18:50 GMT (-3:00) Founded in 1876 Tuesday, June 21, 2005 Edition N 932 User: Passw: 14 non-starters could be disciplined by FIA MOTOR RACING Formula One PARIS Formula Ones governing body yesterday summoned seven teams using Michelin tyres to a hearing and sharply criticized the French manufacturer for advising the teams to withdraw from Sundays United States Grand Prix on safety grounds. The FIA hearing in Paris on June 29 could lead to a range of punishments including fines, docked points or even suspension possibly throwing the F1 season into chaos with 10 races left. Michelin provides seven of the 10 F1 teams with tires. Only six cars using Bridgestone tyres started the US race in Indianapolis after 14 drivers left the track after the warmup lap. Teams from Renault, McLaren-Mercedes, Toyota and Williams-BMW, none of which raced on Sunday, were told to attend the Paris hearing. Two Michelin tyres failed in Friday practice sessions one causing a wreck that prevented Ralf Schumacher from competing prompting Michelin to rule its tyres were unsafe for the Indianapolis track. But FIA said it had clear rules which everyone had to keep. These cannot be negotiated each time a competitor brings the wrong equipment to a race, FIA said in a statement. Michelin had unsuccessfully asked FIA to ease its rule forbidding teams to change tyres after qualifying. FIA also refused to consider installing a chicane. Michelin then advised its teams not to compete. What about the US fans? What about Formula One fans worldwide? Rather than boycott the race the Michelin teams should have agreed to run at reduced speed in turn 13, FIA said, referring to the part of the Indianapolis circuit which Michelin said was too fast for their tyres. By refusing to run ... they have damaged themselves and the sport. Michelin defended its decision. Frederic Henry-Biabaud, Michelins deputy director of competition, said. We feel it is a reasonable decision and we were professional to bear in mind primarily the safety of the drivers, Henry-Biabaud said. We had no other choice. He called the United States a safety-minded country and said there would have been an uproar in the event of an accident. MICHELIN DEFENDS Henry-Biabaud said Michelins involvement in F1 would continue, and dismissed speculation only one tiremaker would be allowed to supply cars from now on. Henry-Biabaud said the problems with the tyres were largely due to the design of the Indianapolis track. At Indianapolis, the tire coating suffers, he added. The circuit is very traditional but the straight line before the banking delivers massive pressure on the car and the tyres. For the car to do the whole race we have to be sure the tyres can last. Henry-Biabaud said FIA should have built a temporary chicane before the banked corner to reduce speeds and lessen pressure. We are disappointed a chicane was not put in as we would have had a very good race, he said. They are the sole judges, that is their decision and we respect that. But people must also respect our decision. FIA said a chicane would have been unfair on others. The Bridgestone teams had suitable tires. They did not need to slow down, FIA said. The Michelin teams lack of speed through turn 13 would have been a direct result of inferior equipment, as often happens in Formula One. The FIA also pointed out that each team is allowed to bring two sets of tyres, including a slower tyre suitable in all circumstances. Apparently, none of the Michelin teams brought a backup to Indianapolis, it noted. PART OF LARGER BATTLE In Frankfurt: the dispute was about tire safety, but it was also part of a larger, bitter battle to see who controls Formula One. Fielding only six of 20 cars on Sunday underlined how the sport is fractured with a breakaway series looming in 2008. It also damaged F1 in the United States, where the sport has a scant following compared to its wide popularity in Europe, Asia and South America. Formula One is starkly divided. In one camp is Max Mosley, the president of motor-racings world governing body the FIA. He is joined by F1s multibillionaire commercial director Bernie Ecclestone, and Ferrari the sports most powerful team. In the other are the nine remaining teams, and key Formula One manufacturers BMW, Mercedes and Renault. The group is considering running a breakaway series in 2008, and also has the support of Japans two manufacturers in F1 Toyota and Honda. Formula One teams have complained that Ecclestone shares too little of the sports commercial rights income, which was estimated at 800 million dollars in 2003. Teams receive about 23 percent. Ecclestone has amassed a fortune estimated at 3.7 billion dollars in three decades of running F1. In Indianapolis: Formula One has struggled to win over the United States since a grand prix in Phoenix 14 years ago sold fewer tickets than an ostrich race across town. Sundays US Grand Prix did nothing to enhance its reputation. In one stroke, the race wiped out whatever gains had been made over the last few seasons and dealt the supposed glamour sport a major setback in a key market for sponsors and manufacturers. An estimated crowd of 120,000 people, one of the biggest of the year at a grand prix, paid good money to watch a motor race at the Brickyard on Sunday. What they got was just six cars, four of them the slowest in Formula One, with angry fans hurling beer cans and bottles on the track in frustration. 5,000-year-old Iceman on display suffering from bacteria ROME Researchers suspect that the corpse of a 5,000-year-old mummy frozen in the Italian Alps might have been contaminated by bacteria since its discovery by a hiker in 1991, a doctor who cares for the body said last. X-rays have shown bubbles in the bones that could be caused by bacteria, said Eduard Egarter Vigl, in charge of preserving the mummy at the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum in Bolzano, northern Italy. The museum is trying to find local companies that can analyze the air in the sealed-off chamber where the mummy is kept to test for the presence of bacteria, Egarter Vigl said in a telephone interview. He denied media reports that the bacteria could cause the disintegration of the Iceman, also known as tzi. But if bacteria are present, disinfection will be necessary to prevent possible damage to the mans remains, he said. Egarter Vigl said the bubbles, which caused light patches to appear on tzis skeleton, could also be caused by air entering through cracks in the mummys skin and bones, which would present no risk to the mummys survival. German hiker Helmut Simon discovered tzis well-preserved body accidentally during a 1991 hiking trip. Oetzi is kept in an igloo made out of ice tiles to keep him in cold and humid conditions. Museum visitors can view Iceman through a small window. Oetzi has provided researchers with a wealth of information about the late Neolithic Age, or 3,300 to 3,100 BC. He was carrying a bow, a quiver of arrows and a copper ax, prompting speculation that he was a hunter or warrior. X-rays have revealed that tzi was wounded by an arrow, with the flint arrowhead remaining in his left shoulder. Previous tests have shown that his last meals included venison, unleavened bread and some greens. Egarter Vigl said the museum was also considering requests to carry out more research, including DNA tests, to discover further details of tzis life. (AP) 5,000-year-old Iceman on display suffering from bacteria ROME Researchers suspect that the corpse of a 5,000-year-old mummy frozen in the Italian Alps might have been contaminated by bacteria since its discovery by a hiker in 1991, a doctor who cares for the body said last. X-rays have shown bubbles in the bones that could be caused by bacteria, said Eduard Egarter Vigl, in charge of preserving the mummy at the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum in Bolzano, northern Italy. The museum is trying to find local companies that can analyze the air in the sealed-off chamber where the mummy is kept to test for the presence of bacteria, Egarter Vigl said in a telephone interview. He denied media reports that the bacteria could cause the disintegration of the Iceman, also known as tzi. But if bacteria are present, disinfection will be necessary to prevent possible damage to the mans remains, he said. Egarter Vigl said the bubbles, which caused light patches to appear on tzis skeleton, could also be caused by air entering through cracks in the mummys skin and bones, which would present no risk to the mummys survival. German hiker Helmut Simon discovered tzis well-preserved body accidentally during a 1991 hiking trip. Oetzi is kept in an igloo made out of ice tiles to keep him in cold and humid conditions. Museum visitors can view Iceman through a small window. Oetzi has provided researchers with a wealth of information about the late Neolithic Age, or 3,300 to 3,100 BC. He was carrying a bow, a quiver of arrows and a copper ax, prompting speculation that he was a hunter or warrior. X-rays have revealed that tzi was wounded by an arrow, with the flint arrowhead remaining in his left shoulder. Previous tests have shown that his last meals included venison, unleavened bread and some greens. Egarter Vigl said the museum was also considering requests to carry out more research, including DNA tests, to discover further details of tzis life. (AP) A jazzy visit to the life of Louis Armstrong BY CATHERINE FOSTER The Boston Globe Trumpeter and raspy vocalist Louis Armstrongs public face was a consistently happy one. But in working on a musical valentine to Armstrong, Ambassador Satch The Life and Music of Louis Armstrong, coauthors Andre De Shields and James Mirrione found two times in his life when his heart was broken. Once by racism, when he was asked to be the ambassador of goodwill to the world by America at the same time his people were being treated as second-class citizens, says De Shields from New York. And the second was after World War II, when technology introduced a different kind of velocity to US life and beboppers came on the scene, playing 10 notes to every one of Louiss, and accused him of being an Uncle Tom. Ambassador Satch, which stars De Shields and covers Armstrongs life from his beginnings in New Orleans to the soundstages of Hollywood, opens June 30 at the Cape Playhouse. De Shields has twice worked at the Dennis theater: as a singer in the 1982 production of Aint Misbehavin, and last summer as Henry Drummond in Inherit the Wind. Hes best known for his work in four Broadway musicals: The Wiz (the title role), Aint Misbehavin, Play On, and The Full Monty. Ambassador Satch emerged out of two earlier shows. In 1992, Carnegie Hall, with a Rockefeller Foundation grant, hired De Shields to direct and Mirrione to write a program called Jazzed. They developed a show called Ghost Cafe, in which Bessie Smith, Fats Waller, and Louis Armstrong meet in jazz heaven. We used these three icons as a demonstration that one can begin with nothing and end up with everything, an extravagant life, says De Shields. When the actor hired to play Armstrong pulled out, De Shields stepped in. Once that project was over, the pair extracted the Armstrong material, rewriting it as West End Blues: The Louis Armstrong Musical, which played in New York in 2002. A few years later, De Shields was in London performing The Full Monty, and Mirrione was doing a residency at the University of Leeds. A London theater producer who owned the Criterion Theatre suggested they do West End Blues on the traditionally dark Monday nights. But the pair realized it needed work. We had a two-act play with one guy delivering a long monologue, and Louis Armstrong was not an egotistical man, De Shields says. The producer said it needed someone else onstage and a pretty woman. Ah, what better way to reveal the humanity of this great US icon of the 20th century than to ask his four wives what it was like to live with him? It took the burden of telling this big story off my shoulders. So now Harriet D. Foy plays the wives in a show that starts as an Armstrong concert. A mysterious voice interrupts the show; a bebopper who insults him. In defending his life, Armstrong spills out his story in flashbacks. Twenty songs fill the show, including such hits as Mack the Knife, Hello, Dolly!, and What a Wonderful World. The musical climax is Black and Blue, De Shields says. It coalesces all these emotions that have been playing in his life, from the unschooled child, the revered innovator of jazz, the discredited musician, the immortal icon. After that, the only place we can go for the 11 oclock resolution is Wonderful World. Robin Williams, he says, used that song in Good Morning, Vietnam to calm the savage hearts of soldiers. Its a lullaby forgrownups. A nation is born! We are glad to announce the launch of A nation is born! 1810-1816, the latest in our Herald Learner Booklets series. Our series is the first educational material on Argentine history produced in English for Argentine schools, and we believe it will provide you and your students with opportunities for language development, project work and crosscurricular activities. This supplement was sponsored by Ford Motors Argentina, in an effort to provide our schools with enhanced learning opportunities. Thanks to their support, this material is free of charge for educational institutions. If you want to receive it, contact us so that we can arrange for a day in which you can come to our offices to pick up your copies of the material. Material is distributed on a first-come-first-served basis, so make your order soon! If you use this material in your classrooms, we would like to ask you for only one thing in return: a letter thanking Ford Motors for their support, and explaining how you have used this material with your students. When you come to pick up your copies, please leave a thank-you note (preferably in the schools stationary) stating the name of the school and the coordinator or teacher/s who are going to use it. This will allow us to improve our upcoming issues of the Herald Education Booklets, and will show Ford Motors Argentina that their efforts have bore fruit. For enquiries and sales contact Ricardo Adaniya at or 011-4342-8476. A new age of Zionism in Israel By MARGARET COKER KIBBUTZ EIN HASHOFET, Israel Growing up Israeli in the 1960s and 1970s, Yaniv and Yair Sagi lived what they considered the ideal Zionist life, toiling on their kibbutz dairy farm and trading in their overalls for army uniforms when their country beckoned. By adulthood, the two brothers had taken dramatically divergent paths: Yaniv remained true to the secular, leftist values of the kibbutz. Yair adopted the conservative views of religious settlers in territories Israel captured in the 1967 war with neighbouring Arab states. The Sagis have spent their lives confident that they were building the model Jewish state. But as Israel starts its 57th year as a nation, society has changed its mind about what that model is and the Sagis lives appear out of touch with this new reality. Prime Minister Ariel Sharons decision to evacuate Jewish settlers and soldiers from the Gaza Strip and a small pocket of the West Bank in August which cleared its last legal hurdle with an Israeli Supreme Court decision June 9 reflects a new chapter in Israels history. Zionism, the ideology upon which Israel was founded in 1948, was once animated by the ideas of secular socialism. Over decades, it evolved to include a Jewish religious revival and expansion of settlements on the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. This struggle over Israels manifest destiny has been shaped equally by the Holocaust, multiple wars with Arab nations and friction among the nations mostly European, Middle Eastern and US immigrants and its native-born. Todays Israel is a country transformed by globalization, shifting demographics and a grinding war with the Palestinians. Most citizens have sidelined the old romantic notions of Zionism. The Jewish state is now a more deeply pragmatic place where individualism trumps the socialism espoused by the left and Realpolitik prevails over the biblical prophecies championed by the right. The majority of Israels 6.8 million people are glad to leave Gaza, a parched, crowded strip of land whose name in Hebrew is used synonymously with hell because of its status as a killing ground for their soldiers. But Sharons plan has exacerbated longstanding tensions between secular and religious Zionists like the Sagi brothers, one of whom believes in a Israeli and Palestinian state existing side by side while the other views a Jewish presence in Gaza and the West Bank as a holy mission. Zionists on both sides of the ideological divide see the so-called Gaza disengagement plan as a threat to their dreams of a better Israel. The Sagis are worried about the future of their nation and where they will fit in. Israel is really in a crisis. Since 1967 weve had conflict between those who see life in the biblical land of Israel as the life of Zionist ideals, and those who see living in greater Israel as destroying those ideals, said Yaniv. Whats coming next for Israel is not a victory for either of these camps. Its a new Israel, an Israel where heroes are gone (and) where pragmatism wins. Clinging to the old ways About 120 kilometres north of Jerusalem, in the verdant hills of the Galilee, Yaniv Sagi has watched his blond hair thin as he has tried to keep alive his hometown, a remnant of a rapidly fading world. Atop a broad hill sits Kibbutz Ein Hashofet, a community founded in 1937 where 100 families live in single-story stucco cottages with red-tiled roofs. Towering elms canopy the sidewalks and the streets are blissfully free of cars. The whitewashed dairy barns are reminiscent of the US Midwest. On a recent afternoon, 41-year-old Yaniv and other grinning parents in shorts and sandals waited at the doors of the community school for classes to adjourn so they could play with their children in the playground. The Israelis who founded this and other kibbutzim hold a hallowed place in the nations mythology. Like US pioneers of the 1800s who moved west of the Mississippi, the early kibbutzniks were scrappy, fervent patriots who moved from Europe to build a state and make the desert bloom. Their communal enclaves nurtured self-reliant Jewish men and women who would later dominate the ranks of Israels military, political and cultural elite. It was one for all and all for one, explained Yaniv, whose father, a Romanian Jew and Holocaust survivor, arrived here when he was 10 years old and later married another kibbutznik. Together, they raised their three sons to value manual labour, negotiate rather than fight and care for societys weakest. We grew up believing that there is no Israel without the kibbutz. We were told that if you give yourself to the kibbutz and the state, then both will take care of you, said Yaniv, a wiry former army paratrooper. By the 1990s, however, Ein Hashofet and the kibbutz ideal had fallen out of favour in Israel as both an economic and political model. Globalization and a high-tech driven economic boom inspired a consumerism that the country had never experienced. Meanwhile, continued attacks against Israelis by Palestinians undermined Israeli support for peace negotiations. Yanivs response to the demise of the kibbutz as a pillar of Israeli life was to cling more tenaciously to the values they exemplify. His handiwork is evident in his hometown, where as general secretary of the kibbutz, a position akin to mayor, he has helped save it from bankruptcy. Now among the peeling stucco cottages where founding kibbutz members live are custom-built duplexes offered free to younger members and their families as an incentive to keep them rooted in the kibbutz and spurn higher-paying jobs in the cities. Near the cow barns is a small factory where kibbutzniks manufacture spare parts for sport-utility vehicles. The grade school accepts the children of Israeli yuppies who value the old-fashioned kibbutz educational methods for their offspring but dont want to embrace the lifestyle themselves. His efforts to keep Ein Hashofet thriving have kept Yaniv grounded in the hard realities of Israel. His quick strides and forceful diction arent the mannerisms of an armchair liberal. They reflect years spent on the front lines watching Israeli and Palestinian lives torn apart in conflicts that have sprawled across his whole lifetime. With a clear-eyed stare devoid of despair, he realizes full well that his vision of a secular, social-democratic Israel, as well as his views about kibbutzim and the Palestinians, are less popular than ever. We faced an economic crisis and we saw we had to change our lifestyle. This didnt affect my (political) beliefs. I believe in equality for Israelis in Israel and for Palestinians inside a Palestinian state. That, unfortunately, is not what many Israelis believe, Yaniv said. Still, he is unwavering in his belief that he still can play a role as moral guidepost for his country. The withdrawal from Gaza will leave approximately 250,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank. Sharon says he has no intention of evacuating them, a decision that muddies the notion that the Palestinians could build their own viable, independent state. Yaniv feels that his leftwing Meretz party should foster domestic political pressure to force Israel to leave the West Bank, even though that notion is far less popular than the withdrawal from Gaza. He (Sharon) wants to wash his hands (of Gaza) now that he sees political advantage to it, not because he thinks that Palestinians should have their own state. Thats not my idea of Jewish values, Yaniv said. As plans for the Gaza withdrawal push ahead, political rhetoric across Israel has reached the boiling point. Sharon has warned of the possibility of civil war. Several cabinet ministers have received death threats for backing the plan. Some settler leaders have called on soldiers to mutiny. Hope and prayers for a Greater Israel Seventy kilometres away from Ein Hashofet in a settlement high on a windswept plain near the Israeli-Syrian border, Yair Sagi, like his brother Yaniv, also seeks to keep alive a besieged dream. But hes having a harder time than Yaniv coming to grips with the fact that society seemingly overnight has spurned his vision. Unlike the kibbutzniks, who have battled for survival for at least a decade, the religious settlers until very recently enjoyed government support and a measure of public backing. Yair, 37, wants to keep both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in Israels hands because he believes that the land belongs to the Jewish people by virtue of the Old Testament story of Gods covenant with Abraham. As a religious Zionist, Yairs view is that reclaiming what he sees as the Jewish birthright will move his nation further along the path of spiritual redemption. The secularists, like my brother, think that theyve won enough battles, that its time to secure peace by giving land. They arent looking at things the way that I look at them, Yair said. When Yair, a studious-looking man with soft brown eyes, takes issue with Yanivs ideas about Zionism, it is gentle chiding rather than a rebuke. But it is pointed, nonetheless. After Israel expanded its frontiers in 1967, in what became known as the Six-Day War, the bronzed and bearded settler replaced the kibbutznik for many Israelis as the new national hero. Armed with Bible verses declaring the newly conquered territories the domain of Jews and not Palestinians, the settlers added religion to the well-established notion of the Zionist farmer-warrior. They also adopted old kibbutznik anthems, mimicked their austere lifestyle and moved into the military ranks. Although religion was largely spurned on the kibbutz, Yair found comfort in the Orthodox Jewish beliefs after a self-described identity crisis in the 1990s. During three years in Jerusalem studying the Torah, the body of Jewish learning centred on the first five books of the Bible, Yair absorbed the dream of Eretz Israel, an Israel encompassing all the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. The true goal of Zionism is for the Jews to rule all of the land of Israel, and by doing that establish the values of Judaism, Yair said. The isolated, agricultural community has an atmosphere similar to Ein Hashofet. Kindergarteners walk to school without fear of traffic or strangers. No televisions disturb the evening calm. Neighbours pitch in when a mother or child is sick. No one is alone. Yair and the rest of his 50-family community now feel an acute sense of abandonment due to Sharons withdrawal plans. Worse, they see their spiritual dream threatened. Yairs days studying the Bible and working at the settlements juice manufacturing plant are interrupted by heated discussion: If the Prime Minister who once advocated the building of settlements can now easily uproot the Gaza communities, how soon will he begin talk of removing those living in the Golan or the West Bank? He and other like-minded settlers are working on a plan to stop what they feel is an unholy act. But the residents from Qeshet and other settlements are in a moral quandary over how to protest the Gaza plan. Should they refuse to obey army orders for their annual reserve duty and threaten Israels civil order? Or should they confine their dismay to civil demonstrations? As plans for the Gaza withdrawal push ahead, political rhetoric across Israel has reached the boiling point. Sharon has warned of the possibility of civil war. Several Cabinet ministers have received death threats for backing the plan. Some settler leaders have called on soldiers to mutiny. (NY Times) A victory for CAFTA WASHINGTON Free trade proponents scored a victory last Tuesday when the Senate Finance Committee voted 11-9 in favour of a draft Central American Free Trade Agreement. But lawmakers delayed dealing with the bitterest dispute: how to protect sugar. Tuesdays vote marked the first step in an elaborate dance designed to bring the long-delayed CAFTA agreement, a top priority of the Bush administration, to a vote in Congress, where opposition remains strong. The pact would end most tariffs on goods traded among participating nations. The sugar industry estimates CAFTA would result in an additional 140,000 metric tons of sugar imports over 15 years. Tuesdays informal Senate committee session, known as a mock mark-up, provided senators with an opportunity to suggest changes. On Wednesday, the House Ways and Means Committee is widely expected to pass its own draft of CAFTA implementing legislation. After the House committee vote, the stage will be set for the Bush administration to formally submit the legislation. Then Congress will have just 90 days to vote for or against it under the fast-track trade negotiating authority that Congress granted the White House in 2002. Any amendments adopted by the committees this week would not be binding, but would give the administration a sense of lawmakers concerns and allow them to adjust its language before submitting it. For example, Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., said that while he voted for the draft in committee, he could change his mind. I still have the opportunity to vote no on the final legislation unless sugar growers win concessions. U.S. sugar producers and processors say passage of CAFTA would kill their industry by throwing open the doors to unfair competition from low-cost foreign producers. Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND, noting that sugar is a $2 billion industry in my state, said that while opening small Central American nations to US goods would do little to boost the U.S. economy, the pact could wipe out thousands of sugar-related jobs. It puts that entire US sugar industry at risk, he said. After the vote, he told reporters he held off offering amendments involving sugar to avoid complicating negotiations between industry officials and the White House. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said concerns about sugar should not thwart ratification because CAFTA is crucial to promoting capitalism and democracy in this hemisphere. Over 20 years ago, Congress first opened our markets to products from Central America to help stabilize a region where civil strife, wars and political violence were part of daily life, he said. In approving the agreement, we have very little to lose and much to gain, he said. Besides the Central American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, the treaty also involves the Caribbean nation of Dominican Republic and is sometimes referred to as DR-CAFTA. The deal was hammered out more than a year ago, but President Bush has been reluctant to push for approval because of uncertainty that it would win the needed House and Senate majorities. Besides the sugar industrys fierce opposition, labor groups and environmentalists oppose the pact. CAFTA proponents include makers of cheeses, snacks, pork products and other processed foods; grain farmers; pharmaceutical companies, and textile makers who sell yarn and fabric to Central Americans. Bush, speaking at a Social Security event in University Park, Pa., Tuesday, said that for the sake of fairness, and for the sake of the agricultural economy, the United States Congress needs to pass the CAFTA trade agreement now. But at Tuesdays hearing, Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., sharply criticized Bush for not doing more to drum up support. The president needs to get personally involved in explaining its benefits, he said. Passage of CAFTA would be a major step toward the administrations long-term goal of creating a Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement, which would turn 34 countries in the Western Hemisphere into a single trading zone involving some 800 million people. For procedural reasons, the Finance Committee vote was a nonbinding tally, and the committee was expected to meet again Tuesday evening to formally ratify it. The vote broke along party lines, except for two Republicans, Olympia Snowe of Maine and Michael Crapo of Idaho, who voted against the draft legislation, and two Democrats, Blanche Lincoln of Nebraska and Ron Wyden of Oregon, who voted for it. The committee rejected a proposal by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., to ensure that child labor laws are enforced. But Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Peter Allgeier advised the panel that CAFTA already contains provisions requiring countries to abide by their own labor laws, and that Kerrys amendment would force the administration to reopen the complex agreement. But the committee did accept a proposal by Wyden to extend to service workers the Trade Adjustment Assistance program that helps U.S. factory workers laid off because of trade. (Cox News) A voice from North Korea echoes in the White House I was introduced as someone who wrote a book that was read by George Bush, he said in a recent interview at a museum cafe in Seoul, South Korea, only 150 miles south of the North Korean slave-labor camp where he was imprisoned with his family in 1977. He was 9 years old. Burning with memories of his familys 10-year imprisonment in the camp, which still functions hidden from outside eyes but not from satellite cameras, Kang teamed up with Pierre Rigoulot, a French journalist, to write a memoir, The Aquariums of Pyongyang: Ten Years in the North Korean Gulag. Printed in five languages since 2000, including English, the book was well received just about everywhere but in South Korea, where it languished in obscurity, its harsh critique of the North out of step with South Koreas official policy of engagement. Despite its considerable merits, the book seemed destined to fade from view, and Kang with it, until this spring when, at the urging of the former Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger, Bush picked it up. Pretty soon, with the president recommending it to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other top aides, the book jumped to the top of the Bush administrations summer reading list. On June 13, Kang, 37, received the ultimate book endorsement when he was ushered into the Oval Office for a 40-minute meeting with Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and the national security adviser, Stephen J. Hadley. On June 10, Bush had allotted only a few more minutes for a meeting with South Koreas president, Roh Moo-hyun. He was more interested in the pains North Koreans are going through, more so than I had previously thought, Kang said in a telephone interview on June 16, after returning to Seoul from Washington. He kept on repeating how deeply sorry he was about the situation. To hear a president say these deep things made me feel that he cared. The White House stamp of approval has conferred on Kang a measure of celebrity that had eluded him when the book was published. Kang, who is taking a crash course in English, now travels monthly to Washington, where he will address a Freedom House conference on human rights in July. After that, he will give lectures at American churches and campuses, talking about North Koreas human rights abuses. In August, he will visit Midland, Texas, Bushs hometown, to speak at Rock the Desert, an evangelical concert devoted this year to North Korea. With orders spiking on Amazon.com, he has hopes for a new edition. Bush has displayed similar enthusiasm for other books, notably The Case for Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror, by Natan Sharansky, the former Soviet dissident who is now an Israeli politician. Subsequently, it was widely noted, the theme of promoting democracy, especially in the Middle East, ran through the Inaugural and State of the Union addresses. I felt like his book just confirmed what I believe, Bush said of Sharanskys work in late January. He writes it a heck of a lot better than I could write it, and hes certainly got more credibility than I have. After all, he spent time in a Soviet prison and he has a much better perspective than Ive got. In late April, the presidents reading of The Aquariums of Pyongyang seemed to bolster his longstanding hostility toward North Korea. As American diplomats tried to revive stalled talks on North Koreas nuclear weapons program, Bush told reporters in Washington that Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader, was a dangerous person who ran huge concentration camps. Since then, Bush administration officials have said that any package solution for North Koreas nuclear weapons program will have to include progress on human rights. I felt that he agreed with me in that the human rights issue was more important than the nuclear issue, said Kang, who directs a rights group in Seoul called the Democracy Network Against North Korean Gulag. Over tea at the fashionable museum cafe on a recent Sunday afternoon, Kang, with his new wife, Yoon Hae-ryon, and a finely tailored suit, seemed to be on the far side of the planet from Yodok, the labor camp in which he survived for a decade on a starvation diet fortified with salamanders, cockroaches and rats. His book opens with his comfortable childhood in Pyongyang, North Koreas capital, where he raised tropical fish in an aquarium. But in 1977, he and his father, uncle, grandmother and 7-year-old sister were arrested and sent to Yodok. His grandfather, who had been a successful businessman in Japan, and who had his choice of moving to the South or the North, had been jailed for an unspecified offense. Opened in 1959, the Yodok camp Kang describes was run as a business enterprise, with gold mines, cornfields and logging operations operating entirely on unpaid prison labor. Following the beliefs of the North Korean authorities that political deviance is hereditary, entire families were routinely incarcerated, and still are, recent defectors say. Children studied in the mornings and worked in the afternoons, cultivating cornfields, excavating clay or carrying freshly cut timber. Kang wrote of walking 12 miles with a log on his shoulder. He described attending public executions where prisoners were forced to hurl rocks at corpses, yelling, Down with the traitors of the people! To ward off protein deficiencies, inmates ate whatever meat they could find. The way to eat a salamander is to grab it by the tail and swallow it in one quick gulp before it can discharge a foul tasting liquid, he wrote. Stocks of salt-cured rat meat helped prison families get through the winter. Rat skins were used to patch the prisoners lone set of shoddy clothing issued each year. In February 1987, Kangs family was unexpectedly released from the camp, part of a small release tied to Kim Jong Ils birthday. North Korea has yet to react publicly to the literary and public relations success of its former prisoner. But in 1999, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reacted harshly to Kangs testimony in Washington before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, calling him riffraff devoid of human dignity and values who was engaging in a smear campaign. Now a celebrity in the defector community, Kang said he hoped he could get the United States to put more pressure on North Korea about the human rights issue. Kang wrote of the power of listening to foreign radio programs in a country where state-supplied radios received only the official station. If the U.S. can persuade people that concentration camps are destroying families, he said, it could work against Kim Jong Il much more quickly than the nuclear issue. Able to enter Apartments. Furnished, top locations. Short/ long term options. Mobile: 15-5852-8509. Phone: (54-11) 4793-3496. Adelphia founder John Rigas sentenced to 15 years NEW YORK Adelphia Communications Corp. founder John Rigas was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison for his role in looting and hiding debt in a scandal that bankrupted the cable television company. US District Judge Leonard Sand said he would have imposed a much harsher sentence but for Rigas age he is 80 and poor health. Earlier, Rigas waved to a crush of cameras as he and his son Timothy, the companys former chief financial officer, arrived at the courthouse in Lower Manhattan. The son was awaiting sentencing yesterday afternoon. The pair had faced up to 30 years in prison each on their bank fraud convictions alone. They were also convicted of securities fraud and conspiracy. Federal sentencing guidelines would make the sentence far less than 30 years, but the Supreme Court also ruled earlier this year that federal judges should consider the guidelines as advisory, not mandatory. (AP) Africa: debt, aid and race Gwynne Dyer globetrotter We are very sorry and apologize to viewers and other people who felt offended, announced the Japanese cosmetics firm Mandom early this month, but mass ritual suicide would have been a more appropriate form of apology. The company had aired a TV commercial that showed several black people wiping the sweat from their brows with a Mandom facial wipe while a chimpanzee wearing an afro wig imitated them. Meanwhile, Augsburg city zoo in southern Germany has just finished a special event in which an African village was erected between the baboon cage and the zebra cage. Black people living in Germany were persuaded to populate the village wearing various sorts of tribal regalia and playing drums, cooking food for sale or selling curios. The good citizens of Augsburg were astonished when people from elsewhere took exception to this display. Germans and Japanese are less sensitive about race in general and about Africa in particular than, say, people in France or the United States, where a significant minority of the population is of African descent, but patronizing attitudes about Africa are chronic in all the rich countries. Take, for instance, the current debate about increasing aid to African countries and cancelling their debts. The leaders of the eight biggest developed countries will probably make a deal at next months G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, that doubles aid to Africa and slashes the debts of its poorest countries. Prime Minister Tony Blair, this years host, is determined to make Africa a priority, and Bob Geldof is seeking to repeat his success with the Live-Aid concerts twenty years ago by staging Live8 concerts. But what good will they actually do for Africa? This is where the debate begins, and most people on both sides seem to see Africans as wayward children. Africans are just as intelligent and resourceful as other people, and if their countries are still poor it is because they face special and very intractable problems, but the argument in the rich countries takes almost no account of this. The pessimists point out that vast amounts of aid money have been poured into Africa over the years around 5,000 dollars per African without relieving the continents poverty. The problem, they say, is the near-universal corruption of Africas ruling elites: there are 100,000 millionaires in Africa, and yet an African child dies of malnutrition or preventable disease every three seconds. Cancel the debts and pour more aid in, and the same elites will steal that, too. No, say optimists like Blair, things have changed now. A new generation of African leaders is bringing democracy and good governance to the continent, and so long as we put strict conditions on how the new aid and debt relief will be used, this time round most of it wont be wasted. It is a debate in which both sides essentially believe that Africans are childlike. One side assumes it openly: dont give them any more aid until they behave better. The other side is subtler: yes, they are backward, but now they have better leaders who wont steal the money. We give monkeys in the zoo more respect than that. Africas problem isnt dishonesty or immaturity, which are fairly evenly spread around the planet. It is too many relatively small ethnic groups trying to share the same country. Social traditions that expect successful people to support even distant relations often make the situation worse, but no other continent has such extravagant ethnic diversity, so its really up to Africans themselves to overcome the problem. The G8 can help, but only in limited ways. Much of Africas debt burden was not really aid in the first place, but money that the West (and the old Soviet Union) handed over to keep their African clients loyal during the Cold War, knowing full well that it would be stolen. A lot more was tied aid that funded foolish mega-projects in order to create work for Western companies. So cancel the debt with no nonsense about the beneficiaries proving that they can behave responsibly. And if you do give aid, give it without crippling conditionalities. This is where Africans really get treated like backward children, forced to privatize everything in sight in obedience to the fundamentalist market doctrines that now hold sway in most of the West (which, by the sheerest coincidence, creates new investment opportunities for Western companies). Consider Ugandas experience, for example. Uganda, a reasonably well-run country, was forced to impose user fees on basic healthcare and primary education in the late 1980s to qualify for World Bank debt relief and aid so school attendance collapsed and the death rate among the rural poor soared. Eventually, in 1997, President Yoweri Museveni rebelled and restored free primary education throughout Uganda. Primary school enrolment more than doubled. In 2001 he restored free basic healthcare, and the number of hospital outpatients almost doubled. There will be an orgy of self-congratulation at the G8 next month as African debt is allegedly cut and aid is allegedly raised, and many well-meaning people who have pressured their leaders on this issue will feel that something has been accomplished. It can be, but only if they insist on knowing what strings are attached to the help. Africa is not poor because Africans are more stupid or less honest than people elsewhere. AGP releases figures for first four months The General Administration of Ports has published its annual report on the state of the Buenos Aires port, which includes the statistics of bulk and container volumes shipped to and from the port of Buenos Aires so far this year. According to these figures, the total bulk volumes have increased every month so far this year, with a particularly sharp rise between February and March, when the number of tons shipped climbed from 594,747 to 737,015. Although this considerable increase is partly due to seasonal factors, the upward trend continued in April, with bulk cargo rising again, to an estimated 760,598 tons. Meanwhile, container numbers have remained impressive, although the number of TEUs handled by the port peaked in March, reaching 72,204 containers, 34,369 of them used for exports and 32,178 for imports. In April, the estimated number of containers handled in the Buenos Aires port was down slightly, at 66,447. Liquid bulk cargo, which had been nought in January and February, reached 66,053 tons in March and 10,158 tons in April. In turn, solid bulk volume has seen a healthy activity level in April, totalling 141,880 tons, with the rest of the activity in this category taking place in January, but much lower volume handled. As the trade surpluses have reflected during the first four months of the year, exports have outperformed imports for both bulk and container cargo, with the sole exception of liquid bulk cargo, with some 76,000 tons imported and none exported. Otherwise, export volumes remain roughly twice as high as import volumes in the general