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PAGE 10 www.thehimalayantimes.com Step Up Revolution Genre: Drama and dance Cast: Ryan Guzman and Kathryn McCormick Director: Scott Speer Being screened at theatres near you Himalayan News Service Kathmandu GLITTERATI Dimensional dance The films of Step Up franchise has been all about dance and this edition is no exception. Driving dance to another level, Step Up Revolution has used dance as a performing art as well as a Kats to sing for Rahman-Gulzar MUMBAI: Bollywood beauty Katrina Kaif’s singing aspirations is getting bigger by singing a song in music maestro AR Rahman’s composition for Yash Chopra’s untitled directorial movie. Initially, Kaif was all set to give her voice to Yash Raj Films’ Dhoom 3. Now, she has put her original plan on hold, and will be instead singing in a romantic number penned by Gulzar and composed by Rahman for Chopra’s directorial comeback. It looks to be an ideal project for Kaif to make her musical debut in Bollywood as she is working with the Oscar-winning duo of Rahman and Gulzar. While this romantic number marks Kaif’s debut as a playback singer in Bollywood, this is not the first time the actress will hit the recording studio. She had earlier lent her voice for nursery rhymes that Rahman composed for a charity album. Sources say Kaif had enjoyed singing for Rahman in the charity album. The music composer too was impressed by her passion for singing. Information from a friend of her said earlier, Kaif had a persistent offer from Ali Zafar to sing with him for his private album. He was interested to rope her in but she begged off. The Yash Chopra’s untitled directorial comeback movie also stars Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma along with Kaif. Kaif has teamed up with SRK for the first time. — Agencies form of protest, just not an art. It will rob you with the mob of dancers executing varied dance acts with attitude and precision. Sean (Ryan Guzman) and his dance team known as Mob organise dance flash mobs to win a contest. He is the leader of the group where dancers of different backgrounds come together to create an act, upload them on the Internet to get as many likes as possible. Then comes Emily Anderson (Kathryn Mc- Cormick) into Sean’s life. She wants to be a professional dancer. In order to find originality in her THT TALKIES dance, she joins the Mob. However, along the way, the street where Sean, his friends, family are living is threatened by a wealthy businessman and his development project that is to destroy their homes and their culture. They vow to save their neighbourhood through the art of dance. From the beginning till the end, the dance sequences just get better and better. In fact, you want to know what is the Mob going to do next. It motivates you to watch the movie. Hats off to the choreographers Jamal Sims, Travis Wall and Chris Scott. They have put up very innovative and creative act up on the screen. The last scene where many dancers perform is the best of all. It takes us through many dance from hip-hop to robotics to contemporary to street dance to salsa. And they dance with the backdrop of Miami. It is all siz- JLo, beau to sue over gay reports WASHINGTON: Jennifer Lopez is reportedly taking legal action against magazines, which claimed that her backing dancer and boyfriend Casper Smart was “caught” in a “gay sex club” and an exotic massage parlour. Their high-powered attorneys, Shawn Holley and Howard Weitzman, have teamed up and allegedly sent letters to American publications Star Magazine and In Touch, warning them the “reports” are “false, malicious and defamatory” and will cause “immense damage” to the couple’s careers and reputations, Contactmusic reported. The reports include snaps of Smart outside a XXX peep show in New York City in July. Star magazine claims that the place is a “well-known cruising spot for gay men looking for instant hookups.” While In Touch magazine claims that Smart was “caught” with an “exotic masseuse” at Hell’s Kitchen, which he visited for 10 minutes — the day before he helped host his singer girlfriend’s 43rd birthday. In their letters, the lawyers have each demanded that both the magazines print a full retraction, further warning that Smart and Lopez will “immediately file a lawsuit” if the magazines fail to do so. — Agencies THT-DOKU-1161 SUDOKU-1351 Idol puts Carey’s marriage on rocks LONDON: Mariah Carey’s marriage is on the rocks — thanks her new gig as an American Idol judge. According to American tabloid that National Enquirer, Carey’s husband Nick Cannon — who hosts Idol rival America’s Got Talent — is furious that the 43-year-old Grammy winner ignored his wishes and decided to star on a direct competitor of his show. “Privately, Nick’s gritting his teeth and dead-set against her taking the job,” a source said. “Nick was tossing around outrageous salary figures in hopes of pricing Carey out of the market. “Right until the eleventh hour, he was begging her to pass on the offer. “He was dangling incentives — diamond jewellery, a luxurious spa vacation, even promising to pay her a onetime ‘gift’ of $15 million for saying no. “Nick wants her to be a stay-at-home mum to their twins, at least until they turn five. He was