 -1272 Henry was 9 years old when he became king. Brought up by priests he became devoted to church, art and learning. He was a weak man, dominated by churchmen and easily influenced by his wife's French relations. In 1264 Henry was captured during the rebellion of barons led by Simon de Montfort and was forced to set up a 'Parlement' at Westminster, the start of the House of Commons. Henry was the greatest of all patrons of medieval architecture and ordered the rebuilding of Westminster Abbey in the Gothic style. Monarchs of England and Wales EDWARD I 1272 - 1307 Edward Longshanks was a statesman, lawyer and soldier. He formed the Model Parliament in 1295, bringing the knights, clergy and nobility, as well as the Lords and Commons together for the first time. Aiming at a united Britain, he defeated the Welsh chieftains and created his eldest son Prince of Wales. He was known as the 'Hammer of the Scots' for his victories in Scotland and brought the famous coronation stone from Scone to Westminster. When his first wife Eleanor died, he escorted her body from Grantham in Lincolnshire to Westminster, setting up Eleanor Crosses at every resting place. He died on the way to fight Robert Bruce . EDWARD II 1307 - deposed 1327 Edward was a weak and incompetent king. He had many 'favourites', Piers Gaveston being the most notorious. He was beaten by the Scots at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Edward was deposed and held captive in Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire. His wife joined her lover Mortimer in deposing him: by their orders he was murdered in Berkley Castle - as legend has it, by having a red-hot poker thrust up his anus! His beautiful tomb in Gloucester Cathedral was erected by his son, Edward III. EDWARD III 1327 - 1377 Son of Edward II, he reigned for 50 years. His ambition to conquer Scotland and France plunged England into the Hundred Years War, beginning in 1338. The two great victories at Crecy and Poitiers made Edward and his son, the Black Prince, the most renowned warriors in Europe, however the war was very expensive. The outbreak of bubonic plague, the 'Black Death' in 1348-1350 killed half the population of England. RICHARD II 1377 - deposed 1399 The son of the Black Prince, Richard was extravagant, unjust and faithless. In 1381 came the Peasants Revolt , led by Wat Tyler. The rebellion was put down with great severity. The sudden death of his first wife Anne of Bohemia completely unbalanced Richard and his extravagance, acts of revenge and tyranny turned his subjects against him. In 1399 Henry of Lancaster returned from exile and deposed Richard, becoming elected King Henry IV. Richard was murdered, probably by starvation, in Pontefract Castle in 1400. HOUSE OF LANCASTER HENRY IV 1399 - 1413 The son of John of Gaunt (third son of Edward III), Henry returned from exile in France to reclaim his estates previously seized by Richard II; he was accepted as king by Parliament. Henry spent most of his 13 year reign defending himself against plots, rebellions and assassination attempts. In Wales Owen Glendower declared himself Prince of Wales and led a national uprising against English rule. Back in England, Henry had great difficulty in maintaining the support of both the clery and Pariament and between 1403-08 the Percy family lauched a series of rebellions against him. Henry, the first Lancastrian king, died exhausted, probably of leprosy, at the age of 45. HENRY V 1413 - 1422 The son of Henry IV, he was a pious, stern and skilful soldier. Henry had honed his fine soldiering skills putting down the many rebellions launched against his father and had been knighted when aged just 12. He pleased his nobles by renewing the war with France in 1415. In the face of tremendous odds he beat the French at the Battle of Agincourt , losing just 400 of his own soldiers with more than 6,000 Frenchmen killed. On a second expedition Henry captured Rouen, was recognised as the next King of France and married Catherine, the daughter of the lunatic French king. Henry died of dysentery whilst campaigning in France and before he could succeed to the French throne, leaving his 10-month old son as King of England and France. HENRY VI 1422 - deposed 1461 Beginning of the Wars of the Roses Gentle and retiring, he came to the throne as a baby and inherited a losing war with France, the Hundred Years War finally ending in 1453 with the loss of all French lands except for Calais. The king had an attack of mental illness that was hereditary in his mother's family in 1454 and Richard Duke of York was made Protector of the Realm. The House of York challenged Henry VI's right to the throne and England was plunged into civil war. The Battle of St Albans in 1455 was won by the Yorkists. Henry was restored to the throne briefly in 1470. Henry's son, Edward, Prince of Wales was killed at the Battle of Tewkesbury one day before Henry was murdered in the Tower of London in 1471. Henry founded both Eton College and King's College, Cambridge, and every year the Provosts of Eton and King's College lay roses and lilies on the altar which now stands where he died. EDWARD IV 1461- 1483 He was the son of Richard Duke of York and Cicely Neville, and not a popular king. His morals were poor (he had many mistresses and had at least one illegitimate son) and even his contemporaries disapproved of him. Edward had his rebellious brother George, Duke of Clarence, murdered in 1478 on a charge of treason. During his reign the first printing press was established in Westminster by William Caxton. Edward died suddenly in 1483 leaving two sons aged 12 and 9, and five daughters. EDWARD V 1483 - 1483 Edward was actually born in Westminster Abbey, were his mother Elizabeth Woodville had sought sanctuary from Lancastrians during the Wars of the Roses. The eldest son of Edward IV, he succeeded to the throne at the tender age of 13 and reigned for only two months, the shortest-lived monarch in English history. He and his brother Richard were murdered in the Tower of London - it is said on the orders of his uncle Richard Duke of Gloucester. Richard (III) declared The Princes in the Tower illegitimate and named himself rightful heir to the crown. RICHARD III 1483 - 1485 End of the Wars of the Roses Brother of Edward IV. The ruthless extinction of all those who opposed him and the alleged murders of his nephews made his rule very unpopular. In 1485 Henry Richmond, descendant of John of Gaunt, father of Henry IV, landed in west Wales, gathering forces as he marched into England. At the Battle of Bosworth Field in Leicestershire he defeated and killed Richard in what was to be the last important battle in the Wars of the Roses. Archaeological investigations at a car park in Leicester during 2012 revealed a skeleton which was thought to have been that of Richard III, and this was confirmed on the 4th February 2013. His body was re-interred at Leicester Cathedral on 22nd March 2015. THE TUDORS HENRY VII 1485 - 1509 When Richard III fell at the Battle of Bosworth, his crown was picked up and placed on the head of Henry Tudor. He married Elizabeth of York and so united the two warring houses, York and Lancaster. He was a skilful politician but avaricious. The material wealth of the country increased greatly. During Henry's reign playing cards were invented and the portrait of his wife Elizabeth has appeared eight times on every pack of cards for nearly 500 years. HENRY VIII 1509 - 1547 The best known fact about Henry VIII is that he had six wives! Most school children learn the following rhyme to help them remember the fate of each wife: "Divorced, Beheaded, Died: Divorced, Beheaded, Survived". His first wife was Catherine of Aragon, his brothers widow, whom he later divorced to marry Anne Boleyn. This divorce caused the split from Rome and Henry declared himself the head of the Church Of England. The Dissolution of the Monasteries began in 1536, and the money gained from this helped Henry to bring about an effective Navy. In an effort to have a son, Henry married four further wives, but only one son was born, to Jane Seymour. Henry had two daughters both to become rulers of England - Mary, daughter of Catherine of Aragon, and Elizabeth, daughter of Anne Boleyn. EDWARD VI 1547 - 1553 The son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Edward was a sickly boy; it is thought he suffered from tuberculosis. Edward succeeded his father at the age of 9, the government being carried on by a Council of Regency with his uncle, Duke of Somerset, styled Protector. Even though his reign was short, many men made their mark. Cranmer wrote the Book of Common Prayer and the uniformity of worship helped turn England into a Protestant State. After Edward's death there was a dispute over the succession. As Mary was Catholic, Lady Jane Grey was named as the next in line to the throne. She was proclaimed Queen but Mary entered London with her supporters and Jane was taken to the Tower. She reigned for only 9 days. She was executed in 1554, aged 17. MARY I (Bloody Mary) 1553 - 1558 Daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. A devout Catholic, she married Philip of Spain. Mary attempted to enforce the wholesale conversion of England to Catholicism. She carried this out with the utmost severity. The Protestant bishops, Latimer, Ridley and Archbishop Cranmer were among those burnt at the stake. The place, in Broad Street Oxford, is marked by a bronze cross. The country was plunged into a bitter blood bath, which is why she is remembered as Bloody Mary. She died in 1558 at Lambeth Palace in London. ELIZABETH I 1558-1603 The daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth was a remarkable woman, noted for her learning and wisdom. From first to last she was popular with the people and had a genius for the selection of capable advisors. Drake , Raleigh, Hawkins, the Cecils, Essex and many many more made England respected and feared. The Spanish Armada was decisively defeated in 1588 and Raleigh's first Virginian colony was founded. The execution of Mary Queen of Scots marred what was a glorious time in English history. Shakespeare was also at the height of his popularity. Elizabeth never married. THE STUARTS JAMES I and VI of Scotland 1603 -1625 James was the son of Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley. He was the first king to rule over Scotland and England . James was more of a scholar than a man of action. In 1605 the Gunpowder Plot was hatched: Guy Fawkes and his Catholic friends tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament, but were captured before they could do so. James's reign saw the publication of the Authorised Version of the Bible , though this caused problems with the Puritans and their attitude towards the established church. In 1620 the Pilgrim Fathers sailed for America in their ship The Mayflower. CHARLES 1 1625 - 1649 English Civil War The son of James I and Anne of Denmark, Charles believed that he ruled by Divine Right. He encountered difficulties with Parliament from the beginning, and this led to the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642. The war lasted four years and following the defeat of Charles's Royalist forces by the New Model Army, led by Oliver Cromwell , Charles was captured and imprisoned. The House of Commons tried Charles for treason against England and when found guilty he was condemned to death. His death warrant states that he was beheaded on Tuesday 30 January 1649. Following this the British monarchy was abolished and a republic called the Commonwealth of England was declared. OLIVER CROMWELL , Lord Protector 1653 - 1658 Cromwell was born at Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire in 1599, the son of a small landowner. He entered Parliament in 1629 and became active in events leading to the Civil War. A leading Puritan figure, he raised cavalry forces and organised the New Model Army, which he led to victory over the Royalists at the Battle of Naseby in 1645. Failing to gain agreement on constitutional change in government with Charles I, Cromwell was a member of a 'Special Commission' that tried and condemned the king to death in 1649. Cromwell declared Britain a republic 'The Commonwealth' and he went on to become its Lord Protector. Cromwell went on to crush the Irish clans and the Scots loyal to Charles II between 1649 and 1651. In 1653 he finally expelled the corrupt English parliament and with the agreement of army leaders became Lord Protector (King in all but name) RICHARD CROMWELL, Lord Protector 1658 - 1659 Richard was the third son of Oliver Cromwell, he was appointed the second ruling Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland, serving for just nine months. Unlike his father, Richard lacked military experience and as such failed to gain respect or support from his New Model Army. Richard was eventually 'persuaded' to resign from his position as Lord Protector and exiled himself to France until 1680, when he returned to England. THE RESTORATION CHARLES II 1660 - 1685 Son of Charles I, also known as the Merry Monarch. After the collapse of the Protectorate following the death of Oliver Cromwell and the flight of Richard Cromwell to France, the Army and Parliament asked Charles to take the throne. Although very popular he was a weak king and his foreign policy was inept. He had 13 known mistresses, one of whom was Nell Gwyn . He fathered numerous illegitimate children but no heir to the throne. The Great Plague in 1665 and the Great Fire of London in 1666 took place during his reign. Many new buildings were built at this time. St. Paul's Cathedral was built by Sir Christopher Wren and also many churches still to be seen today. JAMES II and VII of Scotland 1685 - 1688 The second surviving son of Charles I and younger brother of Charles II. James had been exiled following the Civil War and served in both the French and Spanish Army. Although James converted to Catholicism in 1670, his two daughters were raised as Protestants. James became very unpopular because of his persecution of the Protestant clergy and was generally hated by the people. Following the Monmouth uprising (Monmouth was an illegitimate son of Charles II and a Protestant) and the Bloody Assizes of Judge Jeffries, Parliament asked the Dutch prince, William of Orange to take the throne. William was married to Mary, James II's Protestant daughter. William landed in England and James fled to France where he died in exile in 1701. WILLIAM III 1689 - 1702 and MARY II 1689 - 1694 On the 5 November 1688, William of Orange sailed his fleet of over 450 ships, unopposed by the Royal Navy, into Torbay harbour and landed his troops in Devon . Gathering local support, he marched his army, now 20,000 strong, on to London in The Glorious Revolution. Many of James II's army had defected to support William, as well as James's other daughter Anne. William and Mary were to reign jointly, and William was to have the Crown for life after Mary died in 1694. James plotted to regain the throne and in 1689 landed in Ireland. William defeated James at the Battle of the Boyne and James fled again to France, as guest of Louis XIV. ANNE 1702 - 1714 Anne was the second daughter of James II. She had 17 pregnancies but only one child survived - William, who died of smallpox aged just 11. A staunch, high church Protestant, Anne was 37 years old when she succeeded to the throne. Anne was a close friend of Sarah Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough. Sarah's husband the Duke of Marlborough commanded the English Army in the War of Spanish Succession, winning a series of major battles with the French and gaining the country an influence never before attained in Europe. It was during Anne's reign that the United Kingdom of Great Britain was created by the Union of England and Scotland. After Anne's death the succession went to the nearest Protestant relative of the Stuart line. This was Sophia, daughter of Elizabeth of Bohemia, James I 's only daughter, but she died a few weeks before Anne and so the throne succeeded to her son George. THE HANOVARIANS GEORGE I 1714 -1727 Son of Sophia and the Elector of Hanover, great-grandson of James I. The 54 year old George arrived in England able to speak only a few words of English with his 18 cooks and 2 mistresses in tow. George never learned English, so the conduct of national policy was left to the government of the time with Sir Robert Walpole becoming Britain's first Prime Minister . In 1715 the Jacobites (followers of James Stuart, son of James II) attempted to supplant George, but the attempt failed. George spent little time in England - he preferred his beloved Hanover, although he was implicated in the South Sea Bubble financial scandal of 1720. GEORGE II 1727 - 1760 Only son of George I. He was more English than his father, but still relied on Sir Robert Walpole to run the country. George was the last English king to lead his army into battle at Dettingen in 1743. In 1745 the Jacobites tried once again to restore a Stuart to the throne. Prince Charles Edward Stuart, 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' . landed in Scotland. He was routed at Culloden Moor by the army under the Duke of Cumberland, known as 'Butcher' Cumberland. Bonnie Prince Charlie escaped to France with the help of Flora MacDonald , and finally died a drunkard's death in Rome. GEORGE III 1760 - 1820 He was a grandson of George II and the first English-born and English-speaking monarch since Queen Anne. His reign was one of elegance and the age of some of the greatest names in English literature - Jane Austen , Byron, Shelley, Keats and Wordsworth. It was also the time of great statesmen like Pitt and Fox and great captains like Wellington and Nelson . in 1773 the 'Boston Tea Party' was the first sign of the troubles that were to come in America. The American Colonies proclaimed their independence on July 4th 1776. George was well meaning but suffered from a mental illness due to intermittent porphyria and eventually became blind and insane. His son ruled as Prince Regent after 1811 until George's death. GEORGE IV 1820 - 1830 Known as the 'First Gentleman of Europe'. He had a love of art and architecture but his private life was a mess, to put it mildly! He married twice, once in 1785 to Mrs. Fitzherbert, secretly as she was a Catholic, and then in 1795 to Caroline of Brunswick . Mrs. Fitzherbert remained the love of his life. Caroline and George had one daughter, Charlotte in 1796 but she died in 1817. George was considered a great wit, but was also a buffoon and his death was hailed with relief! WILLIAM IV 1830 - 1837 Known as the 'Sailor King' (for 10 years the young Prince William, brother of George IV, served in the Royal Navy), he was the third son of George III. Before his accession he lived with a Mrs. Jordan, an actress, by whom he had ten children. When Princess Charlotte died, he had to marry in order to secure the succession. He married Adelaide of Saxe-Coburg in 1818. He had two daughters but they did not live. He hated pomp and wanted to dispense with the Coronation. The people loved him because of his lack of pretension. During his reign Britain abolished slavery in the colonies in 1833. The Reform Act was passed in 1832, this extended the franchise to the middle-classes on a basis of property qualifications. VICTORIA 1837 - 1901 Victoria was the only child of Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg and Edward Duke of Kent, fourth son of George III. The throne Victoria inherited was weak and unpopular. Her Hanovarian uncles had been treated with irreverence. In 1840 she married her cousin Albert of Saxe-Coburg. Albert exerted tremendous influence over the Queen and until his death was virtual ruler of the country. He was a pillar of respectability and left two legacies to the UK, the Christmas Tree and the Great Exhibition of 1851. With the money from the Exhibition several institutions were developed, the Victoria and Albert Museum , the Science Museum, Imperial College and the Royal Albert Hall. The Queen withdrew from public life after the death of Albert in 1861 until her Golden Jubilee in 1887. Her reign saw the British Empire double in size and in 1876 the Queen became Empress of India, the 'Jewel in the Crown'. When Victoria died in 1901, the British Empire and British world power had reached their highest point. She had nine children, 40 grand-children and 37 great-grandchildren, scattered all over Europe. EDWARD VII 1901 - 1910 A much loved king, the opposite of his dour father. He loved horse-racing, gambling and women! This Edwardian Age was one of elegance. Edward had all the social graces and many sporting interests, yachting and horse-racing - his horse Minoru won the Derby in 1909. Edward married the beautiful Alexandra of Denmark in 1863 and they had six children. The eldest, Edward Duke of Clarence, died in 1892 just before he was to marry Princess Mary of Teck. When Edward died in 1910 it is said that Queen Alexandra brought his current mistress Mrs. Keppel to his bedside to take her farewell. His best known mistress was Lillie Langtry, the 'Jersey Lily' Name changed in 1917 GEORGE V 1910 - 1936 George had not expected to be king, but when his elder brother died he became the heir-apparent. He had joined the Navy as a cadet in 1877 and loved the sea. He was a bluff, hearty man with a 'quarter-deck' manner. In 1893 he married Princess Mary of Teck, his dead brother's fiancee. His years on the throne were difficult; the First World War in 1914 - 1918 and the troubles in Ireland which lead to the creation of the Irish Free State were considerable problems. In 1932 he began the royal broadcasts on Christmas Day and in 1935 he celebrated his Silver Jubilee. His latter years were overshadowed by his concern about the Prince of Wales and his infatuation with Mrs. Simpson. EDWARD VIII June 1936 - abdicated December 1936 Edward was the most popular Prince of Wales Britain has ever had. Consequently when he renounced the throne to marry Mrs. Wallis Simpson the country found it almost impossible to believe. The people as a whole knew nothing about Mrs. Simpson until early in December 1936. Mrs. Simpson was an American, a divorcee and had two husbands still living. This was unacceptable to the Church, as Edward had stated that he wanted her to be crowned with him at the Coronation which was to take place the following May. Edward abdicated in favour of his brother and took the title, Duke of Windsor. He went to live abroad. GEORGE VI 1936 - 1952 George was a shy and nervous man with a very bad stutter , the exact opposite of his brother the Duke of Windsor, but he had inherited the steady virtues of his father George V. He was very popular and well loved by the British people. The prestige of the throne was low when he became king but his wife Elizabeth and his mother Queen Mary were outstanding in their support of him. The Second World War started in 1939 and throughout the King and Queen set an example of courage and fortitude. They remained at Buckingham Palace for the duration of the war in spite of the bombing. The Palace was bombed more than once. The two Princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, spent the war years at Windsor Castle . George was in close touch with the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill throughout the war and both had to be dissuaded from landing with the troops in Normandy on D-Day ! The post-war years of his reign were ones of great social change and saw the start of the National Health Service. The whole country flocked to the Festival of Britain held in London in 1951, 100 years after the Great Exhibition during Victoria's reign. ELIZABETH II 1952 - Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, or ‘Lilbet’ to close family, was born in London on 21 April 1926. Like her parents, Elizabeth was heavily involved in the war effort during the Second World War, serving in the women's branch of the British Army known as the Auxiliary Territorial Service, training as a driver and mechanic. Elizabeth and her sister Margaret anonymously joined the crowded streets of London on VE Day to celebrate the end of the war. She married her cousin Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and they had four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward. When her father George VI died, Elizabeth became Queen of seven Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka). Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953 was the first to be televised, serving to increase popularity in the medium and doubling television license numbers in the UK. The huge popularity of the royal wedding in 2011 between the Queen’s grandson, Prince William and the commoner Kate Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, reflected the high profile of the British Monarchy at home and abroad. 2012 was also an important year for the royal family, as the nation celebrated the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, her 60th year as Queen. On 9th September 2015, Elizabeth became Britain's longest serving monarch, ruling longer than her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria who reigned for 63 years and 216 days. Congratulations Ma'am; God Save the Queen! If you enjoyed this article, you might also like... Kings and Queens of Wessex - Wessex, also known as the Kingdom of the West Saxons, was a large and extremely influential Anglo-Saxon kingdom from 519 to 927AD. In this article, we take a look at the Kings and Queens that ruled over the kingdom for almost half a millennium. Kings and Queens of Scotland - Covering the period from 1005 - 1603 Kings and Queens of Mercia - Mercia was one of the great seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England, alongside East Anglia, Essex, Kent, Northumbria Sussex and Wessex. Based around its capital of Tamworth, Mercia went through rapid expansion throughout the 6th and 7th centuries to be one of the ‘big three’ kingdoms of England along with Northumbria and Wessex.	6
It is now generally accepted that the human tongue can detect how many basic tastes?	Pulling Down the Statue of George III \| Teach US History Pulling Down the Statue of George III Image Background Notes Artist: John C. McRae was an engraver and printer in New York City (1) who based this engraving off of a painting by Johannes Adam Simon Oertel (1823-1909). Oertel was a painter and engraver who emigrated from Germany in 1848. He is known for his religious paintings and for his ceiling decorations at the House of Representatives in Washington. (2) On July 9, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read for the first time in New York in front of George Washington and his troops. In reaction to what had been read, soldiers and citizens went to Bowling Green, a park in Manhattan, where a lead statue of King George III on horseback stood. The mob of people pulled down the statue, and later the lead was melted down to make musket balls, or bullets for use in the war for independence. (3) Careful records were kept, and it is known that 42, 088 bullets were made. (4) This engraving, and the painting that it is based upon, show a very romanticized version of the event. According to the eye witness accounts, the mob included soldiers, sailors, blacks, and a few lower class citizens, not the women, children, and Native Americans pictured here. Also, the artist portrays King George’s statue incorrectly. The statue in the image is wearing eighteenth century clothing and a crown. (5) No image exists of the actual statue, but descriptions of it mention that it was sculpted wearing a Roman toga. All that is left of the statue are a few fragments that broke off when it fell to the ground. The statue only stood erect in Bowling Green for six years, as it was originally commissioned to celebrate the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. (6) This incident was symbolic because it showed that Americans were ready to be independent and free from tyrannical rule, but also by pulling down a statue of the King, it was a symbolic gesture to make historic change from the rule of a monarchy to the rule of a democracy. (7) (1) Groce, George C. and David H. Wallace, The New York Historical Society’s Dictionary of Artists in America, 1564-1860 (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1957), 418. (2) Groce, 476. (3) A City Nearly Abandoned: Independence & its Enemies in New York, http://independence.nyhistory.org (4) Marks, Arthur S. “The Statue of King George III in New York and the Iconology of Regicide,” The American Art Journal 13 (Summer 1981): 62. (5) A City Nearly Abandoned. (6)Marks, 61-62.	i don't know
According to the singer Katie Melua, how many million bicycles are there in Beijing? 5; 9; 10; or 25?	Katie Melua--Nine Million Bicycles - YouTube Katie Melua--Nine Million Bicycles Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on Aug 26, 2006 There are nine million bicycles in Beijing ,That's a fact, It's a thing we can't deny Like the fact that I will love... Category	nine
Twain is an old English word for which number?	How many bicycles are there in Beijing? How many bicycles are there in Beijing? How many bicycles are there in Beijing? « on: 29 September, 2005, 06:25:13 pm » This is a thread for asking those nagging questions that just won't go away. Put your question up here, and maybe someone else with insider knowledge and time on their hands will answer it for you. Here's mine: There are nine million bicycles in Beijing That's a fact It's a thing we can't deny Like the fact that I will love you till I die. So sings "Crazy" Katie Melua. But is it a "fact we can't deny? How many bicycles are there in Beijing? Logged Re: How many bicycles are there in... « Reply #1 on: 29 September, 2005, 06:36:05 pm » According tosome china tourist website thang there are on average two bicycles for person in the whole of China- so just find the number of people living in Beijing, and multiply by two. But over report say that bicycle numbers are falling thanks to the car, so maybe the population X 2 isn't the right way to do the sum now... Logged « Reply #2 on: 29 September, 2005, 06:44:17 pm » And does Alanis Morrisette (sp?) understand the meaning or irony? Logged « Reply #3 on: 29 September, 2005, 06:44:48 pm » or == of Re: How many bicycles are there in... « Reply #4 on: 29 September, 2005, 06:45:40 pm » there are 14,560,000 people in the whole of beijing therefore, using the above mention rough estimate thing, the are 29,120,000 bycicles in Beijing- I don't know where katie got her figure from, but they are way wrong Logged « Reply #5 on: 29 September, 2005, 06:46:02 pm » why on earth would people have 2 bikes each? Logged « Reply #6 on: 29 September, 2005, 06:47:15 pm » One for the journey there, one for the journey back. Obviously. Logged Re: How many bicycles are there in... « Reply #7 on: 29 September, 2005, 06:48:10 pm » actually, if it was just bad english it could mean 1 bike for every 2 people 9 million would be a bit just over. Logged « Reply #8 on: 29 September, 2005, 07:02:19 pm » Ah yes, the Great Alanis Morrisette Irony Fallacy. First, let's look at some representative sample of the lyrics, in this case the first verse: An old man turned ninety-eight / He won the lottery and died the next day / It?s a black fly in your Chardonnay / It?s a death row pardon two minutes too late / Isn?t it ironic . . . don?t you think ...and the infamous chorus: It?s like rain on your wedding day / It?s a free ride when you?ve already paid / It?s the good advice that you just didn?t take / Who would ?ve thought . . . it figures ...and, oh heck, one more verse for luck: Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly / He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids good-bye / He waited his whole damn life to take that flight / And as the plane crashed down he thought / Well isn?t this nice . . ./ And isn?t it ironic . . . don?t you think... Then, just to be clear in our terminology, let's take a look at what "irony" actually means. Dictionary.com provides us with the meaning that we all know and love, namely "a) The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning. b) An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning. c) A literary style employing such contrasts for humorous or rhetorical effect." Now, this is the point where most examinations of Ms Morrisette's meaning cease. However, this is to ignore the secondary meaning of the word "irony", which is "a) Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs: ?Hyde noted the irony of Ireland's copying the nation she most hated? (Richard Kain), b) An occurrence, result, or circumstance notable for such incongruity". Moreover, the definition of "ironic" yields "Poignantly contrary to what was expected or intended: ("madness, an ironic fate for such a clear thinker.")". It is clear that Alanis is playing with this secondary meaning. Some of her conjunctions could be considered a little poor (black fly in white Chardonnay), and some could do with being fleshed out (Rain on a wedding day would only be ironic if other circumstances rendered it so). However, much of this can be put down to the relative restrictions of the song format. Clearly, the affecting story of Mr Playitsafe, the lottery winner, and, later in the song, the lady who desperately needs a knife (to perform an emergency tracheotomy on her partner, no doubt) but has to wade through a thousand spoons, are all genuine if weak ironies. To sum up: Alanis Morrisette has been unfairly traduced and her reputation trashed. But she has made millions of dollars regardless. Ironic... don't you think? Logged	i don't know
How many rooms are on the Cluedo game board?	Clue (board game) \| Clue Wiki \| Fandom powered by Wikia Genre Murder-Mystery Clue (Cluedo outside the U.S.) is a popular murder-mystery board game. It was originally published in Leeds, England in 1949. It was devised by Anthony E. Pratt, a so ly move around the game board (a mansion), as of one of the game's six suspects (or, collecting clues from which to deduce which suspect murdered the game's perpetual victim: Mr. Boddy ( Dr. Black , outside of U.S.), and with which weapon and in what room. Several games, books, and a film have been released as part of the Cluedo franchise. The board game forms a chronology. Overall, several spinoffs have been released, some featuring extra characters, and for some, different game play. More recent editions have restored the name Boddy Mansion to the mansion, and say the mansion is located in Boston, Massachusetts in the year 1954 (located in Hampshire, England outside of the U.S.). Contents Edit In 1944, Anthony E. Pratt, an English solicitor's clerk, filed for a patent of his invention of a murder/mystery-themed game, originally named "Murder!" The game was originally invented as a new game to play during sometimes lengthy air raid drills in underground bunkers. Shortly thereafter, Pratt and his wife presented the game to Waddingtons' executive, Norman Watson, who immediately purchased the game and provided its trademark name of "Cluedo" (a play on "clue" and "Ludo", which is Latin for "I play"). Though the patent was granted in 1947, due to post-war shortages, the game was not officially launched until 1949, at which time the game was simultaneously licensed to Parker Brothers in the United States for publication, where it was re-named "Clue" along with other minor changes. However, there were several differences between the original game concept and that initially published in 1949, In particular, Pratt's original design calls for ten characters, one of whom was to be designated the victim by random drawing prior to the start of the game. These ten included the eliminated Mr. Brown, Mr. Gold, Miss Grey, and Mrs. Silver, with Nurse White, and Colonel Yellow. The game allowed for play of up to eight remaining characters, providing for nine suspects in total. Originally there were eleven rooms, including the eliminated "gun room" and cellar. In addition there were nine weapons including the unused axe, bomb, syringe, poison, shillelagh (walking stick/cudgel), and fireplace poker. Some of these unused weapons and characters would appear in later spinoff versions of the game. Some gameplay aspects were different as well. Notably, the remaining playing cards were distributed into the rooms to be retrieved, rather than dealt directly to the players. Players also had to land on another player in order to make suggestions about that player's character through the use of special counter-tokens, and once exhausted, a player could no longer make suggestions. There were other minor differences, all of which would be updated by the game's initial release and remain essentially unchanged in the standard classic editions of the game. Equipment Edit The game's current equipment consists of a board which shows the rooms, corridors and secret passages of an English country house called Boddy Mansion, although previously named variously as Tudor Close or Tudor Hall, and in some editions Tudor Manor or Tudor Mansion). The game box also includes several colored playing pieces to represent characters, miniature murder weapon props, one or two six-sided dice, three sets of cards, each set describing the aforementioned rooms, characters and weapons, Solution Cards envelope to contain one card from each set of cards, and a Detective's Notes pad on which are printed lists of rooms, weapons and characters, so players can keep detailed notes during the game. Suspects Edit Depending on edition, the playing pieces are typically made of colored plastic, shaped like chess pawns, or character figurines. Occasionally they are made from wood or pewter. The standard edition of Cluedo comes with six basic tokens representing the following original characters: Ms. Vivienne Scarlet , the sultry and beautiful actress of the game. Col. Michael Mustard , the militant and athletic colonel of the game. Mrs. Blanche White , the intrusive and kindly maid of the game. Rev. Jonathan Green , the conniving and religious priest(mobster) of the game. Mrs. Elizabeth Peacock , the sinister and political senator of the game. Prof. Peter Plum , the uptight and intelligent professor of the game. The new suspects are: Edit There are nine rooms in the mansion where the murder can take place, laid out in a circular fashion on the game board, separated by pathways overlaid by playing spaces. Each of the four corner rooms contains a secret passage that leads to the room on the opposite diagonal corner of the map. The center room (often referred to as the Cellar, or Stairs) is inaccessible to the players, but contains the solution envelope, and is not otherwise used during game play. Colored "start" spaces encircle the outer perimeter which correspond to each player's suspect token. Miss Scarlet starts at the red space, Colonel Mustard starts at the yellow space, Mrs. White starts at the white space, Mr. Green starts at the green space, Mrs. Peacock starts at the blue space, and Professor Plum starts at the purple space. Here are the original rooms of Boddy Estate: Kitchen † ‡ denotes secret passages to opposite corner Rules Edit At the beginning of play, three cards — one suspect, one weapon, and one room card — are chosen at random and put into a special envelope, so that no one can see them. These cards represent the facts of the case. The remainder of the cards are distributed among the players. Players are instructed to go and get the token/suspect nearest them. Play begins with Ms. Scarlet and proceeds clockwise. Players roll the dice and move along the board spaces accordingly, and entering rooms in order to make suggestions from that room. The player's suggestion only gets disproved once. So, though several players may hold cards disproving the suggestion, only the first one will show the suggesting player his or her card. A player may only make a suggestion when his or her piece is in a room and the suggestion can only be for that room. Once a player has sufficiently narrowed the solution, that player can make an accusation. According to the rules, "When you think you have worked out which three cards are in the envelope, you may, on your turn, make an Accusation and name any three elements you want." Players may name any room (unlike a Suggestion, where a player's character pawn must be in the room the player suggests). The accusing player checks the validity of the accusation by checking the cards, keeping them concealed from other players. If he has made an incorrect accusation, he plays no further part in the game except to reveal cards secretly to one of the remaining players when required to do so in order to disprove suggestions. Also, according to the rules, "If, after making a false Accusation, your character pawn is blocking a door, [you must] move it into that room so that other players may enter." Since a character pawn can only block a door by being outside of a room, this clearly demonstrates that the character pawn need not be in any room to make an Accusation. If the player made a correct accusation, the solution cards are shown to the other players and the game ends. It is possible for a player to be using the piece representing the murderer. This does not affect the game play; the object of the game is still to be the first to make the correct accusation. If the game is played with two people, the process of elimination diffuses the same information to both players. Such a game tends to pass quickly. All editions of the current version of the game are advertised as a three-six player game only. Traditionally, the UK version was advertised for two-six players. Strategy Edit Though gameplay is relatively straightforward as described above, various strategies allow players to maximize their opportunities to make suggestions and therefore gain the advantage of accumulating information faster. As alluded to above, blocking the entrance to a room is one way to prevent an opponent from entering a desired room and making a suggestion. Choice of Suspect Edit The first opportunity is in choosing the initial playing piece. Mrs. Peacock has an immediate advantage of being one space closer to the first room than any of the other players. However, Ms. Scarlet traditionally moves first. Prof. Plum also has an advantage of moving to the Study, then through the secret passage to the Kitchen, the hardest room to get to. Navigating the Board	9
How many fences (not the number of times they are jumped) are on the Aintree Grand National race course?	Clue Rules Rules for Clue (From the Parker Brothers Game Copyright 1998) Object Mr. Boddy is apparently the victim of foul play and is found in one of the rooms. The object of the game is to discover the answer to these three questions: 1st. Who? Which one of the several suspects did it? 2nd. Where? 3rd. and with What Weapon? The answer lies in the little envelope resting on the stairway marked X in the center of the board. The envelope contains 3 cards. One card tells who did it- another card reveals the room in which it all happened, and the third card discloses the weapon used. The player who, by the process of deduction and good plain common sense, first identifies the 3 solution cards hidden in the little envelope, wins the game. This is accomplished by players moving into the rooms and making "suggestions" of what they believe is the room, the person and the weapon for the purpose of gaining information. This information may reveal which cards are in other players' hands and which cards are missing and must, therefore, be hidden in the little envelope. "Accusing" a suspect and naming the weapon and the room under suspicion is one of the most exciting features of this game. Equipment: The game Board showing nine rooms of Mr. Boddy's house. Six colored tokens representing the suspects in the house. The colors of the pieces are closely associated with the names of the suspects: Colonel Mustard (yellow) Mrs. Peacock (blue) Six miniature weapons and one die. The pack of 21 illustrated cards includes a card for each of the 6 suspects, one for each of the 6 weapons, and one for each of the 9 rooms. There is also a pad of Detective Notes to aid the players in their investigations. Preparation: 1. Place the suspect tokens on the starting squares marked with their names. All 6 pieces are placed on the board regardless of the number of players. 2. Place each of the Weapons in a different room using any of the rooms. 3. Place the empty envelope marked "Case File CONFIDENTIAL" on the spot marked "X" in the center of the board. 4. Sort the pack of cards into three groups- Room Cards, Weapon Cards and Suspect Cards. Shuffle each of these three groups separately. Take the top card from each group and place it in the envelope. This should be done carefully so that no player knows any of the three cards (one room, one weapon, and one suspect) placed in the envelope. 5. Shuffle together the three piles of remaining cards. Then deal them face down clockwise around the table. It is important that no player shall see any of the cards while they are being shuffled and dealt. (It doesn't matter if some players receive more cards than others.) Secretly look at your own cards: Because they're in your hand, they can't be in the Case File - which means that none of your cards was involved in the crime. 6. Take a detective's notebook sheet and, so that no one can see what you write, fold it in half. Check off the cards that are in your hand. 7. Each player takes the colored token nearest to him on the board, and uses it throughout the game. The player having the red token, Miss Scarlet, rolls the die and moves first. After Miss Scarlet has moved, the next player on the left rolls the die and moves. Each of the other players follows in turn. Game Play: Moving your token: On each turn, try to reach a different room of the mansion. To start your turn, move your token either by rolling the die or, if you're in a corner room, using a Secret Passage. There are three ways of entering a room: (1) Throwing the die and moving your token along the squares entering through a doorway, (2) Via the Secret Passages by leaping across the board, corner to corner, without using the die, and (3) a player's token may be placed in a room by another player in the feature play known as "The Suggestion." If the space at the entrance to a room is occupied by the token of one player, no other player may move into that room, through that door. Getting out of a room: There are three ways of leaving a room: (1) by throwing the die and moving out through a doorway onto the squares, heading toward another room of your choice, (2) by using the Secret Passages and finally, (3) by being transferred to a new room by some other player. On the throw of the die, you may enter a Room by the doors only, but you cannot leave a room on the same turn. Entering the Room ends your move. It is not necessary to throw the exact number to enter a Room. That is, if you need 4 to get into a room and you have thrown a 6, ignore the last two units after entering the Room. Players already in a room may leave it by any door using the die as usual and moving toward another room or, they may use a secret passage, if in a corner room. The doors of each room are not counted as a square. Secret Passages: The Secret Passages shown in the corner rooms enable players to move between opposite corner rooms in one move. This can be done on a player's turn without throwing the die merely by moving his token to the opposite corner room and announcing he is using the Secret Passage. A Suggestion may be made after this move. Making a Suggestion: As soon as you enter a room, make a Suggestion. By making Suggestions, you try to determine - by process of elimination -- which three cards are in the confidential Case File envelope. To make a Suggestion, move a Suspect and a Weapon into the Room that you just entered. Then suggest that the crime was committed in that Room, by that Suspect, with that Weapon. Example: Let's say that you're Miss Scarlet and you enter the Lounge. First move another Suspect -- Mr. Green, for instance -- into the Lounge. Then move a Weapon into the Lounge (the Wrench, perhaps) and say "I suggest that the crime was committed in the Lounge, by Mr. Green with the Wrench." Remember two things: 1. You must be in the Room that you mention in your Suggestion. 2. Be sure to consider all tokens -- including spare Suspects and yourself! -- as falling under equal suspicion. Proving the suggestion true or false: As soon as you make a Suggestion, your opponents, in turn, try to prove it false. The first to try is the player to your immediate left. This player looks at his or her cards to see if one of the three cards you just named is there. If the player has one or more of these cards, he or she must show it to you and no one else. If the player has more than one of the cards named, he or she select just one to show you. If that opponent does not have any of the three cards, then the next player at his left examines his cards and must show one of the three if he has it. Obviously, if any player has one or more of the 3 cards named in the Suggestion, it is proof that those particular cards are not in the envelope. The opportunity to prove the Suggestion false passes to the left until some player has shown ONE card to the suggesting player, whose turn then ends, and play passes to the next player. If no one is able to prove your Suggestion false, you may either end your turn or make an Accusation now. Special Notes about Suggestions You may make only one Suggestion after entering a particular Room. To make your next Suggestion, you must either enter a different Room or sometime after your next turn, re-enter the Room that you most recently left. You may not forfeit a turn to remain in a particular Room. If yours was the Suspect moved into a room by a Suggestion, you may, on your next turn, make a Suggestion of your own for that room. If you decide to make a Suggestion, do not roll the die or move your token. By making Suggestions and having them proved True or False players will eventually be able to identify the three cards in the envelope. Tokens and weapons transferred to a room as the result of a Suggestion are not returned to their original positions on the board. There is no limit to the number of Suspect tokens or Weapons that may be in a Room at one time. To leave a room in which your token has been placed by a Suggestion, either roll the die or, if you're in a corner room, you can use the Secret Passage. Although there is no requirement or rule on how players should use the Detective Note Pads it is suggested that the best and easiest way to play the game is to check off items on the Note Pads as they become known. Some players find it helpful to mark the initials of the player who showed the card. Making an Accusation: When you think you've figured out which three cards are in the envelope, you may, on your turn, make an Accusation. First say "I accuse (Suspect) of committing the crime in the (Room) with the (Weapon)" Then, so that the other players do not see, look at the three cards in the envelope. In a Suggestion, the Room you name must be the Room where your token is located. But in an Accusation, you may name any Room. Winning the game: If the Accusation is completely correct, that is, if you find in the envelope, all 3 cards that you just named, lay the cards face up on the table and you are the winner. If the Accusation is incorrect Secretly return the three cards to the envelope replace it on the board. You may make no further moves in the game. You remain as a player to contradict Suggestions made by other players. If your token is blocking a door, move it into Room so that other players may enter. Your opponents may continue to move your token into the various Rooms where they make Suggestions.	i don't know
"The core rules of the Muslim faith are known as the ""... (how many) Pillars of Islam""?"	Core Values of Islam - The Religion of Islam Core Values of Islam Font size: Description: The article will present the most important aspects of Islam: core beliefs, religious practices, Quran, teachings of Prophet Muhammad, and the Shariah.� A simple article that synthesizes Islam in a nutshell. Category: By Imam Kamil Mufti (� 2013 IslamReligion.com) Published on 27 May 2013 Last modified on 04 Jan 2015 Printed: 831 Viewed: 265314 (daily average: 201) Rating: 4 out of 5 Rated by: 45 Best Rate it It is difficult to limit all of Islam into a few core values.� Nevertheless, the most important beliefs and religious practices were identified by Prophet Muhammad himself.� Thus, there is general agreement on them among all Muslims.� It provides an interesting comparison since modern Jews and Christians do not have similar uniformity in their belief systems.� Christians, for example, have numerous creeds [1] and Jews do not have any agreed upon beliefs.� Modern Jews mostly agree over the 613 commandments that Maimonides, a Jewish rabbi from Muslim Spain, recorded and classified in the 12th century. Additionally, Muslim scholars, past and present, have also identified and in certain cases agreed on the core teachings of the Quran, of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, and the �essentials� of Islamic Law (Shariah). Core Islamic Beliefs: Six Articles of Faith More than a billion Muslims share a common set of fundamental beliefs that are described as "Articles of Faith." These articles of faith form the foundation of Islamic belief system. 1.� Belief in One God: The most important teaching of Islam is that only God is to be served and worshipped.� Also, the biggest sin in Islam is to worship other beings with God.� In fact, Muslims believe that it is the only sin that God does not forgive if a person dies before repenting from it. 2.� Belief in Angels: God created unseen beings called angels who work tirelessly to administer His kingdom in full obedience.� The angels surround us at all times, each has a duty; some record our words and deeds. 3.�� Belief in Prophets of God: Muslims believe that God communicates His guidance through human prophets sent to every nation.� These prophets start with Adam and include Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon them.� The main message of all the prophets has always been that there is only One true God and He alone is worthy of being supplicated to and worshipped. 4.�� Belief in Revealed Books of God: Muslims believe that God revealed His wisdom and instructions through �books� to some of the prophets like the Psalms, Torah, and the Gospel.� Over time, however, the original teachings of these books got distorted or lost.� Muslims believe the Quran is God�s final revelation revealed to Prophet Muhammad and has been fully preserved. 5.�� Belief in Day of Judgment: The life of this world and all that is in it will come to an end on an appointed day.� At that time, every person will be raised from the dead.� God will judge each person individually, according to his faith and his good and bad actions.� God will show mercy and fairness in judgment.� According to Islamic teachings, those who believe in God and perform good deeds will be eternally rewarded in Heaven.� Those who reject faith in God will be eternally punished in the fire of Hell. 6.�� Belief in Destiny and Divine Decree: Muslims believe that since God is the Sustainer of all life, nothing happens except by His Will and with His full knowledge.� This belief does not contradict the idea of free will.� God does not force us, our choices are known to God beforehand because His knowledge is complete.� This recognition helps the believer through difficulties and hardships. Core Religious Practice of Islam: The Five "Pillars" of Islam In Islam, worship is part of daily life and is not limited to mere rituals.� The formal acts of worship are known as the five "pillars" of Islam.� The five pillars of Islam are the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage. 1.�� Declaration of Faith: The "Declaration of Faith" is the statement, "La ilaha illa Allah wa Muhammad Rasul-ullah", meaning "There is no deity worthy of being worship except God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God").� The Declaration of Faith is more than just a statement; it must be shown with one's actions.� To convert to the faith of Islam, a person has to say this statement. 2.�� Daily Prayer: Prayer is a method by which a Muslim connects to God and gathers spiritual strength and peace of mind.� Muslims perform five formal prayers a day.� 3.�� Zakah: A type of charity.� Muslims recognize that all wealth is a blessing from God, and certain responsibilities are required in return.� In Islam, it is the duty of the wealthy to help the poor and needy.� 4.�� Fast of Ramadan: Once each year, Muslims are commanded to fast for an entire month from dawn to sunset.� The period of intense spiritual devotion is known as the fast of Ramadan in which no food, drink and sex is allowed during the fast.� After sunset one can enjoy these things.� During this month Muslims practice self-control and focus on prayers and devotion.� During the fast, Muslims learn to sympathize with those in the world who have little to eat. 5.�� The Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca: Every Muslim strives to make once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to the sacred sites in Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia.� It is the most intense spiritual experience for a Muslim.� Typically, 2-3 million perform hajj every year. Core of the Quran: Surah (Chapter) al-Fatihah Scholars consider Surah al-Fatihah, the first chapter of the Quran, to be the core of the Quran.� It is recited in every formal prayer in the Arabic language.� The translation follows: "I begin with the name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.� �All praise and thanks are for God, the Lord of the worlds.� The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.� You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help.� Guide us to the Straight Path (of Islam), the path of those You have blessed, not the path of those who have incurred Your wrath nor of those who have gone astray." To listen the recitation of Surah al-Fatiha click here Core Teachings of Prophet Muhammad Classical scholars of Islam have condensed the teachings of Prophet Muhammad into a few statements.� These comprehensive statements touch every aspect of our lives.� Some of them are: 1) Actions are judged by the intention behind them. 2) God is Pure and does not accept anything unless it is pure and God has commanded the faithful with what He commanded the prophets. 3) Part of a person�s good observance of Islam is to leave aside what does not concern him. 4) A person cannot be a complete believer unless he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. 5) One should not harm himself or others. 6) Don�t let your focus in this life be to amass worldly gain and God will love you.� Don�t be concerned with what people have, and they will love you. Core of Islamic Law or Shariah The core of Islamic Law is preservation of: 1) Religion	five