and bulk cargo category. The numbers for April in this category, which includes basic commodities, reached 251,738 tons for imports and 508,860 for exports. In the case of container cargo, the differences between exports and imports were considerably less, with exports outperforming imports by only some 2,000 tons per month. Overall volumes themselves in this category were smaller, with April estimates posting 34,269 tons of exports and 32,178 tons of imports. Alojargentina Apartments for rent. Fully equipped. Excellent locations. (54-11)5219-0606. Ancic beats Llodr to win first career title TENNIS Ordina Open DEN BOSCH, Netherlands Croatias Mario Ancic underlined his grasscourt credentials yesterday, beating defending champion Michael Llodr 7-5 6-4 to win the Ordina Open. The third seed, a semifinalist at Wimbledon last year and the 10th seed next week, produced an outstanding serving display and broke once in each set to claim his first ATP title. This was my third final so I was really fighting to win it, a jubilant Ancic told the crowd. Michael is a great player on grass so I knew it was going to be tough, but I played some good points when I needed them. In soaring temperatures Ancic, who had lost his two previous finals, dropped just three points on serve in the opening set and broke Llodr in the 11th game when the Frenchman double-faulted. Llodr saved two break points in the fifth game of the second set but Ancic ripped a forehand winner to break and held his nerve to clinch victory. Ancic said he was now looking forward to going at least one better than last year at Wimbledon, where he lost to United States Andy Roddick in the semifinals. I think this is great preparation for Wimbledon, he said. It was my third year here, last year I reached the semifinals here and I played great at Wimbledon, so I hope to continue the tradition. Llodr, who had won just four matches in 2005 before this week, could only laugh at times as ace after ace went past his racket. The Frenchman admitted he had been outplayed. Of course when you lose in a final its disappointing, he said. But Mario played so well today and it was tough for me to return his serve. When I did have an opportunity he hit a big serve. Last year I won and this year I came second. Thats life. Wimbledon SHARAPOVA STALKER BANNED In Wimbledon: a man believed to be stalking defending Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova has been banned from the grounds of the All England Club. Matthew Anthony Page will not be allowed to enter the club during the two-week tournament, which starts today, Wimbledon spokesman Johnny Perkins said yesterday. The police have also been notified, but Sharapova said she didnt know anything about it. I havent heard anything about that. I dont read the papers or anything, the second-seeded Russian said. Sharapova said she felt safe because she has five bodyguards with her at all times. I feel secure. Im always surrounded by people, said Sharapova, who plays Nuria Llagostera Vives in the first round tomorrow. If I was worried every step I was taking, I dont think I would be walking around. FEDERER FAVOURITE The two-time defending champion is the 4-7 favourite, according to British bookmaker William Hill. Andy Roddick, who lost to Federer in last years final, is second choice at 9-2, followed by 2002 winner Lleyton Hewitt at 12-1. Bookmakers are falling out of love with local favourite Tim Henman. William Hill quoted odds of 14-1 for four-time semifinalist Henman to become the first British man to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936. Odds are the same for Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal, who won the French Open two weeks ago. On the womens side, Justine Henin-Hardenne and defending champion Maria Sharapova are co-favourites at 3-1. Two-time champion Serena Williams is at 7-2, with Kim Clijsters at 11-2, top-seeded Lindsay Davenport at 11-1 and two-time winner Venus Williams at 12-1. The chances of a British woman winning Wimbledon for the first time since Virginia Wade in 1977 are 1,000-1. Odds are the same that aliens will land on the White House lawn, William Hill said. COUNTERFEIT TICKETS Wimbledon officials found what they believe to be counterfeit tickets for sale on eBay, and theyre investigating the source and authenticity. The tickets and accompanying wristbands were for the players box at Centre Court, meaning they wouldnt normally be for sale by the All England Club. Wimbledon spokesman Johnny Perkins said the club believes the tickets, which sold for 3,000 pounds, are fraudulent because wristbands have not yet been handed out to players. He said officials found out about the tickets because they monitor the Internet. Andrew Graham-Yooll monday wake-up PJ issue This Monday, the last day of autumn, or fall, if you prefer, or first day of winter, prompts the thought as to whether men will return to using pyjamas this season. Last December the specialist fashion houses of New York and London announced that the bedroom and lounge garment would be all the rage in the northern winter, but given the nature of the clothing it is not simple to be sure that such was the case. However, as most whims in the north become legislation in the south, the question as to PJ popularity this winter may be guessed at but not ascertained. There are good reasons for using the bedroom garb, and perhaps the decision has to be taken with the ageing of children who usually force change in domestic nudity. Fathers suddenly discover the need to cover up, the top half at least. The other deciding factor is not quantifiable, but some fashion experts are of the view that the unlimited view of flesh on television and in advertising may prompt reaction, and so bedtime naturalists dress for sleep. John Lennon (1940-1980) made pyjamas a very attractive indoor suit when he and Yoko Ono made their bed-ridden peace protest in 1969. President Gerald Ford (1913) might have incurred the wrath of the politically correct in this century for his pipe smoking and use of pyjamas in the White House when he was in office (1974-77). Ford never made either practice a success. By then, pyjamas had suffered a severe crisis and women were burning bras on the White House lawn. Bras are another story. Just as Clark Gable is said to have killed sales of the vest, or undershirt, when he took off his shirt and showed bare flesh in Frank Capras film, It Happened One Night (1934), when pyjamas lost favour in Hollywood in the 1960s sales plummeted. Thanks to Harry Potter and his friends wearing tough boarding school striped flannels, the garment might make a comeback, but as yet it has not been reported. In the early sixties, in my late teens, I went shopping in San Telmo for a pair of pyjamas. I bought them but never wore them much after the shop owner said that the pair offered was of such quality that it could be used to go to the shops or to sit out on the pavement. How old could he have thought me to be? The feeling of a generation in this hemisphere is that Jorge Amado put an end to pyjamas with his novel, Doa Flor and Her Two Husbands (1966), where the second and quite severe looking spouse makes love to his young wife without removing his pyjamas. This investigation continues in the spring. Anxiety/ Depression Laura Elizabeth Turner, M.D. Psychiatrist/ Psychotherapist (English/ French/ German). (54-11) 4806-6903. Mobile: 15-5102-4288. Apartments for rent Fully equipped. Week/ month. Barrio Norte, Downtown. No commission. (54-11) 4825-5031. Apartments for rent Furnished & fully equipped. Day, week, month, year. Palermo, Recoleta, Downtown. No commission. (54-11) 4822-5912. Apartments for rent Furnished. Best locations. Short/ long rentals. No commission. (54-11) 4311-5171. Argentine Creevy banned for 3 months Comment... By Frankie Deges For the Herald MENDOZA The biggest news at the IRB U21 World Championship was the banning for three months of Argentinas best player in this tournament, Agustn Creevy. The San Luis flanker who couldnt recall if he had even been sin-binned ever before, was cited after an incident against Wales last Friday. On Sunday, he sat at a Judiciary Meeting which lasted over an hour, in direct communication with an IRB Judiciary Officer who was in Canada. Brian Mew, a Canadian lawyer, received footage of the incident on e-mail and determined that Creevy, already a full international with the Pumas, was guilty of kicking (Law 10.4 (c)) and acts contrary to good sportsmanship (10.4 (k)) and handed him a three-month suspension. Unfortunately, I only spoke into a microphone and the lawyer on the other side could not see my face when I gave my side of the incident. He might have seen I wasnt lying, said Creevy, who faces a few anxious hours as he waits to hear from the IRB after an appeal was launched by his teams management. The ban was only made officially available to the media yesterday; a local newspaper had it in their front page that same morning so it was too late. We informed of the decision once it was formally received on Monday morning, explained Tournament Director Simon Jelowitz, from the IRB, who confirmed the procedures had been correct. During the third round game, Creevy was held by a Welsh defender trying to get out of his grasp, he kicked him with his heel in an apparently reflex motion. When the Welsh player shouted, Creevy is said to have gone back to apologize, not that it counted. The previous foul-play incidents had been dealt WITH by Argentine Judiciary Officers, yet being an Argentine player this was not permitted under tournament rules. Inconsistencies in the application of the bans have now come to light. A Welsh player, who dangerously stomped on a New Zealanders neck and was instantly sent-off and got a six weeks ban; Creevy, for what seemed to be a lighter incident unspotted by the referee (although this isnt a factor to be considered) will be unavailable, pending a final judiciary decision, until mid-September from all rugby. Argentina will have to find enough inner strength to maintain their new goal, which is to finish in fifth place. They will play against England today, in a crucial game. The semifinals of this superb U21 World Championship, where the standard of matches has been very high and delighted the thousands of spectators that have crammed the various venues in use, are the kind of matches every rugby fan would want to watch. Both are mouth-watering match-ups: New Zealand will want to get their show back on track and beat a very strong South African side. The second semifinal will pitch France and Australia, two sides with wonderful backs. LOST OPPORTUNITY After the announcement a month ago that the Argentine Pumas were more than happy to play in an enlarged Six Nations, if invited, and given that for quite some time we have been blowing our own trumpet when it comes to the merits of the Pumas in international rugby, the loss against Italy was hard to digest. One of the strengths of any future presentation to the Six Nations Committee or the IRB should be the consistency of the Pumas in playing and even beating teams of similar ranking namely Scotland, Italy and Wales. As much as it could be said that Fridays loss was a one-off, it couldnt have come at a worst time. Italy were hungrier in Crdoba, but what should be worrying coach Marcelo Loffreda more than anything was that his team underestimated the Italians, a team that has always been troublesome for the Pumas ever since the first ever test between both nations in 1978. The return of a few first choice players namely Pichot, Roncero, Hasan and Martn Aramburu did not add anything extra to the team. The Pumas benchmark should be the drawn game against Lions. With their backs against the wall and facing one of the biggest ever challenges, they played well over their fighting weight. That night in Cardiff, probably the Lions were the ones doing the underestimation. Lesson: never underestimate the opposition. Ever. Argentine humour highlights Mafalda & friends (3), by Quino. English translation by Terry Cullen, edited by Andrew Graham-Yooll. Published by Ediciones de la Flor, Buenos Aires. Both non-Spanish speakers abroad or visiting this country, and Argentines reading English may find a source of delight in this English-language version of the celebrated comic strip featuring the lovely, intelligent girl forever ensuring Quinos fame. The English sounds rather like that of an educated American-born speaker, but whats best about it is that it does convey the idiosyncrasies of the different characters, particularly when this is the main thing that foreigners formerly unfamiliar with them need to grasp. Thus, for instance, Mafalda is seen looking at some pictures in the paper her father is reading, and asking him, My God! Are those poor people caught in a flood or something? to which Dad replies, No, Mafalda... These are ads for the cinema. Upon which Mafalda ponders: Well, never mind, we should still send them some clothes (which can be read both as part of her usual concern for the world and world peace at large, and as a critique of Hollywood disaster movies). Opposite to Mafalda is Susanita (the girl that seems an antecedent for Maitenas harebrained women), sounding very much her part when wondering: Why are workers in this country always poor and dark, and not blond with cars like in the USA? The two girls are typically confronted when, passing by the side of a homeless beggar on the sidewalk, Mafalda comments, My heart aches for the poor, to which Mine too says Susanita. For Mafalda to state: We should give them a job and a roof over their heads, and welfare...! to which comes Susanitas remark in counterpoint: Wouldnt be enough just to hide them? Among other key characters in the comic strip, take Manolito (the young Galician son of a storekeeper, rather loutish and with a mercantilistic spirit who you may truly enjoy but has irked some members of the Galician community in Argentina). He is found in another kind of counterpoint with Mafalda, who looks at a bird on a tree and says: There... that pigeon doesnt know about money, but still its happy, to go on asking her friend: Do you believe money is everything in life, Manolito? To which the boy replies: Of course not, money isnt everything ... There are checks, too. By the way, this book is dedicated to The Beatles (a genuine icon for many a generation, including this reviewers) and on page 27 we see Manolito surrounded by a crowd watching him in awe, as if he were some kind of freak, on which he comments: It seems theyve heard I dont like the Beatles! From the same publishers: Gaturro (5 and 6), by Nik. More comic books attesting to the popularity of the lovely cat that so delights us feline lovers (finally finding relief after so many years of mice supremacy in both animated cartoons and comic strips). So three cheers for the kitten and his author! Inodoro Pereyra (29), by Fontanarrosa. More funny adventures of a gaucho at a loss before oncoming modernity, with suitable comments by his sidekick, dog Mendieta. Macanudo (2), by Liniers. An intriguing variety of comic characters (among them penguins and cats), making both hilarious and insightful comments on reality. Vida del senador Juan Domingo Hiplito Angulo, by David Rotemberg. An imaginary senator exposing the corruption and selfishness of certain politicians (including himself?), with laughs chastising otherwise unpunished evils. Mentirillas, seguida de El lado oscuro de la pelvis, by Leo Maslah. Humorous, quasi detective stories by a celebrated Uruguayan author and song-writer. El ltimo padre, by Rodolfo Braceli. Poems supposedly sent in a bottle to the cosmos, addressed by a father to his imaginary children, telling them of love and tolerance so much needed in this world. Echndonos de menos, by Roberto Grriz. A waiter as narrator, exposing the souls of the well-to-do people (including a military man) attending a posh wedding. IP Art house a meeting with portuguese cinema. Organized by the Complejo Teatral de Buenos Aires and the Fundacin Cinemateca Argentina. At Teatro San Martn, Av. Corrientes 1530. Sat 25 2.30/5/7.30/10pm: El fantasma (O Fantasma, directed by Joao Pedro Rodrigues, 2000) - Sun 26 2.30/5/7.30/10pm: Antes que el tiempo cambie (Antes que o Tempo Mude, directed by Luis Fonseca, 2003). $5. the benny hill show. Tue 21 to Fri 24 6pm: The Benny Hill Show (1969-1971 - Chapter 3). At British Arts Centre (BAC), Suipacha 1333. Free. III festival feisal el cine de los estudiantes. Shorts on Latin America. June 23 to 26 from 2pm to 12pm at MALBA, Av. Figueroa Alcorta 3415. $5 (free for students and $2.50 for pensioners). great divas of italian cinema. Wed 22 7pm: Dos mujeres (La Ciociara, directed by Vittorio De Sica, with Sophia Loren, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Eleonora Brown, Carlo Ninchi, Andrea Checchi and Pupella Maggio, 1960). At Centro Cultural Recoleta, Junn 1930. Free. german cinemas jewels. Sat 18 5.30pm: El tro de la estacin de servicio (Die Drei von Der Tankstelle, Wilhelm Thieles, 1930). At Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Av. del Libertador 1473. Free. cinema and music. Fri 17 6pm: Encuentro con Venus (Meetin Venus, by Istvn Szab, with Glenn Close, Niels Aresturp, Macha Meril and others, 1990). At Centro Cultural Konex, Av. Crdoba 1235. $5. cinema and literature. Sat 18 5.30pm: La piel de zapa (Luis Bayn Herrera, on Honorato de Balzacs novel, 1943). At Centro Cultural Konex (see above). Free. tony richardson: a retrospective. June 21 5/8pm: Mademoiselle (1966). At British Arts Centre (BAC), Suipacha 1333. Free. family features through italian history. Every Mon 7pm at Asociacin Dante Alighieri, Tucumn 1646. Free. rainer werner fassbinder. Fri 17 9pm: La serpiente dentro del alma de la serpiente (chapter 12) - Dentro y fuera de los mundos y el secreto del miedo al miedo (chapter 13). At Cineclub Eco, Av. Corrientes 4940 2 E. $5. mexican cinema and documentaries. Organized by the Embassy of Mexico. Fri 17 4pm: No desears a la mujer de tu hijo (directed by Ismael Rodrguez, 1949). At Arcos 1650. Free. Art vs. fame in Britain: will Kahlo bemuse or beguile? That, however, is the challenge facing "Frida Kahlo," a new retrospective at Tate Modern through Oct. 9. Few Britons will know about Kahlo's damaged body, fervent leftism and turbulent love life in post-revolutionary Mexico or even her heralded afterlife as an American feminist icon. To many people drawn to this exhibition, she is therefore famous largely out of context, which means that the 87 works on display must speak for themselves. Conversely, for those already familiar with Kahlo's paintings, politics and personality, what is perhaps most interesting about this show is how it will be received here. Although Tate Modern is counting on "Frida Kahlo" becoming a summer blockbuster, because it opened only June 9, it is too early to measure attendance or public reactions. But what is already apparent is that many British art critics seem bemused by Kahlo, concluding that she was not a very good painter and, at the same time, confessing a certain fascination with the raw power of her work. "Kahlo was always better at inventing images than she was at actually painting them," Andrew Graham-Dixon wrote in The Sunday Telegraph of London. "Working in a self-consciously nave manner, she could in many cases hide her technical deficiencies while giving free rein to her imagination. She had a truly difficult and painful life, and her best pictures by far are those in which she responds to its vicissitudes." Another critic, Waldemar Januszczak, tracking Kahlo's passage from "nothing to everything," set out to demystify her. "In the poker game of politically correct contemporary aesthetics," he wrote in The Sunday Times, "Kahlo constitutes a perfect flush. She is a woman. She is Mexican. She is bisexual. She is disabled." Yet, of her famous self-portraits, he conceded, "In their sheer fierceness, these extraordinary pretend selves" are rivaled only by the self-portraits of van Gogh, "who also took up painting while convalescing." Appropriately, then, the show opens with Kahlo's birth as an artist when she was bedridden for months after a traffic accident at age 18. Already here, her drawings and paintings beg viewers to share her pain, a physical pain that was a constant in her life: she had polio as a child, she underwent a score of back operations, she lost a leg to gangrene shortly before her death. But her emotional and existential pain also found release in her art. Her form of confession was highly theatrical. In her day-to-day life, she knew how to be noticed, as given to dressing as a man as to wearing elaborate Mexican Indian costumes and jewelry. And in her art, her self-portraits in particular involved complex staging, her stern face (with trademark moustache and monobrow) variously surrounded by leafy plants, flowers, monkeys, butterflies, cats and parrots, at times evocative of Rousseau. To today's eyes, other paintings in which she records her physical calvary suggest Surrealism. In "The Broken Column" (1944), she portrays her naked torso, with a metal rod in place of her spine and thick straps and nails holding her body together. In "The Little Deer" (1946), her face is attached to the body of a deer, which is bleeding from nine arrow wounds. And in "Without Hope" (1945), ailing in bed, she appears to be vomiting animals, fish and a skull. As it happens, years earlier, Andre Breton declared Mexico to be "the Surrealist place par excellence" and Kahlo herself to be a Surrealist. But when he tried to recruit her into his circle, she rejected him. "They thought I was a Surrealist, but I wasn't," she protested. "I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality." And on another occasion, she noted. "I always paint whatever passes through my head, without any other consideration." That was not strictly true. Her art evidenced all sorts of influences, some European like Cubism and, yes, Surrealism, others Mexican, not only that of her husband, the great Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, but also of Aztec and Roman Catholic iconography and obsession with death. She was very Mexican, but her mother was of mixed Spanish and Indian descent and her father was a German Jew. This very hybrid contributed to her originality. In the show's informative catalog, its British curators, Emma Dexter and Tanya Barson, emphasize the politics in Kahlo's life, but in reality it had minimal bearing on her art and was more intellectual divertimento than ideological commitment. When she met Rivera in 1927, marrying him the next year, Rivera was already engaged in the confused leftist nationalism born of Mexico's 1910-1917 Revolution. And she simply followed him. This meant taking a zigzag path in and out of the Mexican Communist Party, welcoming Trotsky when he fled to Mexico (and, in Frida's case, perhaps having a fling with him), returning to Stalinism, accepting commissions from American capitalists, then denouncing them. Kahlo's last public appearance before her death in July 1954 was at a demonstration protesting the American-backed invasion of neighboring Guatemala. But her true dialogue was with herself, and the main witness was her art (she also wrote poetry). In 1932, she suffered a second miscarriage while visiting the United States and ended up hospitalized. In "Henry Ford Hospital," she portrays herself lying in a pool of blood on a hospital bed, attached to a floating embryo by a vein. In "My Birth," the same year, her adult head is seen emerging from between the thighs of her mother, whose face is covered with a sheet. In several self-portraits, including the striking "Self-Portrait as a Tehuana," she paints an image of Rivera on her forehead, unsurprising given that their stormy relationship was marked by their frequent affairs (in Frida's case, with men and women, including perhaps Georgia O'Keeffe). "The Two Fridas," a double self-portrait in which the figures are linked by veins from their hearts, dates to their brief divorce in 1939. Even then, though, she considered herself first and foremost Rivera's wife. And after her death, that was also how she was remembered in Mexico. But then, in 1983, Hayden Herrera's book, "Frida: The Biography of Frida Kahlo," seemingly plucked her from obscurity and initiated her remarkable transformation into, in Januszczak's words, "the most famous woman artist in the world." So, to judge by this show, does Kahlo the artist travel as successfully as Kahlo the celebrity? Probably not. Yet the exhibition does help clarify why she is famous not for her brushstrokes, but for her extravagant, imaginative, exhibitionistic and, above all, tragic being. To appreciate Kahlo is to empathize with her. As more Africans join insurgency, US expands training About 25 percent of the nearly 400 foreign fighters captured in Iraq come from Africa, according to the military's European Command, which oversees military operations in most of the African continent. Some recruits have joined the network of the militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, which has carried out many of the sophisticated attacks and suicide car-bombings that have killed hundreds of Iraqis in the past several weeks, the officials said. A small vanguard of veterans are also returning home to countries like Morocco and Algeria, poised to use skills they learned on the battlefield in Iraq, from bomb making to battle planning, against their native governments, the officials said. To combat the immediate threat and to prevent terrorists from gaining new safe havens in the region, the Bush administration is expanding a small military training program that has operated on a shoestring the past two years into a more ambitious program spending $100 million annually to provide airport security, money-handling controls, school construction and other assistance to nine African nations. As part of this broader strategy, the United States on Monday began training exercises in Mali, Chad, Mauritania, Niger and Algeria. Four other countries Senegal, Nigeria, Tunisia and Morocco will also participate by the time the exercises finish in two weeks. About 1,000 U.S. troops, including 700 Special Operations forces, will train 3,000 African soldiers in marksmanship and border patrol and airborne operations. "For a change, we're trying to get ahead of the power curve in a region that we believe is susceptible to use by terrorists," Theresa M. Whelan, the Pentagon's top Africa policy official, said. "It's a deterrent." U.S. military and intelligence officials say vast swaths of the Sahara, from Mauritania in the west to Sudan in the east, which have been smuggling routes for centuries, are becoming areas of operation for terrorist groups, including al-Qaida, which has quietly stepped up its recruiting efforts in the region. The countries there are some of the poorest in the world and have scant resources to monitor their borders or patrol the large remote areas of their interiors, where drug smugglers, weapons traffickers and terrorists had established land routes after routes in the Mediterranean began to be patrolled more intensively. "Al-Qaida is assessing local groups for franchising opportunities," said Maj. Gen. Richard P. Zahner, chief intelligence officer for the European Command, who will assume that post for the military headquarters in Iraq this summer. "I'm quite concerned about that." Among the local terrorist groups is the Salafist Group in Algeria, which abducted 32 European tourists in early 2003. Last week, the Algerian group claimed responsibility for a surprise attack last Saturday against an isolated Mauritanian army outpost that left 15 Mauritanians and nine insurgents dead. The group said in a message posted on a Web site in Arabic that the assault was a direct response to the training exercises that were "put in place by the enemy of God, America, and its agents in the region," The Associated Press reported. U.S. military officers and defense officials, who spoke in authorized interviews but on the condition of anonymity, citing security considerations when they travel overseas, said the number of African militants and the funds they have provided for the fighting in Iraq - between $10,000 and $100,000 is not large compared to support from countries like Syria or Saudi Arabia. "But it allows those elements to get in and be players," one officer said. Not all northern African militants turning up in Iraq belong to a group like Salafist or the Moroccan Islamist Combatant Group. But the skills they learn and the connections they make with other insurgents there is making Iraq a training ground and networking hub for terrorists, these officials say. "They're getting to use those training skills, hone them and eventually go somewhere else and use them," one defense official said. "The bottom line is you've developed a new extremist. It doesn't paint a pretty picture down the road." The Pentagon is also paying more attention to other parts of Africa. About 1,300 U.S. troops are based at a former French Foreign Legion compound in Djibouti to conduct counterterrorism operations in the Horn of Africa. Maj. Gen. Samuel T. Helland, the U.S. commander, said his forces are using civil-affairs projects, not combat missions, "to isolate the terrorist from his support, which is the population." U.S. forces two years ago began training and equipping six light infantry companies of roughly 150 soldiers each from Mali, Mauritania, Chad and Niger in a program called the Pan Sahel Initiative. The Sahel straddles the southern edge of the Sahara. "It was barely a drop in the bucket given the nature of the problem we were dealing with," Whelan said. The European Command lobbied hard to expand the $6 million program, and in March the Bush administration approved the new effort, the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Initiative, with plans to finance it with $100 million a year for five years, beginning in 2007, Whelan said. Under the plan, the military will train battalions of 500 soldiers from the nine countries, and provide Toyota Land Cruisers, radios, uniforms, global-positioning devices and fuel trailers. U.S. instructors would also teach the African militaries how to coordinate planning and operations with each other. "They need the ability to support military teams, hundreds of miles away, with communications and logistics," said Rear Adm. Hamlin B. Tallent, the European Command operations director. "If they want to do maneuver operations, this is clearly a capability that doesn't exist now." In addition, Whelan said, the initiative calls for the Justice Department to help train local police; for the Treasury Department to assist on developing financial controls; for Customs to help with border security, and for the Agency for International Development to finance school construction. "This assistance will provide countries in northern Africa with an enhanced ability to interdict transnational terrorists and other criminal elements," said Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., who heads the House International Relations terrorism subcommittee. At a Glance Tom Cruise pranksters could face charges LONDON Four pranksters arrested for squirting water at Tom Cruise at the British premiere of War of The Worlds could be charged with assault on the Hollywood star, police said yesterday. The men, who were filming a comedy sketch, will be interviewed by officers later in the day. We will see whether to pursue the charges, see whether the victim wants to pursue it, a Scotland Yard spokesman said. Cruise, 42, was on a red-carpet walkabout prior to the screening of the latest adaptation of the H.G. Wells classic in Londons Leicester Square on Sunday when a bogus journalist stuck a joke microphone in front of him. As Cruise started to talk, he was squirted with water from the microphone prompting the star to lose his cool. Im here giving you an interview, answering your questions and you do something really nasty ... youre a jerk ... jerk ... youre a jerk, the actor told the prankster in front of legitimate reporters. Cruise said it was disgusting that someone should act in such a way. I really work hard to make people feel good, he said as he towelled himself dry. The joker and his three-man camera crew were filming a sketch for a new entertainment show for publicly owned UK broadcaster, Channel 4. A crowd of about 5,000 fans had waited hours in temperatures that hit 32 degrees Celsius to see their idol and his new fiancee Katie Holmes. She attended the London premiere but was not standing next to him when the squirting took place. DiCaprio assaulted LOS ANGELES Actor Leonardo DiCaprio was treated at a hospital for stitches to close a cut in his head after a woman hit him with a beer bottle at a Hollywood Hills party, according to media reports on Sunday. The Osar-nominated star of The Aviator and Titanic required about a dozen stitches, People magazine online and Los Angeles television station CBS2 reported. John Lennon memorabilia on sale LONDON A major collection of John Lennon memorabilia, including an oil painting from his student days and a handwritten All You Need Is Love manuscript, will go on sale in London in July, an auction house announced yesterday. Other items on offer include a table from the home Lennon shared with his first wife Cynthia, a tunic thought to have inspired the costumes on the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover, and a bedspread from his Montreal bed-in for peace with Yoko Ono. Cooper Owen, which specializes in auctions of music and film memorabilia, said it expected the July 28 auction at The Hippodrome nightclub in central London to raise 2 million dollars. Fergie gets her own sandwich in New York NEW YORK Britains Sarah Ferguson yesterday unveiled the Duchess of York, a new sandwich named after her by a New York deli, but pleaded with dieters not to finis h the cheese-drizzled concoction. Once derided as the Duchess of Pork by the British tabloids for her portly physique, Ferguson cut a svelte figure in a cream-colored pinstripe blazer and matching skirt as she introduced the grilled chicken breast topped with melted Muenster cheese and wasabi horseradish mayonnaise. (AP-Reuters) Audio reviews Backstreet Boys, Never Gone (Jive) Stick the new Backstreet Boys disc in your computer and youll see that it shows up in iTunes as part of the pop category. But dont be fooled. With their first release in nearly five years, the Backstreet Boys have plunged deeply and irreparably into the adult contemporary pool. The fivesome Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean, Howie Dorough and Nick Carter had already begun dipping their toes into these waters when their rivals, N Sync, were experimenting with two-step and beat-boxing and singing about one-night stands. But you cant be a boy band forever, and Never Gone represents what appears to be the inevitable, bland transition into musical adulthood. The first song the promising Incomplete rises and falls and rises again with a simple but melancholy piano melody. From there its an insipid mix of mid-tempo love songs and ballads I Still..., Safest Place to Hide, and the title track any of which would be suitable on the soundtrack of a forgettable romantic comedy. Weird World is an anomaly, though their well-intentioned but clunky attempt at social relevance, with overly literal lyrics like: Sent a message to a GI. in the desert, said, Thank you, man, for bringing another dawn. Back here its her and me, and were having our first baby. Hes out there, takin em on. Theyre not normally mentioned in the same breath in fact, this may be the first time in recorded history! but the Backstreet Boys new album calls to mind a classic line from Neil Young. Its better to burn out than to fade away, Young sang on My My, Hey Hey. In this case, fading away and leaving all those giddy fan-girl memories shining and intact would have been preferable. Foo Fighters, In Your Honor (RCA) The Foo Fighters arent just trying to keep a following of fans with their newest album In Your Honor. One decade and three albums after rising from Nirvanas ashes after Kurt Cobains suicide, theyre out to become the greatest rock band of a generation. Lofty ambitions indeed for Dave Grohl, the former Nirvana drummer turned Foo Fighter frontman. But by striking a perfect balance on the 20-track, double album between hard driving anthems and pensive acoustic melodies, the band that few took seriously years ago just may have done it. Split between hard and loud on one disc, soft and quiet on the other, the album opens with the title track In Your Honor, a toss-up between high-energy guitar riffs and machine-gun drums. The song comes on strong, never lets up and slaps listeners from the every direction they werent looking. Friend Of A Friend incorporates chord structures reminiscent of Kurt Cobains and seeps with the deep reverence Grohl knows. He plays an old guitar with a coin found by the phone. It was his friends guitar, Grohl whispers, only thinly veiling the period following Cobains death. Ironically, the song sounds similar to Nirvanas own acoustic album. audio reviews By BEN RATLIFF The New York Times Listen Here!, Eddie Palmieri (Concord) The great salsa innovator Eddie Palmieri goes outside his normal sphere in Listen Here!, a Latin record with jazz-soloist guests. Palmieri has admitted that he has not spent much time studying the mainstream-jazz repertory. Though he is an exciting improviser, he tends toward the updated Cuban rhythms and mostly static harmonies that he and his bands have played since the 1960s. So he is joined here by some well-known soloists from the other side of the fence, including the violinist Regina Carter, the guitarist John Scofield and the saxophonists Michael Brecker and Donald Harrison. It proceeds in the old style of one genre meets another, rather than proposing a top-to-bottom integrated approach. It definitely doesnt sound like what Latin jazz in New York has become. Palmieri who is to play on Saturday at Carnegie Hall during the JVC Jazz Festival always sounds as if he is struggling to wrest control over the situation, even in the most familiar circumstances. Its what makes him great. In some cases the guests do enliven Listen Here!; Carter plays dazzlingly on In Flight, with vocalizations and a rhythmic sharpness that fits the rhythm section. And Brecker puts in a glibly energetic solo on the title track, written by Eddie Harris. But on that same tune, after the tenor-saxophone finishes and a short bass solo follows, Palmieri winds up into one of his sprawling, clear-cutting improvisations. Its only about a minute long, but he uses silence generously around tumbling and climbing figures. BEING IS BECOMING Would-be human beings at birth,men and women enter life as potentialities; the continuous form of the verbal noun, declares the conception of evolvement. In time, we develop rationality,and the full-blown cycles close,when we lastly walk into the sunset. Being born out of a couple does not help us make the grade, Since human nature, a desirable end, seems remote from the circumstance of being cast naked upon a naked earth Woman bears down a creature of demands,a lovable someone with a racing heart,a needy bundle with a sucking reflex,who cannot tell himself from others, and fails to realize, that the feet which wiggle and kick are its own. Babys charm lies in its helplessness;a tiny lump of incomplete awareness, dependent on its people; this cuddly toy brings forth from adults a benign smile, and a wave of restrained tenderness.I feel the soft spot we have for it is the homage wordliness pays to innocence. Anbal Goi (April 2005) Bollore in talks to sell shipping unit PARIS The Bollore Group said on Friday it had started exclusive talks to sell its shipping business to French shipping company CMA CGM. A spokesman for financier Vincent Bollore told Reuters the business comprised mostly 50 ships from the Delmas unit and had a turnover of some 800 million euros. The talks will be conducted on an exclusive basis until July 29, the group said in a statement. The spokesman added that Bollore had informed his shipping units works council that he had received several offers for the business and had started exclusive talks with CMA CGM. French daily Le Figaro said earlier on Friday that Bollore, the top shareholder in advertising company Havas, had said at his investment holding companys annual shareholder meeting earlier this month that he would accept no less than 600 million euros for the business, which he acquired for 250 million in 1991. Vincent Bollore has said at the shareholder meeting the economic climate was exceptional in the sector and that three shipping firms had made offers, a Bollore spokesman said. Business monthly Capital in its June edition had reported the deal was for 437 million euros and that Bollore would use the cash to raise his stake in Havas to as much as 33 percent the threshold for launching a takeover bid. The Bollore spokesman declined to say what Bollore would do with the funds from the sale. Bollore increased this week his holding in Havas to 22.01 percent from 20.39 percent after winning four seats on Havass board, defeating management opposition and putting pressure on Havas Chief Executive Alain de Pouzilhac to resign. Pouzilhac has called for a board meeting on June 21 after meeting Bollore on Thursday (Reuters) Brainy folate WASHINGTON Taking large amounts of folic acid improved the memory of older adults, Dutch scientists reported yesterday in the first study to show a vitamin pill might slow the mental decline of aging. The research adds to mounting evidence that a diet higher in folate, a B vitamin found in grains and certain dark-coloured fruits and vegetables, is important for a variety of diseases. Its proven to lower womens risks of devastating birth defects of the brain and spinal cord, and research suggests it helps ward off heart disease and strokes. Its not clear how folic acid might work to protect the brain. Some studies suggest folate lowers inflammation; others suggest it may play a role in controlling dementia-related genes. As people age, some decline in brain function is inevitable. The Dutch study tested whether otherwise healthy people could slow that brain drain by taking double the recommended daily US dose of folic acid the amount in 1.1 kilos of strawberries. The folic acid protected users brains, lead researcher Jane Durga of Wageningen University reported at a meeting of the Alzheimers Association. The study involved healthy older people, not those with Alzheimers symptoms, so it doesnt show if folic acid might ward off that disease. Thats the key question, Durga said. Still, folic acid offered significant brain protection, said Johns Hopkins University neuroscientist Marilyn Albert, who chairs the Alzheimers Associations science advisory council. Scientists have long thought that folic acid might play a role in dementia. Previous studies have shown people with low folate levels are more at risk for both heart disease and diminished cognitive function; clogged arteries slow blood flow in the brain. I think I would take folic acid, assuming my doctor said it was OK, Albert said, noting that long study of folic acid shows these levels are safe. (AP) Brazil and Argentina optimistic about trade talks Economy ministers from Brazil and Argentina meeting in Buenos Aires said that they are optimistic that both countries can reach agreements to overcome trade differences. Brazils Finance Minister, Antonio Palocci and his Argentine counterpart, Roberto Lavagna held a press conference also attended by Venezuelas economy minister, Nelson Merentes, at which energy issues were discussed. Shortly before the conference Palocci and Lavagna had held a meeting with President Nstor Kirchner in Government House. Interesting progress has been made, Lavagna said in response to a question on the status of Argentinas complaints about trade asymmetries with Brazil. We made a first proposal in September 2004 and received a counteroffer from Brazil. This year we made a new offer and received a reply from Brazil that has narrowed the differences, Lavagna said. The minister added that shortly there will be a technical meeting to analyze codes of conduct and competition clauses. Palocci said he agreed with Lavagna. We are optimistic. The current trade spats will each time be less. Although neither minister gave details of the negotiation Palocci commented that we shouldnt talk of safeguards in reference to the sorts of measures applied by Argentina in the past. The Mercosur trade bloc is scheduled to hold a presidential summit in Asuncin this weekend. Although there was no official statement made, president Kirchner is reported to have raised the issue of the energy crisis in the southern cone with Palocci, an issue that he raised with Chilean President Ricardo Lagos at a meeting last week. Lavagna denied that the ministers had discussed setting up a new South American bank although he said that they had discussed the functioning of development and financing banks in the recent past in the respective countries. We analysed some ideas about new financing methods. Rather than suggest new structures at the moment we analysed those that exist and how they can be improved, Lavagna said. British only By Alicia Lpez Oyhenart For the Herald Browsing websites in search for relevant data has become a common practice. The Internet broadens horizons and helps develop language skills. For this issue I am offering a review of some websites devoted exclusively to the British