even hoping to have another baby, but Carey has effectively scorched that dream.” — Agencies zling and cool. However, as a 3D movie, there is no great 3D effects that would wow you except for a few effects in two or three scenes, which are okay. It does enhance the illusion of depth perception which gives dimension to the dance moves highlighting them. Supporting the dance is the storyline that is very ordinary where both leads are pursuing their dreams; they face obstacles which they have to confront and which they pass with flying colours. With the movie being more focused on dance, there is not much scope for acting. Guzman and Mc- Cormick have done an okay job but they are great dancers. Their chemistry onscreen is interesting to watch. Director Scott Speer has moved the movie in a simple manner while the dance sequences have been captured well from different angles making them look beautiful. The storyline might not appeal to you, but you will be awed by the dance moves and choreography. Watch the movie for the love dance. Wife bans Sanders from direction LONDON: Rupert Sanders has been banned from directing Snow White and the Huntsman 2 — by his poor, cheated wife, Liberty Ross. Ross has warned Sanders — who was lined up to return to the helm for the sequel — to stay away if he wants to save their marriage following the revelation he cheated on her with the film’s star Kristen Stewart. A source said, “Liberty let it be known in no uncertain terms that Rupert can’t direct the sequel to Snow White and the Huntsman. They are trying to work things out after he was caught having an affair, and that is one of the sticking points. She just doesn’t want him to ever work with Stewart again. “Rupert is disappointed because Snow White and the Huntsman was his directorial debut, and he had hoped on building on that with a follow-up after some decent reviews. He knows his actions were inexcusable, and he’s going to have to bite the bullet and listen to his wife on this one. “When Rupert signed up for the movie, he didn’t know he was going to get a chance to direct a sequel. His contract with Universal was only for one movie. “It was a verbal agreement that he was to take the reigns on the sequel, nothing was ever signed. Kristen, as the film’s lead, will get preference over Rupert and Universal will just find another director.” — Agencies YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION HOW TO SOLVE THT-DOKU: Place numbers into the puzzle cells in such a way that each row and column contains each of the digits from 1 up to 4. Like a Sudoku puzzle, no number is repeated in any row or column. Each bold-outlined group of cells contains a hint consisting of a number and one of the mathematical symbols — + x - /. The number is the result of applying the mathematical operation represented by the symbol to the digits contained within the domain. YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION HOW TO SOLVE: Every number from 1 to 9 must appear in each of the 9 vertical columns, in each of the 9 horizontal rows and in each of the 9 boxes THE HIMALAYAN TIMES, SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012 YOUR LUCK HAPPY BIRTHDAY: You often feel as if you have too much on your plate. A key person, or persons, in your life will be there to pitch in. Clearly you are not by yourself. If you are single, you will long for a relationship that has meaning. You are likely to meet this person through a friend. If you are attached, the two of you bond more tightly together. You have each other’s backs and show immense caring. Make sure you have an old-fashioned date every so often. PISCES has more imagination than you, if that is possible. A baby born today has a Sun in Leo and a Moon in Pisces all day. ARIES (March 21-April 19): You have a lot to consider before you take off to make a purchase. When you’re with others, make sure to keep much of this process to yourself.A neighbour or family member wants to catch up on your news. You may be at a party before you know it. Tonight: Hang out. ✹✹✹✹ TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Join your friends as soon as possible. Much is going on around you. Wherever you are, make sure you are with people. Do not make a big deal about spending; just let go. A friend comes up with an inspirational idea. Tonight: Your treat. ✹✹✹✹ GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your optimism and upbeat attitude help others get past a problem. Still, you might need to take the lead in a key situation. Be honest if you feel you just do not want to handle things anymore. An older friend or relative plays into your plans. Tonight: Try not to go to extremes. ✹✹✹✹✹ CANCER (June 21-July 22): You could be pushed to your limit with so many thoughts and so much to do. Once you detach, you will understand exactly what is needed and how to do it. Evaluate the pros and cons of this particular situation. Tonight: You might need a break from the here-and-now. ✹✹✹✹ LEO (July 23-Aug 22): Others want you to join them. Whether watching a sport or participating in one, you’ll enjoy yourself. Nevertheless, a close friend or loved one wants to spend some time with you.Why not bring everyone together? Tonight: Having fun wherever you are. ✹✹✹✹ VIRGO (Aug 23-Sept 22): Others seem to want to lure you away from whatever you are doing. Handle your responsibilities before you touch base with an older relative, friend or boss. Take a stand in a heated discussion if you can avoid someone’s anger. Tonight: Sort through invitations. ✹✹✹✹ LIBRA (Sept 23-Oct 22): It seems important to handle a project or complete a task around your home before you take off. Whether you’re on a picnic or taking a drive to a favourite area, you lose yourself outside your normal setting and come back invigorated. Tonight: Make it different. ✹✹✹ SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21): Allow your creativity to emerge when dealing with a fun project involving a partner. Together, you’ll come up with a unique concept that delights many people. Your ideas might only relate to a birthday or making a birthday party more fun. Tonight: Let your hair down. ✹✹✹✹✹ SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): You might feel pressured to set aside your plans in order to do something for a partner or a close family member. You could be taken aback by how much your company is desired. As a result, you probably will decide to join in. Tonight: Having a ball. ✹✹✹✹ CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): You speak your mind even when you’re just chatting with a casual acquaintance. You have a way of presenting your ideas so that the other person receives the full, blunt meaning. Check in with neighbours and those you rarely have time for. Tonight: Till the wee hours. ✹✹✹✹ AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): You cannot seem to find any reason not to go to extremes and overindulge a bit. You are full of spirit and get-up-and-go. A new friend, loved one or child cheers you on. Your independence often breeds mischief. Such is the case today. Tonight: Whatever suits your pleasure. ✹✹✹✹ PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): You might be pushing the line with family members or roommates without realising it. Not everyone is as clear as you are. Don’t count on someone’s smiling nod to continue if you know what you are doing could irritate him or her. Still, go for what you want. Tonight: Your call. ✹✹✹✹✹ Born today: 44th President of the United States Barack Obama (1961), actor Wesley Snipes (1962), composer David Raskin (1912) By Jacqueline Bigar Note: Bigar’s Stars is based on the degree of your sun at birth.The sign name is simply a label astrologers put on a set of degrees for convenience. For best results, readers should refer to the dates following each sign. Rob is like brother to Reese LONDON: Reese Witherspoon looks at Robert Pattinson like a little brother — that’s why she decided to let the actor hide out at her mansion. Rob is currently reeling after reports surfaced his girlfriend, Kristen Stewart, cheated on him with director Rupert Sanders. “Reese went through a very public cheating scandal herself when Ryan Phillippe went outside their marriage and hooked up with Abbie Cornish, so her first thought when she heard about Kristen and Rob was to reach out to him and make sure he was okay,” a source said. “Reese knows what it’s like to be on display when your heart is broken, so she felt like opening up her home to Rob was the right thing to do. “She’s not trying to lead Rob one way or the other regarding his future with Kristen. “Reese and her husband (Jim Toth) are giving Rob the space he needs and a place to stay that’s far away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi. — Agencies
THE HIMALAYAN TIMES, SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012 www.thehimalayantimes.com INTERNATIONAL • THE WORLD OVER Reuters Men are silhouetted in an archway framing Lahore's Badshahi mosque after Friday prayer during the holy month of Ramadan. P’pine typhoon toll 39 MANILA: Philippine officials say the bodies of 13 more drowning victims have been recovered, raising the death toll from a typhoon that left the country days ago to 39. Office of Civil Defence Administrator Benito Ramos says two bodies were retrieved Friday from Manila Bay. Eleven others were recovered late Thursday from various parts of the country. Several of the dead were children, including a 6month old baby. Typhoon Saola dumped torrents of rain as it swept past the Philippines earlier this week. It moved Wednesday to Taiwan, where it left at least five people dead and two others missing. — AP Pak court nullifies law ISLAMABAD: Pakistani state TV says the country’s Supreme Court has struck down a law recently passed by Parliament and aimed at protecting the prime minister from being charged with contempt of court. The report says the court on Friday declared the law unconstitutional. Pakistan’s parliament passed the law in July after the court convicted former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of contempt and ousted him from office for failing to reopen an old corruption case against President Asif Ali Zardari. The aim of the law was to prevent the new premier, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, from suffering the same fate. — AP German prosecuted BERLIN: Prosecutors say they have charged a 26-year-old German with membership in an Islamist terror organisation and helping