In which year were Concorde planes retired from service?	Teachers Guide - Muslims \| Teacher Center \| FRONTLINE \| PBS Islam teaches the importance of both belief and practice; one is insufficient without the other (except for some Sufis). The following six beliefs are those that are commonly held by Muslims, as laid out in the Quran and hadith. Six Major Beliefs Belief in the Oneness of God: Muslims believe that God is the creator of all things, and that God is all-powerful and all-knowing. God has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life. Belief in the Angels of God: Muslims believe in angels, unseen beings who worship God and carry out God's orders throughout the universe. The angel Gabriel brought the divine revelation to the prophets. Belief in the Books of God: Muslims believe that God revealed holy books or scriptures to a number of God's messengers. These include the Quran (given to Muhammad), the Torah (given to Moses), the Gospel (given to Jesus), the Psalms (given to David), and the Scrolls (given to Abraham). Muslims believe that these earlier scriptures in their original form were divinely revealed, but that only the Quran remains as it was first revealed to the prophet Muhammad. Belief in the Prophets or Messengers of God: Muslims believe that God's guidance has been revealed to humankind through specially appointed messengers, or prophets, throughout history, beginning with the first man, Adam, who is considered the first prophet. Twenty-five of these prophets are mentioned by name in the Quran, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last in this line of prophets, sent for all humankind with the message of Islam. Belief in the Day of Judgment: Muslims believe that on the Day of Judgment, humans will be judged for their actions in this life; those who followed God's guidance will be rewarded with paradise; those who rejected God's guidance will be punished with hell. Belief in the Divine Decree: This article of faith addresses the question of God's will. It can be expressed as the belief that everything is governed by divine decree, namely that whatever happens in one's life is preordained, and that believers should respond to the good or bad that befalls them with thankfulness or patience. This concept does not negate the concept of "free will;" since humans do not have prior knowledge of God's decree, they do have freedom of choice. Muslims are asked to put their beliefs into practice by performing certain acts of worship. As in all faiths, since adherence to religious obligations and practices is a matter of individual choice, some people are very strict in performing these duties, while others are not. The five pillars or acts of worship in Islam The Declaration of Faith (shahada): The first act of worship is the declaration that "There is no deity except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." Muslims repeat this statement many times a day during their prayers. If someone wants to become a Muslim, he or she makes this profession of faith as an entry into Islam. Prayer (salat): Islam prescribes a brief prayer or ritual worship five times a day: at dawn, noon, late afternoon, sunset and night. Muslims perform ablution before prayer -- a brief prescribed washing of the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms and feet. One may pray alone or in a group in any clean location, including a mosque. The Friday noon prayer is special to Muslims and is done in a mosque if possible. Muslims face in the direction of Mecca when they pray. Charity (zakat): Muslims are required to give to the poor and needy. Islam prescribes an obligatory charity, known as zakat, based on two and a half percent of one's income and wealth. In addition to this prescribed charity, Muslims are encouraged to give as much as they can in voluntary charity throughout the year. Fasting (sawm): Muslims are required to fast from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar. People gather in the evenings for a festive breaking of the fast. When fasting, Muslims refrain from food, liquid, and sexual activity. During Ramadan, Muslims are also supposed to abstain from negative behaviors such as lying, gossip, petty arguments, and negative thoughts or behaviors, including getting angry. Muslims are required to start fasting when they reach puberty, although some younger children may also fast. People who are sick, traveling, menstruating, and pregnant or nursing may break their fast, but may make up the days later in the year. The elderly and people with disabilities are excused from fasting. Ramadan was the month in which the revelation of the Quran to Muhammad began. Therefore Muslims are encouraged to read the Quran during this month and often gather in the evenings in mosques to listen to recitations from the Quran. Eid al-Fitr (eed' al fi'-ter), or the "Festival of the Fast-Breaking," one of the major Muslim holidays, celebrates the completion of the Ramadan fast and occurs on the first day of the month after Ramadan. This is a day of celebration, prayers, feasts and gift giving. Pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj): Every Muslim is required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, located in Saudi Arabia, once in their lifetime if financially and physically able. Mecca is home to the first house of worship of God, the Kaaba, said to have been built by the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael. Muslims all over the world face towards the Kaaba when they pray. All outward symbols of rank and wealth are erased during the pilgrimage, as Muslim from every part of the globe come together for the purpose of worshipping God. Muslims who complete the pilgrimage are referred to as "Hajji" and greeted with great celebration and respect in their communities when they return. Eid al-Adha (eed' al ad'-ha), or the "Festival of the Sacrifice," is the second major holiday in Islam. It falls on the tenth day of the month at the conclusion of the pilgrimage, and is celebrated by all Muslims with special prayers, feasts, gifts and the sacrifice of an animal (usually a lamb or goat). The meat is distributed to relatives, friends and the needy. Islam contains many rules for daily life and human relationships. The first source of these rules is the Quran and the second is the hadith or reports of the prophet Muhammad's words or actions. Prohibitions: In Islam, everything considered harmful either to the body, mind, soul or society is prohibited (haram), while whatever is beneficial is permissible (halal). Islam prohibits Muslims from consuming pork, alcohol or mind-altering drugs. Muslims are required to eat meat that is butchered and blessed in an Islamic way. This meat is called "halal." Muslims are also prohibited from gambling, taking interest, fortune-telling, killing, lying, stealing, cheating, oppressing or abusing others, being greedy or stingy, engaging in sex outside of marriage, disrespecting parents, and mistreating relatives, orphans or neighbors. Role of clergy: There is no hierarchy of clergy in Islam, nor do Muslim religious leaders have the power to forgive people of their sins. Every individual has a direct relationship with God without any intermediary. There are religious leaders or scholars, called ulema, who have studied and are experts in different aspects of Islam, such as Sharia, hadith, or Quranic recitation. It is also important to note that there is not one Islamic authority; so there are differences among Muslim scholars. Conversion to Islam: Muslims are encouraged to share their faith with others. However, Muslims are told not to attack others' beliefs or engage in conflicts or debates about matters of religion. There is no formal ceremony for conversion. People must merely believe in and recite the shahada to convert to Islam. Contrary to how popular culture portrays Muslim women's rights and privileges, Islam gives women many rights, including the right to inherit, to work outside the home, and to be educated. As in all cultures and communities, these rights are often violated. This is the result of the intersection of Islam with existing cultural norms, which may reflect male-dominated societies. In Muslim communities, women often have a strong influence in the family, the workplace, the religion and society in general. This section provides an overview of women's roles and rights in several areas. Marriage: Since men and women are not supposed to date, parents arrange marriages in some Muslim countries. However, the ultimate decision lies with the prospective couple. In Western countries, prospective spouses usually meet in a family setting or a public place, and often choose their partner on their own, although they still seek the approval of their parents. Marriage in Islam is a mutual contract between a man and a woman to live together according to the teachings of Islam and to bring up their children in their faith. According to Islamic law, the man is completely responsible for taking care of his wife's and children's financial needs. A woman's earnings are hers to spend as she chooses, although she may contribute to the expenses of the household if she wishes. Although Islam permits men to practice polygamy, it is an exception, not the norm, and carries the condition that a man must treat his wives equally. Since the Quran says that no man can treat more than one wife equally, many Muslims consider polygamy forbidden. Family Life: The family is considered extremely important in Islam. The Muslim family encompasses the entire circle of familial relationships, including in-laws. Obligations to parents and other relatives are strongly stressed. Extended family often live in the same house or neighborhood, and even when they do not, the family is quite close emotionally. Public Life: Muslim women are permitted to participate in all walks of life as long as their modesty is not affected. Muslim women have the right to be educated, work outside the home, and contribute to society. Because of the influence of mothers on their children, it becomes even more important that women be educated. Modesty: Both men and women are expected to present themselves in a manner that emphasizes modesty. Hijab or covering, for example, is so that women's sexuality will not become a source of temptation or enter into their interactions with men. Many Muslim women view hijab as liberating them from the male gaze. Men are also required to behave and dress modestly. The dress varies for women and men from culture to culture, and according to individual beliefs. Relations between Men and Women: Islam requires that Muslim men and women observe modesty in their interactions. Muslim men and women should relate as brothers and sisters, and avoid any interaction that might lead to sexual or romantic activity prior to marriage. Although this prohibition is often affected by Westernized ideas, Islam requires that both men and women remain chaste until marriage.	i don't know
Pop star Wyclef Jean was a potential but unsuccessful 2010 presidential candidate in which country?	Wyclef Jean Confirms Candidacy As Haitian Presidential Race Heats Up – Latin America News Dispatch Musician Wyclef Jean is thinking of running for president of Haiti. Haitian-American hip hop artist and presidential candidate Wyclef Jean. Today in Latin America Top Story — It is now certain that pop star Wyclef Jean will run for the Haitian presidency, confirming rumors that have been circulating for weeks. “My decision was a draft. I’m being drafted by the youth,” Jean told Time Magazine in a video posted to its Web site. Ex-Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard Alexis has also announced he will run. With the support of current President René Préval’s newly formed Unity party, Alexis is expected to be one of the strongest candidates. Jean also faces competition from his own uncle, Raymond Joseph, the former ambassador to the United States . The winner of the election, scheduled for Nov. 28, will face some of the most urgent problems of any leader in the hemisphere. The Jan. 12 earthquake leveled Haiti’s capital, killing an estimated 230,000 people and leaving as many as 1.6 million homeless. The new president will also face the intimidating task of building a strong Haitian state . The devastation caused by the natural disaster was facilitated by Haiti’s poor infrastructure and shoddy construction. At the heart of the problem, many experts say, was a weak Haitian government hobbled by a combination of foreign intervention, corruption and poverty. Jean’s formal entry into Haitian politics also promises to highlight a growing tension between those who were living on the island when the devastating earthquake struck on Jan. 12 and those who immigrated and have returned to help rebuild the country. Jean was born in Haiti, but raised in Brooklyn, New York. Jean will formally announce his candidacy tonight in an English-language interview, according to The Miami Herald. Below is a video of Wycleff Jean Speaking with Time Magazine. Just Published at the Latin America News Dispatch Alison Bowen discussed the Arizona immigration law’s ripple effects in the latest post to her blog Beyond Borders . Headlines from the Western Hemisphere North America Mexican drug cartels are increasingly using online videos to intimidate rivals, law enforcement and the public by airing violent footage of executions and other crimes. Mexicana de Aviación suspended ticket sales Wednesday as the airline faces mounting debts. Caribbean	Haiti
Chennai, the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, was known by what name until 1968?	HUFFPOST HILL - AUGUST 9TH, 2010 \| The Huffington Post HuffPost Hill HUFFPOST HILL - AUGUST 9TH, 2010 08/09/2010 06:08 pm ET \| Updated May 25, 2011 Happy 8/9/10, everyone. We spun around three times and spat at 12:34 pm and 56.7 seconds but all we got were ethics charges against Maxine Waters. While House staffers spent the day prepping for tomorrow's votes on state aid and border security, bloggers rejoiced at Joe Lieberman's announcement that he'll likely make a reelection bid and we tried to get a quote from Rand Paul about his collegiate misadventures with Eastern religions and bongs... and then we remembered that it's the anniversary of Jerry Garcia's death. This is HUFFPOST HILL for Monday, August 9th, 2010: BREAKING: DICK CHENEY RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL - We can rebuild him -- we have the technology: "Former Vice President Dick Cheney has been released from a suburban Washington hospital following heart surgery last month. A Cheney spokesman said in a statement that the former vice president was released Monday morning from Inova Fairfax Heart and Vascular Institute in Northern Virginia. The statement says Cheney will continue his recovery at his home. The 69-year-old former vice president has been suffering from congestive heart failure and had a small pump installed to help his heart work. He's had five heart attacks since he was 37." http://bit.ly/bKcp3e HOUSE RECONVENES TOMORROW TO VOTE ON STATE AID BILL - The "Let's Harsh On Our LCs' Buzzes By Interrupting Their Trips Home Even Though Their Mothers Haven't Finished Their Laundry Act" will be the issue of the day. CQ: "House Democratic leaders are confident they will have the votes Tuesday to pass a $26.1 billion bill that would keep more than 140,000 teachers on the job and help states pay for medical care for the poor, leadership aides said Monday...The legislation proposes $10 billion in aid to states to prevent layoffs of teachers and other public employees and $16.1 billion in Medicaid help to the states. To pay for that spending, cuts were proposed for several programs popular with Democrats, including food stamps and a renewable-energy loan initiative." http://bit.ly/9PObVw HuffPost Hill hears the vote will likely come early in the afternoon, giving representatives enough time to make their Wednesday golf tournament fundraisers. Phew. Food Stamps Paying For State Aid - "Members are pissed that they're going to have to have to choose between saving jobs and protecting food stamp funding," one top progressive staffer emailed HuffPost Hill. The state aid is being offset by cuts to food stamps between 2014 and 2018. "This is one of the more egregious cases of robbing Peter to pay Paul, and is a vote we do not take lightly," they write in a letter circulating among Dems, outlining what they want for this affront: To scrap Lincoln's Senate food stamp proposal and replace it with George Miller's, then battle it out in conference come September. Look for an organizing effort around it. The chamber will also deal with a border security measure during tomorrow's session, but a Senate screw-up will prevent it from getting signed into law before September. Revenue bills must originate in the House's Ways and Means Committee; the Senate attached its $600 million measure to a House appropriations bill. Whoops. That means the House will vote on a blue slip resolution, the legislative equivalent of failing an exam but getting a second shot at it because the professor feels sorry for you. Our borders, then, will remain fatally insecure for another month or so, after which the problem will be solved by adding another 1,500 border guards. EXCLUSIVE: POLL FINDS VOTERS TIE CORPORATE CORRUPTION OF WASHINGTON TO ECONOMIC CONCERNS - A poll of 9,600 voters in battleground states finds that a prime way for candidates to show voters that they plan to address the faltering economy is to take a stand against corporate control of the political process. 57% said that getting the economy going required taking on corporate lobbyists. 79% said it's important that a candidate commit to reducing the influence of corporations over elections, with 56% overall saying it's very important. 60% wanted Citizens United overturned and two-thirds wold be more likely to support a candidate who backs a constitutional amendment to overturn the decision. The poll was commissioned by MoveOn.org and done by SurveyUSA. The full story in HuffPost tomorrow morning. ROMANOFF-BENNET CONTEST ALL ABOUT CORPORATE INFLUENCE - Voter concern over corporate influence on elections and lawmaking is the most potent force in the closely watched Democratic Senate primary campaign that ends in Colorado Tuesday. Andrew Romanoff, outspent by the Obama-backed Sen. Michael Bennet, has surged since making corporate control of the political process his primary issue. He swore off political action committee (PAC) money and hammered Bennet for taking corporate cash; Bennet, in response, charged that Romanoff's "entire campaign" was based on attacking him for taking PAC money, yet he had been taking PAC money during much of his career. The poll commissioned by MoveOn in Colorado bears out that corporate power is a driving concern. GOOGLE-VERIZON UNVEIL PROPOSAL FOR TIERED INTERNET - After swearing up and down last week that they weren't in negotiations, Google and Verizon held a media call today to introduce a joint proposal for how Internet service should be regulated. The arrangement would preserve basic 'net neutrality' standards for traditional Internet service but (and this is a big but) exempt wireless Internet access - the major area of future growth for the Internet - from the same standards. http://nyti.ms/bWmMCR Statement from the consumer group Free Press: "The Google-Verizon pact isn't just as bad as we feared -- it's much worse. They are attacking the Internet while claiming to preserve it. Google users won't be fooled. They are promising Net Neutrality only for a certain part of the Internet, one that they'll likely stop investing in. But they are also paving the way for a new 'Internet' via fiber and wireless phones where Net Neutrality will not apply and corporations can pick and choose which sites people can easily view on their phones or any other Internet device using these networks... It would divide the information superhighway, creating new private fast lanes for the big players while leaving the little guy stranded on a winding dirt road." More here: http://huff.to/93jKB5 Reaction round-up: http://huff.to/bwqXhj CHARGES AGAINST MAXINE WATERS MADE PUBLIC - The totally groundbreaking revelation that lawmakers will try to steer money to individuals and organizations they have connections to will no doubt rock Washington to its core. The panel charges that Waters "requested federal help for a bank where her husband owned stock and had served on its board...The Waters case revolves around whether she helped OneUnited Bank obtain federal bailout funds in late 2008. Her husband, Sidney Williams, served as a member of OneUnited's board of directors from January 2004 until April 2008, and was a stockholder in the bank. The report says Waters asked the Treasury Department to meet representatives from the National Bankers Association, a trade group representing minority-owned and women-owned banks. The discussion at that September 2008 meeting centered on OneUnited Bank." http://huff.to/ctpE7y Waters' lawyers are taking issue with the charges saying they, yep, exhibit a double standard. Roll Call: "Lawyers for Rep. Maxine Waters have accused the House ethics committee of applying a double standard by charging her with rules violations for actions that they claim are comparable to the actions of Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), who was exonerated by the committee last year." http://bit.ly/djeIzF HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO INTRODUCE BILL AXING LAME DUCK SESSION - Sam Stein: "House Republicans are going forward with plans to introduce a resolution on Tuesday to prohibit the House of Representatives from assembling during the two-month period following the November elections. A GOP leadership aide confirmed to the Huffington Post that the resolution, authored by Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) for the purposes of preventing Democrats from passing legislative items during the lame-duck session, would be introduced before the House passes additional Medicaid and teacher funding." http://huff.to/aJ3qze GATES ORDERS MAJOR CUT IN DEFENSE CONTRACTORS - NYT: "[Defense Secretary Robert Gates] said he had ordered a 10 percent reduction in spending on contractors who provide support services to the military, including intelligence-related contracts, and placed a freeze on the number of workers in the office of the secretary of defense, other Pentagon supervisory agencies and the headquarters of the military's combat commands." http://nyti.ms/csMrVE Obama statement: "Today's announcement by Secretary Gates is another step forward in the reform efforts he has undertaken to reduce excess overhead costs, cut waste, and reform the way the Pentagon does business... Change is never easy, and I applaud Secretary Gates and his team for undertaking this critical effort to support our men and women in uniform and strengthen our national security." Pelosi statement: "Secretary Gates...took a hard look at the Defense Department's budget and made tough decisions to cut expenses and freeze spending... In a critical step, the Secretary announced we would reduce our reliance on private contractors - putting critical functions of national security where they belong: in the hands of sworn and highly-trained military and intelligence officials." TOMORROW'S PAPERS TODAY - Roll Call: David M. Drucker writes that Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is likely to caucus with the Democrats or the Republicans should he advance to the Senate, if only because failing to pick a side would exclude him from the chamber's choice committees and dramatically reduce his influence. The Hill: Michael O'Brien on how senior Democrats in the White House and on Capitol Hill are expressing confidence in party Chairman Tim Kaine despite the possibility of huge losses in the midterm elections. RAND PAUL MAY SUE GQ OVER BONG STORY - Of particular note in GQ's profile is the "Aqua Buddha" incident in which Paul, while attending Baylor University, apparently blindfolded a female classmate and tried to force her to take hits from a bong. "I had to say, 'I worship you Aqua Buddha, I worship you.,'" a classmate of his tells GQ. "But when Paul showed up in Waco, he didn't conform to type. According to several of his former Baylor classmates, he became a member of a secret society called the NoZe Brotherhood, which was a refuge for atypical Baylor students....In 1978, the Baylor administration became so fed up with the NoZe that it suspended the group from campus for being, in the words of Baylor's president at the time, 'lewd, crude, and grossly sacrilegious.'" GQ also has a picture of the group. Paul is the one standing next to the one grabbing his own crotch: http://bit.ly/90z7AY "We are investigating all our options - including Legal ones," writes Paul aide Jesse Benton in an e-mail to Ben Smith. "We will not tolerate drive by Journalism by a writer with a leftist agenda." Sam Stein on The Ed Show: "This god called 'Aqua Buddha.' I don't know what that is." Pretty sure we've found the Aqua Buddha. http://bit.ly/c1qKXL Don't be bashful: Send tips/stories/photos/events/fundraisers/job movement/juicy miscellanea to [email protected]. Follow us on Twitter - @HuffPostHill The White House plans to renominate stalled judicial nominees Goodwin Liu and Edward Chen, both of whom won Senate Judiciary Committee approval on a party-line 12-7 vote but have yet to receive a full Senate vote, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. http://bit.ly/djFIkz "Letitia Long takes helm of Pentagon intelligence agency," reports WaPo's Jeff Stein, noting, "From 2003 to 2006, Long served as deputy to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's intelligence chief Stephen Cambone, a controversial figure who ran some of the Bush administration's most aggressive security initiatives." http://bit.ly/dCwGKa WYCLEF JEAN DEFENDS HAITIAN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN - Speaking to NPR News today, the pop star was pressed on his qualifications for the job. "I think what makes me qualified is the fact that I am drafted by the youth, number one. I understand that to move Haiti forward, it's gonna take policies with these four pillars with five points: education, job creation, agriculture, security and healthcare. I clearly understand that. I also understand what makes me qualified is, if you have $5.2 billion sitting, which is promised by donors, somebody have [sic] to go get that money. And so you don't need just a local president. I think you need a president that's global, that's going to be moving through the globe." On allegations that he improperly used funds allotted for his charity, Yele Haiti: "The idea of Wyclef taking money to put in his pocket, that is a no. The idea of taking personal money to give to my family, that is a no... The idea of Wyclef being corrupted is a no." BLUE DOGS SCRAMBLE FOR NEW MEMBERS - The House Blue Dog Coalition -- which is kind of like the Tea Party Caucus before its DNA was permanently mutated during a botched trial run of its experimental energy source, resulting in a life of marauding terror in which it indiscriminately inflicts pain on hapless innocents with its hybrid photon-arm cannons, a pathetic shadow of its former self -- is in need of some new blood. "The list of outgoing Blue Dogs outpaces the 110th Congress, when the only Blue Dog who retired was Alabama Rep. Bud Cramer. Texas Rep. Nick Lampson, Florida Rep. Tim Mahoney and Louisiana Rep. Don Cazayoux - all freshmen - lost their campaigns for re-election." Alex Isenstadt in Politico: http://politi.co/arAhys A new poll from Rasmussen indicates the race for Judd Gregg's New Hampshire Senate seat is the Republicans' to lose. Former state AG Kelly Ayotte holds a commanding lead over Democratic Rep. Paul Hodes 51% to 38%. This is in keeping with surveys this year that regularly show Ayotte with a roughly ten-point lead over Hodes. http://bit.ly/8X0Iav CHARLIE CRIST/JOHN BOEHNER NEWS UPDATE ® , BROUGHT TO YOU BY SUNQUEST WOLFF ® BRAND TANNING BEDS - The first from Charlie Crist, who can now add Democratic pollster and walking anti-matter Mark Penn as a supporter. Penn and his wife Nancy are throwing a $4,800-a-plate fundraiser for the Florida governor and independent Senate candidate. The St. Petersburg Times has the invite: http://bit.ly/aNWVQ0 We're worried that we might not be able to include John Boehner in the Charlie Crist/John Boehner News Update ® brought you by Sunquest Wolff ® brand tanning beds anymore. Boehner's opponent, Justin Coussoule has a new ad highlighting the minority leader's frequent trips to golf courses. While this is meant to suggest that Boehner is an out-of-touch lawmaker, we're worried because it implies that Boehner's orange tint might, through some freakish melanin-related condition, actually be the result of sun exposure. Sam Stein: "The spot, paid for by Blue America and Americans for America and drawing heavily from the MasterCard commercial theme, is airing in Boehner's home district on behalf of his Democratic challenger: attorney and West Point graduate Justin Coussoule. 'Rounds of golf: 100 plus. Golf expenses: $83,000. Membership at all male club: $75,000. Special interest travel including golf junkets: $159,000. Raising the retirement age to 70 and voting to end unemployment benefits: priceless'" http://huff.to/b0dotB Also taking note of the minority leader's appearance today was the Morning Joe crew. Speaking of the fake-bookshelf backdrop the Minority Leader was seated in front of on 'Meet the Press,' Scarborough said, "He's a chameleon. He's using his special Vader powers to blend into the fake bookcases there." http://huff.to/c1lVNw SHARRON ANGLE WON'T TAKE MONEY FROM GAY RIGHTS SUPPORTERS, TAKES MONEY FROM GAY RIGHTS SUPPORTERS - After months of speculation about whether she is fit for public office, Sharron Angle is at long last demonstrating her political bona fides by saying one thing and doing another. Center for Responsive Politics says Angle "recently told a conservative group that she'd refuse contributions from political action committees of corporations supporting 'equal rights for gays' or offer benefits to 'partners' of homosexual employees. Angle, to date, hasn't raised a dime from any corporate PAC, but according to a Center for Responsive Politics analysis, she has taken at least $8,900 from leaders of companies known to offer employee benefits to same-sex spouses or that operate in jurisdictions that recognize marriage between same-sex couples." Mike Huckabee has joined Sarah Palin in endorsing Lisa Murkowski's primary opponent, Joe Miller. In a statement released on the Huck PAC website, the former Arkansas governor and potential 2012 candidate said, "Actually knowing how a national law will impact people at the local level is what sets Joe apart. In fact, that unique knowledge provides Joe with insight into which bills will help Alaskans and which bills with hurt Alaskans. With the federal government encroaching quickly into every aspect of our lives - we need Joe in the U.S. Senate to help Congress make the correct decisions to bring Washington back to the limited role envisioned by the Founding Founders. There is no doubt that Joe will work to help restore Constitutional limits on Federal power." http://bit.ly/9whVat DR-A-A-A-A-M-A @cbellantoni: Dino Rossi announces Tom Coburn is backing his candidacy. Reminder, Sarah Palin supports Clint Didier. GOP DISSOCIATING ITSELF WITH 14TH AMENDMENT - We've all had that conversation -- the "yeah, if I were alive during the Civil War era I would be a Republican" talk. It's a position taken by progressively-inclined middle schoolers everywhere -- a rite of passage meant to absolve oneself of partisanship and to demonstrate one's racial sensitivity. Of course we'd all be Republicans in the 1860s and 1870s. Sure, they held a lot of disgusting beliefs but it was better than the alternative and we wouldn't want to throw away our vote during that volatile period... we'd be savvy 19th-century political operators. Lincoln was a Republican! They opposed slavery! They modernized the Constitution! They popularized mutton chops! Turns out there is a group of people who appear uneasy with the Reconstruction-era GOP: Republicans. Sam Stein notes that New Hampshire Senate candidate Kelly Ayotte is now the fourth Republican Senate candidate to voice concerns over the amendment which grants citizenship to anyone born in the United States. http://huff.to/a0F4SQ Huzzahs are in order for a number of Steny Hoyer staffers. From a release: "Hoyer has promoted Katie Grant to Communications Director, hired Daniel Reilly as Press Secretary, promoted Maureen Beach to Deputy Press Secretary, and hired Mariel Saez as Press Assistant." Requests for lighthearted anecdotes or nifty factoids about the employees in question from Hoyer's office weren't answered. Can gang violence win the morning? Politico's new D.C. local news site, TBD, looks to answer that question. Check it out!. http://www.tbd.com @mikemadden: Why did NewsChannel 8 sponsor @mikeallen's Playbook on the day Allbritton renamed the channel TBD TV? http://bit.ly/avoA6e A rough day at the Portland Press Herald: http://bit.ly/9ElZ8z Levi Johnston is getting his own reality series, TMZ reports. Word is the show will follow Levi to his speaking engagements across the country, where he will implore adolescent boys to refrain from unprotected sex and encourage them to treat women with respect...totally kidding. The show is being filmed in LA and Alaska. http://bit.ly/cxUH2q Here's your chance to prove wrong the saying that Washington is Hollywood for ugly people. "Transformers 3 will be shooting in DC later this summer, and the city's Office of Motion Picture and Television Development is looking for extras. If you're interested, send a photo of yourself and some other information to [email protected]. They're also interested in your car, and you get bonus points if you've done 'precision driving.'" Awesome DC: http://bit.ly/aZnbK8 JEREMY THE INTERN'S WEATHER REPORT - Tonight: Slight cooling after 7p.m. or so. It should be delightful if anyone is going to see a concert tonight COUGH Counting Crows at Wolf Trap COUGH . Tomorrow: The heat rises, as you can expect high-90s, approaching 100. It's going to be a brutal day. You know what to do. Thanks, JB! COMFORT FOOD	i don't know
Eighteen year-old Eri Yoshida, known as the Knuckleball Princess, in 2010 became the first Japanese woman to play in the US professional (generally all-male) league of which sport?	The News Newspaper - Issue 118 by The News Newspaper - issuu VICTORIA CAR HIRE UK UK Self Drive £105 per week Fully inclusive No hidden extras Delivery & Collection Gatwick Airport only Tel: 0044 1293 432155 Fax: 0044 1293 402600 issue 118 Wednesday, april 6th 2011 Dole figure continues to rise p3 A new record set as 4.33 million claim unemployment benefit and 20.5 per cent of population are out of work Politics - National News PM to make way for new leader The race is now on to find a successor to Prime Minister Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero after he announced he will not seek a third term in oﬃce. Intense speculation had surrounded Sr Zapatero's future and his decision to step down, revealed at last Saturday's Socialist Party's Federal Committee, was widely expected. Sr Zapatero, whose popularity has plunged to an all-time low, said it was the right decision for the country, the Socialist Party and his family. The Socialists are currently 15 per cent behind the main opposition party, the Partido Popular, in the polls and are expected to suffer heavy losses in this year's regional and local elections and next year's general election. Continued on page 2 gLASS CURTAiNS diRECT UNBEATABLE OFFERS CALL NOw FOR yOUR FREE NO OBLigATiON qUOTE ALUmiNiUm, UPVC, wiNdOwS, dOORS & CONSERVATORiES 622 130 796 g l assdirec [email protected] Tel: 951 713 626 or 607 974 677 Near the BEACH. Large ground floor apartment in the ever popular area of Carvajal, Fuengirola, 4 bed, 3 bath, ideal for holidays or living, close to shops, restaurants and local transport , low community fees. www.amigoprop.com THE ONLY PLACE FOR YOUR PLACE! 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LAID & ROLLED 300 ton crushed concrete. Available for road, tracks, carparks, etc. Very good for sub-base, can be supplied laid & rolled. For a good free quote in English ring 637 179 373 or in Spanish 673 250 707 James Ridgley 951 242 873 637 179 373 [email protected] WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 WORLD Splodge! By Kym Wickham [email protected] I haven't managed to get much cooking done recently but I decided I really must do something with all the lemons hanging oﬀ the tree before they start to spoil. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do so, in my normal fashion, shoved a few bits in a bowl then cooked it. The result is a cross between a sponge and a souﬄé and is lovely hot but equally nice cold. A couple of the people in the oﬃce had a sample and declared it “Really nice. You can make more of that!” I hadn't a clue what to call it so you will find a recipe for “Kym's Lemon Splodge” on the Kym's Kitchen page next week to give it a go yourselves. Let me know what you think by emailing me at k.wickham@thenewsonl ine.es Men dressed as policemen have been stopping motorists and demanding on the spot fines for alleged speeding oﬀences etc. Authorities found €18,000 worth of cash in various currencies and “police” clothing in Madrid but the gang has been operating in several countries and places within those countries such as the Costa del Sol, Barcelona etc. As a matter of course, Spanish police will not give you an onthe-spot fine. They will always give you a ticket that you will then have to pay. Last but not least all of us at the news, his family and friends would like to wish veteran musician and singer Sid Wright a ver happy 90th birthday for Monday April 11th. Sid has played with the best there is and still continues to entertain us on the Costa. Well done! ExhIbITIon on American ballet eatre’s AbT II The renowned American Ballet Theatre’s “dancers in training” aged between 16 and 19-years-old come from their HQ at the Metropolitain Opera NYC to perform Teatro Cervantes, Malaga Thursday April 7th Box Oﬃce 902 360 295 rough e Eyes of Two Women II Exhibition A second photographic exhibition by Ann Read and Bev Sheehan Coin Convento Open until April 27th Distracted drivers targeted Distracted drivers were involved in 39 per cent of highway accidents last year in which 684 people died and 288 were injured. To make people aware of the dangers of talking on mobile phones, consulting a GPS, loading a CD or lighting a cigarette, the Until June 12th CAC Malaga Last minute NEWS Ivory Coast conflict Traffic Authority has launched the first in a series of campaigns, until April 10th, when the Traffic Guardia will be on a special look-out for such distractions. Studies have shown that when people use their mobile phone, including the hands-free The Ivory Coast’s incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo, was last night (Tue) taking refuge in a reinforced bunker and reported to be negotiating his surrender as conflict raged in the Ivory Coast and a million people were displaced by the violence. UN and French forces had attacked the main city of Abidjan operating under a mandate to protect innocent civilians. Fighters have been backing the internationally recognised president Alassane Ouatarra, who was declared the winner of last November’s elections, but was unable to assume oﬃce because losing president Gbagbo refused to yield power. Ouaterra’s supporters had seized the presidential palace, forcing Gbagbo to seek refuge. President Barack Obama backed the UN and French action and said that the US was joined with the international community in its deep concern about reports of massacres in the western region of the country. Both sides have denied responsibility for a massacre at the weekend in the western town of Onekoue, where the Red Cross said 800 bodies had been found. Reports said that the killings had been carried out by local hunters loyal to Ouattera and the international community has warned that this will taint the new president if true. Britain has sent aid to support the many thousands without food and shelter. variety, they fail to keep their speed constant, get too close to the vehicle in front and need more time to react to danger. Last year, 136,123 drivers were fined for using their mobile phones while driving, three per cent less than in 2009. Pop growth at a standstill The population rose by 0.3 percent last year, to stand at 47.1 million, according to National Institute of Statistics figures published last week. The number of foreign residents registered at town halls dropped by 17,067 to 5.7 million – 12.2 www.thenewsonline.es First exhibition in Spain of work by Swiss artist Sylvie Fleury, who takes an ironic look at consumerism ART WHAT’S Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in per cent of the total population – half of whom are EU citizens. Rumanians comprise the largest foreign community group, 864,278, followed by the Moroccans, 769,920. Women make up 50.7 per cent of the total and people under 45 years of age 42.5 per cent. Andalucia, Catalonia and Madrid had the biggest populations while CastillaLeon, Galicia and Asturias have the smallest as an increasing number of people move away to seek work. Continued from FRONT PAGE PM won't seek third term Sr Zapatero said he was making his position clear now to end the uncertainty and speculation over his future, which was distracting the government from its main tasks of lifting Spain out of recession and creating jobs. Sr Zapatero also said he would stand down as party leader when a successor had been chosen. That process - through a series of primaries - will begin after local elections on May 22nd. He asked possible contenders to keep a “law of silence” until after that date because the party now had to concentrate on recovering its voting base. Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, the popular deputy prime minister and interior minister, and Carme Chacon, defence minister, WEATHER WEATHER – who engineered Sr Zapatero to power at the party's annual congress in 2000, something observers feel voters may be a little unforgiving about next March. Another serious contender is current speaker and former defence minister José Bono who, like Sr Rubalcaba belongs to the “old guard” who were in Felipe Gonzalez's governments from 1982 to 1996. WEEKLY WEAThER FoRECAST FoR CoSTA DEL SoL MALAGA TODAY seem to be leading the field. But Sr Rubalcaba will be 60 next year, nearly 20 years older than the average age of all Spain's PMs since the death of Franco. Sra Chacon will be 40, but she has little highlevel government experience. Another handicap is that she also belongs to the so-called “New Age” group of Socialists – often compared to Tony Blair's New Labour However, only Sra Chacon has so far expressed interest in running in a primary. Sr Zapatero became Prime Minister in 2004 in the wake of the Madrid train bombings. The country's economy was booming then. It has since suffered a deep recession, and unemployment is at 20%, the highest in the eurozone. ANdALUCIA TOdAY news Your outlook on the World the National News 'González behind dirty war on ETA' Former policeman José Amedo on Monday claimed once again that former Socialist Prime Minister Felipe González was the man behind the covert counter-insurgency group known as GAL, which was set up in the 1980s to fight against the Basque terrorist group ETA. He was testifying at the first day of the trial of former Bilbao police superintendent Miguel Planchuelo, charged with ordering mercenaries hired by the GAL to machine-gun two bars in the south of France in 1986, injuring six people. Amedo told the High Court that a police commander "would never have ordered criminal attacks." In an interview in EL PAÍS in November of last year, González, who was PM from 1982 to 1996, wondered if he had been foolish not to take advantage of the chance to give the order to kill the entire ETA leadership. The Partido Popular claimed at the time that he had identified himself as the "Mr X of GAL" who reporters have been trying to uncover for years. Planchuelo, who was sentenced to nine-and-ahalf years in jail in 1998 for his part in the kidnapping by GAL of Basque businessmen Segundo Marey, who had been mistaken for a member of ETA, denied on Monday he had paid to hire Portuguese hitmen to carry out the attacks in the Batxoki and La Consolation bars in 1986 in the French Basque Country. He said he found out about the attacks from the media. ON THIS DATE IN 1896 American James Connelly won the 1st Gold as 1st modern Olympics opened in Athens Dead Jobless hit record woman on webcam high The number of people claiming dole rose for the eighth consecutive month in March to 34,406 people, setting the new record of 4.33 million. The country's total unemployment rate, which is released separately every three months and includes people not claiming benefits, stood at 4.7 million in February - 20.5% of the population, and more than twice the EU average. Youth unemployment rose to the critical level of 45.3 per cent in March. The government has introduced tough austerity measures to reduce its debts, but does not expect the economy to start creating jobs until the end of the year at the earliest. The National Police have arrested a man in Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid) who strangled his pregnant wife and showed her body to his father in Rumania using a webcam. The man told his father that as soon as his 13-year-old sister-in-law returned home, he was going to kill her too. The father immediately reported the matter to the Rumanian police who contacted their counterparts in Madrid. GREETINGS CARDS, HELIUM BALLOONS, PARTY DECORATIONS the party people!! sT gEOrgE’s day aPril 23rd - EasTEr suNday 24Th aPril 29Th rOyal WEddiNg BuNTiNg ETC Cards aNd giFTs NOW iN sTOCk Royal Mail Post service now available Upstairs Opp. Dunnes Stores. Las Rampas Fuengirola. 696 818 595 EURoPE’s BEsT aiRCoNDiTioNERs ews n THENEWS the MEDIA MEDIA GROUP GROUP aT sPaiN’s LoWEsT PRiCEs! ThE NEWs MEdia grOuP The Coin News Group S.L. Luxury, whisper quiet aircons that never need servicing and at guaranteed low prices! C/ Vicario nº34-36, 2nd Floor - Oﬃce C 29100 Coin (Malaga) FUJIMA MFX Tel: (0034) 952 45 44 91 Fax: (0034) 952 45 44 41 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.thenewsonline.es Executive Editor: Kym Wickham design and layout: Damian Merino advertising manager: Geoﬀ Heading advertising sales: Susan Kerrigan Charlotte Fleming accounts: COHESA Contributors / Colaboradores: Martin Delfín - Cathy Stronach Pete Woodall - Andrea Maclean Mike Kerrigan - Muriel Pilkington Ricky Leach - Amy Thomas Valerie Mitchell The News is a free and independent newspaper distributed weekly and edited by The Coin News Group S.L. The News is independent of political parties, private interests and/or government. Our policy is to provide readers with a news and information service that is fair, accurate and balanced. The Coin News Group S.L. accepts no responsibility for the claims or content of any letter, editorial, article, advertorial or advertisement. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. The News Media Group Deposito Legal: GR 2794-2008 “mf” moDELs aRE maiNTENaNCE fREE WE DO NOT EMPLOY SALESMEN BUT BIG JOHN WILL CALL TO MEASURE UP AND SHOW YOU THE AIRCONS. HE WILL ONLY TAKE UP 15 MINS OF YOUR TIME. OUR FITTERS ARE ENGLISH AND WILL MAKE A NEAT AND TIDY JOB IN ABOUT 2½ HOURS. PHONE JOHN NOW D.i.Y moDEL mf 7000 - € 335 9000 - € 365 12000 - € 4 0 5 INCLUDES BRACKETS, TUBES & ENGLISH INSTRUCTIONS. READY GASSED NO VACUUM PUMP NEEDED - EASY PEASY! 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FACT: No other air conditioner has all these features! lOW PriCE guaraNTEE: if you ﬁnd any other company selling a similar product cheaper (it must be the same B.T.u. output and no maintenance) we will match the price on the spot and give you €50 Going strong since 1973 st akfa Bre d from e serv 8am y dail Bistro Mik And e & wel rea co you me ! Due to popular demand. We are now open for Sunday Lunch from 1pm - 9.30pm Wednesday is Rib Night - Ribs, or Chicken ‘n Ribs Combo with Chips, Baked Beans & Cornbread Friday Fish Fry - buy 1 & get the 2nd half price We are now open from 8am ‘til midnight, 7 days a week. Breakfast available from 8am. Food served all day Information & Reservations Tel: 952 112 123 2 minutes from La Trocha towards Cartama at Km 9 www.lesliesbistro.com WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in e king as drinking partner Royal visit a huge success Last week's visit to Spain by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall was judged by many to be a popular and successful occasion. During the three day whirlwind tour they managed between them to meet large numbers of British expatriates whilst attending a garden reception at the official home of the British Ambassador Giles Paxman, enjoy a musical concert and reception hosted by the British Hispanic Foundation (Elgar, Beethoven and Turina), meet with leading figures of both business and industry to promote ongoing Anglo Spanish relationships, call in at Repsol's technology centre where they discussed algae cultivation systems and biofuels and visit the new Airbus A400M military transporter aircraft facility in Seville. They also found time to pop into the 2000 strong British Council School in Madrid, have a family lunch with the King and Queen of Spain and meet the Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Rodrigo Zapatero, visit a training centre for guide dogs for the blind, receive the Keys to the City of Madrid from Mayor Alberto RuizGallardón Jiménez who then accompanied them to the Goya Salon in the City Hall, where they were invited to sign the Book of Honour. Prince Charles also took part in a seminar organised by the Three Cultures www.thenewsonline.es Foundation, designed to “unlock the Muslim potential”, the Foundation comes under the Andalucian government, its main objective being to unite Christian, Jewish and Muslim cultures in the region; they also met with the President of Andalucia and made a visit to a Flamenco Museum in Seville. Prince Charles, who is greatly concerned with environmental issues, managed to broach the subject on several occasions, especially with the Mayor of Seville Alfredo Sánchez Monteseirín, himself an innovator of similar green initiatives, then taking the opportunity to enjoy a tram ride, much to the surprise of the tourists they encountered along the way. At the official dinner The Prince of Asturias mentioned in his speech a previous visit to Spain by a former Prince of Wales, the “Black Prince”, in the 14th century, more well known for his war like ways and his ruthless acts of chevauchée (burning and pillaging to weaken an enemy) but reflected that this visit was by a “Green Prince”, who focuses on the environment, natural resources and sustainable development. Thankfully quite a different cup of tea. All in all a pretty busy three days. An annual survey carried out by the Spanish Beermakers Federation has shown that King Juan Carlos is the drinking partner preferred by a majority of Basques. Last year, the king was seventh on the list, which was headed by Basque Country regional premier Patxi Lopez, who disappeared from the top ten this year. The king beat the likes of actor Antonio Banderas, director Pedro Almodovar, Rafa Nadal, Fernando Alonso, Leo Messi and a host of TV and film personalities for the top spot. Defiant website continues Despite having been fined more than €3.5 million for divulging personal details about some 36 million Spaniards without their consent, Alicante businessman José Vicente Lucas said he will continue. For a €210 fee from an authorized computer, or up to €1,400 for a flat rate, he provides access to data gleaned from a variety of sources, including the electoral roll and municipal registers, a valuable service in times of crisis when debtors tend to disappear. The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AGPD) ordered him to shut down the website, Saberlotodo.com and now visitors to the site are redirected to the newly formed Trumbic.com, where they will find a contact number. According to Lucas, 190 companies currently use his service, which brings him in some €300,000 a year. But the AGPD is now going after the new website, with a fine of €600,000 on the cards. WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Questions about bishop's martyrdom N presented evidence that the bishop was still alive when Franco's troops entered Barcelona in January 1939. His evidence comes from several religious archives and the accounts of two witnesses. And Red Cross documents show that the bishop was alive in Montjuic jail in June 1937. One witness allegedly saw him leaving the bishop's palace in Barcelona on January 28th, 1939, the day Franco “liberated” the city. When he called out to him, the bishop replied: “Don't shout, you will give me away.” The other said he had seen the bishop dressed like a workman on IN BRIEF Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] BARCELONA Catalan premier votes for independence Oﬃcially, the bishop of Barcelona, Manuel Irurita, was shot in 1936 by the anarchists and the process to beatify him is already under way in the Vatican. But several archives appear to reveal that he paid Buenaventura Durruti, leader of the Anarchist Federation (FAI) one million pesetas and another two million to the Generalitat (regional government) to save himself from sharing the fate of 2,437 priests and nuns who were assassinated in Catalonia in the first 12 months of the Civil War. But the anarchists betrayed the deal and shot him on December 3rd, 1936, in the Montcasa I Reixax cemetery outside Barcelona. Now a historian specialising in religious matters at Barcelona University, Joan Bada, has EWS February 1st that year and a French news agency sent a report saying the Bishop had been imprisoned but managed to escape and spent the rest of the civil war hidden in a basement. Another indication is the Church appointed seven new bishops in October 1937 to replace those who had been killed. Barcelona did not get a new bishop until 1942, when Irurita either died or retired, Prof Bada has said. Vatican archives cannot be searched because they were sealed for 75 years after the death of Pope Pius III in 1958. It remains to be seen if the bishop's beatification will now go ahead. Regional premier Arturo Mas voted in favour of independence for Catalonia last week, in advance of a non-binding referendum to be held on Sunday, April 10th. It was not unexpected as he has always said if the region were ever to hold a referendum he would opt for independence, as did former premier Jordi Pujol, who founded the governing party CiU. CiU general secretary Josep Antoni Duran said he “respected but did not share” the ideas of the former premier. MADRID ief targets door handles Police arrested a 37-year-old Rumanian last week and charged him with stealing 560 ornate metal door handles from buildings throughout the city. The owner of the scrapyard who bought them was also arrested. The police said the man had been paid €1,713 for 656 kilos of metal obtained from the handles. Residents of the buildings aﬀected gave police the thief’s description as well as the time he usually committed the crime. They found pliers and several handles in the boot of his car. ARANJUEZ DAVID’S 1000’s NEW & SECOND HAND ENGLISH BOOKS ANN’S BOOKS VAST SELECTION ENGLISH GREETINGS CARDS Spanish Interest + Cookery Books Spanish Language Books Children’s Corner + Lots + Lots More Royal Mail Postal Service DAVID’S BOOKSHOP Francisco Cano 49 Los Boliches Tel/Fax 952 588 685 ANN’S BOOKSHOP Bonanza Sq. (upper level) opp Supersol, Benalmadena Tel/Fax 952 564 279 www.markdentalclinic.com First woman police chief The Madrid Community got its first female chief of police recently when Inspector Elena Palacios took over the police station in the town on the outskirts of the capital. She joined the Judicial Police 29 years ago and for the last ten years she has worked with minors and children in domestic violence cases. She said many cases were not reported because the women involved do not realise they have a problem. She is now in charge of around 100 policemen. WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in On thIs datE In George Eastman put on sale the Kodak Camera Libya needs Gaddafi in power N Gaddafi forces of atrocities against civilians. In Tunisia, other evacuees told reporters that Gaddafi forces there had been "massacring" civilians. "You have to visit Misrata to see the massacre by Gaddafi," said Omar Boubaker, a 40-year-old engineer with a bullet wound to the leg. "Corpses are in the street. Hospitals are overflowing." Fighting has continued in the east of the country where the rebels have been earthquake and tsunami. Officials say there should be no risk to children if they keep outside a 30-km (19mile) exclusion zone. Workers at the plant have begun dumping water with low levels of contamination into the sea to free up room to store more highly radioactive water leaking at IN BRIEF Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] Tsunami dog back with owner trying to regain ground lost in recent days, and coalition aircraft attacked military vehicles believed to belong to Col Gaddafi's forces. The oil-rich country's vital coastal belt is effectively split between rebel forces in the east and government loyalists in Tripoli and the west, nearly two months after the revolt against Col Gaddafi's rule erupted. Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, has insisted that he and his father do not feel betrayed by the defection of the Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa who who, he said, had travelled to Britain for health reasons because he was an old and sick man and needed treatment. Libyan state TV showed what appeared to be live footage of Col Gaddafi saluting supporters from a jeep outside his fortified compound at Bab alAziziya in Tripoli late on Monday. Radiation tests in Japanese schools Officials in Japan's Fukushima region have started an emergency programme to measure radiation levels in more than 1,400 schools and nurseries amid anxiety among parents over leaks at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which was crippled by last month's EWS JAPAN Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said on Monday it was open to political reform - "elections, referenda, anything" – but Muammar Gaddafi must stay in power because he was "a safety valve for the country to remain together". He said: "Many Libyans want him to lead the process forward because they are scared if he is not there we will have what happened in Iraq, we will have what happened in Somalia, we will have what happened in Afghanistan." Mr Ibrahim denied government attacks on civilians, and challenged the outside world to investigate any alleged crimes. However, evacuees from the besieged city of Misrata accused pro- www.thenewsonline.es the site. About 11,500 tonnes of water will be released. The official death toll from the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami which struck north-east Japan on March 11th stands at 12,157, with nearly 15,500 people still unaccounted for. More than 80% of the victims have been identified and their bodies returned to their families. A three-day joint operation by the Japanese and US soldiers to find the missing recovered 78 bodies. More than 161,000 people from quake-ravaged areas are living in evacuation centres. A dog rescued from a roof drifting oﬀ the north-east coast more than three weeks after it was devastated by the quake and tsunami has been reunited with her owner. The woman recognised the dog from a TV news report on the rescue on Friday. She and two-year-old Ban had an emotional reunion at the animal care centre where she was being looked after. The shelter is looking after 19 dogs and several cats which were separated from their owners after the tsunami. CHINA Nearly 50% of dairies to shut Nearly half of the country’s 1,176 dairies are being shut down after failing to obtain new licences, the quality inspection agency has announced. It said 533 dairy producers have been ordered to halt productions after a government safety audit. China is trying to shore up its milk industry after a baby milk health scandal in 2008. At least six babies died and 300,000 were made ill by drinking infant formula tainted with melamine, added to make it seem high in protein. GUATEMALA First couple's divorce on hold A court in Guatemala has ordered a halt to the divorce proceedings of the country's first couple. First Lady Sandra Torres said last week she was seeking to divorce President Alvaro Colom, so she could stand for election to succeed him. Guatemala's constitution bans close relatives of the president from running for the top oﬃce. A group of students, calling the first couple’s move a farce, had petitioned the court to stop the divorce, which they said would bypass the constitution. COME AND LIVE WITH US IN THE GUADALHORCE VALLEY “WHERE PEACE, TRANQUILITY AND WELL BEING IS OUR BEST VALUE UNIQUE AND EXCLUSIVE OFFER TO RENT OR BUY INCLUDING: ACCOMODATION IN A FULLY FURNISHED & EQUIPPED APARTMENT ON-SITE MEDICAL FACILITIES 24 HOURS HOME ASSISTANCE ON CALL FITNESS CENTRE, GYM, SAUNA, JACUZZI, INDOOR POOL DAILY SHUTTLE INTO TOWN EVERYTHING YOU NEED AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!! DON’T DENY YOURSELF TO ENJOY THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY Visit our web Page at: WWW.SOLANDALUSI.COM Camino Cuesta del Palmar s/n - La Alqueria - 29130 Alhaurin de La Torre - Malaga - For Further information please call + 34 951 01 47 47 ask for Blanca WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Disasters hit exports Australia has posted a shock trade deficit for the first time in 11 months as twin natural disasters dented the country's exports. According to the latest data for February, the trade deficit stood at A$205m (£131m). Analysts had been expecting a trade surplus of close to A$950m. The states of Queensland and Victoria, which are home to some of the country's most resource rich areas were hit by floods and a cyclone in January and February. As a result there has been a sharp fall in shipments of metals and minerals, with exports in the sector down by 8 per cent. However, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said it expects production levels to recover over the next few months. Meanwhile, the Treasury Department has said the disasters will cost the economy A$9bn (£5.8bn), a substantial increase on the earlier estimate of A$5.6bn. The cost of natural disasters at home is not the only worry for the Australian economy. It is also likely to feel the pinch of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan, its second largest trading partner, on March 11th. Australia exported 15 per cent of its goods to Japan in 2009-10. The biggest sectors are iron ore and coal, with Japan accounting for 27 per cent of shipments of those commodities. The quake and tsunami have hit Japanese industry hard with production at some of Japan's biggest manufacturers being halted or suspended. The treasury department said that this is likely to result in a loss of A$2bn (£1.2bn) worth of trade for Australia. Bodies from crash found Undersea robots uncovered bodies on Sunday of those killed in Air France's 2009 plane crash off Brazil last year, as well as a large part of the wreckage. French officials said specialists would start recovering them within weeks. The "black-box" flight recorders have not yet been spotted, but investigators have expressed hope they will be found. The Parisbound Air France jet went down in the Atlantic, killing all 228 passenger, hours after it took off from Rio de Janeiro on June 1st. The cause of the disaster remains unknown. Although debris was recovered soon after the accident, most of the wreckage sank, and three previous attempts to find the plane were largely unsuccessful. But the fourth attempt, using robots capable of operating 4,000m below the ocean's surface, uncovered a substantial part of the plane. Officials said the victims' relatives would be kept informed of the operation's progress. Those who died came from more than 30 countries, though most were French, Brazilian or German. FACTORY CLEARANCE! ITALIAN LEATHER CORNER SOFA with cushion back - available in black, brown or ivory Last few sets must clear this week - only €695! 150 X 190 / 150 X 200 quality mattress with base €260 We also have a large selection of memory foam beds BED SOFA & FURNITURE CENTRE Next to Sunshine Golf on Slip Road next to BP La Cala 637 431 006 WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es News Charity Concert Police run for charity MEP Royal Gibraltar Regiment band concert in cave On Thursday May 5th The Rotary Club of Gibraltar are organising a follow up to the wonderful Charity Concert they held in the Caves before Christmas. This charity concert is to be held in The Ballroom of The Governor’s Residence which is also quite impressive, but is limited to 150 people. This is a rare opportunity to enter the Governor’s Residence. A smaller band from The Royal Gibraltar Regiment will be performing, as will The National Choir of Gibraltar together with several soloists (some old and some new). The concert is called Musical Memories and is designed to suit all tastes in music. Money raised will go to cancer charities. For residents of Estepona, a coach will go from Estepona Bull Ring at an extra cost. The cost for tickets for the concert is £20 each which includes a drink in the interval, plus €6 towards the cost of the coach for those from Estepona, who can obtain their tickets from Chris Rawlinson, President of the Rotary Club, Estepona. Call Chris on 952 793 969 to book your place. Gib fuel prices from Morrison’s Is it worth going to Gib with an empty tank? Usually the answer is yes! Unleaded per litre £1.04(€1.21) Super unleaded £1.139 (€1.32) Diesel per litre £1.029 (€1.28) The exchange rate used by Morrisons is €1.16 to £1 and the prices are as at 4pm Tuesday April 5th. A 104 kilometre run will be undertaken by five Royal Gibraltar Police starting on Friday April 8th and finishing at around midday the following day, Saturday April 9th in the John MacKintosh Square. So, if you heven't already sponsored the officers in their endeavour, you can do so by contacting the RGP Charity Committee at Police Headquarters in New Mole House, Rosia Road or you can send them a cheque payable to “RGP Charity Committee”. The run will take place between Ronda and Gibraltar, and is in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness in Gibraltar and is expected to take about 12 hours. Each officer will run two 10 kilometre legs with all five them running the last 4 kilometres. They will be followed by two support vehicles. The run has already raised £200 collected from RGP officers and civilian support staff – an amount that has been matched by the RGP Charity Committee collected internally making £400 plus there have also been a number of donations received from private donors. On the morning of the 9th, there will be available advice on Breast Cancer Awareness, information on The Gibraltar Health Authority's Breast Screening Programme to raise cancer awareness on the Rock. Mayor moans on TV La Linea mayor has Alejandro Sanchez appeared on a programme aired in Madrid by the Intereconomia Chanel, in during which he said that he would be ashamed to shake hands with Gibraltar's Peter Caruana as the Spanish foreign Where can I get my copy of e News in Gibraltar? Morrisons Latinos (in the square) Latinos (High Street) Gibraltar Arms Elliot Hotel Tourist Centre Newsagents - Albor (Ocean Village) Newsagents - Ocean Village Express ICC Centre Bianca’s (Ocean Village) We will be adding to this list week by week and will let you know where any new drop-off points are on this page. minister Sr. Miguel Angel Moratinos had done. against both economically and environmentally. He was also complaining about the higher wages people working on Gibraltar were receiving compared to the people of La Linea saying that the town is prejudiced He also referred to the state of La Linea’s roads, saying that they were damaged as a direct result of traffic going to and from Gibraltar. TOURIST OFFICES Tourist offices in Gibraltar are located in Casemates Square, the Airport Arrivals Hall, the coach terminus and the cruise terminal and at the frontier. Main Tourist Administration Office Duke of Kent House Cathedral Square, Tel: +350 20074950 e-mail: [email protected] The Gibraltar Tourist Board also operates in London at: Gibraltar Government Office150 Strand,London WC 2R 1JA.Tel: +44 (0) 207 836 0777 email: [email protected] Note: Gibraltar phone numbers consist of eight digits. When phoning from within Gibraltar just dial the eight digits.When phoning from the Costa del Sol and the rest of Spain precede the number with 9567. When phoning from abroad precede the number with the international dialling code which is 00350. visits Gibraltar Julie Girling, the MEP for Gibraltar and the South West, arrived in Gibraltar last week to get to know The Rock. During her stay she met with both ministers and local business people plus environmental campaigners. She said she was interested in the “special” conditions of Gibraltar and how that made an impact on other EU legislation and conditions. Gibraltar 2011 Bank Holidays January 1st New Year's Day March 14th Commonwealth Day April 22nd Good Friday April 25th Easter Monday May 2nd May Day May 30th Spring Bank Holiday June 13th Queen's Birthday Aug. 29th Summer Bank Holiday Sept. 12th Gibraltar National Day Dec. 25th Christmas Day Dec. 26th Boxing Day WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the UK News Remains identified The remains of the second body found during investigations into the disappearance and subsequent murder of Sian O’Callaghan have been named as that of Rebecca Godden-Edwards who would have been celebrating her 29th birthday on Monday, had she lived. The same taxi driver that has been accused of Sian O’Callaghan’s murder, 47year-old Christopher Halliwell, will be questioned by police in connection with the Rebecca Godden -Edwards enquiries. Miss Godden -Edwards lost touch with her family in 2003 and they thought that she had moved to Bristol from her hometown of Swindon. In 2007, the family reported her to the National Missing Persons Helpline in 2007Her remains were found in an Eastleach, Gloucestershire field. Police are confident that they have the right identity after finding a DNA match to Miss Godden-Edwards with a probability approaching one in a billion. Search teams left flowers and a cross in the field with a card which read: "To an unknown lady. Now you can rest in peace." Health protests against cuts Hundreds of nurses, paramedics, cooks cleaners, and therapists have staged a demonstration against Government cuts to the health service threatening industrial action if changes aren’t made. In a conference in Liverpool union delegates said that the coalition government had “thrown a grenade” into the middle of healthcare. The general secretary of health union UNIS, Dave Prentis, offered members of the Health Service Unions their “full support” in “whatever measures staff feel they need to take to protect their jobs and conditions” Teenager stabbed One of the teenagers questioned in connection with the shooting of fiveyear-old Thusha Kamaleswaren is in a “serious but stable” condition in hospital after being stabbed on Saturday - the day before his arrest for suspicion of attempted murder on Thusha and Roshan Selvakuma, 35, both of Lambeth, South London. It is thought that the teenager, who is under armed police guard is being treated in the same hospital as his victims. Thusha Kamaleswaren was in her aunt and uncle’s store in the Stockwell Road in Lambeth when a gamg of four youths came in and opened fire on two others. An 18-year old has been remanded in custody for their attempted murder, a 19-year old has been charged with the shooting and a 14-year-old who was also arrested has been bailed to appear at a later date. Thusha’s12-year-old brother, 3-year-old sister and mother were also in the store at the time of the incident but were unharmed. Meanwhile Thusha, thought to be London’s youngest ever gun crime victim, remains in a “serious but stable condition”. Tiger Tiger fall Police The Tiger Tiger nightclub in Manchester was the scene of an horrific death after 22-year-old Alex Lawes from Buckinghamshire fell from the top balcony of the four floor club at around 10.30pm on Saturday night. He was taken to Salford Royal Infirmary but died after sustaining fatal head injuries. Alex had intended to present her with an engagement ring. His mother said of her registered organ donor son: “He was such a caring person, and his caring will now go on even after his death because other ill people will benefit from his organs. He has made such a difference to other people's lives." Lawes and his girlfriend, Jessica, were due to fly out to Jamaica on Monday for a romantic holiday where The case has been passed onto a coronor but is not being treated as suspicious. apology PC Simon Harding has apologised to the family of 47-year-old G20 protester Ian Tomlinson for any part he “may have had” in his subsequent death admitting that Tomlinson had posed no threat to him prior to Harding pushing him and hitting him with his truncheon during the protests two years ago. Harding is accused of using unnecessary, unreasonable and excessive force. WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 10 n Inland & Coastal News Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in ON THIS DATE IN Local News Judge threatens Junta Judge Mercedes Alaya (pictured right) has given the Junta de Andalucia 72 hours to deliver in a sealed envelope the minutes of 480 meetings held since 2001 at which the ERE pensions scheme was discussed. The ERE scheme allowed companies to pension off people early so that neither they nor the workers suffered economically. However, more than 72 cases have come to light in which the person who received the pension had never worked at the company, which got the money to subsidise the pension from the Junta www.thenewsonline.es 1917 the US declared war on Germany and entered World War One Stolen babies were 'exported' Not all the babies who were illegally adopted from 1940 to the the early 1990s remained in Spain, according to El Pais newspaper which is investigating the case. So far, 261 cases involving children whose mothers were told they had died at birth are being investigated by regional prosecutors but hundreds more are in the pipeline. babies whose DNA did not match that of their parents. In the first years, the “stolen” babies were given to couples who sympathised with the Franco regime but by the 1950s the maternity clinics, many of them in Andalucia, had taken over what had turned out be a profitable business. They usually employed nuns and The mothers were given nailed-down coffins but recent exhumations have revealed they were simply weighted or contained nurses and many of them have stepped forward to tell their tales. They told the newspaper that childless couples came from the US and several South American countries to adopt babies here. El Pais tells the case of Randy, who was born in Malaga in June 1971 and ended up in Austin, Texas. His father, Roland Edward Ryder, told him in 1998 that they had paid $5,000 to be able to select “the best child among those who were for sale”. His alcoholic mother confessed that his real mother was a Spanish woman called Inés Holm, which started his ten-year search for her. He still has not found her and fears his adopted mother may have invented the name. Graﬃti grounds health copter which in turn received it from the EU. The Junta has been dragging its feet in this matter and Judge Alaya said if the regional parliament did not turn over the documents in the time period stipulated she would charge it with obstruction of justice. 3 30),9;@INSURANCE 0),9;@INSURANCE The helicopter that serves Malaga's emergency 061 number was grounded for several hours last week while workers cleaned off a graffiti featuring a shark which had appeared mysteriously overnight. It is one of five deployed in Andalucia by the Public Health Emergencies Company (Epes). The other four – stationed in Granada, Cordoba and Cadiz – covered for it. An Epes spokesman later said security at the Hospital Clinico, where the helicopter is based, left much to be desired. ❚ Car ❚ Home ❚ Life ❚ Accidents ❚ Leisure Leisure ❚ Commercial Commerrcial cial DAMAGE AC ACCIDENTAL A CCIDEN C TAL DAMAGE TA LIMITATION L IMITATION DAM D DA AM MAGE AGE AG DAMAGE ou may think you’r e pr epared for the worst, but You Y yo you’re prepared ar e you really really protected? protected? Don’ are Don’tt take risks, make sur e you also have adequate insurance cover for sure the unexpected. Spain’ s leading expatriate insur er Spain’s insurer can give you the insurance you need and the FRIEN Inland & Coastal News n 11 news Your outlook on the World the ELECTION WATCH Embassy issues registration advice For those Britons and EU residents who have been told conflicting stories at their local town halls about their last chance to register for May's local elections, the British embassy in Madrid has issued the following communiqué: “Everyone registered on the padrón as a resident in Spain, including British nationals, has until and including Monday April 11th to check with their town hall whether they are on the list of registered voters, ahead of the local and regional elections across Spain on May 22nd. If not on the list, residents can request to be added using reclamacion forms available at the town hall. (In a few cases, it is possible that town halls may lack the necessary IT systems to enable checks). The elections are your opportunity to have your say in who makes the decisions about public services in your area, and an opportunity for British residents to take part in Spain's democratic system and further integrate into Spanish life. Registering on the padrón is an important part of living in Spain, and checking that you are on the list of registered voters will ensure that on May 22nd you have the right to cast your vote”. +6%'0 '5+)05 19411/ 9+6 18'4 #07(#%674'& +0 -+6%'05 ,756 61 +052+4' '4/#0; 9+6 56700+0) 37#.+6; +0+5* .#55+% 61 %#0&+0#8+#0 /1&'40 4+%'5 !#6'8'4 ;174 $7&)'6 740+0) "174 &4'#/5 061 4'#.+6; +&'#5 Town has more than 12 parties Both local and foreign residents of Benalmadena may have a confusing time on May 22nd – when they will have to choose from more than a dozen political parties in the voting booths. In most other places, the ruling Socialist Party and the main opposition party, the Partido Popular, usually Tory MP to visit Costa Paul Maynard, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, is the after dinner speaker at the Costa del Sol Conservatives Abroad function on Friday, April 15th, which will be held at the Tamisa Golf Hotel. Mr Maynard, aged 36, was born with cerebral palsy and has suffered from epilepsy since he was 22. Since becoming the MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, after achieving a 6.5% swing from Labour, Mr Maynard has dedicated himself to a number of issues. He is a strong advocate for epilepsy, speech and language therapy, and has also participated in the establishment of All Party Parliamentary groups on Muscular Dystrophy and Social Tourism. Tickets are available for the event from Juliet Butterworth on 952 565 777 or 666 434 839. get the largest number of votes between them. But the people of Benalmadena are famous for their idiosyncratic way of looking at things. Given the profusion of parties, the Socialist Party won last time around, with only 25 per cent of the vote. It was able to form a government with N EWS IN BRIEF the Izquierda Unida (United Left, IU). Observers say something similar will probably happen this time. Only four of the parties have a national character – the Socialist Party (PSOE), the Partido Popular (PP), Izquierda Unida (IU) and Union Progreso y Democracia (UPD). Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] SEVILLA National flag saves wounded man When a man turned up at the Guardia Civil barracks in Los Palacios y Villafranca on Sunday with blood streaming from wounds on his face, hands and chest, the men on duty grabbed the nearest piece of cloth - the national flag – to staunch the blood. Paramedics said later they had probably stopped him from bleeding to death. They found the man’s brother at the home they shared with a large bloodied knife in his hand and charged him with attempted murder. ANTEQUERA Stolen saint's portrait returned A worshipper at the Belen Poor Claire convent church noticed recently that the portrait of St Anthony was not in its usual place below the huge portrait of the Virgin of Guadeloupe. The 14 nuns reported it missing to the police but before they could arrive the portrait was once again in its place. The nuns said they could only conclude that the person who took it had wanted it to perform one of the many miracles St Anthony is famous for. SEVILLA Free tel no for women abroad The Andalucia Women's Institute in collaboration with the Junta de Andalucia's justice department has installed a free phone service for Andalucian women living abroad who need confidential information or legal advice. At the moment it is only available to those who live in Argentina, France, Germany and Brazil – the countries with the largest number of immigrants from Andalucia. They will receive an informative pamphlet, as will those Andalucian women living in 290 communities in the rest of Spain. 999 %1%+0#52.75 %1/ /#+. +0(1 161)4#0&' Martin Delfín Writes for the English language version of Past, present, future imperfect Nothing has changed Z apatero finally put us all out of our misery last Saturday with his announcement that he will not be running for a third term. The newspapers have not stopped analysing his decision for a minute and the articles on possible successors are never-ending. If Zapatero wanted to take everyone's mind off the succession question, he failed miserably. All the obvious contenders – and there are quite a few out there in the paddock, as well as a few dark horses lurking in the stables – occupy every square millimetre of newsprint and you'd never guess that we have regional and local elections just seven weeks away. Past imperfect O ne of the most absorbing topics for the pen-pushers is just how did such a popular PM turn into one of the least popular of them all. Not even Aznar's popularity dropped so low after he took Spain into Iraq, despite considerable help from Zapatero and all his arty-farty friends. Nothing like leading a protest demo with some of the country's most popular film stars to turn you into the Devil incarnate in the public's eye. O f course, the press is to blame for building him up to a height that his mediocrity could not sustain. He's not as good-looking, urbane – or as politically able – as Adolfo Suarez. He is certainly not on the same intellectual level as Felipe Gonzalez and – like or love Aznar – the latter didn't put a foot wrong when it came to economic matters. S o what did Zapatero have? Good PR and a lot of journalists with left-wing leanings who hailed him as the golden boy to bring in an ideal Socialist Eden that would last for a thousand years. Believe me, that was what one Catalan journalist said on a serious political programme – that Zapatero would last for a thousand years. She was dropped from the show for several months until TVE1 felt viewers would have forgotten her unfortunate Nazi-sounding remark. into a sense of security. At least that's the best case scenario for the Socialists, whose main personality trait seems to be cockeyed optimism. T hey've been frolicking around since Saturday, crowing that Zapatero's announcement will reveal the poverty of opposition leader Mariano Rajoy's ideas. What's he going to do now that he no longer has Zapatero to attack, they say. Does this mean that Zapatero will be disappearing off the scene, I ask. If so, he should resign now and call an election. Unfortunately, we'll still have to put up with that stupid grin for a few months yet. In fact, his grin has been even broader since Saturday. He's been much more relaxed, he's lost that haunted look and he's even been joking around. He's obviously so relieved that the burden will soon be lifted from his shoulders and that he is not facing another four-year-long nightmare. T he only annoying thing about him not running again is that he'll go down in history as the only PM since Franco's death not to have lost an election. Suarez resigned so as not lose an election, Gonzalez lost one before he became PM then lost out to Aznar, who had already lost one election before winning in 1996. And Rajoy has already lost two. Future imperfect F or some reason, a big rumour in newsrooms in Madrid is that Zapatero intends to go back on his announcement after the May 22nd elections. I'm still trying to work out the reasoning behind such a ludicrous idea. Not even Zapatero is capable of such a Uturn. Is he? S T he Popular Party has been left out in the cold – they don’t have José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to kick around anymore. It's now time for the PP to begin showing their cards, including the aces they have up their sleeves and prove to Spaniards they can do it better. But they won’t. After years of criticising and blaming Zapatero for the economic mess and without offering any real alternatives, Mariano Rajoy and his team do not have any concrete solutions. In fact, it may even be safe to say that Zapatero’s announcement on Saturday that he that he won’t be running for a third term did indeed catch PP leaders by surprise even though their official organ El Mundo had reported it several weeks in advance. No one from the conservative party has rolled up their sleeves and said “now that he’s on his way out, let’s get down to business.” It took two days for Rajoy to react to the news, and when he did on Monday during a free-wheeling talk on the SER radio network he was as vague as ever. He assured listeners that “nothing has changed” and his party would continue to blame the Socialists for all the current problems that Spaniards are facing. He is right - nothing has changed over on his side either. T Present imperfect o what can we expect from the man now. The opposition is calling him a lame duck, insisting he should bring forward the general election, but it's too early for that. If the Socialists take a really bad beating in the May regional and local elections – and I'm not making any predictions – he may have to do so. But by then the summer will be coming fast upon us, people's thoughts will turn to exotic and not-so-exotic vacations. Come the autumn, they'll be looking forward to Christmas. If I remember rightly, Parliament breaks up in January so that the polls concentrate on the March election and everyone will be lulled Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba Getting registered Y ou still have till the end of the week to get on the electoral roll. Read the notice from the British embassy in Madrid, published deliberately on page 11 to counteract the message that some town halls are putting out, namely, that anyone who says this is a “window week” for registering is lying. I wasn't lying when I published that bit of news a few weeks back but I'm beginning to suspect that some councils are running scared and want to keep us off the list, believing that we'll vote for the other party. he Socialists were divided on the timing as to when Zapatero should announce his political future. Party “barons” – the regional leaders – wanted the prime minister to state his plans before the upcoming May 22nd local and regional elections to avoid turning the vote into a referendum on his government’s policies. Others, including many business leaders, wanted him to wait until next year so he could focus on the economy. The latter choice would have been the more desirable option because - as I had said in the previous column - it would shorten the campaign for next year’s general elections and keep everyone focused on dealing with national matters of the utmost urgency. Now everybody across the political spectrum is speculating about who Zapatero’s successor will be. Socialists intend to have a party primary in July before Spaniards go on holiday; the outcome will make for good summer Carmen Chacón terrace talk. The two most visible candidates continue to be deputy prime minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba and defence chief Carme Chacón, but neither of them are saying whether they intend to seek the party’s nomination. Z apatero says he wants his successor and the party to have plenty of time to draft a platform and plan the 2012 campaign, but he isn’t identifying his preferred candidate. The prime minister also believes that by announcing his plans early he can neutralise the impact on the regional and local races, where Socialists are projected to lose widely in Madrid , Valencia and Castilla-La Mancha. "Now, not one candidate will be able to blame Zapatero for the outcome of the election," said Extremadura regional leader Guillermo Fernández-Vara on Saturday. O ver at the opposition, we’re getting the same rhetoric as always. Secretary General María Dolores de Cospedal has called for early elections while Rajoy is also transmitting weak signals as to what he intends to do when and if he finally reaches Moncloa. The only real issue he has made clear is changing the abortion law. Last year, the Socialist government introduced reforms to the 1985 law that allows girls ages 16 and 17 to have the procedure without their parents’ consent, and women to seek it on demand up until the 14th week of their pregnancy and allowed it with some restrictions until the 22nd week. Rajoy believes it is better to sacrifice the female vote in favour of the ballots coming from Spain’s larger conservative sector. But he still won’t say what he will do with the gay marriage law so as not to hurt his chances with the homosexual community. T he race for 2012 has begun and it is time for Rajoy and the PP to come up with some clearer signals. As Zapatero said on Sunday, the day after he announced he was stepping aside: "I am happy that the PP is going to benefit from the decision I announced yesterday; now they are going to have to come up with a platform, because all they have concentrated on is attacking me.” locally like to Is there something happening that you would our readers know about? Is your society or organization planning a fundraiser or special event? Contact us on [email protected] PAD Show success Bus to the The PAD Dog Show held at the Centro Nordico in Mijas was a great success despite the weather forecast, with just a bit of rain falling now and again meaning the show went ahead as planned. Of course, all the dogs were winners in themselves and the judges had a very hard job choosing which ones should get medals and cups. The overall winner was a little daschund called Cosmo (above) with smooth, sleek and shiny fur - a real credit to his owner. The dog that came second overall was Chino and following Chino was Sammy. Cosmo also won best puppy under 1 year old. And Chino also won best adult small dog under 12 kg. The winner of the category Dog Most Like Its Owner was British Bulldog George who owns Jim sorry, it’s Jim that’s the owner and George that’s the dog - they were so alike it gets confusing! The other fun category was Best Dog and Owner in Fancy Dress which was won by Princess Leia Victoria and Ewok Holly. Best Adult Medium Dog 12-30kg was Rando and Best Adult Large Dog over 30kg was Golden Retriever Harry while Best Six Legs was won by Sammy and owner Maureen. hospital Two of the dogs that took part and are looking for homes are Pancho (above) and Roddy - either of which, had I not already got a housefull, I would happily have taken home. Pancho has been in the shelter for over two years. He is one of those dogs that, although he’s lovely looking with his white and tan coat, he’s neither big nor small, handsome or ugly so people seem to walk by him. However, what Pancho does have is lots of love to give a new owner so, if you’re looking for a new friend, why not give Pancho the chance he’d love to have. Roddy (below) is black and tan short legged little thing that is absolutely gorgeous and is still under a year old. His feet sit like a bloodhound at right angles! He has a fantastically docile personality and wants to please. If you can give either of these dogs a home, please call Lisa on 658 351 642. By Kym Wickham The top inland entertainments venue will go to the person with the highest bid by april 16th - don’t miss out, bid now! 4 for 3 on all greeting cards Tel. 952 588 731 Bric-a-brac sale " ! " FOR SALE BY TENDER COIN JK’s It’s back! C/ El Troncon, 14 behind the main Fuengirola Post Oﬃce The Royal British Legion of Estepona has announced that there is now a free hospital bus to Costa del Sol Hospital. Those persons who have to go to the hospital first need to get a ticket from the Participación Ciudadana (Citizen’s department) near the old Town Hall near the old market. Departures from Estepona are during the morning at 7.15am and 11am and in the afternoon at 1.30pm and 4.30pm. The times the bus will leave the Costa del Sol Hospital will be in the morning at 9am and 12 noon, then in the afternoons at 2.30pm and 7pm. Stops will be at Seghers in front of the Local Police Station, Edificio el Faro in front of the court, Acuarela bookshop near restaurant Paola- Avda Andalucia, in front of Mercadona and at La Portada near the pharmacy in Avenida Andalucia on the right hand side. But you can only use the bus if you have prepurchased a ticket from the above places! Tuesday April 19th Bar 1, Calle Lanzarote, Coin, from 11am. 100% profit to Cudeca & CHAIN Light snacks and refreshments available 5 year renewable lease to include all fixtures, fittings and stock. DETAILS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. call duncan on 654 396 651 TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEWS CALL GEOFF ON 622 05 04 09 WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es “THE NEWS”WANTS TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS Send letters to the editor as part of an e-mail text to [email protected] Graham Cherry I am pleased that Valerie Jeffrey enjoyed her visit to the show at TAPAS recently but the comment of her friend that ‘You wouldn’t encourage your children to read badly written books so why take them to see amateur dramatics’ shows a woeful ignorance of the theatre that is available both here and when visiting English speaking communities around the world. Of course standards vary but perhaps my, fairly typical, experience as an amateur (mostly) performer can illustrate what she and her friend could be missing. I began with an amateur company in West London at a time when Arnold Wesker was encouraging professionals to be involved with communities. (I remember Simon Ward playing Hamlet in the local secondary modern school) All the teachers on the course I took came from RADA or Central. While I was at the Questors (now the largest amateur theatre company in Europe with three theatres and 3000 members) two plays written for members transferred into the West End and an important playwright (James Saunders) was discovered. Like many amateur actors I have spent many hours in workshops and short courses and I believe we all take improving our standards to be one of the reasons we continue to perform. And we don’t get cast unless we do! Subsequently I have worked in amateur companies with young professionals who Torremolinos were showing off their skills to agents etc. and who wanted to make sure the rest of the cast were good enough to prevent the agent heading for the door, with older professionals who couldn’t reconcile a touring, away from base life, with family life or with actors who were honing their skills with more demanding parts than they could currently get in the theatre. On occasion the majority of the cast held equity cards. Rarely could an outsider tell which of us were which. And the equity card holder didn’t always have the leading part. There have been other occasions when plays began as an unpaid theatre work and then built to the West End. In Brighton I was one of a small audience above a pub for the beginning of the hit musical ‘A Slice of Saturday Night’. What an amateur night that was! Also incidentally I was one of the audience when a distinguished and famous professional forgot so many lines the pre West End show was almost called off at the Theatre Royal. Here I have performed at the Salon Varietes with actors who have appeared in the West End and on TV and with young actors setting out with high aims. The very edition of the News which had the letter from Ms.Jeffrey also had the ‘WOW’ factor final with a rave review from your editor. There were three Salon performers, one of whom won it. This year The News has reported that two former performers at our theatre have done extremely well with one getting a final place on Operation Triunfo and another appearing in ‘The Tudors’ before heading off to a contract in Hollywood. Currently I am working with some very talented young people in a production of Samuel Beckett’s ‘Endgame’ in English at the ESAD Theatre in Malaga. The director is heading for a Masters at RADA and the other members of the cast already cover much of their student costs with paid-for professional work. I am sure I shall see some of them on TV or film one day. It has been a demanding and rewarding experience working with them. To sum up, theatre operates on a spectrum from the great subsidized theatres via West End to local theatres then profit share, unpaid work (the London fringe has some really good stuff but they are amateur when they do it) and serious committed amateur theatre of a high standard to what I call ‘am dram’ – village hall fun productions, worthy but you know what to expect and it can still beat the telly. I hope that Ms. Jeffrey’s friend reconsiders her unwise remark. She must have already missed so much good stuff it would be a pity to miss any more. Editors note: Great CV Graham. Valerie Jeffrey was saying that she felt that amateur dramatics performances here were very good and she was telling the potential audience precisely that! PET OF THE WEEK PANCHO Poor Pancho! It could be you he’s looking for! All he wants is a permanent home and a little tender loving care but he can’t seem to find anybody to give him it. Pancho has been at the PAD rescue centre for two years! - too long for any dog - and keeps getting passed by in favour of other perhaps prettier dogs. However, Pancho has a lovely temparament and would make a fabulous pet for someone. He loves being with people and being taken for a walk and was really good all day at last weekend’s PAD dog show where he entered two of the classes. If you think you can give Pancho the love and care he deserves, give Lisa a ring on 658 351 642 and make Pancho smile! Stargazing By Ken Campbell If you would like to be kept up to date or take part in any of the events then go to www.kencampbell.info e Lord Of e Rings This coming week will be your best chance to see the most beautiful planet in the Solar System as Saturn makes its closest approach to the Earth. When an outer planet such as Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus or Neptune are at their closest to Earth then they must be directly opposite us to the Sun and we call it opposition. They then rise at sunset and are due south at midnight then set at sunrise. This week Saturn is in opposition at a mere 800 million miles away from us. Saturn is the 6th planet from the Sun and the second largest planet after Jupiter - in historical times it was believed that Saturn was the last planet in the solar system until Uranus was discovered in 1781. It has a diameter about 9 times that of the Earth but unlike the Earth Saturn is not a solid mass of rock; instead it is a gas giant made up of a huge ball of mainly hydrogen gas. And where the Earth takes one year to orbit the Sun, Saturn takes 29 ½ years to go around once. It has at least 62 moons going around it at the last count, the largest of which –Titan- is about twice the size of our Moon and is big enough to even have an atmosphere of its own. A NASA space probe called Cassini has been in orbit around Saturn since 2004 sending back incredible images of the planet. Another probe was dispatched from Cassini and managed to land on the moon Titan; it too sent back a flood of information telling us about its atmosphere and surface conditions. But the most spectacular feature about Saturn has to be the amazing ring system that encircles the planet around its equator. The rings were first spotted by Galileo in 1610 but he couldn’t explain what they were. At first he thought that it was actually three planets very close to each other; it took another 50 years for a Dutch astronomer to realise that they were actually rings around the planet. The rings are not solid but are made up from billions of pieces of rock and water ice ranging in size from dust particles up to the largest, which are a few metres across. It is thought that they are the remnants of a moon that broke up due to Saturn’s immense gravity. The rings extend to over 120,000km above the surface but incredibly are no more than about 20 metres in thickness. They are also not one complete ring but are split into at least 9 different sections divided by empty gaps. The widest gap is called the Cassini division and can be easily seen from earth. As Saturn orbits the Sun its appearance to us changes; for some of its orbit the rings are seen ‘wide open’ and at other times they are ‘edge on’ to us as they were in 2009, and so completely invisible. They are now beginning to open up again and will be fully open in around 2016 but even now they can be seen with a decent pair of binoculars. Through the smallest of telescopes they make a spectacular sight that you will never forget. Saturn was the first thing I ever saw through a friend’s telescope when I was about 10 years old. To find Saturn yourself go outside at about 10pm and look to the South East direction and about half way up the sky you will see the three brightest stars in that part of the sky, they are very easy to spot. The upper one is Arcturus, the lower one is Spica and just to the upper right of Spica you’ll find Saturn. WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World OUT & the ABOUT Your weekly Entertainment Guide InSIdE thIS wEEk Classic car run in aid of help For heroes Beatles to Bizet at e Salon Varietes Raisins and Lisbon trips with Lux Mundi e sweet taste of history... Malaga is firmly on the map for its cultural, artistic and archaeological heritage which Written by is visible in every way through the city’s monuments and museums. A nd it is also possible to visit the city and literally taste an important part of the province’s history. S tep through the doors of the Malaga Wine Museum, housed in the reformed 18th century Palace de Biedma in the historic heart of the city and enter the complex world of wine making in Malaga province – an “art form” that goes back centuries. T he museum, opened last year, stretches over 800 square metres and aims to reveal the history, culture and art of wine making to wine lovers and novices alike – and provides the opportunity to taste the fruits of that success. Malaga wine has been famous throughout Europe over the centuries and is still a much loved wine today. T he museum is the headquarters for Malaga’s Board of Designation of Origin for Sierras de Malaga’s red, white and rosé wines and Pasas de Malaga sweet wines, and the exhibitions include more than 400 beautifully drawn old labels for bottles and barrels, posters and ancient agricultural implements – all leading to the wine tasting room where you can sample the produce. I t’s believed that the Greeks settled in Malaga and taught the local people how to cultivate vines around 600BC, and one of the first real clues as to the age of the industry was discovered in Cartama, when a fermentation tank dating back to the early Roman Empire was discovered. D uring the Moorish conquest the laws of the Koran, which prohibited drinking alcohol, came into conflict with the local wine growing and drinking tradition but the Moors moved from punitive punishments to taxes when they realised the economic value to the public purse. And when the Catholic monarchs reconquered Malaga in 1487 they established the Hermandad de Viñeros (Winemakers Guild) to protect and nurture wine making in the region, recognising that not only did it create local wealth and happiness, but it was also an asset the the Royal Treasury. I n the 18th century the sweet Malaga wine had become a firm favourite of Russia’s Empress Catherine II and she kindly decreed that it was exempt from tax. Centuries earlier, in 1224, the King of France, Philip Auguste, had organised a Battle of The Wines – drawing together the most prestigious wines in what might have been the first ever wine tasting contest – as a result Malaga wine was designated the Cardinal of Wines. Malaga wine has even had a name check in a Rossini opera. L egend claims that a wine shoot growing on the banks of the Rhine was brought to Spain and planted in Malaga but LIVE MUSIC Jazz concert by local star coming soon The Marcos Merino Trio will put on their “Tribute to Herbie Hancock” jazz concert on Friday, April 15th, at 9 pm in the Teatro Las Lagunas, Mijas Costa. Pianist Marcos Merino formed the Trio as a way of expressing his music which he felt could only be achieved by a three musicians. He believes that Herbie Hancock's music is indispensable for anyone who wants to seriously penetrate contemporary jazz piano, both because of Hancock's talent as a composer and his relevance as a jazz musician and pianist. The starting point is Herbie Hancock's own repertoire, to which is added Marcos's own compositions as well as those of the other two members of the trio, which are always within the aesthetics of this genre. But beyond the compositions used, the trio's main objective is to achieve the energy and above all the spirit of the musical universe of the legendary pianist and his music. The trio members are Marcos Merino (Malaga), Pau Sala (Barcelona) and Roger Gutierrez (Lleida) who currently live in Barcelona, where they are studying and taking part in other musical projects on the local scene. Marcos Merino was born in Fuengirola in December 1988. He was seven when he began to study music in Fuengirola's Elemental Conservatory and later at the Manuel Carra Professional Conservatory in Malaga, under the tutelage of Jesus Pedro Castro. He went to Barcelona in 2006 to begin his higher studies in jazz at the Conservatori del Liceu. He studied piano with Mariano Diaz, arrangements with Sergi Vergés, combos and improvisation with Victor de Diego, Jon Robles and David Mengual, among others. Parallel to his studies at the conservatory, he took private classes with Albert Bover and Joan Diaz (piano), and Lluis Verges (arrangements and composition). He also attended seminars given by Kenny Barron, Jerry Bergonzi, Dave Santoro, Jorge Rossy, Dick Oatts and other musicians. In 2009 he won a scholarship at the prestigious College of Music, University of North Texas, to study with pianist Stefan Karlsson (Eddie Gomez trio). He also had classes with Ed Soph and Dan Haerle, among others. Andrea MacLean historians believe that the variety of vine producing the famous sweet grape took its name from Pero Ximén, who was probably a Christian farmer at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th century, and his name today appears as either Pero or Pedro Ximén on bottles of the delicious liquor wine, perfect as a pudding wine and equally delicious as a chilled pickme-up. T o find out more about the history of the famous Malaga wines and to discover about their complexities and to find out which of the bodegas in the province are open to visitors, visit the Museum in the Plaza de los Viñeros. I t’s open from Monday to Friday from 12 to 2.30pm and 4.30pm to 7.30pm. You can go on a guided tour or just make your own way – it’s just 5 euros for a guided tour and tasting, and you can pick up your favourite wine from the gift shop. Go to www.vinomalaga.com for more information. WEDnESDAY, April 6th 2011 £1.30 £1.30 Local businesses are coming forward with donations as prizes for the best costumes as well as for a bumper raffle. These include so far 2 rounds of golf with a buggy at Lauro Golf donated by The News, plus a meal for two including wine at Monk’s at Leslie’s Bar and Bistro in Coin, not to mention a hamper of goodies and desirable bottles, with more expected daily. The lunch venue, the Molino del Puente, is offering a special three course lunch with drinks for 20 euros a head and a special room rate for anyone who wishes to stay overnight. should contact run organiser Bob Livermore at boblivermore110@hotmail. com or telephone him on 625 177 789. Bob will also be happy to receive donations or pledges before the event and you can contact him or us at The News office on 952 454 491 for raffle tickets. More information and further details are available on the website www.solclassiccarclub.net Classic car enthusiasts who would like to take part %! !$ # and get 2 soft drinks for free with take away # %" Free wi-fi zone DELI Alhaurin el Grande’s nEWESt BiStRO CAfE Serving a selection of freshly prepared snacks, paninis, baguettes, etc., Plus main meals including Rack of Ribs, Battered Cod and Entrecôte steaks. Sunday Roast €7.95 OAP special price €5.95 Children €4.95 Wednesday OAP Special Roast €6,50 incl. dessert booking essential Daily from 9am Open Sunday 10am OPEN ALL DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK 952 497 188 Calle Gerald Brenan 89 Alhaurin El Grande Take Away Home Cooking and Catering CATERING * BOOKINGS TAKEN FOR CELEBRATIONS 699 290 663 Mon - Sat 10 .00 am to 5 pm Tuesdays 10.00 am to 7.pm Calle San Isidro Labrador,Los Boliches, 296 40 Fuengirola, Nr Feria Place BARS & RESTAURANTS... GOT AN EVENT OR SPECIAL OFFER? ADVERTISE IT! CALL GEOFF AT THE NEWS 622 050 409 Scandinavian and International Specialities Tel: 951 319 439 Aloha Gardens, next to El Jardin. Avda Del Prado Nueva Andalucia Open Mon-Fri 10.00am - 8.00pm Saturdays 10.00am - 6.00pm [email protected] OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP FULL FOOD MENU BREAKFAST, MENU DEL DIA, SUNDAY LUNCH. Early Bird Special Monday to Saturday until 6pm - Fish Chips and Mushy Peas, Bread and Butter plus a free drink only €4.95pp DON’T MISS OUR ROYAL WEDDING STREET PARTY WITH “HOG ROAST”! Sunday Roast Lunch for €5.95pp from 12 noon TOAST THE BRIDE & GROOM with a free glass of Bubbly • Free entry to Raffle • Prize Draw Chris The Dish: 667 842 359 John The Fish: 678 292 792 2nd street behind Yaramar Hotel, Los Boliches Visit us at www.los-boliches.es % Pot of Tea for one Selection of Speciality Twinings Teas Selection of various drinks available at the counter Freshly made Thick and Creamy Milkshakes FREE ENTRY Shows start at 9.30pm. Open all day. Strawberry Monday & Thursday Bingo & Quiz Night Tuesday & Wednesday Live Football from 8:45pm Friday Siobhan - female vocalist from Dublin Fun for all ages Saturday Night Life - comedy vocal duo Not to be missed!! Sunday “Mr Blue Eyed Soul” Danny Stone Wednesday 6th Alex Avery Thursday 7th Lesley Harrison Friday 8th Dex - guitarist and vocals Saturday 9th Mad Terry Sunday 10th Adele Lee Peters at 9pm Monday 11th Rob Stevens - man of many faces - Natalie Monroe after midnight. Tuesday 12th Jordana + Cher + Lady Gaga tribute Karaoke from midnight every night with Mad Terry & Tommo Chocolate SPECIAL OFFER! 