history and culture general features which will be relevant to ELT. *United Kingdom () This webpage is actively linked to various websites, which allows both students and teachers to double-click any category needed to get detailed information on say,. UK education, geography, feasts, food, history, organizations and institutions etc. The website contains valuable and up-to-date information Besides, it provides extensive data about Ireland, Canada, Australia, the USA and New Zealand, soon also about South Africa. Worth mentioning is a vast collection of dictionaries, i.e. Acronym Finder, A Dictionary of Slang, A Dictionary of UK slang, A Dictionary of British Slang , Encyclopaedia Britannica and many more. Another important feature is the English Resources section divided into the following sections: poetry, reading, drama, Shakespeare, genre, biography, language, and media. There are various language activities, test papers and worksheets under each category *Woodlands Junior School () One of the most comprehensive and richest EFL/ESL sites on the Web, oriented to the student. Its user-friendly layout encourages students to upgrade their language skills and broadens their knowledge about British history and culture appealing to them with colourful photos. It features a calendar of traditions and customs observed in the UK. The section Songs, Sayings and Superstitions provides a selection of English proverbs and sayings together with the most popular and characteristic British songs. Various student discussions forums are extremely friendly. This website offers a decisive advantage to learners, i.e. worksheets supporting the material found on the pages (). *BBC Timelines () An educational website launched by BBC, divided into sections: British Timeline, Northern Ireland Timeline, English Timeline, Scottish Timeline and Welsh Timeline. By double-clicking each section a list of topics devoted to given periods of history unfolds. Every entry features historical events and figures part of the cultural heritage of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This page includes lots of links to other websites of interest grouped under Related Links. Really unique is the Multimedia Zone which tempts with its interactive games, virtual tours (a free VRML plug-in such as Cortona is provided by the page), animations and photos. A student-friendly design of the For Kids section () enables learners of different language level to explore the history and culture of the UK in animations and short films * All Info About English Culture () The site offers articles that keep the readers up-to-date with the latest news and developments in England, a Bi-weekly Newsletter that keeps viewers abreast of what is happening there and Seasonal Features.. A selection of topics including: Archaeology, Architecture, Art, Customs/Traditions, Festivals/Holidays, etc. give relevant information on a given question. *About (&) The website features articles on Great Britain and Ireland, dealing specifically with their history, culture, current events or places worth visiting with city and region guides accompanied by maps as well as peculiarities of the British and the Irish. *VisitBritain () Two of its most prominent sections are Destination Guides, a selection of richly illustrated articles with outline and route maps attached giving the taste of Britains distinctive places, and Experiences, offering a wide variety of articles on Britains landmarks and cities. This website depicts England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands from the travellers perspective and therefore may be a useful supplement to English classes. It is linked to other websites, e.g. Visit London (), which is the official London site with short articles outlining the citys most representative features and sights. Comprehensive data are grouped into the following sections: Attractions, Eating Out, Entertainment, Royal London etc. City Search is of invaluable help when looking for specific information, e.g. Londons attractions. Furthermore, Visit Britain links to Visit England (), an essential guide to English sites of interest and cities that make it conspicuous. A reference map with counties and regions marked enables a closer look at their peculiarities, yet Visit London and Visit England are rather traveller- and teacher-oriented . * I-UK () The website, maintained by the British Council, UK Trade & Investment and Visit Britain, discloses information on Visiting the UK, Education, Life & Culture, each of them subdivided into further categories offering a vast array of articles on a given topic and related links for more detailed search *HeartoScotland () A rich source of informative articles on Scottish customs and traditions, as well as its historical and cultural heritage, ranging from Scotlands national dishes through the origins of whisky, tartans and feasts to Scottish myths, legends and poems. * Irish Culture and Irish Customs () A website devoted exclusively to Irish traditions and customs all outlined in short brilliant articles accompanied by rich illustrations. Kids Ireland () is a monthly column where Irish stories and legends are re-told making them more accessible for less advanced students of English Alicia Lpez Oyhenart, an ISP JVGonzlez graduate, is an experienced teacher trainer with a post graduate degree at Columbia University. She has published several course books through KEL Ediciones and contributed to the Herald since 1999. She is the Editor of , the first Argentine Internet activity magazine for teachers Contact: British, American or somewhere in between? Two countries divided by a common language. Oscar Wilde English is not the language with the largest number of native or first language speakers, but it has become a Lingua Franca all over the world. Although English will not remain dominant amongworld languages, there is no doubt that it is and willbe a vital linguistic tool for business people,academics, tourists and citizens of the world, who need to communicate easily for the present and future to come. English, much like other languages, can take many forms depending on who speaks or where people do this. In addition to geography, factors such associal class, ethnic groups, and gender affect the language causing great differences in pronunciation,vocabulary and grammar. English varies between and within those countries where it is spoken. It is difficult to describe this language as any one thing. Teachers should work with the variety that best reflects the language in use, the English that will be understood by most other English speakers in the world. Teachers should expose students to language varieties (listening and reading) in order to prepare them for the moment when they come into contact with different varieties. Certainly, we should not expose beginnerstudents to this experience. It would becounter-productive. But when their level improves, we should give them the opportunities to encounter more and different accents of the language. Teachers should encourage their advanced learners to cope with the normal range of listening and texts that they will use at some later stage. Juan Carlos Di Sanzo. Lezama, Bs. As. NEXT ISSUES DEBATE:The earlier the better? (see front page for details) Building a global village whose bricks are art Check out Jonas Mekas films in the Lithuanian Pavilion, a German friend whispered in my ear, as if offering a hot tip for the fifth race at Santa Anita. And two Bulgarians gave reserved nods to several installations in the big international survey of mostly young artists at the Arsenale (among them, a chandelier made of 14,000 tampons by the Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, and Regina Jose Galindos films of herself shaving off her body hair, having her hymen surgically replaced, and protesting violence against women in her native Guatemala by dipping her feet in blood and walking down the street). Reactions to biennales are always Rashomon-like. That the current festival is generally regarded as pensive and a bit risk-averse is partly a response to the previous biennale, a fiasco that would make nearly anything else seem prudent and sober. Call this the first fairly adult biennale in memory. More relaxed and far more professional than last time, it stresses installations and videos, standard festival fare, steering conspicuously clear of much of the current market taste for baubled craftiness and youth as an end in itself. Gallerists I came across seemed anxious to press on to the fair in Basel and get back to business. Put together by Maria de Corral and Rosa Martinez, savvy Spanish veterans (and the first women in charge here in the shows 110-year history), this biennale is less macho, more cross-cultural, smarter, more attuned to womens issues but anti-didactic, and more sensuously experiential (even contemplative in parts, if thats imaginable in such an environment). Calm may be putting it too strongly, but the show is definitely saner and more pleasurable than in the past. Its common now to say that the commercial art fairs, like those in Basel or Miami, are the new biennales, vast malls of eclectic taste, dealer-run, not dictated by curators or hidebound by tradition, not hampered by lofty expectations or stuck with a slow schedule. Some museum survey shows now seem anxious to emulate the fairs, pandering to collectors, skipping big ideas, seeking to get ahead of the curve. The Venice Biennale, consensus has long had it, is the great white elephant of festivals, its national pavilions quaintly anachronistic in a global age. Its founding purpose to introduce audiences to art they couldnt see back home is said to be no longer relevant with jet travel, the Internet and so on, a relic from the days of steamer ships and the telegraph. Venice persists as the watering hole for the wandering art herd only because, well, its Venice. Paul Allen couldnt moor his 413-foot yacht at a biennale if it were in Atlanta or Cleveland. But I wonder. Visitors here actually seem to talk about art, not so much about money or real estate or collectors. They grumble, of course, but they grumble mostly about the art. The biennale is still about power, politics and tourism. Lest anyone forget that, the American artist Barbara Kruger put the words power and money in English and Italian on columns in front of the Italian Pavilion, the most conspicuous spot in the show. Among the consequences of such forces are that Gregor Schneider, the German artist, wasnt allowed to replicate the Kaaba from Mecca in San Marco; that Illy coffee stands are everywhere; that the ticket prices have been hiked; and that the Chinese, with whom the Italian government is anxious to trade, have been given a handsome space for their much promoted pavilion (a disappointment, visually speaking). Leave it to the Guerrilla Girls (on huge hoardings near the entrance of the Arsenale) to note that, aside from Egypt and Morocco, no African countries are represented this time around. But earlier I mentioned who liked what because the biennale when, like this year, it doesnt kowtow too much to fashion is still fairly global. By persisting with national pavilions, each organized independently by its own country, the biennale remains a grab bag. Corral and Martinez have done their part to broaden the spectrum by emphasizing Latin American artists. But Im not just talking about the sum of places artists are from. I mean theres a mixing of priorities and tastes, born of different contexts, which require efforts of translation. Perhaps I misunderstand the Chinese pavilion (I did like a video at the end analyzing the feng shui of the biennale), but at least one is made aware here that cultural gaps exist, that the whole world does not just answer to one power, share one concern, come down to the same almighty dollar. And in a rising climate of alarming nationalism, this may be the biennales major cultural contribution. More than trying to sum up the state of current art (a vain enterprise anyway, which no one really takes seriously), the virtue of a fair like this is perhaps in its most antique formulation: to simulate a global village, a genial and peaceful common ground, amid the honeysuckle and lapping waves, where a conversation about art can take place, one whose subtext is mutual understanding. For my part, I found plenty to think about this time. Mekas installation is, as the German promised, affecting, a mature suite of home movies and other films made over half a century, a creative life in sum. In the Arsenale, the Lebanese artist Mona Hatoums circle of slowly raked sand stuck with me, along with the Korean-born Kim Soojas six-channel film of a woman, back turned, standing unnoticed in the middle of several crowded cities; and the New York-based Stephen Deans trio of videos of various mobs, color-drenched panoramas, both terrifying and ecstatic. So did (briefly) Ricky Swallows carved wood sculptures in the Australian Pavilion, neat feats inspired by Dutch still lifes, and Hans Schabus towering wood and tar-paper mountain, subsuming the Austrian Pavilion with stuffed birds and gangways that climb to a skinny porthole with a broad perch on Venice. Corrals show, housed in the Italian Pavilion, which makes a notorious maze of a building functional, is on the whole blessedly adult. It builds a foundation with blue-chip standards like Philip Guston and Francis Bacon to support pictures by Marlene Dumas (a la Gerhard Richter) and Gabriel Orozco (colorful geometric paintings), as well as works by Mark Wallinger (who videotaped himself dressed as a bear and living in the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin), Tacita Dean (a haunting film of buildings and a sunset reflected in the bronzed windows of a decrepit East German government palace) and William Kentridge (a wistful homage to the days of early filmmakers, with musical accompaniment, showing the artist at work, the reels sometimes running jerkily backward, so that Kentridge miraculously rubs a charcoal self-portrait back into focus). Ed Ruscha, the American representative, takes subtle measure of the architecture of the American Pavilion, with its classical, mirrored wings, by juxtaposing two suites of five pictures each: one, from 1992, is gritty, grisaille imaginings of industrial buildings in Los Angeles, and the other is recent versions of more or less the same places, altered, fenced in or gone, in candied colors. Mature, laconic and strangely grave, the work conveys an acute attention to place and light, and an almost wistful sense of time past. My French friend was also right. Messagers installation is a treat, with that hypnotic room of billowing red fabric, a lava sea of swimmy shapes within which lighted shapes appear, a cycle of civilization as if underwater, an Atlantis of dreams. And speaking of Danes, on an island in the Lagoon, Olafur Eliasson (half-Danish, half-Icelandic) has devised a pavilion, with views onto the water and ramps leading into a blackened room with a thin beam of light, like a horizon line, 360 degrees around, its intensity and color slowly shifting. The light is a Venetian spring day condensed into 14 minutes. A visitors senses adjust to the changes, bringing body and sight slowly into equilibrium. Finally, in the Church of San Stae, as a satellite of the Swiss Pavilion, Pipilotti Rist is projecting onto the ceiling a giddy, psychedelic kaleidoscope version of heaven: naked nymphs prancing with ripe fruit in tropical locales. Viewers recline shoeless on cushions, 50 at a time. Tiepolo, Cranach, Duchamp and Helio Oiticica come to mind all at once or at least, Cranach on acid. Very cool. Very Zen. Business in Brief Fathers Day sales up 2% Sales on Fathers Day this year rose 2 percent, compared to the same date last year, according to a survey by the Argentine Confederation of the Medium-sized Companies (CAME). Credit cards were out to capture spending, reinstating the six payment plan at zero interest, which were extended until yesterday, according to a press release from the confederation. Sales concentrated on household and personal use items, posting a 12 percent rise in wine sales, and an 8 percent rise in spirits. Mobile phones and computer accessories also benefited from six month payment plans and special promotions to boost sales. Sporting goods sales, particularly alternative brands, and footwear, also rose by 5 percent, compared to the same date last year. Suez to sell off stake in waterworks company The French Suez Group will negotiate the sale of 52 percent of its stocks in Aguas Provinciales Santa Fe with the Argentine Emgasud SA company, according to a press release from the French companys headquarters. Aguas Provinciales de Santa Fe provides running water and sewage services to some 1.8 million people in 15 districts in that province. The waterworks company came into crisis a couple of months ago, when the French group informed Jorge Obeids government their decision to retire from the concession. Ferrer could become IDB president President Nstor Kirchner said yesterday that former Economy Minister Aldo Ferrer is one of the Argentine candidates to replace Enrique Iglesias, as head of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). There are several candidates, Kirchner told reporters, Aldo Ferrer is one of them. President Kirchner ruled out that Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna as a possible successor to Iglesias, refuting versions from the press. Venezuela begins exporting fuel oil to China CARACAS Venezuela has begun exporting fuel oil to China under a trade agreement between the oil-rich South American nation and Asias energy-hungry economic powerhouse. Venezuelas state-run oil company Petrleos de Venezuela SA sent an initial shipment of 1.8 million barrels of fuel oil to China last week, according to information posted on the companys website yesterday. During a trip to Beijing in December, President Hugo Chvez signed a series of trade and cooperation agreements with his Chine counterpart, Hu Jintao, for the joint development of Venezuelan oil fields. China has pledged a credit line of US$40 million for Venezuelan agriculture, and help for the Chvez administrations plans to launch a satellite. Chinese firms are also to build railroads in Venezuela. Switzerland wants free trade agreement with US ZURICH Switzerland wants a free trade agreement with the US to remove average import duties of 4.5 percent on Swiss processed goods, Finance Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz said yesterday. Such an agreement would create preferential access for Swiss exporters to one of their most important markets, Merz said, according to a text of his speech to the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce in Zurich. The Finance Minister cited existing free trade agreements between the United States and other countries, saying that they were harming the competitiveness of Swiss industries such as chemicals and watch making. The potential for discrimination in relation to the Swiss economy is growing, in view of numerous American initiatives, Merz added. Minimum wage hike agreed in Chile SANTIAGO The government and workers reached an agreement yesterday to raise the minimum wage to the equivalent of US$217 per month. If approved by Congress, the measure will come into effect on July 1, and also foresees an increase for next year, to reach the equivalent of US$230. The Workers Union Centre (CUT) believes it has been a good, but not an excellent, negotiation. We are pleased to have achieved some progress in the minimum wage, said Arturo Martnez, the president of the main union organization in the country. Labour Minister Yerko Ljubetic said that this is a good agreement within the context of a solid economic reactivation, and the recovery of employment. This is the first agreement to be reached in years between the government and CUT. Discrepancies on remittances to Mexico MEXICO In recent years, the Bank of Mexico has reported a historic growth in the remittances that Mexicans send home from abroad, although some questions have begun to arise about the accuracy of these figures. The Central Bank recently said that remittances, almost entirely sent from the US, totalled US$16.6 billion in 2004, but the Social Development Secretariat (Sedesol) points out that the amount probably did not reach US$10 billion. It is surprising that two institutions would have such a significant discrepancy... these are scandalous differences, said Rodolfo Tuirn, one of the officials in charge of the Sedesol study. Campbell surprise US Open champion Cabrera 33rd GOLF US Open By David Mackintosh For the Herald PINEHURST, North Carolina New Zealands Michael Campell won the US Open at Pinehurst yesterday in the most stoic fashion, outplaying the field and taking full advantage of a ghastly collapse by defending champion Retief Goosen. Campbell carded 1-under par 69 for a total of 280, fulfilling the early-week forecast that even-par for the four championship rounds at Pinehurst No. 2 would be the winning score. Tiger Woods finished runner-up, a 69 for 282, but although he posed the only back-nine threat to Campbells victory, over the closing holes he unable to convert the vital putts that might have led to a playoff. Despite having won six times on the European Tour (three times in 2000) Campbells only brush major championship fame came in 1995 at St. Andrews, where he led after the third round, only to miss the playoff between John Daly and Costantino Rocca by one stroke. Ten years later, aged 36, New Zealander Campbell found his way into this event by way of the first US Open qualifier held in England. I almost did not come, a tearful Campbell said after a moving trophy presentation ceremony. Ive had so many ups and downs in my career, and Ive just kept persevering and working on my game, no matter how bad things got. This is truly unbelievable. I thought at the beginning of the round if I could shoot something around 3-under for the day Id have a chance so all I did was try and play my best aggressive golf. Then I made a few long putts and some important par saves and suddenly, well, Im here. It just goes to prove that perseverance pays. I think I deserve it. Ive worked hard for it. And Ive got it! Goosens birdie-less 81, plummeting him from a three-stroke overnight lead to share of 11th place, was as inexplicable to him as it was to the vast crowds whod come to watch him rubber-stamp a third US Open crown: I dont know what happened, Cool-Goose told the same group of writers who one day earlier had pretty much conceded him the title. I just never got going. I made a few mistakes early on but when I made a good par-save at the 8th I thought Id got my game back on track. But my putter would not work and really from the 12th onward (where he started a string of five consecutive bogeys) I knew it was over. While Woods and Goosen were dropping shots to par on the opening holes, Campbell was already in high gear, reaching the turn in level-par, then turning up the heat with long-putt birdies at the 10th, 12th and 17th, permitting the luxury of bogeys at the 16th and 18th without ever putting the title in danger. I changed my entire putting set-up just two weeks ago, Campbell added. Id have to say that change has really paid dividends! Angel Cabreras disappointing week finished on a distinctly negative note, six bogeys and just one birdie 75 for 292, 12-over par for the week and a nine-way share of 33rd spot. Saint-Omer Open SWEDE BACKSTROM BEATS BRITON DWYER IN PLAYOFF In Saint Omer, France: Swede Joakim Backstrm claimed the Saint-Omer Open title and a one-year European Tour exemption when he beat Britains Paul Dwyer in a sudden-death playoff yesterday. The pair had finished a stroke ahead of the field on four-under-par 280 and Backstrm, who birdied the last to get into the shootout, then took the title with a par at the first extra hole after Dwyer missed a two-foot putt to bogey. As the tough course and conditions took their toll, Backstrms one-under-par 70 and a 68 by Dwyer took them to the top of the leaderboard before the Swede earned instant promotion to the full European Tour with his maiden victory. Having a one-year exemption means everything, said Backstrm. Ive been sitting by my phone most weeks, wondering whether I was going to get into tournaments and now I can plan my schedule. Britains James Heath looked to have the title in his grasp when leading by two strokes with four holes to go but the 22-year-old Nick Faldo protege had problems with his grip in humid conditions, double-bogeying the 15th through missing the green. A bogey on the last ended his chance of taking part in the playoff. Heaths closing 72 left him sharing third place with two more Swedes, Michael Jonzon and Steven Jeppesen, with the disappointed British youngster now having to regroup if he is to realize his ambition of earning a tour card from seven invitations this season. Chabn mulls leaving BA area Omar Chabn, the main suspect in the Repblica Croman rock club blaze, is considering to move to a small town in Buenos Aires province or even to another province in order to avoid demonstrations against him, his lawyers said yesterday. Chabn was freed on bail last week and is now living in the flat of his ageing mother in the Greater Buenos Aires district of San Martn. Since his arrival there last Tuesday, the place has seen nearly around-the-clock demonstrations by relatives and friends of the victims of the rock club fire, which killed 194 people. Chabns lawyer Pedro DAttoli said yesterday that his client is very concerned about his relatives and neighbours, who are also suffering the demonstrators harassment. Under the terms of his bail, Chabn has to notify the judge investigating the rock club inferno, Julio Lucini, and the litigant lawyers in the case of his whereabouts. This means that wherever Chabn decides to go, the relatives of the victims will know. Chabn spends his time at her mothers reading the case against him and reading books, DAttoli added. Chabn, who is facing charges of manslaughter, was the manager and alleged owner of the club in the city neighbourhood of Once. The place caught fire after a flare fired by a fan of the rock band Callejeros ignited an inflammable soundproof ceiling material minutes after a gig started on December 30. The place was overcrowded and became a death trap as its main emergency exit was locked. It was the worst non-natural tragedy in the history of Argentina. The Buenos Aires province government has asked Judge Lucini to move Chabn somewhere else, as the San Martn district authorities have complained that his presence is disrupting normal life in the area. The incident happened in the city of Buenos Aires, the judge is a national judge, everything in the case is related to the city of Buenos Aires, so I think Chabn should be placed somewhere in the city of Buenos Aires, said provincial Security Minister Len Arslanin yesterday. The provincial administration has allocated 70 police officers to watch Chabn at a cost of around 4,000 pesos a day. Provincial government authorities have said the special protection cannot last for long. We have already told the judge that the province cannot provide so much security for too long, said provincial Security Secretary Martn Arias Duval. Buenos Aires City Mayor Anbal Ibarra, meanwhile, urged the public to be rational and accept the court ruling that allowed Chabn to walk free pending trial after paying a half-a-million-peso bail. Ibarra has been in political dire straits since the blaze. (Herald staff with Tlam) China making progress towards WTO compliance After three-plus years since its joining the WTO, foreign business executives see China as making some progress toward meeting its formal WTO obligations but compliance is still incomplete. Substantial problems remain, especially at provincial and local levels, in intellectual property rights enforcement, regulatory transparency and business dispute resolution. While multinational firms from the around the globe have been rushing to make China a major focus of business strategy and investment, two thirds of executives surveyed reported that doing business in China is more difficult than in other markets. Of the 99 firms surveyed- all of them with substantial operations in China-over 50 percent felt that the Chinese central governments implementation of WTO obligations is only fair to poor, and the results get worse for sub-national government implementation. The responses of the US and Japanese firms surveyed to these and a range of other questions about the Chinese business climate were similar and tended to be more critical-in some cases substantially more critical-than those of the UK firms. The survey shows that multinational firms give the Chinese central government generally passing grades for meeting its formal WTO obligations. But the actual implementation of those obligations-in protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights, in providing a transparent regulatory environment, and in establishing processes for fair and equitable resolutions of business disputes-still needs to be substantially improved. This is particularly the case at the provincial and local levels about which the firms in the survey reported most dissatisfaction. Protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) was the number one concern for the executives. Some 62 percent of those responding gave low marks to Chinas IPR enforcement at the provincial and local levels, as did 56 percent for enforcement at the national level and 52 percent for the national-level legal and statutory framework of IPR. Half or more of those responding also gave low marks to legal reforms to align Chinas laws with international standards (53 percent) and the transparency of laws and regulations (50 percent). The resolution of business disputes emerged as another major issue for the foreign executives. The majority (62 percent) of companies that had had a business dispute with a local Chinese company described the problem of resolving disputes in China as serious; 30 percent said this was a very serious problem. More than half (58 percent) of companies that had disputes in China had experienced problems of either nonpayment or discounting of a payment on a contractual agreement. Companies that had had a dispute reported taking multiple actions to try to settle the dispute. However, most said they would avoid local courts and official Chinese arbitration systems. Moreover, a plurality of executives reported that favoritism toward local business interests is a major problem in the local Chinese court system. Overall, only half reported being satisfied with the resolution of disputes. More than three out of five (61%) of the companies in the survey reported being satisfied with their own governments efforts to ensure that China meets it WTO obligations. But about a third of US (34%) and quarter of UK firms (24%) reported being unsatisfied. The Business Climate in China Today: Attitudes of British, Japanese, and US Companies survey was undertaken by the Center for International Business of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth in order to learn about the current business climate for companies. Chinese Puppy cooler ap Puppies nap near a frozen bottle of water yesterday during a warm afternoon in Beijing. Summer temperatures in the Chinese capital often reach the high 30 degrees Celsius, prompting humans and animals alike to seek alternative forms of cooling. Chinese vice premier criticizes US restrictions on Chinese textile imports HONG KONG Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi praised the European Union last Monday for settling a trade dispute over Chinas surging textile exports, and criticized the US for slapping a restriction on textiles before talks could resolve the disagreement. Wu said in a keynote speech to the biggest Asia-Pacific business organization that it was natural for countries to have some friction as global trade brings economies closer together. The key is how to handle this friction, she told the Pacific Basin Economic Council. Wu complained about Americas recent decision to impose a 7.5 percent cap on the increase in Chinese textiles this year. This severely harmed Chinese textile enterprises that were enjoying the benefits of globalization, she said. We strongly urge nations to respect WTO regulations and to use fair negotiations and cooperative efforts to properly manage the textile issue, she said. The US started restricting Chinese textiles after international textile quotas were scrapped on Jan. 1. The US and the European Union have complained that cheap Chinese textiles have been flooding their markets and that measures are needed to better manage the swelling imports. Both the US and the Europeans insisted that under the rules of the World Trade Organization, they can restrict imports that are disrupting their markets. But China has argued that they have yet to clearly prove market disruption. Over the weekend, the EU and China agreed on limits on Chinese textile exports. The deal allows for gradually rising caps on increases in Chinese textile exports to Europe over the next three years, with all limits to be done away with in 2008. Wu said the agreement was proof that two sides can use the principles of equality, mutual interest and mutual respect to resolve trade disputes. China has no agreement with the United States on textiles. (AP) cinema june 20, 2005 Information published is correct to the best of our knowledge, but subject to unannounced changes. Downtown ABASTO SHOPPING Av. cORRIENTES 3200 Phone: 4866-4800 Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 11am., 1:05, 3:35, 5:50, 8:15 & 10:45pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 11am., 12:20, 1, 1:50, 2:40, 4:40, 5:30, 7.30, 8:20, 10:30 & 11:10pm. La casa de cera - House of Wax (NC16.) at 1:15, 6:10 & 11pm. Cama adentro (NR) at 11:25am., 4 & 8:50pm. Robots (NR) In Spanish at 11:05am. Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 7:50 & 11pm. Star Wars Episodio III. La venganza de los Sith (NC13) in Spanish at 11:05am., 1:45 & 4:45pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 11:10am., 12, 1:50, 2:40, 4:40, 5:30, 7:30, 8:20, 10:30 & 11:10pm. Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 11:15am., 1:20, 3:40, 6, 8:30 & 10:50pm. La cada (NC16) at 12:15, 3:35, 7 & 10:20pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 11 & 11:40am., 1, 1:40, 3:15, 4, 5:40, 6:20, 8, 8:45, 10:30 & 11:15pm. ATlas Patio Bullrich Posadas 1245. Phone: 4816-3801 Cama adentro (NR) at 1, 4:40 & 10:10pm. De-Lovely (NR) at 3, 5:20, 8 & 10:30pm. La cada (NC16) at 1:20, 4:30, 7:30 & 10:20pm. Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30, 8:30 & 10:30pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:50, 3:20, 6, 8:20 & 10:40pm. El hombre del bosque - The Woodsman (NC16) at 12:30, 2:20, 4:20, 6:20 & 8:20pm. Una mujer infiel - The Door on the Floor (NC16) at 12:50, 3:20, 5:40, 8 & 10:30pm. ATLAS SANTA FE aV. sANTA fE 2015 Phone 4823-7878 Sala 1 Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 12:50, 2:50, 5, 7, 9 & 11pm. SALA 2 Una mujer infiel - The Door on the Floor (NC16) at 1:25, 3:40, 6. 8:15 & 10:30pm. CINE Electric lavalle 836 PHONE: 4322-1846 sala 1 Cruzada (NC13) at 1:15, 6 & 10:35pm. Miss Simpata (NC13) at 4:55 & 8:35pm. sala 2 La marca de la bestia (NC16) at 1, 5 & 8:55pm. Sahara (NR) at 2:45, 6:45 & 10:40pm. Sala 3 La llamada 2 (NC16) at 1:05, 5:05 & 8:55pm. Constantine (NC16) at 3, 7 & 11pm. cinemark 8 Puerto madero ALICIA Moreau de Justo 1960. Phone. 4315-3008 . Una mujer infiel - The Door on the Floor (NC16) at 1, 3:20, 5.45, 8 & 10:20pm. Starwars Episode III (NC13) In English at 1:45, 4:45, 7:45 & 10:45pm. . La cada (NC16) at 1:30, 4:35, 7:35 & 10:35pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 1:40., 3:15, 5:35, 7:55 & 10:10pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:30, 3:05, 5:40, 8:15 & 10:50pm. . Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 1:20, 3:40 & 6pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 12:45, 2, 3:55, 4:55, 6:50, 7:50, 9:50 & 10:40pm. La intrprete (NC13) at 8:20 & 11pm. COMPLEJO DE CINE TITA MERELLO sUIPACHA 442. PHONE. 4322-1195 sala 1 - mirtha legrand Slo un ngel (NC13) at 1, 2:45, 4.30, 6:15, 8 & 11:45pm. .sala 2 - AMELIA BENCE. La esperanza (NC13) at 1:10, 4:35 & 8:05pm. Ronda Nocturna (NC16) at 2:50, 6:20 & 9;50pm. sala 3 - DELIA GARCES Oro Nazi en la Argentina (NR) at 3, 6:25 & 9:55pm. Hermanas (NR) at 31:20, 4.45 & 8:20pm. COMPLEJO MONUMENTAL lavalle 739. phone. 4322-1515 Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 12:45, 2.15, 3:15, 4:15, 5:45, 7:25, 9:45 & 10:45pm. Sun. late night at 0:15 & 1:15am. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 1:15, 3:40, 6:05, 8:30 & 10:55pm. Sun. late night at 1:10am. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 12:30, 3:25 & 6:10pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 12:30, 2:20, 4:10, 6, 7:50, 9:40 & 11:30pm. Sun. late night at 1:20am. La cada (NC16) at 12:45, 5.15, 8 & 10:40pm. Sun. late night at 1:20am. Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 12:55, 3:25, 8:05 & 10:40pm. Sun. late night at 1:20am. COSMOS AV. CORRIENTES 2046 PHONE 4953-5405 sala 1 Clean (NC16.) at 4:20, 8:20 & 10:30pm. La trama de la vida (NC13) at 2:20 & 6:20pm. sala 2 El gran gato (NR) Director: Ventura Pons, Spain 2002. At 4pm. Ral Sendic, Tupamaro. Director: Alejandro Figueroa, Uruguay 2004 (NC13) at 2:30, 5:40, 8:40 & 10:20pm. Buscando a Reynols (NR) Director: Nstor Frenkel - Argentina, 2004, at 7:15pm. GAumont espacio incaA KM 0 av. rivadavia 1635. phone: 4371-3050. sala 1 Cama adentro (NR) at 1:15 3, 4:40, 6:20, 8:10 & 9:55pm. sala 2 Gminis (NC16) at 1, 2:45, 4:30, 6:15, 8 & 9:45pm. sala 3 Whisky Romeo Zul (NR) at 12:40, 2:55, 5:10, 7:30 & 9:50pm. LORCA AV. CORRIENTES 1428. PHONE: 4371-5017. El hombre del bosque - The Woodsman (NC16) at 2:35, 7 & 8:45pm. : La cada (NC16) at 2:05, 4:55, 7:45 & 10.35pm. La vida es un milagro (NC13) at 4.15 & 10:25pm. Los Angeles AV. corrientes 1770. phone: 4371-3742. Los Increbles - The Incredibles (NR) In Spanish at 3, 7:10 & 9pm. Bob Esponja la pelcula - Sponge Bob Square Pants Movie (NR) Spanish at 1:20, 3:10, 5:10, 7:30, 9:10pm. El Expreso Polar (NR) In Spanish at 1 & 5:20pm. El diario de la princesa 2 (NR) In Spanish, at 3 & 6:50pm. La leyenda del tesoro perdido - National Treasure (NR) In Spanish at 12:50, 5 & 9pm. Robots (NR) In Spanish, at 12:40, 2:20, 4, 5:40, 7:20 & 9:10pm. SALA LEOPOLDO LUGONES TEATRO SAN MARTIN - AV. CORRIENTES 1530, 10TH FLOOR. Phone: 4371-0111/8O. Monday June 20, no exhibition. Joao De Deus Cycle. Va y viena (2003) Portugal, France, directed by Joao Csar Monteiro. With Rita Pereira Marques, Ligia Soanes. On Tuesday June 21 at 2:30 & 7:30pm. New Portuguese Cinema Cycle. Portugal S.A. (2004) . Direction: Ruy Guerra, with Diogo Infante, Cristina Cmara, Henrique Viana. Wednesday June 22 at 2:30, 5, 7:30 & 10pm. Mujer polica. (2003) . Direction: Joaquim Sapinho, with Amelia Coroa, Ludovic Videira, Mara Silva. Thursday June 23 at 2:30, 5, 7:30 & 10pm. Belgrano Arteplex CABILDO 2829 - phone: 4781-6500 De-Lovely (NR) at 1:20, 3:40 , 6, 8:25 & 10:45pm. Como una imagen (NR) at 1, 4:50 & 8:55pm. Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 1:15, 3:15, 5:10, 7:10, 9:10 & 11pm. Conociendo a Julia (NC13) at 2:55, 3:55 & 10:55pm. Geminis (NC16) at 1:25, 3:05, 4:55, 6:45 8:40 & 10:30pm. ATLAS GENERAL PAZ CABILDO 2792 - phone: 5032-8527 Cama adentro (NR) at 2:40, 4:30, 6:20, 8:20 & 10:40pm. El hombre del bosque - The Woodsman (NC16) at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11pm. La cada (NC16) at 12:30, 7:20 & 10:15pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:40, 3:10, 5:50, 8:10 & 10:40pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30pm. Una mujer infiel - The Door on the Floor (NC16) at 12:50, 3, 5:30, 8 & 10:30pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 12:40, 3:20 & 5:20pm. ATLAS solar de la abadia luis maria campos & maure Phone: 4778-5181 Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:50, 3:10, 5:30, 7:50 & 10:10pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 1:10, 3:50 6:30 & 9:50pm. BELGRANO MULTIPLEX vUELTA DE OBLIGADO 2199. PHONE: 4781-8183, 4783-2186. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:40, 3:10, 5:40, 8:10 & 10:40pm. Fri. & Sat. late night at 1:10am. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 2:30, 4:40, 6.40, 8:50 & 11pm. La cada (NC16) at 1:10, 4:10, 7:10 & 10:10pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11pm. Sahara (NR) at 12, 4:20 & 850pm. Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 11:50am., 2:30, 6.30 & 10:50pm. La casa de cera - House of Wax (NC16.) at 12, 2:10, 6:40 & 11:10pm. Caballito cineduplex AVDA. rivadavia 5050. PHONE: 4902-5682 Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 1:20, 3:15, 5:10, 7:05, 9 & 10:55pm. La cada (NC16) at 1:30, 4.30, 7:25 & 10:25pm. BELGRANO MULTIPLEX vUELTA DE OBLIGADO 2199. PHONE: 4781-8183, 4783-2186. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 11:50am., 1:45, 2:30, 4.15, 5:10, 6:50, 7:50, 9:30 & 10:30pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:40, 3:10, 5:40, 8:10 & 10:40pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 11:50am., 4:40 & 8:30pm. La cada (NC16) at 1:10, 4:10, 7:10 & 10:10pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 12:50, 2:50, 6:40 & 10:40pm. Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subt. at 11:50am. 2:30, 5:10, 7:50 & 10:50pm. Caballito cineduplex AVDA. rivadavia 5050. PHONE: 4902-5682 Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 1:20, 3:15, 5:10, 7:05, 9 & 10:55pm. . La cada (NC16) at 1:30, 4.30, 7:25 & 10:25pm. cinemark 6 - caballito AVDA. LA PLATA 96. PHONE: 4982-7117 Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:10, 2:40, 5:10, 7:40 & 10:20pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 3, 5:20 & 7:35pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 12:55am., 2, 4:05, 6:10, 8:20 & 10:30pm. Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled, at 1, 4, 7 & 10pm. La cada (NC16) at 12 & 10:10pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 11:05am., 12:50, 2:15, 3:50, 5, 6:50, 7:50, 9:50 & 10:40pm. Palermo CINEmark 10 palermo beruti 3399 & bulnes. phone: 4827-9500. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 11:50am., 2:20, 4:55, 7:30 & 10:10pm. Wed. late night at 0:50am. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 11:30am., 1:40, 3:50 & 6:20pm. Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith (NC13). Subtitled at 11:30am., 2:15, 5:10, 8 & 10:50pm. Wed. late night at 1:35am. Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 12:20, 2:40, 4:50, 7:10 & 9:40pm. Wed. late at midnight. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 11:20am., 1:20, 3:25, 5:30, 7:40 & 9:50pm. Wed. late at midnight. La cada (NC16) at 1:10, 4:15, 7:20 & 10:40pm. Wed. late night at 1:45am. De-Lovely (NR) at 8:30 & 11:05pm. Wed. late night at 1:35am. El hombre del bosque - The Woodsman (NC16) at 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30, 8:30 & 10:40pm. Wed. late night at 0:35am. Una mujer infiel - The Door on the Floor (NC16) at 12, 2:30, 5:10, 7:35 & 10pm. Wed. late night at 0:30am. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 11:25am., 1, 2:10, 4, 5:20, 7, 8:10, 10:20 & 11pm. Wed. late night at 1:20 &1:45am. Recoleta VILLAGE CINEMA RECOLETA VICENTE LOPEZ & JUNIN. PHONE: 0810-444-66843 & 4800-0000. Una mujer infiel - The Door on the Floor (NC16) at 10:30am., 12:50, 3:10, 5:30, 7:50 & 10:15pm. Wed. late night at 0:50am. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 10:10, 11 & 11:45am., 1, 1:50, 2:40, 3:50, 4:40, 5:30, 6:45,7:30, 8:20, 9:45, 10:30 & 11.15pm. Wed. late night at 0:45, 1:30 & 2:15am. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 10:30 & 11:30am., 1, 2, 3:30, 4:40, 6, 7:20, 8:30, 10 & 11:15pm. Wed. late night at 0:40 & 1:45am. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 10:05am., 12:05, 2:05, 6:45, 8:50 & 11pm. Wed. late night at 1:10am. El hombre del bosque - The Woodsman (NC16) at 10:20am., 12:20, 2:20, 4:20, 6:20, 8:20 & 10:45pm. Wed. late night at 0:50am. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 10:05am., 12:05, 2:10, 4:15, 6:20 & 11:15pm. Wed. late night at 1:20am. La cada (NC16) at 10:05am., 1:10, 3, 4:10, 6:10, 7:10, 9:15 & 10:15pm. Wed. late night at 0:30 & 1:20am. Sahara (NR) at 10:45am., 1:20 & 4pm. De-Lovely (NR) at 12:30, 4:10 & 8:30pm. Cama adentro (NR) at 11am., 12:50, 2:40, 4:30, 6:20, 8:10 & 10:15pm. Wed. late night at 0:30am. Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 10:50am., 1:10, 3:30, 5:50, 8 & 10:30pm. Wed. late night at 0:40am. Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 10:30am., 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 & 10:30pm. Wed. late night at 1:30am. Cruzada (NC13, with rest.) at 11:20am., 2:20 & 5:20pm. Suburbs cine astro martinez Av. santa fe 1860, martinez. phone: 4792-1304. astro 1 La cada (NC16) at 3:35, 6.35 & 9:40pm. astro 2 Cama adentro (NR.) at 3:25, 5:30, 8:25 & 10:10pm. UNICENTER cine Martinez unicenter shopping mall PARANA 3745 - martinez phone: 4319-2999 Star Wars Episode III- Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 11:05am, 2, 4:50, 7:30, 7:50, 10:30 & 10:50pm. Star Wars Episodio III - La venganza de los Sith (NC13) in Spanish at 11am., 1:50 & 4:40pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 11:15 & 11:45am., 1:20, 1:50, 3:30, 4:10, 5:45, 6:25, 8:05, 8:50, 10:20 & 11:10pm. La cada (NC16) at 11am., 2, 5, 8 & 11pm. Robots (NR) In Spanish at 11:10am & 6:30pm. Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 11:20am., 1:25, 3:40, 6, 8:15 & 10:40pm. La casa de cera - House of Wax (NC16.) at 1:10, 3:50, 8:40 & 11:20pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 11:15am., 12, 1:40, 2:50, 4:20, 5:40, 7:10, 8:30, 10 & 11:15pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 11am., 1:05, 3:15, 5:30, 7:45 & 10:10pm. Slo un ngel (NC13) at 11:10am., 1:15, 3:20, 5.30, 7:40 & 10pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 10:45, 11:05 & 11:30am., 1:30, 1:55, 2:25, 4:30, 4:50, 5:20, 7:30, 7:50, 8:20, 10:30, 11 & 11:20pm. CINEMA Tuesday June 21, 2005 Information published is correct to the best of our knowledge, but subject to unannounced changes. Downtown ABASTO SHOPPING Av. cORRIENTES 3200 Phone: 4866-4800 Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 11am., 1:05, 3:35, 5:50, 8:15 & 10:45pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 11am., 12:20, 1, 1:50, 2:40, 4:40, 5:30, 7.30, 8:20, 10:30 & 11:10pm. La casa de cera - House of Wax (NC16.) at 1:15, 6:10 & 11pm. Cama adentro (NR) at 11:25am., 4 & 8:50pm. Robots (NR) In Spanish at 11:05am. Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 7:50 & 11pm. Star Wars Episodio III. La venganza de los Sith (NC13) in Spanish at 11:05am., 1:45 & 4:45pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 11:10am., 12, 1:50, 2:40, 4:40, 5:30, 7:30, 8:20, 10:30 & 11:10pm. Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 11:15am., 1:20, 3:40, 6, 8:30 & 10:50pm. La cada (NC16) at 12:15, 3:35, 7 & 10:20pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 11 & 11:40am., 1, 1:40, 3:15, 4, 5:40, 6:20, 8, 8:45, 10:30 & 11:15pm. ATlas Patio Bullrich Posadas 1245. Phone: 4816-3801 Cama adentro (NR) at 1, 4:40 & 10:10pm. De-Lovely (NR) at 3, 5:20, 8 & 10:30pm. La cada (NC16) at 1:20, 4:30, 7:30 & 10:20pm. Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30, 8:30 & 10:30pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:50, 3:20, 6, 8:20 & 10:40pm. El hombre del bosque - The Woodsman (NC16) at 12:30, 2:20, 4:20, 6:20 & 8:20pm. Una mujer infiel - The Door on the Floor (NC16) at 12:50, 3:20, 5:40, 8 & 10:30pm. ATLAS SANTA FE aV. sANTA fE 2015 Phone 4823-7878 Sala 1 Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 12:50, 2:50, 5, 7, 9 & 11pm. SALA 2 Una mujer infiel - The Door on the Floor (NC16) at 1:25, 3:40, 6. 8:15 & 10:30pm. CINE Electric lavalle 836 PHONE: 4322-1846 sala 1 Cruzada (NC13) at 1:15, 6 & 10:35pm. Miss Simpata (NC13) at 4:55 & 8:35pm. sala 2 La marca de la bestia (NC16) at 1, 5 & 8:55pm. Sahara (NR) at 2:45, 6:45 & 10:40pm. Sala 3 La llamada 2 (NC16) at 1:05, 5:05 & 8:55pm. Constantine (NC16) at 3, 7 & 11pm. cinemark 8 Puerto madero ALICIA Moreau de Justo 1960. Phone. 4315-3008 . Una mujer infiel - The Door on the Floor (NC16) at 1, 3:20, 5.45, 8 & 10:20pm. Starwars Episode III (NC13) In English at 1:45, 4:45, 7:45 & 10:45pm. . La cada (NC16) at 1:30, 4:35, 7:35 & 10:35pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 1:40., 3:15, 5:35, 7:55 & 10:10pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:30, 3:05, 5:40, 8:15 & 10:50pm. . Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 1:20, 3:40 & 6pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 12:45, 2, 3:55, 4:55, 6:50, 7:50, 9:50 & 10:40pm. La intrprete (NC13) at 8:20 & 11pm. COMPLEJO DE CINE TITA MERELLO sUIPACHA 442. PHONE. 4322-1195 sala 1 - mirtha legrand Slo un ngel (NC13) at 1, 2:45, 4.30, 6:15, 8 & 11:45pm. .sala 2 - AMELIA BENCE. La esperanza (NC13) at 1:10, 4:35 & 8:05pm. Ronda Nocturna (NC16) at 2:50, 6:20 & 9:50pm. sala 3 - DELIA GARCES Oro Nazi en la Argentina (NR) at 3, 6:25 & 9:55pm. Hermanas (NR) at 31:20, 4.45 & 8:20pm. COMPLEJO MONUMENTAL lavalle 739. phone. 4322-1515 Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 12:45, 2.15, 3:15, 4:15, 5:45, 7:25, 9:45 & 10:45pm. Sun. late night at 0:15 & 1:15am. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 1:15, 3:40, 6:05, 8:30 & 10:55pm. Sun. late night at 1:10am. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 12:30, 3:25 & 6:10pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 12:30, 2:20, 4:10, 6, 7:50, 9:40 & 11:30pm. La cada (NC16) at 12:45, 5.15, 8 & 10:40pm. Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 12:55, 3:25, 8:05 & 10:40pm. COSMOS AV. CORRIENTES 2046 PHONE 4953-5405 sala 1 Clean (NC16.) at 4:20, 8:20 & 10:30pm. La trama de la vida (NC13) at 2:20 & 6:20pm. sala 2 El gran gato (NR) Director: Ventura Pons, Spain 2002. At 4pm. Ral Sendic, Tupamaro. Director: Alejandro Figueroa, Uruguay 2004 (NC13) at 2:30, 5:40, 8:40 & 10:20pm. Buscando a Reynols (NR) Director: Nstor Frenkel - Argentina, 2004, at 7:15pm. GAumont espacio incaA KM 0 av. rivadavia 1635. phone: 4371-3050. sala 1 Cama adentro (NR) at 1:15 3, 4:40, 6:20, 8:10 & 9:55pm. sala 2 Gminis (NC16) at 1, 2:45, 4:30, 6:15, 8 & 9:45pm. sala 3 Whisky Romeo Zul (NR) at 12:40, 2:55, 5:10, 7:30 & 9:50pm. LORCA AV. CORRIENTES 1428. PHONE: 4371-5017. El hombre del bosque - The Woodsman (NC16) at 2:35, 7 & 8:45pm. : La cada (NC16) at 2:05, 4:55, 7:45 & 10.35pm. La vida es un milagro (NC13) at 4.15 & 10:25pm. Los Angeles AV. corrientes 1770. phone: 4371-3742. Los Increbles - The Incredibles (NR) In Spanish at 3, 7:10 & 9pm. Bob Esponja la pelcula - Sponge Bob Square Pants Movie (NR) Spanish at 1:20, 3:10, 5:10, 7:30, 9:10pm. El Expreso Polar (NR) In Spanish at 1 & 5:20pm. El diario de la princesa 2 (NR) In Spanish, at 3 & 6:50pm. La leyenda del tesoro perdido - National Treasure (NR) In Spanish at 12:50, 5 & 9pm. Robots (NR) In Spanish, at 12:40, 2:20, 4, 5:40, 7:20 & 9:10pm. SALA LEOPOLDO LUGONES TEATRO SAN MARTIN - AV. CORRIENTES 1530, 10TH FLOOR. Phone: 4371-0111/8O. Joao De Deus Cycle. Va y viene (2003) Portugal, France, directed by Joao Csar Monteiro. With Rita Pereira Marques, Ligia Soanes. Tuesday June 21 at 2:30 & 7:30pm. New Portuguese Cinema Cycle. Portugal S.A. (2004) . Direction: Ruy Guerra, with Diogo Infante, Cristina Cmara, Henrique Viana. Wednesday June 22 at 2:30, 5, 7:30 & 10pm. Mujer polica. (2003) . Direction: Joaquim Sapinho, with Amelia Coroa, Ludovic Videira, Mara Silva. Thursday June 23 at 2:30, 5, 7:30 & 10pm. Belgrano Arteplex CABILDO 2829 - phone: 4781-6500 De-Lovely (NR) at 1:20, 3:40 , 6, 8:25 & 10:45pm. Como una imagen (NR) at 1, 4:50 & 8:55pm. Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 1:15, 3:15, 5:10, 7:10, 9:10 & 11pm. Conociendo a Julia (NC13) at 2:55, 3:55 & 10:55pm. Geminis (NC16) at 1:25, 3:05, 4:55, 6:45 8:40 & 10:30pm. ATLAS GENERAL PAZ CABILDO 2792 - phone: 5032-8527 Cama adentro (NR) at 2:40, 4:30, 6:20, 8:20 & 10:40pm. El hombre del bosque - The Woodsman (NC16) at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11pm. La cada (NC16) at 12:30, 7:20 & 10:15pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:40, 3:10, 5:50, 8:10 & 10:40pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30pm. Una mujer infiel - The Door on the Floor (NC16) at 12:50, 3, 5:30, 8 & 10:30pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 12:40, 3:20 & 5:20pm. ATLAS solar de la abadia luis maria campos & maure Phone: 4778-5181 Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:50, 3:10, 5:30, 7:50 & 10:10pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 1:10, 3:50 6:30 & 9:50pm. BELGRANO MULTIPLEX vUELTA DE OBLIGADO 2199. PHONE: 4781-8183, 4783-2186. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:40, 3:10, 5:40, 8:10 & 10:40pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 2:30, 4:40, 6.40, 8:50 & 11pm. La cada (NC16) at 1:10, 4:10, 7:10 & 10:10pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11pm. Sahara (NR) at 12, 4:20 & 850pm. Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 11:50am., 2:30, 6.30 & 10:50pm. La casa de cera - House of Wax (NC16.) at 12, 2:10, 6:40 & 11:10pm. Caballito cineduplex AVDA. rivadavia 5050. PHONE: 4902-5682 Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 1:20, 3:15, 5:10, 7:05, 9 & 10:55pm. La cada (NC16) at 1:30, 4.30, 7:25 & 10:25pm. BELGRANO MULTIPLEX vUELTA DE OBLIGADO 2199. PHONE: 4781-8183, 4783-2186. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 11:50am., 1:45, 2:30, 4.15, 5:10, 6:50, 7:50, 9:30 & 10:30pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:40, 3:10, 5:40, 8:10 & 10:40pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 11:50am., 4:40 & 8:30pm. La cada (NC16) at 1:10, 4:10, 7:10 & 10:10pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 12:50, 2:50, 6:40 & 10:40pm. Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled, at 11:50am. 2:30, 5:10, 7:50 & 10:50pm. Caballito cineduplex AVDA. rivadavia 5050. PHONE: 4902-5682 Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 1:20, 3:15, 5:10, 7:05, 9 & 10:55pm. . La cada (NC16) at 1:30, 4.30, 7:25 & 10:25pm. cinemark 6 - caballito AVDA. LA PLATA 96. PHONE: 4982-7117 Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:10, 2:40, 5:10, 7:40 & 10:20pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 3, 5:20 & 7:35pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 12:55am., 2, 4:05, 6:10, 8:20 & 10:30pm. Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled, at 1, 4, 7 & 10pm. La cada (NC16) at 12 & 10:10pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 11:05am., 12:50, 2:15, 3:50, 5, 6:50, 7:50, 9:50 & 10:40pm. Palermo Atlas paseo alcorta salguero & alcorta. phone: 5032-8527. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 1:20, 4:20, 7:20 & 10:20pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12:50, 3:05, 5:30, 7:50 & 10:20pm. CINEmark 10 palermo beruti 3399 & bulnes. phone: 4827-9500. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 11:50am., 2:20, 4:55, 7:30 & 10:10pm. Wed. late night at 0:50am. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 11:30am., 1:40, 3:50 & 6:20pm. Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith (NC13). Subtitled at 11:30am., 2:15, 5:10, 8 & 10:50pm. Wed. late night at 1:35am. Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 12:20, 2:40, 4:50, 7:10 & 9:40pm. Wed. late at midnight. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 11:20am., 1:20, 3:25, 5:30, 7:40 & 9:50pm. Wed. late at midnight. La cada (NC16) at 1:10, 4:15, 7:20 & 10:40pm. Wed. late night at 1:45am. De-Lovely (NR) at 8:30 & 11:05pm. Wed. late night at 1:35am. El hombre del bosque - The Woodsman (NC16) at 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30, 8:30 & 10:40pm. Wed. late night at 0:35am. Una mujer infiel - The Door on the Floor (NC16) at 12, 2:30, 5:10, 7:35 & 10pm. Wed. late night at 0:30am. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 11:25am., 1, 2:10, 4, 5:20, 7, 8:10, 10:20 & 11pm. Wed. late night at 1:20 &1:45am. Recoleta VILLAGE CINEMA RECOLETA VICENTE LOPEZ & JUNIN. PHONE: 0810-444-66843 & 4800-0000. Una mujer infiel - The Door on the Floor (NC16) at 10:30am., 12:50, 3:10, 5:30, 7:50 & 10:15pm. Wed. late night at 0:50am. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 10:10, 11 & 11:45am., 1, 1:50, 2:40, 3:50, 4:40, 5:30, 6:45,7:30, 8:20, 9:45, 10:30 & 11.15pm. Wed. late night at 0:45, 1:30 & 2:15am. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 10:30 & 11:30am., 1, 2, 3:30, 4:40, 6, 7:20, 8:30, 10 & 11:15pm. Wed. late night at 0:40 & 1:45am. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 10:05am., 12:05, 2:05, 6:45, 8:50 & 11pm. Wed. late night at 1:10am. El hombre del bosque - The Woodsman (NC16) at 10:20am., 12:20, 2:20, 4:20, 6:20, 8:20 & 10:45pm. Wed. late night at 0:50am. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 10:05am., 12:05, 2:10, 4:15, 6:20 & 11:15pm. Wed. late night at 1:20am. La cada (NC16) at 10:05am., 1:10, 3, 4:10, 6:10, 7:10, 9:15 & 10:15pm. Wed. late night at 0:30 & 1:20am. Sahara (NR) at 10:45am., 1:20 & 4pm. De-Lovely (NR) at 12:30, 4:10 & 8:30pm. Cama adentro (NR) at 11am., 12:50, 2:40, 4:30, 6:20, 8:10 & 10:15pm. Wed. late night at 0:30am. Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 10:50am., 1:10, 3:30, 5:50, 8 & 10:30pm. Wed. late night at 0:40am. Star Wars Episode III. Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 10:30am., 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 & 10:30pm. Wed. late night at 1:30am. Cruzada (NC13, with rest.) at 11:20am., 2:20 & 5:20pm. Suburbs cine astro martinez Av. santa fe 1860, martinez. phone: 4792-1304. astro 1 La cada (NC16) at 3:35, 6.35 & 9:40pm. astro 2 Cama adentro (NR.) at 3:25, 5:30, 8:25 & 10:10pm. UNICENTER cine Martinez unicenter shopping mall PARANA 3745 - martinez phone: 4319-2999 Star Wars Episode III- Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 11:05am, 2, 4:50, 7:30, 7:50, 10:30 & 10:50pm. La cada (NC16) at 11am., 2, 5, 8 & 11pm. Star Wars Episodio III - La venganza de los Sith (NC13) in Spanish at 11am., 1:50 & 4:40pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 11:15 & 11:45am., 1:20, 1:50, 3:30, 4:10, 5:45, 6:25, 8:05, 8:50, 10:20 & 11:10pm. Robots (NR) In Spanish at 11:10am & 6:30pm. Melinda y Melinda (NC13) at 11:20am., 1:25, 3:40, 6, 8:15 & 10:40pm. La casa de cera - House of Wax (NC16.) at 1:10, 3:50, 8:40 & 11:20pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 11:15am., 12, 1:40, 2:50, 4:20, 5:40, 7:10, 8:30, 10 & 11:15pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 11am., 1:05, 3:15, 5:30, 7:45 & 10:10pm. Slo un ngel (NC13) at 11:10am., 1:15, 3:20, 5.30, 7:40 & 10pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 10:45, 11:05 & 11:30am., 1:30, 1:55, 2:25, 4:30, 4:50, 5:20, 7:30, 7:50, 8:20, 10:30, 11 & 11:20pm. vILLAGE CINES PILAR PANAMERICANA KM 50 ACCESO PILAR. PHONE: 0810-444-66843 Una mujer infiel - The Door on the Floor (NC16) at 11am., 1:15, 3:30, 5.45, 8:10 & 10:30pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 11 & 11:30am., 1:45, 2:20 , 4:305:15, 7.20, 8, 10:15 & 11pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12, 2:30, 5, 7:30 & 10pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 12, 2:15, 4:30, 6:45, 9 & 11:10pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 11am., 1, 3. 5. 7:10, 9:15 & 11:20pm. La cada (NC16) at 11am., 2 & 5:20pm. . Star Wars Episodio III - La venganza de los Sith (NC13) With intermission at 11, 1:45. 4:30 & 7:20pm. CINEMARK SOLEIL BERNARDO DE IRIGOYEN 2647, BOULOGNE. PHONE: 4710-4637. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 1:35, 3:35, 5:45, 7:50 & 10:20pm. Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 1 & 6:50pm. Star Wars Episodio III - La venganza de los Sith (NC13) in Spanish at 4, 7 & 10pm. Cruzada (NC13, with rest.) at 4:25 & 10:40pm. La casa de cera - House of Wax (NC16) at 1:50 & 8:05pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 1:45, 4.45, 7.35 & 10:30pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 1:20, 3:30, 5:50, 8 & 10:10pm. Slo un Angel (NC13) at 1:25, 3:45, 6:05, 8:25 & 10:45pm. CINEMARK 10 MALVINAS ARGENTINAS rUTA 202 & rUTA 8. sAN mIGUEL. phone: 4667-3993 Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at1:30, 2:30, 4:30, 5:30, 7:30, 8:30, 10:30 & 11:30pm. Contra la pared (NC16, with rest.) at 1:35, 6:25 & 11:10pm. Cruzada (NC13, with rest.) at 1:05pm. La casa de cera - House of Wax (NC16) at 1:25, 3:45, 8:20 & 10:45pm. Slo un ngel (NC13) at 1:40, 3:50, 6.05, 8:15 & 10:25pm. Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 10:15pm. Star Wars Episodio III - La venganza de los Sith (NC13) in Spanish at 1:15, 4:25 & 7:15pm. Voces del ms all - White Noise (NC13, with rest.) at 4:10 & 9pm. Robots (NR) In Spanish at 6:10pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 1:10, 3:20, 5:35, 7:40 & 9:30pm. La cada (NC16) at 4, 7:05 & 10:10pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 1, 3:30, 6, 8:35 & 11:05pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 1:20, 3:30, 5:50, 8:05 & 10:20pm. atlas tren de la costa lasalle 653.san isidro PHONE: 5032-8527- Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 1, 3:20, 5:40, 8 & 10:20pm. La cada (NC16) at 1:20, 4:20, 7:20 & 10:10pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 1:20, 3:20, 5:40, 8 & 10:40pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 1, 4, 7 & 10pm. CINEmark adrogue hipolito yrigoyen 13200. PHONE:4239-1102 Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 1, 4, 6, 7, 9 & 10pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 2, 4:15, 6:30, 8:40 & 11pm. Cruzada (NC13, with rest.) at 2 & 5:20pm. Gminis (NC16) at 2:40pm. La casa de cera - House of Wax (NC16) at 3:30 & 10:55pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 1, 2:30, 4, 5:30, 7, 8:30 & 10pm. La intrprete (NC13) at 4:30, 7.30 & 10:10pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 2:50, 5.20, 8 & 10:40pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 1:30, 3:45, 6, 8:15 & 10:30pm. Slo un Angel (NC13) at 3:30, 4:40, 6:50 9 & 11:10pm. HOYTS plaza oeste av. gaona & vergara moron - phone: 4319-2999 Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 1:25, & 7:15pm. Star Wars Episodio III - La venganza de los Sith (NC13) at 11:25am., 2:20, 5:15, 8:15 & 11:15pm. Robots (NR) Spanish 2:35pm. Cruzada (NC13, with rest.) at 12:05 & 7:35pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 1:30, 3:35, 5:40, 7:50 & 10pm. La cada (NC16) at 11:25am., 4:35, 7:45 & 11:10pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 11am., 12:25, 2:55, 4:30, 5:30, 8:05, 10:20 & 10:50pm. Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 11 &11:30am.,1:45, 2:15, 4:40, 5:10, 7:35, 8:05, 10:50 & 11pm. HOYTS temperley hipolito yrigoyen 10699 temperley - phone: 4319-2999 Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 10:50 & 11.40am., 1:40, 2:35, 4:35, 535, 7:35, 8:35, 10:35 & 11.35pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 11am., 12, 1:10, 2:10, 3:25, 4:25, 5:40, 6:40, 8, 9, 10:20 & 11:15pm. La casa de cera - House of Wax (NC16) at 11:30am., 2:50 & 7:15pm. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 12, 1:55, 2.35, 4:35, 5:20, 8, 9:50 & 10:40pm. Star Wars Episodio III - La venganza de los Sith (NC13) in Spanish at 11am., 1:45 & 4:45, 7:35 & 10:35pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 11:10am. HOYTS QUILMES FACTORY CALCHAQUI 3950 - QUILMES phone: 4319-2999 Batman inicia - Batman Begins (NC13) at 11 & 11:30am., 1:45, 2:15, 4:40, 5:10, 7.35, 8:05, 10:30 & 11pm. Pap se volvi loco (NR) at 11 & 11:40am., 1:10, 1:40, 3:20, 3:55, 5:30, 6:05, 7:45, 8:15, 10 & 10:40pm.. Cruzada (NC13, with rest.) at 11:15am. & 8:15pm. La casa de cera - House of Wax (NC16) at 12, 5:20 & 11:05pm. Slo un ngel (NC13) at 1:40, 11:10am., 1:25, 3:40, 5:55, 8:10 & 10:20pm. Sun. late night at 0:45am.. Sr. y Sra. Smith (NC13) at 11:05 & 11:45am., 1:40, 2:20 4:30, 5, 7:15, 7:40, 10, & 10:30pm. Niera a prueba de balas - The Pacific (NR) In Spanish at 11:20am., 1:30, 3:45, 6:05, 8:30 & 10:45pm. Star Wars Episode III- Revenge of the Sith (NC13) Subtitled at 2:25 & 8pm. Star Wars Episodio III - La venganza de los Sith (NC13) in Spanish at 11:05am., 1:50 & 4:40, 7.35 & 10:50pm . Robots (NR) Spanish at 11:10am & 3:25pm. Voces del ms all - White Noise (NC13, with rest.) at 2:05, 4:05, 6:10, & 11:10pm.. Muy parecido al amor - A Lot Like Love (NC13) at 1:1:10, 6, 8:30 & 10:50pm. Ciudad BA A tie Lomas A with last-minute goal FIELD HOCKEY Womens First Division A By Graciela H. Ortiz Herald staff With a last-minute goal, hosts Ciudad de Buenos Aires A tied Lomas A 1-1 yesterday in Nez in the Womens First Division A. Virginia Balbuena had opened the score for the visitors, in the 41st minute, while Romina Pzellinsky equalized 30 seconds from the final. Both goals were netted from penalty corner deflections. The first half was even with good options in front of goals, but Lomas pressed hard in the last minutes and were close to open the score. But the good saves by Ciudads goalie Magal de Azpiazu prevented it. Ciudads best attack came in the 12th minute, when a deflection by Agustina Stagnaro hit Lomas keeper Mariela Antoniskas left post. Ten minutes later, a high shot by Lomas striker Alejandra Gulla was saved on the line by Sol Rossi. Lomas appeared more accurate after half-time, capitalizing on the first short corner they got. Then, six minutes after the break a powerful shot by Mnica Raffetti was deflected by Balbuena for the 1-0 lead. From then on, Lomas played in retreatment while Ciudad increased their attacks. Pzellinsky was moved to the front line, looking to strengthen the offensive as Ciudad had lost a key forward in the 10th minute when Carla Rebecchi was hit in the mouth by a stick and had to leave the field with a cut in her lip. If Ciudad did not equalize earlier, it was thanks to a super performance by national team keeper Antoniska, who saved several penalty corners (Ciudad got seven in the second half), but with 30 seconds remaining and when the victory appeared sealed, Pzellinsky deflected a corner hit by Beln Pallitto for the 1-1 final draw. OTHER GAMES In spite of a 2-2 draw against hosts Quilmes A, Gimnasia y Esgrima continue leading the womens First Division A standings, just one point ahead runners-up Quilmes A, but with one match in hand. Yesterdays Gimnasias goals were netted by Antonella De Bellis and Patricia Fioroni, while Beln Rivas and Dbora Piserno scored for the hosts. In other action, San Fernando A tied 1-1 against Banfield with Andrea Peiteado and Mercedes Martnez scoring. Visitors Belgrano A beat Nutico Hacoaj 3-1 with goals from Paz Buquete, Mara Cozzi and Daniela Rosales, while Nadia Silva scored for the losers. With goals by Karen Andrada and Mara Parma, SIC A defeated BACRC 2-0. Lomas B and CASI A tied 1-1 with goals from Laura Acosta and Claudia Burkart. Finally, visitors St. Catherines beat Bartolom Mitre A 2-1. Mariana Rossi netted twice for the victors, while Anala Agallano scored for Mitre. Classroom teaching - part 1 of 4 Basic steps By Pablo H. Scoponi FOR THE HERALD Many school teachers ask themselves the question, What can I do to improve my classes and guide students along the learning process? Becoming aware of the amazing array of adjustments teachers can make to their classes is a step in the right direction. Teaching is constantly changing. Year after year, a great number of new tools are discovered all around the globe. This column will provide you with some innovative tools and ideas, which will allow you to seek out and implement the best of the state-of-the-art methods in your classrooms. Being acquainted with whats new gives you the opportunity to use updated teaching material and, in so doing, cater for your students needs. Below you will find a list of some of these tools: * Basic steps for classroom teaching * Brain gym * Yoga applied to teaching * NLP techniques * Business principles in the classroom In this issue we will discuss the first item on the list: Basic steps for classroom teaching. These steps are closely related to the organization of the class. Which organization plan will do most to appeal to students intrinsic motivation? The answer is very simple: There is not a plan, but different student types that require different organization plans. This is a twofold challenge since these steps will provide structure to the material educators have to use in every class as well as help pace students learning process. Pre-planning Sometimes teachers have to be a whole morning teaching the same group of students. This is a very hard task for teachers. Being able to attract and keep their attention is what must be considered while planning. Planning The target audience will gauge your designing the class. Take into account the following items: age, likes and dislikes, social background, linguistic competence, skills. It is much more effective to lead them in to doing something than to order them to do something appealing to their personal experiences on the topic at stake. Students Planning must be mainly based on students map of the world. A class should be designed according to students current knowledge, assumptions, biases, and, perhaps, misconceptions about the topic. In planning the class, teachers will have to build on the knowledge students bring, and also provide a means for students to reflect upon their biased perceptions. Other: * Write out a class outline * Provide students with realia. * Carefully select activities according to their interests * Change activities every 20 minutes * Remember to be process-oriented, consistent and patient. Pablo Scoponi is a graduate English teacher from ISP Joaqun V. Gonzlez. Candidate for a Licenciatura en Lengua Inglesa at UADE, he has been an Assistant Lecturer at Joaqun V. Gonzlez since 1998. H e works as an Educational Consultant for a number of institutions and is also working in the development of educational material for SFL. He has specialized in NLP and communication techniques and has been running Teacher Development Courses for the last five years. At present he is working at UADE in Fontica and Expresin Oral. Comments? Opinions? E-mail us at Cloning reaching maturity The experiment, outlined yesterday at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, brings the Belgians to the forefront of human cloning aimed at producing stem cells that would be a genetic match for injured or sick patients. The goal of so-called therapeutic cloning of human embryos is not to create babies but to extract stem cells, which are created in the earliest days after conception and give rise to the human body. Scientists hope to use the cells as replacement parts for diseased and injured organs. Cells taken from cloned embryos would be a genetic match and theoretically avoid transplant rejection problems. Some experts have said cloning may not become a practical approach for creating tailor-made stem cells because it requires huge numbers of eggs. There arent enough mature eggs left over from infertility treatments to meet that need, which means scores of women would have to be willing to donate them. Until now, scientists have only used mature eggs to create cloned embryos, but if immature eggs work too, the egg supply problem may be significantly eased, said Josiane Van der Elst, who conducted the research at Ghent University in Belgium. About 10 percent of eggs retrieved from women during infertility treatment are immature. Scientists have matured eggs in a lab before and have reported pregnancies from such eggs, but that is rare and immature eggs are usually discarded. As a concept, the idea is great, but unfortunately I think the real capability is limited, said Dr. Gianpiero Palermo, an embryology expert not connected with the research. Immature eggs, when matured in the lab and injected with sperm, produce very limited number of embryos already. When you do cloning, you get even less, said Palermo, director of assisted fertilization and andrology at Cornell University. (AP) Congress backs continued US participation in WTO WASHINGTON Continued US participation in the 148-nation World Trade Organization was strongly endorsed by Congress Thursday in a vote prompted by lawmakers displeased with the course of US trade policy. The House voted 338-86 to reject a motion to withdraw congressional approval of the 1994 agreement establishing the Geneva-based trading body. As the worlds largest exporter and importer the United States has the most to gain from the lower trade barriers and fairer global trade rules that the WTO brings, said Rep. David Dreier, a Republican. While the vote was one-sided, opponents of the WTO did better than they did on a similar measure in 2000, when they garnered 56 votes to end US association with the organization that sets rules for international commerce and mediates trade disputes. Opposition came from two sides: those who say the WTO has too often ruled against US interests, such as when it sided with the European Union in a tax dispute that resulted in sanctions imposed on US producers, and those arguing that the general trend toward free trade has hurt American workers. Rep. Bernie Sanders, an independent, who introduced the withdrawal resolution, said it was time for Congress to take a tough look at trade policies that have failed the American worker, the American middle class, in a disastrous way. Others who said it would be a mistake to pull out of the WTO stressed that their vote should not imply that they are satisfied with WTO procedures or that they backed US trade policy, including the Central American Free Trade Agreement which could come up for a House vote in the next month. Rep. Ben Cardin, a Democratic leader on trade issues, said there should be a review of the WTO dispute process, which he said too often goes against US interests. There should also be better enforcement of trade rules in such areas as Chinese manipulation of its currency, protection of intellectual property and European subsidies, he said. The White House, in a statement, strongly opposed the withdrawal resolution, saying US participation in the WTO and its predecessor, the GATT, have contributed to the expansion of US exports of goods and services, which have risen by almost $443 billion (euro362 billion) since 1994. Pulling out of the WTO, it said, would result in loss of American business and jobs, discrimination against US goods, and loss of leverage in holding other countries to their trade commitments. The 1994 legislation authorizing US entry in the newly created WTO requires that the president submit a report on the costs and benefits of membership every five years. At that time, any member of either house of Congress can introduce a resolution seeking withdrawal of congressional approval. (AP( Crdoba awakens to a new castle hotel Born of an old ranch house that was expanded into a castle-like hotel by an Italian in the 1930s, what is now the El Castillo Hotel and Resort in the town of Valle Hermoso in the Punilla Valley was bought and completely refurbished by a family of hoteliers a couple of years ago and now offers all-inclusive packages that put people in touch with them-selves and nature around them. The hotels 45 rooms with waxed wooden floors, elegant furniture and private bathrooms are TV- and fridge-free to spare guests electromagnetic fields and noise (for that, there is a communal home theatre). In addition to a heated indoor swimming pool for the winter months, a gym and a bowling alley, the hotel sets itself apart from the rest by having a workshop for artists and a rehearsal room for musicians. Families with children and couples without them eat in separate restaurants. If guests so wish, they can be kept busy by one planned activity after another. Among these are outdoor stretching exercises, a sapo darts championship, folk dance classes, tennis tournaments, and soccer matches between El Castillo staff and guests. The packages run from Monday to Thurs-day, Thursday to Sunday, and Saturday to Saturday, costing 230 pesos per person per day during the low season. During the winter vacation period the rate for a week package goes up to 1,852 pesos for residents, and US$926 for non-residents. Information: . People who are motor racing fans, and those who arent, should remember that the World Rally Championship that will be run in the Crdoba hills from July 14 to 17, will leave from in front of the hotel on July 15 and 16. Could milk be an aid to weight loss? The dairy industry would like you to believe the latter. And it may surprise you that most of the evidence supports the industrys contention: that calcium and perhaps other substances in dairy foods can foster weight loss and especially loss of life-shortening abdominal fat. The evidence suggests that calcium, especially in dairy foods, can help people lose pounds, if they are on a reduced-calorie diet. There is also evidence that dairy foods can keep adolescents from gaining excessive weight and perhaps help adults control middle-age spread. Some studies that support these suggestions were financed by the dairy industry or companies that sell products like Yoplait yogurt. One prominent researcher in the field holds a patent on the claim that dairy products promote weight loss. But most studies were done by academic researchers who were supported by government grants or other unrestricted financing. So there is no reason to distrust their findings on the basis of financing. While studies of this kind cannot prove cause and effect, they often reveal links between two factors that suggest the need for more carefully controlled clinical trials. Indeed, quite a few studies have found a strong link between low intake of calcium, dairy products or both, and excess body weight, excessive weight gain or health conditions that can shorten life. More than two decades ago, the first federally supported National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found a significant association between low intake of calcium and being overweight. More recently, the Heritage Family Study, done at six major medical centers among 362 men and 462 women, found that low calcium consumption was tied to a higher percentage of body fat and especially abdominal fat, particularly in men and white women. The relationship applies to children and adolescents as well as adults, including children of Asian descent. Thus, in a study financed by the Department of Agriculture among 323 girls in Hawaii ages 9 through 14, higher intake of dairy products was associated with lower levels of body fat. The more soda the youngsters consumed, the higher their body weight. Small wonder that American children are getting fatter. As the Hawaiian study noted, milk consumption among adolescents declined by 36 percent from 1965 to 1996, while consumption of soft drinks and noncitrus juices almost doubled. For overweight adults, a major study indicated that dairy foods could protect against certain life-threatening complications. The four-center CARDIA Study (the acronym stands for Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) followed 3,157 black and white adults, ages 18 to 30, for a decade. Among those who were overweight, low levels of dairy consumption were associated with the development of insulin resistance syndrome. This condition, also known as metabolic syndrome and syndrome X, raises a persons risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These and other cross-sectional studies with similar findings prompted researchers doing follow-up studies to see whether a similar relationship developed among their participants over time. Thus, the Quebec Family Study found that over a six-year period, participants who increased consumption of nonfat or low-fat milk as well as whole fruit were less likely to gain weight and body fat than those who did not make such dietary changes. Among 99 children followed for up to 12 years in the Framingham Childrens Study in Massachusetts, those who consumed the fewest servings of dairy foods a day experienced the greatest gains in body mass index, a measure of fatness. And among 52 white children followed from age 2 months to 8 years in a study financed by Gerber Products and the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station, the more calcium-rich foods the children consumed, the less body fat they acquired over the years. Now for the critical question: Can you lose weight by consuming more dairy foods? In research financed by the National Dairy Council, scientists led by Dr. Michael B. Zemel, director of the Nutrition Institute at the University of Tennessee, spent 24 weeks studying 32 obese adults who consumed 500 fewer calories than they needed to maintain their weight. (Zemel holds a patent on commercial applications of the relationship between dairy, calcium and weight control.) The participants followed one of three diets: standard, with 400 to 500 milligrams of dietary calcium plus a placebo; high-calcium, or the standard diet with an 800-milligram calcium supplement; or high-dairy, with 1,200 to 1,300 milligrams of calcium plus a placebo. As the researchers reported last year in the journal Obesity Research, those on the standard diet alone lost 6.4 percent of their body weight, those on the high-calcium diet lost 8.6 percent, and those on the high-dairy diet lost 10.9 percent. In addition, more abdominal fat was lost on the high-calcium diet and even more on the high-dairy diet. In a 12-week study, supported by General Mills, the maker of Yoplait, and published this year in The International Journal of Obesity, Zemel and colleagues studied 34 otherwise healthy obese adults. Those randomly assigned to eat three servings of low-calorie yogurt a day lost significantly more weight, and a higher percentage of body fat, than those who ate only one dairy serving a day. Before you raid the dairy case, consider these findings as well from another study supported by the National Dairy Council and published this year in The American Journal of Nutrition. Among 155 young, healthy women of normal weight, Purdue University researchers found that those who followed a high-dairy diet (1,300 to 1,400 milligrams of calcium daily) for a year ended up with the same changes in body weight and fat as those who consumed a low-dairy or medium-dairy diet. Nonetheless, laboratory studies support the claims for weight benefits from calcium and especially dairy calcium. In a study financed by the National Institutes of Health, Dr. E.L. Melanson and colleagues at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center demonstrated in 35 nonobese adults that a high intake of calcium was associated with higher rates of fat oxidation. Zemel, who has studied the role of calcium in regulating fat-cell metabolism, also examined the effects of dairy sources of calcium in mice prone to obesity. He reported in the journal Lipids that, beyond calcium alone, dairy sources exert markedly greater effects in attenuating weight and fat gain and accelerating fat loss. His findings suggest that additional bioactive compounds in dairy act synergistically with calcium to reduce the risk of obesity. CUBA defeat Newman but fail to qualify RUGBY URBA Tournament By Marcos Servente For the Herald CUBA defeated Newman 34-17 yesterday in Villa de Mayo but, due to Pucars 44-22 victory over SIC, they were not able to qualify for the Championship Zone. The team from Burzaco and La Plata Rugby Club were the last two teams in the Zone A to qualify to fight for the URBA title. La Plata lost their match against Rosario AC 22-17 but, with the bonus point, they were able to go to the next round. In the Zone B, CASI and Olivos are the two teams that entered the Championship Zone. The Zebras obtained a close 18-13 victory over Regatas Bella Vista, one of the five teams that had chances to qualify, and passed to the next round. While the team from Munro, demolished Los Matreros 38-19. At Villa de Mayo, CUBA entered the pitch determined to end up with a victory and with a bonus point. During the first 20 minutes, the hosts dominated the match and did not let Newman control the ball. With this strategy, Martn Urdapilleta reached the in-gaol in three occasions, leaving the score 17-0. The rain during the previous days left the pitch very slippery and both teams committed great many handling errors. Due to this fact, the guests had several penalties near the posts that they preferred to play to the line out rather to add points through the kicks. With the fourth try, scored by Agustn Ezcurra, the locals lowered their production. We went out to obtain the bonus and then we relaxed, said Agustn Martnez Mosquera. During the second half, CUBA knew that they were able to win the match and controlled their opponents, especially because Newman didnt have any clear ideas on how to pass through CUBAs defence. The team is not the same as last year, it is still not build up, confessed Newmans locker Toms Basavilbaso. During this first part of the year we didnt played all the matches at the same level. We realized that we could be among the first places, but for that we needed to take advantage of the balls that we obtain, analyzed Martnez Mosquera. LINE-UPS & SCORERS CUBA: OFarrell (75m, Acua); Urdapilleta (56m, Mndez Tronge), Casas, Martnez Mosquera, Dorado; Ezcurra, Domnguez; Aguirre Zubir, OGorman, Crego Bonhomme; Aranguren, Acevedo; Mato, Tsin, Begino. Newman: Cornejo; Elizalde (79m, Erize), Repetto, Raimundi, Simn Padrs; Piccaluga, Masferrer; Huber (50m, Gandulfo), Basavilbaso, Miguens (68m, Daz Aguirre); Maschwitz, Viel; OConnor, Canalda, Monsegur (52m, Ayerza). Tries: 8m, 12m & 20m, Urdapilleta (C); 31m, Ezcurra (C); 41m, Cornejo (N); 44m, Piccaluga (N); 67m, Martnez Mosquera (C); 74m, Basavilbaso (N). Penalties: 63m, Martnez Mosquera (C). Conversions: 3 Martnez Mosquera (C); 1 Piccaluga (N). Sin Bin: 11m, Viel (N); 26m, Tsin (C); 37m, Domnguez (C). SOUTH AFRICA-FRANCE TIE In Durban: Dimitri Jachvili came within the width of an upright of earning France victory in the drawn first test against South Africa yesterday. The match finished 30-30 with France scoring four tries to South Africas three. Debutant right wing Julien Candelon touched down with six minutes left to level the scores but replacement scrumhalf Jachvili hit the left hand upright with the conversion that would have given France victory. France, whose players are nearing the end of a long domestic campaign that started in September, refused to give up against the fresher South Africans, who began their season last week. LIONS BATTLE HARD In Dunedin, New Zealand: the British and Irish Lions battled hard to overcome a gallant but outclassed Otago side 30-19 yesterday. Wales winger Shane Williams was the highlight of the Lions backline scoring one of their three tries and setting up another for Ryan Jones while flyhalf Charlie Hodgson added 15 points with his boot. Vice-captain Will Greenwood scored the Lions other try. Otago flyhalf Nick Evans was the best player on either side, kicking 14 points and providing the attacking impetus for his team. Scrumhalf Danny Lee scored Otagos try. The home side had won four of their previous six encounters against the Lions. Current US account trade deficit rises to all-time high of US$195.1 billion WASHINGTON The deficit in the broadest measure of international trade rose to an all-time high of USUS$195.1 billion from January through March of this year as the country sank deeper into debt to Japan, China and other nations. The Commerce Department reported Friday that the deficit in the current account rose by 3.6 percent from the previous quarterly record, an imbalance of US$188.4 billion in the final three months of 2004. The current account deficit has risen to record heights in recent years as Americas demand for foreign goods and servicers has soared, raising worries about the countrys ability to continue financing a trade deficit at such heights. The current account deficit for all of 2004 hit a record US$668.1 billion, up a sharp 28.6 percent from the previous record of US$519.7 billion in 2003. The current account is the broadest measure of foreign trade because it covers not only trade in goods and services but also foreign aid and investment flows between nations. The US deficit must be finananced by investors abroad agreeing to hold more in US dollar-denominated investments, something that so far they have been quite happy to do as they sell Americans more and more foreign cars, television sets and other consumer products. However, economists worry that at some point foreign investors may lose their enthusiasm for dollar-denominated investments and begin dumping their holdings in US stocks and bonds. Such a development could cause interest rates in the United States to soar and push the value of the dollar and stocks down sharply. If the reaction was severe enough, it could push the country into a recession. The rise in the current account deficit for the first quarter meant that the deficit now represents 6.4 percent of the total US economy, also a record as a percentage of the gross domestic economy. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has called the current account levels unsustainable but he also has said that market forces should be able to deal with the problem in a way that will not seriously disrupt the US economy. The rise in the current account deficit for the first quarter meant that the deficit now represents 6.4 percent of the total US economy, also a record as a percentage of the gross domestic economy. The deterioration in the first quarter deficit reflected an increase of US$4.15 billion in the deficit in goods which rose to US$186.3 billion. This was offset slighlty by an increase of US$1.62 billion in the surplus in services, which rose to US$14.57 billion in the first quarter. The surplus on investment flows increased by US$541 million to US$3.78 billion but the deficit in unilateral transfers, a category that includes foreign aid, increased by US$4.70 billion to US$27.07 billion. (AP) Dallas the new Miami for transiting drugs A December shooting at a home in the city section was a wake-up call to the threat posed by the northern spread of dangerous Mexican drug cartels, the Dallas Morning News said in yesterdays editions. It involved a man who came to the neighbourhood, shot one man dead and injured three others before leaving. Inside two homes, police investigating the shooting found two million dollars worth of cocaine and more than 300,000 dollars in cash. Some FBI sources told the newspaper the shooting is believed to be related to the bloody feud between Mexicos Jurez cartel and the archrival Gulf cartel for control of drug routes into the United States. The feud has turned parts of the Texas-Mexico border into a battle zone. In early June, a federal task force arrested more than three dozen people most of them in Dallas in a major drug bust. Former Drug Enforcement Administration agent Phil Jordan said traffickers see Dallas as a hub for moving into cities in the rest of the country. Dallas is at least 650 km north of the Mexican border. Dallas is the new Miami for transiting drugs, said Jordan. Most of the goods are funnelled up I-35, the drug traffickers route of choice. Lets say you want to transport 2,000 pounds of marijuana, or cocaine, to the US, said Jordan. You get 10 or 20 cars on I-35, and maybe you lose one load, but you still get 1,800 pounds across. The odds are with you. (AP) Day by Day Births, Marriages, Deaths There is a fixed charge for notices in this column ($ 1 p/word plus VAT ). Name, address and identity document number must accompany all announcements. Late Death notices must be rece ived before 9pm for publication the following day Deaths THURN Elena Stuart (ne Finlayson). Loving mother of Lynne, Susan (d) and Ian, mother-in-law of Alec and Norma, dear granny of Grace, Cathy, Nadine, Douglas and Melanie and great-granny of Martina and Pauline, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2005. Funeral to be held today at 11am at the British Cemetery (Chacarita). Donations to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. Casa Cucchetti e Hijos SRL. Vallejos 4460. Tel 4501-8745. THURN Elena (Ne Finlayson, Lieutenant Royal Air Force). The Royal Air Force Association regret to announce her death and convey their deepest sympathy to her family. Funeral will take place on June 21st at 11am at the British Cemetery in Chacarita. No flowers by request, donations only to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, phone 4290-1826. A.B.C.C. Olivos and La Lucila District. Musical evening will take place at the W.M. Brightman Hall, Northlands School, Tucumn 3025, Olivos, on Sunday July 3rd at 5pm. The programme will include singing, acting and music by Lucila Gandolfo.Song RUs, Fats Quartet and the Fatsas. Donation of $10.