prepare attacks in Afghanistan. The Federal Prosecutors’ Office said in a statement Friday that the German national travelled in 2009 to the border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan to learn to use weapons and explosives. They say the suspect, identified only as Thomas U., took part in an attack on a joint US-Afghan military base in Afghanistan later that year and subsequently praised the so-called German Taliban Mujahedeen group’s violent actions in at least two online propaganda videos. Prosecutors say he also tried to raise funds and recruit new members online for the group. He was arrested in July 2010 in Turkey and was extradited to Germany earlier this year. — AP Clinton urges détente JUBA: US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday urged leaders of South Sudan and their counterparts in the north to quickly reach agreements on oil revenue and other pressing issues to resolve festering differences that threaten to reignite a decades-long conflict. Clinton flew to South Sudan’s capital of Juba for a brief visit to congratulate the nascent nation on its anniversary and offer U.S. support, but, more importantly, to stress the urgency of ending disputes with Sudan over oil and territory. Those disputes have led to clashes between the two countries which many fear could crater the 2005 peace deal that ended what was then Africa’s longest-running civil war. “While South Sudan and Sudan have become separate states, their fortunes and their futures remain inextricably linked,” Clinton said at a news conference. “Now it is urgent that both sides, north and south, follow through and reach timely agreements on all outstanding issues. The people of South Sudan expect it.” — AP Mongolia jails ex-prez ULAN BATOR: A Mongolian court has jailed former president Nambaryn Enkhbayar for four years for corruption, a move that could threaten the government’s fragile coalition and increase uncertainties for foreign investors. Resource-rich Mongolia is in the middle of a mining boom that is set to transform its tiny economy, but political uncertainties have threatened to overshadow its efforts to attract the foreign investment needed to develop mines and build vital infrastructure. — Reuters UN sees battle for Aleppo looming • Expects assault on the largest city soon Russia said to be sending navy ships Reuters Aleppo, August 3 A long-expected Syrian army onslaught to drive rebel forces out of Aleppo is imminent, following a military build-up around the country’s biggest city, a senior United Nations official said. President Bashar al- Assad’s forces killed more than 80 people in a series of attacks across the country today and late yesterday, opposition sources said, reporting intensified fighting in several cities. The violence came within hours of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan quitting as international peace envoy for Syria and underlined the impotence of mediation efforts in the 17-month-old uprising against Assad. The fighting has spread to Aleppo from Damascus after a bomb attack on Assad’s security headquarters in the capital on July 18, which killed four of the president’s senior aides and encouraged rebels to step up hostilities. The Syrian army has reinforced its positions in and around Aleppo over the past two weeks, while conducting daily artillery and aerial bombardments of rebel forces in the city. “The focus two weeks ago was on Damascus. The focus is now on Aleppo, where there has been a considerable buildup of military means, and where we have reason to believe that the main battle is about to start,” Herve Ladsous, the Under-Secretary- General for Peacekeeping Operations, said. As fighting in Syria wors- Associated Press Seoul, August 3 North Korea’s new leader hosted a dinner in Pyongyang for senior political officials visiting from China, state media said today, in what marked Kim Jong Un’s diplomatic debut and a sign that he is turning his attention to foreign affairs. Kim talked with a Chinese delegation led by Wang Jiarui, head of the Communist Party’s international affairs office, and then invited the group to a dinner attended by North Korea’s political elite, according to the Korean Central News Agency. Kim told Wang that the North Korean government is focused on boosting the economy, according to China’s official Xinhua News Agency. The meeting marks Kim’s first official diplomatic foray since he took over as leader following the December death of his father, Kim Jong Il. Kim, who is believed to be 29, has been swift in moving to build loyalty among North Korea’s 24 million people and to establish control over key institutions such as the military and ruling Workers’ Party. UNGA to damn crackdown UNITED NATIONS: With the UN Security Council deadlocked over the Syrian crisis, the General Assembly prepared on Friday to denounce Syria for unleashing tanks, artillery, helicopters and warplanes on the people of Aleppo and Damascus, and demand that the Assad regime keep its chemical and biological weapons warehoused and under strict control. The anti- Syria resolution was expected to easily pass in the 193-member General Assembly after its Arab sponsors defanged two key provisions in the original draft — a demand that President Bashar Assad resign, and a call for other nations to place sanctions on Syria over its civil war. UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous, meanwhile, told the UNSC on Thursday that UN military observers in Aleppo are seeing ‘a considerable buildup of military means, where we have reason to believe that the main battle is about to start’.