8oz entrecôte steak with all trimmings & bottle Rioja - only €20 per couple “LIVE” Banana Plaza de Remo La Carihuela Torremolinos M EL MOJITO SOL Classic Car Club are holding a special charity run on Saturday April 16th to raise funds for Help For Heroes, the charity set up to support wounded servicemen and women and their families (www.helpforheroes.org. uk) The run will start from the Taberna de Urbaneja just outside Monda, go through the Guadalhorce valley, stopping for a coffee break at the Venta los Conejitos in Alora and finish up in Ronda for lunch. It TAPAS ALL DAY EVERY DAY (INC. JACKETS, SALADS, STUFFING, APPLE SAUCE ETC...) DESERT: Pancakes with various fillings & ice cream €12.50 ADULT - €4.00 CHILDREN (up to 10 years) FIRST COME FIRST SERVED, NUMBERS LIMITED POP INTO THE INTERNATIONAL FOR YOUR TICKETS! We have the ability to show all the top matches on our large independant screens - even if the games are not on Sky or Terrestrial TV! WEDnESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Ranchito Restaurant: small, Raisins and good and a little diﬀerent Lisbon with The Ranchito Restaurant in Los Boliches has been with the same owners Barbara and Jerry Laycock for 24 years this year. That's quite an achievement on the ever changing Costa del Sol and to mark the occasion they are giving away a free half bottle of wine per customer with their main evening meals and lunch time menus of the day. The Ranchito is a little different to many restaurants, for a start it's quite small with maximum seating of just 14 people, and the food is different too. Strong consideration is given to the variety, choice and presentation of the vegetables that accompany your meal (in fact it's more or less their trade mark), they provide a full vegetarian menu in addition to the fish and meat à la carte and its true that, so often “the veg” in many restaurants is almost an afterthought but not here, here “good vegetables are considered to make the meal”. The three course menu of the day at lunch time is well priced for €13.50 and is a choice from several Ranchito starters; pate, soup, crêpes or a tasty filled Vol au vent (try avocado and prawn). Main courses include pork loin with glazed apple and brandy, chicken in wine and mushroom, swordfish, hake or a tasty leek and walnut risotto followed by a choice of lovely homemade puddings and of course your free half bottle of wine. Lux Mundi at Christmas, anniversary celebrations and other special events. The Ranchito is friendly, worth a visit, and easy to find just down from Woody's behind the Confortel Hotel on Calle Poeta Salvador Rueda 46, Los Boliches. The same in the evening, imaginative dishes that are just a little different. To reserve your table call 952 477 246 or email: barbara_ranchito@hotmail .com. Another thing that makes The Ranchito different is that you can easily reserve the entire restaurant and arrange a bespoke meal for your private party, quite popular The Ranchito is open Monday to Friday. The One & Only Ricky Lavazza Live on WedneSdayS 22:00h at the MOOnlight BaR, Benalmádena Costa. a fantastic night of song, dance & light entertainment. tributes to tom Jones, Robbie Williams, Michael Bublé and many more! Reasonable bar prices MOONLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT 22:00H: Wednesdays: Ricky Lavazza – don’t miss it! Sundays: Michael Jackson tribute show also entertains on Sundays in the OaSiS ReStauRant at Sunset Beach Club DINE & DANCE EVERY NIGHT AT THE OASIS RESTAURANT 20:30H Mondays: Tuesdays: Wednesdays: Thursdays: Fridays: Saturdays: Sundays: " ! MuMTAZ MAHAL 3 course Menu del Dia €12.50 available all day plus Full à la carte menu. Come and enjoy the best of Indian cuisine in our newly refurbished airconditioned restaurant or dine on our fabulous terrace Come and enjoy our usual high standards of service & food BAR EL RIO For fantastic tapas, drinks, raciones and typical Spanish specialities Open 12.00 noon ‘til 4.30 & 7.00 ‘till late (Closed Sundays and Monday lunchtime) Ricky Lavazza Phoebe – Stunning female vocalist Pearse Webb – Irish entertainer Gemma Lloyd – Motown and more! Michelle Jane – Diva Tribute Tina Rose – Female soul vocalist Mark Burt – Pianist/singer Ricky Lavazza – The Musicals Show PAnORAMA BAR : Daily Happy Hour 18:30h-19:30h Information / Reservations 952 579 400 All programmes subject to change. above please contact the desk on 952 474 840. Lux Mundi is in Calle Nueva, Fuengirola and is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 6.30pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm For any further information on anything * Offer of free wine is for any meal over or equal to value of €13.50 SunSet BeaCh CluB presents Free Entrance! Lux Mundi's next day trip is on Friday, April 15th around "The Route of the Raisin". It visits the vineyards of Torre de Benalgalbon, Almachar, el Borge and Comares. If you fancy something a bit longer how about 5 days (4 nights) to Portugal and Caceres? The break will include a guided tour of Lisbon, visits to Monsanto, Caceres, Trujillo and Merida. The coach will leave Fuengirola on the morning of Sunday, May 29th and return on the evening of Thursday, June 2nd. 952 664 311 - 691 406 453 Calle Francisco Cano, 60, Los Boliches, Fuengirola JK’s This Week ! Monday & Thursday Belly Dancing 10.30am €5 per session Wednesdays 8.30pm Bingo - jackpot €400 Quiz with jackpot Fri 8th April Southern Impact - One more for the road entrance €1 pre-book, €2.50 on the door Saturday 9th April CHAIN Auction bring items from 11am for auction at 2pm Sunday Pool & darts competition More info:654 396 651 [email protected] Indian Restaurante Menu del Dia 3 courses €9,95 EAT FROM OuR MENu WITH PRICES REDuCED BY uP TO 10 & 15% Take-away service Free home delivery with orders over €25.00 OPEN 7 DAYS Lunch 1.30 - 4.00pm Dinner 7.00 - 12.00pm urb. El Rodeo, Coin 952 455 599 626 977 224 La Risa @ Lauro Golf Ladies Lunch thursday 14th April at 1.30pm Booking essential Sunday Lunch served from 1pm - booking advisable - Roast Lamb now on the menu, Shoulder of lamb available pre-order only Mondays - Special two course curry menu €7.50pp - Served all day Wednesday & friday - Our popular Cod & Chips available all day For further details of all these events and our new opening times call us on 660 350 896 or pop into the bar. On the road between Alhaurin el Grande & Alhaurin de la Torre Across From the Clubhouse Reservations: 660 350 896 MOVIES TO WATCH OUT FOR MOVIE NEWS King’s Speech rolls on BY CARLOS SALDANHA Voices by Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx The production and direction team behind the Ice Age movies head oﬀ to sun and samba and produce a movie that is a ray of sunshine. The star of Rio is Blu (Eisenberg), a domesticated bird living in Minnesota with his owner Linda (Lesley Mann). It turns out that he is a rare type of macaw on the brink of extinction, and he is urgently needed to mate with the last remaining female macaw of his kind, Jewel (Hathaway), in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, if the species is to be saved. But no sooner is Blu introduced to Jewel than they are kidnapped by a bird smuggling gang working hand in glove with the baddie, a cockatoo called Nigel. But it all goes wrong and Blu and Jewel are left chained together, and stranded in the jungle. Oh, and the big problem here is that sadly, Blu has never been able fly. So, how do the two reach safety? It’s a coming of age road movie in which Blu finds his wings, with a fantastic soundtrack – Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am has two tracks – ending up with a spectacular finale set, inevitably, during the Rio carnival. It’s full of thrilling action, fantastic animation, and fabulous scenery that actually comes alive with artful 3D. The actors have a whale of a time and it’s a must-see for mums,dads and kids. Lost your TV? Can’t have satellite? Fed up with losing your picture if the weather’s bad? WE HAVE THE ANSWER! Oscar winning The King’s Speech is a huge hit in Germany and is about to overtake Slumdog Millionaire’s worldwide box office success. The movie’s German distributors say that Germans are more interested in the story of personal triumph rather than the historical content – the film charts the battle of King George VI as he struggles with his stammer, and concludes as Britain goes to war. The film cost just $15 million to make but has taken $374 million worldwide and will very soon overtake Slumdog’s total of $376 million. In terms of British films only the Abba inspired Mama Mia! has taken more. Travolta da Mobster John Travolta will play legendary crime boss John Gotti in an upcoming movie about the mobster’s life. The film will be directed by Nick Cassavetes on a shoestring budget of £9 million. Gotti died in prison in 2002. As long as you have access to the internet with at least 3 MB OF BROADBAND connection you can GET TV 24/7 365 DAYS A YEAR whatever the weather More than 80 channels and rising! FOR MORE INFO 902 00 95 93 MAIN AVAILABLE CHANNELS UK ADDRESS REQUIRED. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY The news - Issue 118 - 06.04..11 - Pg.19 Horoscopes, kyms kitchen, poco a poco 05/04/2011 18:59 Page 1 WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the March 21st April 19th by Cathy Stronach You are all set to shimmer and shine as spring begins - if you have been feeling lost at sea in recent months, you will be able to make your way back to a secure base. Everything in your being wants to go wild as you feel all charged up and raring to go. Highly motivated and self-driven you seek to take the lead and initiate with a blast into new areas of interest. Just remember to play by the rules and you will keep developments running along smoothly. Kym’s Kitchen ...you don’t have to be a chef! Noodles with Bacon and Cabbage Ingredients: TAURUS July 23rd August 22nd August 23rd September 22nd Your energy levels are looking a bit low at present due to one area of your life that seems to be draining it away. This is about to change as the planets bring you innovative thoughts and a feeling of liberation just when you thought that something was over or you had lost all inspiration. Fresh new surprises appear and the game changes as you become energised by exciting prospects. There is an opportunity to right certain wrongs as things heat up. ● ● ● ● ● ● 1 (250gr) pack egg noodles 3 tablespoons butter ¼ kilo bacon 1 onion, chopped 1 small head cabbage, chopped 1 dash garlic salt Directions Pace yourself, Cancer, your enemy this week is your ability to be distracted slow down and take your time and remember to focus. By the weekend you will be full of fun and sociable and the potential for love and romance is very strong. It takes a great deal to take the inner depth of your emotion and put it out there for all or even one person to witness, but by being bold and honest this week an opportunity will present itself to showcase your material. 1. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in the egg noodles; return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are cooked through, but still firm to the bite, about 5 minutes. Drain; return to the pot and stir in the butter. Success is in the detail at the moment and you are about to unearth a few handy facts that will help you to understand the bigger picture. The other trick is learning to love what you really don’t like or do what you really don’t want to do - when you do this, doors open. Some new information is filtering your way and this will help you to refine what it is you wish to create in your life. Put the hours in and rewards will be coming your way. 2. Meanwhile, place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly Live in the moment and focus on what you have to do one step at a time - even though it seems like you have a huge task in front of you, tackle it bit by bit so that you don’t get overwhelmed. You have reached a bend in the road, not a fork or a crossroads but a significant bend. It is going to take more of your energy and focus to manage this turn but the depth of your desire will help you reach your destination. A key relationship in your life needs to find a resolution. LIBRA You are likely to find that some of those around you seem self-absorbed this week and the best thing you can do is to stay out of any conflicts if you are being urged to take sides. Relationship opportunities abound and you will want to have the space and time to enjoy these moments to the full. You are being given the chance to re-write a script of your togetherness with that rd September 23 - special someone. Home improvements or decorating keeps you busy. nd browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. 3. Place the onion into the skillet with the bacon grease, and cook and stir over medium heat until the onion begins to soften, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cabbage, and cook and stir until wilted, about 5 minutes. Chop the bacon, add it to the skillet, and cook until the cabbage is tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the noodles, and continue cooking just until heated through. SPANISH Poco a Poco By Valerie Mitchell LESSON VIRGO Taurus, you are more than determined when you set your mind in one direction and it is times like this where that diﬀerence really shines through. Just don’t become so fixed on a certain conclusion or idea that you don’t remain open to alternatives and completely miss the magic and miracles that are trying to happen. Everything you want and need is so close that it is not going to take much of an eﬀort to reach out and take hold. Love and romance is in the air too. (Serves 4) Time after time Time is translated by a number of words in Spanish depending on what kind of time you are talking about. October 22 SCORPIO October 23rd November 21st Black and white are the colours you prefer because you know where you are and where you stand - when things get a little grey you can feel out of your depth and push a situation until it becomes a “true” colour. This week it is time to use your will to fix something that you may have pushed too far and find a way back to better ground. You are being asked to see yourself and your actions objectively and then to put your energy into its recovery. SAGITTARIUS Sometimes we are all too quick to judge and this week is no exception. However, there is not a problem out there that does not hold some kind of solution. Something has reached its limit; it has gone as far as it can go. Think things through; cool yourself down before you act with haste. Whether you realise it or not what you really need now is reassurance, security, comfort and November 22nd - strength. Perhaps it is time to extend the olive branch to someone in need December 21st and it will be returned tenfold. CAPRICORN There is a desire to put down roots, to lay a firm foundation for the future. You have been experiencing a time of enlightenment when it has become all too apparent what is rock solid in your life and what is made up of sand and illusions. Make a plan, sift out all that is no longer working for you, and get ready to take action. You know what you want now and know how to create a nd December 22 vision for the future. Get ready to soar. January 19th AQUARIUS PISCES February 19th March 20th In some ways you feel like you were born way ahead of your time and yet in other ways you feel left way behind. Recently you may have thought that you were ahead of the game but others have now started to catch up - at last they can finally understand what you have been trying to say for so long. Socially this is a great time to catch up with friends and acquaintances, just don’t allow others’ negativity to drag you down, stay positive. Are you ready to receive – you usually do all the giving but this week allow someone to give a little back. There is a need for greater balance in your life and what has value will become apparent and what is a waste of time will seem obvious. You have financial insights that need to be acted upon and you instinctively know what needs to happen. Keep focused on what you are doing and don’t allow yourself to become distracted or side-tracked by others. If you are talking about time in general it's "tiempo" No tengo tiempo para leer el periódico - I don't have time to read the newspaper. Dura mucho tiempo - It lasts a long time. Todo el tiempo - All the time Just to confuse the issue, tiempo can also be used to mean weather. ¿Qué tiempo hace? - What's the weather like? Hace buen tiempo hoy - The weather is nice today. If you want time to mean occasion its vez/veces. Fui al teatro una vez - I went to the theatre once. Vamos a Madrid dos veces al año - We go to Madrid twice a year. Visito a mi abuela tres veces a la semana - I visit my Granny three times a week. A veces means sometimes La primera vez - The first time La ultima vez - The last time De vez en cuando - From time to time And a little saying Una vez al año no hace daño which translates loosely as Once in a blue moon never hurt anyone. Clock time is la hora. ¿Qué hora es? - What time is it? Tengo una hora libre - I have a free hour Hace tres horas - Three hours ago Es hora de comer - It's time to eat Ya es hora de irme - Now it's time for me to go. Adios amigos. Hasta la próxima - Until next time. Valerie Valerie runs the Centro Idiomas Language School in Coin. Her books, “The First Twelve Shortcuts to Spanish” , “The Second Twelve Shortcuts to Spanish” (€5 each) and “The Verb Book” (€7) are available from The News oﬃce in Coin, Woody’s Cards and Books in Los Boliches, David’s Books in Los Boliches or by email from vjeﬀ[email protected] or call 952 450 747. WEDNESDAY, April 6 th 2010 20 n Magazine Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Contemporary lifestyle and celebrity gossip ROYAL WEDDING Cruising the Boulevard Oscar winning Spanish actress Penelope Cruz has unveiled her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, flanked by her husband Javier Bardem and co-star and leading man Johnny Depp. Support a cause and celebrate the royal special day The 36-year-old received the 2,436th star on the Walk of Fame, which stretches along Hollywood Boulevard, and the ceremony comes before next month’s release of Pirates of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, in which she stars with Depp. Penelope Cruz is the only Spanish actress to have so far received the award and joked at the ceremony that when she arrived in the US in 1994 she only knew two phrases in English – “How are you?” and “I want to work with Johnny Depp” but now can add “I want to work with Johnny Depp again”. She won her Oscar for her performance in Woody Allen’s Vicky Christina Barcelona, in which she starred with husband to be Bardem, and the couple had a son, Leonardo, in January. Princess-to-be kate Middleton was bullied at school as a 13-year-old and her parents had to step in and move her to another school. But kate never forgot the nightmare and the charity BeatBullying is one of 26 to benefit from kate’s wedding to Prince William on April 29th. The young couple have chosen a list of charities that they would like to help and they want well-wishers to support a cause instead of spending hard earned cash on a gift for their special day. The couple have released a private wedding list so close friends, family and other wedding guests can help furnish their Anglesey cottage near William’s RAF base, and a flat in London, probably in Kensington Palace – so, looks like they will need two toasters after all. When William’s parents Prince Charles and Diana married they received more than 6,000 gifts from the public. His grandparents, The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, received more than 2,500 gifts from around the world when they married in 1947 – including a race horse and 133 pairs of nylon stockings – in short supply because of post-war rationing. But William and Kate are anxious that people do not spend on a gift for them but back the beneficiaries listed on their special website. The 26 charities include a child bereavement organisation, young people, a London Zoo project to save the black rhino in Kenya – the Prince proposed there – a fund for terminally ill children, a number of armed forces support charities, and the New Zealand Christ Church earthquake appeal. Many of the beneficiaries on the list have not received royal support before and a number are small charities who find fund raising tough. So, for anyone wanting to mark the royal wedding with a gift, the site to visit is The Prince William and Catherine Middleton Charitable Gift Fund. In the meantime William’s father the Prince of Wales found himself in the middle of the on-going row over the disputed territory of Gibraltar during his visit to Spain, when the Spanish heir to the throne waded in during a gala dinner in Madrid to welcome the Prince and the Duchess of Cornwell on their first oﬃcial visit together to the country ( pictured above). Prince Felipe said in a speech at the Palacio Real that he hoped the authorities make progress towards solving the “historic bilateral dispute which is yet to be resolved” – he was careful not to mention Gibraltar by name. Spain still claims sovereignty over the Rock, and the Prince and the Duchess have avoided visiting Gibraltar during their first tour of the Iberian peninsula. Prince Felipe’s comments surprised commentators in Spain because they were unexpected but were applauded by some politicians Prince Charles carefully commented that the relationship between the UK and Spain was one of the oldest and deepest and was founded on mutual respect and admiration, irrespective of the side of any argument on which the two have found themselves . Prince Charles visited Gibraltar on his honeymoon with Princess Diana in 1981 – a decision that led to King Juan Carlos of Spain turning down his invitation to their wedding. But Felipe’s remarks are unlikely to aﬀect to state of play for William and Kate’s wedding – the King, Queen Sofia and Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia are on the guest list. William and Kate aren’t planning on a visit to Gibraltar – but Paddy Power has Benidorm at 80/1 for those interested in a flutter. FUN FAsHION PReseNTeD BY INDIcA ( INDEPENDENT CHARITY ASSOCIATES ) TIckeTs €20 PLeAse cALL LesLeY 654 482 675 OR LOuIse 617 040 033 MONDAY 18th APRIL (at 12.30 for 1.00pm) HOTEL TAMISA GOLF Cmno Viejo de Coin Km 3.3 (Mijas Costa) WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the 12,000 baby teeth needed Midwife shortage costing lives Art and science have united for a project needing 12,000 baby teeth to decorate a "coral castle" which is designed to inspire debate about adult stem cells. The project was designed by Professor Sara Rankin, a biologist at Imperial College London, and the artist Gina Czarnecki, to promote awareness about adult stem cells. They said arguments about stem cells were focused mostly on the ethics of using embryos. Professor Rankin said people believed stem cells only come from embryos. But they also come from fat and liposuction could provide a lot of stem cells. She said there were different types of stem cell that people were not aware of, such as those found in bone marrow or umbilical cord, which could be used to develop new treatments without any ethical issues. The dental pulp in milk teeth was another, albeit small, source of adult stem cells. Some scientists were trying to grow new teeth using these cells. Children are being asked to donate their teeth to the project, called Palaces, which will then create a sculpture out of them. The project is making sure the children will not lose out financially by giving them an "IOU one milk tooth" token to give to the tooth fairy. The finished artwork will be 2m high, made of crystal resin and then decorated with milk teeth. It will go on display at the Bluecoat in Liverpool in December and then move to the Science Museum in London next year. Don’t delay book today Do your spring cleaning now and get a fresh smile Get a nice white spring smile with Laser teeth whitening • Regularly check of periodontitis • Professionel tooth cleaning • Treatment of periodontal disease • Professionel teeth whitening Dental Hygienist Tina Broberg Takes care of your teeth ! One in three women worldwide gives birth without expert help, according to a study by UK charity Save the Children, and more than one million babies a year die because of a global shortage of 350,000 midwives. The charity, which is launching a campaign for more midwives, said more babies in poorer countries died from lack of oxygen at birth than from malaria. It said women in the poorest countries were the least likely to have a skilled attendant present at delivery, were much more likely to lose their child and were the most likely to die during childbirth. Each year 48 million women around the world gave birth without expert help. In Ethiopia, 94% of women gave birth without trained help, while in the UK the figure is only 1%, the charity said. In the UK where there are 749,000 births a year - there are Researchers at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia tested elaborately adorned pottery bought in stores in the local Chinatown and found that more than a quarter had a lead content high enough to cause health problems. 26,825 working midwives, while in Rwanda, where 400,000 babies are born a year, there are only 46. Afghanistan has one of the highest infant mortality rates, with 52 in every 1,000 births ending in death. The report said Afghan women faced a one in 11 risk of dying from complications during pregnancy and childbirth. One in five children dies before the age of five. The charity is urging world leaders to show the political will to improve access to midwives and healthcare globally. HAIR, NAILS & BEAUTY All aspects of hairdressing Cutting - Wella Colours - Hi/Lo lights - Perming Sunbed ‘winter specials’ 60mins 25€ - Spray tans Clarins facials from 30€ PAMPER PACKAGES FOR IDEAL GIFTS FROM 55€ Reflexology and Massages from 25€ Manicure / Pedicure The latest Shellac & Foilwrap Minx Nails Teethwhitening also available for special price 125€ Mon - Closed / Tues - Fri 10 - 6.00pm / Sat 10 to 4.00pm Tel: 952 666 787 - Mobile 630 800 572 NEED A NEW STYLE! HANNA Tricoderm SL • 952 917 126 Bernabé Tierno 3, Edif. Lindamar 2 Street between Paseo Mercadona and Feria 29640 Fuengirola, Malaga 30 years experience 12 years on the coast A dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health and parodontitis 951 260 767 www.laclinica.com.es [email protected] avda.clemente diaz ruiz 4, edif. tres coronas, portal D, apt 202, 29640 Fuengirola (behind mercacentro, close to the train station) Pretty patterns camouflage poison Additional laboratory tests were carried out on 25 pieces to determine if the lead was leachable, that is, if it could be ingested along with food. Three plates and two spoons were found to be leaching lead in quantities that far exceeded the limits set by the Food and Drug Administration. One of the plates leached lead at more than 145 parts per million. The agency’s limit is 2 parts per million. The researchers sent their data to the F.D.A., and a spokesman said the agency was following it up. The researchers have stressed that it is the manufacturers of the pottery that were at fault, not the stores that sold it. They said they hoped the FDA would track the pottery to its source and take the necessary action. App that can detect deadly diseases An app invented by three dermatologists at Madrid's Ramón y Cajal Hospital is now helping doctors there to distinguish between harmless freckles and dermatitis, or a spot that could be a possible cancer. The DermoMap contains high-resolution photos of the 100 most common skin diseases which account for 95 per cent of all diagnoses, described in largely nontechnical terms that anyone can understand. The app also helps to diagnose by asking doctor or patient about the symptoms and then filters through dozens of possible complaints to identify the most likely. WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Take a break TARGET PUZZLE SUDOKU by Papocom Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. With no repeats, that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Level: Level: MEDIUM HARD See how many words of four or more letters you can make from the given nine letters. In making a word each letter may be used only once. The key letter must be used in each word. DD E T R O P E O I AD ME G N I F Target 1-4 Poor 5-9 Average 10-17 Good 18-19 Excellent 1-8 Poor 9-11 Average 12-19 Good 20-21 Excellent The following are not allowed: - Words beginning with a capital letter - Words with a hyphen or apostrophe - Plural words ending in “s” The 9-letter word TORPEDOED Down 1. Final destination of cream tour that I’m journeying to. (11) 9. Store up disposition. (7) 10. Description of immaturity before adulthood. (5) 11. Thrush shown in all its’ glorious elegance. (5) 12. Network with regard to still mesh. (7) 13. Many, wearing the right fashion strap. (6) 15. Animal repeatedly talking trivia but not thrice. (3-3) 18. Mieness appearance of Greek Goddess. (7) 20. Rise above diﬃcult progress. (5) 22. Fine thin silk or lace produced in Helmut Ullerichs’ establishment. (5) 23. Electrical quantity unit identified by a mixture copper bloom. (7) 24. Non-oral examination. (7,4) 2. Arises smelling of flowers, perhaps? (5) 3. Lachrymose land that you and I am, shortly, beginning to understand. (7) 4. Entente gift that you start receiving. (6) 5. Harmonized verse used by a cockney, maybe? (6) 6. As a rule it’s commonly applied to partner. (7) 7. Chance occasion never twice repeated apparently. (11) 8. Turkish skewered dishes of meat and veg’. (5,6) 14. Rover almost blame’s Rolls Royce for u-turn damage. (7) 16. Bill European noble for a chronicled disclosure. (7) 17. Spirit shown by the shy, politically correct English leaders. (6) 19. Exhausted disbursement. (5) 21. Images of portraits that I construct in private. (5) 1 Across Down 1. Latest news (4,5) 8. 0 (4) 9. Outgoing type (9) 10. Piece of film etc (4) 13. Ascend (5) 15. Grub (6) 16. Sign of the zodiac (6) 17. Announcer - forerunner (6) 19. Skilful (6) 20. Irish poet (5) 21. Rescue - except (4) 24. Basic units of organism, not yet specialised (4,5) 25. Fool - mongrel (4) 26. Rude and aggressive (9) 2. Cab (4) 3. Leave a car (4) 4. Rebellion (6) 5. Small crustacean (6) 6. Mirror (not a good one?) (9) 7. Made up of diﬀerent elements (9) 11. Lung problem causing breathlessness (9) 12. Make more serious (9) 13. Sheepdog (less usual spelling) (5) 14. Things may be strictly for them! (5) 18. One who owes (6) 19. Sort of energy or number (6) 22. Skin (4) 23. Tribe (4)) 21 4. What is the Secret Service code name for the helicopter pad at The Pentagon? 2 22 24 25 5. Eighteen year-old Eri Yoshida, known as the Knuckleball Princess, in 2010 became the first Japanese woman to play in the US professional (generally allmale) league of which sport: Baseball; Basketball; Volleyball; or Table Tennis? 6. Which jockey won the 1981 UK Grand National on Aldaniti? 19 21 23 7. Yitzhak Rabin was the prime minister of which country between 1974 and 1977? 8. Raines Law of 1896 related to the sale of what in New York State? 26 17. Herald 19. Adroit 20. Yeats 21. Save 24. Stem cells 25. Mutt 26. Truculent 1. Stop press 8. Zero 9. Extrovert 10. Clip 13. Climb 15. Maggot 16. Pisces 15. yak-yak 18. Nemesis 20. climb 22. tulle 23. coulomb 24. written test 1. crematorium 9. posture 10. youth 11. ousel 12. trellis 13. throng Across 2. Taxi 3. Park 4. Revolt 5. Shrimp 6. Reflector 7. Composite 11. Emphysema 2. roses 3. maudlin 4. treaty 5. rhyme 6. usually 7. opportunity Down Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in New series: New series: Britain’s Next Big Thing Tue April 12th 20.00 Fri Apr 8th 21.00 WEDNESDAY April 6 Fri, Apr 8th 00:00 Donnie Darko During the presidential election of 1988, a teenager named Donnie Darko sleepwalks out of his house one night and sees a giant, demoniclooking rabbit named Frank, who tells him the world will end in 28 days. When Donnie returns home, he finds that a jet engine has crashed into his bedroom, is he suﬀering from mental illness.. FILM Sun, Apr 10th 00:30 Roger Dodger A high-flying veteran of Manhattan's dating scene teaches his naïve young nephew about women over one long night in the city, but realises that he still has something to learn about what the opposite sex really wants. FILM Sat, Apr 9th 19:00 Mamma Mia! Set on a Greek island, a young woman who is about to be married suspects that any one of three men could be her father. She invites them all to her wedding without telling her mother. Movie adaptation of the musical, set to Abba's greatest hits. FILM Sun, Apr 10th 22:00 Wedding Crashers John Beckwith and Jeremy Grey, a pair of committed womanisers who sneak into weddings to take advantage of the romantic tinge in the air, find themselves at odds with one another when John meets and falls for Claire Cleary. FILM Mon, Apr 11th 22:55 Derailed When terrorists board a train in search of biological weapons, an undercover NATO operative must derail the train in order to save everyone on board including the weapons. FILM Sat, Apr 9th 21:10 Legally Blonde Back on Friday nights where it belongs, HIGNFY launches its 41st series. Jack Dee hosts, Ian Hislop and Paul Merton captain the teams and Richard Madeley guests. Have I Got News For You th April 7 FRIDAY April 8th 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 A Hundred Years of .. 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Britain's Empty Homes 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:45 Doctors: Every Heart That Beats 14:15 32 Brinkburn Street 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Deadly 60 Bite Size 15:40 Deadly Art 15:55 Shaun the Sheep 16:00 Prank Patrol 16:30 Animals at Work 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 19:00 The One Show 19:30 EastEnders 20:00 DIY SOS: The Big Build 21:00 Crimewatch 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 Midlands Today 22:35 Crimewatch Update 22:45 Question Time 23:45 This Week 00:30 Holiday Weatherview 00:35 Panorama 01:05 Countryfile 02:05 Antiques Roadshow: Saltaire 03:05 Rip Oﬀ Britain 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Neighbourhood Blues 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Britain's Empty Homes 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 Midlands Today 13:45 Doctors: Brothers 14:15 Justice 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Gastronuts 15:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 16:00 Project Parent 16:30 My Life: Ballet Boys 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 Midlands Today 18:55 Party Election Broadcast by the... 19:00 The One Show 19:30 EastEnders 20:00 Watchdog 21:00 New Tricks 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 Midlands Today 22:35 Question Time 23:35 This Week 00:20 Holiday Weatherview 00:25 Finished at Fifty? Panorama 00:55 Countryfile 01:55 Antiques Roadshow: St Fagans 02:55 Rip Oﬀ Britain 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Neighbourhood Blues 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Britain's Empty Homes 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 Midlands Today 13:45 Doctors: Friday I'm in Love 14:15 Justice 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Gastronuts 15:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 16:00 Dani's House 16:30 Tracy Beaker Returns 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 Midlands Today 19:00 The One Show 19:30 Rip Oﬀ Britain 20:00 EastEnders 20:30 A Question of Sport 21:00 Have I Got News for You 21:30 QI 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:35 John Bishop Live: Elvis Has... 23:45 The Lottery Draws 00:00 Donnie Darko 01:45 Weatherview 01:50 Michel Roux's Service 02:50 The Boat That Guy Built 09:55 3rd and Bird: Play Nicely! 10:05 Postman Pat 10:20 Pingu: Poor Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane: The Story of the Hyena's Holiday 10:45 Waybuloo: Fairy Thing 11:05 In the Night Garden: Upsy Daisy Dances With the Haahoos 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT with George Alagiah 13:00 Diagnosis Murder: Murder Country Style 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Restoration Roadshow 15:00 Flog It!: Torquay 15:45 Helicopter Heroes 16:30 Pointless 17:15 Escape to the Country 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 Royal Upstairs Downstairs 19:00 David Attenborough's First Life 20:00 Great British Food Revival 21:00 Neil Morrissey: Care Home Kid 22:00 Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 The Joy of Stats 00:20 BBC News 04:00 GCSE Bitesize Revision 09:50 Grandpa in My Pocket: A Carrot Called Christopher and Other Odd Vegetables 10:00 Mighty-Mites 10:15 Postman Pat 10:35 64 Zoo Lane: The Story of Kevin the Crocodile 10:45 Waybuloo: Shaker Breaker 11:05 In the Night Garden: Be Careful Tombliboos! 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT with George Alagiah 13:00 Diagnosis Murder: Merry Widow Murder 13:45 Racing from Aintree 16:30 Pointless 17:15 Escape to the Country: Suﬀolk 17:55 Party Election Broadcast by the... 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 Great British Menu: 19:00 David Attenborough's First Life 20:00 Lambing Live 21:00 A History of Celtic Britain 22:00 Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 Filthy Cities 00:20 BBC News 03:25 Pages from Ceefax 09:50 Grandpa in My Pocket: Taking Floyd for a Ride 10:00 Mighty-Mites 10:15 Postman Pat 10:35 64 Zoo Lane: The Story of Joey the Kangaroo 10:45 Waybuloo: Lau Lau's Quiet Day 11:05 In the Night Garden: Igglepiggle's Noisy Noises 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT with George Alagiah 13:00 Diagnosis Murder: The Murder of Mark Sloan 13:45 Racing from Aintree 16:30 Pointless 17:15 Escape to the Country: North Yorkshire 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 Great British Menu: North East Judging 19:00 Golf: The Masters Highlights 20:00 Mastermind 20:30 Gardeners' World 21:00 Lambing Live 22:00 Frank Skinner's Opinionated 22:30 Newsnight 23:00 The Review Show 23:50 Later... with Jools Holland 00:50 Backstage 02:15 BBC News 03:50 Pages from Ceefax 19:30 Coronation Street 20:00 Baboons with Bill Bailey 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Benidorm 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 Take Me Out 23:35 The Cube 00:30 The Zone 02:35 In Plain Sight 03:20 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 60 Minute Makeover 15:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 Britain's Best Dish 18:00 London Tonight 18:25 Party Election Broadcast by the Labour Party 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Live: UEFA Champions League Football 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 UEFA Champions League: Extra Time 23:35 Smugglers 00:30 The Zone 02:35 Spartacus 04:05 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 60 Minute Makeover 15:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 Britain's Best Dish 18:00 London Tonight 18:25 Party Election Broadcast by the Liberal Democrats 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Tonight 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Monroe 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 Benidorm 23:35 Celebrity Grimefighters 00:30 The Zone 02:35 Highlights: British Touring Car Championships 03:50 The Jeremy Kyle Show 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 60 Minute Makeover 15:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 Britain's Best Dish 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 08:05 Frasier: The Show Where Woody Shows Up 08:35 Friends: The One with the Evil Orthodontist 09:05 Supernanny US 09:55 Brothers and Sisters: The Wine Festival 10:55 The Restoration Man 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 River Cottage Bites 12:15 Film: The Lady Vanishes (1979) 14:05 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Fern 18:00 The Simpsons: Fat Man and Little Boy 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Three in a Bed 21:00 Love Thy Neighbour 22:00 10 O'Clock Live 23:05 Friday Night Dinner: The Dress 23:35 The Ricky Gervais Show 00:10 Music on 4 Favourites: James Blunt 00:45 Music on 4: The Great Escape...: ...Festival 01:10 Japan's Tsunami: How It Happened 02:00 Dispatches: BP 02:55 Unreported World 03:20 Hill Street Blues: The Long Arm of the Law 07:15 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond: Bb Job 08:05 Frasier: Taps at the Montana 08:35 Friends: The One with Five Steaks and an Eggplant 09:05 Wife Swap USA 10:00 Brothers and Sisters: Run Baby Run 10:55 The Restoration Man 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 River Cottage Bites 12:15 Film: The Colditz Story (1954) 14:05 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 16:00 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Fern 18:00 The Simpsons: There's Something About Marrying 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Three in a Bed 21:00 Dad's 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Hickey 01:55 Freaky 02:20 Film: John Q 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The WotWots: Fruity Loopies 09:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom: Elf Joke Day 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:05 Police Interceptors 12:05 The Family Recipe 12:10 5 News Lunchtime 12:20 House: Mirror, Mirror 13:15 Home and Away 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 The Vanessa Show 15:05 Meals In Moments 15:15 Film: The Hollywood Mom's Mystery 17:00 5 News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 5 News at 7 19:30 Starlight: For The Children 19:58 5 News Update 20:00 Emergency Bikers 20:58 5 News Update 21:00 NCIS 22:00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent 22:55 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 23:55 Poker: Aussie Millions 00:55 Super Casino 04:05 F.B.I. Files 04:55 Rough Guide To... 05:10 Wildlife SOS 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:27 Milkshake Show Songs 08:30 Roary The Racing Car: Roary's Wake Up Call 08:40 Olivia 08:50 The WotWots: Lanky Landing Legs 09:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom: King Thistle's New Clothes 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:05 Police Interceptors 12:05 The Family Recipe 12:10 5 News Lunchtime 12:20 House: Whatever It Takes 13:15 Home and Away 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 The Vanessa Show 15:05 Chinese Food In Minutes 15:15 Film: The Last Chance 17:00 5 News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:30 OK! TV 19:00 5 News at 7 19:25 How Do They Do It? 19:55 Football: Benfica V PSV Eindhoven 22:00 Film: Dragon: Bruce Lee Story 00:25 Super Casino 04:05 F.B.I. Files 04:55 Rough Guide To... 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:30 Roary The Racing Car: Big Chris Says Sorry 08:40 Olivia: Olivia Goes Camping 08:50 The WotWots: Spot a DottyWot 09:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom: The Elf School 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:05 Police Interceptors 12:05 The Family Recipe 12:10 5 News Lunchtime 12:20 House: Ugly 13:15 Home and Away 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 The Vanessa Show 15:05 Chinese Food In Minutes 15:15 Film: Devil Winds 17:00 5 News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 5 News at 7 19:30 Fifth Gear 19:58 5 News Update 20:00 Ice Road Truckers 20:58 5 News Update 21:00 The Mentalist 22:00 Law & Order 22:55 CSI: Miami 23:55 Cops In Crisis 00:15 Super Casino 04:05 Motorsport Mundial 04:30 Fifth Gear 19:00 Top Gear 20:00 Police Academy UK 21:00 Botox Britain: Your Face in... 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Russell Howard's Good News 23:00 Family Guy 23:20 Family Guy 23:45 Botox Britain: Your Face in... 00:40 Russell Howard's Good News 01:10 My Brother the Islamist 02:10 Police Academy UK 03:10 Thailand: Tourism and the Truth... 04:10 My Brother the Islamist 05:10 This Is BBC Three: 19:00 Doctor Who 19:45 Doctor Who Confidential 20:00 Don't Tell the Bride 21:00 White Van Man 21:30 Russell Howard's Good News 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 EastEnders Revealed: Whitney's... 23:30 Family Guy 23:50 Family Guy 00:15 White Van Man 00:45 Russell Howard's Good News 01:15 Botox Britain: Your Face in... 02:15 Don't Tell the Bride 03:15 EastEnders Revealed: Whitney's... 04:10 Botox Britain: Your Face in... 19:00 Snog Marry Avoid? 19:30 Legally Blonde 21:00 Don't Tell the Bride 22:00 Family Guy 22:20 Family Guy 22:45 Russell Howard's Good News 23:15 Bizarre ER 23:45 Snog Marry Avoid? 00:15 Don't Tell the Bride 01:15 Russell Howard's Good News 01:45 Bizarre ER 02:15 American Dad! 02:35 American Dad! 02:55 American Dad! 03:20 American Dad! 03:40 American Dad! 04:00 American Dad! 04:25 American Dad! 04:50 American Dad! 05:15 This Is BBC Three: WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Champions League semi final: Chelsea v Man Utd Drama: The Crimson Petal and the White Wed Apr 6th 19.30 April 9 NoTE: Add 1 hour for Spanish viewing times. A grippingly sordid, oﬀ the wall, tale of low-life London in 1874 which could have been directed by David Lynch. Romola Garai and Richard E. Grant star. Wed Apr 6th 21.00 April 11 TUESDAY April 12th 06:00 Breakfast 08:00 Formula 1: The Malaysian Grand... 10:15 Saturday Kitchen 11:30 Great British Menu: North East Judging 12:00 BBC News 12:10 Midlands Today 12:15 Football Focus 13:00 The Grand National 17:10 BBC News 17:20 Midlands Today 17:30 Total Wipeout Celebrity Special 18:30 So You Think You Can Dance 19:30 The National Lottery: Secret... 20:20 Casualty: Starting Over 21:10 Live at the Apollo 21:55 BBC News 22:15 Match of the Day 23:35 The Football League Show 00:55 Weatherview 01:00 BBC News 06:00 Breakfast 08:00 Formula 1: The Malaysian Grand... 11:15 Country Tracks: Snowdonia 12:15 The Politics Show 13:15 The Story of Vaisaikhi 13:45 Formula 1: The Malaysian Grand... 15:45 Escape to the Country 16:30 Points of View 16:45 Songs of Praise: School Choir of the Year Final 17:30 BBC News 17:50 Midlands Today 18:00 Nigel Slater's Simple Suppers 18:30 The Boat That Guy Built 19:00 Countryfile 20:00 Antiques Roadshow: Swindon 21:00 Waking the Dead 22:00 BBC News 22:15 Midlands Today 22:25 Match of the Day 2 23:25 The Hunted 00:50 Weatherview 00:55 MasterChef 01:55 Holby City: Coming Second 02:55 Men of Rock 03:55 BBC News 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Animal 24:7 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Filthy Rotten Scoundrels 11:45 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Gastronuts 15:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 16:00 Sadie J 16:30 Blue Peter 16:55 Shaun the Sheep 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:55 Referendum Campaign by the No Campaign 19:00 The One Show 19:30 Bang Goes the Theory 19:57 BBC News 20:00 EastEnders 20:30 Living with the Ayatollah 21:00 Waking the Dead 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:32 BBC Weather 22:35 A Question of Sport 23:05 Late Kick Oﬀ 23:35 The Walker 01:15 Weatherview 01:20 MasterChef 02:20 Arctic with Bruce Parry 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Animal 24:7 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Filthy Rotten Scoundrels 11:45 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Gastronuts 15:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 16:00 Dead Gorgeous 16:30 Blue Peter 16:55 Shaun the Sheep 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:55 Referendum by the Yes Campaign 19:00 The One Show 19:30 EastEnders 20:00 Holby City 21:00 Candy Cabs 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 See You in Court 23:25 Love Me, Love My Face 00:25 Weatherview 00:30 Michel Roux's Service 01:30 Who Does What? 02:30 Great British Railway Journeys 03:00 BBC News 07:30 Arthur 08:00 Fee Fi Fo Yum 08:30 Project Parent 09:00 Dick & Dom Go Wild 09:30 Cop School 10:00 Relic: Guardians of the Museum 10:30 League of Super Evil: The Henchbot Elites 10:40 Wolverine and the XMen 11:05 Mortified: Taylor's DNA 11:30 Golf: The Masters Highlights 12:30 The Sky at Night: Double Star Party 12:50 Space Camp 14:30 Flog It!: Paisley and Plymouth 15:30 Escape to the Country: Somerset 16:30 Final Score 17:15 The Big Flutter: The Grand... 17:45 Coast: Waterford to Hook Head 18:00 Dad's Army 18:30 Highlights from the Lambing Shed 19:30 Goldie's Band: By Royal... 20:30 Golf: The Masters 00:00 Grand National Highlights 00:30 Later... with Jools Holland 01:35 Between 02:55 Pages from Ceefax 06:00 Finley the Fire Engine: Red Light, Green Light 06:10 Zigby: Zigby Surprises Bertie 06:25 The Large Family: Mystery of the Missing Elephant 06:35 Little Robots 06:45 Charlie and Lola: The Most Wonderfullest Picnic in the World 07:00 One Minute Wonders 07:35 Match of the Day 09:00 The Andrew Marr Show 10:00 Something for the Weekend 11:30 MasterChef 12:30 Priceless Antiques Roadshow 13:00 EastEnders 14:55 European Gymnastics Highlights 17:30 Flog It!: Yeovil 18:00 The Truth About Lions 19:00 Golf: The Masters 00:00 Frank Skinner's Opinionated 00:30 Roger Dodger 02:10 BBC News 03:55 The Super League Show 04:25 Pages from Ceef 09:50 Grandpa in My Pocket 10:00 Mighty Mites 10:15 Green Balloon Club Goes on Holiday 10:40 Waybuloo 11:00 In the Night Garden 11:30 Dip Dap 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 Meerkat Manor 12:25 Animal Park 12:55 Diagnosis Murder 13:40 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:25 Restoration Roadshow 14:55 Flog It! 15:40 Helicopter Heroes 16:25 Pointless 17:10 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 17:55 Referendum Campaign by the No Campaign 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 Great British Menu 19:00 This is Britain 20:00 Railway Walks 20:30 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 21:00 A Home for Maisie 22:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 Wonders of the Solar System 00:20 The Brain: A Secret History 01:20 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 02:00 BBC News 09:45 Chuggington Badge Quest 09:50 Grandpa in My Pocket 10:00 Mighty Mites 10:15 Green Balloon Club Goes on Holiday 10:40 Waybuloo 11:00 In the Night Garden 11:30 Dip Dap 11:35 Oh, Mr Porter! 12:55 Diagnosis Murder 13:40 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:25 Restoration Roadshow 14:55 Flog It! 15:40 Helicopter Heroes 16:25 Pointless 17:10 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 17:55 Referendum Campaign by the Yes Campaign 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 Great British Menu 19:00 Coast 20:00 Britain's Next Big Thing 21:00 Filthy Cities 22:00 Later... Live with Jools Holland 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 Wonders of the Solar System 00:20 Wonders of the Solar System 01:20 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 02:00 BBC News 02:30 Click 06:35 The Hive 06:45 Babar and the Adventures of Badou 07:00 Babar and the Adventures of Badou 07:10 The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That 07:25 Monk 07:30 Spider-Man 07:55 Horrid Henry 08:10 Cool Stuﬀ Collective 08:35 The Suite Life of Zack and Cody 09:00 Hannah Montana 09:25 Coronation Street Omnibus 11:45 This Morning: Saturday 12:50 Monk 13:50 ITV News 14:05 You've Been Framed! 14:35 Catwoman 16:30 The Nation's Favourite Abba Song 18:00 London Tonight 18:15 ITV News 18:30 You've Been Framed! 19:00 Mamma Mia 21:10 When Piers Met Andrew Lloyd Webber 22:10 ITV News 22:25 Knocked Up 00:45 The Zone 02:50 Swingtown 03:35 ITV Nightscreen 07:00 Jungle Junction 07:10 Curious George 07:25 Monk 07:30 Cool Stuﬀ Collective 07:55 Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil 08:05 Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil 08:20 SpongeBob SquarePants 08:35 Phineas and Ferb 08:45 Phineas and Ferb 09:00 Wizards of Waverly Place 09:25 May the Best House Win 10:25 House Gift 11:30 This Morning: Sunday 12:30 Dinner Date 13:30 ITV News 13:35 Columbo: Uneasy Lies the Crown 15:35 ABBA: The Mamma Mia! Story 16:35 Midsomer Murders 18:35 London Tonight 18:45 ITV News 19:00 The Cube 20:00 Lewis 22:00 ITV News 22:15 Atonement 00:25 Highligts: Rugby 01:10 The Zone 02:00 The Fog 03:30 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 60 Minute Makeover 15:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 Britain's Best Dish 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 18:50 A Referendum Broadcast on Behalf of the No Campaign 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Coronation Street 20:00 The Dales 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Law & Order: UK 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 Real Crime with Mark Austin 23:35 River Monsters 00:30 The Zone 02:35 UEFA Champions League Weekly 03:00 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 60 Minute Makeover 15:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 Britain's Best Dish 18:00 London Tonight 18:25 Granada Reports 18:30 ITV News and Weather 18:50 A Referendum on Behalf of the Yes Campaign 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Grimefighters 20:00 Countrywise 21:00 Smugglers 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 Walking Tall 00:05 The Zone 02:10 Crossing Jordan 02:55 ITV Nightscreen 06:10 The Hoobs 06:35 The Hoobs 07:00 The McCain Track and Field Show 07:25 Mobil 1: The Grid 07:55 The Morning Line 08:50 Friends 09:20 T4 Movie Special 09:50 Friends 10:20 Glee 11:20 Great British Hairdresser 12:25 The Big Bang Theory 12:50 The Big Bang Theory 13:20 That Paralympic Show 13:55 Live: Channel 4 Racing 15:25 The Secret Supper Club 16:00 Come Dine with Me 16:30 Come Dine with Me 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:35 Come Dine with Me 18:05 Come Dine with Me 18:35 Channel 4 News 19:05 4thought.tv 19:10 River Cottage Every Day 20:10 Seven Ages of Britain 21:10 Transporter 3 23:10 Stand up for the Week 00:00 The Untouchables 02:05 Sex in the 80s 03:00 Privileged 03:50 Privileged 04:35 Ugly Betty 06:05 Sali Mali 06:10 The Hoobs 06:35 The Hoobs 07:00 Freesports on 4 07:25 Crunchtime 07:50 Friends 08:20 Friends 08:45 Hollyoaks Omnibus 11:20 Friends 11:55 Glee 12:50 The Simpsons 13:25 The Simpsons 13:55 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 14:25 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 14:55 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 15:30 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 16:00 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 16:30 Deal or No Deal 17:30 Time Team 18:30 Channel 4 News 18:55 4thought.tv 19:00 Come Dine with Me 20:00 Civilization: Is the West History? 21:00 Country House Rescue 22:00 Wedding Crashers 00:15 Basic Instinct 2 02:15 Never Did Me Any Harm 03:10 Vincent: The Full Story 04:05 The Play's the Thing 06:10 Max Bear 06:20 The Hoobs 06:45 The Hoobs 07:10 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:05 Frasier 08:35 Friends 09:05 Wife Swap USA 10:00 Brothers & Sisters 10:55 Relocation, Relocation 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 River Cottage Bites 12:20 The Day the Earth Stood Still 14:05 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 16:00 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Fern 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 Referendum: No Campaign 20:00 Dispatches 21:00 One Born Every Minute 22:00 Bodyshock 23:05 The Event 00:05 4thought.tv 00:10 Foo Fighters: A New Light 00:40 Poker 01:40 The SS 02:35 Codex 03:20 Vincent: The Full Story 04:15 The Bible: A History 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:05 Frasier 08:35 Friends 09:05 Wife Swap USA 10:00 Brothers & Sisters 11:00 A Place by the Sea 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 Great British Brands 12:20 River Cottage Bites 12:25 The War of the Worlds 14:05 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 16:00 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Fern 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 Referendum: Yes Campaign 20:00 Supersize vs Superskinny 21:00 Katie: My Beautiful Friends 22:00 Campus 23:05 Pete Versus Life 23:40 School of Comedy 00:10 4thought.tv 00:15 Poker 01:15 Freesports on 4 01:40 Mobil 1: The Grid 02:05 KOTV 02:30 Extreme Sailing Series 03:00 ITU Triathlon Team and Sprint World Championships 03:50 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour 07:50 Bert and Ernie: Meet the Aliens 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Hana's Helpline: Ow Patsy! 08:20 The Adventures of Bottle Top... 08:30 Play! 08:45 Rupert Bear: Rupert Flies to Cheddar Moon 09:00 Olivia: Olivia Claus 09:15 Mr Men: Gifts 09:30 Gerald McBoing Boing 10:00 The Family Recipe 10:05 The Gadget Show 11:05 Emergency Bikers 12:05 Megastructures: 747 Demolition 13:10 Film: Battle at Apache Pass 14:50 Film: National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation 16:35 5 News 16:45 Film: The Cowboys 19:15 NCIS: Trojan Horse 20:10 CSI: Grissom's Greatest: Grissom's Greatest 21:10 CSI: New York 22:10 CSI: Miami 23:10 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Unbearable 00:10 Super Casino 04:00 Animal Rescue Squad 04:10 Nick's Quest 07:40 Roobarb and Custard Too 07:45 Igam Ogam 08:00 The Little Princess 08:10 Hana's Helpline 08:20 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 08:35 Family! 08:45 Rupert 09:00 Olivia 09:15 The Mr Men Show 09:30 Gerald McBoing Boing 10:00 Chinese Food in Minutes 10:15 Best of OK! TV 11:15 Family Food Fight with Flora 11:45 Ice Road Truckers 12:45 Tsunami: British Search and Rescue 13:45 You Got Served 15:35 High School Musical 3: Senior Year 17:45 5 News Weekend 17:50 Mr Deeds 19:40 Hellboy 22:00 The Walking Dead 23:30 Thir13en Ghosts 01:15 Super Casino 04:00 Animal Rescue Squad 04:10 UEFA Europa League 05:00 Hana's Helpline 07:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Olivia 08:50 The Wot Wots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:05 Bridezillas 12:05 The Family Recipe 12:10 5 News Lunchtime 12:20 House 13:15 Home and Away 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 The Vanessa Show 15:05 Chinese Food in Minutes 15:15 Family Sins 17:00 5 News at 5 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 5 News at 7 19:30 How Do They Do It? 20:00 The Gadget Show 21:00 Resident Evil: Extinction 22:55 Derailed 00:40 Sex Lessons 01:10 Super Casino 04:00 Meals in Moments 04:10 How Not to Decorate 04:55 Rough Guide to Islands 07:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Olivia 08:50 The Wot Wots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:05 Bridezillas 12:05 The Family Recipe 12:10 5 News Lunchtime 12:20 House 13:15 Home and Away 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 The Vanessa Show 15:05 Chinese Food in Minutes 15:15 Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771 17:00 5 News at 5 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 5 News at 7 19:30 Extraordinary Dogs 20:00 Tutankhamun: The Mystery Revealed 21:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 22:00 CSI: Miami 22:55 CSI: NY 23:50 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 00:45 Super Casino 04:00 Meals in Moments 19:00 The Real Hustle: Celebrity... 19:30 Doctor Who 20:20 Doctor Who 21:10 Legally Blonde 22:40 Russell Howard's Good News Extra 23:25 Family Guy 23:45 Family Guy 00:10 American Dad! 00:30 American Dad! 00:55 Russell Howard's Good News Extra 01:40 Junior Doctors: Your Life in... 02:40 Junior Doctors: Your Life in... 03:35 Young, Jobless and Living at Home 04:30 Junior Doctors: Your Life in... 05:25 Special 1 TV 19:00 Formula 1: The Malaysian Grand... 