- can be reservedbeforehand by ringing Anne, 4790-4807 or Nancy, 154069-8970. B.A.B.S. Casi Nuevo & BABS Bookstore. Two second-hand shops at Avda. Santa Fe 512, in Acassuso, in aid of BABS Home for the elderly members of the English-speaking communities. Good selection of clothes, household articles (except furniture), toys, home-made preserves and books at reasonable prices. Open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. and on Saturdays from 10am to 12:30pm. We need volunteers to help run the shops, or if you are moving or spring-cleaning, please contact: Doreen 4798-4652, Marilyn 4723-6446, Grace 4798-5065 or U.W.C. University Womens Club. Monthly luncheon today Tuesday June 21st at Hotel Emperador, Av. del Libertador 420. 11:45am to 2:30pm. Speaker: Dr. Vicente Gutirrez Maxwell on Bioethics and Medicine. Make your reservation with Lotte, 47782-1911 or Selma, 4791-1400. Today Tuesday June 21st: Piano Recital by Martin Perino. 6:30 to 9pm. at Zabala 1900, Belgrano. Contact: Muriel Hussin, 4774-9922. Sissel Lindeman, 4786-6776 or Massako Worshop, 4743-6051. Friday June 24: Spanish through Experience. Visit to Palacio San Martn, Arenales 761. Contact Shak 4786-6193. W.D.A. Video show at St. Michaels! organized by the Womens Diocesan Association, Martnez Branch, who are back with the all-time favorite The Shell Seekers, starring Angela Lansbury, on Wednesday June 29 at 3p., followed by tea $ 7.- Sarmiento 328, Martnez. For information, contact 4790-5686. Bridge - Canasta Teas St. Saviors Church Bridge and Canasta Tea will take place on Friday June 24 at Cramer 1844, from 2 to 6pm. For reservations, please contact Aileen (4781-8726), or Lorna (4781-0862). The British Hospital Nurses Association is holding a Bridge Canasta Tea at the Nurse Home, Perdriel 74, on Saturday June 25, from 2 to 6pm. Reservations: Malela, 4774-8523 or Alicia, 4821-5660. Kermesses, Fairs and Rummage Sales A Caf Artesanal will be held in St. Johns Cathedral Hall on Monday June 27 from 11am to 3pm. Hand-made articles in aid of our sin techo friends, with books, jams and cakes. Also the Second-hand shop. We hope to see you for coffee or tea at 25 de Mayo 282, City. Breakfasts, Luncheons, Dinners. Reina Matilde Association. In aid of Caritas, presenting The Natural Treasures of Argentina, by specialist Cristina Bugatti, as a homage to Japan for its ample contribution to the development of these treasures: pre-Columbian cereals, wild plants, fishing, etc., its generous donations to INTA. Saturday, June 25 at noon at Muoz 2102, San Miguel, Luncheon at 1pm. with Andean food. A contribution of $10.- is expected. For reservations and transport arrangements, contact 4822-0588. The American Club of Buenos Aires will begin its E-Menu del Club with its classic complete puchero on Tuesday July 5 as from 1pm. $35. The lunch includes wine, dessert and coffee. Also on the same date, a Dudo Tournament 2005 is announced as from 4:30pm. (Enrolment $50.-) Please make your reservations with Mrs. Mara Gutirrez before June 29 at The American Club of Buenos Aires, Viamonte 1133, 10th floor. Tel./ Fax 4373-8801/ 04. The American Club of Buenos Aires, the American Womens Club and The American Society of the River Plate announce a cocktail party to take place on Thursday July 7 at 7pm. at the American Club, in celebration of the Argentine and United States independences. Ambassador Don Lino Gutirrez and his Wife will attend together with distinguished members of his Diplomatic Mission. Card $50.- Make your reservations with Mrs. Mara Gutirrez, Tel. 4373-8801 extension 2, before July 1st. Viamonte 1133, 10th floor. Meetings Alcoholics Anonymous English-speaking group meets every week night at 7pm in the Evangelical Methodist Church, Corrientes 718, Capital, and in St. Michael & All Angels Anglican Church, Sarmiento 328, Eduardo Costa corner, Martnez, every Wednesday at 7:30 pm. and every Sunday at 6:30. The second Thursday each month, Open Meeting. Highland Heritage Society, . Conversation group. Practise the English language. Newcomers are welcome. Every Friday from 6:30 to 9pm. Club del Progreso, Sarmiento 1334, City. For information, Buenos Aires International Newcomers Group - Suburbs. Are you new to Buenos Aires and living in the Suburban area? Join us on Thursday June 23 at 12.30pm. to meet other English speaking foreigners at our Member Luncheon. For further information, contact Sandy at 15-5766-8686. Buenos Aires International Newcomers Group - Downtown invites all English speaking foreigners living in the Downtown area, on Friday June 24, 2 to 4pm. for a Member Meeting. For information, contact Jennifer, 15-5339.1071. Theatre, Music, Arts De Romances y Cantares chamber ensemble, conducted by Eduardo Cogorno. Artistic director: Maestro Mario Benzecry. Today Tuesday June 21 at 8pm. at the AMIA, Pasteur 633. Free of charge admission. For information, contact: 4959-8892. Mademoiselle, 1966 movie directed by Tony Richardson on script by Marguerite Duras, Jean Genet, starring Jeanne Moreau, Ettore Manni, Humberto Orsini, is announced today Tuesday June 21 at 5 & 8pm. at the British Arts Centre, Suipacha 1333. Tel. 4393-6941. Arte Criollo exhibition will be inaugurated today Tuesday June 21 at the Bolsa de Comercio de Buenos Aires, 25 de Mayo 350, Ground Floor. On display until June 24. Jazzologia Cycle. Show No. 1688 today Tuesday June 21 at 8:30pm. Gipsy Jazz Recital in charge of Cordal Swing Group (from La Plata) presenting their CD Grappelliana at the Sala A-B, Centro Cultural General San Martn, Sarmiento 1551. Coordination and comments by Carlos Inzillo. Free of charge admission, with tickets available two hours before starting time. Exhibition of works by Jorge Dandolo will be inaugurated tomorrow Wednesday June 22 from 9 to 10pm. at Coleccin Alvear de Zurbarn, Av. Alvear 1658. Viewing hours Monday through Saturday from 10:30am to 9pm. and Sundays from 11am to 8pm. until July 17. The exhibition of paintings by Carolina Otamendi will be inaugurated tomorrow Wednesday June 22 at 7pm. at the Galera El Socorro, Suipacha 1331. Tel. 4327-0746. Viewing hours Monday through Friday from 10:30am to 8:30pm. Saturdays 10:30am to 1pm., until July 11. Los dos Garaycochea, exhibitionof works by Carlos Garaycochea will be inaugurated with participation of the Antigua Jazz Band, on Thursday June 23 at 7pm. at the Palais de Glace, Palacio Nacional de las Artes, Posadas 1725. On view until July 10. Lectures, Seminars, Courses Let Us Fight for Life, a civil association starts, for the twelfth year on end, its school workshops promoting awareness and preservation of life on public roads. Primary and EGB schools in Buenos City and Greater Buenos Aires, that would like to receive free of charge the visit of the Road Safety Mobile Team aimed at 6th & 7th form students, can contact the Association on the phone 4637-8090 or 4611-4060. Fax 4637-7899, from 11am to 7pm. Schools & students participating in the workshops will be presented with teaching material and may expect to be awarded one of the Let us fight for Life 2005 prizes. Los pensadores judos ante las puertas de Auschwitz, lecture - chat by Profesor Magali Milmaniere, is announced today Tuesday June 21 at 6:30pm. at the AMIA, Pasteur 633. Free of charge admission. For information, contact: 4959-8892. Aspectos cientfico-cultura-les de la relacin entre Europa y la Argentina lecture in charge of Ambassador Angelos Pankratis, Chief of the European Committee Delegation in the Argentine Republic is announced today Tuesday June 21 at 11am. at the UADE, Lima 717, Miniauditorio A. Free of charge admission. For further information, contact: 4000-7317, e-mail: Discutiendo el presente: la problemtica del mundo actual,round table organized by the Univesidad Argentina de la Empresa, with participation of Dr. Alberto Lettieri, Professor Elsa Lauro, Lic. Estela Garau, Fabin Calle, Federico Merke and Lic. Elisa Beltritti, is announced today Tuesday June 21 at 8pm. at the UADE, Lima 717 Classroom 305. Free admission. For further information, contact 4000-7487 or Cuadro de Mando Integral, alineando la estrategia con la ejecucin, free of charge Seminar organized by the Colegio de Graduados en Ciencias Econmicas, is announced today Tuesday June 21 and next Tuesday June 28 from 6:30 to 8:30pm. at Viamonte 1592. Prior enrolment essential. For information contact Tel. 4371-0406 or by e-mail: .Ciencia, Filosofa y Religin segn Yoga, by Swami Shivapremananda, is announced tomorrow Wednesday June 22 at 7pm. at Gallo 1251. Free of charge admission. Sponsored by Buenos Aires City Government Culture Secretariat. Dances St. Andrews Society of the River Plate invites you to have fun practising Scottish Country Dances. The atmosphere is friendly and lively and you can enjoy yourself to the rhythm of lively jigs and reels or more relaxed dances like Strathspeys. Meetings on Friday at 9pm. at Per 352, City. For further information, get in touch with 4959-7566 or e-mail Thistle Scottish Dance on Saturday July 2 at 9:30pm. at St. Andrews Punta Chica. For reservations call 4798-7735. No tickets at the door. S.A.P.As Ball will be held on June 11 at Colegio Belgrano, 9 de Julio 250, Temperley. Grand March at 9pm. Admission $8.- For information or reservations, contact 4244-2825, 1550146281, email: Church Notices Our Lady of Lourdes, English- Speaking Catholic Community celebrates Holy Mass on Sundays at 11:30am. at the Escuela de la Pradre, Av. del Libertador 2895, Victoria, Zona Norte (suburbs). All newcomers are welcome to join our parish and celebrate the Holy Eucharist. After a short Winter travel break, our Masses wil resume on August 7, 2005. For further information, call: 4792-2488 or email . Anglican Cathedral St. John the Baptist welcomes visitors and foreign residents to its services in English, Holy Communion at 9:30am every Sunday. 25 de Mayo 276, Capital. Tel.: 4342-4618. St. Andrews Presbyterian City Church announces its Sunday Services at 10am. in English and at 11:30 in Spanish. All are welcome. Av. Belgrano 579, Buenos Aires. St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, Sarmiento 328, Martnez. Tel. 4792-8865. Sunday Services: 9:30am. (English), 11:15am (Spanish) except 4th Sunday of the month, only at 11:15am (Spanish). Healing ministry after the Service on 1st and 3rd Sundays. We warmly welcome you to share. Holy Trinity Church, Alte. Brown 2577, Lomas de Zamora: Every Sunday at 10:30am: Regular Church Service with Holy Communion. The Annual Commemoration of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher will take place on Wednesday June 22nd at 7pm. in the Chapel of the Apostleship of the Sea, Av. Independencia 20 of this city. After the Mass Professor Carol Deannes Choir will offer their Land of Songs, a recital to be followed by refreshments in a Bring and Share buffet. All in aid of the poor chidren in the La Boca neighbourhood of Buenos Aires run by the Scalabrini Fathers. All most welcome .International Bible Church (non denominational), Sarmiento 618, Martnez. We welcome English speakers to join with us on Sunday at 10am: Sunday school at. 11:15am.: Worship service. 4pm: AWANA (K-7th childrens mini story); 6pm: Adult Bible study; 6pm.: Worship Service (in Spanish). Tuesday: Bible study in the downtown area at 7:30pm. Wednesday: North Zone Prayer Meeting: 7:30pm. Friday: Womens Friday morning Bible study: 9am. For location of AWANA Bible studies, prayer meeting/ information, Matt Greco: 4793-0392, 4792-4330 United Community Church, Santa Fe 839, Acassuso, an interdenominational Christian Church welcomes and invites all those who want to worship in English. Sunday schedule: Worship at 10am. Coffee Fellowship at 11am. Sunday School for all ages at 11:30am. Free bus service on Sunday from Downtown Corrientes 748. Pick up at 9am, return 12:30pm. Midweek activities Pre-school, Youth Groups, Choir, Bible Studies, Alpha Course, Quilting Groups. Information, contact the Church office, 4792-1375. DAY BY DAY June 20, 2005 Births, Marriages, Deaths There is a fixed charge for notices in this column ($ 1 p/word plus VAT ). Name, address and identity document number must accompany all announcements. Late Death notices must be rece ived before 9pm for publication the following dayy A.B.C.C. Olivos and La Lucila District. Musical evening will take place at the W.M. Brightman Hall, Northlands School, Tucumn 3025, Olivos, on Sunday July 3rd at 5pm. The programme will include singing, acting and music by Lucila Gandolfo.Song RUs, Fats Quartet and the Fatsas. Donation of $10.- can be reservedbeforehand by ringing Anne, 4790-4807 or Nancy, 154069-8970. Results of Bono Contribution. 1st: No. 0405. 2nd: No. 0461. 3rd. No. 1639; 4th to 17th: 1419, 0611, 0685, 1504, 0125, 0843, 1978, 1382, 1237, 1075, 0511, 2000, 1264 and 0604. The Executive Committee are most grateful to all who have contributed to our charity. B.A.B.S. Casi Nuevo & BABS Bookstore. Two second-hand shops at Avda. Santa Fe 512, in Acassuso, in aid of BABS Home for the elderly members of the English-speaking communities. Good selection of clothes, household articles (except furniture), toys, home-made preserves and books at reasonable prices. Open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm. and on Saturdays from 10am to 12:30pm. We need volunteers to help run the shops, or if you are moving or spring-cleaning, please contact: Doreen 4798-4652, Marilyn 4723-6446, Grace 4798-5065 or U.W.C. University Womens Club. Monthly luncheon tomorrow Tuesday June 21st at Hotel Emperador, Av. del Libertador 420. 11:45am to 2:30pm. Speaker: Dr. Vicente Gutirrez Maxwell on Bioethics and Medicine. Make your reservation with Lotte, 47782-1911 or Selma, 4791-1400. Tomorrow Tuesday June 21st: Piano Recital by Martin Perino. 6:30 to 9pm. at Zabala 1900, Belgrano. Contact: Muriel Hussin, 4774-9922. Sissel Lindeman, 4786-6776 or Massako Worshop, 4743-6051. Friday June 24: Spanish through Experience. Visit to Palacio San Martn, Arenales 761. Contact Frida 4311-6826. W.D.A. Video show at St. Michaels! organized by the Womens Diocesan Association, Martnez Branch, who are back with the all-time favorite The Shell Seekers, starring Angela Lansbury, on Wednesday June 29 at 3p., followed by tea $ 7.- Sarmiento 328, Martnez. For information, contact 4790-5686. Bridge - Canasta Teas St. Saviors Church Bridge and Canasta Tea will take place on Friday June 24 at Cramer 1844, from 2 to 6pm. For reservations, please contact Aileen (4781-8726), or Lorna (4781-0862). The British Hospital Nurses Association is holding a Bridge Canasta Tea at the Nurse Home, Perdriel 74, on Saturday June 25, from 2 to 6pm. Reservations: Malela, 4774-8523 or Alicia, 4821-5660. Kermesses, Fairs and Rummage Sales A Caf Artesanal will be held in St. Johns Cathedral Hall on Monday June 27 from 11am to 3pm. Hand-made articles in aid of our sin techo friends, with books, jams and cakes. Also the Second-hand shop. We hope to see you for coffee or tea at 25 de Mayo 282, City. Breakfasts, Luncheons, Dinners. Reina Matilde Association. In aid of Caritas, presenting The Natural Treasures of Argentina, by specialist Cristina Bugatti, as a homage to Japan for its ample contribution to the development of these treasures: pre-Columbian cereals, wild plants, fishing, etc., its generous donations to INTA. Saturday, June 25 at noon at Muoz 2102, San Miguel, Luncheon at 1pm. with Andean food. A contribution of $10.- is expected. For reservations and transport arrangements, please contact 4814-3516. The American Club of Buenos Aires will begin its E-Menu del Club with its classic complete puchero on Tuesday July 5 as from 1pm. $35. The lunch includes wine, dessert and coffee. Also on the same date, a Dudo Tournament 2005 is announced as from 4:30pm. (Enrolment $50.-) Please make your reservations with Mrs. Mara Gutirrez before June 29 at The American Club of Buenos Aires, Viamonte 1133, 10th floor. Tel./ Fax 4373-8801/ 04. The American Club of Buenos Aires, the American Womens Club and The American Society of the River Plate announce a cocktail party to take place on Thursday July 7 at 7pm. at the American Club, in celebration of the Argentine and United States independences. Ambassador Don Lino Gutirrez and his Wife will attend together with distinguished members of his Diplomatic Mission. Card $50.- Make your reservations with Mrs. Mara Gutirrez, Tel. 4373-8801 extension 2, before July 1st. Viamonte 1133, 10th floor. Meetings Alcoholics Anonymous English-speaking group meets every week night at 7pm in the Evangelical Methodist Church, Corrientes 718, Capital, and in St. Michael & All Angels Anglican Church, Sarmiento 328, Eduardo Costa corner, Martnez, every Wednesday at 7:30 pm. and every Sunday at 6:30. The second Thursday each month, Open Meeting. Highland Heritage Society, . Conversation group. Practise the English language. Newcomers are welcome. Every Friday from 6:30 to 9pm. Club del Progreso, Sarmiento 1334, City. For information, Centro Cultural Islmico Rey Fahd, Av. Bullrich 55. Tel. 4899-1144, invites members of Islamic Community to perform the five daily prayers, and welcomes public for free guided visits. Jabad Lubavitch Recoleta. Religious services, courses, other activities. Bilingual. Guido 1871. For information, phone 4807-7073. e-mail: Buenos Aires International Newcomers Group - Suburbs. Are you new to Buenos Aires and living in the Suburban area? Join us on Thursday June 23 at 12.30pm. to meet other English speaking foreigners at our Member Luncheon. For further information, contact Sandy at 15-5766-8686. Buenos Aires International Newcomers Group - Downtown invites all Entlish speaking foreigners living in the Downtown area, on Friday June 24, 2 to 4pm. for a Member Meeting. Forfurther information, please contact Jennifer at 15-5339-1071. Theatre, Music, Arts Carlos Thays Botanical Garden guided visits are offered Monday through Sunday, in Spanish, English and Italian, for tourists, students and public in general, with the aim of helping people rediscover this unique place in Buenos Aires. For information, contact: 4831-7736, 4833-1520. Banderazo Solidario Flag Day Celebration, today Monday June 20 at the Argentine Artcrafts and Popular Traditions Fair at Av. Lisandro de la Torre and Av. de los Corrales. Free of charge admission. Las edades/ The Ages, book by architect Ricardo Feierstein, will be launched with participation of Silvia Plager, Marcos Aguinis and Bernardo E. Korenblit;. poems recited by Betty Dimov and coordination by Mosh Korin. Today Monday June 20 at 6pm. at the AMIA, Pasteur 633. Free of charge admission. For information, contact: 4959-8892. Thrillers, a show in homage to the cinema. 16mm stories narrated with Lalo Bianchi on saxophone and texts by Marcos Silber. Narrator: Martin Andrade. Today Monday June 20 at 8:15pm. at the AMIA, Pasteur 633. Free of charge admission. For information, contact: 4959-8892. Arte Criollo exhibition will be inaugurated tomorrow Tuesday June 21 at the Bolsa de Comercio de Buenos Aires, 25 de Mayo 350, Ground Floor. On display until June 24. Lectures, Seminars, Courses Let Us Fight for Life, a civil association starts, for the twelfth year on end, its school workshops promoting awareness and preservation of life on public roads. Primary and EGB schools in Buenos City and Greater Buenos Aires, that would like to receive free of charge the visit of the Road Safety Mobile Team aimed at 6th & 7th form students, can contact the Association on the phone 4637-8090 or 4611-4060. Fax 4637-7899, from 11am to 7pm. Schools & students participating in the workshops will be presented with teaching material and may expect to be awarded one of the Let us fight for Life 2005 prizes. Jess nos da otra visin, lecture in charge of Dr. Toms Mackey, within the framework of Bible Studies, is announced today Monday June 20 at 8pm. at the Centro Cristiano Bautista Recoleta, Av. Libertador 1140. Tel./ Fax 4806-7699/ 7700. Free of charge admission. Aspectos cientfico-culturales de la relacin entre Europa y la Argentina lecture in charge of Ambassador Angelos Pankratis, Chief of the European Committee Delegation in the Argentine Republic is announced tomorrow Tuesday June 21 at 11am. at the UADE, Lima 717, Miniauditorio A. Free of charge admission. For furhter information, contact: 4000-7317 or e-mail: Discutiendo el presente: la problemtica del mundo actual,round table organized by the Univesidad Argentina de la Empresa, with participation of Dr. Alberto Lettieri, Professor Elsa Lauro, Lic. Estela Garau, Fabin Calle, Federico Merke and Lic. Elisa Beltritti, is announced tomorrow Tuesday June 21 at 8pm. at the UADE, Lima 717 Classroom 305. Free admission. For further information, contact 4000-7487 or Ciencia, Filosofa y Religin segn Yoga, by Swami Shivapremananda, is announced on Wednesday June 22 at 7pm. at Gallo 1251. Free of charge admission. Programme sponsored by Buenos Aires City Government Culture Secretariat. Dances St. Andrews Society of the River Plate invites you to have fun practising Scottish Country Dances. The atmosphere is friendly and lively and you can enjoy yourself to the rhythm of lively jigs and reels or more relaxed dances like Strathspeys. Meetings on Friday at 9pm. at Per 352, City. For further information, get in touch with 4959-7566 or e-mail Thistle Scottish Dance on Saturday July 2 at 9:30pm. at St. Andrews Punta Chica. For reservations call 4798-7735. No tickets at the door. S.A.P.As Ball will be held on June 11 at Colegio Belgrano, 9 de Julio 250, Temperley. Grand March at 9pm. Admission $8.- For information or reservations, contact 4244-2825, 1550146281, email: Church Notices Our Lady of Lourdes, English- Speaking Catholic Community celebrates Holy Mass on Sundays at 11:30am. at the Escuela de la Pradre, Av. del Libertador 2895, Victoria, Zona Norte (suburbs). All newcomers are welcome to join our parish and celebrate the Holy Eucharist. After a short Winter travel break, our Masses wil resume on August 7, 2005. For further information, call: 4792-2488 or email . Anglican Cathedral St. John the Baptist welcomes visitors and foreign residents to its services in English, Holy Communion at 9:30am every Sunday. 25 de Mayo 276, Capital. Tel.: 4342-4618. St. Andrews Presbyterian City Church announces its Sunday Services at 10am. in English and at 11:30 in Spanish. All are welcome. Av. Belgrano 579, Buenos Aires. St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, Sarmiento 328, Martnez. Tel. 4792-8865. Sunday Services: 9:30am. (English), 11:15am (Spanish) except 4th Sunday of the month, only at 11:15am (Spanish). Healing ministry after the Service on 1st and 3rd Sundays. We warmly welcome you to share. Holy Trinity Church, Alte. Brown 2577, Lomas de Zamora: Every Sunday at 10:30am: Regular Church Service with Holy Communion. The Annual Commemoration of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher will take place on Wednesday June 22nd at 7pm. in the Chapel of the Apostleship of the Sea, Av. Independencia 20 of this city. After the Mass Professor Carol Deannes Choir will offer their Land of Songs, a recital to be followed by refreshments in a Bring and Share buffet. All in aid of the poor chidren in the La Boca neighbourhood of Buenos Aires run by the Scalabrini Fathers. All most welcome .International Bible Church (non denominational), Sarmiento 618, Martnez. We welcome English speakers to join with us on Sunday at 10am: Sunday school at. 11:15am.: Worship service. 4pm: AWANA (K-7th childrens mini story); 6pm: Adult Bible study; 6pm.: Worship Service (in Spanish). Tuesday: Bible study in the downtown area at 7:30pm. Wednesday: North Zone Prayer Meeting: 7:30pm. Friday: Womens Friday morning Bible study: 9am. For location of AWANA Bible studies, prayer meeting/ information, Matt Greco: 4793-0392, 4792-4330 United Community Church, Santa Fe 839, Acassuso, an interdenominational Christian Church welcomes and invites all those who want to worship in English. Sunday schedule: Worship at 10am. Coffee Fellowship at 11am. Sunday School for all ages at 11:30am. Free bus service on Sunday from Downtown Corrientes 748. Pick up at 9am, return 12:30pm. Midweek activities Pre-school, Youth Groups, Choir, Bible Studies, Alpha Course, Quilting Groups. Information, contact the Church office, 4792-1375. Days death toll: 30 BAGHDAD At least eight car bombs exploded across Iraq yesterday killing about 30 people as insurgents defied a widespread US-Iraqi security clampdown. In the Kurdish city of Arbil, a suicide bomber drove his car into a crowd of police recruits, killing at least 12 and wounding about 100 on a soccer field, officials said. A second such attack in the normally more tranquil Kurdish region killed the security chief of the town of Halabja while another on an Iraqi army checkpoint in the disputed oil city of Kirkuk, just outside Kurdistan, killed four soldiers. Five car bombs blew up in Baghdad, targeting mostly Iraqi police and soldiers. One struck the notorious airport road. The wave of violence came as two influential US senators criticized fellow Republican President George W. Bushs handling of the two-year-old war and said people in the US needed to be told that US troops faced a long, hard slog in Iraq. Meanwhile a Sunni Muslim militant group said in an Internet statement it had tried to assassinate an Al Arabiya television correspondent in Baghdad for what it said was the channels bias against Sunnis in Iraq. We claim responsibility for the assassination attempt of the evil Shiite Jawad Kadhem, said Jamaat Jund al-Sahaba (Soldiers of the Prophets Companions) in a statement posted on a Web site often used by militants. The Al Arabiya channel has harmed Sunnis in Iraq and is the tongue of Americans and dirty Shiites in (Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim) Jaafaris government, said the statement, which could not be immediately authenticated. The Arbil bombing yesterday was the second time in six weeks that such a big bomb has shattered the relative peace of the north, where a regional president was sworn in last week. In early May a suicide bomber killed 46 police recruits in the city. The security chief of Halabja was killed along with three bodyguards when a suicide bomber drove at their vehicle, local security officials said. They died near a memorial to the civilian victims of the 1988 poison gas attack that made Halabja a byword for Saddam Husseins oppressive rule. (Herald staff with Reuters) Destination weddings in Mexico He wanted something a little more formal. In the end we compromised. We got married at the beach, with 70 or so guests, in an event that ended up being cheaper and easier than a traditional wedding, but still unforgettable with fireworks, mariachis, even a cake fight. Two years later as my husband and I travelled to Tulum, south of Cancn, to witness two friends tie the knot on a secluded strip of white sand I realized I was attending more and more weddings that felt like vacations. In fact, 10 percent of the 2 million US couples who marry each year plan so-called destination weddings a 200 percent increase in the past decade according to Conde Nasts Bridal Group Infobank and Modern Bride Magazine. I can understand the trend. Watching the sun set on the no-fuss ceremony in Tulum carried out by one of the couples close friends I realized there is no better vacation than watching two people start a life together, then celebrating in a setting so spectacular you dont even need to decorate. Lots of tequila doesnt hurt, either. I thought my wedding was memorable only to me. But friends and family who attended still talk about the weekend at the clifftop Los Flamingos Hotel in Acapulco, where we watched whales swim out to sea over breakfast, then spent the reception dancing on a terrace overlooking the Pacific. After attending the Tulum wedding as a guest, I realized that destination weddings can be a gift for those invited. We used our friends celebration as an excuse to piece together a much-needed vacation, and the weekend at the Maya Tulum Wellness Retreat and Spa, where the wedding was held, turned out to be much more enjoyable than the following rain-soaked week in Belize (we drove there after the ceremony). Between a welcome barbecue and the reception, we snorkelled, napped on the beach, and mingled with other guests. Toward the end of the reception, with everyone sweaty from dancing, several guests went for a midnight swim in the ocean. Thats the great thing about weddings in unexpected places: Unexpected things happen. At our wedding, a Mexican tradition of having the guest of honour take a bite directly from the cake, usually ending up with a face full of frosting, became an excuse to begin hurling bits of chocolate on the dance floor. I left the party for a few minutes to wash my face and returned to find most of the guests covered in cake, and heading to the pool to both cool off and wash up. (A waiter was able to save what remained of the cake, which we devoured the next night.) While some people might be mortified by the thought of a food fight at a wedding, it was clear from the beginning of our ceremony when I walked down the aisle to Elvis Presleys Its Now or Never that our wedding wasnt exactly traditional. Which brings me to the next benefit of marrying in an unusual setting: Its easier to get away with doing things your way. The event we attended in Tulum was the first big wedding the resort had hosted, and the staff was more than willing, at the request of the couple, to cater a vegetarian buffet and even arrange yoga classes between events. In both my wedding and friends, acquaintances performed the ceremonies, which made the events both casual and personal. Someone who knows you personally can speak from the heart. A member of the clergy hired for the occasion or justice of the peace coming in for an hour may barely remember your name. The drawback in having a friend officiate was that Mexican law only recognizes civil wedding ceremonies; I ended up getting my afternoon with a judge after all. The other advantage of a destination wedding is that requiring the wedding party to fly to another country will likely trim your guest list to the friends and family you really want to invite as opposed to your fathers former co-workers. And you get to spend a long weekend not just an evening or afternoon catching up with the people you love the most. Many hotels will plan the entire event for you right down to music and food. Some will even give you a weekend free to come down and discuss plans. We spent about two hours giving instructions to our hotel, then spent the rest of our free weekend reading in a hammock. In Mexico, especially if you stick to the smaller hotels, you can put together a spectacular wedding one that would cost tens of thousands of dollars in the United States or Europe for less than 55,000 pesos (US$5,000). Your guests pay for airfare and their room. You pay for food, drinks, music and decorations. I went down to the local flower market a few hours before the ceremony and spent 220 pesos (US$20) on flowers. The hotel usually throws in a few extras, and gives your guests a good rate. In our case, in exchange for filling Los Flamingos rooms for a weekend during the slow season, hotel management didnt charge us for use of the terrace where we held the ceremony, and even threw in the so-called honeymoon suite, actor John Waynes old room at the hotel. I initially felt bad about asking people to fly down to Mexico. But I sent out e-mails with suggested vacations they could tack on before or after the wedding, and everyone seemed happy to have an excuse to come down to the beach for a long weekend in November. The best part was that, blaming the warm beach climate, I got away with wearing a simple evening dress instead of a frothy, white gown. I didnt even have to wear shoes. If you go Hotel Los Flamingos: Located in Acapulco; . Regular (non-group) rates start at 550 pesos (US$50) a night, December 15 to April 15. Otherwise 719 pesos. (US$65). Maya Tulum Resort: Located near Cancn; . From the Website, click on Packages for wedding services. Regular (non-group) rates start at 940 pesos (US$85) a night, June to September. 1,270 pesos (US$115) a night October through May. RESOURCES: Many hotel chains, large resorts, and some convention and visitors bureaus have on-staff wedding planners; small hotels will often assign a staff member to help you. A new quarterly magazine called Destination Weddings & Honeymoons offers advice and ideas. For a searchable directory of potential wedding locations, from hotels to gardens, visit Destination wedding tips Try to fill the hotel. It will help you negotiate better rates, and you wont have other guests complaining about the loud, late-night reception. In Mexico, youll get cheaper rates May to November, but you risk rainy weather. Check local marriage laws. In Mexico, you arent legally married until you visit a judge, so many Mexicans have two weddings, one religious, one civil. Some hotels can arrange for a judge, and most foreigners can have a Mexican marriage certificate authenticated for use in their home country. Consider alternatives to the beach. A friend was married at a small hotel outside of Guanajuato in central Mexico. The nearby artist enclave of San Miguel de Allende would also be great for a ceremony. Haciendas, with their sprawling grounds and crumbling, stone buildings, also make good settings. And while small towns are easy to move around in, they may be more of a trek to reach. Big cities, like Mexico City, are easy to fly into, but may be more expensive and can overwhelm novice travellers. Diping your skin in chocolate It was amazing, said John Scharffenberger, a chocolatier in Berkeley, Calif., who retells the legend every chance he gets. The results lasted for weeks. As a founder of Scharffen Berger, the maker of famously dense, dark Nibby Bars, Scharffenberger has more than a passing interest in the stuff. So he was moved to follow the womans example by testing a chocolate soak himself, at home. (It worked for him, too.) That was nine years ago. No one paid much attention, especially when he went on to suggest that chocolate could work as a softener in skin creams. Back then people bought their chocolate from the drugstore, called it junk food, and blamed it for a host of unflattering problems, including acne flare-ups, bad teeth and a flabby figure. But times have changed. Chocolate boutiques have cropped up, Starbucks-like, on every corner. And dark chocolate has a new reputation as health food. It has been found to be a potent anti-oxidant and a boon to cardiovascular health. Now cosmetics makers are claiming a spot on the bandwagon. They are increasingly putting chocolate into their formulas, to work as a skin softener, yes, but also to use its anti-oxidant powers to smooth wrinkles. Theoretically cocoa might prevent damage by free radicals to collagen, elastin and other proteins in the skin. And that, in turn, would keep skin looking young. Scientific evidence to back up this premise is lacking and some doctors are skeptical that it ever will come along. But that has not squelched the building enthusiasm for chocolate cosmetics. At least 90 new cocoa-infused treatments popped up on beauty shelves in 2004, quadruple the figure from the previous year, according to the Global New Products Database at Mintel, a consumer products market research firm. So far this year 30 more have appeared and many more are in the pipeline. At the Eighth Annual Chocolate Show in New York in November the usual beauty booth will be expanded into a full-fledged spa. Even Scharffenberger received his long-awaited call, from the Nob Hill Spa in San Francisco. Its director tapped him to help whip up a chocolate body scrub. These treatments are nothing like the $2 fudge-scented lip balms made for schoolgirls addicted to the taste of chocolate. The new products have been cooked up by cosmetics companies like Origins and Bath and Body Works specifically to combat grown-up problems like fine lines and dull skin. Guess what flows from the fountain of youth? beckons the label on the $28 Origins Cocoa Therapy Deeply Nourishing Body Butter. Chocolate. Evidently the chocolate-acne myth has all but melted away. Consumers are becoming aware of the healing properties of chocolate, said Carrie Bonner, industry manager of consumer products at Kline & Co., a business consulting and research firm specializing in health and beauty. The beauty industry follows the health industry and the food industry and fashion. How well do chocolate skin treatments work? That depends on what you mean by work. Chocolate products do seem to soften skin. Perhaps it is because they often contain cocoa butter, the fat that is extracted from the cocoa bean. Cosmetics makers have been using cocoa butter as a moisturizer since the mid-19th century, said Louis Grivetti, a professor of nutrition at the University of California, Davis. Softer skin is what Siobhan Coen, 41, a meeting planner for Genentech in San Rafael, Calif., got when she recently treated herself to the $115 Scharffen Berger Chocolate Scrub at Nob Hill Spa. Like Bliss spas $70 Double Choc Pedicure in New York, Nob Hills chocolate scrub has gone from being a winter-weather special to a year-round staple. When I came out, Coen said of the scrub, my skin was so soft. It was like that for two days. But if by work you mean make the skin look younger, then the picture gets a little fuzzy. Makers of chocolate cosmetics do not go so far as to say that chocolate can erase wrinkles. But they do suggest that its anti-oxidant properties can make the skin look more youthful. Its the glow, said Dr. Philip Cohen, professor of dermatology at the College of Naturopathic Medicine in Bridgeport, Conn., the M.D. behind Ecco Bellas M.D. formulated Organic Dark Chocolate Mask. When you apply this mask, the skin glows, and the glow is an important part of what we perceive as beauty. But if the skin really glows after a chocolate treatment, other doctors say, it is not because of any anti-oxidant effect, but simply because other ingredients are working. The aloe and cocoa butter in face creams moisturize, for instance, and the clay in face masks tone the skin. The same goes for spa treatments. Maybe its the massage, said Dr. Leslie Baumann, chief of cosmetic dermatology at the University of Miami. Maybe its the better light reflection off exfoliated skin. As Dr. Steven Pratt, the ophthalmologist who wrote the book SuperFoods Rx, put it, I think the marketing people are ahead of the research folks in this category. What researchers do know is that cocoas anti-oxidant potential compares favorably to that of green tea. The anti-oxidant potential of a substance can be measured using something called an ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) assay. Green tea has an ORAC value of 1,686 units per 100 grams. Oranges are just 750. Dark chocolate, it turns out, registers a whopping 13,120. Chocolate is considered dark if it is at least 35 percent cocoa (the rest is sugar, fats and emulsifiers), and it is cocoa that gives dark chocolate its anti-oxidant kick. On a chocolate cosmetics label the manufacturer might list cocoa (a broad term referring to refined cocoa beans) or cocoa extract (the bean minus the shell) or cocoa powder (the extract minus the fat). All these forms may contain anti-oxidants, but the chemical composition of the cocoa can vary depending on where the beans were grown and how they were prepared. So can the quantity of cocoa in a jar of skin cream. As a rule for cocoa or any other ingredient to be considered significant, it must be among the top three listed on the label, said Laurie DiBerardino, the editor of Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine. Even if a skin cream contains plenty of cocoa, and even if you leave it on for a few minutes so that it has time to interact with the skin, it still may not work its anti-oxidant magic. To do that, it would have to penetrate the dermis or lower layer of skin, where free radicals operate, but many doctors do not believe cocoa molecules can soak in that far. As sexy and alluring as chocolate is, there are many anti-oxidants available which are more well studied, said Dr. Laurie Polis, the director of dermatological services at SoHo Skin and Laser Dermatology, and those are the ones I recommend to patients. Topical vitamins C and A have shown promising results on humans, for example. Perhaps some day scientists will conduct a large-scale study exploring cocoas anti-aging potential for human skin. By the time they do, other once-vilified foods cream cheese? bacon? may have found their way into cosmetic jars. By then, we will have already moved on to the next course. Downtown, Obelisco area Stunning homestay. Gorgeous rooms. Excellent. Monthly US$ 250. Weekly US$ 90. (54-11)4802-1406. Mobile: 15-5859-5151. Photos. Duhalde says no deal yet The Olivos Pact was reached in 1993 between the reigning Peronist party of then President Carlos Menem and the Radical opposition to allow a constitutional reform that enabled Menem in 1995 to run for a second consecutive term in office. Duhalde, who is technically still Kirchners leading political supporters, has repeatedly said that he is retired from domestic politics. Still, he is still believed to pull most of the strings in Peronist politics in the province of Buenos Aires. Yesterday, he said that it is not up to him but up to the Peronist leaders of the province to decide whether there will be two different Peronist factions clashing in Buenos Aires in the October 23 midterm election, which renews half of the Lower House of Congress and a third of the Senate. He added that there are no reasons not to hold internal elections to choose candidates. Kirchner has said that the October vote will be a plebiscite on his government. In the province of Buenos Aires, he wants his wife, Senator Cristina Fernndez, to run for the Senate. But Duhaldes wife, Hilda Chiche Gonzlez, has also said she wants that position for herself. Mrs. Duhalde said last week that there are 80 percent of chances she will run. Newspaper reports, on the contrary, quoted unnamed sources yesterday saying that Mrs. Duhalde will drop her bid in the coming days. Since supporting Kirchners presidential candidacy in 2003, there has been much speculation about a growing political cold war between Kirchner and Duhalde. I dont think people are worried about (candidacies); the only ones concerned with the issue are the (Peronist party) officials. What I can say is that I am convinced that in Buenos Aires the national government will be facing a referendum. I dont know if there will be one or two Peronist slates because that is a decision to be made by party leaders; there are so many possible options, said Duhalde in an interview with Radio Del Plata. However, he also left a door open for an agreement. We have this whole upcoming week, as well as the following one, to talk over these issues. The Peronist party had three candidates in 2003 (Kirchner, Carlos Menem and Adolfo Rodrguez Sa); if we have two this time, it would be an improvement. And if we go with one it means an understanding has been reached, which at this time doesnt seem evident, he said. The deadline to present candidates for the October vote is July 8. Duhalde added that he does not want to influence his wifes decision on whether to run or not. I will accept whatever she wants to do. She is a woman with her own ideas, who is trying to build her own space in the party. But I will give her the same she gave me each time I was a candidate: support, said Duhalde, who was twice governor of Buenos Aires province in the 1990s Duhalde declined to say whether the first lady would be a good candidate in the province of Buenos Aires. There are different interpretations about that, he said. But the former interim president lashed out at Buenos Aires Governor Felipe Sol, who, just as Kirchner did, won office in 2003 thanks to Duhaldes blessing but then pulled himself away from his mentor. One should not stop being grateful, he said regarding his former protege. (Herald staff with Tlam) Duhalde: no new Olivos Pact Earlier in the day, Duhalde had said that he was not seeking to clinch "any sort of Olivos Pact" with Kirchner over candidacies in Buenos Aires province. Duhalde, who ran Argentina as interim president in 2002-2003, is the Peronist boss in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentinas largest electoral district. In his effort to score a victory he can call his own in the midterm vote, Kirchner either has to seal an agreement with Duhalde or fight him in the polls. Kirchner (left) is seen conferring with Duhalde in a 2003 file photo. "I want to deny the information indicating that I am working on an agreement," said Duhalde from Asuncin last night, in an interview with the state-run news agency Tlam. "I have not spoken with the President in the last two months," he added. Kirchner and Duhalde both attended a Mercosur summit yesterday. Duhalde is the head of Mercosurs permanent commission. But Kirchner spent only a few hours in Asuncin, met with Paraguays President Nicanor Duarte Frutos and left without meeting with Duhalde. Duhaldes denial that a deal was in the making followed newspaper reports over the weekend that the electoral accord was almost a done deal and that it would be announced once the small print was agreed upon. Early bird He risked being run over more than once, as he seemed to forget that in Ireland cars keep the left side of the road. He had had just a pint, so his feeling of elation was not alcohol-motivated but stemmed from the happiness of being in a lovely place he had reached without any particular expectation. Woods, gardens, varied flora, the greenest smoothest lawns, stately houses and manors and - to the left - a steel-gray sea, ruffled by a chilly wind. In the light drizzle, a smell of wet soil, leaves and flowers. He walked on, noticing how tidy and clean everything was. He mused that the Irish were truly careful about their neighborhoods, and he liked that. Suddenly, he stopped in front of a sign on a lamppost. It was a curt, no-nonsense warning in crystal clear English, with no Gaelic translation. He fished out his black notebook and pen and copied: "Attention Dog Walkers. Failure to clean up after your dog can lead to E. 125 on the spot fine. E 3000 in court (Litter Pollution Act 1997-2003). Bring a pooper scooper or other disposable bag." He found the warning utterly convincing. E 125 was steep enough, and the prospect of being fined up to E 3000 was scary. Irish dog owners are paid in euros, yet even for them that amount of euros is no joke. No wonder there were no dog droppings anywhere... He recalled Belgrano R and remembered having to zig-zag on most sidewalks not to step on creamy pet "souvenirs". A similar sign might stimulate pet "toilet training". He made a rough calculation: with the euro at about 3.60 pesos, the maximum fine could amount to about 10,800 pesos. A nightmare! With that prospect, most Plutos would be kept at home as prisoners, or taken for a walk wearing diapers. One would hit the jackpot marketing "canine diapers" and - just in case - "pooper scoopers". The sea attracted him: he went towards the pebbly beach but later he hated himself as getting to the B&B from there was uphill. On a cliff overlooking the bay he saw several carved stone benches. One of them bore a legend: "Rest awhile and remember Tony Darby, who died 30th November 1999. 