— Reuters ened, Moscow was reported to be sending three large landing ships to a Russian naval maintenance facility at the Syrian port of Tartus in the Mediterranean. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (right) and the head of the International Liaison Department of China's Communist Party Wang Jiarui (left) raising a toast in Pyongyang on Thursday. North’s Kim makes diplomatic debut Tells China economy a priority He also has been quick to show his rule will differ in focus and style from that of his father, who kept his personal life out of the state media, rarely travelled abroad and met only selectively with foreign dignitaries. After gaining the new title of marshal and shuffling the military leadership last month, Kim Jong Un made the surprise introduction of his wife, Ri Sol Ju. At yesterday’s talks with the Chinese, he reiterated his government’s focus on building the economy, according to Xinhua. Seated next to him was Vice Premier Kang Sok Ju, the seasoned diplomat who accompanied Kim’s father to China last year. “Developing the economy and improving livelihoods so that the (North) Korean people lead happy and civilised lives is the goal the Workers’ Party is struggling towards,” the news agency reported Kim as telling Wang. Photos showed the two men standing shoulder to shoulder as they posed for a group portrait, Wang in a Western-style suit and Kim in a dark blue Mao jacket with the pin bearing his father and grandfather’s portraits affixed to his chest. Annan quits as peace envoy BEIRUT: Kofi Annan announced his resignation on Thursday as Syria’s peace envoy and issued a blistering critique of world powers, bringing to a dramatic end a frustrating sixmonth effort that failed to achieve even a temporary cease-fire. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Annan blamed the Syrian government’sintransigence, the growing militancy of Syrian rebels and a divided the Security Council that failed to forcefully back his effort. Since he took on the job, Russia and China have twice used their veto power to block strong Westernand Arab-backed action against President Bashar Assad’s regime. “It is impossible for me or anyone to compel the Syrian government and also the opposition to take the steps to bring about the political process,” said Annan. “As an envoy, I can’t want peace more than the protagonists, more than UNSC or international community for that matter.” — AP The naval ships, each carrying up to 120 marines, would reach Tartus in the next few days to resupply the base, Russian news agencies quoted a source. Reuters China to hold Gu murder trial on Aug 9 Reuters Beijing, August 3 China will open the murder trial of Gu Kailai, the wife of ousted Communist Party Politburo member Bo Xilai, on August 9, two sources said today, a case at the centre of a scandal that has rocked the government and could bring Gu the death penalty. Both sources requested anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the case, and provided no other details. China only last week formally announced Gu’s indictment on charges of murdering a British man in November. Gu will face trial in Hefei, provincial capital of Anhui in eastern China, though she is accused of murdering businessman Neil Heywood in Chongqing, a southwest municipality that her husband Bo turned into a showpiece for his controversial policies. British diplomats have requested access to the trial. CNN reported that two family members would be allowed to attend and that the trial was expected to be speedy. Bo, who was dismissed as chief of Chongqing in March, has not been named as a suspect in the murder case, but he is separately under investigation by party authorities and could also face trial at a later time. Political observers have said a failure to forge a unified stance on handling the divisive Bo case could affect the Communist Party’s focus on working out leadership changes that will be decided at the 18th national congress later this year. Bo, 62, was widely PAGE 11 Visitors running away as they avoid waves whipped up by winds near Qiantang River in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in China, on Friday. Gu Kailai Reuters seen as pushing for a spot in that new leadership until felled by the scandal brought to light by his former police chief, Wang Lijun. Bo, also a former commerce minister, had used his post in Chongqing since 2007 to recast the sprawling, haze-covered municipality into a showcase for his mix of populist policies and bold investment and spending plans. Wang, 52, spearheaded Bo’s controversial campaign against organised crime, a plank in Bo’s barely concealed campaign to join the topmost ranks of the party. Critics said the campaign involved widespread abuses of police powers. But Wang said he came to fear for his own safety after a split with Bo in January.
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