20:00 Top Gear 21:00 Police Academy UK 22:00 Family Guy 22:20 Family Guy 22:45 American Dad! 23:05 American Dad! 23:30 White Van Man 00:00 Police Academy UK 01:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in... 02:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in... 02:55 My Brother the Islamist 03:55 White Van Man 04:25 Formula 1: The Malaysian Grand... 19:00 Doctor Who 19:45 Doctor Who Confidential 20:00 Don't Tell the Bride 21:00 Gavin and Stacey 21:30 Gavin and Stacey 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Bizarre ER 23:00 Family Guy 23:20 Family Guy 23:45 Police Academy UK 00:45 Bizarre ER 01:15 Gavin and Stacey 01:45 Gavin and Stacey 02:10 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 03:10 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 04:10 Police Academy UK 05:10 SIGN OFF 19:00 Total Wipeout 20:00 Don't Tell the Bride 21:00 Is Breast Best? Cherry Healey Investigates 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 White Van Man 23:00 Family Guy 23:20 Family Guy 23:45 Is Breast Best? Cherry Healey Investigates 00:45 White Van Man 01:15 Russell Howard's Good News 01:45 Total Wipeout 02:45 Don't Tell the Bride 03:45 Russell Howard's Good News 04:15 Pop's Greatest Dance Crazes 04:45 Bizarre ER 05:15 SIGN OFF WedneSdAy, April 6th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in Classifieds Place an Ad by phone: Place an Ad by email: Place an Ad by fax: 952 45 44 91 / 902 00 11 00 [email protected] Air cOndiTiOning cArS & vAnS cOOlflOW The Air Conditioning Specialists. Installation, servicing and repairs to all makes and models. Special oﬀers available. Call Ian 678491234. Established 7 (119)tnp years on the coast ---------------------------------------------KOldAir Supplying and fitting Europe’s best airconditioners at Spain’s lowest Prices. 605428307 (120)p See advert on Page 3. We Buy accident damaged cars and mechanical failures. 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Extra (127)p help available. 619604114 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in USEFUL NUMBERS by town CONSULATES BENALMADENA Municipal Police 952 562 142 Health Centre 952 440 404 / 952 443 545 Arroyo de la Miel Health Centre 952 562 142 Taxi 952 441 545 Tourist Oﬃce 952 442 494 Foreign Residents Department 952 579 802 First Aid (Night time & Holidays) 952 468 653 Police (Urgent 092) 952 589 324 Taxi 952 471 000 Tourist Oﬃce 952 467 625 Town Hall 952 589 300 Foreign Residents Department 952 589 440 ESTEPONA Bus Station 952 800 249 Municipal Police 952 800 243 Taxi 952 802 900 Tourist Oﬃce 952 800 913 Town Hall 952 801 100 Fire Brigade 952 792 121 Foreign Residents Department 952 809 031 GIBRALTAR Ambulance 199 Fire Brigade 190 / +350 200 72936 Police 199 / +350 200 72500 Tourist Oﬃce +350 200 74982 FUENGIROLA Bus Station 952 475 066 Fire Brigade (Urgent 080) 952 461 046 First Aid (Emergency) 952 468 835 www.thenewsonline.es MALAGA Airport 952 048 804 Bus Station 952 350 061 Fire Brigade 952 411 890 Guardia Civil 952 071 520 Renfe Railway Station 902 240 202 Taxi 952 327 950 Tourist Oﬃce 952 213 445 Town Hall 952 135 000 MARBELLA Bus Station 952 764 400 Fire Brigade 952 774 349 Municipal Police 952 899 500 Taxi 952 774 488 Tourist Oﬃce 952 771 442 Town Hall 952 761 100 MIJAS Police Las Lagunas 952 460 909 Fire Brigade Las Lagunas 952 586 328 Town Hall & Foreign Residents Department 952 485 900 Town Hall Las Lagunas 952 473 125 Taxi 952 478 288 Social Services 952 486 370 Consumer Oﬃce 952 582 911 Tourism Oﬃce 952 589 034 NERJA Municipal Police 952 521 545 Taxi 952 520 537 Tourist Information 952 521 531 Town Hall 952 548 401 SAN PEDRO DE ANCANTARA Fire Brigade 952 774 349 Town Hall 952 789 300 TORREMOLINOS Bus Station 952 382 419 Fire Brigade 952 381 414 Taxi 952 380 600 Tourist Oﬃce 952 379 512 Town Hall 952 379 400 VELEZ MALAGA Town Hall 952 559 100 Municipal Police 952 549 238 Austria 952 600 267 Belgium 952 599 159 Canada 952 223 346 Denmark 952 211 797 Finland 952 212 435 France 952 226 590 Germany 952 363 591 Great Britain 952 352 300 Greece 952 311 847 Holland 952 380 888 Hungary 952 308 393 Iceland 952 661 200 Ireland 952 475 108 Italy 952 306 150 Norway 952 667 955 Phillipines 952 222 757 Saudi Arabia 952 310 358 Sweden 952 604 383 USA 952 474 891 WEEKLY MARKETS CHURCHES Church of England / Episcopal St. Georges Malaga 952 219 396 San Miguel Nerja 952 521 339 Parish Church Competa 952 219 396 Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Carmen Almuñeca 952 521 339 Anglican Chaplaincy of St Andrew Los Boliches 952 580 600 San José Chapel Carmen Church, Benalmadena Costa. Norwegian Church at El Camponario, Calahonda. Iglesia Cristo, Coin. Cemetary Chapel, Alhaurin el Grande. Iglesia Paroquial Virgen del Rocio San Pedro. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Sotogrande. Torre Guadiaro 952 808 605 St Barnabus IERE (Anglican) 958 359 388 St Barnabus IERE (Anglican) 952 030 461 Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Gibraltar +350 200 78377 Muslim Mezquita del Rey Abdul Aziz 952 774 143 Mezquita del Centro Cultural Sohail, Fuengirola 952 473 916 Mezquita Calle San Augustin, Malaga 952 228 595 Roman Catholic Santo Cristo del Calvario, Marbella 952 774 899 Saint Joseph’s Chapel, Fuengirola 952 472 985 Lux Mundi, Fuengirola 952 474 840 Church of the Immaculate Conception Arroyo de la Miel Hermita de San Miguel, Calahonda St Andrew’s Chapel, Los Boliches Parish Church of Virgen del Carmen, Benalmadena Costa Lux Mundi Second Ecumenical Centre, Torre del Mar 952 543 334 Nuestra Señora de Europa, Chiclana (Cadiz) Methodist Methodist Church, Gibraltar +350 200 77491 / +350 200 40870 La Capilla de la Torre, Sotogrande, 956 795 062 La Capilla de la Torre, Torre Guadiaro, San Roque Jehovah’s Witnesses Edificio Apollo, Torremolinos 952 561 170 Kingdom Hall, Fuengirola 952 469 082 Calle José Palanca 20, Malaga. Fuente Nueva, San Pedro 952 818 595 Kingdom Hall, Torrox Costa 952 526 740 Calle Infantes, Torre del Mar. Calle Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente, Coin 952 499 239 Evangelical /Baptist/Pentecostal Elim Family Fellowship 952 486 820 / 951 912 525 Evangelical Church, Los Boliches 952 460 728 Evangelical Community Church, Torremolinos 952 384 706 Christ Ambassadors, Torremolinos 952 384 706 Fellowship of the King, Nerja 958 658 439 Community Bible Fellowship, Nerja 952 521 776 Presbyterian Hotel Torremar, Torre del Mar 952 532 825 Informal Community Church, Torrox Park, 952 532 825 Evangelical Christian Fellowship, Calahonda 952 930 275 Arroyo Baptist Church, Arroyo de la Miel 952 447 967 / 952 386 716 Baptist Church, Calahonda 952 834 213 Asambleas de Dios, La Linea. The International Christian Fellowship, Marbella 952 932 216 Christian Church, Christamar Centre, Puerto Banus 637 408 194 Words of Power Evangelical Church, Mijas 952 591 180 Fellowship of the King, Salobreña 958 658 439 Fellowship of the King, Almuñeca 958 658 439 Evangelical Reformed Church, Almuñeca 958 639 529 / 677 699 490 Fellowship of the King, La Viñuela 952 033 021 Brethren Assembly, Gibraltar. Plaza Ibensa 35 - 37, Benalmadena 952 486 820 Ark Christian Fellowship, Fuengirola 952 592 171 Faith Baptist Church, San Pedro 952 930 458 Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre, Fuengirola 951 260 982 / 654 328 016 Saint Andrews Church, Gibraltar +350 200 77040 Dutch Evangelical Skandinaviska Turistkyran, Fuengirola. Avenida Montemar 10a, Torremolinos. Church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints Calle Rueda 7, Los Boliches 952 469 392 / 607 521 032 Calle Jesus del Gran Poder, Motril 958 825 665 Calle Babell 1, Malaga. Calle Sevilla 43, Algeciras 956 630 894 Bahai Bahai Information Oﬃces: Marbella 952 902 121 Fuengirola 952 474 447 Malaga 952 214 057 Benalmadena 952 442 424 Alhaurin de la Torre 952 411 496 Rincon de la Victoria 952 402 870 Gibraltar +350 200 73287 Synagogues Beth Minzi, Torremolinos 952 052 550 Beth El, Marbella 952 859 395 Quakers Quakers (Society of Friends) Malaga [email protected] The Norwegian Seamans Church El Campanario, Calahonda 952 939 800 Conservatives Abroad 951 250 901 / 952 565 777 Costa Chordbusters 952 464 184 Cricket Club Costa del Sol 606 526 618 Cubs & Beavers 618 705 166 CUDECA 952 564 910 Diabetic Support Group - Alhaurin /Fuengirola/Puerto Banus 952 464 184 English Speaking Group Malaga 952 432 235 Estepona Floral Arts 952 880 935 FAMA Animal Charity 620 354 8850 Ferrari Owners Club 952 812 490 Friends of the Theatre (FOTA) 952 448 410 Fuengirola and District Society 952 476 385 Good Companions 952 494 730 Guides 667 433 581 Hash House Harriers 606 761 942 / 654 633 430 History Club Nerja 952 538 526 International Club of Estepona 952 802 549 International Labour Group 952 464 324 / 952 375 909 International Music Club 952 449 298 Irish Association of Spain 952 375 482 Irish Cultural Association 952 374 127 Jazz Appreciation Society, Benavista 952 888 106 / 669 504 942 Jazz Club 952 830 900 Amigos de Jazz 952 669 580 Lions Clubs: Benalmadena 627 440 361 Calahonda 952 934 791 / 647 379 652 La Cala de Mijas 952 473 238 Marbella 952 823 135 Marbella Francofono 952 815 444 TUESDAY: Antequerra, Fuengirola, Marbella at Puerto Banus WEDNESDAY: Alhaurin de la Torre, Estepona, Malaga next to Avenida Juan XXIII, La Cala, Rincón de la Victoria at Supersol. THURSDAY: Alhaurin el Grande, Malaga at Cruz de Humilladero, San Pedro Alcantara, Nerja, Torre de Mar, Torremolinos, Velez at El Pozancon. La Trocha (Coin) boot sale. FRIDAY: Almunecar, Benalmadena, Manilva, Rincón de la Victoria at La Cala del Moral. SATURDAY: Coin, Malaga at El Palo, Nueva Andalucia, La Cala II, Las Lagunas, Ojen, Velez at La Caleta de Velez. SUNDAY: Estacion de Cartama, Malaga at Matiricos, Rincón de la Victoria at Benalgalbon, Ronda. La Trocha (Coin) boot sale. Pizarra - boot sale. EMERGENCY NUMBERS CLUBS, SOCIETIES & CHARITIES ACE Animal Charity 610 752 350 ADANA 952 800 975 Age Care Calahonda 691 761 088 / 655 903 182 Age Concern Lifeline 650 163 928 Alcoholics Anonymous 600 379 110 Al-Anon 662 180 326 American Club Costa del Sol Estepona, Sotogrande 952 804 /693 Fuengirola, Mijas, Benalmadena 653 274 392 Malaga 952 400 006 Marbella 675 094 494 Arroyo Social and Welfare Club 952 051 610 Art of Living Club 646 379 944 Arte y Cultura Marbella 952 773 188 Asociacion Francofonos 952 815 444 Barbershop Harmony Group 952 473 051 Cubs and Beavers 952 568 552 Bridge Club - ACE 952 485 678 Bridge Club Atalaya 609 548 595 Bridge Club Calahonda 952 931 636 Bridge Club Casares 952 893 633 / 952 890 199 Bridge Club - Nerja 952 525 425 / 617 534 342 British Association of Marbella 951 275 049 / 952 828 533 British Society (Britsoc) 952 416 552 Brownies & Rainbows 667 433 581 CAS Animal Charity 952 523 607 CHAIN Animal Charity 672 399 323 Club Charity and Pleasure 696 241 678 Collegium Musicum 952 775 492 / 952 475 840 Computer Club St Andrews 637 091 130 MONDAY: Marbella at Las Albarizas, Alora, Torrox at El Llano, Torrox at Urb Costa del Oro Emergency Helpline in English Nerja 952 523 051 Puerto Banus 620 288 500 Los Claveles Charity 952 810 374 Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre Fuengirola 952 474 840 MABS Cancer Support Group 952 833 568 NADFAS Costa del Sol 952 382 713 De La Frontera 952 804 692 Nerja 958 640 176 Nederlandse Club 952 473 545 Out of Africa Association 952 668 081 / 952 440 312 PAD Animal Shelter 952 486 084 Photograpihic Society Costa del Sol 952 446 893 Positively Pink (Breast Cancer charity) 670 004 422 Recovery International (Mental Health) 952 593 455 Rotary Club Benahavis 670 604 392 Benalmadena 952 441 440 Estepona 952 800 999 Fuengirola/Mijas 648 292 146 Guadalmina 610 702 683 Marbella 952 821 121 San Pedro 951 318 381 Royal Air Force Association RAFA 952 119 708 / 952 484 117 Royal Antideluvian Order of Buﬀaloes 952 563 950 / 951 313 970 Royal British Legion: Alcaucin 696 391 224 Alhaurin de la Torre 952 595 412 Alhaurin el Grande 952 499 238 / 655 316 160 Benajarafe 952 514 226 Benalmadena 952 447 655 Coin 637 474 753 /663 157 776 Colmenar 951 163 071 Estepona 671 846 204 Fuengirola 952 468 106 La Viñuela 618 293 749 Marbella 952 774 572 Mijas Costa 615 758 959 Mollina 654 472 922 Nerja 952 526 423 Torre del Mar 628 343 198 Torremolinos 952 370 907 Trapiche 951 239 366 Royal Naval Club 677 311 902 Scouts 606 305 664 SEPE Horse and Donkey Charity 610 775 413 SOL Classic Car Club 951 244 149 SOS Animals 626 351 881 Soroptimist International 653 771 625 Table Tennis Club International 952 373 813 The International Music Society (TIMS) 952 486 947 THESPA (The English Speaking Players Association) 952 472 985 Toastmasters Club 646 533 112 Torremolinos and District Social Club 952 386 172 Triple “S” 952 417 452 U3A Fuengirola 952 494 172 U3A Marbella 622 670 158 U3A Marbella - Inland 952 112 847 41 and Tangent Club 639 542 387 (East of Malaga 951 160 509 Zoological Society 952 711 377 902 102 112 Emergency Operator 112 Ambulance 061 Fire Brigade 080 National Police 091 Local Police 092 Sea Rescue 900 202 202 HOSPITALS Carlos Haya 951 290 000 Materno Infantil 951 290 00 University Hospital 951 032 000 Costa del Sol Hospital 951 976 670 CINEMAS Malaga - Plaza Mayor: 902 902 103 Fuengirola - Parque Miramar: 952 198 600 Marbella - Gran Marbella: 952 810 077 Velez Malaga - C.C. El Ingenio: 902 221 622 NOTICE IF YOU BELONG TO A CLUB OR SOCIETY THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THIS PAGE PLEASE CALL 952 454 491 or email [email protected] WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World Sports Sports Flash the Sports & Motors n 29 Lee Westwood jet is forced to land World number two Lee Westwood's private jet made an emergency landing as he flew to the Masters at Augusta after a fire broke out in the cockpit. Westwood, who was travelling from the Houston Open with Ryder Cup team-mate Ross Fisher, said it was "a bit scary". "It never looks good when you can smell smoke and the pilots have put masks on," added the 2010 Masters runner-up. Seve Ballesteros Foundation Challenge Campo America at La Cala Resort, the biggest golf complex in Spain, will be one of the courses to host the Seve Ballesteros Foundation Challenge on Saturday, coinciding with the golfer’s birthday. It is hoped that more than 12,000 fans will take part in this charity tournament which aims to raise funds for the Seve Ballesteros Foundation, a private institution which helps with research into brain tumours. The foundation, created in June 2009, will use the money raised in this tournament to launch the FSB-CNIO laboratory, a lab which will undertake research into brain tumours, a type of cancer which affects men and women almost equally, with children under 10 years and adults over 50 years being the most at risk groups (the average age is 56). In the Seve Ballesteros participants, Foundation. Foundation Challenge, 150 different golf clubs from all over Spain will participate, with each golf club donating a portion of the green fee paid by the to the The format will be medal play (hcap) with maximum double par, a popular format as it allows the player to pick up the ball during the strokeplay competition without penalty. There will be trophies for the best two results in each of the six categories, (hcps 0-5.4, 5.5-10.4, 10.5-15.4, 15.5-20.4, 20.5-25.4 and 25.5-36.4) and a further prize for the best overall scratch result of the day. Men and ladies will participate in the same categories. Furthermore, exclusively to La Cala Resort, the best result of a Spanish nationality participant in each of the six categories will qualify for a place in the national final of the World Golfers’ Championship which will take place at La Cala Resort during the last week of August. The resort is ideally located in the heart of the Costa del Sol between Marbella and Mijas and only 30 minutes from Málaga International Airport. The entry fee will be €50 per person, which includes the green fee, shared buggy and a donation of €20 to the Foundation. Anyone unable to take part in the event who would still like to make a contribution may do so directly to the bank account of the Foundation, account number 0182 7378 13 0201526339. Southern Spanish Cricket League Cartama Oval Here on the Costa del Sol we are not accustomed to the weather playing a significant part in the outcome of a cricket match. Malaga CC v Combined Colleges CC Saturday, April 3rd. Combined Colleges CC by 5 wickets. Malaga CC won the toss and elected to bat.Malaga CC 163 All Out, 4 points. Combined Colleges 164 5, 19 points. Malaga rocking. 50 for 1 off ten overs suddenly became 54 for 4 off twelve overs. Atif Rashid and Waqas Ali brought a bit of stability, taking the score on before Waqas hit a cracking square cut with laser guided precision to Previn Menon at point. This match was an exception, with Malaga CC unfortunate to be left holding the dirty end of the stick as the rain fell in the middle of the afternoon. The later order Malaga batsmen struggled to get Combined Colleges away but dug in to reach 154 off thirty overs before the last three wickets fell in twelve deliveries to leave Malaga 163 all out. Unusually Asif Tarrer opened for Malaga and batted sensibly against the pace of Brian Barrett and the nagging accuracy of Anwar ul Arifeen until in the fifth over he gloved a ball from Brian Barrett to the keeper. Well done Asif for turning and walking off without hesitation, knowing he was out. Azhar Hassan and Zaman Khan pushed the score on to 50 in just thirty one deliveries before a rash of three wickets in ten balls left Malaga made a good start with the ball and were encouraged to see Combined Colleges 38 for 2 off seven overs when Atif Rashid found himself under a tremendous skier coming down with the proverbial snow on it and took the catch as nonchalantly as you like. Combined Colleges were scoring a bit faster than Malaga had done but were by no means racing away with the game. 84 for 3 off thirteen overs became 94 for 4 off 14 when Shoab Hussain sent the ball screaming away like an exocet missile for a flat six over mid off, or would have done if that man Atif Rashid hadn’t been lurking nearby to take a very impressive catch just as nonchalantly as his previous one. After this life became difficult for Malaga. Light rain made the ball difficult to control. Previn Menon and Brian Barrett kept the scoreboard turning over faster than Malaga would have liked. After a break for rain Previn edged Asif Tarrer to Zaman Khan behind the stumps before in increasingly heavy rain the Combined Colleges sixth wicket pair knocked off the required runs for victory. It was hard on Malaga. With a dry ball, maybe their best bowlers could have seen off a few more wickets and perhaps even have won the match. As it was, if the teams had left the field Combined Colleges superior run rate would have given them the points. By staying on the worsening conditions were entirely in favour of the batting side. A lose/lose situation for Malaga and not at all a satisfactory way to decide the first league match of the year. This match saw some good work in the field with eleven of the fifteen wickets going to catches, several of which were difficult and none were particularly easy. It might have been more if horribly difficult chances to a sliding Mark Ward and a diving Asif Tarrer had stuck. Man of the Match was Brian Barrett for his 38 not out, 3 wickets for 20 and his catch off a skier to slip. Report By Ray Fry cricket open day a huge success On the eve of the first of this year’s local cricket league matches, in the shadow of Sri Lanka racking up 274 runs against India in the ICC World Cup Final, so the nucleus of a new local team gathered at the New Cartama Oval. These were cricketers between clubs or, more accurately, a delicate blend of youth and maturity or at least not having played cricket for a number of years but with a mutual interest in starting up a new local club. Now I’m no expert on describing degrees of rustiness but I can say this day saw probably the whole range from Tom’s youthful springiness through Peter’s sprightly 50 something litheness to Ray’s near pension age seized-up-solid. (Well, he will be come Monday anyway!). Everybody was given a chance to show their ability with bat, ball and in fielding as they batted in pairs for ten overs per pair. And ability was there for all to see. It was clear that there were half a dozen who, with a bit of practice, will form the heart of a batting line up and four whose bowling will be up to the mark. All who were present enjoyed their outing on the field and were full of positive thoughts for the future. More players are needed in order to support a regular fixture list. Why not come and join us? All are welcome. Tentative arrangements are in place for a match to be played in the Semana Santa Sunday(April 24th), opposition to be confirmed but likely to be Seville. Next Saturday and Sunday we have more cricket. Combined Colleges play UK touring team Totteridge Millhillians on the Saturday, and on Sunday a Costa del Sol Eleven takes on the Tourists. Spectators very welcome. If you can help in any way as players, sponsors, or coaches please contact Tim Meal on 662 233 302 or email [email protected]. Report by Ray Fry WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 30 n Sports & Motors Motors Flash Motors Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Now you can buy your car from Tesco Tesco has announced the launch of Tesco Cars, a brand new online service giving customers direct access to thousands of great value, well maintained, independently checked used cars, without the hassle, stress or sales pressure typically associated with the industry. For buyer peace of mind, each vehicle must meet the Tesco Cars Standard. This means it must pass a 167-point independent RAC PLUS inspection (including a ramp inspection and road test), and have a clear HPI history check. Stoner throws a wheely wet wobbly Casey Stoner was prepared to accept that Valentino Rossi made a racing mistake at Jerez on Sunday - when the Italian crashed while trying to overtake the Australian, bringing them both down - but felt the reaction of the marshals was out of order. Rain fell intermittently on Sunday at Jerez, and got heavier for the main eventMotoGP, which was the first wet premier-class race since Sepang, Malaysia, in 2009. And the rain certainly made it a race to remember or forget if you were one of the many unlucky riders who was then forced to retire, which cost him the world championship lead. "I heard Valentino arriving and I wasn't worried about anyone passing me at that point in the race so I gave him plenty of room,” said Stoner. Rossi brings down Stoner after carrying too much speed into the corner slid off the track. While Rossi was able to rejoin and ultimately finish fifth, Stoner, second behind Marco Simoncelli at the time of the accident, felt he didn't get enough assistance from the marshals to try and bumpstart his factory Honda Stoner had stopped the engine when he fell to avoid damage. The Australian, winner from pole at round one in Qatar and also on pole at Jerez, "It was a racing incident and there's not much we can do, what is more frustrating is the reaction of the stewards and their assistance for Valentino and not for me, it was unbelievable." The Rossi/Stoner Classics head for the hills SOL Classic Car Club members took to the road again last Saturday to enjoy the spring weather, meeting down on the coast at Benavista where “Horace” the vintage 1925 Morris Cowley joined the younger models to see them off (he then returned to his garage since the route would have been rather too much for his advanced years!). The day had been organised by events co-ordinator John Blackburn and his wife Chrissie, who had planned a series of visits to places of interest inland with plenty of time of photo stops. First on the itinerary was Casares, perched on its commanding hill and approached by a steep but picturesque road climbing through hills covered in vivid yellow gorse bushes contrasting with the green grass brought out by recent rains. A car park thronged with classic cars proved a diversion for the buses that officially stopped there! Then it was back down to the coast and up to Benhavis along another photogenic route which ended in a coffee stop below the village. Here drivers and passengers mingled with local families in the sunshine in the park and the kiosk owner did a roaring trade in drinks and hot-dogs. From Benhavis the organisers led the cars through a fascinating mixture of top-class golf courses and exclusive urbanisations – stopping en route to gaze at the sheer size and luxury of some of Marbella's richest mansions in an area normally bypassed on the busy coast road. The tour of “how the other half lives” eventually joined the road up to the final destination, Istan. By this time the sun was stronger and the sky had cleared completely, making the drive up into the hills quite magical. Mimosa cascaded from the trees in swathes of yellow flowers and the views got better and better as the huge Concepcion reservoir emerged on the right hand side, full to bursting this year following the heavy rains. Lunch was enjoyed at the rustic hotel Los Jarales on the extensive terrace overlooking the lake. Dining al fresco in March is just one of the reasons Club members enjoy living and driving in Andalucia. If you are a classic car enthusiast visit the website www.solclassiccarclub.net for details of their activities including the next event, a charity run on April 16th organised by Bob Livermore in aid of Help for Heroes. Report by: Jean Joss leO’S AUTOS enGlISH MeCHAnICS WOrkSHOp & MOBIle prompt reliable Service City & Guilds Qualified Open MOndAy TO FrIdAy 10 - 7pM nO SIeSTA Beat the Credit CrunCh Optimise your car to save you money itVs €85 repAIrS TO All MAkeS ITvS - OIl CHAnGeS ClUTCHeS - ServICInG TyreS - eXHAUSTS BATTerIeS - BrAkeS 952 917 353 687 727 460 - 687 727 516 at the end of the Coin road MIJAS COSTA collision left Simoncelli, without even a MotoGP podium to his credit, holding a two-second lead - but the Italian threw it all away when he lost the front, then the rear, and highsided out at turn one on lap 12. That handed Lorenzo a lead he held to the flag, but not before successfully responding to pressure from countryman Dani Pedrosa, who closed almost to within striking distance of the Yamaha rider before losing pace. Toyota Prius joins airport taxi fleet Leading airport taxi service Checker Cars has taken delivery of the first of an order for 80 Toyota Prius cars. The five full hybrid hatchbacks arrived at the company’s Stansted, Essex office, in March to take their place in an existing fleet of 80 MPVs, and will be followed by 10 more at Stansted over the next two months. Checker Cars employs 1000 drivers and is the official taxi operator not only at London Stansted but at Gatwick, Bristol, Cardiff and Southampton international airports. The company also services London Heathrow from an off-airport office. Checker Cars’ Managing Director David Crouch said: “We’re initially using them at Stansted but we will then involve our other airports. AUTOSALON COIN www.autosaloncoin.com Jorge Lorenzo has taken his first MotoGP victory as reigning world champion after an accident-packed Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez in round two of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship and the first European race of the year. Luxury Limo’s available for hire with driver. 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C/ Acero, 6. 29100Coin (Malaga) WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the President’s 4s at e winter League Final 2011 Lauro Bowls Club The final of the Philip Parnell League Trophy competition was held at Mijas Alan Bicknell from Lauro Bowls club welcomed the 4 teams to the semi finals and finals of the President’s 4s. the first half of the game but Alan Turner, Murray Johns, Andy Salmon and skip Craig Lewis showed their superiority and The two teams, the winners on the left, and the oﬃcials Umpire of the day Susan Walker and Alan did the draw. Sue Gerrard, Eleanor Morgan, John Morgan and skip Mike Glitheroe struggled to gain shots against Dina Warn, Tony Land, John Warn and skip Barbara Land. Barbara's team easily won their place to the final. Garry Aldridge skippered Jenny Aldridge, Gill Goodwin and Marjorie Johns who played well and held their opposition for drawing skills to give them the victory. The final was intense with the heads changing on a regular basis but Craig's team surged ahead to win and retain the trophy. Alan Bicknell presented the trophy to Craig's team and thanked Susan for umpiring and the spectators for their support. Report by: Sue Walker Axarquia Rugby Club calendar of forthcoming events Axarquia Rugby club have just announced their itinerary for their Colt s team for April and May until the end of the season. They would like to invite everyone to come and support them in their efforts particularly the home tournaments that are planned. Saturday April 2nd – Colts Quadrangular Tournament in Seville against 3 teams from Seville Saturday and Sunday April 9th and 10th – International 7s tournament in Gibraltar Saturday April 16th – Quadrangular Tournament at the Fernando Hierro Stadium in Velez-Malaga against La Salle Palmerston (touring team from Ireland), Malaga and Jaen. Sunday April 31st – University of Granada away bowls club recently in glorious sunshine. This year the two teams that reached the final were Lauro and Benalmadena bowls clubs. And both teams were cheered on by their supporters in a hotly contested final. For Lauro there was Reg Tasker, Tony Barnes and Barry Holt, Claire Dye, Margaret Bignal and Frank Ball, Angie Holt, Margaret Triston and Derrick Rawlings, David Owen-Scot, Ken Talbot and Norman Holmes. From Benalmadena were Richard Jones, Jim Nealson and John Sullivan, Mary Deathridge, Mike Stapleton and Lennie Dineen, Alan Plimmer, Geoff Edgerton and Mike Deathridge, Bill Gregory, Mercedes Nealson and Tony Froud, Norma Ewan, Amber Dineen and Kate Morris. After some good bowling, Lauro scored 92 and Benalmadena 125. The The losing finalists For more information on joining Axarquia Rugby Club, please ring Michael on 669 899 064 or 952 514 898. Training for Axarquia Rugby Club is held at the Fernando Hierro Stadium in Velez-Malaga every Tuesday and Thursday from 19.00 for the Juniors and 20.30 for the seniors and all age groups are welcome. prizes were presented by David Parnell from the sports shop. The team captains Ray Nelson from Lauro and Lennie Dineen from Benalmadena thanked all the people who helped make it a special day. The next event at Mijas The winning Benalmadena team Malaga back in the old routine Levante 3-1 Malaga Following a storming performance before the International break against Espanyol, Malaga travelled to Levante with high hopes. Malaga almost had a dream start to the game in the 2nd minute, when Rondon got his head on a cross but couldn't find the back of the net. After that though, things went downhill rapidly. Stuani was put through in the 6th minute and with Malaga's defence statuesque and claiming offside he slotted home past Cabellero to make it 1-0. On 9 minutes Levante doubled their lead after some comical defending from Malaga. Cabellero had thrown the ball out to Eliseu who wasn't prepared and lost possession and Ruben finished from a possession and on the 61st minute a Gamez charge upfield set up Seba who gave Malaga hope, finishing well from inside the box. Hope was shortlived when on 69 minutes Stuani claimed his second goal of the game after another defensive mixup, What does Pellegrini do next cross heading home. Malaga went on to have the majority of the possession but really couldn't find their way through Levante's solid defence. Malaga came out for the second half and kept good Saturday May 7th – 5th annual quadrangular tournament of the Axarquia – day of rugby featuring the Colts, Senior Men s and Senior Women s teams. Groups as below SENIOR MENS GROUP C.R. Jaén C.R. Córdoba C.R. El Ejido C.R. Axarquia SENIOR FEMALE GROUP C.R. Málaga C.R. Córdoba C.R. Jaén COLTS C.R. Córdoba C.R. Jaén C.R. Axarquía Saturday May 14th, C.R. Axarquía - C.R. La Estación Saturday May 21st Jaen away. Lennie with the trophy bowls club will be the Easter Bonnet fun day on Easter Sunday, so if you feel like showing off your best hat do come along and have some fun. Contact the club on 952 466 038 in open hours. 1.30 to 5.30 Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday 10am to 1.30. finishing from close range. This defeat keeps Malaga in the bottom three and a win on Sunday against Deportivo La Coruna is essential. Report by: Scott Forbes Suppliers of trophies for all sports and pastimes andalucia The Sunshine Golf Calahonda District Darts League Tel:952493709 www.sunshine-golf.com The Sunshine Golf Calahonda District Darts League Results for Friday 1st April 2011 Division 1 Bunkers 7 - 5 Pickled Newt A Dempseys 8 - 4 Welcome Inn. Fools - Henrys A (unknown) Rays A - Sussex (pp) Division 2 C.Bella 10 - 2 Fools Fillies Orquidea 6 - 6 Connect It Pickled Newt B 4 - 8 Rays B Division 3 Henrys B 3 - 9 Oscars. Our annual presentation night is on Friday 29th April at "Shooters Bar", next to Aztec Club, Riviera. All Sunshine Golf Darts League info is available on www.calahondadistrictdarts.com COIN THE TOP INLAND ENTERTAINMENTS VENUE Sunshine Golf, the Costa Del Sol’s one stop golf shop “All we slice is the price” LAURO 27 GOLF 5 YEAR RENEWABLE LEASE TO INCLUDE ALL FIXTURES, FITTINGS AND STOCK. DETAILS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL DUNCAN ON 654 396 651 NEW RATES 2011 1 year unlimited golf: 1.750€ (couple: 3.000€) MARCH OFFER: 2 green fees + buggy: 125€ www.laurogolf.com Tel: 952 41 27 67 Fax: 952 41 47 57 email:[email protected] Front-line golf properties for sale Membership and golf included Call 952 41 27 67 for a private viewing LAURO LIVING Sports flash Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in Jackson scores with the Cottage crowd A statue of Michael Jackson was unveiled at Fulham’s Craven Cottage ground last Sunday. It cost £100,000, was originally planned to have pride of place in Harrods, but Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed decided to erect it at the ground after he sold Harrods last year. Some fans were upset and reckoned that a more fitting statue to join legend Johnny Haynes would have been Bobby Moore. Others reckon they don’t care as long as the owner keeps investing in Fulham - who beat Blackpool 3 - 0. Lefty warms up for the Masters with win Phil Mickelson outplayed Scott Verplank on Sunday to win the Houston Open in Humble, Texas, his first victory since last year’s Masters. The win moved Mickelson to No. 3 in the world ranking, and Tiger Woods, who did not play in the tournament, dropped to No. 7. It is the first time Mickelson has been ahead of Woods in the rankings since the week before Woods won the 1997 Masters. Mickelson shot a seven-under-par 65 in the final round to finish at 20under 268, three strokes ahead of Verplank (68) and Chris Kirk (67). Mickelson is hoping he can repeat some history at the Masters this week. He is the last player to win the oncologist at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, has treated Mickelson’s wife and mother, Amy and Mary, for breast cancer since 2009. Buchholz and about 30 members of his staff were in the gallery all weekend, and Mickelson gave Buchholz the flag from the 18th hole after his round. Champion’s Tour week before a Masters victory, capturing the BellSouth Classic in 2006 before earning his second green jacket. The Houston FRANK ELEC TRICS 669 009 821 [email protected] www.frank-multiservices.com Certified projects, boletins, emergency repairs, light and socket fittings, increasing circuits or complete circuit installations. ICP fro m €4 0 C e r t i fi c a t e s f r o m € 8 0 Open became the run-up event to Augusta in 2007. The victory had an emotional tug for Mickelson. Dr. Tom Buchholz, a radiation top quality installations from €595 Coin meters to control electric consumption €300 no obligation quotations and advice - all makes Contact lynne or alison in the airflow offices tel: 952 443 222 [email protected] your Tom Lehman pulled away for his second Champions Tour victory of the season with a final-round 69 at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic in Saucier, Miss. He won by four shots at 16- QUALITY GOLF At Reduced Green Fees Available NOW at Lauro golf Reduced green fees 5 & 7 day unlimited golf, Golf breaks in luxury accommodation on the golf course... under. Hale Irwin tied for seventh, his 200th top-10 finish on the Champions Tour. European Tour England’s David Horsey recorded his second European Tour win with victory in a three-way playoff in the Trophee Hassan at the Royal course in Morocco. The 25-year-old, who last year won the BMW International Open in Munich, had a hole-in-one at the second hole but double bogeyed the final hole for a 69. Sporting SPOTLIGHT fOOTball Cup tickets stolen Hundreds of tickets for the FA Cup semi-final tie between Manchester City and Manchester United have been stolen from a Royal Mail van. Two special delivery bags, containing about 900 tickets, were taken from the van near the City of Manchester stadium on Friday evening, police said.They had been collected from Eastlands for delivery to City fans before the game at Wembley on April 16th. fOOTball Sky Sports and Football League agree £195m deal The Football League has signed a three-year deal with Sky Sports, giving the broadcaster exclusive rights to show live matches from the 2012-13 season. The deal, worth £195m, marks a drop from the current £264m agreement with Sky and the BBC. The BBC said that it had been unable to make a competitive bid for live broadcast rights. plus many more options available Call 661 114 070 for more details DEAD FLOOR? 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Siemens kitchen Modern kitchen with granite worktop, “Siemens” fitted kitchen – electric oven 4 hobs, American fridge, Washing machine. La Duquesa sports harbour The sportsharbour has several restaurants and bars open all year. It is a lovely holiday area with wide sandy beaches. There are plenty of charming places to enjoy lunch! sale ain s s Sp tre Dis nts in tme r a p Map of Duquesa Located close to the beach 5-8 mins walk and near the town Duquesa, these apartments have excellent road access and travel from either Malaga Airport or Gibraltar (Monarch and British Airways) Tel. 951 100 210	Baseball
Which jockey won the 1981 UK Grand National on Aldaniti?	The News Newspaper - Issue 118 by The News Newspaper - issuu VICTORIA CAR HIRE UK UK Self Drive £105 per week Fully inclusive No hidden extras Delivery & Collection Gatwick Airport only Tel: 0044 1293 432155 Fax: 0044 1293 402600 issue 118 Wednesday, april 6th 2011 Dole figure continues to rise p3 A new record set as 4.33 million claim unemployment benefit and 20.5 per cent of population are out of work Politics - National News PM to make way for new leader The race is now on to find a successor to Prime Minister Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero after he announced he will not seek a third term in oﬃce. Intense speculation had surrounded Sr Zapatero's future and his decision to step down, revealed at last Saturday's Socialist Party's Federal Committee, was widely expected. Sr Zapatero, whose popularity has plunged to an all-time low, said it was the right decision for the country, the Socialist Party and his family. 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For a good free quote in English ring 637 179 373 or in Spanish 673 250 707 James Ridgley 951 242 873 637 179 373 [email protected] WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 WORLD Splodge! By Kym Wickham [email protected] I haven't managed to get much cooking done recently but I decided I really must do something with all the lemons hanging oﬀ the tree before they start to spoil. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do so, in my normal fashion, shoved a few bits in a bowl then cooked it. The result is a cross between a sponge and a souﬄé and is lovely hot but equally nice cold. A couple of the people in the oﬃce had a sample and declared it “Really nice. You can make more of that!” I hadn't a clue what to call it so you will find a recipe for “Kym's Lemon Splodge” on the Kym's Kitchen page next week to give it a go yourselves. Let me know what you think by emailing me at k.wickham@thenewsonl ine.es Men dressed as policemen have been stopping motorists and demanding on the spot fines for alleged speeding oﬀences etc. Authorities found €18,000 worth of cash in various currencies and “police” clothing in Madrid but the gang has been operating in several countries and places within those countries such as the Costa del Sol, Barcelona etc. As a matter of course, Spanish police will not give you an onthe-spot fine. They will always give you a ticket that you will then have to pay. Last but not least all of us at the news, his family and friends would like to wish veteran musician and singer Sid Wright a ver happy 90th birthday for Monday April 11th. Sid has played with the best there is and still continues to entertain us on the Costa. Well done! ExhIbITIon on American ballet eatre’s AbT II The renowned American Ballet Theatre’s “dancers in training” aged between 16 and 19-years-old come from their HQ at the Metropolitain Opera NYC to perform Teatro Cervantes, Malaga Thursday April 7th Box Oﬃce 902 360 295 rough e Eyes of Two Women II Exhibition A second photographic exhibition by Ann Read and Bev Sheehan Coin Convento Open until April 27th Distracted drivers targeted Distracted drivers were involved in 39 per cent of highway accidents last year in which 684 people died and 288 were injured. To make people aware of the dangers of talking on mobile phones, consulting a GPS, loading a CD or lighting a cigarette, the Until June 12th CAC Malaga Last minute NEWS Ivory Coast conflict Traffic Authority has launched the first in a series of campaigns, until April 10th, when the Traffic Guardia will be on a special look-out for such distractions. Studies have shown that when people use their mobile phone, including the hands-free The Ivory Coast’s incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo, was last night (Tue) taking refuge in a reinforced bunker and reported to be negotiating his surrender as conflict raged in the Ivory Coast and a million people were displaced by the violence. UN and French forces had attacked the main city of Abidjan operating under a mandate to protect innocent civilians. Fighters have been backing the internationally recognised president Alassane Ouatarra, who was declared the winner of last November’s elections, but was unable to assume oﬃce because losing president Gbagbo refused to yield power. Ouaterra’s supporters had seized the presidential palace, forcing Gbagbo to seek refuge. President Barack Obama backed the UN and French action and said that the US was joined with the international community in its deep concern about reports of massacres in the western region of the country. Both sides have denied responsibility for a massacre at the weekend in the western town of Onekoue, where the Red Cross said 800 bodies had been found. Reports said that the killings had been carried out by local hunters loyal to Ouattera and the international community has warned that this will taint the new president if true. Britain has sent aid to support the many thousands without food and shelter. variety, they fail to keep their speed constant, get too close to the vehicle in front and need more time to react to danger. Last year, 136,123 drivers were fined for using their mobile phones while driving, three per cent less than in 2009. Pop growth at a standstill The population rose by 0.3 percent last year, to stand at 47.1 million, according to National Institute of Statistics figures published last week. The number of foreign residents registered at town halls dropped by 17,067 to 5.7 million – 12.2 www.thenewsonline.es First exhibition in Spain of work by Swiss artist Sylvie Fleury, who takes an ironic look at consumerism ART WHAT’S Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in per cent of the total population – half of whom are EU citizens. Rumanians comprise the largest foreign community group, 864,278, followed by the Moroccans, 769,920. Women make up 50.7 per cent of the total and people under 45 years of age 42.5 per cent. Andalucia, Catalonia and Madrid had the biggest populations while CastillaLeon, Galicia and Asturias have the smallest as an increasing number of people move away to seek work. Continued from FRONT PAGE PM won't seek third term Sr Zapatero said he was making his position clear now to end the uncertainty and speculation over his future, which was distracting the government from its main tasks of lifting Spain out of recession and creating jobs. Sr Zapatero also said he would stand down as party leader when a successor had been chosen. That process - through a series of primaries - will begin after local elections on May 22nd. He asked possible contenders to keep a “law of silence” until after that date because the party now had to concentrate on recovering its voting base. Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, the popular deputy prime minister and interior minister, and Carme Chacon, defence minister, WEATHER WEATHER – who engineered Sr Zapatero to power at the party's annual congress in 2000, something observers feel voters may be a little unforgiving about next March. Another serious contender is current speaker and former defence minister José Bono who, like Sr Rubalcaba belongs to the “old guard” who were in Felipe Gonzalez's governments from 1982 to 1996. WEEKLY WEAThER FoRECAST FoR CoSTA DEL SoL MALAGA TODAY seem to be leading the field. But Sr Rubalcaba will be 60 next year, nearly 20 years older than the average age of all Spain's PMs since the death of Franco. Sra Chacon will be 40, but she has little highlevel government experience. Another handicap is that she also belongs to the so-called “New Age” group of Socialists – often compared to Tony Blair's New Labour However, only Sra Chacon has so far expressed interest in running in a primary. Sr Zapatero became Prime Minister in 2004 in the wake of the Madrid train bombings. The country's economy was booming then. It has since suffered a deep recession, and unemployment is at 20%, the highest in the eurozone. ANdALUCIA TOdAY news Your outlook on the World the National News 'González behind dirty war on ETA' Former policeman José Amedo on Monday claimed once again that former Socialist Prime Minister Felipe González was the man behind the covert counter-insurgency group known as GAL, which was set up in the 1980s to fight against the Basque terrorist group ETA. He was testifying at the first day of the trial of former Bilbao police superintendent Miguel Planchuelo, charged with ordering mercenaries hired by the GAL to machine-gun two bars in the south of France in 1986, injuring six people. Amedo told the High Court that a police commander "would never have ordered criminal attacks." In an interview in EL PAÍS in November of last year, González, who was PM from 1982 to 1996, wondered if he had been foolish not to take advantage of the chance to give the order to kill the entire ETA leadership. The Partido Popular claimed at the time that he had identified himself as the "Mr X of GAL" who reporters have been trying to uncover for years. Planchuelo, who was sentenced to nine-and-ahalf years in jail in 1998 for his part in the kidnapping by GAL of Basque businessmen Segundo Marey, who had been mistaken for a member of ETA, denied on Monday he had paid to hire Portuguese hitmen to carry out the attacks in the Batxoki and La Consolation bars in 1986 in the French Basque Country. He said he found out about the attacks from the media. ON THIS DATE IN 1896 American James Connelly won the 1st Gold as 1st modern Olympics opened in Athens Dead Jobless hit record woman on webcam high The number of people claiming dole rose for the eighth consecutive month in March to 34,406 people, setting the new record of 4.33 million. The country's total unemployment rate, which is released separately every three months and includes people not claiming benefits, stood at 4.7 million in February - 20.5% of the population, and more than twice the EU average. Youth unemployment rose to the critical level of 45.3 per cent in March. The government has introduced tough austerity measures to reduce its debts, but does not expect the economy to start creating jobs until the end of the year at the earliest. The National Police have arrested a man in Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid) who strangled his pregnant wife and showed her body to his father in Rumania using a webcam. The man told his father that as soon as his 13-year-old sister-in-law returned home, he was going to kill her too. The father immediately reported the matter to the Rumanian police who contacted their counterparts in Madrid. GREETINGS CARDS, HELIUM BALLOONS, PARTY DECORATIONS the party people!! sT gEOrgE’s day aPril 23rd - EasTEr suNday 24Th aPril 29Th rOyal WEddiNg BuNTiNg ETC Cards aNd giFTs NOW iN sTOCk Royal Mail Post service now available Upstairs Opp. Dunnes Stores. Las Rampas Fuengirola. 696 818 595 EURoPE’s BEsT aiRCoNDiTioNERs ews n THENEWS the MEDIA MEDIA GROUP GROUP aT sPaiN’s LoWEsT PRiCEs! ThE NEWs MEdia grOuP The Coin News Group S.L. Luxury, whisper quiet aircons that never need servicing and at guaranteed low prices! C/ Vicario nº34-36, 2nd Floor - Oﬃce C 29100 Coin (Malaga) FUJIMA MFX Tel: (0034) 952 45 44 91 Fax: (0034) 952 45 44 41 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.thenewsonline.es Executive Editor: Kym Wickham design and layout: Damian Merino advertising manager: Geoﬀ Heading advertising sales: Susan Kerrigan Charlotte Fleming accounts: COHESA Contributors / Colaboradores: Martin Delfín - Cathy Stronach Pete Woodall - Andrea Maclean Mike Kerrigan - Muriel Pilkington Ricky Leach - Amy Thomas Valerie Mitchell The News is a free and independent newspaper distributed weekly and edited by The Coin News Group S.L. The News is independent of political parties, private interests and/or government. Our policy is to provide readers with a news and information service that is fair, accurate and balanced. The Coin News Group S.L. accepts no responsibility for the claims or content of any letter, editorial, article, advertorial or advertisement. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. The News Media Group Deposito Legal: GR 2794-2008 “mf” moDELs aRE maiNTENaNCE fREE WE DO NOT EMPLOY SALESMEN BUT BIG JOHN WILL CALL TO MEASURE UP AND SHOW YOU THE AIRCONS. HE WILL ONLY TAKE UP 15 MINS OF YOUR TIME. OUR FITTERS ARE ENGLISH AND WILL MAKE A NEAT AND TIDY JOB IN ABOUT 2½ HOURS. PHONE JOHN NOW D.i.Y moDEL mf 7000 - € 335 9000 - € 365 12000 - € 4 0 5 INCLUDES BRACKETS, TUBES & ENGLISH INSTRUCTIONS. READY GASSED NO VACUUM PUMP NEEDED - EASY PEASY! 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FACT: No other air conditioner has all these features! lOW PriCE guaraNTEE: if you ﬁnd any other company selling a similar product cheaper (it must be the same B.T.u. output and no maintenance) we will match the price on the spot and give you €50 Going strong since 1973 st akfa Bre d from e serv 8am y dail Bistro Mik And e & wel rea co you me ! Due to popular demand. We are now open for Sunday Lunch from 1pm - 9.30pm Wednesday is Rib Night - Ribs, or Chicken ‘n Ribs Combo with Chips, Baked Beans & Cornbread Friday Fish Fry - buy 1 & get the 2nd half price We are now open from 8am ‘til midnight, 7 days a week. Breakfast available from 8am. Food served all day Information & Reservations Tel: 952 112 123 2 minutes from La Trocha towards Cartama at Km 9 www.lesliesbistro.com WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in e king as drinking partner Royal visit a huge success Last week's visit to Spain by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall was judged by many to be a popular and successful occasion. During the three day whirlwind tour they managed between them to meet large numbers of British expatriates whilst attending a garden reception at the official home of the British Ambassador Giles Paxman, enjoy a musical concert and reception hosted by the British Hispanic Foundation (Elgar, Beethoven and Turina), meet with leading figures of both business and industry to promote ongoing Anglo Spanish relationships, call in at Repsol's technology centre where they discussed algae cultivation systems and biofuels and visit the new Airbus A400M military transporter aircraft facility in Seville. They also found time to pop into the 2000 strong British Council School in Madrid, have a family lunch with the King and Queen of Spain and meet the Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Rodrigo Zapatero, visit a training centre for guide dogs for the blind, receive the Keys to the City of Madrid from Mayor Alberto RuizGallardón Jiménez who then accompanied them to the Goya Salon in the City Hall, where they were invited to sign the Book of Honour. Prince Charles also took part in a seminar organised by the Three Cultures www.thenewsonline.es Foundation, designed to “unlock the Muslim potential”, the Foundation comes under the Andalucian government, its main objective being to unite Christian, Jewish and Muslim cultures in the region; they also met with the President of Andalucia and made a visit to a Flamenco Museum in Seville. Prince Charles, who is greatly concerned with environmental issues, managed to broach the subject on several occasions, especially with the Mayor of Seville Alfredo Sánchez Monteseirín, himself an innovator of similar green initiatives, then taking the opportunity to enjoy a tram ride, much to the surprise of the tourists they encountered along the way. At the official dinner The Prince of Asturias mentioned in his speech a previous visit to Spain by a former Prince of Wales, the “Black Prince”, in the 14th century, more well known for his war like ways and his ruthless acts of chevauchée (burning and pillaging to weaken an enemy) but reflected that this visit was by a “Green Prince”, who focuses on the environment, natural resources and sustainable development. Thankfully quite a different cup of tea. All in all a pretty busy three days. An annual survey carried out by the Spanish Beermakers Federation has shown that King Juan Carlos is the drinking partner preferred by a majority of Basques. Last year, the king was seventh on the list, which was headed by Basque Country regional premier Patxi Lopez, who disappeared from the top ten this year. The king beat the likes of actor Antonio Banderas, director Pedro Almodovar, Rafa Nadal, Fernando Alonso, Leo Messi and a host of TV and film personalities for the top spot. Defiant website continues Despite having been fined more than €3.5 million for divulging personal details about some 36 million Spaniards without their consent, Alicante businessman José Vicente Lucas said he will continue. For a €210 fee from an authorized computer, or up to €1,400 for a flat rate, he provides access to data gleaned from a variety of sources, including the electoral roll and municipal registers, a valuable service in times of crisis when debtors tend to disappear. The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AGPD) ordered him to shut down the website, Saberlotodo.com and now visitors to the site are redirected to the newly formed Trumbic.com, where they will find a contact number. According to Lucas, 190 companies currently use his service, which brings him in some €300,000 a year. But the AGPD is now going after the new website, with a fine of €600,000 on the cards. WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Questions about bishop's martyrdom N presented evidence that the bishop was still alive when Franco's troops entered Barcelona in January 1939. His evidence comes from several religious archives and the accounts of two witnesses. And Red Cross documents show that the bishop was alive in Montjuic jail in June 1937. One witness allegedly saw him leaving the bishop's palace in Barcelona on January 28th, 1939, the day Franco “liberated” the city. When he called out to him, the bishop replied: “Don't shout, you will give me away.” The other said he had seen the bishop dressed like a workman on IN BRIEF Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] BARCELONA Catalan premier votes for independence Oﬃcially, the bishop of Barcelona, Manuel Irurita, was shot in 1936 by the anarchists and the process to beatify him is already under way in the Vatican. But several archives appear to reveal that he paid Buenaventura Durruti, leader of the Anarchist Federation (FAI) one million pesetas and another two million to the Generalitat (regional government) to save himself from sharing the fate of 2,437 priests and nuns who were assassinated in Catalonia in the first 12 months of the Civil War. But the anarchists betrayed the deal and shot him on December 3rd, 1936, in the Montcasa I Reixax cemetery outside Barcelona. Now a historian specialising in religious matters at Barcelona University, Joan Bada, has EWS February 1st that year and a French news agency sent a report saying the Bishop had been imprisoned but managed to escape and spent the rest of the civil war hidden in a basement. Another indication is the Church appointed seven new bishops in October 1937 to replace those who had been killed. Barcelona did not get a new bishop until 1942, when Irurita either died or retired, Prof Bada has said. Vatican archives cannot be searched because they were sealed for 75 years after the death of Pope Pius III in 1958. It remains to be seen if the bishop's beatification will now go ahead. Regional premier Arturo Mas voted in favour of independence for Catalonia last week, in advance of a non-binding referendum to be held on Sunday, April 10th. It was not unexpected as he has always said if the region were ever to hold a referendum he would opt for independence, as did former premier Jordi Pujol, who founded the governing party CiU. CiU general secretary Josep Antoni Duran said he “respected but did not share” the ideas of the former premier. MADRID ief targets door handles Police arrested a 37-year-old Rumanian last week and charged him with stealing 560 ornate metal door handles from buildings throughout the city. The owner of the scrapyard who bought them was also arrested. The police said the man had been paid €1,713 for 656 kilos of metal obtained from the handles. Residents of the buildings aﬀected gave police the thief’s description as well as the time he usually committed the crime. They found pliers and several handles in the boot of his car. ARANJUEZ DAVID’S 1000’s NEW & SECOND HAND ENGLISH BOOKS ANN’S BOOKS VAST SELECTION ENGLISH GREETINGS CARDS Spanish Interest + Cookery Books Spanish Language Books Children’s Corner + Lots + Lots More Royal Mail Postal Service DAVID’S BOOKSHOP Francisco Cano 49 Los Boliches Tel/Fax 952 588 685 ANN’S BOOKSHOP Bonanza Sq. (upper level) opp Supersol, Benalmadena Tel/Fax 952 564 279 www.markdentalclinic.com First woman police chief The Madrid Community got its first female chief of police recently when Inspector Elena Palacios took over the police station in the town on the outskirts of the capital. She joined the Judicial Police 29 years ago and for the last ten years she has worked with minors and children in domestic violence cases. She said many cases were not reported because the women involved do not realise they have a problem. She is now in charge of around 100 policemen. WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in On thIs datE In George Eastman put on sale the Kodak Camera Libya needs Gaddafi in power N Gaddafi forces of atrocities against civilians. In Tunisia, other evacuees told reporters that Gaddafi forces there had been "massacring" civilians. "You have to visit Misrata to see the massacre by Gaddafi," said Omar Boubaker, a 40-year-old engineer with a bullet wound to the leg. "Corpses are in the street. Hospitals are overflowing." Fighting has continued in the east of the country where the rebels have been earthquake and tsunami. Officials say there should be no risk to children if they keep outside a 30-km (19mile) exclusion zone. Workers at the plant have begun dumping water with low levels of contamination into the sea to free up room to store more highly radioactive water leaking at IN BRIEF Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] Tsunami dog back with owner trying to regain ground lost in recent days, and coalition aircraft attacked military vehicles believed to belong to Col Gaddafi's forces. The oil-rich country's vital coastal belt is effectively split between rebel forces in the east and government loyalists in Tripoli and the west, nearly two months after the revolt against Col Gaddafi's rule erupted. Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, has insisted that he and his father do not feel betrayed by the defection of the Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa who who, he said, had travelled to Britain for health reasons because he was an old and sick man and needed treatment. Libyan state TV showed what appeared to be live footage of Col Gaddafi saluting supporters from a jeep outside his fortified compound at Bab alAziziya in Tripoli late on Monday. Radiation tests in Japanese schools Officials in Japan's Fukushima region have started an emergency programme to measure radiation levels in more than 1,400 schools and nurseries amid anxiety among parents over leaks at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which was crippled by last month's EWS JAPAN Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said on Monday it was open to political reform - "elections, referenda, anything" – but Muammar Gaddafi must stay in power because he was "a safety valve for the country to remain together". He said: "Many Libyans want him to lead the process forward because they are scared if he is not there we will have what happened in Iraq, we will have what happened in Somalia, we will have what happened in Afghanistan." Mr Ibrahim denied government attacks on civilians, and challenged the outside world to investigate any alleged crimes. However, evacuees from the besieged city of Misrata accused pro- www.thenewsonline.es the site. About 11,500 tonnes of water will be released. The official death toll from the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami which struck north-east Japan on March 11th stands at 12,157, with nearly 15,500 people still unaccounted for. More than 80% of the victims have been identified and their bodies returned to their families. A three-day joint operation by the Japanese and US soldiers to find the missing recovered 78 bodies. More than 161,000 people from quake-ravaged areas are living in evacuation centres. A dog rescued from a roof drifting oﬀ the north-east coast more than three weeks after it was devastated by the quake and tsunami has been reunited with her owner. The woman recognised the dog from a TV news report on the rescue on Friday. She and two-year-old Ban had an emotional reunion at the animal care centre where she was being looked after. The shelter is looking after 19 dogs and several cats which were separated from their owners after the tsunami. CHINA Nearly 50% of dairies to shut Nearly half of the country’s 1,176 dairies are being shut down after failing to obtain new licences, the quality inspection agency has announced. It said 533 dairy producers have been ordered to halt productions after a government safety audit. China is trying to shore up its milk industry after a baby milk health scandal in 2008. At least six babies died and 300,000 were made ill by drinking infant formula tainted with melamine, added to make it seem high in protein. GUATEMALA First couple's divorce on hold A court in Guatemala has ordered a halt to the divorce proceedings of the country's first couple. First Lady Sandra Torres said last week she was seeking to divorce President Alvaro Colom, so she could stand for election to succeed him. Guatemala's constitution bans close relatives of the president from running for the top oﬃce. A group of students, calling the first couple’s move a farce, had petitioned the court to stop the divorce, which they said would bypass the constitution. COME AND LIVE WITH US IN THE GUADALHORCE VALLEY “WHERE PEACE, TRANQUILITY AND WELL BEING IS OUR BEST VALUE UNIQUE AND EXCLUSIVE OFFER TO RENT OR BUY INCLUDING: ACCOMODATION IN A FULLY FURNISHED & EQUIPPED APARTMENT ON-SITE MEDICAL FACILITIES 24 HOURS HOME ASSISTANCE ON CALL FITNESS CENTRE, GYM, SAUNA, JACUZZI, INDOOR POOL DAILY SHUTTLE INTO TOWN EVERYTHING YOU NEED AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!! DON’T DENY YOURSELF TO ENJOY THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY Visit our web Page at: WWW.SOLANDALUSI.COM Camino Cuesta del Palmar s/n - La Alqueria - 29130 Alhaurin de La Torre - Malaga - For Further information please call + 34 951 01 47 47 ask for Blanca WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Disasters hit exports Australia has posted a shock trade deficit for the first time in 11 months as twin natural disasters dented the country's exports. According to the latest data for February, the trade deficit stood at A$205m (£131m). Analysts had been expecting a trade surplus of close to A$950m. The states of Queensland and Victoria, which are home to some of the country's most resource rich areas were hit by floods and a cyclone in January and February. As a result there has been a sharp fall in shipments of metals and minerals, with exports in the sector down by 8 per cent. However, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said it expects production levels to recover over the next few months. Meanwhile, the Treasury Department has said the disasters will cost the economy A$9bn (£5.8bn), a substantial increase on the earlier estimate of A$5.6bn. The cost of natural disasters at home is not the only worry for the Australian economy. It is also likely to feel the pinch of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan, its second largest trading partner, on March 11th. Australia exported 15 per cent of its goods to Japan in 2009-10. The biggest sectors are iron ore and coal, with Japan accounting for 27 per cent of shipments of those commodities. The quake and tsunami have hit Japanese industry hard with production at some of Japan's biggest manufacturers being halted or suspended. The treasury department said that this is likely to result in a loss of A$2bn (£1.2bn) worth of trade for Australia. Bodies from crash found Undersea robots uncovered bodies on Sunday of those killed in Air France's 2009 plane crash off Brazil last year, as well as a large part of the wreckage. French officials said specialists would start recovering them within weeks. The "black-box" flight recorders have not yet been spotted, but investigators have expressed hope they will be found. The Parisbound Air France jet went down in the Atlantic, killing all 228 passenger, hours after it took off from Rio de Janeiro on June 1st. The cause of the disaster remains unknown. Although debris was recovered soon after the accident, most of the wreckage sank, and three previous attempts to find the plane were largely unsuccessful. But the fourth attempt, using robots capable of operating 4,000m below the ocean's surface, uncovered a substantial part of the plane. Officials said the victims' relatives would be kept informed of the operation's progress. Those who died came from more than 30 countries, though most were French, Brazilian or German. FACTORY CLEARANCE! ITALIAN LEATHER CORNER SOFA with cushion back - available in black, brown or ivory Last few sets must clear this week - only €695! 150 X 190 / 150 X 200 quality mattress with base €260 We also have a large selection of memory foam beds BED SOFA & FURNITURE CENTRE Next to Sunshine Golf on Slip Road next to BP La Cala 637 431 006 WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es News Charity Concert Police run for charity MEP Royal Gibraltar Regiment band concert in cave On Thursday May 5th The Rotary Club of Gibraltar are organising a follow up to the wonderful Charity Concert they held in the Caves before Christmas. This charity concert is to be held in The Ballroom of The Governor’s Residence which is also quite impressive, but is limited to 150 people. This is a rare opportunity to enter the Governor’s Residence. A smaller band from The Royal Gibraltar Regiment will be performing, as will The National Choir of Gibraltar together with several soloists (some old and some new). The concert is called Musical Memories and is designed to suit all tastes in music. Money raised will go to cancer charities. For residents of Estepona, a coach will go from Estepona Bull Ring at an extra cost. The cost for tickets for the concert is £20 each which includes a drink in the interval, plus €6 towards the cost of the coach for those from Estepona, who can obtain their tickets from Chris Rawlinson, President of the Rotary Club, Estepona. Call Chris on 952 793 969 to book your place. Gib fuel prices from Morrison’s Is it worth going to Gib with an empty tank? Usually the answer is yes! Unleaded per litre £1.04(€1.21) Super unleaded £1.139 (€1.32) Diesel per litre £1.029 (€1.28) The exchange rate used by Morrisons is €1.16 to £1 and the prices are as at 4pm Tuesday April 5th. A 104 kilometre run will be undertaken by five Royal Gibraltar Police starting on Friday April 8th and finishing at around midday the following day, Saturday April 9th in the John MacKintosh Square. So, if you heven't already sponsored the officers in their endeavour, you can do so by contacting the RGP Charity Committee at Police Headquarters in New Mole House, Rosia Road or you can send them a cheque payable to “RGP Charity Committee”. The run will take place between Ronda and Gibraltar, and is in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness in Gibraltar and is expected to take about 12 hours. Each officer will run two 10 kilometre legs with all five them running the last 4 kilometres. They will be followed by two support vehicles. The run has already raised £200 collected from RGP officers and civilian support staff – an amount that has been matched by the RGP Charity Committee collected internally making £400 plus there have also been a number of donations received from private donors. On the morning of the 9th, there will be available advice on Breast Cancer Awareness, information on The Gibraltar Health Authority's Breast Screening Programme to raise cancer awareness on the Rock. Mayor moans on TV La Linea mayor has Alejandro Sanchez appeared on a programme aired in Madrid by the Intereconomia Chanel, in during which he said that he would be ashamed to shake hands with Gibraltar's Peter Caruana as the Spanish foreign Where can I get my copy of e News in Gibraltar? Morrisons Latinos (in the square) Latinos (High Street) Gibraltar Arms Elliot Hotel Tourist Centre Newsagents - Albor (Ocean Village) Newsagents - Ocean Village Express ICC Centre Bianca’s (Ocean Village) We will be adding to this list week by week and will let you know where any new drop-off points are on this page. minister Sr. Miguel Angel Moratinos had done. against both economically and environmentally. He was also complaining about the higher wages people working on Gibraltar were receiving compared to the people of La Linea saying that the town is prejudiced He also referred to the state of La Linea’s roads, saying that they were damaged as a direct result of traffic going to and from Gibraltar. TOURIST OFFICES Tourist offices in Gibraltar are located in Casemates Square, the Airport Arrivals Hall, the coach terminus and the cruise terminal and at the frontier. Main Tourist Administration Office Duke of Kent House Cathedral Square, Tel: +350 20074950 e-mail: [email protected] The Gibraltar Tourist Board also operates in London at: Gibraltar Government Office150 Strand,London WC 2R 1JA.Tel: +44 (0) 207 836 0777 email: [email protected] Note: Gibraltar phone numbers consist of eight digits. When phoning from within Gibraltar just dial the eight digits.When phoning from the Costa del Sol and the rest of Spain precede the number with 9567. When phoning from abroad precede the number with the international dialling code which is 00350. visits Gibraltar Julie Girling, the MEP for Gibraltar and the South West, arrived in Gibraltar last week to get to know The Rock. During her stay she met with both ministers and local business people plus environmental campaigners. She said she was interested in the “special” conditions of Gibraltar and how that made an impact on other EU legislation and conditions. Gibraltar 2011 Bank Holidays January 1st New Year's Day March 14th Commonwealth Day April 22nd Good Friday April 25th Easter Monday May 2nd May Day May 30th Spring Bank Holiday June 13th Queen's Birthday Aug. 29th Summer Bank Holiday Sept. 12th Gibraltar National Day Dec. 25th Christmas Day Dec. 26th Boxing Day WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the UK News Remains identified The remains of the second body found during investigations into the disappearance and subsequent murder of Sian O’Callaghan have been named as that of Rebecca Godden-Edwards who would have been celebrating her 29th birthday on Monday, had she lived. The same taxi driver that has been accused of Sian O’Callaghan’s murder, 47year-old Christopher Halliwell, will be questioned by police in connection with the Rebecca Godden -Edwards enquiries. Miss Godden -Edwards lost touch with her family in 2003 and they thought that she had moved to Bristol from her hometown of Swindon. In 2007, the family reported her to the National Missing Persons Helpline in 2007Her remains were found in an Eastleach, Gloucestershire field. Police are confident that they have the right identity after finding a DNA match to Miss Godden-Edwards with a probability approaching one in a billion. Search teams left flowers and a cross in the field with a card which read: "To an unknown lady. Now you can rest in peace." Health protests against cuts Hundreds of nurses, paramedics, cooks cleaners, and therapists have staged a demonstration against Government cuts to the health service threatening industrial action if changes aren’t made. In a conference in Liverpool union delegates said that the coalition government had “thrown a grenade” into the middle of healthcare. The general secretary of health union UNIS, Dave Prentis, offered members of the Health Service Unions their “full support” in “whatever measures staff feel they need to take to protect their jobs and conditions” Teenager stabbed One of the teenagers questioned in connection with the shooting of fiveyear-old Thusha Kamaleswaren is in a “serious but stable” condition in hospital after being stabbed on Saturday - the day before his arrest for suspicion of attempted murder on Thusha and Roshan Selvakuma, 35, both of Lambeth, South London. It is thought that the teenager, who is under armed police guard is being treated in the same hospital as his victims. Thusha Kamaleswaren was in her aunt and uncle’s store in the Stockwell Road in Lambeth when a gamg of four youths came in and opened fire on two others. An 18-year old has been remanded in custody for their attempted murder, a 19-year old has been charged with the shooting and a 14-year-old who was also arrested has been bailed to appear at a later date. Thusha’s12-year-old brother, 3-year-old sister and mother were also in the store at the time of the incident but were unharmed. Meanwhile Thusha, thought to be London’s youngest ever gun crime victim, remains in a “serious but stable condition”. Tiger Tiger fall Police The Tiger Tiger nightclub in Manchester was the scene of an horrific death after 22-year-old Alex Lawes from Buckinghamshire fell from the top balcony of the four floor club at around 10.30pm on Saturday night. He was taken to Salford Royal Infirmary but died after sustaining fatal head injuries. Alex had intended to present her with an engagement ring. His mother said of her registered organ donor son: “He was such a caring person, and his caring will now go on even after his death because other ill people will benefit from his organs. He has made such a difference to other people's lives." Lawes and his girlfriend, Jessica, were due to fly out to Jamaica on Monday for a romantic holiday where The case has been passed onto a coronor but is not being treated as suspicious. apology PC Simon Harding has apologised to the family of 47-year-old G20 protester Ian Tomlinson for any part he “may have had” in his subsequent death admitting that Tomlinson had posed no threat to him prior to Harding pushing him and hitting him with his truncheon during the protests two years ago. Harding is accused of using unnecessary, unreasonable and excessive force. WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 10 n Inland & Coastal News Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in ON THIS DATE IN Local News Judge threatens Junta Judge Mercedes Alaya (pictured right) has given the Junta de Andalucia 72 hours to deliver in a sealed envelope the minutes of 480 meetings held since 2001 at which the ERE pensions scheme was discussed. The ERE scheme allowed companies to pension off people early so that neither they nor the workers suffered economically. However, more than 72 cases have come to light in which the person who received the pension had never worked at the company, which got the money to subsidise the pension from the Junta www.thenewsonline.es 1917 the US declared war on Germany and entered World War One Stolen babies were 'exported' Not all the babies who were illegally adopted from 1940 to the the early 1990s remained in Spain, according to El Pais newspaper which is investigating the case. So far, 261 cases involving children whose mothers were told they had died at birth are being investigated by regional prosecutors but hundreds more are in the pipeline. babies whose DNA did not match that of their parents. In the first years, the “stolen” babies were given to couples who sympathised with the Franco regime but by the 1950s the maternity clinics, many of them in Andalucia, had taken over what had turned out be a profitable business. They usually employed nuns and The mothers were given nailed-down coffins but recent exhumations have revealed they were simply weighted or contained nurses and many of them have stepped forward to tell their tales. They told the newspaper that childless couples came from the US and several South American countries to adopt babies here. El Pais tells the case of Randy, who was born in Malaga in June 1971 and ended up in Austin, Texas. His father, Roland Edward Ryder, told him in 1998 that they had paid $5,000 to be able to select “the best child among those who were for sale”. His alcoholic mother confessed that his real mother was a Spanish woman called Inés Holm, which started his ten-year search for her. He still has not found her and fears his adopted mother may have invented the name. Graﬃti grounds health copter which in turn received it from the EU. The Junta has been dragging its feet in this matter and Judge Alaya said if the regional parliament did not turn over the documents in the time period stipulated she would charge it with obstruction of justice. 3 30),9;@INSURANCE 0),9;@INSURANCE The helicopter that serves Malaga's emergency 061 number was grounded for several hours last week while workers cleaned off a graffiti featuring a shark which had appeared mysteriously overnight. It is one of five deployed in Andalucia by the Public Health Emergencies Company (Epes). The other four – stationed in Granada, Cordoba and Cadiz – covered for it. An Epes spokesman later said security at the Hospital Clinico, where the helicopter is based, left much to be desired. ❚ Car ❚ Home ❚ Life ❚ Accidents ❚ Leisure Leisure ❚ Commercial Commerrcial cial DAMAGE AC ACCIDENTAL A CCIDEN C TAL DAMAGE TA LIMITATION L IMITATION DAM D DA AM MAGE AGE AG DAMAGE ou may think you’r e pr epared for the worst, but You Y yo you’re prepared ar e you really really protected? protected? Don’ are Don’tt take risks, make sur e you also have adequate insurance cover for sure the unexpected. Spain’ s leading expatriate insur er Spain’s insurer can give you the insurance you need and the FRIEN Inland & Coastal News n 11 news Your outlook on the World the ELECTION WATCH Embassy issues registration advice For those Britons and EU residents who have been told conflicting stories at their local town halls about their last chance to register for May's local elections, the British embassy in Madrid has issued the following communiqué: “Everyone registered on the padrón as a resident in Spain, including British nationals, has until and including Monday April 11th to check with their town hall whether they are on the list of registered voters, ahead of the local and regional elections across Spain on May 22nd. If not on the list, residents can request to be added using reclamacion forms available at the town hall. (In a few cases, it is possible that town halls may lack the necessary IT systems to enable checks). The elections are your opportunity to have your say in who makes the decisions about public services in your area, and an opportunity for British residents to take part in Spain's democratic system and further integrate into Spanish life. Registering on the padrón is an important part of living in Spain, and checking that you are on the list of registered voters will ensure that on May 22nd you have the right to cast your vote”. +6%'0 '5+)05 19411/ 9+6 18'4 #07(#%674'& +0 -+6%'05 ,756 61 +052+4' '4/#0; 9+6 56700+0) 37#.+6; +0+5* .#55+% 61 %#0&+0#8+#0 /1&'40 4+%'5 !#6'8'4 ;174 $7&)'6 740+0) "174 &4'#/5 061 4'#.+6; +&'#5 Town has more than 12 parties Both local and foreign residents of Benalmadena may have a confusing time on May 22nd – when they will have to choose from more than a dozen political parties in the voting booths. In most other places, the ruling Socialist Party and the main opposition party, the Partido Popular, usually Tory MP to visit Costa Paul Maynard, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, is the after dinner speaker at the Costa del Sol Conservatives Abroad function on Friday, April 15th, which will be held at the Tamisa Golf Hotel. Mr Maynard, aged 36, was born with cerebral palsy and has suffered from epilepsy since he was 22. Since becoming the MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, after achieving a 6.5% swing from Labour, Mr Maynard has dedicated himself to a number of issues. He is a strong advocate for epilepsy, speech and language therapy, and has also participated in the establishment of All Party Parliamentary groups on Muscular Dystrophy and Social Tourism. Tickets are available for the event from Juliet Butterworth on 952 565 777 or 666 434 839. get the largest number of votes between them. But the people of Benalmadena are famous for their idiosyncratic way of looking at things. Given the profusion of parties, the Socialist Party won last time around, with only 25 per cent of the vote. It was able to form a government with N EWS IN BRIEF the Izquierda Unida (United Left, IU). Observers say something similar will probably happen this time. Only four of the parties have a national character – the Socialist Party (PSOE), the Partido Popular (PP), Izquierda Unida (IU) and Union Progreso y Democracia (UPD). Got a story? Got pictures? Send your stories or pictures to The News [email protected] SEVILLA National flag saves wounded man When a man turned up at the Guardia Civil barracks in Los Palacios y Villafranca on Sunday with blood streaming from wounds on his face, hands and chest, the men on duty grabbed the nearest piece of cloth - the national flag – to staunch the blood. Paramedics said later they had probably stopped him from bleeding to death. They found the man’s brother at the home they shared with a large bloodied knife in his hand and charged him with attempted murder. ANTEQUERA Stolen saint's portrait returned A worshipper at the Belen Poor Claire convent church noticed recently that the portrait of St Anthony was not in its usual place below the huge portrait of the Virgin of Guadeloupe. The 14 nuns reported it missing to the police but before they could arrive the portrait was once again in its place. The nuns said they could only conclude that the person who took it had wanted it to perform one of the many miracles St Anthony is famous for. SEVILLA Free tel no for women abroad The Andalucia Women's Institute in collaboration with the Junta de Andalucia's justice department has installed a free phone service for Andalucian women living abroad who need confidential information or legal advice. At the moment it is only available to those who live in Argentina, France, Germany and Brazil – the countries with the largest number of immigrants from Andalucia. They will receive an informative pamphlet, as will those Andalucian women living in 290 communities in the rest of Spain. 999 %1%+0#52.75 %1/ /#+. +0(1 161)4#0&' Martin Delfín Writes for the English language version of Past, present, future imperfect Nothing has changed Z apatero finally put us all out of our misery last Saturday with his announcement that he will not be running for a third term. The newspapers have not stopped analysing his decision for a minute and the articles on possible successors are never-ending. If Zapatero wanted to take everyone's mind off the succession question, he failed miserably. All the obvious contenders – and there are quite a few out there in the paddock, as well as a few dark horses lurking in the stables – occupy every square millimetre of newsprint and you'd never guess that we have regional and local elections just seven weeks away. Past imperfect O ne of the most absorbing topics for the pen-pushers is just how did such a popular PM turn into one of the least popular of them all. Not even Aznar's popularity dropped so low after he took Spain into Iraq, despite considerable help from Zapatero and all his arty-farty friends. Nothing like leading a protest demo with some of the country's most popular film stars to turn you into the Devil incarnate in the public's eye. O f course, the press is to blame for building him up to a height that his mediocrity could not sustain. He's not as good-looking, urbane – or as politically able – as Adolfo Suarez. He is certainly not on the same intellectual level as Felipe Gonzalez and – like or love Aznar – the latter didn't put a foot wrong when it came to economic matters. S o what did Zapatero have? Good PR and a lot of journalists with left-wing leanings who hailed him as the golden boy to bring in an ideal Socialist Eden that would last for a thousand years. Believe me, that was what one Catalan journalist said on a serious political programme – that Zapatero would last for a thousand years. She was dropped from the show for several months until TVE1 felt viewers would have forgotten her unfortunate Nazi-sounding remark. into a sense of security. At least that's the best case scenario for the Socialists, whose main personality trait seems to be cockeyed optimism. T hey've been frolicking around since Saturday, crowing that Zapatero's announcement will reveal the poverty of opposition leader Mariano Rajoy's ideas. What's he going to do now that he no longer has Zapatero to attack, they say. Does this mean that Zapatero will be disappearing off the scene, I ask. If so, he should resign now and call an election. Unfortunately, we'll still have to put up with that stupid grin for a few months yet. In fact, his grin has been even broader since Saturday. He's been much more relaxed, he's lost that haunted look and he's even been joking around. He's obviously so relieved that the burden will soon be lifted from his shoulders and that he is not facing another four-year-long nightmare. T he only annoying thing about him not running again is that he'll go down in history as the only PM since Franco's death not to have lost an election. Suarez resigned so as not lose an election, Gonzalez lost one before he became PM then lost out to Aznar, who had already lost one election before winning in 1996. And Rajoy has already lost two. Future imperfect F or some reason, a big rumour in newsrooms in Madrid is that Zapatero intends to go back on his announcement after the May 22nd elections. I'm still trying to work out the reasoning behind such a ludicrous idea. Not even Zapatero is capable of such a Uturn. Is he? S T he Popular Party has been left out in the cold – they don’t have José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to kick around anymore. It's now time for the PP to begin showing their cards, including the aces they have up their sleeves and prove to Spaniards they can do it better. But they won’t. After years of criticising and blaming Zapatero for the economic mess and without offering any real alternatives, Mariano Rajoy and his team do not have any concrete solutions. In fact, it may even be safe to say that Zapatero’s announcement on Saturday that he that he won’t be running for a third term did indeed catch PP leaders by surprise even though their official organ El Mundo had reported it several weeks in advance. No one from the conservative party has rolled up their sleeves and said “now that he’s on his way out, let’s get down to business.” It took two days for Rajoy to react to the news, and when he did on Monday during a free-wheeling talk on the SER radio network he was as vague as ever. He assured listeners that “nothing has changed” and his party would continue to blame the Socialists for all the current problems that Spaniards are facing. He is right - nothing has changed over on his side either. T Present imperfect o what can we expect from the man now. The opposition is calling him a lame duck, insisting he should bring forward the general election, but it's too early for that. If the Socialists take a really bad beating in the May regional and local elections – and I'm not making any predictions – he may have to do so. But by then the summer will be coming fast upon us, people's thoughts will turn to exotic and not-so-exotic vacations. Come the autumn, they'll be looking forward to Christmas. If I remember rightly, Parliament breaks up in January so that the polls concentrate on the March election and everyone will be lulled Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba Getting registered Y ou still have till the end of the week to get on the electoral roll. Read the notice from the British embassy in Madrid, published deliberately on page 11 to counteract the message that some town halls are putting out, namely, that anyone who says this is a “window week” for registering is lying. I wasn't lying when I published that bit of news a few weeks back but I'm beginning to suspect that some councils are running scared and want to keep us off the list, believing that we'll vote for the other party. he Socialists were divided on the timing as to when Zapatero should announce his political future. Party “barons” – the regional leaders – wanted the prime minister to state his plans before the upcoming May 22nd local and regional elections to avoid turning the vote into a referendum on his government’s policies. Others, including many business leaders, wanted him to wait until next year so he could focus on the economy. The latter choice would have been the more desirable option because - as I had said in the previous column - it would shorten the campaign for next year’s general elections and keep everyone focused on dealing with national matters of the utmost urgency. Now everybody across the political spectrum is speculating about who Zapatero’s successor will be. Socialists intend to have a party primary in July before Spaniards go on holiday; the outcome will make for good summer Carmen Chacón terrace talk. The two most visible candidates continue to be deputy prime minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba and defence chief Carme Chacón, but neither of them are saying whether they intend to seek the party’s nomination. Z apatero says he wants his successor and the party to have plenty of time to draft a platform and plan the 2012 campaign, but he isn’t identifying his preferred candidate. The prime minister also believes that by announcing his plans early he can neutralise the impact on the regional and local races, where Socialists are projected to lose widely in Madrid , Valencia and Castilla-La Mancha. "Now, not one candidate will be able to blame Zapatero for the outcome of the election," said Extremadura regional leader Guillermo Fernández-Vara on Saturday. O ver at the opposition, we’re getting the same rhetoric as always. Secretary General María Dolores de Cospedal has called for early elections while Rajoy is also transmitting weak signals as to what he intends to do when and if he finally reaches Moncloa. The only real issue he has made clear is changing the abortion law. Last year, the Socialist government introduced reforms to the 1985 law that allows girls ages 16 and 17 to have the procedure without their parents’ consent, and women to seek it on demand up until the 14th week of their pregnancy and allowed it with some restrictions until the 22nd week. Rajoy believes it is better to sacrifice the female vote in favour of the ballots coming from Spain’s larger conservative sector. But he still won’t say what he will do with the gay marriage law so as not to hurt his chances with the homosexual community. T he race for 2012 has begun and it is time for Rajoy and the PP to come up with some clearer signals. As Zapatero said on Sunday, the day after he announced he was stepping aside: "I am happy that the PP is going to benefit from the decision I announced yesterday; now they are going to have to come up with a platform, because all they have concentrated on is attacking me.” locally like to Is there something happening that you would our readers know about? Is your society or organization planning a fundraiser or special event? Contact us on [email protected] PAD Show success Bus to the The PAD Dog Show held at the Centro Nordico in Mijas was a great success despite the weather forecast, with just a bit of rain falling now and again meaning the show went ahead as planned. Of course, all the dogs were winners in themselves and the judges had a very hard job choosing which ones should get medals and cups. The overall winner was a little daschund called Cosmo (above) with smooth, sleek and shiny fur - a real credit to his owner. The dog that came second overall was Chino and following Chino was Sammy. Cosmo also won best puppy under 1 year old. And Chino also won best adult small dog under 12 kg. The winner of the category Dog Most Like Its Owner was British Bulldog George who owns Jim sorry, it’s Jim that’s the owner and George that’s the dog - they were so alike it gets confusing! The other fun category was Best Dog and Owner in Fancy Dress which was won by Princess Leia Victoria and Ewok Holly. Best Adult Medium Dog 12-30kg was Rando and Best Adult Large Dog over 30kg was Golden Retriever Harry while Best Six Legs was won by Sammy and owner Maureen. hospital Two of the dogs that took part and are looking for homes are Pancho (above) and Roddy - either of which, had I not already got a housefull, I would happily have taken home. Pancho has been in the shelter for over two years. He is one of those dogs that, although he’s lovely looking with his white and tan coat, he’s neither big nor small, handsome or ugly so people seem to walk by him. However, what Pancho does have is lots of love to give a new owner so, if you’re looking for a new friend, why not give Pancho the chance he’d love to have. Roddy (below) is black and tan short legged little thing that is absolutely gorgeous and is still under a year old. His feet sit like a bloodhound at right angles! He has a fantastically docile personality and wants to please. If you can give either of these dogs a home, please call Lisa on 658 351 642. By Kym Wickham The top inland entertainments venue will go to the person with the highest bid by april 16th - don’t miss out, bid now! 4 for 3 on all greeting cards Tel. 952 588 731 Bric-a-brac sale " ! " FOR SALE BY TENDER COIN JK’s It’s back! C/ El Troncon, 14 behind the main Fuengirola Post Oﬃce The Royal British Legion of Estepona has announced that there is now a free hospital bus to Costa del Sol Hospital. Those persons who have to go to the hospital first need to get a ticket from the Participación Ciudadana (Citizen’s department) near the old Town Hall near the old market. Departures from Estepona are during the morning at 7.15am and 11am and in the afternoon at 1.30pm and 4.30pm. The times the bus will leave the Costa del Sol Hospital will be in the morning at 9am and 12 noon, then in the afternoons at 2.30pm and 7pm. Stops will be at Seghers in front of the Local Police Station, Edificio el Faro in front of the court, Acuarela bookshop near restaurant Paola- Avda Andalucia, in front of Mercadona and at La Portada near the pharmacy in Avenida Andalucia on the right hand side. But you can only use the bus if you have prepurchased a ticket from the above places! Tuesday April 19th Bar 1, Calle Lanzarote, Coin, from 11am. 100% profit to Cudeca & CHAIN Light snacks and refreshments available 5 year renewable lease to include all fixtures, fittings and stock. DETAILS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. call duncan on 654 396 651 TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEWS CALL GEOFF ON 622 05 04 09 WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es “THE NEWS”WANTS TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS Send letters to the editor as part of an e-mail text to [email protected] Graham Cherry I am pleased that Valerie Jeffrey enjoyed her visit to the show at TAPAS recently but the comment of her friend that ‘You wouldn’t encourage your children to read badly written books so why take them to see amateur dramatics’ shows a woeful ignorance of the theatre that is available both here and when visiting English speaking communities around the world. Of course standards vary but perhaps my, fairly typical, experience as an amateur (mostly) performer can illustrate what she and her friend could be missing. I began with an amateur company in West London at a time when Arnold Wesker was encouraging professionals to be involved with communities. (I remember Simon Ward playing Hamlet in the local secondary modern school) All the teachers on the course I took came from RADA or Central. While I was at the Questors (now the largest amateur theatre company in Europe with three theatres and 3000 members) two plays written for members transferred into the West End and an important playwright (James Saunders) was discovered. Like many amateur actors I have spent many hours in workshops and short courses and I believe we all take improving our standards to be one of the reasons we continue to perform. And we don’t get cast unless we do! Subsequently I have worked in amateur companies with young professionals who Torremolinos were showing off their skills to agents etc. and who wanted to make sure the rest of the cast were good enough to prevent the agent heading for the door, with older professionals who couldn’t reconcile a touring, away from base life, with family life or with actors who were honing their skills with more demanding parts than they could currently get in the theatre. On occasion the majority of the cast held equity cards. Rarely could an outsider tell which of us were which. And the equity card holder didn’t always have the leading part. There have been other occasions when plays began as an unpaid theatre work and then built to the West End. In Brighton I was one of a small audience above a pub for the beginning of the hit musical ‘A Slice of Saturday Night’. What an amateur night that was! Also incidentally I was one of the audience when a distinguished and famous professional forgot so many lines the pre West End show was almost called off at the Theatre Royal. Here I have performed at the Salon Varietes with actors who have appeared in the West End and on TV and with young actors setting out with high aims. The very edition of the News which had the letter from Ms.Jeffrey also had the ‘WOW’ factor final with a rave review from your editor. There were three Salon performers, one of whom won it. This year The News has reported that two former performers at our theatre have done extremely well with one getting a final place on Operation Triunfo and another appearing in ‘The Tudors’ before heading off to a contract in Hollywood. Currently I am working with some very talented young people in a production of Samuel Beckett’s ‘Endgame’ in English at the ESAD Theatre in Malaga. The director is heading for a Masters at RADA and the other members of the cast already cover much of their student costs with paid-for professional work. I am sure I shall see some of them on TV or film one day. It has been a demanding and rewarding experience working with them. To sum up, theatre operates on a spectrum from the great subsidized theatres via West End to local theatres then profit share, unpaid work (the London fringe has some really good stuff but they are amateur when they do it) and serious committed amateur theatre of a high standard to what I call ‘am dram’ – village hall fun productions, worthy but you know what to expect and it can still beat the telly. I hope that Ms. Jeffrey’s friend reconsiders her unwise remark. She must have already missed so much good stuff it would be a pity to miss any more. Editors note: Great CV Graham. Valerie Jeffrey was saying that she felt that amateur dramatics performances here were very good and she was telling the potential audience precisely that! PET OF THE WEEK PANCHO Poor Pancho! It could be you he’s looking for! All he wants is a permanent home and a little tender loving care but he can’t seem to find anybody to give him it. Pancho has been at the PAD rescue centre for two years! - too long for any dog - and keeps getting passed by in favour of other perhaps prettier dogs. However, Pancho has a lovely temparament and would make a fabulous pet for someone. He loves being with people and being taken for a walk and was really good all day at last weekend’s PAD dog show where he entered two of the classes. If you think you can give Pancho the love and care he deserves, give Lisa a ring on 658 351 642 and make Pancho smile! Stargazing By Ken Campbell If you would like to be kept up to date or take part in any of the events then go to www.kencampbell.info e Lord Of e Rings This coming week will be your best chance to see the most beautiful planet in the Solar System as Saturn makes its closest approach to the Earth. When an outer planet such as Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus or Neptune are at their closest to Earth then they must be directly opposite us to the Sun and we call it opposition. They then rise at sunset and are due south at midnight then set at sunrise. This week Saturn is in opposition at a mere 800 million miles away from us. Saturn is the 6th planet from the Sun and the second largest planet after Jupiter - in historical times it was believed that Saturn was the last planet in the solar system until Uranus was discovered in 1781. It has a diameter about 9 times that of the Earth but unlike the Earth Saturn is not a solid mass of rock; instead it is a gas giant made up of a huge ball of mainly hydrogen gas. And where the Earth takes one year to orbit the Sun, Saturn takes 29 ½ years to go around once. It has at least 62 moons going around it at the last count, the largest of which –Titan- is about twice the size of our Moon and is big enough to even have an atmosphere of its own. A NASA space probe called Cassini has been in orbit around Saturn since 2004 sending back incredible images of the planet. Another probe was dispatched from Cassini and managed to land on the moon Titan; it too sent back a flood of information telling us about its atmosphere and surface conditions. But the most spectacular feature about Saturn has to be the amazing ring system that encircles the planet around its equator. The rings were first spotted by Galileo in 1610 but he couldn’t explain what they were. At first he thought that it was actually three planets very close to each other; it took another 50 years for a Dutch astronomer to realise that they were actually rings around the planet. The rings are not solid but are made up from billions of pieces of rock and water ice ranging in size from dust particles up to the largest, which are a few metres across. It is thought that they are the remnants of a moon that broke up due to Saturn’s immense gravity. The rings extend to over 120,000km above the surface but incredibly are no more than about 20 metres in thickness. They are also not one complete ring but are split into at least 9 different sections divided by empty gaps. The widest gap is called the Cassini division and can be easily seen from earth. As Saturn orbits the Sun its appearance to us changes; for some of its orbit the rings are seen ‘wide open’ and at other times they are ‘edge on’ to us as they were in 2009, and so completely invisible. They are now beginning to open up again and will be fully open in around 2016 but even now they can be seen with a decent pair of binoculars. Through the smallest of telescopes they make a spectacular sight that you will never forget. Saturn was the first thing I ever saw through a friend’s telescope when I was about 10 years old. To find Saturn yourself go outside at about 10pm and look to the South East direction and about half way up the sky you will see the three brightest stars in that part of the sky, they are very easy to spot. The upper one is Arcturus, the lower one is Spica and just to the upper right of Spica you’ll find Saturn. WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World OUT & the ABOUT Your weekly Entertainment Guide InSIdE thIS wEEk Classic car run in aid of help For heroes Beatles to Bizet at e Salon Varietes Raisins and Lisbon trips with Lux Mundi e sweet taste of history... Malaga is firmly on the map for its cultural, artistic and archaeological heritage which Written by is visible in every way through the city’s monuments and museums. A nd it is also possible to visit the city and literally taste an important part of the province’s history. S tep through the doors of the Malaga Wine Museum, housed in the reformed 18th century Palace de Biedma in the historic heart of the city and enter the complex world of wine making in Malaga province – an “art form” that goes back centuries. T he museum, opened last year, stretches over 800 square metres and aims to reveal the history, culture and art of wine making to wine lovers and novices alike – and provides the opportunity to taste the fruits of that success. Malaga wine has been famous throughout Europe over the centuries and is still a much loved wine today. T he museum is the headquarters for Malaga’s Board of Designation of Origin for Sierras de Malaga’s red, white and rosé wines and Pasas de Malaga sweet wines, and the exhibitions include more than 400 beautifully drawn old labels for bottles and barrels, posters and ancient agricultural implements – all leading to the wine tasting room where you can sample the produce. I t’s believed that the Greeks settled in Malaga and taught the local people how to cultivate vines around 600BC, and one of the first real clues as to the age of the industry was discovered in Cartama, when a fermentation tank dating back to the early Roman Empire was discovered. D uring the Moorish conquest the laws of the Koran, which prohibited drinking alcohol, came into conflict with the local wine growing and drinking tradition but the Moors moved from punitive punishments to taxes when they realised the economic value to the public purse. And when the Catholic monarchs reconquered Malaga in 1487 they established the Hermandad de Viñeros (Winemakers Guild) to protect and nurture wine making in the region, recognising that not only did it create local wealth and happiness, but it was also an asset the the Royal Treasury. I n the 18th century the sweet Malaga wine had become a firm favourite of Russia’s Empress Catherine II and she kindly decreed that it was exempt from tax. Centuries earlier, in 1224, the King of France, Philip Auguste, had organised a Battle of The Wines – drawing together the most prestigious wines in what might have been the first ever wine tasting contest – as a result Malaga wine was designated the Cardinal of Wines. Malaga wine has even had a name check in a Rossini opera. L egend claims that a wine shoot growing on the banks of the Rhine was brought to Spain and planted in Malaga but LIVE MUSIC Jazz concert by local star coming soon The Marcos Merino Trio will put on their “Tribute to Herbie Hancock” jazz concert on Friday, April 15th, at 9 pm in the Teatro Las Lagunas, Mijas Costa. Pianist Marcos Merino formed the Trio as a way of expressing his music which he felt could only be achieved by a three musicians. He believes that Herbie Hancock's music is indispensable for anyone who wants to seriously penetrate contemporary jazz piano, both because of Hancock's talent as a composer and his relevance as a jazz musician and pianist. The starting point is Herbie Hancock's own repertoire, to which is added Marcos's own compositions as well as those of the other two members of the trio, which are always within the aesthetics of this genre. But beyond the compositions used, the trio's main objective is to achieve the energy and above all the spirit of the musical universe of the legendary pianist and his music. The trio members are Marcos Merino (Malaga), Pau Sala (Barcelona) and Roger Gutierrez (Lleida) who currently live in Barcelona, where they are studying and taking part in other musical projects on the local scene. Marcos Merino was born in Fuengirola in December 1988. He was seven when he began to study music in Fuengirola's Elemental Conservatory and later at the Manuel Carra Professional Conservatory in Malaga, under the tutelage of Jesus Pedro Castro. He went to Barcelona in 2006 to begin his higher studies in jazz at the Conservatori del Liceu. He studied piano with Mariano Diaz, arrangements with Sergi Vergés, combos and improvisation with Victor de Diego, Jon Robles and David Mengual, among others. Parallel to his studies at the conservatory, he took private classes with Albert Bover and Joan Diaz (piano), and Lluis Verges (arrangements and composition). He also attended seminars given by Kenny Barron, Jerry Bergonzi, Dave Santoro, Jorge Rossy, Dick Oatts and other musicians. In 2009 he won a scholarship at the prestigious College of Music, University of North Texas, to study with pianist Stefan Karlsson (Eddie Gomez trio). He also had classes with Ed Soph and Dan Haerle, among others. Andrea MacLean historians believe that the variety of vine producing the famous sweet grape took its name from Pero Ximén, who was probably a Christian farmer at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th century, and his name today appears as either Pero or Pedro Ximén on bottles of the delicious liquor wine, perfect as a pudding wine and equally delicious as a chilled pickme-up. T o find out more about the history of the famous Malaga wines and to discover about their complexities and to find out which of the bodegas in the province are open to visitors, visit the Museum in the Plaza de los Viñeros. I t’s open from Monday to Friday from 12 to 2.30pm and 4.30pm to 7.30pm. You can go on a guided tour or just make your own way – it’s just 5 euros for a guided tour and tasting, and you can pick up your favourite wine from the gift shop. Go to www.vinomalaga.com for more information. WEDnESDAY, April 6th 2011 £1.30 £1.30 Local businesses are coming forward with donations as prizes for the best costumes as well as for a bumper raffle. These include so far 2 rounds of golf with a buggy at Lauro Golf donated by The News, plus a meal for two including wine at Monk’s at Leslie’s Bar and Bistro in Coin, not to mention a hamper of goodies and desirable bottles, with more expected daily. The lunch venue, the Molino del Puente, is offering a special three course lunch with drinks for 20 euros a head and a special room rate for anyone who wishes to stay overnight. should contact run organiser Bob Livermore at boblivermore110@hotmail. com or telephone him on 625 177 789. Bob will also be happy to receive donations or pledges before the event and you can contact him or us at The News office on 952 454 491 for raffle tickets. More information and further details are available on the website www.solclassiccarclub.net Classic car enthusiasts who would like to take part %! !$ # and get 2 soft drinks for free with take away # %" Free wi-fi zone DELI Alhaurin el Grande’s nEWESt BiStRO CAfE Serving a selection of freshly prepared snacks, paninis, baguettes, etc., Plus main meals including Rack of Ribs, Battered Cod and Entrecôte steaks. Sunday Roast €7.95 OAP special price €5.95 Children €4.95 Wednesday OAP Special Roast €6,50 incl. dessert booking essential Daily from 9am Open Sunday 10am OPEN ALL DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK 952 497 188 Calle Gerald Brenan 89 Alhaurin El Grande Take Away Home Cooking and Catering CATERING * BOOKINGS TAKEN FOR CELEBRATIONS 699 290 663 Mon - Sat 10 .00 am to 5 pm Tuesdays 10.00 am to 7.pm Calle San Isidro Labrador,Los Boliches, 296 40 Fuengirola, Nr Feria Place BARS & RESTAURANTS... GOT AN EVENT OR SPECIAL OFFER? ADVERTISE IT! CALL GEOFF AT THE NEWS 622 050 409 Scandinavian and International Specialities Tel: 951 319 439 Aloha Gardens, next to El Jardin. Avda Del Prado Nueva Andalucia Open Mon-Fri 10.00am - 8.00pm Saturdays 10.00am - 6.00pm [email protected] OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP FULL FOOD MENU BREAKFAST, MENU DEL DIA, SUNDAY LUNCH. Early Bird Special Monday to Saturday until 6pm - Fish Chips and Mushy Peas, Bread and Butter plus a free drink only €4.95pp DON’T MISS OUR ROYAL WEDDING STREET PARTY WITH “HOG ROAST”! Sunday Roast Lunch for €5.95pp from 12 noon TOAST THE BRIDE & GROOM with a free glass of Bubbly • Free entry to Raffle • Prize Draw Chris The Dish: 667 842 359 John The Fish: 678 292 792 2nd street behind Yaramar Hotel, Los Boliches Visit us at www.los-boliches.es % Pot of Tea for one Selection of Speciality Twinings Teas Selection of various drinks available at the counter Freshly made Thick and Creamy Milkshakes FREE ENTRY Shows start at 9.30pm. Open all day. Strawberry Monday & Thursday Bingo & Quiz Night Tuesday & Wednesday Live Football from 8:45pm Friday Siobhan - female vocalist from Dublin Fun for all ages Saturday Night Life - comedy vocal duo Not to be missed!! Sunday “Mr Blue Eyed Soul” Danny Stone Wednesday 6th Alex Avery Thursday 7th Lesley Harrison Friday 8th Dex - guitarist and vocals Saturday 9th Mad Terry Sunday 10th Adele Lee Peters at 9pm Monday 11th Rob Stevens - man of many faces - Natalie Monroe after midnight. Tuesday 12th Jordana + Cher + Lady Gaga tribute Karaoke from midnight every night with Mad Terry & Tommo Chocolate SPECIAL OFFER! 