'Wish you were here'. Erected by his friends". He sat on the cold, damp stone: was he ever tired! As a boat plowed the sea in the distance he thought that these "memorial benches" told much about a warm, thoughtful people. Who would - even having never met good old Tony - not harbor warm feelings for him and his dear friends who had offered the anonymous passer-by a place to rest watching the sea? The balding gentleman breathlessly made it back to the main road, risking to be run over by a lorry coming from the "wrong" side. He made it back to his B&B and slipped into bed without bothering to undress. Bright sunlight woke him up the next morning at 6. He felt proud: he was an early bird. Of course, his watch was still on Buenos Aires time... It was really 10 a.m. in Baile Atha Cliath - er... Dublin! Please send your thoughts to Editorial Roundup Corriere della Sera on the outcome of the Italian referendum on assisted fertility MILAN, Italy With the referendum on assisted fertility, Italians voted in favor or against the transformations of life and man himself that science and technology promised ... in a way that was unforeseen yesterday. The domain of men has developed in every sector, making them gods who are able to create life but did not solve the problems of living. Among the worries that threaten the powerful man, theres the sensation of manipulating life and nature, altering ones own identity until it is made unrecognizable. The pathos that characterized the debate (on the referendum) comes from the obscure, irrational, but not unfounded sensation that humanity is living a radical transformation in incredible and dizzyingly fast times. On the Net: Daily Nation on South African presidents dismissal of deputy NAIROBI, Kenya By dismissing (his) popular deputy and heir apparent, South African President Thabo Mbeki has demonstrated that he will not let personal friendship and loyalty stand in the way of what is good and proper. Deputy President Jacob Zuma has not been tried for crimes, leave alone convicted. But a court found his financial adviser and friend, Mr. Schabir Shaik, guilty of corruption and fraud. Mr. Shaik was sentenced last week to 15 years in prison. More importantly the court found that Zuma was not only aware, but was a direct beneficiary of kickbacks sought by his friend for massive weapons contracts. There were widespread calls, particularly from the opposition, for Mr. Zumas sacking or resignation. But there were also powerful calls, particularly from within the ruling African National Congress, for President Mbeki to retain his loyal deputy. In the end, President Mbeki chose the painful, but correct, path. It must have been a difficult call to make. President Mbeki, indeed, noted that he had worked closely with his deputy for more than 30 years. Yet Mbeki did not hesitate to take action when dear ally and friend was caught up in corruption allegations. This surely holds a lesson for us in Kenya, where it appears that some powerful people are able to get away with all manner of indiscretions simply because they claim some long-standing ties to the seat of power. On the Net: The Irish Times on Michael Jackson DUBLIN If any other 46-year-old had been so open about his friendships with young boys, how he enjoyed inviting them to sleepovers and, ultimately, sharing a bed with them, then his behavior might have seen him face the law years earlier. However, there is no other 46-year-old quite like Michael Jackson. No one else who has so traded on the persona of an emotionally stunted man-child; whose life, from childhood to middle age, has been viewed by the public as a bizarre soap opera; and whose questionable habits were so often interpreted by the public as forgivable eccentricities. ... As he struggles with his reputation and reported financial difficulties, he is unlikely to slide into anonymity, just as it is unlikely that the public will grow bored of such a singular personality. Yet, the unsavory details revealed in this trial also reminded us that behind the hype, headlines, celebrity, excess and grotesqueness of both Jacksons life and this case, there are real human stories. The singer has returned to his three children, even after testimony revealed the sad details of how the mother of two of them has signed away her parental rights. Jackson himself is someone whose childhood has quite obviously left him psychologically damaged. On the Net: Dagens Nyheter on U.S. double standards STOCKHOLM, Sweden Criticism against the Guantanamo military prison is growing, also in the U.S. And the dilemma is evident: the Americans demand that others respect what they do not live up to themselves. For example, they demand that others must disarm, or refrain from procuring nuclear weapons, while at the same time not living up to their own commitments in accordance with the Nonproliferation treaty. The U.S. is publishing annual reports about the state of human rights in different parts of the world while at the same time the prisoners at Guantanamo live in limbo. To have such double standards is in practice to undermine the possibility to get support from the surrounding world for the rights you consider yourself to have. On the Net: acteristics. The government should also help local governments and private organizations to expand existing programs. Many choose death only after thinking long and hard, so we have the opportunity to prevent such tragedies. On the Net: The Egyptian Gazette, Cairo, Egypt, on Iraq: An upsurge of deadly attacks in Iraq are diminishing hopes that the country will recover from the bloody chaos of more than two years. The vortex of violence has become more nightmarish than before since the Iraqi government of Ibrahim al-Jaafari was set up in late April. None is immune to random killings in Iraq. Over the past few weeks, civilians have been the target of car bombings, particularly in Baghdad. At the weekend, unidentified gunmen opened fire at a truck carrying laborers. Execution-style killings are becoming rife. It is unlikely that spiraling horrendous deeds in Iraq are carried out by locals, though there are many disillusioned among them. The key casualties of the latest bombings have been innocent compatriots braving unstable conditions to make ends meet. Likewise, it is implausible that self-style Arab jihadis (holy warriors) are the perpetrators of such acts, which cannot be described as resistance fighting. They are apparently the work of hither-to-unknown quarters keen to perpetuate Iraqs nightmare. No Iraqi, whatever his/her leaning may be, stands to benefit from seeing the country sliding deeper into such horrifying anarchy. It is a short cut to a civil strife. Such acts also give the U.S.-led occupation troops the pretext to stay in Iraq allegedly to maintain security. On the Net: ^MORE< England to face Argentina in final RUGBY Churchill Cup EDMONTON, Canada Argentina A edged the United States 34-30 with a last-second try by Francisco Leonelli and England A downed Canada 29-5 in the Churchill Cup on Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium. Argentina A and England A will meet in the final next Sunday while the host will tackle the US Eagles in the consolation final for a second straight year. Argentina sent a second-string side to make their debut in the tournament because the main Pumas side met Italy on Friday, and lost 30-29. On Sunday, the lead changed three times in a tense finish, starting with flyhalf Juan Fernndez Miranda kicking Argentina A ahead 29-27, then moments later US fullback Francis Viljoen replying with his own penalty to make it 30-29 in the 77th minute. Veteran Pumas back Juan Fernndez Miranda, capped 25 times, set up Leonelli into the corner five minutes into injury time to help Argentina uphold an unbeaten record against the United States. It was very by little that we made it, but we made it, said Leonelli, who scored two tries. We have to improve a lot. The United States led 20-12 at halftime, and Viljoen finished with 20 points. To lose the game on the last play is a heartbreaker, said Viljoen. England A, with five senior internationals, led Canada 12-0 at halftime and 24-0 after 68 minutes on tries by winger Paul Sackey, fullback Sam Vesty, replacement back Tom Voyce, and centre James Simpson-Daniel. No. 8 Aaron Carpenter barged over for Canadas only try six minutes from the end, but England captain Pat Sandersons try on time completed the expected rout. Scores: England A 29 (Paul Sackey, Sam Vesty, Tom Voyce, James Simpson Daniel, Pat Sanderson tries; Andy Goode 2 conversions), Canada 5 (Aaron Carpenter try). Argentina A 34 (Francisco Leonelli 2, Matas Albina, Francisco Lecot, Miguel Avramovic tries; Juan Fernndez Miranda 3 conversions, penalty), United States 30 (Matt Wyatt, Mike MacDonald, Francis Viljoen tries; Viljoen 3 conversions, 3 penalties). English & the City Smoking without cigarettes Pablo H. Scoponi For the Herald Last Saturday morning, I woke up very early so as to have enough time to walk the dog and jog for half an hour or so. I had a glass of water and some fruit for breakfast and then I took the dog out. Yes! Of course! I almost forget! I had to get dressed first, so I put on my jogging. I was ready to take off now. As I was heading for the park near my house, I jogged past a man in a spick-and-span smoking on my right and a crowd of teenagers showing the upper part of their slips. You know if you dont do that nowadays, you are not in the swim at all. Now, were these teenagers boys or girls? The American Way? Gonzalo J. Camp For the Herald OK, OK. There are many things I can cope with when having dinner at a restaurant, but theres always a limit. A fine diner that claimed to have exclusive American dishes headed the first page of its menu with the word Entrance. I couldnt help thinking Im already in! so I decided to give a try to one of those entrances which turned out to look (and taste) like a gate to hell. Consequently, I left the place without even browsing the choices for the main course (if they ever happen to be called that way!) On my way back home, I felt like buying some sweets , so I approached this small shop that sold things through an open window. Above it, following the trend of the neighbourhood (no doubt), there was a sign which read The American Way. What way? I wondered. Of course, the place was not a kiosk but, in porteo English, a drugstore. The nerve! If you fight for The American Way at least grab a dictionary, dude! I dont was! Sergio D. Mobilia For the Herald Somebody please tell me: How did the innocent English word hotline become tainted by sexual connotations in our pampas? Does being hot always imply being on fire? And how did we come to downgrade colleges to high-school level? Still worse: why do we insist that an outlet is the ultimate shrine of low-priced shopping experiences? Thank God top models, who are all so busy to go clothes-shopping and demand to get all their flashy attire delivered to their changing-rooms, dont have that kind of problem ... However, a new mindboggling linguistic trend is starting to sweep the catwalks too: if these girls are all so fashion, does that mean that the dresses they wear are to be described simply as eleg- and expens-? All that I can say about the inrush of Mis-English is that ... I dont was (i.e. yo no fui!) Entrepreneur selling Last two cars of a foursome. 10 years garaged, in perfect running order and immaculate. Cadillac Hardtop Coupe DeVille, Burgundy, 1984, fuel injected 4.1 Ltr. eng. (55,000 miles). Mercedes Benz 350 SL, 2 door convertible (soft & hard top), light champagne (65,000 km since new). Contacts at Mobile 15-5329-7041. Escalada de escraches El gobierno est con razn orgulloso de sus esfuerzos por llevar ante la justicia los extremos a los que lleg el orden pblico surgidos de la dictadura militar de 1976-83, pero no nos estamos yendo al otro extremo, a juzgar por los recientes escraches y protestas piqueteras? Durante la semana pasada, figuras tan contrastantes como el poltico de centroderecha Ricardo Lpez Murphy y el empresario Omar Chabn han sido objeto de escraches. Hasta no hace mucho, los escraches, pese a todos sus excesos, se atenan ms o menos a su objetivo originario de exponer a los causantes de la guerra sucia al repudio pblico (fuera del absurdo escrache aplicado al entonces jefe de gobierno de la Ciudad Fernando de la Ra hace varios aos, porque a las Madres de Plaza de Mayo no les agradaba su eleccin del lugar para un monumento recordatorio), mas las agresiones perpetradas contra Lpez Murphy y Chabn demuestran que las protestas, en su totalidad, comienzan a salirse de madre. A primera vista Lpez Murphy y Chabn no pareceran comparables, porque el gran pblico asigna un nivel mucho ms elevado de culpabilidad al empresario vastamente tenido por responsable de la tragedia con 194 muertos en el club de rock Croman que a un poltico democrtico en campaa. Pero ambas protestas fueron igualmente reprensibles: sin contar a Chabn, sitiar con escraches el hogar de su madre est hacindoles la vida imposible a sus vecinos totalmente inocentes, con ese constante vandalismo. Lo que hace que el intento del mircoles pasado por detener el lanzamiento del libro de Lpez Murphy difiera de las manifestaciones contra Chabn, es la sospecha de instigacin por parte del gobierno: los mismos piqueteros que se movilizaron para aplicar a Shell el boycott pedido por Kirchner, hace unos pocos meses, entraron en accin para bloquear la campaa de Lpez Murphy un da despus de que el ministro del Interior, Anbal Fernmdez, llamara al lder de Recrear animal, en sospechosa correlacin. No es que Lpez Murphy fuera necesariamente el perdedor con su martirio de bajo costo (lo cual incluso podra haber sido la idea originaria, ya que Kirchner probablemente prefiere tener un adversario de derecha en primer plano, antes que disputar la izquierda con una Elisa Carri). Lpez Murphy no debe ser consi- d erado ms all de toda crtica (y menos aun por traicionar sus princi- pios de capitalismo moderno al aliarse con Mauricio Macri), pero no era sta la forma de criticarlo. Empero, por encima y ms all de la poltica, sin duda la inquietud principal hace al modo en que los mtodos piqueteros estn siendo copiados incluso por escolares, y crecen como hongos a falta de un Estado en modo alguno preocupado por el orden pblico. Escalating exposure The government is rightly proud of its efforts to bring to justice the extremes of public order arising out of the 1976-83 military dictatorship but are we not going to the other extreme, judging from recent escrache and picket protests? Over the last week such contrasting figures as centre-right politician Ricardo Lpez Murphy and impresario Omar Chabn have been subject to escrache exposure attacks. Until recently the escraches with all their excesses have more or less stood by their original aim of exposing dirty warriors to public repudiation (apart from the absurd escrache against then City Mayor Fernando de la Ra several years ago because the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo did not like his choice of site for a remembrance memorial) but the attacks against Lpez Murphy and Chabn show that protest as a whole is starting to run out of hand. At first sight Lpez Murphy and Chabn may not seem comparable because the general public assigns a much higher level of guilt to the impresario widely held responsible for the 194-death Croman rock club tragedy than to a campaigning democratic politician. But both protests were equally reprehensible quite apart from Chabn, the escrache siege of his mothers home is making life impossible for his entirely innocent neighbours with constant vandalism. What does make last Wednesdays attempt to stop Lpez Murphy launching his book different from the anti-Chabn demonstrations is the suspicion of government instigation the same pickets who moved to enforce President Nstor Kirchners Shell boycott call a few months ago were in action to block the Lpez Murphy campaign within a day of Interior Minister Anbal Fernndez calling the Rebirth leader an animal, a suspicious correlation. Not that Lpez Murphy was necessarily the loser from his low-cost martyrdom (which might even have been the idea in the first place since Kirchner probably prefers having a rightwing adversary in the limelight to disputing the left with an Elisa Carri). Lpez Murphy should not be considered beyond criticism (least of all for betraying his principles of modern capitalism by his alliance with Mauricio Macri) but this was not the way to criticize him. Yet over and above the politics, surely the main concern is the way picket methods are being aped even by schoolchildren and mushrooming in default of a state with any concern for public order. EU requests reciprocity from Brazil BRUSSELS The European Union will eliminate farming subsidies for exports, as long as countries such as Brazil and India liberate their industrial product sectors, the blocs trade commissioner said on Thursday. EU countries last year promised to gradually stop subsidizing farming exports. It was this commitment that helped resume trade negotiations which the members of the World Trade Organization hope will lead to the creation of new international trade laws by 2006. We are prepared to implement our plans regarding farming, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said in a speech offered at a trade conference. But this can only be achieved on the base of fair reciprocity, he said. Now we need for developing countries to show a new predisposition to commit in principle to cutting their current industrial fees, he said. The EU faces internal opposition, especially from France, to the elimination of subsidies for exports within a 15-year term. France is currently challenging the legality of the promise that was made by Mandelsons predecessor, Pascal Lamy, and the former Agriculture commissioner, Franz Fischler, without consulting with national governments. Mandelson said that the European concessions in the farming sector should be met with equivalent moves by developing countries that have shown progress in the industrial products sector. (AP) EU, China clinch deal to avert textiles showdown SHANGHAI The European Union and China clinched a deal on Friday limiting the rise in Chinese exports of textiles and clothing to the EU until the end of 2008, averting the imposition of quotas that could have soured ties. The overall settlement offers a fair deal for China while giving respite and much-needed breathing space to textiles industries in Europe and developing countries, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said in a statement. The agreement, thrashed out in Shanghai by Mandelson and Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai, came after months of tension over an explosive rise in shipments of cheap exports from China. The rise, which has generated fears for the future of the garment industry and millions of jobs in Europe and the United States, was unleashed by the Jan. 1 abolition of a decades-old global system of quotas. Resorting to terms agreed when China joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001, the United States has already slapped temporary restrictions on seven garment and textile products, provoking an angry reaction from Beijing. The 25-nation EU had been due to follow suit by early next week, limiting shipments of T-shirts and flax yarn to 7.5 percent over the previous year had China not taken voluntary steps to curb exports of these products to this level. These so-called safeguards would have been effective only until the end of this year, making it likely that the EU would have had to seek their re-application in six months time. The pact agreed by Mandelson and Bo caps exports on a wider range of products and will remain in effect for a longer period. The agreement provides for agreed transitional growth rates between now and 2007, followed by a further year during which both sides will work together closely in the hope that trade is conducted without further interference in this sector, Mandelson told a news conference with Bo in Shanghai. Details of the cap on Chinas exports and the number of textile and clothing products covered by the accord were not announced immediately. Officials said the growth allowed in Chinas exports to the EU would be higher than 7.5 percent. The agreement will still need the approval of all members of the 25-nation EU, though diplomats said that even France and Italy which have taken the toughest line on Chinese imports were likely to back it. The alternatives are that Chinese imports keep coming in and disrupting the market, or that we take unilateral action which would give us narrower coverage for a shorter time and a nasty row with the Chinese, an EU official said in Brussels. Both Bo and Mandelson had talked tough in public before their talks, with the Chinese minister vowing to protect the rights of an industry that employs 19 million people and is a vital cog in Chinas export-driven economy. But at the news conference Bo praised the British EU commissioners profound understanding of Oriental culture and presented him symbolically with a gift of a blue-grey Chinese polo shirt. Bo said the agreement would provide a long-term and stable environment for Chinese textiles. At the same time it also provides a stable import environment for the EU countries, he added. EU imports of T-shirts rose by 157 percent to more than 150 million in the first quarter of this year, but pullovers and mens trousers leapt even more, by over 400 percent. Economists fear the tussle over textiles will be the first of many trade rows if Chinas exports continue to boom. China on Friday reported a trade surplus for May of $8.99 billion, the third-largest on record. (Reuters) EU, China deal holds textile sales growth at 12.5% SHANGHAI Growth in exports of 10 categories of Chinese textiles to the European Union will be limited to up to 12.5 percent a year until the end of 2007, according to an agreement signed by China and the 25-member bloc. The limits, ranging from 8 percent to 12.5 percent a year, would apply to key textiles including T-shirts and flax yarn, the European Union said in a statement outlining the terms of agreement. The measures added a welcome measure of certainty, officials at Chinese textile mills said. For other categories of textiles, and in 2008, the European Union said it would exercise restraint on its right to limit imports under the terms of Chinas entry to the World Trade Organisation. This result is better for us than some sort of trade war, said a manager at a textile company in central Hebei Province. Commerce Minister Bo Xilai is very good. He supports legal trade and understands the needs of our industry. EU quotas could have inflicted about $170 million in immediate losses on the industry and force the lay-off of up to 100,000 workers, an official at the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles, told Reuters last week. The new textile export deal was hammered out after hours of negotiations between Bo and EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson in Shanghai late on Friday, averting the imposition of quotas that could have soured ties. Tensions had been running high for months between China and the European Union over this years explosive rise in Chinese textile exports. The European Union had feared the leap in exports threatened its garment industry and jobs. These negotiations with Europe are the first round. I personally believe that talks with the U.S. will end up with the same result, said a Shanghai-based manager of a textile firm that exports to the United States. The US has imposed safeguard limits on Chinese textile imports since the surge of Chinese products was unleashed by the Jan. 1 abolition of a decades-old global system of quotas. Under WTO terms, member countries can limit growth in imports from China to 7.5 percent per year should the imports prove disruptive. The new limits took effect on Saturday and will be calculated on the basis of Chinese textile imports in the first two or three months of 2005, the first year in which Chinese exports were not restricted by quotas. Textile industry officials said the mechanism by which China would limit export growth hadnt yet been announced. (Reuters) Everything you oughta know By JOAN ANDERMAN The Boston Globe On Tuesday, 10 years to the day after unleashing her definitive debut, Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morissette released a new, all-acoustic version of the album. She reunited with the original discs producer Glen Ballard to revisit the bitter diary entries that she now describes as a blessed passage and which 30 million music fans have embraced for its tuneful purging. At 21, Morissette became the youngest artist to win a Grammy for album of the year, one of four Jagged Little Pill received. Now 31, the singer and songwriter whose acoustic tour stops at the Wang Theatre Friday night reflects on fame, rage, selling songs at Starbucks, and whats changed (and what hasnt) in the 10 years since she exploded onto the music scene. You strike me as a person more inclined toward moving forward than looking back. Why revisit these songs? Its interesting, because it is my inclination to breeze through and not mark time or reflect. So this is like moving forward in the sense that Im honoring something that Id not done. What stood in the way of honouring the music 10 years ago? I think in order for me to acknowledge it I had to consciously embrace being famous. At the time I was almost disdainful. I couldnt see the gift and the privilege I had to support and comfort people. Thats a big part of growing up. You were barely out of your teens when you wrote Jagged Little Pill. Do the songs mean something different to you now? Ten years ago it was a theme of nonrepression, of not apologizing for the stage of life I was in. Id been writing since I was 10 and had always been encouraged to not be autobiographical. I was bursting at the seams to write in my own unique way, and at 19, I was ready to explode. Now if theres a theme in it for me its self-acknowledgement, taking personal responsibility. Is there anything on the album that you dont like any more? I think the vocal approach I did when I was 20 is something I could never do now. Id be faking. It just doesnt apply. There are some lyrics ... theres a line in Wake Up where I say the granted Im taken for. I changed it to the granted I take it for. I dont get it. At 19, its interesting to hear someone rage against the proverbial machine. At 31, its sad. Its not very empowering to blame. When Jagged Little Pill came out you were characterized as a very angry young woman. Were you full of rage, or were you misunderstood? I think labelling in that kind of one-dimensional way is a very violent act. There was an urgency, especially on You Oughta Know. But You Learn and Head Over Feet have no anger. Anger is still to this day an emotion people arent very comfortable with, but its a beautiful part of the life force. Were you surprised at the time that so many people connected with the songs? I was. I was comforted to learn that I wasnt alone, and also horrified that all these people were relating to these devastated songs. I think that part of what people responded to was the unhinged, explosive attitude you brought to the performance. What do these kinder, gentler arrangements offer? I think theres a timelessness to the songs. These were inward questions I was asking, and 10 years later I still ask them. At the time I was riding an emotional roller coaster, and theyre still present. But I have more control over my life. Whose idea was it to make an acoustic version of the album? I was talking with Guy Oseary and said Id love in some way to honor the 10-year anniversary. I thought I would get away with a reissue. But friends started telling me that anyone who wants a copy of that album already has it. Starbucks was given exclusive rights to sell the album in its stores for the first six weeks of its release. Did you participate in that decision? I said yes or no. I see it as a great idea. This record is special and unique and I wanted a unique environment for it. I loved the old coffeehouse scene, and Starbucks is like a 2005 version of the coffeehouse. Retailers are not so happy about it. HMV Canada pulled all your product from its shelves. Do you sympathize with the record-shop owners who feel that the Starbucks deal is unfair? I dont know about unfair. It implies that somehow the whole world is never supposed to change. Artists are coming up with new ways to share their music. This is a big paradigm shift, and I have empathy for the fact that change can be difficult. Speaking of change, whats next for you? Im going to take August off, and then Im thinking of putting together a CD of songs Ive done since I was 10. A 20-year retrospective 2005 as a self-acknowledgement year. Ill probably do a studio album next year. Expo 2005 Argentine mission heads for Japan BY MICHAEL SOLTYS HERALD STAFF The mission for next months Argentine Week at Expo 2005 in Nagoya (Aichi prefecture), Japan, could number as many as 30 companies with at least 17 names already confirmed. Argentinas first official presence in Japan since the completion of the bond swap earlier this month aims at making a gentle but firm return, bearing in mind some bitter Japanese memories of defaulted Samurai bonds. The missions organizers are convinced that a trade fair is the best path to a new beginning. Argentine Week will start on Monday, July 11 (with Independence Day being celebrated a couple of days later since it falls on Saturday) and will run until July 15. Foreign Minister Rafael Bielsa will be heading the mission until July 14 when he flies on to India. Most of the formal events will be held on the Monday with the business visitors making pre-arranged and open-ended contacts in the following days. Tango shows and wine-tasting will give the week a special Argentine flavour. The mission is being jointly sponsored by the Foreign Ministry and the Argentine-Japanese Mixed Committee (headed by Angel Machado with the organizational assistance of Jorge Revello) while consultant Guillermo Izaguirre has been entrusted with the co-ordination. The 17 companies already confirmed include two heavyweights with vast Asian experience Impsa (Pescarmona) and Techint/Tenaris steel and engineering companies. Molinos (food), Aluar (aluminium) and NEC Argentina also belong to the big league. Otherwise, the mission breaks down sectorially into tourism (four companies), lumber (two), foods (two), engineering (two), Patagonian wines, architecture, law and medicine with possible recruits belonging to the food, lumber, mining, engineering and health sectors. Favourable ruling for Argentina at the World Trade Organization In a new development in the long trade dispute between Argentina and the United States at the World Trade Organization (WTO), over antidumping rights imposed by the US on seamless pipes by Tenaris/Siderca, an arbitrator chosen by the two parties determined that the US has to comply with all aspects of the Appeals Agency by no later than December 17, according to a press release from the Foreign Ministry. Last November, the WTOs Appeals Agency, the highest international court in commercial matters, confirmed practically all aspects of a panels previous ruling which in June 2004 had backed Argentinas on the inconsistency of the antidumping measures imposed by the US on seamless pipes, of which the Techint corporation is the main producer in the world, through its Tenaris/Siderca company. The conclusion of both of these rulings is that the US regulations on certain aspects of antidumping reviews contained dispositions that were inconsistent with those of the WTOs Antidumping Agreement. In both cases, the WTO found that the renewal of antidumping rights on Argentine exports was not founded on appropriate facts, and was in violation with the obligations specified in the Antidumping Agreement. Once the cases submitted to the Differences Resolution System are adopted by the Differences Resolution Agency, the two parties have to try to agree on a timetable for solutions to be adopted by the corresponding party. If such an agreement is not forthcoming, the WTOs Understanding on Differences Resolution endorses an arbitration procedure to determine said timetable. Regarding seamless tubes, this is the instance that has just reached its conclusion. Between December 2004 and February 2005, Argentina and the US maintained talks to determine the implementation term. But no agreement was reached, since Argentina understood that the 15 month period offered by the US could be shorter, which was confirmed yesterday by the WTOs arbitrator. This new instance in favour of Argentina does not imply that the controversy has definitely been resolved. But it is the result that the Foreign Ministry sought in resorting to the Differences Resolution Agency: to achieve a favourable ruling on the inconsistency of the antidumping measures, to allow the Argentine product to enter the US market in the same way that it currently enters 60 other international markets. First cargo flight from Rosario ROSARIO The first regular cargo flight left the Islas Malvinas airport in Rosario on a Boeing 737 on Thursday, three years after the inauguration of its deposit warehouse, marking the beginning of the weekly Montevideo-Rosario-Santiago de Chile route. Officials from the international airport station, highlighted that the flight, with a capacity of 15 tons, will allow for the export of goods to the United States, Central America, Europe, and for imports from those places, as well as from Asia and Brazil. The service will be operated by the LANcargo company, and will arrive to Rosario every Wednesday from Montevideo at 7:00pm, and leave for Santiago de Chile at 9:00pm. LANcargo manager in Rosario, Juan Pablo Gonzlez, told reporters that the service will help to place auto parts produced in Rosario, Santa Fe, and Rafaela in foreign markets. The main markets to receive these products would be the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Venezuela. Gonzlez added that an attempt will also be made to capture part of the Hilton quota that is bound for Europe, as well as other products, such as equipment used for food production. LANcargo has hubs in Miami, Santiago, and Frankfurt, and receives flights from Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Chicago, among other markets. Fishing Guide Dorado and Surub in Argentina "It's great to fish dorados. They put up a great fight, can only be found in the River Plate basin and take a wide range of bait". "Surubes make for great fishing because of their extraordinary size, their fighting power and their preference to swim in shoals". Bilingual version. The best 25 river fishing spots. 160 places to lodge. How to get there. 110 fishing guides to hire. Useful information. Updated June 1, 2001. $ 15 Capital and Greater BA (postage included) Interior add $ 5. Other countries: U$S 10 (postage included) Folk music rekindled La Pea del Colorado, one of the most important folk music bars in Buenos Aires, has opened a new branch at Entre Ros 1444, and the Do Coplanacu have been invited to give the opening concerts. The Pea Grande del Colorado, as the new bar is called, opened its doors on Wednesday and the Do Coplanacu (photo) played last night. They will reappear today and tomorrow. Created in May, 1985 in Crdoba city by natives of Santiago del Estero Julio Paz and Roberto Corts, the group went on the become one of Argentinas main folk groups. In 1995 they were joined by Crdoba violinist Andrea Leguizamn. (Coplanacu at La Gran Pea del Colorado, Av. Entre Ros 1444. Fri 17 and Sat 18 at 10pm. Tickets $20. Former GATT chief Arthur Dunkel dies GENEVA Arthur Dunkel, the former head of GATT the predecessor of the World Trade Organization has died, officials said Thursday. He was 72. Dunkel, who served as director general of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade from 1980 to 1993, passed away Wednesday, the WTO said in a statement. Dunkels most significant contribution was his work on an ambitious free trade package the Uruguay Round of tariff cuts even though he left office before the treaty was signed in 1994. Arthur Dunkel will always serve as a role model of a selfless public servant with a universal vision, said WTO Director-General Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi. His legacy lives on in the work of the WTO. His 500-page compromise text the so-called Dunkel Draft was the basis for an agreement that introduced freer trade rules for traditionally protected sectors, such as agriculture and textiles, and newer areas, like services. It also led to the establishment of the WTO, the body which governs global commerce, in 1995. (AP) Foxs ability to fight war on drugs queried MEXICO CITY In the first four years after Mexican President Vicente Fox took office, he became Washingtons sweetheart in its war on drugs with his crackdown on traffickers. But an escalating gangland turf war that has killed at least 600 people south of the US border this year has soured the romance, with serious doubts raised about Foxs ability to rein in the violence. A senior US Drug Enforcement Administration official, Anthony Plcido, told Congress last week that Mexicos corrupt police forces were "all too often part of the problem rather than part of the solution" in fighting the drug cartels. Fox won office in 2000, ending 71 years of one-party rule and promising to clamp down on the multibillion-dollar cross-border trade in cocaine, marijuana and heroin. He won plaudits as the first Mexican leader to seriously tackle the powerful cartels, putting bosses like Benjamn Arellano Flix and Osiel Crdenas behind bars. That crime-busting reputation has been undermined by the alarming rise in violence, along with evidence Fox has failed to clean up Mexicos police forces. "The honeymoon period following the capture of these top drug traffickers is now over for Fox," said Jorge Chabat, a Mexican security analyst. "We are now seeing a return to the relationship we had during the 1990s between Washington and Mexico that was characterized by conflict and reconciliation," he added. Analysts say the real problem is the heavy US demand for cocaine and marijuana and the ability of the drug cartels to pay off police, politicians and judges inside Mexico. Resurgent gangs from western Sinaloa state are battling to wrest control of key smuggling routes to Texas from the rival Gulf cartel in Tamaulipas state, which borders Texas. Senior police officers have been murdered and corpses appear on a daily basis in cities across the north, the victims of gangland murders. Faced with the fallout on its southern frontier, the US State Department has twice issued travel warnings for the Mexican border, where more than 30 US citizens have been kidnapped amid spiraling crime. While Foxs government and Washington traded harsh words last week, concern over Mexicos ability to curb the bloodshed on the3,200-km border is reaching financial markets. The banking group HSBC said "staggering" levels of violence could raise questions about Mexicos stability in the runup to next years presidential election. Fox is constitutionally barred from running for re-election. His approval rating has taken a hit, dropping three points to 56 percent in a poll in May, with many Mexicans complaining of safety fears, particularly in the north. Fox has pledged a "mother of all battles" against the drug traffickers he says are openly challenging the government. "We have taken on the challenge and we will do battle against all the cartels criminals and against organized crime," Fox said in a speech on Friday. He sent hundreds of troops and federal agents to the states of Tamaulipas, Sinaloa and Baja California last week after suspected drug hit men killed the public security chief in Nuevo Laredo, south of Laredo, Texas. Despite the move, drug gangs shot and killed at least 11 people across the three states during the week, prompting analysts to declare the operation, dubbed "Secure Mexico," a failure. "It wont do anything to stop drug trafficking as its just for international consumption," said Arturo Sols of the Reynosa-based Centre for Frontier Studies and Human Rights. With little over a year left until Mexicos next election, Chabat said Fox had played his last card in the drug war. "Given the levels of corruption in Mexico, there is nothing more he can do." (Reuters) From graded texts to conscious readers By Carolina Curtolo FOR THE HERALD The use of simplified, abridged stories in our teaching practice is widespread. Most of these books are reductions in which the content of the original text is significantly altered to match a certain vocabulary range with the purpose of providing students of English with a graded approach to literature. It is a fact that students read them for years and they are among the requirements of syllabi and international exams. What is more, many times, these readers end up being the only literary texts many students who finish their studies in English have ever read. In a bid to comply with exam requirements or syllabi, we teachers seem to turn a blind eye to students tastes or interests when using these materials and lose sight of the fact that graded readers are stepping stones for the reading of complete and unabridged books and for the development of critical reading skills. What I would like to offer in this article are some suggestions for the conscious use of such graded readers that would pave the way for the reading of non-graded ones: l Awareness: for a start, I think students should know that they are reading a simplified version of a book. They should also know a little about the author of the original text, his/her other works and, if possible, explore the original text itself. l Give student-readers a choice: why read just what exam requirements or syllabi demand? If you want conscious and critical readers capable of making their own decisions, allow students of any level to decide on what to read and face the problems those choices might entail. To do so, you could devote a class to giving students the chance of being in contact with those graded books and to designing a reading programme for the whole class or for different groups. In fact, not all students should be reading the same text. That reading programme could have a clear backbone, for example, a focus on a certain genre, e.g. detective stories. l Activities: we want our students to become involved in what they read so answering the questions graded readers propose at the end will not make the experience joyful. Give room for the exchange of ideas about the books on a regular basis and for creative writing activities related to them. l Difficulty: to achieve our goal, that is, to get students to read complete and unabridged texts on a regular basis, there should be a gradual increase in the difficulty of the texts chosen. I think we should make certain that by the time our students reach an upper intermediate level, they are able to read non-graded works of fiction. I believe that working with graded texts in this way can pave the way for a conscious and constant reading practice. How do you work with graded books? Is there any activity you would like to share? What are the problems you face when teaching literary texts? Let us know at Carolina Curtolo is a J.V.G. graduate, Assistant Lecturer in Contemporary English Literature at J.V.G. and a student of Literature at U.B.A.. Furnished Apartments Short and long term rentals. Great locations. No commissions. Galicia: exiles call shots MADRID Manuel Fraga, the last political survivor of Francisco Francos dictatorship, was on the brink of losing power yesterday after 16 years as premier of Spains Galicia region, but emigrant votes could enable him to cling on. With all domestic votes counted, the 82-year-old Fragas Popular Party was on course to win 37 seats in the 75-seat regional Parliament while the Socialists would have 25 seats and the Galician Nationalists (BNG) 13. That would allow the Socialists and BNG to form a governing coalition, as they suggested they would do during the campaign. Galicia is a traditional stronghold of the centre-right opposition PP. Losing control of the regions Parliament would be a serious blow to the party which lost a general election last year and shed seats in Basque elections in April. However, the final result may depend on the votes of Galician emigrants, who left the poor rural region to seek a better life abroad, mostly in Argentina and Uruguay. They account for 305,000 of the total 2.6 million registered voters and traditionally a majority of them favour the PP. It will take up to eight days to count their votes. "Galicia has voted for change, and change has won the elections in votes and in seats," Jos Blanco, Socialist Party coordinator, told reporters. But Fraga said it was too early to call. "We have... 37 seats and could well reach 38," a frail-looking Fraga said. "They have called me from Uruguay, they have called me from Venezuela, they all assure me that what has come from there could be 70 percent in our favour." Aware of the importance of the emigrants vote, Fraga came to South America during the campaign to seek their support. Fraga, who served as a minister under Francos nationalist dictatorship, was sharply criticized in 2002 for his handling of a massive oil spill from the tanker Prestige which wrecked the regions shellfish industry. The PP lost a general election in March 2004 three days after Islamic militants killed 191 people in the Madrid train bombings. Fraga founded the party after Franco died in 1975, and its current leader Mariano Rajoy, who played a major role in the campaign, comes from the region. Fragas possible defeat, in a rain-drenched region famous for shellfish and drug smuggling, comes after a campaign peppered with gaffes and controversy. He surprised some by saying he had never worn a condom and never would, and angered feminists by saying the main role of women was to be mothers. His age raised doubts about his ability to rule last year when he passed out in Parliament during a televised session. Fraga served as interior minister and information and tourism minister during Francos rule. (Reuters) Giscard weighs in for UK Giscard dEstaing said there was next to nothing in funding for major scientific projects and communications projects and that too much of the EU budget was devoted to the EUs Common Agricultural Policy as Britain contends. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said he would consider renegotiating the so-called British rebate worth about 5.5 billion dollars annually, if the EU reduces its old farming subsidies of which France is the major beneficiary and accepts economic reform. Giscard added, I wont participate in an anti-British campaign. (AP) Guide to Buenos Aires The Buenos Aires Herald has published the 5th edition of the traditional Buenos Aires Tourism Guide in English. A guide especially designed for tourists, foreigners, expats and newcomers. Written by local people who know and love BA. What to visit?, Where to eat?, What to buy? Find them in a 272 colour-page guide. Read all kind of answers to curiosities, history, details, hints, tips and everything tourists, foreigners, expats and newcomers need. The different porteo circuits: Avenida de Mayo, La Boca, San Telmo, Retiro, Banking district, Puerto Madero, Recoleta, Palermo, Belgrano, Abasto and Beyond Downtown. Cultural circuit: Around museums and art galleries, and Jorge Luis Borges tour. Shopping centres, hotels, restaurants and bars. Tango shows and tango academies. Also, the unforgettable BA at night, its architecture, people, secrets and history. An indispensable tool. Everything you need to know about porteos life! $ 25 Capital and Greater BA (postage included) Interior add $ 5. Other countries; U$S 18 (postage included) Harmison leads England over Aussies CRICKET One-day International BRISTOL Englands Steve Harmison took a career-best five-wicket haul and Kevin Pietersen blasted 91 not out as Australia crashed to a second consecutive triangular series one-day defeat yesterday. The world champions, whose reverse against Bangladesh in their opening match on Saturday was one of the greatest upsets in cricket history, produced a much-improved display but lost out by three wickets as Pietersens extraordinary knock sealed the win with 15 balls to spare. The South-African born Pietersen hammered his runs off 65 balls, including eight fours and four sixes. His last 52 runs came off 23 deliveries. Harmison seemed to have set up victory with five for 33 as Australia were restricted to 252 for nine after opting to bat at Bristols County Ground but Glenn McGrath led the fightback, taking two early wickets and strangling the England top-order. England needed seven an over off the last 15 to win and 76 runs off the last 10 as the wickets continued to tumble but Pietersen, in his first one-day innings against the world champions, and Vikram Solanki rattled through several gears to put on 54 for the seventh wicket in just five overs. Pietersen, who came into the game with an average of 139.5 after hitting three one-day centuries against South Africa, nearly departed for 34. A Ricky Ponting shy at one stump tipped off a bail but Pietersen just made his ground. He responded with a front-foot six off Michael Kasprowicz over square leg as 18 runs came off the 41st over. He then brought up his 50 with a leg-side six off wrist spinner Brad Hogg and crashed seamer Shane Watson over extra cover, the two exchanging a mouthful of abuse. England suddenly looked favourites until Adam Gilchrist got rid of Solanki, meaning 23 were needed off the last five overs with only tailenders to come. But Pietersen did not hang around, blasting Gillespie for a straight four, then hammering him over long on next ball as 17 runs came off the over to make sure of victory. It was Australias fourth defeat in a week in all forms of cricket. England won the last one-dayer between the sides but had lost the previous 14. Herald Learner Booklets in BA schools Buenos Aires mayor Anbal Ibarra, US Ambassador Lino Gutirrez, Buenos Aires Secretary of Education Roxana Perazza and Buenos Aires Herald President Gabriel Mysler presented students of a public bilingual school with 16,000 copies of 5 titles of the Herald Learner Booklets. The supplements were developed by the Education department of the Herald, which has been producing classroom materials for young language learners since 2003. the authorities of the Escuelas plurilinges programme of the Buenos Aires city government, which comprises 26 public schools in which students have intensive language training from specially trained teachers, selected the titles from the Booklets collection which suited their classrooms best. A subsidy from the US Embassy provided the funds to supply the schools with a year's worth of material. The ceremony to launch the project took place on May 11 at school number 11, in San Cristbal. Ibarra, Gutirrez, Mysler and Perazza applauded the initiative in their speeches and celebrated this cooperative effort to provide children with better tools for their education. While Mysler emphasized the importance of learning and knowledge for the future of students and the nation, Ambassador Gutierrez had a conversation in English with the students, quizzing them on their language skills. Ibarra and Perazza highlighted the importance of the Escuelas plurilinges programme, and how it is a model which other Latin American cities are trying to emulate. This is not the first time the Herald coordinates efforts to provide public school students with quality educational materials. Last year, with the cooperation of Audi Argentina, 70,000 copies of a supplement on road safety were delivered to all 4 and 5th graders. Also last year, together with Ford Motors Argentina, the Herald produced San Martn: a man, a sword and ethic, the first educational material in English on the life of national hero Jos de San Martn. Hip-hop finds a home in Mexico By JEREMY SCHWARTZ Cox News Service MONTERREY Its 100 degrees outside and even hotter in the hip-hop club, where hundreds of kids in their San Antonio Spurs jerseys and fuzzy Kangol hats nod their heads listlessly to the music. That all changes when the Gamberroz take the stage. The crowd surges forward and the whole room seems to throb with the presence of the five MCs, local heroes from a barrio on the outskirts of Monterrey. Everyone knows the songs and raps the lyrics right back along to the backbreaking beats coming from the oversized speakers. The crowd is a sweating mess by the time the Gamberroz are done with them, and even the too-cool-for-school kids are screaming Otra! (encore) In an age when bling-bling and R&B-inflected rap fill the US airwaves, a grittier and in some ways more traditional form of hip-hop has taken up residence south of the border. Throughout Mexico, a homegrown rap scene has quietly emerged in the past decade, characterized by a hard-edged, underground spirit that stems in part from the fact that hardly anyone is making any real money from it. The reality of the MC in Mexico is a hard one, said music journalist Ricardo Bravo, who has started an independent rap record label that has put out several compilations of Mexican rap. They travel on the (subway) and theyre happy because 40 or 50 people see them and applaud. Because rap isnt really a source of income, the only ones that do it are the ones that love it. When I first heard rap, I didnt understand it, said Luis Bautista, who goes by the name Boz when he performs with the Gamberroz. But I understood the feeling I got from it, I identified with it. Rap is a complete world. . . . Its an art. By some estimates, dozens or even hundreds of hip-hop crews are plying their trade just in Monterrey, which has become a kind of mecca for rap in Mexico and is just two hours from Texas and the US. Theres a lot of influence from the other side, said Monterrey rapper Jos Ramn Vsquez, who goes by the name Diablo. Everyone has relatives or friends who have moved there to work, and they bring back a lot of music. Monterrey rappers sell their homemade compact discs in the streets and at local pirate markets, which stock rap the way markets in other regions sell corridos and cumbia music. Hundreds or thousands of fans pack tardeadas, traditional Sunday afternoon shows that often feature break dancing crews and graffiti artists. The music chronicles life in the gritty, industrial giant that is Monterrey, where hulking factories power Mexicos northern economy. It may be Mexicos richest city its certainly among the most expensive but its also home to rough and tumble barrios creeping up the sides of the citys dramatic mountains. In recent months it has been touched by the escalation of the decades-long narcotrafficking war along the border. Rap gained a foothold in pockets of Mexico by the mid-1990s. The seminal group Control Machete blew the doors open in Monterrey with its 1997 release Mucho Barato, a classic that sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide. The hit affected Monterrey musicians of all sorts. It was like the cork popped, said Ricardo Haas, executive producer of Control Machetes first two albums. Rock, punk and alternative acts like Plastilina Mosh, El Gran Silencio, Jumbo, Genitallica and Kinky flooded out of the city and found audiences north of the border. For a time, some considered Monterrey the hottest music city on the continent. In 2001, another star rose on the Monterrey rap scene when the major label BMG signed Babo, described by his management group as a former drug dealer and pimp. MC Babo started his musical career as an 8-year-old singing for pesos with a buddy on the city buses of Santa Catarina, a hardscrabble industrial suburb west of Monterrey. I was always a member of a gang, he says. When rap came, I saw how they dressed, the few words I could understand, and it was like my style the life in the street. He formed Cartel de Santa, a nod to his hometown. The group began as a rap-rock outfit before turning to pure rap. Soon Babo found himself in Los Angeles recording an album with famed producer Jason Roberts, who had worked with US Latino-tinged groups Cypress Hill and Funkdoobiest and produced Control Machetes albums. The first Cartel de Santa album got mixed reviews. But with the money, the group built a studio in Santa Catarina, and recorded a second album with the help of a copied beat-making software that Babo brought back from Los Angeles. Volume II found almost immediate success, garnering three MTV Latin America music award nominations and cracking Mexicos version of Total Request Live. Its due for US release in December. Despite its success, Cartel de Santa still scrapes by. The quartet has sold more than 100,000 discs, considered a commercial success in bootlegging-plagued Mexico but not enough to make anyone rich. Touring, which can provide the biggest payday, has yet to do so, in part because some large concert promoters are wary of booking rap acts. The group has played at Austins past two South by Southwest festivals and hopes for more US appearances. But Babo says visa problems have made that difficult. Cartel de Santa sells mix tapes on the street to supplement its income, and some members spend nights in their sparsely furnished studio. While his rap counterparts in the US drive Bentleys and Benzes, Babo tools around town in a Honda Civic. The group does own a Cadillac Escalade a 24-inch remote-control version that they keep on top of the refrigerator and bring out for laughs. We have a top 10 (hit) and look at how we live, Babo said. Though riches and fame elude the legions of rappers and DJs playing in bodegas in Mexico City or tiny clubs in Merida, many groups take pride in their underground status. I think thats why theres more purity, said Bravo, the music journalist. They are dedicating themselves to this hard road. Except for Control Machete and Cartel de Santa, major record labels have shied away from Mexican hip-hop acts despite the abundance of talent, a trend exasperated by the financial crisis hitting the industry because of rampant bootlegging. Some important groups, like Mexico Citys Sociedad Cafe and Monterreys Lingo Squad, have scored independent record deals. Others, like the Durango collective G Locos, have taken their music directly to the people with a full-service web site. Cartel de Santa members are developing a label, Casa Babilonia, that they hope will be a launching point for a slew of Monterrey-area MCs. Cartel de Santa is trying to do what they think Control Machete should have done back then for the Monterrey rap scene, said Haas, whose management company now represents Cartel de Santa. Theyre trying to renovate the hip-hop scene for Latin America, not just Mexico. But for other underground crews, the lack of industry attention is a blessing. It allows them to focus on the essence of their work making beats, writing rhymes and performing for hard-core fans. We like the independence, said Boz of the Gamberroz, still sweating after his groups Monterrey show. The people make us. The day the people dont like us, well retire. Hip-hop thrown into the mainstream By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY NEW YORK The Black Eyed Peas spent years languishing in hip-hops underground before they found the formula to vault them into the mainstream accessible pop melodies, star collaborations, marketing tie-ins and a sexy young thing to belt out catchy choruses. That mix made their 2003 album Elephunk their big breakthrough. Their first two albums failed to sell 500,000 copies combined. But Elephunk which featured the Grammy-nominated anthems Where Is The Love with Justin Timberlake and Lets Get It Started, which became the National Basketball Associations playoff anthem went multiplatinum and made them and their music ubiquitous. Still, there are plenty of early Peas-heads who remain disgruntled about the groups leap to the pop world. But go ahead and call them sellouts. Lead lyricist will.i.am doesnt mind. Its cool. It makes me feel good because that means they really liked our first record. And then the group breaks out into uproarious laughter. The Black Eyed Peas have plenty to be merry about these days. Coming off a Grammy this year and the success of Elephunk (2.7 million copies sold) the foursome should prove that they arent a flash in the pan with their latest album, Monkey Business. The disc, which again features Timberlake, along with the Godfather of Soul James Brown, sold 291,000 copies in its first week of release, according to figures released last Wednesday. And the funky first single from the album, Dont Phunk With My Heart, is already a Billboard top 10 hit. Amy Doyle, MTVs vice president of music and talent programming, says the key to the Black Eyed Peas success is their ability to straddle a wide audience... their music is not polarizing. Its really all about the catchy songs that they write that get stuck inside everybodys head as well as a real vibrant live performance, she added. And they always deliver really good videos too. The Los Angeles-based group, which initially started out years ago as the trio of will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo, first came onto the scene as an effervescent band that melded eclectic hip-hop beats with lyrics that were sometimes socially relevant, sometimes irreverent, but definitely apart from the sex and violence that permeates much of rap and hip-hop. Critics loved it, and they had a strong following. When I go back then, and I think about our careers, I think we were pretty successful, says will.i.am, the most talkative member of the group, as they sit backstage, waiting for perform at an MTV event. It was just a different level of success. We werent waiting, like DUDE, I CANT WAIT TILL WE GO FIVE TIMES PLATINUM!!! It was more like Damn, I cant wait to buy a house. Thats what we were waiting for. But they had to wait awhile. Their debut CD, 1998s Back To Front had modest success. But the weak response to the follow-up, Bridging the Gap, left them feeling particularly defeated, and they fell into destructive habits. Me and Tab were going out drinking every night, says will.i.am. Eventually, the band decided to put all their focus into Elephunk, which they saw as potentially their last album. Though not everyone was quite as willing to straighten up. He got mad at us because we took him to rehab, will.i.am says of Taboo, as they all start to laugh. Because they told me they would take me shopping! Taboo cries out to the laughter of the group again. Besides getting themselves together, they also decided to tinker with their sound. A previous female vocalist they used on tracks had left, so they found Fergie a former member of Wild Orchid, which had modest success in the 90s. Joining three guys who had been together for years wasnt easy for Fergie. It was like a gradual progression for me on stage, because they had been together for years. Im coming onto the stage, not really knowing where I fit in. So I kind of had to sit back and watch and find my niche in the band, she says. I think Fergie rounded out the package, says Doyle. They were always a very talented group but when they added Fergie they added another dimension. And then their songwriting definitely got better over time. They were able to capture the lighter side of a hip-hop audience as well as bridge the gap between hip-hop and pop with a very unique sound. But some critics saw it as a blatant attempt to cross over. Given that their music has always been more palatable to club lounges than the gritty streets, it added even more fodder to those who considered the group watered-down hip-hop. Those criticisms irritate will.i.am a little but just a little. Whats hip-hop? he asks, adding: If hip-hop is Shoot the (expletive), smack the (expletive)... snort the coke, sell the coke, run from the (police) then no, were not. Thats not us. Houseinbuenosaires Fully equipped apartments. Maid service. Belgrano, Palermo, Recoleta, Downtown. (54-11) 4777-4986, 6775-8921. How Haitis future may depend on a starving prisoner The former senator and radio talk show host has been jailed for a year without charges under a new government installed by the United States and is slowly starving himself to death in a minimum-security prison cell. Last year, Haiti's new government arrested Neptune, 58, accusing him as the mastermind of a massacre in a small northern town, St.-Marc. Prime Minister Gerard Latortue argued that justice was the best way to heal Haiti's wounds, and promoted the case as proof that no one, no matter how powerful, could stand above the law. But as the anniversary of Neptune's arrest approaches, his continued detention has become an embarrassment to the Bush administration and a symbol of the failures of what was supposed to be Haiti's transition to a fully functioning democracy. From prison, the former prime minister has denounced his case as a "political witch hunt" aimed at seeking vengeance, not justice, against those who supported Aristide. In February he started a series of hunger strikes to demand that the government try him or set him free. When a visitor went to the two-story house where Neptune was being held, the former prime minister could not lift his bony body off a foam mattress on the floor of his cell. He was wearing striped boxer shorts and listening to music on a Walkman. His most striking feature was the lines of his rib cage. "I feel weak," he said barely above a whisper. "Some days I feel weaker than others. But it was my choice to go on hunger strike." The hunger strikes have sent Neptune twice to the hospital in critical condition and brought expressions of concern, even outrage, about the injustices that continue to plague Haiti's justice system. Only about 20 of the more than 1,000 prisoners at the federal penitentiary have been convicted of crimes; many have spent years awaiting trial. But Jocelyn McCalla, executive director of the National Coalition for Haitian Rights in New York, said much more is at stake than Haiti's justice system. Rather than a political achievement for Haiti's interim government, he said, it has become a serious liability less than four months from the start of important national elections. And rather than uniting this violently polarized society, McCalla said, the case against Neptune has seemed only to keep old political hostilities festering, raising questions about the crimes of the past government, and about the legitimacy of the current one. "The Neptune case has raised hard questions about the legitimacy of the United States' intervention in Haiti," McCalla said. "The intervention was based on the premise that the United States was ousting a criminal despot, namely President Aristide, who had used his powers to subvert democracy, and that the interim government was going to establish rule of law. That has not happened." It is not easy to tell exactly what happened in St.-Marc. Estimates of the dead range from five to 50. But according to rights investigators and reports by the Haitian press, the violence had its roots in the upheaval that ousted President Aristide. That rebellion began in early February 2004 in Gonaives, when a rag-tag group of former soldiers attacked police stations and forced officers to abandon their posts. Word spread rapidly to St.-Marc, where Aristide opponents who called themselves Ramicos attacked the police station and set up barricades. Neptune arrived there in the presidential helicopter on Feb. 9. Witnesses said he toured the city, summoned police officers back to their stations and vowed in an angry speech that the government would not surrender. "What we are doing is to make sure that peace is re-established," he was quoted as saying in a Haitian newspaper account. "We are encouraging the police to get together with the population so that the cycle of violence can cease. We ask all the population that wants peace to mobilize against the spiraling violence." In hindsight, some today see those words as giving the police a license to kill. Others see them as a beleaguered prime minister's striving to give confidence to his constituents. Two days later, witnesses said, the presidential helicopter returned and circled over the city. Police officers accompanied by pro-Aristide gunmen called Bale Wouze (the Creole phrase describes a cleansing ritual) broke through the barricades around a Ramicos stronghold, setting buildings on fire and throwing people inside to burn alive. No one claims to have seen Neptune. In fact, several days passed before anyone dared to enter the area to search for survivors. Terry Snow, a missionary from Tyler, Texas, who has worked in Haiti since 1986, recalled that the streets were littered with bodies. He was too scared to take photos of them, he said, but he recalled seeing at least seven in one house and three heads in an outhouse. Others told him there were bodies on the hillside, being eaten by hungry pigs and dogs. "By the time the police started looking for the bodies," he said, "they weren't there anymore." By then, neither was Aristide. The growing instability in Haiti brought immense pressure by the United States, and Aristide fled the country for exile in Africa. Neptune, however, refused to flee, and cooperated with the United States by handing over power to Latortue, whose government repaid the favor with a warrant for Neptune's arrest. Three weeks ago, the emaciated prisoner was carried on a stretcher to his first court hearing in St.-Marc and testified for several hours, the latest sign that the interim government had begun to buckle under mounting pressure and was seeking a way to expedite the Neptune case. Months earlier, the government offered to fly Neptune for emergency medical treatment to the Dominican Republic, but Neptune refuses to leave Haiti until his name is cleared of wrongdoing. (On Tuesday, Justice Minister Bernard Gousse resigned, a move that may clear a final obstacle to Neptune's release.) The Haitian government blocked numerous attempts by two reporters from The New York Times to visit Neptune. Last Thursday, a reporter based in Haiti who works for The Times posed as a family friend and was allowed to visit him for seven minutes. He was rail thin and could barely speak above a whisper. Still he was clean and well groomed, his hair combed, his fingernails filed and his signature goatee clipped in a neat line around his jaw. He did not know for sure whether he was going to be released soon, he said. But if he was, he said, he would go to the United States for a while to recover with his wife and daughter. Still, he said he would not leave Haiti for long. "I will be back," he said. "I made the decision that I am never going to live in exile. I am going to stay here. I think I can be a lot more useful in Haiti than in the United States. "Haiti needs me more." How to teach Spanish: the keys to success By Gonzalo J. Camp FOR THE HERALD When I was first offered to teach Spanish as a second language, the first thing that came to my mind was: Am I ready for it? I started reviewing my skills as a foreign language teacher and realized I had many of the most important skills: patience, accountability and the know-how to keep my students motivated. I am also a native speaker of the language. However, I wondered if this was enough. The answer was No. Spanish is a very complex language even for us native speakers, so imagine the challenge it presents to someone who just knows how to say Buen da. Consequently, my first step was to start collecting material on Spanish grammar. My God! I was flabbergasted when I realized the way we Argentines misuse the language. What also struck me was how little I knew about Spanish grammar and its bizarre linguistic twists myself. I felt awful: I knew so much about English grammar and almost nothing about Spanish! But that did not stop me. I kept on researching and training so as to heighten my awareness of my own language. Collecting information on the Spanish language was just the beginning. The material available to teach Spanish both at bookstores and online is not up to standard. I had to struggle to finally gather materials that could prove useful, but all was in vain. Either the books and e-books were written in Castillian/Peninsular Spanish (which I had decided to discard because of their inadequacy in Argentina) or were not carefully graded. It was then that I decided to create my own teaching material. Along with my colleagues, we came up with a series of practical ideas that helped us to implement our knowledge as English teachers in Spanish lessons. l Use of realia: Realia is a key word when teaching languages. Here in Argentina we really have it at hand. Everything we hear or see around us can be used as class material. You just walk out into the street and can easily find shops everywhere with leaflets advertising their own products. This is valuable material to be used in class. Other items of realia: street signs, posters, ads, TV programmes (remember to take into account motivation and student type) l Grading and adapting material: Even if the material feels awkward or inappropriate, we can always get something from it. Continues on page 5 Continued from page 2 How many times have we had to use a course book we did not agree with (because of its layout or lack of one of the 4 skills, etc) but could manage to adapt it to the level of a certain group of students? Learn to be flexible enough to shape material into your students needs. l Training: I believe this is the key to success. Nobody is a born teacher. Some may have the makings that can help them become one but continuous training and research are the best ways to keep things moving. Some people think that being a native speaker of the language is enough to teach Spanish. Not even! Now, this is just the beginning. We are going to get even deeper into teaching Spanish. I would like to encourage you to go over your teaching performance. There is always room for change and improvement. Think about what you are tired of, what kind of student you consider difficult to deal with, etc. Send me your questions about teaching Spanish, and I will try to offer possible solutions to your dilemmas. Every issue we will tackle different options to improve lessons and suggest material to be used in class (internet links, books, etc.) Hybrid flowers: she smells me, she smells me not NEW YORK Cleopatra welcomed Mark Antony in a room knee-deep with rose petals. Shakespeare wrote about the Eglantine rose with apple-scented leaves. Victorian women sniffed their violets and nosegays to mask the odors of the street. Scent may be the most heady garden element of all, but many of our best-loved flowers have lost their fragrance over the last half-century as hybridizers pursued traits like brighter colours, bigger flowers, compact growth or long stems for cutting. Take a whiff of some hybrid red roses, for example, and youll smell well, almost nothing: an olfactory blank. In cut flower breeding today, the concentration is still on shippability and vase life, and these new flowers have all the romance of an artichoke, said Tom Carruth, research director of Weeks Roses, a wholesale grower based in Upland, Calif. But as the gardening community grows more sophisticated, and therefore more appreciative of the sensual and the subtle, smell the final frontier of the senses is returning to garden fashion. More nursery catalogs have begun to include lists of fragrant plants on equal footing with categories like hardy vines and ground covers, and breeders are starting to take notice. In the fall Weeks Roses will introduce a rose named after Julia Child (it has a licorice candy smell) and a purple and lavender rose called Wild Blue Yonder, which has a strong spicy fragrance. Child, who died in August, picked her namesake from a sampling of new hybrids. In addition, the company says old-fashioned varieties that never lost their scent, like Sombreuil, a white climber from the late 19th century, are enjoying a resurgence. People go for the colour first, Carruth said by way of explanation. Then 99.44 percent of the time, its to the nose. Im surprised by how many fragrant flowers are still not promoted, and by how many old or overlooked varieties have yet to make a well-deserved comeback, including native azaleas, bearded iris, clethra and the old-fashioned mock orange. Fragrance seems to be what gardeners want to talk about this season. Last week the Parrish Art Museum, in Southampton, NY, will convene a two-day event on scent and the garden, with talks by Stephen Lacey, a British garden columnist and author of Scent in Your Garden (Frances Lincoln, 1991), and Robin Clery, a so-called perfume hunter, who captures botanical fragrances for perfume and other products on tropical expeditions. Out here the mentality is, if its bigger, its better, said Perry Guillot, a landscape architect based in Southampton who helped stage the event. Fragrance brings gardeners back to simple earthly delights. Its not just about who can buy the biggest tree. Fragrance is so much subtler. It can be a freshly mowed lawn or a honeysuckle that grew in from a neighbours fence. By most accounts, humans can detect only five flavours: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and a fifth flavour, derived from the amino acid glutamate and known to the Japanese as umami. But we can discern some 10,000 distinct smells. Without smell, flavours would be barely detectable. Remember holding your nose when you took medicine as a child? Scents may be plentiful, but they are hard to analyze, and even harder to describe. That may account for why smell is often an afterthought in plant descriptions and garden plans. Scent is invisible, but its placement is crucial. I wouldnt make a planting themed on fragrance, for example, as I would for spring colour or dwarf evergreens. I prefer to sprinkle the smells like punctuation. The lily is an exclamation point; the scent of Carolina sweetshrub floats on the evening air like a question mark: Whats that smell? Unfortunately, its not always easy to find those punctuation marks. After World War II, scent was bred out of roses, for example, as hybridizers worked toward new colours, long stems and durability. Since thick leathery petals do not readily disintegrate, their molecules do not waft into the air. Instead, they remain imbedded and undetectable until the blossom begins to rot. In her book A Natural History of Senses, (Random House, 1990), Diane Ackerman surmises that scent seems to be a recessive trait in roses, and two deeply fragrant parents may produce a petal-perfect but smell-less offspring. Anticipating the demand for fragrance, David Austin, an English rose breeder, years ago began to cross the hybrid tea roses, desirable for their colours and long periods of bloom, with antique shrub roses, which are known for their fragrance. The company established an office in Texas six years ago. As a result, the roses are available throughout the United States, and they are enormously popular. Of course, flower fragrance, like colour, did not evolve for our delight alone; they are sex ploys to attract pollinators in search of nectar. If you smell a petunia during the day, it may have a bit of scent, but at night it releases a rich, heady, lily-and-clove aroma. Thousands of flowers are pollinated by nocturnal insects and therefore do not release their perfumes until their animal allies are active. Evening-scented blossoms are often white, luminous in the fading light of dusk just as the moths begin their rounds. Many of these flowers have tubular or trumpet shapes that evolved along with moths long proboscises. (NY Times) Hybrid flowers: she smells me, she smells me not NEW YORK Cleopatra welcomed Mark Antony in a room knee-deep with rose petals. Shakespeare wrote about the Eglantine rose with apple-scented leaves. Victorian women sniffed their violets and nosegays to mask the odors of the street. Scent may be the most heady garden element of all, but many of our best-loved flowers have lost their fragrance over the last half-century as hybridizers pursued traits like brighter colours, bigger flowers, compact growth or long stems for cutting. Take a whiff of some hybrid red roses, for example, and youll smell well, almost nothing: an olfactory blank. In cut flower breeding today, the concentration is still on shippability and vase life, and these new flowers have all the romance of an artichoke, said Tom Carruth, research director of Weeks Roses, a wholesale grower based in Upland, Calif. But as the gardening community grows more sophisticated, and therefore more appreciative of the sensual and the subtle, smell the final frontier of the senses is returning to garden fashion. More nursery catalogs have begun to include lists of fragrant plants on equal footing with categories like hardy vines and ground covers, and breeders are starting to take notice. In the fall Weeks Roses will introduce a rose named after Julia Child (it has a licorice candy smell) and a purple and lavender rose called Wild Blue Yonder, which has a strong spicy fragrance. Child, who died in August, picked her namesake from a sampling of new hybrids. In addition, the company says old-fashioned varieties that never lost their scent, like Sombreuil, a white climber from the late 19th century, are enjoying a resurgence. People go for the colour first, Carruth said by way of explanation. Then 99.44 percent of the time, its to the nose. Im surprised by how many fragrant flowers are still not promoted, and by how many old or overlooked varieties have yet to make a well-deserved comeback, including native azaleas, bearded iris, clethra and the old-fashioned mock orange. Fragrance seems to be what gardeners want to talk about this season. Last week the Parrish Art Museum, in Southampton, NY, will convene a two-day event on scent and the garden, with talks by Stephen Lacey, a British garden columnist and author of Scent in Your Garden (Frances Lincoln, 1991), and Robin Clery, a so-called perfume hunter, who captures botanical fragrances for perfume and other products on tropical expeditions. Out here the mentality is, if its bigger, its better, said Perry Guillot, a landscape architect based in Southampton who helped stage the event. Fragrance brings gardeners back to simple earthly delights. Its not just about who can buy the biggest tree. Fragrance is so much subtler. It can be a freshly mowed lawn or a honeysuckle that grew in from a neighbours fence. By most accounts, humans can detect only five flavours: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and a fifth flavour, derived from the amino acid glutamate and known to the Japanese as umami. But we can discern some 10,000 distinct smells. Without smell, flavours would be barely detectable. Remember holding your nose when you took medicine as a child? Scents may be plentiful, but they are hard to analyze, and even harder to describe. That may account for why smell is often an afterthought in plant descriptions and garden plans. Scent is invisible, but its placement is crucial. I wouldnt make a planting themed on fragrance, for example, as I would for spring colour or dwarf evergreens. I prefer to sprinkle the smells like punctuation. The lily is an exclamation point; the scent of Carolina sweetshrub floats on the evening air like a question mark: Whats that smell? Unfortunately, its not always easy to find those punctuation marks. After World War II, scent was bred out of roses, for example, as hybridizers worked toward new colours, long stems and durability. Since thick leathery petals do not readily disintegrate, their molecules do not waft into the air. Instead, they remain imbedded and undetectable until the blossom begins to rot. In her book A Natural History of Senses, (Random House, 1990), Diane Ackerman surmises that scent seems to be a recessive trait in roses, and two deeply fragrant parents may produce a petal-perfect but smell-less offspring. Anticipating the demand for fragrance, David Austin, an English rose breeder, years ago began to cross the hybrid tea roses, desirable for their colours and long periods of bloom, with antique shrub roses, which are known for their fragrance. The company established an office in Texas six years ago. As a result, the roses are available throughout the United States, and they are enormously popular. Of course, flower fragrance, like colour, did not evolve for our delight alone; they are sex ploys to attract pollinators in search of nectar. If you smell a petunia during the day, it may have a bit of scent, but at night it releases a rich, heady, lily-and-clove aroma. Thousands of flowers are pollinated by nocturnal insects and therefore do not release their perfumes until their animal allies are active. Evening-scented blossoms are often white, luminous in the fading light of dusk just as the moths begin their rounds. Many of these flowers have tubular or trumpet shapes that evolved along with moths long proboscises. (NY Times) I want my hyphenated-identity MTV: a new global frontier Taufiq summed herself up: R&B artist who is bilingual in English and Hindi; news reader for a local ethnic channel on which she conducts phone-in quizzes on Bollywood trivia; frequenter of the late-night desi party scene who thinks that arranged marriages are not such a bad idea; and, well, chemical engineer now working in software development at Hewlett-Packard. Azhar Usman, 29, with his knitted skullcap and full beard, presented somewhat differently. An MTV executive, he explained, had recruited him, saying: "We're going to redefine the identity of the MTV host. It doesn't have to be someone sexy and good-looking." A comedian (and lawyer) from Chicago, Usman used the audition to invent an exaggeratedly accented (and quite amusing) character: Vijay the VJ. Most of the applicants thanked MTV for thinking of them as a demographic ready for a music-video channel all its own. "It's so nice to be recognized," said Tara Austin, a Sri Lankan-American from Los Angeles. "I am just an American girl at the end of the day, but I have a strong South Asian background. I eat with my hands, you know? We're, like, so hungry for hearing our own culture." That's what MTV World is counting on as it introduces three new channels focusing on the growing population of young, acculturated Asian-Americans: first, MTV Desi, which will go on the air in late July; then MTV Chi, for Chinese-Americans, by the end of the year; and MTV K for Korean-Americans next year. The channels will not be merely tweaked reproductions of MTV India, MTV China or MTV Korea, three of MTV's 42 channels abroad. Rather, they will, like their target audiences, be hybrids, blending here and there and grappling with identity issues, mostly in English. MTV Desi will serve as the prototype. Interspersed among Bollywood videos, electronic tabla music and English-Gujarati hip-hop, it will feature brief documentary clips profiling desis, comic skits about South Asian-American generational conflicts, interviews with bicultural artists and desi house parties, live. MTV Chi will mix up Mandarin rock, Canto pop and Chinese-American rap; MTV K will tap into South Korean hip-hop and the little-known but vibrant Korean-American pop scene. MTV Desi will start on satellite nationally and then move to digital cable systems in various parts of the country. MTV World's premise for these new channels was commonsensical: that young bicultural Americans have tastes