8oz entrecôte steak with all trimmings & bottle Rioja - only €20 per couple “LIVE” Banana Plaza de Remo La Carihuela Torremolinos M EL MOJITO SOL Classic Car Club are holding a special charity run on Saturday April 16th to raise funds for Help For Heroes, the charity set up to support wounded servicemen and women and their families (www.helpforheroes.org. uk) The run will start from the Taberna de Urbaneja just outside Monda, go through the Guadalhorce valley, stopping for a coffee break at the Venta los Conejitos in Alora and finish up in Ronda for lunch. It TAPAS ALL DAY EVERY DAY (INC. JACKETS, SALADS, STUFFING, APPLE SAUCE ETC...) DESERT: Pancakes with various fillings & ice cream €12.50 ADULT - €4.00 CHILDREN (up to 10 years) FIRST COME FIRST SERVED, NUMBERS LIMITED POP INTO THE INTERNATIONAL FOR YOUR TICKETS! We have the ability to show all the top matches on our large independant screens - even if the games are not on Sky or Terrestrial TV! WEDnESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Ranchito Restaurant: small, Raisins and good and a little diﬀerent Lisbon with The Ranchito Restaurant in Los Boliches has been with the same owners Barbara and Jerry Laycock for 24 years this year. That's quite an achievement on the ever changing Costa del Sol and to mark the occasion they are giving away a free half bottle of wine per customer with their main evening meals and lunch time menus of the day. The Ranchito is a little different to many restaurants, for a start it's quite small with maximum seating of just 14 people, and the food is different too. Strong consideration is given to the variety, choice and presentation of the vegetables that accompany your meal (in fact it's more or less their trade mark), they provide a full vegetarian menu in addition to the fish and meat à la carte and its true that, so often “the veg” in many restaurants is almost an afterthought but not here, here “good vegetables are considered to make the meal”. The three course menu of the day at lunch time is well priced for €13.50 and is a choice from several Ranchito starters; pate, soup, crêpes or a tasty filled Vol au vent (try avocado and prawn). Main courses include pork loin with glazed apple and brandy, chicken in wine and mushroom, swordfish, hake or a tasty leek and walnut risotto followed by a choice of lovely homemade puddings and of course your free half bottle of wine. Lux Mundi at Christmas, anniversary celebrations and other special events. The Ranchito is friendly, worth a visit, and easy to find just down from Woody's behind the Confortel Hotel on Calle Poeta Salvador Rueda 46, Los Boliches. The same in the evening, imaginative dishes that are just a little different. To reserve your table call 952 477 246 or email: barbara_ranchito@hotmail .com. Another thing that makes The Ranchito different is that you can easily reserve the entire restaurant and arrange a bespoke meal for your private party, quite popular The Ranchito is open Monday to Friday. The One & Only Ricky Lavazza Live on WedneSdayS 22:00h at the MOOnlight BaR, Benalmádena Costa. a fantastic night of song, dance & light entertainment. tributes to tom Jones, Robbie Williams, Michael Bublé and many more! Reasonable bar prices MOONLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT 22:00H: Wednesdays: Ricky Lavazza – don’t miss it! Sundays: Michael Jackson tribute show also entertains on Sundays in the OaSiS ReStauRant at Sunset Beach Club DINE & DANCE EVERY NIGHT AT THE OASIS RESTAURANT 20:30H Mondays: Tuesdays: Wednesdays: Thursdays: Fridays: Saturdays: Sundays: " ! MuMTAZ MAHAL 3 course Menu del Dia €12.50 available all day plus Full à la carte menu. Come and enjoy the best of Indian cuisine in our newly refurbished airconditioned restaurant or dine on our fabulous terrace Come and enjoy our usual high standards of service & food BAR EL RIO For fantastic tapas, drinks, raciones and typical Spanish specialities Open 12.00 noon ‘til 4.30 & 7.00 ‘till late (Closed Sundays and Monday lunchtime) Ricky Lavazza Phoebe – Stunning female vocalist Pearse Webb – Irish entertainer Gemma Lloyd – Motown and more! Michelle Jane – Diva Tribute Tina Rose – Female soul vocalist Mark Burt – Pianist/singer Ricky Lavazza – The Musicals Show PAnORAMA BAR : Daily Happy Hour 18:30h-19:30h Information / Reservations 952 579 400 All programmes subject to change. above please contact the desk on 952 474 840. Lux Mundi is in Calle Nueva, Fuengirola and is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 6.30pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm For any further information on anything * Offer of free wine is for any meal over or equal to value of €13.50 SunSet BeaCh CluB presents Free Entrance! Lux Mundi's next day trip is on Friday, April 15th around "The Route of the Raisin". It visits the vineyards of Torre de Benalgalbon, Almachar, el Borge and Comares. If you fancy something a bit longer how about 5 days (4 nights) to Portugal and Caceres? The break will include a guided tour of Lisbon, visits to Monsanto, Caceres, Trujillo and Merida. The coach will leave Fuengirola on the morning of Sunday, May 29th and return on the evening of Thursday, June 2nd. 952 664 311 - 691 406 453 Calle Francisco Cano, 60, Los Boliches, Fuengirola JK’s This Week ! Monday & Thursday Belly Dancing 10.30am €5 per session Wednesdays 8.30pm Bingo - jackpot €400 Quiz with jackpot Fri 8th April Southern Impact - One more for the road entrance €1 pre-book, €2.50 on the door Saturday 9th April CHAIN Auction bring items from 11am for auction at 2pm Sunday Pool & darts competition More info:654 396 651 [email protected] Indian Restaurante Menu del Dia 3 courses €9,95 EAT FROM OuR MENu WITH PRICES REDuCED BY uP TO 10 & 15% Take-away service Free home delivery with orders over €25.00 OPEN 7 DAYS Lunch 1.30 - 4.00pm Dinner 7.00 - 12.00pm urb. El Rodeo, Coin 952 455 599 626 977 224 La Risa @ Lauro Golf Ladies Lunch thursday 14th April at 1.30pm Booking essential Sunday Lunch served from 1pm - booking advisable - Roast Lamb now on the menu, Shoulder of lamb available pre-order only Mondays - Special two course curry menu €7.50pp - Served all day Wednesday & friday - Our popular Cod & Chips available all day For further details of all these events and our new opening times call us on 660 350 896 or pop into the bar. On the road between Alhaurin el Grande & Alhaurin de la Torre Across From the Clubhouse Reservations: 660 350 896 MOVIES TO WATCH OUT FOR MOVIE NEWS King’s Speech rolls on BY CARLOS SALDANHA Voices by Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx The production and direction team behind the Ice Age movies head oﬀ to sun and samba and produce a movie that is a ray of sunshine. The star of Rio is Blu (Eisenberg), a domesticated bird living in Minnesota with his owner Linda (Lesley Mann). It turns out that he is a rare type of macaw on the brink of extinction, and he is urgently needed to mate with the last remaining female macaw of his kind, Jewel (Hathaway), in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, if the species is to be saved. But no sooner is Blu introduced to Jewel than they are kidnapped by a bird smuggling gang working hand in glove with the baddie, a cockatoo called Nigel. But it all goes wrong and Blu and Jewel are left chained together, and stranded in the jungle. Oh, and the big problem here is that sadly, Blu has never been able fly. So, how do the two reach safety? It’s a coming of age road movie in which Blu finds his wings, with a fantastic soundtrack – Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am has two tracks – ending up with a spectacular finale set, inevitably, during the Rio carnival. It’s full of thrilling action, fantastic animation, and fabulous scenery that actually comes alive with artful 3D. The actors have a whale of a time and it’s a must-see for mums,dads and kids. Lost your TV? Can’t have satellite? Fed up with losing your picture if the weather’s bad? WE HAVE THE ANSWER! Oscar winning The King’s Speech is a huge hit in Germany and is about to overtake Slumdog Millionaire’s worldwide box office success. The movie’s German distributors say that Germans are more interested in the story of personal triumph rather than the historical content – the film charts the battle of King George VI as he struggles with his stammer, and concludes as Britain goes to war. The film cost just $15 million to make but has taken $374 million worldwide and will very soon overtake Slumdog’s total of $376 million. In terms of British films only the Abba inspired Mama Mia! has taken more. Travolta da Mobster John Travolta will play legendary crime boss John Gotti in an upcoming movie about the mobster’s life. The film will be directed by Nick Cassavetes on a shoestring budget of £9 million. Gotti died in prison in 2002. As long as you have access to the internet with at least 3 MB OF BROADBAND connection you can GET TV 24/7 365 DAYS A YEAR whatever the weather More than 80 channels and rising! FOR MORE INFO 902 00 95 93 MAIN AVAILABLE CHANNELS UK ADDRESS REQUIRED. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY The news - Issue 118 - 06.04..11 - Pg.19 Horoscopes, kyms kitchen, poco a poco 05/04/2011 18:59 Page 1 WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the March 21st April 19th by Cathy Stronach You are all set to shimmer and shine as spring begins - if you have been feeling lost at sea in recent months, you will be able to make your way back to a secure base. Everything in your being wants to go wild as you feel all charged up and raring to go. Highly motivated and self-driven you seek to take the lead and initiate with a blast into new areas of interest. Just remember to play by the rules and you will keep developments running along smoothly. Kym’s Kitchen ...you don’t have to be a chef! Noodles with Bacon and Cabbage Ingredients: TAURUS July 23rd August 22nd August 23rd September 22nd Your energy levels are looking a bit low at present due to one area of your life that seems to be draining it away. This is about to change as the planets bring you innovative thoughts and a feeling of liberation just when you thought that something was over or you had lost all inspiration. Fresh new surprises appear and the game changes as you become energised by exciting prospects. There is an opportunity to right certain wrongs as things heat up. ● ● ● ● ● ● 1 (250gr) pack egg noodles 3 tablespoons butter ¼ kilo bacon 1 onion, chopped 1 small head cabbage, chopped 1 dash garlic salt Directions Pace yourself, Cancer, your enemy this week is your ability to be distracted slow down and take your time and remember to focus. By the weekend you will be full of fun and sociable and the potential for love and romance is very strong. It takes a great deal to take the inner depth of your emotion and put it out there for all or even one person to witness, but by being bold and honest this week an opportunity will present itself to showcase your material. 1. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in the egg noodles; return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are cooked through, but still firm to the bite, about 5 minutes. Drain; return to the pot and stir in the butter. Success is in the detail at the moment and you are about to unearth a few handy facts that will help you to understand the bigger picture. The other trick is learning to love what you really don’t like or do what you really don’t want to do - when you do this, doors open. Some new information is filtering your way and this will help you to refine what it is you wish to create in your life. Put the hours in and rewards will be coming your way. 2. Meanwhile, place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly Live in the moment and focus on what you have to do one step at a time - even though it seems like you have a huge task in front of you, tackle it bit by bit so that you don’t get overwhelmed. You have reached a bend in the road, not a fork or a crossroads but a significant bend. It is going to take more of your energy and focus to manage this turn but the depth of your desire will help you reach your destination. A key relationship in your life needs to find a resolution. LIBRA You are likely to find that some of those around you seem self-absorbed this week and the best thing you can do is to stay out of any conflicts if you are being urged to take sides. Relationship opportunities abound and you will want to have the space and time to enjoy these moments to the full. You are being given the chance to re-write a script of your togetherness with that rd September 23 - special someone. Home improvements or decorating keeps you busy. nd browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. 3. Place the onion into the skillet with the bacon grease, and cook and stir over medium heat until the onion begins to soften, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cabbage, and cook and stir until wilted, about 5 minutes. Chop the bacon, add it to the skillet, and cook until the cabbage is tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the noodles, and continue cooking just until heated through. SPANISH Poco a Poco By Valerie Mitchell LESSON VIRGO Taurus, you are more than determined when you set your mind in one direction and it is times like this where that diﬀerence really shines through. Just don’t become so fixed on a certain conclusion or idea that you don’t remain open to alternatives and completely miss the magic and miracles that are trying to happen. Everything you want and need is so close that it is not going to take much of an eﬀort to reach out and take hold. Love and romance is in the air too. (Serves 4) Time after time Time is translated by a number of words in Spanish depending on what kind of time you are talking about. October 22 SCORPIO October 23rd November 21st Black and white are the colours you prefer because you know where you are and where you stand - when things get a little grey you can feel out of your depth and push a situation until it becomes a “true” colour. This week it is time to use your will to fix something that you may have pushed too far and find a way back to better ground. You are being asked to see yourself and your actions objectively and then to put your energy into its recovery. SAGITTARIUS Sometimes we are all too quick to judge and this week is no exception. However, there is not a problem out there that does not hold some kind of solution. Something has reached its limit; it has gone as far as it can go. Think things through; cool yourself down before you act with haste. Whether you realise it or not what you really need now is reassurance, security, comfort and November 22nd - strength. Perhaps it is time to extend the olive branch to someone in need December 21st and it will be returned tenfold. CAPRICORN There is a desire to put down roots, to lay a firm foundation for the future. You have been experiencing a time of enlightenment when it has become all too apparent what is rock solid in your life and what is made up of sand and illusions. Make a plan, sift out all that is no longer working for you, and get ready to take action. You know what you want now and know how to create a nd December 22 vision for the future. Get ready to soar. January 19th AQUARIUS PISCES February 19th March 20th In some ways you feel like you were born way ahead of your time and yet in other ways you feel left way behind. Recently you may have thought that you were ahead of the game but others have now started to catch up - at last they can finally understand what you have been trying to say for so long. Socially this is a great time to catch up with friends and acquaintances, just don’t allow others’ negativity to drag you down, stay positive. Are you ready to receive – you usually do all the giving but this week allow someone to give a little back. There is a need for greater balance in your life and what has value will become apparent and what is a waste of time will seem obvious. You have financial insights that need to be acted upon and you instinctively know what needs to happen. Keep focused on what you are doing and don’t allow yourself to become distracted or side-tracked by others. If you are talking about time in general it's "tiempo" No tengo tiempo para leer el periódico - I don't have time to read the newspaper. Dura mucho tiempo - It lasts a long time. Todo el tiempo - All the time Just to confuse the issue, tiempo can also be used to mean weather. ¿Qué tiempo hace? - What's the weather like? Hace buen tiempo hoy - The weather is nice today. If you want time to mean occasion its vez/veces. Fui al teatro una vez - I went to the theatre once. Vamos a Madrid dos veces al año - We go to Madrid twice a year. Visito a mi abuela tres veces a la semana - I visit my Granny three times a week. A veces means sometimes La primera vez - The first time La ultima vez - The last time De vez en cuando - From time to time And a little saying Una vez al año no hace daño which translates loosely as Once in a blue moon never hurt anyone. Clock time is la hora. ¿Qué hora es? - What time is it? Tengo una hora libre - I have a free hour Hace tres horas - Three hours ago Es hora de comer - It's time to eat Ya es hora de irme - Now it's time for me to go. Adios amigos. Hasta la próxima - Until next time. Valerie Valerie runs the Centro Idiomas Language School in Coin. Her books, “The First Twelve Shortcuts to Spanish” , “The Second Twelve Shortcuts to Spanish” (€5 each) and “The Verb Book” (€7) are available from The News oﬃce in Coin, Woody’s Cards and Books in Los Boliches, David’s Books in Los Boliches or by email from vjeﬀ[email protected] or call 952 450 747. WEDNESDAY, April 6 th 2010 20 n Magazine Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Contemporary lifestyle and celebrity gossip ROYAL WEDDING Cruising the Boulevard Oscar winning Spanish actress Penelope Cruz has unveiled her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, flanked by her husband Javier Bardem and co-star and leading man Johnny Depp. Support a cause and celebrate the royal special day The 36-year-old received the 2,436th star on the Walk of Fame, which stretches along Hollywood Boulevard, and the ceremony comes before next month’s release of Pirates of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, in which she stars with Depp. Penelope Cruz is the only Spanish actress to have so far received the award and joked at the ceremony that when she arrived in the US in 1994 she only knew two phrases in English – “How are you?” and “I want to work with Johnny Depp” but now can add “I want to work with Johnny Depp again”. She won her Oscar for her performance in Woody Allen’s Vicky Christina Barcelona, in which she starred with husband to be Bardem, and the couple had a son, Leonardo, in January. Princess-to-be kate Middleton was bullied at school as a 13-year-old and her parents had to step in and move her to another school. But kate never forgot the nightmare and the charity BeatBullying is one of 26 to benefit from kate’s wedding to Prince William on April 29th. The young couple have chosen a list of charities that they would like to help and they want well-wishers to support a cause instead of spending hard earned cash on a gift for their special day. The couple have released a private wedding list so close friends, family and other wedding guests can help furnish their Anglesey cottage near William’s RAF base, and a flat in London, probably in Kensington Palace – so, looks like they will need two toasters after all. When William’s parents Prince Charles and Diana married they received more than 6,000 gifts from the public. His grandparents, The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, received more than 2,500 gifts from around the world when they married in 1947 – including a race horse and 133 pairs of nylon stockings – in short supply because of post-war rationing. But William and Kate are anxious that people do not spend on a gift for them but back the beneficiaries listed on their special website. The 26 charities include a child bereavement organisation, young people, a London Zoo project to save the black rhino in Kenya – the Prince proposed there – a fund for terminally ill children, a number of armed forces support charities, and the New Zealand Christ Church earthquake appeal. Many of the beneficiaries on the list have not received royal support before and a number are small charities who find fund raising tough. So, for anyone wanting to mark the royal wedding with a gift, the site to visit is The Prince William and Catherine Middleton Charitable Gift Fund. In the meantime William’s father the Prince of Wales found himself in the middle of the on-going row over the disputed territory of Gibraltar during his visit to Spain, when the Spanish heir to the throne waded in during a gala dinner in Madrid to welcome the Prince and the Duchess of Cornwell on their first oﬃcial visit together to the country ( pictured above). Prince Felipe said in a speech at the Palacio Real that he hoped the authorities make progress towards solving the “historic bilateral dispute which is yet to be resolved” – he was careful not to mention Gibraltar by name. Spain still claims sovereignty over the Rock, and the Prince and the Duchess have avoided visiting Gibraltar during their first tour of the Iberian peninsula. Prince Felipe’s comments surprised commentators in Spain because they were unexpected but were applauded by some politicians Prince Charles carefully commented that the relationship between the UK and Spain was one of the oldest and deepest and was founded on mutual respect and admiration, irrespective of the side of any argument on which the two have found themselves . Prince Charles visited Gibraltar on his honeymoon with Princess Diana in 1981 – a decision that led to King Juan Carlos of Spain turning down his invitation to their wedding. But Felipe’s remarks are unlikely to aﬀect to state of play for William and Kate’s wedding – the King, Queen Sofia and Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia are on the guest list. William and Kate aren’t planning on a visit to Gibraltar – but Paddy Power has Benidorm at 80/1 for those interested in a flutter. FUN FAsHION PReseNTeD BY INDIcA ( INDEPENDENT CHARITY ASSOCIATES ) TIckeTs €20 PLeAse cALL LesLeY 654 482 675 OR LOuIse 617 040 033 MONDAY 18th APRIL (at 12.30 for 1.00pm) HOTEL TAMISA GOLF Cmno Viejo de Coin Km 3.3 (Mijas Costa) WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the 12,000 baby teeth needed Midwife shortage costing lives Art and science have united for a project needing 12,000 baby teeth to decorate a "coral castle" which is designed to inspire debate about adult stem cells. The project was designed by Professor Sara Rankin, a biologist at Imperial College London, and the artist Gina Czarnecki, to promote awareness about adult stem cells. They said arguments about stem cells were focused mostly on the ethics of using embryos. Professor Rankin said people believed stem cells only come from embryos. But they also come from fat and liposuction could provide a lot of stem cells. She said there were different types of stem cell that people were not aware of, such as those found in bone marrow or umbilical cord, which could be used to develop new treatments without any ethical issues. The dental pulp in milk teeth was another, albeit small, source of adult stem cells. Some scientists were trying to grow new teeth using these cells. Children are being asked to donate their teeth to the project, called Palaces, which will then create a sculpture out of them. The project is making sure the children will not lose out financially by giving them an "IOU one milk tooth" token to give to the tooth fairy. The finished artwork will be 2m high, made of crystal resin and then decorated with milk teeth. It will go on display at the Bluecoat in Liverpool in December and then move to the Science Museum in London next year. Don’t delay book today Do your spring cleaning now and get a fresh smile Get a nice white spring smile with Laser teeth whitening • Regularly check of periodontitis • Professionel tooth cleaning • Treatment of periodontal disease • Professionel teeth whitening Dental Hygienist Tina Broberg Takes care of your teeth ! One in three women worldwide gives birth without expert help, according to a study by UK charity Save the Children, and more than one million babies a year die because of a global shortage of 350,000 midwives. The charity, which is launching a campaign for more midwives, said more babies in poorer countries died from lack of oxygen at birth than from malaria. It said women in the poorest countries were the least likely to have a skilled attendant present at delivery, were much more likely to lose their child and were the most likely to die during childbirth. Each year 48 million women around the world gave birth without expert help. In Ethiopia, 94% of women gave birth without trained help, while in the UK the figure is only 1%, the charity said. In the UK where there are 749,000 births a year - there are Researchers at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia tested elaborately adorned pottery bought in stores in the local Chinatown and found that more than a quarter had a lead content high enough to cause health problems. 26,825 working midwives, while in Rwanda, where 400,000 babies are born a year, there are only 46. Afghanistan has one of the highest infant mortality rates, with 52 in every 1,000 births ending in death. The report said Afghan women faced a one in 11 risk of dying from complications during pregnancy and childbirth. One in five children dies before the age of five. The charity is urging world leaders to show the political will to improve access to midwives and healthcare globally. HAIR, NAILS & BEAUTY All aspects of hairdressing Cutting - Wella Colours - Hi/Lo lights - Perming Sunbed ‘winter specials’ 60mins 25€ - Spray tans Clarins facials from 30€ PAMPER PACKAGES FOR IDEAL GIFTS FROM 55€ Reflexology and Massages from 25€ Manicure / Pedicure The latest Shellac & Foilwrap Minx Nails Teethwhitening also available for special price 125€ Mon - Closed / Tues - Fri 10 - 6.00pm / Sat 10 to 4.00pm Tel: 952 666 787 - Mobile 630 800 572 NEED A NEW STYLE! HANNA Tricoderm SL • 952 917 126 Bernabé Tierno 3, Edif. Lindamar 2 Street between Paseo Mercadona and Feria 29640 Fuengirola, Malaga 30 years experience 12 years on the coast A dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health and parodontitis 951 260 767 www.laclinica.com.es [email protected] avda.clemente diaz ruiz 4, edif. tres coronas, portal D, apt 202, 29640 Fuengirola (behind mercacentro, close to the train station) Pretty patterns camouflage poison Additional laboratory tests were carried out on 25 pieces to determine if the lead was leachable, that is, if it could be ingested along with food. Three plates and two spoons were found to be leaching lead in quantities that far exceeded the limits set by the Food and Drug Administration. One of the plates leached lead at more than 145 parts per million. The agency’s limit is 2 parts per million. The researchers sent their data to the F.D.A., and a spokesman said the agency was following it up. The researchers have stressed that it is the manufacturers of the pottery that were at fault, not the stores that sold it. They said they hoped the FDA would track the pottery to its source and take the necessary action. App that can detect deadly diseases An app invented by three dermatologists at Madrid's Ramón y Cajal Hospital is now helping doctors there to distinguish between harmless freckles and dermatitis, or a spot that could be a possible cancer. The DermoMap contains high-resolution photos of the 100 most common skin diseases which account for 95 per cent of all diagnoses, described in largely nontechnical terms that anyone can understand. The app also helps to diagnose by asking doctor or patient about the symptoms and then filters through dozens of possible complaints to identify the most likely. WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Take a break TARGET PUZZLE SUDOKU by Papocom Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. With no repeats, that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Level: Level: MEDIUM HARD See how many words of four or more letters you can make from the given nine letters. In making a word each letter may be used only once. The key letter must be used in each word. DD E T R O P E O I AD ME G N I F Target 1-4 Poor 5-9 Average 10-17 Good 18-19 Excellent 1-8 Poor 9-11 Average 12-19 Good 20-21 Excellent The following are not allowed: - Words beginning with a capital letter - Words with a hyphen or apostrophe - Plural words ending in “s” The 9-letter word TORPEDOED Down 1. Final destination of cream tour that I’m journeying to. (11) 9. Store up disposition. (7) 10. Description of immaturity before adulthood. (5) 11. Thrush shown in all its’ glorious elegance. (5) 12. Network with regard to still mesh. (7) 13. Many, wearing the right fashion strap. (6) 15. Animal repeatedly talking trivia but not thrice. (3-3) 18. Mieness appearance of Greek Goddess. (7) 20. Rise above diﬃcult progress. (5) 22. Fine thin silk or lace produced in Helmut Ullerichs’ establishment. (5) 23. Electrical quantity unit identified by a mixture copper bloom. (7) 24. Non-oral examination. (7,4) 2. Arises smelling of flowers, perhaps? (5) 3. Lachrymose land that you and I am, shortly, beginning to understand. (7) 4. Entente gift that you start receiving. (6) 5. Harmonized verse used by a cockney, maybe? (6) 6. As a rule it’s commonly applied to partner. (7) 7. Chance occasion never twice repeated apparently. (11) 8. Turkish skewered dishes of meat and veg’. (5,6) 14. Rover almost blame’s Rolls Royce for u-turn damage. (7) 16. Bill European noble for a chronicled disclosure. (7) 17. Spirit shown by the shy, politically correct English leaders. (6) 19. Exhausted disbursement. (5) 21. Images of portraits that I construct in private. (5) 1 Across Down 1. Latest news (4,5) 8. 0 (4) 9. Outgoing type (9) 10. Piece of film etc (4) 13. Ascend (5) 15. Grub (6) 16. Sign of the zodiac (6) 17. Announcer - forerunner (6) 19. Skilful (6) 20. Irish poet (5) 21. Rescue - except (4) 24. Basic units of organism, not yet specialised (4,5) 25. Fool - mongrel (4) 26. Rude and aggressive (9) 2. Cab (4) 3. Leave a car (4) 4. Rebellion (6) 5. Small crustacean (6) 6. Mirror (not a good one?) (9) 7. Made up of diﬀerent elements (9) 11. Lung problem causing breathlessness (9) 12. Make more serious (9) 13. Sheepdog (less usual spelling) (5) 14. Things may be strictly for them! (5) 18. One who owes (6) 19. Sort of energy or number (6) 22. Skin (4) 23. Tribe (4)) 21 4. What is the Secret Service code name for the helicopter pad at The Pentagon? 2 22 24 25 5. Eighteen year-old Eri Yoshida, known as the Knuckleball Princess, in 2010 became the first Japanese woman to play in the US professional (generally allmale) league of which sport: Baseball; Basketball; Volleyball; or Table Tennis? 6. Which jockey won the 1981 UK Grand National on Aldaniti? 19 21 23 7. Yitzhak Rabin was the prime minister of which country between 1974 and 1977? 8. Raines Law of 1896 related to the sale of what in New York State? 26 17. Herald 19. Adroit 20. Yeats 21. Save 24. Stem cells 25. Mutt 26. Truculent 1. Stop press 8. Zero 9. Extrovert 10. Clip 13. Climb 15. Maggot 16. Pisces 15. yak-yak 18. Nemesis 20. climb 22. tulle 23. coulomb 24. written test 1. crematorium 9. posture 10. youth 11. ousel 12. trellis 13. throng Across 2. Taxi 3. Park 4. Revolt 5. Shrimp 6. Reflector 7. Composite 11. Emphysema 2. roses 3. maudlin 4. treaty 5. rhyme 6. usually 7. opportunity Down Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in New series: New series: Britain’s Next Big Thing Tue April 12th 20.00 Fri Apr 8th 21.00 WEDNESDAY April 6 Fri, Apr 8th 00:00 Donnie Darko During the presidential election of 1988, a teenager named Donnie Darko sleepwalks out of his house one night and sees a giant, demoniclooking rabbit named Frank, who tells him the world will end in 28 days. When Donnie returns home, he finds that a jet engine has crashed into his bedroom, is he suﬀering from mental illness.. FILM Sun, Apr 10th 00:30 Roger Dodger A high-flying veteran of Manhattan's dating scene teaches his naïve young nephew about women over one long night in the city, but realises that he still has something to learn about what the opposite sex really wants. FILM Sat, Apr 9th 19:00 Mamma Mia! Set on a Greek island, a young woman who is about to be married suspects that any one of three men could be her father. She invites them all to her wedding without telling her mother. Movie adaptation of the musical, set to Abba's greatest hits. FILM Sun, Apr 10th 22:00 Wedding Crashers John Beckwith and Jeremy Grey, a pair of committed womanisers who sneak into weddings to take advantage of the romantic tinge in the air, find themselves at odds with one another when John meets and falls for Claire Cleary. FILM Mon, Apr 11th 22:55 Derailed When terrorists board a train in search of biological weapons, an undercover NATO operative must derail the train in order to save everyone on board including the weapons. FILM Sat, Apr 9th 21:10 Legally Blonde Back on Friday nights where it belongs, HIGNFY launches its 41st series. Jack Dee hosts, Ian Hislop and Paul Merton captain the teams and Richard Madeley guests. Have I Got News For You th April 7 FRIDAY April 8th 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 A Hundred Years of .. 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Britain's Empty Homes 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:45 Doctors: Every Heart That Beats 14:15 32 Brinkburn Street 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Deadly 60 15:35 Deadly 60 Bite Size 15:40 Deadly Art 15:55 Shaun the Sheep 16:00 Prank Patrol 16:30 Animals at Work 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 19:00 The One Show 19:30 EastEnders 20:00 DIY SOS: The Big Build 21:00 Crimewatch 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 Midlands Today 22:35 Crimewatch Update 22:45 Question Time 23:45 This Week 00:30 Holiday Weatherview 00:35 Panorama 01:05 Countryfile 02:05 Antiques Roadshow: Saltaire 03:05 Rip Oﬀ Britain 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Neighbourhood Blues 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Britain's Empty Homes 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 Midlands Today 13:45 Doctors: Brothers 14:15 Justice 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Gastronuts 15:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 16:00 Project Parent 16:30 My Life: Ballet Boys 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 Midlands Today 18:55 Party Election Broadcast by the... 19:00 The One Show 19:30 EastEnders 20:00 Watchdog 21:00 New Tricks 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 Midlands Today 22:35 Question Time 23:35 This Week 00:20 Holiday Weatherview 00:25 Finished at Fifty? Panorama 00:55 Countryfile 01:55 Antiques Roadshow: St Fagans 02:55 Rip Oﬀ Britain 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Neighbourhood Blues 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Britain's Empty Homes 11:30 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:30 Midlands Today 13:45 Doctors: Friday I'm in Love 14:15 Justice 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Gastronuts 15:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 16:00 Dani's House 16:30 Tracy Beaker Returns 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:30 Midlands Today 19:00 The One Show 19:30 Rip Oﬀ Britain 20:00 EastEnders 20:30 A Question of Sport 21:00 Have I Got News for You 21:30 QI 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:35 John Bishop Live: Elvis Has... 23:45 The Lottery Draws 00:00 Donnie Darko 01:45 Weatherview 01:50 Michel Roux's Service 02:50 The Boat That Guy Built 09:55 3rd and Bird: Play Nicely! 10:05 Postman Pat 10:20 Pingu: Poor Pingu 10:25 64 Zoo Lane: The Story of the Hyena's Holiday 10:45 Waybuloo: Fairy Thing 11:05 In the Night Garden: Upsy Daisy Dances With the Haahoos 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT with George Alagiah 13:00 Diagnosis Murder: Murder Country Style 13:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:30 Restoration Roadshow 15:00 Flog It!: Torquay 15:45 Helicopter Heroes 16:30 Pointless 17:15 Escape to the Country 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 Royal Upstairs Downstairs 19:00 David Attenborough's First Life 20:00 Great British Food Revival 21:00 Neil Morrissey: Care Home Kid 22:00 Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 The Joy of Stats 00:20 BBC News 04:00 GCSE Bitesize Revision 09:50 Grandpa in My Pocket: A Carrot Called Christopher and Other Odd Vegetables 10:00 Mighty-Mites 10:15 Postman Pat 10:35 64 Zoo Lane: The Story of Kevin the Crocodile 10:45 Waybuloo: Shaker Breaker 11:05 In the Night Garden: Be Careful Tombliboos! 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT with George Alagiah 13:00 Diagnosis Murder: Merry Widow Murder 13:45 Racing from Aintree 16:30 Pointless 17:15 Escape to the Country: Suﬀolk 17:55 Party Election Broadcast by the... 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 Great British Menu: 19:00 David Attenborough's First Life 20:00 Lambing Live 21:00 A History of Celtic Britain 22:00 Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 Filthy Cities 00:20 BBC News 03:25 Pages from Ceefax 09:50 Grandpa in My Pocket: Taking Floyd for a Ride 10:00 Mighty-Mites 10:15 Postman Pat 10:35 64 Zoo Lane: The Story of Joey the Kangaroo 10:45 Waybuloo: Lau Lau's Quiet Day 11:05 In the Night Garden: Igglepiggle's Noisy Noises 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 The Daily Politics 12:30 GMT with George Alagiah 13:00 Diagnosis Murder: The Murder of Mark Sloan 13:45 Racing from Aintree 16:30 Pointless 17:15 Escape to the Country: North Yorkshire 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 Great British Menu: North East Judging 19:00 Golf: The Masters Highlights 20:00 Mastermind 20:30 Gardeners' World 21:00 Lambing Live 22:00 Frank Skinner's Opinionated 22:30 Newsnight 23:00 The Review Show 23:50 Later... with Jools Holland 00:50 Backstage 02:15 BBC News 03:50 Pages from Ceefax 19:30 Coronation Street 20:00 Baboons with Bill Bailey 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Benidorm 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 Take Me Out 23:35 The Cube 00:30 The Zone 02:35 In Plain Sight 03:20 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 60 Minute Makeover 15:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 Britain's Best Dish 18:00 London Tonight 18:25 Party Election Broadcast by the Labour Party 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Live: UEFA Champions League Football 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 UEFA Champions League: Extra Time 23:35 Smugglers 00:30 The Zone 02:35 Spartacus 04:05 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 60 Minute Makeover 15:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 Britain's Best Dish 18:00 London Tonight 18:25 Party Election Broadcast by the Liberal Democrats 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Tonight 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Monroe 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 Benidorm 23:35 Celebrity Grimefighters 00:30 The Zone 02:35 Highlights: British Touring Car Championships 03:50 The Jeremy Kyle Show 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 60 Minute Makeover 15:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 Britain's Best Dish 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Emmerdale 08:05 Frasier: The Show Where Woody Shows Up 08:35 Friends: The One with the Evil Orthodontist 09:05 Supernanny US 09:55 Brothers and Sisters: The Wine Festival 10:55 The Restoration Man 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 River Cottage Bites 12:15 Film: The Lady Vanishes (1979) 14:05 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 15:55 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Fern 18:00 The Simpsons: Fat Man and Little Boy 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Three in a Bed 21:00 Love Thy Neighbour 22:00 10 O'Clock Live 23:05 Friday Night Dinner: The Dress 23:35 The Ricky Gervais Show 00:10 Music on 4 Favourites: James Blunt 00:45 Music on 4: The Great Escape...: ...Festival 01:10 Japan's Tsunami: How It Happened 02:00 Dispatches: BP 02:55 Unreported World 03:20 Hill Street Blues: The Long Arm of the Law 07:15 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond: Bb Job 08:05 Frasier: Taps at the Montana 08:35 Friends: The One with Five Steaks and an Eggplant 09:05 Wife Swap USA 10:00 Brothers and Sisters: Run Baby Run 10:55 The Restoration Man 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 River Cottage Bites 12:15 Film: The Colditz Story (1954) 14:05 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 16:00 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Fern 18:00 The Simpsons: There's Something About Marrying 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Three in a Bed 21:00 Dad's Having a Baby:... 22:00 10 O'Clock Live 23:05 Friday Night Dinner: The Mercedes 23:35 The Ricky Gervais Show 00:05 Music on 4: The Kills 00:25 Music on 4: On Track with SEAT 00:40 Music on 4: The Crush with KFC...: ...Krushems 01:35 Face of Britain 02:30 Dispatches 07:15 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond: The Can Opener 08:05 Frasier: IQ 08:35 Friends: The One with the Baby on the Bus 09:05 Wife Swap USA 10:00 Brothers and Sisters 10:55 Gok's Fashion Fix 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 Film: Crash Dive 14:05 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 16:00 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Fern 18:00 The Simpsons: On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:25 4thought.tv 19:30 Unreported World 20:00 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 21:00 Embarrassing Bodies: Back to... 22:00 Friday Night Dinner: The Date 22:35 Rude Tube: Viral Ads 23:40 10 O'Clock Live 00:40 Music on 4: On Track with SEAT 00:55 Music on 4: Alice Gold 01:10 My Name Is Earl 01:35 My Name Is Earl: Van Hickey 01:55 Freaky 02:20 Film: John Q 08:40 Hana's Helpline 08:50 The WotWots: Fruity Loopies 09:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom: Elf Joke Day 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:05 Police Interceptors 12:05 The Family Recipe 12:10 5 News Lunchtime 12:20 House: Mirror, Mirror 13:15 Home and Away 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 The Vanessa Show 15:05 Meals In Moments 15:15 Film: The Hollywood Mom's Mystery 17:00 5 News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 5 News at 7 19:30 Starlight: For The Children 19:58 5 News Update 20:00 Emergency Bikers 20:58 5 News Update 21:00 NCIS 22:00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent 22:55 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 23:55 Poker: Aussie Millions 00:55 Super Casino 04:05 F.B.I. Files 04:55 Rough Guide To... 05:10 Wildlife SOS 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:27 Milkshake Show Songs 08:30 Roary The Racing Car: Roary's Wake Up Call 08:40 Olivia 08:50 The WotWots: Lanky Landing Legs 09:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom: King Thistle's New Clothes 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:05 Police Interceptors 12:05 The Family Recipe 12:10 5 News Lunchtime 12:20 House: Whatever It Takes 13:15 Home and Away 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 The Vanessa Show 15:05 Chinese Food In Minutes 15:15 Film: The Last Chance 17:00 5 News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:30 OK! TV 19:00 5 News at 7 19:25 How Do They Do It? 19:55 Football: Benfica V PSV Eindhoven 22:00 Film: Dragon: Bruce Lee Story 00:25 Super Casino 04:05 F.B.I. Files 04:55 Rough Guide To... 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:30 Roary The Racing Car: Big Chris Says Sorry 08:40 Olivia: Olivia Goes Camping 08:50 The WotWots: Spot a DottyWot 09:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom: The Elf School 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:05 Police Interceptors 12:05 The Family Recipe 12:10 5 News Lunchtime 12:20 House: Ugly 13:15 Home and Away 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 The Vanessa Show 15:05 Chinese Food In Minutes 15:15 Film: Devil Winds 17:00 5 News 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 5 News at 7 19:30 Fifth Gear 19:58 5 News Update 20:00 Ice Road Truckers 20:58 5 News Update 21:00 The Mentalist 22:00 Law & Order 22:55 CSI: Miami 23:55 Cops In Crisis 00:15 Super Casino 04:05 Motorsport Mundial 04:30 Fifth Gear 19:00 Top Gear 20:00 Police Academy UK 21:00 Botox Britain: Your Face in... 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Russell Howard's Good News 23:00 Family Guy 23:20 Family Guy 23:45 Botox Britain: Your Face in... 00:40 Russell Howard's Good News 01:10 My Brother the Islamist 02:10 Police Academy UK 03:10 Thailand: Tourism and the Truth... 04:10 My Brother the Islamist 05:10 This Is BBC Three: 19:00 Doctor Who 19:45 Doctor Who Confidential 20:00 Don't Tell the Bride 21:00 White Van Man 21:30 Russell Howard's Good News 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 EastEnders Revealed: Whitney's... 23:30 Family Guy 23:50 Family Guy 00:15 White Van Man 00:45 Russell Howard's Good News 01:15 Botox Britain: Your Face in... 02:15 Don't Tell the Bride 03:15 EastEnders Revealed: Whitney's... 04:10 Botox Britain: Your Face in... 19:00 Snog Marry Avoid? 19:30 Legally Blonde 21:00 Don't Tell the Bride 22:00 Family Guy 22:20 Family Guy 22:45 Russell Howard's Good News 23:15 Bizarre ER 23:45 Snog Marry Avoid? 00:15 Don't Tell the Bride 01:15 Russell Howard's Good News 01:45 Bizarre ER 02:15 American Dad! 02:35 American Dad! 02:55 American Dad! 03:20 American Dad! 03:40 American Dad! 04:00 American Dad! 04:25 American Dad! 04:50 American Dad! 05:15 This Is BBC Three: WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the Champions League semi final: Chelsea v Man Utd Drama: The Crimson Petal and the White Wed Apr 6th 19.30 April 9 NoTE: Add 1 hour for Spanish viewing times. A grippingly sordid, oﬀ the wall, tale of low-life London in 1874 which could have been directed by David Lynch. Romola Garai and Richard E. Grant star. Wed Apr 6th 21.00 April 11 TUESDAY April 12th 06:00 Breakfast 08:00 Formula 1: The Malaysian Grand... 10:15 Saturday Kitchen 11:30 Great British Menu: North East Judging 12:00 BBC News 12:10 Midlands Today 12:15 Football Focus 13:00 The Grand National 17:10 BBC News 17:20 Midlands Today 17:30 Total Wipeout Celebrity Special 18:30 So You Think You Can Dance 19:30 The National Lottery: Secret... 20:20 Casualty: Starting Over 21:10 Live at the Apollo 21:55 BBC News 22:15 Match of the Day 23:35 The Football League Show 00:55 Weatherview 01:00 BBC News 06:00 Breakfast 08:00 Formula 1: The Malaysian Grand... 11:15 Country Tracks: Snowdonia 12:15 The Politics Show 13:15 The Story of Vaisaikhi 13:45 Formula 1: The Malaysian Grand... 15:45 Escape to the Country 16:30 Points of View 16:45 Songs of Praise: School Choir of the Year Final 17:30 BBC News 17:50 Midlands Today 18:00 Nigel Slater's Simple Suppers 18:30 The Boat That Guy Built 19:00 Countryfile 20:00 Antiques Roadshow: Swindon 21:00 Waking the Dead 22:00 BBC News 22:15 Midlands Today 22:25 Match of the Day 2 23:25 The Hunted 00:50 Weatherview 00:55 MasterChef 01:55 Holby City: Coming Second 02:55 Men of Rock 03:55 BBC News 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Animal 24:7 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Filthy Rotten Scoundrels 11:45 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Gastronuts 15:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 16:00 Sadie J 16:30 Blue Peter 16:55 Shaun the Sheep 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:55 Referendum Campaign by the No Campaign 19:00 The One Show 19:30 Bang Goes the Theory 19:57 BBC News 20:00 EastEnders 20:30 Living with the Ayatollah 21:00 Waking the Dead 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:32 BBC Weather 22:35 A Question of Sport 23:05 Late Kick Oﬀ 23:35 The Walker 01:15 Weatherview 01:20 MasterChef 02:20 Arctic with Bruce Parry 06:00 Breakfast 09:15 Animal 24:7 10:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:00 Filthy Rotten Scoundrels 11:45 Cash in the Attic 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News at One 13:45 Doctors 14:15 Escape to the Country 15:00 BBC News 15:05 Gastronuts 15:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 16:00 Dead Gorgeous 16:30 Blue Peter 16:55 Shaun the Sheep 17:00 Newsround 17:15 The Weakest Link 18:00 BBC News at Six 18:55 Referendum by the Yes Campaign 19:00 The One Show 19:30 EastEnders 20:00 Holby City 21:00 Candy Cabs 22:00 BBC News at Ten 22:25 BBC London News 22:35 See You in Court 23:25 Love Me, Love My Face 00:25 Weatherview 00:30 Michel Roux's Service 01:30 Who Does What? 02:30 Great British Railway Journeys 03:00 BBC News 07:30 Arthur 08:00 Fee Fi Fo Yum 08:30 Project Parent 09:00 Dick & Dom Go Wild 09:30 Cop School 10:00 Relic: Guardians of the Museum 10:30 League of Super Evil: The Henchbot Elites 10:40 Wolverine and the XMen 11:05 Mortified: Taylor's DNA 11:30 Golf: The Masters Highlights 12:30 The Sky at Night: Double Star Party 12:50 Space Camp 14:30 Flog It!: Paisley and Plymouth 15:30 Escape to the Country: Somerset 16:30 Final Score 17:15 The Big Flutter: The Grand... 17:45 Coast: Waterford to Hook Head 18:00 Dad's Army 18:30 Highlights from the Lambing Shed 19:30 Goldie's Band: By Royal... 20:30 Golf: The Masters 00:00 Grand National Highlights 00:30 Later... with Jools Holland 01:35 Between 02:55 Pages from Ceefax 06:00 Finley the Fire Engine: Red Light, Green Light 06:10 Zigby: Zigby Surprises Bertie 06:25 The Large Family: Mystery of the Missing Elephant 06:35 Little Robots 06:45 Charlie and Lola: The Most Wonderfullest Picnic in the World 07:00 One Minute Wonders 07:35 Match of the Day 09:00 The Andrew Marr Show 10:00 Something for the Weekend 11:30 MasterChef 12:30 Priceless Antiques Roadshow 13:00 EastEnders 14:55 European Gymnastics Highlights 17:30 Flog It!: Yeovil 18:00 The Truth About Lions 19:00 Golf: The Masters 00:00 Frank Skinner's Opinionated 00:30 Roger Dodger 02:10 BBC News 03:55 The Super League Show 04:25 Pages from Ceef 09:50 Grandpa in My Pocket 10:00 Mighty Mites 10:15 Green Balloon Club Goes on Holiday 10:40 Waybuloo 11:00 In the Night Garden 11:30 Dip Dap 11:35 Meerkat Manor 12:00 Meerkat Manor 12:25 Animal Park 12:55 Diagnosis Murder 13:40 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:25 Restoration Roadshow 14:55 Flog It! 15:40 Helicopter Heroes 16:25 Pointless 17:10 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 17:55 Referendum Campaign by the No Campaign 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 Great British Menu 19:00 This is Britain 20:00 Railway Walks 20:30 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 21:00 A Home for Maisie 22:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 Wonders of the Solar System 00:20 The Brain: A Secret History 01:20 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 02:00 BBC News 09:45 Chuggington Badge Quest 09:50 Grandpa in My Pocket 10:00 Mighty Mites 10:15 Green Balloon Club Goes on Holiday 10:40 Waybuloo 11:00 In the Night Garden 11:30 Dip Dap 11:35 Oh, Mr Porter! 12:55 Diagnosis Murder 13:40 To Buy or Not to Buy 14:25 Restoration Roadshow 14:55 Flog It! 15:40 Helicopter Heroes 16:25 Pointless 17:10 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 17:55 Referendum Campaign by the Yes Campaign 18:00 Eggheads 18:30 Great British Menu 19:00 Coast 20:00 Britain's Next Big Thing 21:00 Filthy Cities 22:00 Later... Live with Jools Holland 22:30 Newsnight 23:20 Wonders of the Solar System 00:20 Wonders of the Solar System 01:20 BBC News 01:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 02:00 BBC News 02:30 Click 06:35 The Hive 06:45 Babar and the Adventures of Badou 07:00 Babar and the Adventures of Badou 07:10 The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That 07:25 Monk 07:30 Spider-Man 07:55 Horrid Henry 08:10 Cool Stuﬀ Collective 08:35 The Suite Life of Zack and Cody 09:00 Hannah Montana 09:25 Coronation Street Omnibus 11:45 This Morning: Saturday 12:50 Monk 13:50 ITV News 14:05 You've Been Framed! 14:35 Catwoman 16:30 The Nation's Favourite Abba Song 18:00 London Tonight 18:15 ITV News 18:30 You've Been Framed! 19:00 Mamma Mia 21:10 When Piers Met Andrew Lloyd Webber 22:10 ITV News 22:25 Knocked Up 00:45 The Zone 02:50 Swingtown 03:35 ITV Nightscreen 07:00 Jungle Junction 07:10 Curious George 07:25 Monk 07:30 Cool Stuﬀ Collective 07:55 Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil 08:05 Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil 08:20 SpongeBob SquarePants 08:35 Phineas and Ferb 08:45 Phineas and Ferb 09:00 Wizards of Waverly Place 09:25 May the Best House Win 10:25 House Gift 11:30 This Morning: Sunday 12:30 Dinner Date 13:30 ITV News 13:35 Columbo: Uneasy Lies the Crown 15:35 ABBA: The Mamma Mia! Story 16:35 Midsomer Murders 18:35 London Tonight 18:45 ITV News 19:00 The Cube 20:00 Lewis 22:00 ITV News 22:15 Atonement 00:25 Highligts: Rugby 01:10 The Zone 02:00 The Fog 03:30 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 60 Minute Makeover 15:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 Britain's Best Dish 18:00 London Tonight 18:30 ITV News and Weather 18:50 A Referendum Broadcast on Behalf of the No Campaign 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Coronation Street 20:00 The Dales 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Law & Order: UK 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 Real Crime with Mark Austin 23:35 River Monsters 00:30 The Zone 02:35 UEFA Champions League Weekly 03:00 ITV Nightscreen 06:00 Daybreak 08:30 Lorraine 09:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30 This Morning 12:30 Loose Women 13:30 ITV News and Weather 14:00 60 Minute Makeover 15:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 Britain's Best Dish 18:00 London Tonight 18:25 Granada Reports 18:30 ITV News and Weather 18:50 A Referendum on Behalf of the Yes Campaign 19:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Grimefighters 20:00 Countrywise 21:00 Smugglers 22:00 News at Ten and Weather 22:35 Walking Tall 00:05 The Zone 02:10 Crossing Jordan 02:55 ITV Nightscreen 06:10 The Hoobs 06:35 The Hoobs 07:00 The McCain Track and Field Show 07:25 Mobil 1: The Grid 07:55 The Morning Line 08:50 Friends 09:20 T4 Movie Special 09:50 Friends 10:20 Glee 11:20 Great British Hairdresser 12:25 The Big Bang Theory 12:50 The Big Bang Theory 13:20 That Paralympic Show 13:55 Live: Channel 4 Racing 15:25 The Secret Supper Club 16:00 Come Dine with Me 16:30 Come Dine with Me 17:00 Come Dine with Me 17:35 Come Dine with Me 18:05 Come Dine with Me 18:35 Channel 4 News 19:05 4thought.tv 19:10 River Cottage Every Day 20:10 Seven Ages of Britain 21:10 Transporter 3 23:10 Stand up for the Week 00:00 The Untouchables 02:05 Sex in the 80s 03:00 Privileged 03:50 Privileged 04:35 Ugly Betty 06:05 Sali Mali 06:10 The Hoobs 06:35 The Hoobs 07:00 Freesports on 4 07:25 Crunchtime 07:50 Friends 08:20 Friends 08:45 Hollyoaks Omnibus 11:20 Friends 11:55 Glee 12:50 The Simpsons 13:25 The Simpsons 13:55 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 14:25 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 14:55 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 15:30 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 16:00 Jamie's 30 Minute Meals 16:30 Deal or No Deal 17:30 Time Team 18:30 Channel 4 News 18:55 4thought.tv 19:00 Come Dine with Me 20:00 Civilization: Is the West History? 21:00 Country House Rescue 22:00 Wedding Crashers 00:15 Basic Instinct 2 02:15 Never Did Me Any Harm 03:10 Vincent: The Full Story 04:05 The Play's the Thing 06:10 Max Bear 06:20 The Hoobs 06:45 The Hoobs 07:10 Freshly Squeezed 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:05 Frasier 08:35 Friends 09:05 Wife Swap USA 10:00 Brothers & Sisters 10:55 Relocation, Relocation 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 River Cottage Bites 12:20 The Day the Earth Stood Still 14:05 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 16:00 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Fern 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 Referendum: No Campaign 20:00 Dispatches 21:00 One Born Every Minute 22:00 Bodyshock 23:05 The Event 00:05 4thought.tv 00:10 Foo Fighters: A New Light 00:40 Poker 01:40 The SS 02:35 Codex 03:20 Vincent: The Full Story 04:15 The Bible: A History 07:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:05 Frasier 08:35 Friends 09:05 Wife Swap USA 10:00 Brothers & Sisters 11:00 A Place by the Sea 12:00 Channel 4 News 12:05 Great British Brands 12:20 River Cottage Bites 12:25 The War of the Worlds 14:05 Cookery School 15:10 Countdown 16:00 Deal or No Deal 17:00 Fern 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Hollyoaks 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:55 Referendum: Yes Campaign 20:00 Supersize vs Superskinny 21:00 Katie: My Beautiful Friends 22:00 Campus 23:05 Pete Versus Life 23:40 School of Comedy 00:10 4thought.tv 00:15 Poker 01:15 Freesports on 4 01:40 Mobil 1: The Grid 02:05 KOTV 02:30 Extreme Sailing Series 03:00 ITU Triathlon Team and Sprint World Championships 03:50 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour 07:50 Bert and Ernie: Meet the Aliens 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Hana's Helpline: Ow Patsy! 08:20 The Adventures of Bottle Top... 08:30 Play! 08:45 Rupert Bear: Rupert Flies to Cheddar Moon 09:00 Olivia: Olivia Claus 09:15 Mr Men: Gifts 09:30 Gerald McBoing Boing 10:00 The Family Recipe 10:05 The Gadget Show 11:05 Emergency Bikers 12:05 Megastructures: 747 Demolition 13:10 Film: Battle at Apache Pass 14:50 Film: National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation 16:35 5 News 16:45 Film: The Cowboys 19:15 NCIS: Trojan Horse 20:10 CSI: Grissom's Greatest: Grissom's Greatest 21:10 CSI: New York 22:10 CSI: Miami 23:10 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Unbearable 00:10 Super Casino 04:00 Animal Rescue Squad 04:10 Nick's Quest 07:40 Roobarb and Custard Too 07:45 Igam Ogam 08:00 The Little Princess 08:10 Hana's Helpline 08:20 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 08:35 Family! 08:45 Rupert 09:00 Olivia 09:15 The Mr Men Show 09:30 Gerald McBoing Boing 10:00 Chinese Food in Minutes 10:15 Best of OK! TV 11:15 Family Food Fight with Flora 11:45 Ice Road Truckers 12:45 Tsunami: British Search and Rescue 13:45 You Got Served 15:35 High School Musical 3: Senior Year 17:45 5 News Weekend 17:50 Mr Deeds 19:40 Hellboy 22:00 The Walking Dead 23:30 Thir13en Ghosts 01:15 Super Casino 04:00 Animal Rescue Squad 04:10 UEFA Europa League 05:00 Hana's Helpline 07:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Olivia 08:50 The Wot Wots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:05 Bridezillas 12:05 The Family Recipe 12:10 5 News Lunchtime 12:20 House 13:15 Home and Away 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 The Vanessa Show 15:05 Chinese Food in Minutes 15:15 Family Sins 17:00 5 News at 5 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 5 News at 7 19:30 How Do They Do It? 20:00 The Gadget Show 21:00 Resident Evil: Extinction 22:55 Derailed 00:40 Sex Lessons 01:10 Super Casino 04:00 Meals in Moments 04:10 How Not to Decorate 04:55 Rough Guide to Islands 07:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 08:15 Peppa Pig 08:20 Peppa Pig 08:30 Roary the Racing Car 08:40 Olivia 08:50 The Wot Wots 09:00 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 The Wright Stuﬀ 11:05 Bridezillas 12:05 The Family Recipe 12:10 5 News Lunchtime 12:20 House 13:15 Home and Away 13:45 Neighbours 14:15 The Vanessa Show 15:05 Chinese Food in Minutes 15:15 Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771 17:00 5 News at 5 17:30 Neighbours 18:00 Home and Away 18:25 OK! TV 19:00 5 News at 7 19:30 Extraordinary Dogs 20:00 Tutankhamun: The Mystery Revealed 21:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 22:00 CSI: Miami 22:55 CSI: NY 23:50 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 00:45 Super Casino 04:00 Meals in Moments 19:00 The Real Hustle: Celebrity... 19:30 Doctor Who 20:20 Doctor Who 21:10 Legally Blonde 22:40 Russell Howard's Good News Extra 23:25 Family Guy 23:45 Family Guy 00:10 American Dad! 00:30 American Dad! 00:55 Russell Howard's Good News Extra 01:40 Junior Doctors: Your Life in... 02:40 Junior Doctors: Your Life in... 03:35 Young, Jobless and Living at Home 04:30 Junior Doctors: Your Life in... 05:25 Special 1 TV 19:00 Formula 1: The Malaysian Grand... 20:00 Top Gear 21:00 Police Academy UK 22:00 Family Guy 22:20 Family Guy 22:45 American Dad! 23:05 American Dad! 23:30 White Van Man 00:00 Police Academy UK 01:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in... 02:00 Junior Doctors: Your Life in... 02:55 My Brother the Islamist 03:55 White Van Man 04:25 Formula 1: The Malaysian Grand... 19:00 Doctor Who 19:45 Doctor Who Confidential 20:00 Don't Tell the Bride 21:00 Gavin and Stacey 21:30 Gavin and Stacey 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 Bizarre ER 23:00 Family Guy 23:20 Family Guy 23:45 Police Academy UK 00:45 Bizarre ER 01:15 Gavin and Stacey 01:45 Gavin and Stacey 02:10 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 03:10 Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands 04:10 Police Academy UK 05:10 SIGN OFF 19:00 Total Wipeout 20:00 Don't Tell the Bride 21:00 Is Breast Best? Cherry Healey Investigates 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 White Van Man 23:00 Family Guy 23:20 Family Guy 23:45 Is Breast Best? Cherry Healey Investigates 00:45 White Van Man 01:15 Russell Howard's Good News 01:45 Total Wipeout 02:45 Don't Tell the Bride 03:45 Russell Howard's Good News 04:15 Pop's Greatest Dance Crazes 04:45 Bizarre ER 05:15 SIGN OFF WedneSdAy, April 6th 2011 Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in Classifieds Place an Ad by phone: Place an Ad by email: Place an Ad by fax: 952 45 44 91 / 902 00 11 00 [email protected] Air cOndiTiOning cArS & vAnS cOOlflOW The Air Conditioning Specialists. Installation, servicing and repairs to all makes and models. Special oﬀers available. Call Ian 678491234. Established 7 (119)tnp years on the coast ---------------------------------------------KOldAir Supplying and fitting Europe’s best airconditioners at Spain’s lowest Prices. 605428307 (120)p See advert on Page 3. We Buy accident damaged cars and mechanical failures. (123)p 609709466 ---------------------------------------------unWAnTed cars, vans. Wanted dead or alive. Removed free. (120)p 616835799 ---------------------------------------------BenTley year 2000, immaculate, full spec, Spanish plates. €48,000 (123) Call 609709466 ---------------------------------------------POrScHe Carrera S. Perfect,year 2007. €55,000 Call 609709466 (123) ---------------------------------------------BMW 735i Year 1999. Full M Spec. Beautiful car. €6,950 Call (123) 609709466 ---------------------------------------------MercedeS E220 CDi 2002 full / panoramic sunroof, black, nav, Spanish plates, €14.950. Call (123)p 609709466 air conditioning Servicing & repairS by panaSonic accredited technicianS top quality installations from €595 coin meters to control electric consumption €300 no obligation quotations and advice - all makes contact Lynne or alison in the airflow offices tel: 952 443 222 [email protected] INTERNATIONAL ● All Categories ● Valid Worldwide ● Fast Delivery 610 868 748 cAr rePAirS AirflOW Air conditioning, servicing and repairs, oﬃcial Panasonic Centre. No obligation quotations and advice - all makes. Contact Lynne or Alison on 952443222, (118)p [email protected] BuSineSS equiPMenT BriTiSH MOBile MecHAnicS Fully qualified. Home visits. No call-out charge. Guaranteed, reasonably priced servicing and repairs for all car makes. For ITVs we come to you. For more info: 951400189, or mobile 695913592 (127)p www.mbcmechanics.com cATering ServiceS We Buy and sell catering equipment and furniture. Also stainless steel fabrication, own workshops, extractor hoods, work benches etc. 650966374, 952338378 (0)f www.eurohosteleria.com clASSeS w w w.self- defence -pro.com Group or private tuition. Helping weight loss. Los Boliches (119)wp 676200400 ---------------------------------------------SPAniSH evening courses for adults. Contact Valerie Mitchell of Centro de Idiomas, Coin. 952450747, vjeﬀ[email protected](0)f ---------------------------------------------cHildrenS after school classes. Contact Valerie Mitchell of Centro de Idiomas, Coin. 952450747, (0)f vjeﬀ[email protected] cleAning ServiceS classified rate www.thenewsonline.es BuSy Cafe Bar in Sol’y`Mar area Los Porches, Benalmadena Costa. Two terraces, one enclosed. Family run for 6 years, genuine reason for (123)fg sale. 952964753 Building ServiceS generAl building work. Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, decorating, plastering, tiling etc. Free estimates. English, Spanish 634355214 + Finnish 648936476(121)p ---------------------------------------------HAndyMAn maintenance, electrician, plumbing, painting, free quotes. www.handymanspain.com (122)p 681107418 Mr MulTi KleAn - Professional Window cleaning, marble floor polishing and carpet & upholstery cleaning. Best price and service. call Andy on (121)p 606590728 ---------------------------------------------cleAnerS Residential and commercial. Established 2006 in Spain. 10 years in UK. 665269966 (0) ---------------------------------------------uPHOlSTery and steam cleaning, sofas, carpets etc. J A Cleaning (129)p Services 626357955 ---------------------------------------------WindOW cleAnerS Husband and (126)tnp wife team. 691140427 ---------------------------------------------cleAning lady oﬀers services in Coin. €7 an hour. Excellent references. (118)p Call 678847146 for more info HOMe and oﬃce cleaning. 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Rewires, extra sockets, lights, fault finding etc. www.electriciancostadelsol.com Contact me by email at [email protected] or (167)p call Ian 650151569 ---------------------------------------------elecTriciAn 30 years experience. Boletins, ICP’s, general installations and maintenance. 669009821 www.frankmultiservices.com (118)tnp ---------------------------------------------PrOfeSSiOnAl repairs & installations, experienced and reliable electrician. 681107418 (122)p www.handymanspain.com For all your AdverTiSing needs in NEWS THE 622 050 409 MArBle floor Polishing (€2 m2) Why pay more? We clean, then crystalize and polish to a high gloss, non slip. Professional fast services. Cover all Costa. 14 years (140)p experience. 671244683 gArdening 39 euros a week. Garden maintenance and more. (references). (126)p 634355441, 690049011 ---------------------------------------------gArdening services, cleaning, maintenance, etc. Hourly rate. Spanish: 670822949 / English: 685555834 HeAlTH & BeAuTy MArK denTAl clinic MDC WAnTS BOOT SAle items, tools, electrical, paperbacks, household, china etc. Top prices paid. 607780648 (118)catp ---------------------------------------------We Buy accident damaged cars and mechanical failures. 609709466 (118))p PeTS & AniMAlS ! EstimAtEs flOOr POliSHing cOMPuTer Helpline. Desktops, laptops repaired, upgraded. New and used supplied. Internet, email problems solved. 952564274, (119)tnp 677702501 ---------------------------------------------cOin Computer Services. All repairs, virus removal, upgrades, Broadband. Laptop repairs. (119)tnp 951047292, 676909418 ---------------------------------------------lAPTOPS and all computers, sales, repairs, upgrades etc., and oﬃce equipment repairs. Oﬃce Lines (Freddy Smith), Diana Centre, Km (112)gp 168, N340. 952880654 ---------------------------------------------Pc dOcTOr desktop and laptop repair centre. Sales and upgrades. ADSL from €20 per month. Full range of internet, Telefonica and Telecom services. Anti-virus program €50 per year. We cover the coast. Certified and bilingual technicians. Call sales 952591071 (0)pwf Support 807488440 PreSTige Insurance Consultants. For quality products and personal service. Motor (all types UK and Spanish). Home (Building/Contents). Travel Health - Life/Disability - Business. Registered with the Direccion General de Seguros as Exclusive Agents for Ibex Insurance and Generali Seguros. Tel/Fax 952453873 Mobile 667982418 www.prestige-insurance.com (123)p restorative & cosmetic dentistry see our main advert on Page 5 952 917 164 Calle Burgos 3, Fuengirola, Malaga gilliAn your friendly mobile hairdresser for the elderly. Specialist in perms, sets, colours and blow-drys. Good rates. All products supplied unless advised (124)p otherwise. 635261483 ---------------------------------------------HAirdreSSing Mobile hairdresser, over 15 years experience, all aspects. Telephone (123)tnp Janet 645037335 ---------------------------------------------MOBile massage therapist. Reflexology, Swedish massage, aromatherapy, deep tissue and hotstones. Gift vouchers also available. www.relajacionpura.com (121)p 666144572 HOuSe cleArAnceS FULLY LICENSED PAWNBROKER FULLY LICENSED GOLD DEALER FULLY LICENSED JEWELLERS SERVICING THE PUBLIC AND TRADE ALIKE. EST 1983 WHERE ??????? ANTHONYS DIAMONDS AVDA. RAMON Y CAJAL 40 FUENGIROLA, MALAGA 29640 952588795 / 609529633 [email protected] lOcKSMiTHS lOcKSMiTH Emergency / Appointment. Doors opened without damage, locks changed, patio doors and windows secured. 24 hour honest, fast and reliable service. Call Paul 657466803 (163)tnp Security 24 HOUR Of LOCKSMITH Spain ··· Tel: 636 770 865 Lock / Safe opening service Lock changed Patios & Windows secured Contact Daren www.securityofspain.com MiScellAneOuS SAleS Best Policies & Price HOME . LIFE . MOTOR HEALTH . TRAVEL . BOAT COMMUNITY . 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Torre del Mar Colin 606616308 (124)p ---------------------------------------------lAgunA Kennels and cosy cattery. Five star facilities, fully tiled quarters with airconditioning. Your pets lovingly cared for by English mother and daughter. Near Coin. (125)p 952112021 / 606838983 ---------------------------------------------exPOrT Specialists. Cat and Dog World Kennels. 952112978, (115)p 630197435 ---------------------------------------------luxury professional kennels, Cat and Dog World. Fully licensed. Cheap collection service. Viewing welcome. www.cat-and-dogworld.com 952112978 / (115)p 630197435 ---------------------------------------------PrOBleMS? David the Dogman from Estepona to Fuengirola (0)tnf 952883388 / 610868748 ---------------------------------------------MAincOOn cat, 2 years old. 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Call 952454491 ---------------------------------------------lunA – We have a good selection of all types of Cats desperate for a loving home. Tel: 626942427. Visit our website: www.animals-indistress.eu PluMBing PuMPS Reconditioned and repaired for pools, irrigation, pressure systems etc. Economical prices, fast turnaround. Tel. (139)p 667292493 ---------------------------------------------ScOTT fOrBeS the Plumber. All work guaranteed. 20 years British (0) Gas experience 652665410 ---------------------------------------------- WedneSdAy, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the PluMBer All types of plumbing carried out by professional plumber with 30 years experience. (118)p 669009821 TO renT # $"!#% / # !!! www.GApp-propErTiEs.CoM LonG LETs Studio Hercules, British TV, Pool, w/machine 300€/month 1 bed Yolamar, nr Bonanza sq. pool, parking 450€/month ServiceS 2 bed Torrequebrada, pool, parking sunny sea views 550€/month 2 bed Nr Bonanza Sq, modern pool, Sat TV parking 640€/month 3 bed Townhouse Torrequebrada, pool,parking store 850€/month & $ " %! " (# " " ' % " $ + ! $ !#) !" + # ! 3 bed Furnished Townhouse, Arroyo free 1st April, pool, Garage 900€/month MAny MOre PrOPerTieS AvAilABle, TOO MAny TO liST We AlSO dO HOlidAy leTS, juST ASK fOr PAT renTAl PrOPerTieS urgenTly required in juPiTer And MinervA #" frencH POliSHing repairs, restoration etc. Restore your valuable furniture to its former glory. 647579519 / 952119190 (144)p ---------------------------------------------cOin WindOWS We make aluminium windows, doors and mosquito screens, also supply and fit sun canopies, blinds, shower screens, etc. Spanish owned business. call lisa Marie (125)p 646066351 ---------------------------------------------BABy-SiTTing service available. lady with own car and references available. Torremolinos to (00)p fuengirola. 639067664. ---------------------------------------------PrOPerTy Management, cleaning, laundry, change-overs, pool cleaning, gardening, window cleaning. w w w. o s b o r n e p r o p e r t y. c o m (126)p 952664472, 616679453 ---------------------------------------------MOT (SPAniSH iTv) test with home or work vehicle collection. Smart service - your time savers. 647810494, 647810495 [email protected] (119)wp ! ! Tel 952 471 877 advertising agents for THE EWS N ---------------------------------------------PrOPerTy Valuation in your language. Flat rates. Call Patrick 616672211 or 952417095 (oﬃce (123)p hours). [email protected] cArer with excellent college qualifications and own transport, oﬀers care in the home for adults, teenagers, children. In the Fuengirola, Mijas area. Call (119)p Margaret 672564416 FO SECURITY SP S S AI E R N. S RT Established since 1987 SECURITY Tv, videO & dvd WHiTe Sky Cards, Free to Air and Sky Boxes now available. 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SPAIN uniOn jAcK Removals (The Original) See main advert on front (0)p page. 90210956 Raised ground floor apartment in Alessandra, Torreblanca, Fuengirola with own garden 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, lounge, kitchen and glassed-in terrace used as a dining room by the present owners Potential for holiday and long term letting Reduced from €99,000 to only €87,995 This apartment is sure to sell quickly so call now for an appointment to view 952665856 RaRe OPPORtunity! WINDOWS & DOORS All STyleS curtains, upholstery, soft furnishings and bean bags made to measure. Sensible prices. Also repairs/alterations. All areas. Call 678910117 or email (121)p [email protected] SiTuATiOnS WAnTed GENEVA SeWing ServiceS exPerienced telesales staﬀ required. Must be enthusiastic and highly motivated. Full or part time hours. High earning potential. For more details and to arrange an (123)g interview call 622050409 reMOvAlS & STOrAge WindOWS WindOW TinTing Avenida Gamonal, Local 9, Edificio Jupiter, 29631 Arroyo de la Miel, Malaga Tel: (0034) 952 57 40 51 (0034) 952 57 77 51 Fax: (0034) 952 44 26 51 [email protected] cOin 9,000m2 plot of flat land with stunning views. Possible to build a small dwelling. €130,000 (123)tnp 952833890, 607553607 neW Digiboxes €50, reconditioned €30. Remotes €10. Unrepeatable. (118)tnp Fuengirola 695270010 (123)bfp "# . .L PrOPerTy finder. Access to “below market value properties”, repossessions and refurbishments. Housing stock throughout the UK. Combined services available, tailored finance, conveyancing, refurbishment packages, tenant sourcing. Suitable for investment, repatriation and individual needs, block purchases available. Call Carla on 687921481 for an informal chat or email at (rbf) [email protected] ---------------------------------------------cAlAHOndA Detached chalet, 4 bedrooms, 21/2 bathrooms, private pool, large garage, roof terrace, 620m2 plot, plenty of oﬀ road parking. Close to all amenities. A real family home just needs some TLC. €350,000 952930039, 606611228 - no (113)f agents ---------------------------------------------cOin TOWn cenTre. lovely large house with potential for B&B. 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms. reduced €239,000 negotiable. BArgAin 952453813, 00447968536556 (122)p ---------------------------------------------cOin Legal Country Home. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, private pool, 1,600m2 irrigated garden. Secure fencing, main services, phone and Sky. Reduced to €250,000. (122)p 952455269, 689368014 ---------------------------------------------MulA, MurciA As featured in the British Airways in-flight magazine. 2 houses absolute bargain! Home and business. 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Extra (127)p help available. 619604114 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in USEFUL NUMBERS by town CONSULATES BENALMADENA Municipal Police 952 562 142 Health Centre 952 440 404 / 952 443 545 Arroyo de la Miel Health Centre 952 562 142 Taxi 952 441 545 Tourist Oﬃce 952 442 494 Foreign Residents Department 952 579 802 First Aid (Night time & Holidays) 952 468 653 Police (Urgent 092) 952 589 324 Taxi 952 471 000 Tourist Oﬃce 952 467 625 Town Hall 952 589 300 Foreign Residents Department 952 589 440 ESTEPONA Bus Station 952 800 249 Municipal Police 952 800 243 Taxi 952 802 900 Tourist Oﬃce 952 800 913 Town Hall 952 801 100 Fire Brigade 952 792 121 Foreign Residents Department 952 809 031 GIBRALTAR Ambulance 199 Fire Brigade 190 / +350 200 72936 Police 199 / +350 200 72500 Tourist Oﬃce +350 200 74982 FUENGIROLA Bus Station 952 475 066 Fire Brigade (Urgent 080) 952 461 046 First Aid (Emergency) 952 468 835 www.thenewsonline.es MALAGA Airport 952 048 804 Bus Station 952 350 061 Fire Brigade 952 411 890 Guardia Civil 952 071 520 Renfe Railway Station 902 240 202 Taxi 952 327 950 Tourist Oﬃce 952 213 445 Town Hall 952 135 000 MARBELLA Bus Station 952 764 400 Fire Brigade 952 774 349 Municipal Police 952 899 500 Taxi 952 774 488 Tourist Oﬃce 952 771 442 Town Hall 952 761 100 MIJAS Police Las Lagunas 952 460 909 Fire Brigade Las Lagunas 952 586 328 Town Hall & Foreign Residents Department 952 485 900 Town Hall Las Lagunas 952 473 125 Taxi 952 478 288 Social Services 952 486 370 Consumer Oﬃce 952 582 911 Tourism Oﬃce 952 589 034 NERJA Municipal Police 952 521 545 Taxi 952 520 537 Tourist Information 952 521 531 Town Hall 952 548 401 SAN PEDRO DE ANCANTARA Fire Brigade 952 774 349 Town Hall 952 789 300 TORREMOLINOS Bus Station 952 382 419 Fire Brigade 952 381 414 Taxi 952 380 600 Tourist Oﬃce 952 379 512 Town Hall 952 379 400 VELEZ MALAGA Town Hall 952 559 100 Municipal Police 952 549 238 Austria 952 600 267 Belgium 952 599 159 Canada 952 223 346 Denmark 952 211 797 Finland 952 212 435 France 952 226 590 Germany 952 363 591 Great Britain 952 352 300 Greece 952 311 847 Holland 952 380 888 Hungary 952 308 393 Iceland 952 661 200 Ireland 952 475 108 Italy 952 306 150 Norway 952 667 955 Phillipines 952 222 757 Saudi Arabia 952 310 358 Sweden 952 604 383 USA 952 474 891 WEEKLY MARKETS CHURCHES Church of England / Episcopal St. Georges Malaga 952 219 396 San Miguel Nerja 952 521 339 Parish Church Competa 952 219 396 Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Carmen Almuñeca 952 521 339 Anglican Chaplaincy of St Andrew Los Boliches 952 580 600 San José Chapel Carmen Church, Benalmadena Costa. Norwegian Church at El Camponario, Calahonda. Iglesia Cristo, Coin. Cemetary Chapel, Alhaurin el Grande. Iglesia Paroquial Virgen del Rocio San Pedro. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Sotogrande. Torre Guadiaro 952 808 605 St Barnabus IERE (Anglican) 958 359 388 St Barnabus IERE (Anglican) 952 030 461 Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Gibraltar +350 200 78377 Muslim Mezquita del Rey Abdul Aziz 952 774 143 Mezquita del Centro Cultural Sohail, Fuengirola 952 473 916 Mezquita Calle San Augustin, Malaga 952 228 595 Roman Catholic Santo Cristo del Calvario, Marbella 952 774 899 Saint Joseph’s Chapel, Fuengirola 952 472 985 Lux Mundi, Fuengirola 952 474 840 Church of the Immaculate Conception Arroyo de la Miel Hermita de San Miguel, Calahonda St Andrew’s Chapel, Los Boliches Parish Church of Virgen del Carmen, Benalmadena Costa Lux Mundi Second Ecumenical Centre, Torre del Mar 952 543 334 Nuestra Señora de Europa, Chiclana (Cadiz) Methodist Methodist Church, Gibraltar +350 200 77491 / +350 200 40870 La Capilla de la Torre, Sotogrande, 956 795 062 La Capilla de la Torre, Torre Guadiaro, San Roque Jehovah’s Witnesses Edificio Apollo, Torremolinos 952 561 170 Kingdom Hall, Fuengirola 952 469 082 Calle José Palanca 20, Malaga. Fuente Nueva, San Pedro 952 818 595 Kingdom Hall, Torrox Costa 952 526 740 Calle Infantes, Torre del Mar. Calle Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente, Coin 952 499 239 Evangelical /Baptist/Pentecostal Elim Family Fellowship 952 486 820 / 951 912 525 Evangelical Church, Los Boliches 952 460 728 Evangelical Community Church, Torremolinos 952 384 706 Christ Ambassadors, Torremolinos 952 384 706 Fellowship of the King, Nerja 958 658 439 Community Bible Fellowship, Nerja 952 521 776 Presbyterian Hotel Torremar, Torre del Mar 952 532 825 Informal Community Church, Torrox Park, 952 532 825 Evangelical Christian Fellowship, Calahonda 952 930 275 Arroyo Baptist Church, Arroyo de la Miel 952 447 967 / 952 386 716 Baptist Church, Calahonda 952 834 213 Asambleas de Dios, La Linea. The International Christian Fellowship, Marbella 952 932 216 Christian Church, Christamar Centre, Puerto Banus 637 408 194 Words of Power Evangelical Church, Mijas 952 591 180 Fellowship of the King, Salobreña 958 658 439 Fellowship of the King, Almuñeca 958 658 439 Evangelical Reformed Church, Almuñeca 958 639 529 / 677 699 490 Fellowship of the King, La Viñuela 952 033 021 Brethren Assembly, Gibraltar. Plaza Ibensa 35 - 37, Benalmadena 952 486 820 Ark Christian Fellowship, Fuengirola 952 592 171 Faith Baptist Church, San Pedro 952 930 458 Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre, Fuengirola 951 260 982 / 654 328 016 Saint Andrews Church, Gibraltar +350 200 77040 Dutch Evangelical Skandinaviska Turistkyran, Fuengirola. Avenida Montemar 10a, Torremolinos. Church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints Calle Rueda 7, Los Boliches 952 469 392 / 607 521 032 Calle Jesus del Gran Poder, Motril 958 825 665 Calle Babell 1, Malaga. Calle Sevilla 43, Algeciras 956 630 894 Bahai Bahai Information Oﬃces: Marbella 952 902 121 Fuengirola 952 474 447 Malaga 952 214 057 Benalmadena 952 442 424 Alhaurin de la Torre 952 411 496 Rincon de la Victoria 952 402 870 Gibraltar +350 200 73287 Synagogues Beth Minzi, Torremolinos 952 052 550 Beth El, Marbella 952 859 395 Quakers Quakers (Society of Friends) Malaga [email protected] The Norwegian Seamans Church El Campanario, Calahonda 952 939 800 Conservatives Abroad 951 250 901 / 952 565 777 Costa Chordbusters 952 464 184 Cricket Club Costa del Sol 606 526 618 Cubs & Beavers 618 705 166 CUDECA 952 564 910 Diabetic Support Group - Alhaurin /Fuengirola/Puerto Banus 952 464 184 English Speaking Group Malaga 952 432 235 Estepona Floral Arts 952 880 935 FAMA Animal Charity 620 354 8850 Ferrari Owners Club 952 812 490 Friends of the Theatre (FOTA) 952 448 410 Fuengirola and District Society 952 476 385 Good Companions 952 494 730 Guides 667 433 581 Hash House Harriers 606 761 942 / 654 633 430 History Club Nerja 952 538 526 International Club of Estepona 952 802 549 International Labour Group 952 464 324 / 952 375 909 International Music Club 952 449 298 Irish Association of Spain 952 375 482 Irish Cultural Association 952 374 127 Jazz Appreciation Society, Benavista 952 888 106 / 669 504 942 Jazz Club 952 830 900 Amigos de Jazz 952 669 580 Lions Clubs: Benalmadena 627 440 361 Calahonda 952 934 791 / 647 379 652 La Cala de Mijas 952 473 238 Marbella 952 823 135 Marbella Francofono 952 815 444 TUESDAY: Antequerra, Fuengirola, Marbella at Puerto Banus WEDNESDAY: Alhaurin de la Torre, Estepona, Malaga next to Avenida Juan XXIII, La Cala, Rincón de la Victoria at Supersol. THURSDAY: Alhaurin el Grande, Malaga at Cruz de Humilladero, San Pedro Alcantara, Nerja, Torre de Mar, Torremolinos, Velez at El Pozancon. La Trocha (Coin) boot sale. FRIDAY: Almunecar, Benalmadena, Manilva, Rincón de la Victoria at La Cala del Moral. SATURDAY: Coin, Malaga at El Palo, Nueva Andalucia, La Cala II, Las Lagunas, Ojen, Velez at La Caleta de Velez. SUNDAY: Estacion de Cartama, Malaga at Matiricos, Rincón de la Victoria at Benalgalbon, Ronda. La Trocha (Coin) boot sale. Pizarra - boot sale. EMERGENCY NUMBERS CLUBS, SOCIETIES & CHARITIES ACE Animal Charity 610 752 350 ADANA 952 800 975 Age Care Calahonda 691 761 088 / 655 903 182 Age Concern Lifeline 650 163 928 Alcoholics Anonymous 600 379 110 Al-Anon 662 180 326 American Club Costa del Sol Estepona, Sotogrande 952 804 /693 Fuengirola, Mijas, Benalmadena 653 274 392 Malaga 952 400 006 Marbella 675 094 494 Arroyo Social and Welfare Club 952 051 610 Art of Living Club 646 379 944 Arte y Cultura Marbella 952 773 188 Asociacion Francofonos 952 815 444 Barbershop Harmony Group 952 473 051 Cubs and Beavers 952 568 552 Bridge Club - ACE 952 485 678 Bridge Club Atalaya 609 548 595 Bridge Club Calahonda 952 931 636 Bridge Club Casares 952 893 633 / 952 890 199 Bridge Club - Nerja 952 525 425 / 617 534 342 British Association of Marbella 951 275 049 / 952 828 533 British Society (Britsoc) 952 416 552 Brownies & Rainbows 667 433 581 CAS Animal Charity 952 523 607 CHAIN Animal Charity 672 399 323 Club Charity and Pleasure 696 241 678 Collegium Musicum 952 775 492 / 952 475 840 Computer Club St Andrews 637 091 130 MONDAY: Marbella at Las Albarizas, Alora, Torrox at El Llano, Torrox at Urb Costa del Oro Emergency Helpline in English Nerja 952 523 051 Puerto Banus 620 288 500 Los Claveles Charity 952 810 374 Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre Fuengirola 952 474 840 MABS Cancer Support Group 952 833 568 NADFAS Costa del Sol 952 382 713 De La Frontera 952 804 692 Nerja 958 640 176 Nederlandse Club 952 473 545 Out of Africa Association 952 668 081 / 952 440 312 PAD Animal Shelter 952 486 084 Photograpihic Society Costa del Sol 952 446 893 Positively Pink (Breast Cancer charity) 670 004 422 Recovery International (Mental Health) 952 593 455 Rotary Club Benahavis 670 604 392 Benalmadena 952 441 440 Estepona 952 800 999 Fuengirola/Mijas 648 292 146 Guadalmina 610 702 683 Marbella 952 821 121 San Pedro 951 318 381 Royal Air Force Association RAFA 952 119 708 / 952 484 117 Royal Antideluvian Order of Buﬀaloes 952 563 950 / 951 313 970 Royal British Legion: Alcaucin 696 391 224 Alhaurin de la Torre 952 595 412 Alhaurin el Grande 952 499 238 / 655 316 160 Benajarafe 952 514 226 Benalmadena 952 447 655 Coin 637 474 753 /663 157 776 Colmenar 951 163 071 Estepona 671 846 204 Fuengirola 952 468 106 La Viñuela 618 293 749 Marbella 952 774 572 Mijas Costa 615 758 959 Mollina 654 472 922 Nerja 952 526 423 Torre del Mar 628 343 198 Torremolinos 952 370 907 Trapiche 951 239 366 Royal Naval Club 677 311 902 Scouts 606 305 664 SEPE Horse and Donkey Charity 610 775 413 SOL Classic Car Club 951 244 149 SOS Animals 626 351 881 Soroptimist International 653 771 625 Table Tennis Club International 952 373 813 The International Music Society (TIMS) 952 486 947 THESPA (The English Speaking Players Association) 952 472 985 Toastmasters Club 646 533 112 Torremolinos and District Social Club 952 386 172 Triple “S” 952 417 452 U3A Fuengirola 952 494 172 U3A Marbella 622 670 158 U3A Marbella - Inland 952 112 847 41 and Tangent Club 639 542 387 (East of Malaga 951 160 509 Zoological Society 952 711 377 902 102 112 Emergency Operator 112 Ambulance 061 Fire Brigade 080 National Police 091 Local Police 092 Sea Rescue 900 202 202 HOSPITALS Carlos Haya 951 290 000 Materno Infantil 951 290 00 University Hospital 951 032 000 Costa del Sol Hospital 951 976 670 CINEMAS Malaga - Plaza Mayor: 902 902 103 Fuengirola - Parque Miramar: 952 198 600 Marbella - Gran Marbella: 952 810 077 Velez Malaga - C.C. El Ingenio: 902 221 622 NOTICE IF YOU BELONG TO A CLUB OR SOCIETY THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THIS PAGE PLEASE CALL 952 454 491 or email [email protected] WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World Sports Sports Flash the Sports & Motors n 29 Lee Westwood jet is forced to land World number two Lee Westwood's private jet made an emergency landing as he flew to the Masters at Augusta after a fire broke out in the cockpit. Westwood, who was travelling from the Houston Open with Ryder Cup team-mate Ross Fisher, said it was "a bit scary". "It never looks good when you can smell smoke and the pilots have put masks on," added the 2010 Masters runner-up. Seve Ballesteros Foundation Challenge Campo America at La Cala Resort, the biggest golf complex in Spain, will be one of the courses to host the Seve Ballesteros Foundation Challenge on Saturday, coinciding with the golfer’s birthday. It is hoped that more than 12,000 fans will take part in this charity tournament which aims to raise funds for the Seve Ballesteros Foundation, a private institution which helps with research into brain tumours. The foundation, created in June 2009, will use the money raised in this tournament to launch the FSB-CNIO laboratory, a lab which will undertake research into brain tumours, a type of cancer which affects men and women almost equally, with children under 10 years and adults over 50 years being the most at risk groups (the average age is 56). In the Seve Ballesteros participants, Foundation. Foundation Challenge, 150 different golf clubs from all over Spain will participate, with each golf club donating a portion of the green fee paid by the to the The format will be medal play (hcap) with maximum double par, a popular format as it allows the player to pick up the ball during the strokeplay competition without penalty. There will be trophies for the best two results in each of the six categories, (hcps 0-5.4, 5.5-10.4, 10.5-15.4, 15.5-20.4, 20.5-25.4 and 25.5-36.4) and a further prize for the best overall scratch result of the day. Men and ladies will participate in the same categories. Furthermore, exclusively to La Cala Resort, the best result of a Spanish nationality participant in each of the six categories will qualify for a place in the national final of the World Golfers’ Championship which will take place at La Cala Resort during the last week of August. The resort is ideally located in the heart of the Costa del Sol between Marbella and Mijas and only 30 minutes from Málaga International Airport. The entry fee will be €50 per person, which includes the green fee, shared buggy and a donation of €20 to the Foundation. Anyone unable to take part in the event who would still like to make a contribution may do so directly to the bank account of the Foundation, account number 0182 7378 13 0201526339. Southern Spanish Cricket League Cartama Oval Here on the Costa del Sol we are not accustomed to the weather playing a significant part in the outcome of a cricket match. Malaga CC v Combined Colleges CC Saturday, April 3rd. Combined Colleges CC by 5 wickets. Malaga CC won the toss and elected to bat.Malaga CC 163 All Out, 4 points. Combined Colleges 164 5, 19 points. Malaga rocking. 50 for 1 off ten overs suddenly became 54 for 4 off twelve overs. Atif Rashid and Waqas Ali brought a bit of stability, taking the score on before Waqas hit a cracking square cut with laser guided precision to Previn Menon at point. This match was an exception, with Malaga CC unfortunate to be left holding the dirty end of the stick as the rain fell in the middle of the afternoon. The later order Malaga batsmen struggled to get Combined Colleges away but dug in to reach 154 off thirty overs before the last three wickets fell in twelve deliveries to leave Malaga 163 all out. Unusually Asif Tarrer opened for Malaga and batted sensibly against the pace of Brian Barrett and the nagging accuracy of Anwar ul Arifeen until in the fifth over he gloved a ball from Brian Barrett to the keeper. Well done Asif for turning and walking off without hesitation, knowing he was out. Azhar Hassan and Zaman Khan pushed the score on to 50 in just thirty one deliveries before a rash of three wickets in ten balls left Malaga made a good start with the ball and were encouraged to see Combined Colleges 38 for 2 off seven overs when Atif Rashid found himself under a tremendous skier coming down with the proverbial snow on it and took the catch as nonchalantly as you like. Combined Colleges were scoring a bit faster than Malaga had done but were by no means racing away with the game. 84 for 3 off thirteen overs became 94 for 4 off 14 when Shoab Hussain sent the ball screaming away like an exocet missile for a flat six over mid off, or would have done if that man Atif Rashid hadn’t been lurking nearby to take a very impressive catch just as nonchalantly as his previous one. After this life became difficult for Malaga. Light rain made the ball difficult to control. Previn Menon and Brian Barrett kept the scoreboard turning over faster than Malaga would have liked. After a break for rain Previn edged Asif Tarrer to Zaman Khan behind the stumps before in increasingly heavy rain the Combined Colleges sixth wicket pair knocked off the required runs for victory. It was hard on Malaga. With a dry ball, maybe their best bowlers could have seen off a few more wickets and perhaps even have won the match. As it was, if the teams had left the field Combined Colleges superior run rate would have given them the points. By staying on the worsening conditions were entirely in favour of the batting side. A lose/lose situation for Malaga and not at all a satisfactory way to decide the first league match of the year. This match saw some good work in the field with eleven of the fifteen wickets going to catches, several of which were difficult and none were particularly easy. It might have been more if horribly difficult chances to a sliding Mark Ward and a diving Asif Tarrer had stuck. Man of the Match was Brian Barrett for his 38 not out, 3 wickets for 20 and his catch off a skier to slip. Report By Ray Fry cricket open day a huge success On the eve of the first of this year’s local cricket league matches, in the shadow of Sri Lanka racking up 274 runs against India in the ICC World Cup Final, so the nucleus of a new local team gathered at the New Cartama Oval. These were cricketers between clubs or, more accurately, a delicate blend of youth and maturity or at least not having played cricket for a number of years but with a mutual interest in starting up a new local club. Now I’m no expert on describing degrees of rustiness but I can say this day saw probably the whole range from Tom’s youthful springiness through Peter’s sprightly 50 something litheness to Ray’s near pension age seized-up-solid. (Well, he will be come Monday anyway!). Everybody was given a chance to show their ability with bat, ball and in fielding as they batted in pairs for ten overs per pair. And ability was there for all to see. It was clear that there were half a dozen who, with a bit of practice, will form the heart of a batting line up and four whose bowling will be up to the mark. All who were present enjoyed their outing on the field and were full of positive thoughts for the future. More players are needed in order to support a regular fixture list. Why not come and join us? All are welcome. Tentative arrangements are in place for a match to be played in the Semana Santa Sunday(April 24th), opposition to be confirmed but likely to be Seville. Next Saturday and Sunday we have more cricket. Combined Colleges play UK touring team Totteridge Millhillians on the Saturday, and on Sunday a Costa del Sol Eleven takes on the Tourists. Spectators very welcome. If you can help in any way as players, sponsors, or coaches please contact Tim Meal on 662 233 302 or email [email protected]. Report by Ray Fry WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 30 n Sports & Motors Motors Flash Motors Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in www.thenewsonline.es Now you can buy your car from Tesco Tesco has announced the launch of Tesco Cars, a brand new online service giving customers direct access to thousands of great value, well maintained, independently checked used cars, without the hassle, stress or sales pressure typically associated with the industry. For buyer peace of mind, each vehicle must meet the Tesco Cars Standard. This means it must pass a 167-point independent RAC PLUS inspection (including a ramp inspection and road test), and have a clear HPI history check. Stoner throws a wheely wet wobbly Casey Stoner was prepared to accept that Valentino Rossi made a racing mistake at Jerez on Sunday - when the Italian crashed while trying to overtake the Australian, bringing them both down - but felt the reaction of the marshals was out of order. Rain fell intermittently on Sunday at Jerez, and got heavier for the main eventMotoGP, which was the first wet premier-class race since Sepang, Malaysia, in 2009. And the rain certainly made it a race to remember or forget if you were one of the many unlucky riders who was then forced to retire, which cost him the world championship lead. "I heard Valentino arriving and I wasn't worried about anyone passing me at that point in the race so I gave him plenty of room,” said Stoner. Rossi brings down Stoner after carrying too much speed into the corner slid off the track. While Rossi was able to rejoin and ultimately finish fifth, Stoner, second behind Marco Simoncelli at the time of the accident, felt he didn't get enough assistance from the marshals to try and bumpstart his factory Honda Stoner had stopped the engine when he fell to avoid damage. The Australian, winner from pole at round one in Qatar and also on pole at Jerez, "It was a racing incident and there's not much we can do, what is more frustrating is the reaction of the stewards and their assistance for Valentino and not for me, it was unbelievable." The Rossi/Stoner Classics head for the hills SOL Classic Car Club members took to the road again last Saturday to enjoy the spring weather, meeting down on the coast at Benavista where “Horace” the vintage 1925 Morris Cowley joined the younger models to see them off (he then returned to his garage since the route would have been rather too much for his advanced years!). The day had been organised by events co-ordinator John Blackburn and his wife Chrissie, who had planned a series of visits to places of interest inland with plenty of time of photo stops. First on the itinerary was Casares, perched on its commanding hill and approached by a steep but picturesque road climbing through hills covered in vivid yellow gorse bushes contrasting with the green grass brought out by recent rains. A car park thronged with classic cars proved a diversion for the buses that officially stopped there! Then it was back down to the coast and up to Benhavis along another photogenic route which ended in a coffee stop below the village. Here drivers and passengers mingled with local families in the sunshine in the park and the kiosk owner did a roaring trade in drinks and hot-dogs. From Benhavis the organisers led the cars through a fascinating mixture of top-class golf courses and exclusive urbanisations – stopping en route to gaze at the sheer size and luxury of some of Marbella's richest mansions in an area normally bypassed on the busy coast road. The tour of “how the other half lives” eventually joined the road up to the final destination, Istan. By this time the sun was stronger and the sky had cleared completely, making the drive up into the hills quite magical. Mimosa cascaded from the trees in swathes of yellow flowers and the views got better and better as the huge Concepcion reservoir emerged on the right hand side, full to bursting this year following the heavy rains. Lunch was enjoyed at the rustic hotel Los Jarales on the extensive terrace overlooking the lake. Dining al fresco in March is just one of the reasons Club members enjoy living and driving in Andalucia. If you are a classic car enthusiast visit the website www.solclassiccarclub.net for details of their activities including the next event, a charity run on April 16th organised by Bob Livermore in aid of Help for Heroes. Report by: Jean Joss leO’S AUTOS enGlISH MeCHAnICS WOrkSHOp & MOBIle prompt reliable Service City & Guilds Qualified Open MOndAy TO FrIdAy 10 - 7pM nO SIeSTA Beat the Credit CrunCh Optimise your car to save you money itVs €85 repAIrS TO All MAkeS ITvS - OIl CHAnGeS ClUTCHeS - ServICInG TyreS - eXHAUSTS BATTerIeS - BrAkeS 952 917 353 687 727 460 - 687 727 516 at the end of the Coin road MIJAS COSTA collision left Simoncelli, without even a MotoGP podium to his credit, holding a two-second lead - but the Italian threw it all away when he lost the front, then the rear, and highsided out at turn one on lap 12. That handed Lorenzo a lead he held to the flag, but not before successfully responding to pressure from countryman Dani Pedrosa, who closed almost to within striking distance of the Yamaha rider before losing pace. Toyota Prius joins airport taxi fleet Leading airport taxi service Checker Cars has taken delivery of the first of an order for 80 Toyota Prius cars. The five full hybrid hatchbacks arrived at the company’s Stansted, Essex office, in March to take their place in an existing fleet of 80 MPVs, and will be followed by 10 more at Stansted over the next two months. Checker Cars employs 1000 drivers and is the official taxi operator not only at London Stansted but at Gatwick, Bristol, Cardiff and Southampton international airports. The company also services London Heathrow from an off-airport office. Checker Cars’ Managing Director David Crouch said: “We’re initially using them at Stansted but we will then involve our other airports. AUTOSALON COIN www.autosaloncoin.com Jorge Lorenzo has taken his first MotoGP victory as reigning world champion after an accident-packed Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez in round two of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship and the first European race of the year. Luxury Limo’s available for hire with driver. Weddings, Parties, or just go out for the day in a beautiful car and feel special ALL MAKES CAR SERVICING SAVE BETWEEN WITH NO EFFECT ON YOUR WARRANTY Part worn tyres from €25 Qualified English and German Mechanics, ITV Services available.Vehicle Transfers and Registration undertaken • • • Aircon re-gas and leak testing TEL: 952 45 45 27 Diagnostic fault reading and emissions All makes and models - Petrol / Diesel www.autosaloncoin.com Fax: 952 453 144 Pol.Ind, Cantarranas. C/ Acero, 6. 29100Coin (Malaga) WEDNESDAY, April 6th 2011 news Your outlook on the World the President’s 4s at e winter League Final 2011 Lauro Bowls Club The final of the Philip Parnell League Trophy competition was held at Mijas Alan Bicknell from Lauro Bowls club welcomed the 4 teams to the semi finals and finals of the President’s 4s. the first half of the game but Alan Turner, Murray Johns, Andy Salmon and skip Craig Lewis showed their superiority and The two teams, the winners on the left, and the oﬃcials Umpire of the day Susan Walker and Alan did the draw. Sue Gerrard, Eleanor Morgan, John Morgan and skip Mike Glitheroe struggled to gain shots against Dina Warn, Tony Land, John Warn and skip Barbara Land. Barbara's team easily won their place to the final. Garry Aldridge skippered Jenny Aldridge, Gill Goodwin and Marjorie Johns who played well and held their opposition for drawing skills to give them the victory. The final was intense with the heads changing on a regular basis but Craig's team surged ahead to win and retain the trophy. Alan Bicknell presented the trophy to Craig's team and thanked Susan for umpiring and the spectators for their support. Report by: Sue Walker Axarquia Rugby Club calendar of forthcoming events Axarquia Rugby club have just announced their itinerary for their Colt s team for April and May until the end of the season. They would like to invite everyone to come and support them in their efforts particularly the home tournaments that are planned. Saturday April 2nd – Colts Quadrangular Tournament in Seville against 3 teams from Seville Saturday and Sunday April 9th and 10th – International 7s tournament in Gibraltar Saturday April 16th – Quadrangular Tournament at the Fernando Hierro Stadium in Velez-Malaga against La Salle Palmerston (touring team from Ireland), Malaga and Jaen. Sunday April 31st – University of Granada away bowls club recently in glorious sunshine. This year the two teams that reached the final were Lauro and Benalmadena bowls clubs. And both teams were cheered on by their supporters in a hotly contested final. For Lauro there was Reg Tasker, Tony Barnes and Barry Holt, Claire Dye, Margaret Bignal and Frank Ball, Angie Holt, Margaret Triston and Derrick Rawlings, David Owen-Scot, Ken Talbot and Norman Holmes. From Benalmadena were Richard Jones, Jim Nealson and John Sullivan, Mary Deathridge, Mike Stapleton and Lennie Dineen, Alan Plimmer, Geoff Edgerton and Mike Deathridge, Bill Gregory, Mercedes Nealson and Tony Froud, Norma Ewan, Amber Dineen and Kate Morris. After some good bowling, Lauro scored 92 and Benalmadena 125. The The losing finalists For more information on joining Axarquia Rugby Club, please ring Michael on 669 899 064 or 952 514 898. Training for Axarquia Rugby Club is held at the Fernando Hierro Stadium in Velez-Malaga every Tuesday and Thursday from 19.00 for the Juniors and 20.30 for the seniors and all age groups are welcome. prizes were presented by David Parnell from the sports shop. The team captains Ray Nelson from Lauro and Lennie Dineen from Benalmadena thanked all the people who helped make it a special day. The next event at Mijas The winning Benalmadena team Malaga back in the old routine Levante 3-1 Malaga Following a storming performance before the International break against Espanyol, Malaga travelled to Levante with high hopes. Malaga almost had a dream start to the game in the 2nd minute, when Rondon got his head on a cross but couldn't find the back of the net. After that though, things went downhill rapidly. Stuani was put through in the 6th minute and with Malaga's defence statuesque and claiming offside he slotted home past Cabellero to make it 1-0. On 9 minutes Levante doubled their lead after some comical defending from Malaga. Cabellero had thrown the ball out to Eliseu who wasn't prepared and lost possession and Ruben finished from a possession and on the 61st minute a Gamez charge upfield set up Seba who gave Malaga hope, finishing well from inside the box. Hope was shortlived when on 69 minutes Stuani claimed his second goal of the game after another defensive mixup, What does Pellegrini do next cross heading home. Malaga went on to have the majority of the possession but really couldn't find their way through Levante's solid defence. Malaga came out for the second half and kept good Saturday May 7th – 5th annual quadrangular tournament of the Axarquia – day of rugby featuring the Colts, Senior Men s and Senior Women s teams. Groups as below SENIOR MENS GROUP C.R. Jaén C.R. Córdoba C.R. El Ejido C.R. Axarquia SENIOR FEMALE GROUP C.R. Málaga C.R. Córdoba C.R. Jaén COLTS C.R. Córdoba C.R. Jaén C.R. Axarquía Saturday May 14th, C.R. Axarquía - C.R. La Estación Saturday May 21st Jaen away. Lennie with the trophy bowls club will be the Easter Bonnet fun day on Easter Sunday, so if you feel like showing off your best hat do come along and have some fun. Contact the club on 952 466 038 in open hours. 1.30 to 5.30 Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday 10am to 1.30. finishing from close range. This defeat keeps Malaga in the bottom three and a win on Sunday against Deportivo La Coruna is essential. Report by: Scott Forbes Suppliers of trophies for all sports and pastimes andalucia The Sunshine Golf Calahonda District Darts League Tel:952493709 www.sunshine-golf.com The Sunshine Golf Calahonda District Darts League Results for Friday 1st April 2011 Division 1 Bunkers 7 - 5 Pickled Newt A Dempseys 8 - 4 Welcome Inn. Fools - Henrys A (unknown) Rays A - Sussex (pp) Division 2 C.Bella 10 - 2 Fools Fillies Orquidea 6 - 6 Connect It Pickled Newt B 4 - 8 Rays B Division 3 Henrys B 3 - 9 Oscars. Our annual presentation night is on Friday 29th April at "Shooters Bar", next to Aztec Club, Riviera. All Sunshine Golf Darts League info is available on www.calahondadistrictdarts.com COIN THE TOP INLAND ENTERTAINMENTS VENUE Sunshine Golf, the Costa Del Sol’s one stop golf shop “All we slice is the price” LAURO 27 GOLF 5 YEAR RENEWABLE LEASE TO INCLUDE ALL FIXTURES, FITTINGS AND STOCK. DETAILS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL DUNCAN ON 654 396 651 NEW RATES 2011 1 year unlimited golf: 1.750€ (couple: 3.000€) MARCH OFFER: 2 green fees + buggy: 125€ www.laurogolf.com Tel: 952 41 27 67 Fax: 952 41 47 57 email:[email protected] Front-line golf properties for sale Membership and golf included Call 952 41 27 67 for a private viewing LAURO LIVING Sports flash Read your favourite news, plus a whole lot more in Jackson scores with the Cottage crowd A statue of Michael Jackson was unveiled at Fulham’s Craven Cottage ground last Sunday. It cost £100,000, was originally planned to have pride of place in Harrods, but Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed decided to erect it at the ground after he sold Harrods last year. Some fans were upset and reckoned that a more fitting statue to join legend Johnny Haynes would have been Bobby Moore. Others reckon they don’t care as long as the owner keeps investing in Fulham - who beat Blackpool 3 - 0. Lefty warms up for the Masters with win Phil Mickelson outplayed Scott Verplank on Sunday to win the Houston Open in Humble, Texas, his first victory since last year’s Masters. The win moved Mickelson to No. 3 in the world ranking, and Tiger Woods, who did not play in the tournament, dropped to No. 7. It is the first time Mickelson has been ahead of Woods in the rankings since the week before Woods won the 1997 Masters. Mickelson shot a seven-under-par 65 in the final round to finish at 20under 268, three strokes ahead of Verplank (68) and Chris Kirk (67). Mickelson is hoping he can repeat some history at the Masters this week. He is the last player to win the oncologist at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, has treated Mickelson’s wife and mother, Amy and Mary, for breast cancer since 2009. Buchholz and about 30 members of his staff were in the gallery all weekend, and Mickelson gave Buchholz the flag from the 18th hole after his round. Champion’s Tour week before a Masters victory, capturing the BellSouth Classic in 2006 before earning his second green jacket. The Houston FRANK ELEC TRICS 669 009 821 [email protected] www.frank-multiservices.com Certified projects, boletins, emergency repairs, light and socket fittings, increasing circuits or complete circuit installations. ICP fro m €4 0 C e r t i fi c a t e s f r o m € 8 0 Open became the run-up event to Augusta in 2007. The victory had an emotional tug for Mickelson. Dr. Tom Buchholz, a radiation top quality installations from €595 Coin meters to control electric consumption €300 no obligation quotations and advice - all makes Contact lynne or alison in the airflow offices tel: 952 443 222 [email protected] your Tom Lehman pulled away for his second Champions Tour victory of the season with a final-round 69 at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic in Saucier, Miss. He won by four shots at 16- QUALITY GOLF At Reduced Green Fees Available NOW at Lauro golf Reduced green fees 5 & 7 day unlimited golf, Golf breaks in luxury accommodation on the golf course... under. Hale Irwin tied for seventh, his 200th top-10 finish on the Champions Tour. European Tour England’s David Horsey recorded his second European Tour win with victory in a three-way playoff in the Trophee Hassan at the Royal course in Morocco. The 25-year-old, who last year won the BMW International Open in Munich, had a hole-in-one at the second hole but double bogeyed the final hole for a 69. Sporting SPOTLIGHT fOOTball Cup tickets stolen Hundreds of tickets for the FA Cup semi-final tie between Manchester City and Manchester United have been stolen from a Royal Mail van. Two special delivery bags, containing about 900 tickets, were taken from the van near the City of Manchester stadium on Friday evening, police said.They had been collected from Eastlands for delivery to City fans before the game at Wembley on April 16th. fOOTball Sky Sports and Football League agree £195m deal The Football League has signed a three-year deal with Sky Sports, giving the broadcaster exclusive rights to show live matches from the 2012-13 season. The deal, worth £195m, marks a drop from the current £264m agreement with Sky and the BBC. The BBC said that it had been unable to make a competitive bid for live broadcast rights. plus many more options available Call 661 114 070 for more details DEAD FLOOR? Fully registered First for Quality First for Choice air Conditioning ServiCing & repairS oFFiCial panaSoniC Centre www.thenewsonline.es BRING IT BACK TO LIFE! Marble Restoration Service and Floor Polishing TONY’S Call for a truly professional long lasting high gloss finish at a realistic 620 726 875 price Your satisfaction is my motivation Ring for quotation without obligation The Depot VICTORIA CAR HIRE UK UK Self Drive £105 per week Fully inclusive No hidden extras Delivery & Collection Gatwick Airport only Tel: 0044 1293 432155 Fax: 0044 1293 402600 Andalucian Freight UK SPAIN IRELAND International & Local Removal Specialists Best prices on the Costa del Sol Packing materials sold Call 952 450 487 659 249 463 www.thedepot-andaluciafreight.com NOW OPEN UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP The Costa del Sol’s favourite family supermaket for all of your UK products & Scandinavian deli. Come and find all of your favourites at . Under the Birtish College. Torremuelle, km 217 - N340 Sca real ndinav esta ia te a n gen t Bank repossession in Spain - buy directly from the bank Approx 30 apartments for sale in Duquesa Price € 120,000 - 135,000 Lounge · 2 bedrooms · 2 baths · 70 - 80 m² built · Terrace · Spacious · 3 large community pools · Garages · Paddle tennis · Gated community · Exclusive area · Reference: RE-2060 High quality development ALL APARTMENTS have 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms They are 70 - 80 m² built · Bright · Spacious Elevator · Siemens kitchen · Private terrace Some available with parking and storage room included 100% mortgage • • • • 2.5% mortgage rate Interest only for 2 years! No redemption fee No opening cost for mortgage (only a 1% penalty if change lender) • Mortgage application supplied in English *Notes: Banco Espana instructed all Spanish Banks that they are no longer permitted to offer mortgages above the selling price of the property, so purchase costs and fees cannot be included in the mortgage amount. Siemens kitchen Modern kitchen with granite worktop, “Siemens” fitted kitchen – electric oven 4 hobs, American fridge, Washing machine. La Duquesa sports harbour The sportsharbour has several restaurants and bars open all year. It is a lovely holiday area with wide sandy beaches. There are plenty of charming places to enjoy lunch! sale ain s s Sp tre Dis nts in tme r a p Map of Duquesa Located close to the beach 5-8 mins walk and near the town Duquesa, these apartments have excellent road access and travel from either Malaga Airport or Gibraltar (Monarch and British Airways) Tel. 951 100 210	i don't know

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