different from those of youths in their ethnic homelands and therefore need, as it were, a customized MTV. In that premise lay a confluence of academic and commercial thinking. For at least a decade, academics have explored the idea that many immigrants possess "transnational" identities. That is, aided by jet travel, technology and global commerce, they - and their children - maintain vital, current links to homelands that are never really left behind. There has been a fervent debate in intellectual circles about the "cultural space" inhabited by the children of recent immigrants and to what extent its very "hybridity" makes it a place of its own. MTV's exploration was less theoretical: market research through house parties and minigroups involving Asian-Americans in New York and Los Angeles. MTV concluded that second-generation immigrants not only desire their own age-appropriate connection to their parents' homeland but that they also passionately want to see their struggle to define themselves as hyphenated Americans mirrored on television. "If you're a young Chinese-American or Indian-American, what channel do you tune into to see yourself, to see artists that reflect your lifestyle?" asked Nusrat Durrani, 44, senior vice president and general manager of MTV World. He has an almost missionary zeal about this project, but then, as a native of Lucknow, India, who now lives in Brooklyn, he has a firsthand view of hybrid life. As he sees it, the Asian-American population, which is booming, is also coming of age. "This country has had the African-American experience, the Hispanic-American experience, and now it is the time for the third-largest group, the Asian-Americans," he said. The Asian-American population grew to 12.3 million in 2004 (or 14 million, when including Asians of mixed race) from 6.9 million in 1990, according to the Census Bureau. The three target audiences for the new MTV channels, especially Indian-Americans, are better educated and more affluent than average Americans, according to the census. The median family income of an Asian Indian in the United States was $70,708 in 1999, compared with $50,046 for all Americans; 64 percent held at least a bachelor's degree, compared with 24 percent for all American families. Still, Durrani said, "The Asian-American experience has not been articulated on the national stage, although there are these incredibly vibrant subcultures, artists from all these communities who are entirely untapped." Enter MTV, ready to give these artists a platform, to "super-serve" the young ethnic populations of the United States and, then, perhaps, to entice young Americans of all backgrounds to tune in and check out a universe, cultural and musical, that they know little about. These channels won't live or die by the size of their crossover audience, said Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom. Initially MTV will be supplementing an investment of what he called "several millions" with some programming from MTV UK, MTV India and other international MTVs. But there is nonetheless the hope that these channels will reach beyond their niche audiences, meaning that MTV, which has long exported American pop culture to the world, is trying to import global pop culture into the United States. When MTV began to establish channels abroad in the late 1980s, critics viewed the expansion as quintessential cultural imperialism that would homogenize youth culture worldwide. Early on, though, MTV learned that it made better business sense to be "glocal" - their motto is "think global, act local" - than to impose a wholly American cultural product. Young people, wherever they were, would watch international acts for only so long before they wanted to see something of their own. So each of MTV's international channels developed local talent and its own personality: MTV Indonesia has a call to prayer, MTV Italy has cooking shows, MTV Brazil is, visually speaking, extremely colorful and, sartorially speaking, quite bare. Still, the MTVs around the world share that distinctive, hyperkinetic MTV footprint, and they are profoundly commercial, and not always profoundly artistic, enterprises. So some second-generation immigrants are leery of MTV's zeroing in on their market potential. One young woman hoping to be a VJ, Niharika Desai, 27, declared during her interview that she had auditioned partly out of curiosity to see "what corporate America thinks of me." Her comment met poker faces from Durrani, who that day wore all black and studded jewelry, and Lem Lopez, a Filipino-American executive producer for MTV World, who wore his long hair in a slipknot atop his head and his floral shirt loose and half unbuttoned. "Not that you're corporate," Desai said to them, pedaling backward. "I know that you're a kinder, gentler version of the Man." Projecting a kind of perky punk aesthetic, Desai wore her hair shaggy, with a streak of blond, her jeans folded up and her Converse sneakers faded. A video editor who grew up in upstate New York, she verbally motored on, trying to make amends, sort of. "My whole thing coming here, it's really cool that there's going to be a desi channel," she said. "I also have some thoughts. Growing up, I became who I am more from influences in Poughkeepsie than from the Indian community. My parents didn't raise me watching Hindi films and what not. So I implore you, please do something more than Bollywood." Actually, she punctuated Bollywood with an expletive, and then again when she clarified: "Don't get me wrong. I love Bollywood. But desi kids in America would so benefit from having a cool influence and learning hip stuff, too, like M.I.A." Desai was referring to Maya Arulpragasam, a Sri Lankan-English performer who goes by the stage name M.I.A. Clearing his throat, Durrani, who seemed to be charmed by Desai's irreverence, said simply: "I want to put you completely at ease. This isn't corporate America. And M.I.A. is so central." M.I.A. is the daughter of a Tamil militant whose family fled the violence in Sri Lanka and eventually settled in a housing project outside London. There, she said in an interview that will be shown on MTV Desi, she started over as refugee "scum," with hand-me-down clothes, in special schools, on the lowest rung of the English social ladder. For her audition, Taufiq was shown a Bollywood music video, an extravagant number from "Happiness and Tears," a huge hit film in 2001. She knew it well, and her head bounced along. When Durrani exclaimed that the leading man, Hrithik Roshan, was a seriously handsome man, Taufiq recoiled somewhat, saying, "But he has six fingers!" Usman viewed the same video, watched it with a progressively widening smile, laughed robustly at the end and said, "Are you finding this ridiculous?" Given several minutes to prepare an introduction to the video for a screen test, Taufiq decided to pretend that she was broadcasting from Jackson Heights, in front of Kebab King, whose quality, she said, could be measured by the long line of yellow taxis in front. Usman decided to go with: "My uncle in India says desi stands for `doctors earn significant incomes.' My relatives in Pakistan say desi means `Don't ever say India.' Here on MTV, desi means South Asian flavor, style and music. Check this new video out. It's going to knock your socks off. You've heard of a big production budget. How about 500 backup dancers? This is like `Grease' meets desi, making it greasy. No, that doesn't sound right." Lopez grinned. "That's absolutely on the money, man," he said, and then Usman broke into broken English as Vijay the VJ. "People think in my country everybody so sad, crying, terrorism," Vijay said. "We not terrorism, we dancing. Not dancing like panties falling down. What is this panties falling down" the buttocks? And so on. In the end, the choice of a starting VJ was difficult. Durrani said that he worried that Taufiq was too much of an Indian-American stereotype (beautiful overachiever) and that Usman would be straitjacketed in a VJ role. Desai had no experience in front of a camera but she was cute, hip and sassy, and this captivated, as she put it, the Man. And so Niharika Desai - a fresh take on Carson Daly, if ever there were one - will be the first face of MTV Desi, the first to introduce this channel to its audiences and then, perhaps, to introduce their vibrant, hyphenated culture to the larger world. Illegal rice found again in Chinas food supply SHANGHAI Genetically altered rice, which is not approved for human consumption anywhere in the world, has been found again in China's food supply, this time in one of the country's biggest cities, the environmental group Greenpeace said on Monday. Researchers for Greenpeace say bags of rice purchased in the southern city of Guangzhou were tested by an independent laboratory and found to contain genetically altered rice, which is illegal to sell on the open market in China. The findings suggest that China may have inadvertently become the first country where people are consuming genetically modified rice, even though safety testing has not yet been completed. Scientists around the world continue to debate the use of genetically altered crops, but there has been little or no evidence that genetically altered crops are harmful to human health. Two months ago, China's ministry of agriculture said it would investigate claims by Greenpeace that genetically altered rice was being illegally planted and sold in the Hubei province of central China. The government's findings have not yet been released. Now, Greenpeace asserts that rice that has been genetically altered to resist pests has spread from experimental plots in Hubei to wholesale rice markets in Guangzhou, which is about 90 miles north of Hong Kong. "This illegal and unapproved rice has spread out of Hubei province and it is reaching other parts of the country," said Sze Pang Cheung, a Greenpeace researcher in Beijing. Sze said that Greenpeace bought the rice from a Guangzhou wholesaler, who buys from Hubei and then resells about 60 tons of rice a day, much of it to Guangzhou restaurants. Last April, Greenpeace said a group of "rogue scientists" in Hubei province had allowed altered rice to illegally seep into a corner of the market by selling it to regular farmers.In the United States, the planting of genetically altered corn and soybeans is widespread. But since the late 1990s, European and American regulators have slowed the approval process over health and safety concerns, as well as consumer fears. (NYT) IMF to review Argentine economy today The International Monetary Fund will start its annual revision of the Argentine economy today. The revision is the step prior to the negotiations set be held between the IMF and Argentina, in which the government of President Nstor Kirchner will seek to refinance 10 billion dollars in payments to the lender due through 2007. The government reportedly takes for granted that, even with the opposition of Japan and Italy, the revision will be approved by the IMF although the fund is expected to drop a line criticizing the lack of structural reforms. England and Canada will probably abstain from voting, government sources said. On the other hand, the US is expected to boost the approval of the Argentine revision, even though it will not speak out on the issue at the IMF board meeting in Washington today. The Argentine Economy Ministry wants to accelerate talks with the IMF so as to sign a new agreement before Octobers midterm congressional elections. There is conflicting reports on whether the administration will seek a short-term agreement only seeking to refinance this years payments which amount to 3.5 billion dollars or a three-year deal through 2007. Some officials in the government are reportedly hoping to postpone the agreement till after the October 23 midterm vote. President Nstor Kirchner considers the elections as a referendum on his administration. Last week, Kirchner said Argentina wished to deepen its process of debt elimination with the IMF and said that the country has made all its due payments in time receiving any new loans. We wont accept any new conditions, the President added. Meanwhile, members of the Funds Western Hemisphere Department, directed by Indian Anoop Singh, have written a report with a revision of Argentinas main economic, monetary and financial variables and also included certain recommendations. The report contains a brief review of the economic and political highlights of the country in the near past, but centres on details relating to fiscal policy, the stability of the financial system and other macroeconomic data. The IMF report requests, as it has done before, a reform of Argentinas financial system, especially through a downsizing of the government-owned bank system and a hike in utility rates. (Herald staff with Tlam) IN AFGHANISTAN KABUL Afghan security forces have arrested three Pakistanis for allegedly planning to assassinate US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, Washingtons future envoy to Iraq, an Afghan government official said yesterday. The Pakistanis were suspected of being linked to a Pakistani Islamic militant group. (Reuters) Ingles Traduccin. Interpretacin. Clases todo nivel. Graciela Micpoles. (54-11) 4816-4567. Interview: Dr. Mary Lou Mc Closkey BY DESIRE JAIMOVICH AND SERGIO MOBILIA FOR THE HERALD How and why did you first become interested in teaching? I was a reader, and I lived in a very little town in New York State, and I saw the world through books. I was an avid reader and experienced all kinds of things so I became very curious about the world - that was my nature. I had an opportunity of joining an organization called International House when I was in college and had an opportunity to leave university to travel to Mexico for a summer. I remember I had to actually get to my little village by mule because it was a rainy season and it was too far to go, so I ended up traveling by mule in the village of Buenavista, Mexico. I was going to do community work, I was going to help people, and what I found out is that those people in the village in Buenavista had many more things to teach me than I had to teach them. I said to myself: There are other ways to live beautifully in this world, my way isnt the right way. We ran a little medical dispensary; we did some literacy education, school education. But what they did for us, in terms of teaching us about good living, was incredible. Can you tell us about your experience as former member of TESOL? I was on the TESOL board for 4 years. So, there was a year when I was President Elect, then there was a year when I was President, then there was a year when I was past President, then there was a year when I was past past President. I served as a Board member for all those years, and as an Executive Committee member for three of those years, so I was very intimately involved with what TESOL was doing and where we were trying to go. One thing TESOL is very interested in: many US citizens were involved in organizing the first TESOL forty years ago. We always called ourselves an international organization and included people from outside the US. And weve really in the past several years made a very clear commitment thats who we want to be as an organization. We dont want to be the US English Language Organization; we want to be the International English Language Organization. In fact we are very excited because weve just elected our first non-native speaker president. Hell be President next year, hes President Elect right now. His name is Jung Yu and he is from China. He teaches at the University of Arizona, but he was born in China. We also have a Board member from Argentina, Mabel Gallo. I served with her for two years. How relevant is the work of national and international TESOL organizations to the actual needs of teachers around the world? What do you need us to do? One of the things we want to do is to listen, and to be involved, have our members tell us what the needs from people around the world are. We meet needs. Right now we have some excellent periodical publications and book publications that are widely used around the world, and we appreciate it. We have an advocacy program where we let people know about issues that are happening in the world, we take positions on a variety of issues, we take a stance sometimes on issues related to the US, but we try whenever possible to make our statements in a way they can apply in other contexts as well. And people in the TESOL website () can see some of our position statements on various topics In which ways do you think TESOL organizations cater for differences in cultures? We try to get people from different countries serving in our Board; we try to get them doing all sorts of jobs and responsibilities in TESOL. Weve established a leadership program, so we can grow our own leaders, and we have an online leadership development course. And there are a few scholarships for that course, we should make sure we get people to apply for those scholarships. You can also pay to take the course. We encourage everyone who wants to have a leadership role in TESOL to go through that program. Ill be teaching a section on leadership in that course when I go back. How regionally integrated are TESOL organizations in different parts of the world? TESOL has about 100 affiliates in various parts of the world and part of the United States. We have affiliates in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Per. Vivien Morghen is the president of TESOL Argentina. What major achievements have you made with TESOL? I must confess that my affiliation to TESOL has been connected to almost everything Ive accomplished in my career. I chaired the International Convention in 1993, and because of that people knew me and knew my work, and it opened up all kinds of opportunities. My first publication was in TESOL, and my TESOL presentations allowed me to contact other publishers and be involved with other publications. So, in a way it has been a fabulous network for my life career. What are the requirements to become a TESOL member? A few dollars. There are absolutely no nationality boundaries, and in fact, in order to encourage international members, we have set up a special program thats based on the gross national income of a country. If the gross national income is under a certain level, our membership fees drop half, and Argentina is eligible for that price. Thats one of the things were doing to be an international organization. We have also established an inexpensive online membership, so if you have high speed internet you can read everything online, read the journals online, keep up with everything thats going on in TESOL with your online membership. How is the expansion of Spanish as a foreign language affecting English Language Teaching worldwide? Thats maybe more whats happening here. Whats happening in the US is that we are getting many more Spanish speakers, so theres a great need for people who speak Spanish, people who are bilingual in all kinds of ways. Its a great advantage for working in our country. We need to meet the Spanish speakers, and we need to start doing better at growing bilingual people from our schools. California wants everyone to study English and not Spanish, and its so silly, but they say that, and then they say Oh but we cant find any Spanish teachers for our schools and when theres a good bilingual they justI hope we can continue to see the light in that area. Intro The devaluation burst the bubble we had been immersed in for over a decade. Since the economic collapse in December 2001 we havent been able to buy expensive perfumes or to travel to exotic destinations every now and then. Still, a silver lining broke through the depression as our country became a favorite tourist destination in the blink of an eye. Seduced by the landscape of our country, tourists from different parts of the world flock to the south cone to learn a foreign language at an affordable cost in a friendly atmosphere. This, needless to say, has become an important job opportunity for many English teachers in Argentina. But how much do English teachers know about the teaching of Spanish? There are only a few textbooks to teach Spanish in the market, and most teachers have to simply make do with any sort of material they can lay their hands on. Those who have acquired some experience in the field and have good material are reluctant to share information with their colleges. We thought it was our duty to devote space to discussing this topic, that is why this issue includes a new section that provides useful data and practical tips on the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language. You are all invited to read it and to share your experiences with other professionals regarding this recent phenomenon. Desire Jaimovich and Sergio Mobilia Iran elections clean TEHRAN Officials dismissed rigging allegations in Irans presidential election yesterday, clearing the way for a runoff vote that could have a major impact on relations with the West and the future of fragile reforms. Fridays run-off will be between the top two candidates in last weeks first round pragmatic former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and hardline Tehran mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and many political analysts say the result is unpredictable. Rafsanjani, 70, bidding to regain the post he held from 1989 to 1997, rebranded himself as a liberal for the campaign, saying the time was right to open a new chapter in Iran-US ties and signalling he would increase social and political freedoms. His surprise rival Ahmadinejad, 49, who would be Irans first non-cleric president for 24 years, ran a campaign focusing on the need to tackle poverty and has said resuming talks with Washington would not solve the Islamic republics ills. Irans hardline Guardian Council, which has the final word on election results, ordered a recount from 100 ballot boxes in four cities after reformists alleged rigging. It was a tiny fraction of tens of thousands of ballot boxes used last week. It has been clarified there was no discrepancy in the election results, the council said after the recount. It said fifth-placed reformist candidate Mostafa Moin had asked for a postponement of the runoff. Third-placed reformist cleric Mehdi Karroubi had said some Ahmadinejad votes were paid for with bribes. In Washington, State Department spokesman Adam Ereli described the election as highly... unrepresentative and certainly not responsive to what the Iranian people are looking for, which is more participation, not less; more freedoms, not less; and more democracy, not less. The United States has accused Iran of having a secret nuclear weapons programme. Tehran denies the charge, saying its nuclear programme is solely for power generation, but has held negotiations with Western officials. Addressing hardline lawmakers in Parliament yesterday, Ahmadinejad criticized the present governments approach to talks with the West. Those who are in negotiations are frightened and dont know the people, he was quoted as saying by the ISNA students news agency. A popular and fundamentalist government will quickly change the countrys stance in favour of the nation. Reformists, some of whom accuse state military organizations like the Basij militia of supporting Ahmadinejad, say he is part of an ultra-conservative, totalitarian plan. If he wins Khamenei will really rule everything, said Mohammad Reza Khatami, head of Irans largest reform party. We will not have free elections and opposition voices wont be tolerated, he told journalists. Islamic hardliners, many of them former Revolutionary Guards members, won control of many city councils and Irans Parliament in 2003 and 2004 elections which were marred by low turnout. Rafsanjani, alluding to organized interference in the vote, urged Iranians to help him defeat Ahmadinejad. I seek your help and ask you to be present in the second round of the election so that we can prevent all extremism, he said in a statement published in several newspapers. (Reuters) Iran: rallying around Rafsanjani TEHRAN Iranian reformists urged their dejected supporters yesterday to rally behind pragmatic cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to prevent his surprise hardline challenger Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from winning a presidential runoff. Irans leading reformist party, the Islamic Iran Participation Front, said people had to vote to prevent Ahmadinejad, linked to the hardline Revolutionary Guard and Basij religious paramilitaries, from becoming president. "Now the country faces the danger of direct involvement by military parties," its statement said. Another reformist party, the Islamic Revolution Mujahideen Organization, led by Behzad Nabavi, also threw its weight behind Rafsanjani despite its differences with him. It cited the "orchestrated involvement of military bodies and entities... in favour of the most radical anti-reform faction" and said Iran was in peril from fascism. Similarly, hardliners called for conservatives to close ranks behind Tehran Mayor Ahmadinejad, who almost overtook elder statesman Rafsanjani, 70, in Fridays first-round vote. Hardline candidate Ali Larijani, a former head of state television who limped in sixth out of seven presidential hopefuls, would throw his weight behind Ahmadinejad, one of his aides told the official IRNA news agency. But cracks were emerging in the conservative camp, with agencies reporting that fourth-placed former police chief Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf would not back Ahmadinejad and had more sympathy with Rafsanjani. Rafsanjani and Ahmadinejad, with about a fifth of the vote each, just pulled clear of the pack in a vote damned by Washington as a travesty of the democracy Iranians yearned for. (Reuters) Iraq mayhem slays 46 BAGHDAD A suicide bomber walked calmly into a popular Baghdad kebab restaurant at lunchtime yesterday and killed at least 23 people waiting for plates of lamb and rice the capitals deadliest attack in just over six weeks. It was the bloodiest bombing in a day that saw at least 46 people killed in a series of insurgent attacks nationwide as militants struck back against twin US-Iraqi offensives against their smuggling routes and training centres. The attacks came as the US military announced the death of the first US marine since Operations Spear and Dagger began on Friday and Saturday in the restive Anbar province with about 1,000 US forces and Iraqi soldiers in each. US marines also killed 15 insurgents in fierce battles near Fallujah, the restive Anbar province town, located 65 km west of Baghdad. The new president of Iraqs autonomous Kurdish region called on Parliament yesterday to recognize the Kurdish identity of Kirkuk, an oil-rich and ethnically mixed city that the Kurds want to annex over the objections of other communities living there. Iraqi Kurdistans regional council last week elected Masoud Barzani as president, giving the region its first single formal leader since it became autonomous under US protection in 1991. Barzani had until last week ruled a section of Iraqi Kurdistan, while his one-time foe and now president of Iraq, Jalal Talabani, was in charge of another. We have to repeal all demographic and political changes the former (Saddam Hussein) regime implemented in Kirkuk and other Kurdish areas, Barzani told Parliament in Baghdad. We must... acknowledge its Kurdish identity, he declared. Barzani also called for the implementation of the right to return to Kirkuk by all Iraqis as provided for in an interim Constitution adopted last year. He was alluding to the expulsion by Saddam of tens of thousands of Kurds from Kirkuk under an Arabization policy that resettled thousands of Iraqi Arabs in the strategic northern Iraqi city. The question of whether Kirkuk should join the Kurdish autonomous region or stay as part of the remainder Iraq is expected to be settled in a referendum, the date of which has yet to be set. Beside the Kurds, the citys one million residents include Arabs both Sunni and Shiite Muslims as well as Turkomen, who are mostly Sunnis. (Herald staff with AP) Ireland rout Japan 47-18 RUGBY Test TOKYO Gavin Duffy ran in two second-half tries yesterday as a below-strenght Ireland defeated Japan 47-18, running in seven tries in an international test match. With the victory, Ireland clinched the two-test series against the Asian squad after the 44-12 win obtained a week ago. Japan, which is bidding to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup, got tries in each half from Daisuke Ohata, but were no match for the more experienced Irish team. Ireland, seventh on the International Rugby Board world rankings, held a 14-8 lead after the first half at Chichibunomiya Stadium but scored 33 points after the break for the decisive victory over Japan, ranked 17th in the world. Duffy gave Ireland a 26-10 lead three minutes into the second half and then added another try in the 52nd minute to make it 38-13. Frankie Sheahan also scored two tries, while captain David Humphreys finished with 17 points in another solid performance from the Irish. We came here with a lot of young players, obviously with the idea of testing them to see Can they rise up to test match rugby? said Ireland coach Niall ODonovan. We achieved both goals. Flyhalf Humphreys went over for a second-half try and added six conversions, while three tries in the opening nine minutes of the second half from Ireland quashed Japans hopes of an upset. Ironing it out "Yes, the doctor said that the latest blood analysis shows that my blood has too high iron content and I have to reduce it." I tried to cheer her up, so I said: "How is that going to happen with a magnet?" She did not appreciate my humor and continued: "It can be dangerous for my liver and cause hepatitis, so I have to go on a low-iron diet." She took out a paper from her handbag, and now it was her turn to become humoristic: "Here is a list of foodstuff that is rich in iron. You think you know about food, so tell me what's on the list!" What a challenge! Well there was nothing else I could do so I started: "Well obviously, things made with blood are out of the question for you to eat, like morcilla and black pudding. Then you should not eat liver, heart, kidney, brain or other asado organs like chinchulines, molleja and criadillas. Of course you have to avoid red meat, such as beef, lamb and all kinds of game." She looked at her list and nodded in a confirming way." So, you mean, I can not have any asado?" Here, my professional food knowledge took a turn to the positive. "Of course you can! How about proboleta, chivito, chicken and enslalada mixta?" I deliberately omitted pork, as I know she doesn't eat it. She looked a bit relieved, so we continued. "Seafood is a big problem, especially oysters, mussels and clams. Sardines and anchovy and other tinned items are also bad, even if there might be a small possibility for an occasional helping of tuna fish. On the vegetable side, you have to eliminate spinach, broccoli and green beans. Herbs, such as thyme, rosemary and oregano have a lot of iron, but you won't consume much of it, so it shouldn't bother you. The same goes for spices like curry powder, garam masala, cinnamon and paprika. In fruits, I only know of abricots as rich in iron, but I think you should avoid the peels of apples and pears. There are also some cereals with iron, especially oat bran and corn flakes and mixtures of the msli type." I stopped to take a breath. This time, she didn't look that concerned, so I prepared to give her a very hard blow. "You have to forget all about dry fruits and nuts. Figs, red raisins, sunflower and watermelon seeds, peanuts, cashew, hazelnuts and almonds are all bad for you." Knowing that she enjoyed picking on such things when reading and watching TV, I was not surprised to see a sad glimpse in her eyes. "You mean I can't eat any dried fruits?" she asked. "Well, I believe that moderate amounts of green raisins and dates would not do much harm." I replied, hoping that this would give her some comfort. "What should I be eating then?" was her next question. "Fish, chicken and other white meat, vegetables other than those I mentioned, fruits and bread and fresh cheese. Some pasta is not good, but the majority would serve you. The same goes for eggs, where you have to be a bit restrictive with the amount of egg-yolk you eat." She checked the paper she had been given by the physician and then told me. "You have over 95% correct answers. That should give you Summa Cum Laude" I think that is an excellent result, and I can't help wondering how many of my readers would reach the same level. My better half was not finished by announcing my test result. "The doctor also said that I should reduce my intake of fat. How do you say that would affect my diet?" I felt that I have had enough of food analysis, and I knew that the added restrictions could make her a bit negative with respect to my advice, so I waved the question aside, telling her: "That's another story!" Is e-learning the right fit for every learner? By Susana Trabaldo FOR THE HERALD Perhaps e-learning is more adequate for some learning styles than for others. Good students in the traditional setting may not do well in virtual environments, while struggling students may be successful. This can be explained partly due to differences in learning styles. For example, visual and auditory learners take important advantage from multimedia material. They like graphics that help them process text-based information, or sound files or video clips about the topics they deal with. Besides, some students become more easily acquainted with the basic computer skills required by the modality: files organization, saving documents, email and chat use. Online learning is different in many respects from the traditional face-to-face learning we are all used to, mainly in the way we get information and how we interact with teachers and partners. Students need to understand the new paradigm and become familiar with the new learning environment, the tutors role, multimedia material, computer use, and mediated communication. Some abilities are necessary to become successful e-learners: l Self-directive abilities to manage the learning environment. Students need to become active learners, manage their own time and learning resources, set goals and plan their work to reach them. l Metacognitive abilities to interact with the learning. It is important for students to be aware of the cognitive processes engaged in learning, to be able to identify and prioritize their learning needs, to reflect on their learning style, to monitor their progress against the set plan. l Collaboration abilities to interact with virtual tutors and partners. Learning is based on cooperative or collaborative experiences rather than individual location of information from a single best source. Students are offered a variety of materials and different paths to reach the information they need, they are expected to participate in group work interacting in discussion forums and chat meetings. These are some of the reasons why e-learning is often perceived simultaneously as both a perfect learning method that fits the new needs and a threat. However, when e-learning pedagogic design is good, this threat vanishes since it takes into account different learning styles, previous knowledge and skills. In this way, the students? attitude changes when they realize e-learning is a challenge of education in the new millennium. Susana Trabaldo, director of Net-Learning, Virtual Learning Environments, is an IES Lenguas Vivas graduate and holds a Masters Degree in e-learning. - Israeli Gaza homes to be demolished Israel will raze about 1,200 Israeli homes in Gaza to make way for a fresh start with high-rise apartments or other more space-saving housing. The Israeli homes are larger, and much farther apart, than typical Palestinian homes. Demolition was the Palestinians preference, said Israels foreign affairs spokesman, Mark Regev. If they wanted them they could have had them, he said. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Palestinians will cooperate with Israel to remove the rubble and may use the debris for construction projects elsewhere in the area. But Palestinian militants yesterday ambushed Israeli soldiers doing construction work along the Gaza-Egypt border, killing one soldier in the latest violation of a shaky four-month-old ceasefire. One of the attackers was killed, the army said. Abbas told Israel TV that he believes the militant group Hamas is undergoing moderation and suggested the group will recognize Israels existence. (Herald staff with AP) Italy win with Argentines eric weils sportsworld Argentine rugby continues to complain that in spite of its high standard, it is being left out of the worlds main competitions. Of course, after that worthy draw against the Lions in London, their performance against Italy in the recent two tests at home did not help their cause, mainly because the Pumas team lacked discipline and gave away too many penalties. One cannot fail to notice, however that the only three tries obtained by Italy in the series and which made the vital difference in their winning the second test, were all scored by Argentines who emigrated to play as professionals in Italy with EU passports. One cannot say whether these players would have found a place in the Pumas squad, but perhaps in one of three teams now representing the country in different tournaments. Yet that is not the point. They went to Italy to play professionally which they cannot do here and for a better life style which they did not have here. Meanwhile, Argentine rugby cannot complain this year of lack of international competition although it is not of the strongest which is what the Pumas really want. After the South American Championship which perhaps cannot be counted because of the lower standard came the two tests against Italy and almost at the same time (with a virtual second team), a test against the United States and two games for the Churchill Cup in North America with Canada and England A. Later in the year, we have the test at home against South Africa the strongest opposition for which hopefully all European-based players will be released by their clubs this time followed by a tour on which they will face Scotland A, Scotland and Italy and possibly an African team on the way back. Finally comes a projected home test against Samoa. A NEW PLAN At the same time, the Argentine Rugby Union announced that on July 7 it will present a project to the International Rugby Board (IRB) for a tournament between six or eight regional selections in which players would be paid with the idea of stopping the exodus of local players to foreign clubs. The IRB generally subsidizes such tournaments as a help to improve the standard of lower-ranked nations. It is therefore expected that if the IRB approves the project, it will pay 450,000 dollars annually towards its realization. Somehow it is hard to imagine that this would stop the exodus at best slow it down very slightly as these payments to players are hardly likely to equal those which they can receive in Europe, nor would it include the other ingredient a better life. And doesnt this whole idea sound like to change a well-known phrase slightly trying to close the gate after the majority of horses have bolted? Its all literature! Mercedes Sak FOR THE HERALD The place: Argentina. The year: 2005. The subject: English (or english?). The syllabus: a complete textbook, three readers, a couple of projects, an international exam (why not?), and everything in the midst of celebrations, strikes, Students Day, Halloween, Open Day and so on and so forth. As teachers of E/english we are required to tackle this bit of pandemonium, as it were. Plus, we receive the incomparable gratification of witnessing the metamorphosis our students undergo whenever we choose to enthusiastically exclaim that this year, in addition to the class book we are going to read. Kafka would be left plotless if he happened to be present in the classroom. In spite of this, literature is a highly gratifying component of the working agenda, and one from which we may draw inexhaustible resources once we gather the courage to plunge into it. There has been substantial shifting over the last years concerning the issue of what is literature and what literature students should be acquainted with. Indeed, The question of What was, is and can be literature? can be recognised as a challenge and an opportunity not a threat and an obstacle (Pope, Rob, The English Studies Book, 1998:56). Thus, as a starting point, we may loosen the constraints imposed by the status quo notion that it is only novels by renowned English writers the type of reading students should do, and choose material from a wide array of options: songs, poems, proverbs, cartoons, comics, slogans, TV commercials, and such. The study of literature (and by that we understand classic English Literature) has boiled down to the relation a person can establish with the text. This is communication above all between student and text, and thus between receiver and producer, reader and writer ( McRae, John, Literature with a small l, 1991:19). This is the relationship that must be at the heart of all reading, and the basis of all education is reading. Any text can be transformed and revaluated under studentss curious glances. And why not whet their curiosity by presenting them with updated material which is instilled into their daily lives by means of television, the radio and internet? The second issue we need to evaluate is what E/english literature we are going to select reading material from. In some cases we are not allowed to include any sort of texts which are not strictly English (i.e. only from England). However, a considerable number of schools and institutes are including texts whose places of origin rank from Australia to India or even Africa. If we take into account the fact that most of these places were British colonies once, and the fact that in most of these places people are expressing their views of the world, feelings and the like using the English language, then their omission from E/english literature bears no reason whatsoever. In addition, as teachers we are able to broaden studentss horizons and assist them in their understanding of various cultures and kinds of peoples. The task appears insurmountable, yet it is not. And it is fascinating, apart from highly rewarding. To start with, we can always count on Benjamin Zephaniahs thrilling poem The British, which would give students a glimpse of who is considered British with ironical exactitude. To sum up, we as teachers may serve as some of the enabling tools which our students will use to open their paths into the world of fiction. Let us be as open-minded and flexible as we can, so that we may once and for all witness a metamorphosis from passive readers to active and avid participants of the reading process. Mercedes Sak is a Lenguas Vivas graduate and Assisstant Lecturer in Shakespeare Seminar and English Literature II. Its good...but for what? He had come into possession of a wine - a sparkling wine - from Uruguay, which he wanted to share and discuss with me. Shortly after we sat down in Sabot and had the bottles uncorked, to be subjected to our critical attention. The wine in question was a Tannat sparkling wine, a most unusual choice in view of the particularly harsh and overpowering character this wine offers when fermented with its skin as a red wine. This sample lived up to its reputation. An incredible red, fresh blood colour, it showed relatively little sparkle, (or rather bubbles, due to its colour) and not much aroma. When tasted it came across with a dry, strong, macho character, quite drinkable, but without any sort of particular flavour. It was not an aperitif by any means, nor was it the sort of wine to drink with food, if the food was of any consequence. Perhaps smoked big game, or good raw ham, but little else. So what to do with this wine? I do not have any ready answer, except to say that as an experience, it has proved interesting. One more item to add to ones store of curiosities that may, or may not, one day come in for some use. I have frequently referred to the wines of Ricardo Santos as being a true reflection of what Argentine wine is all about. Ricardo only makes Malbecs when it comes to reds and the other day I once again found proof to back up my assertion that his Malbec wines are amongst the best -if not the best - available. The proof? At a lunch we enjoyed together in Pilar a few days ago, (see Platter Chatter), Ricardo pulled out of his pocket a small bottle of wine and asked those present to taste the contents. It was a remarkably smooth, fruit packed, still rather restless but not unruly Malbec, (it had a remarkable balance between alcohol and acidity), that made it extremely drinkable, in spite of it being a bare two months old, without filtering or any touching up! This is a supreme example of what an Argentine Malbec can achieve when it is made with all the care and technology that a fine wine, (any wine) requires to Show off its true character. At table that day we also drank Ricardo?s ?03 and ?04 Malbecs and the ?05 stood up remarkably well in contrast with its brothers. Indeed, when the desserts arrived, I found that the ?05 combined better with the chocolate fondant than the ?04 I still had in my glass. When I first started out tracking down and imbibing wine I was given a lot of advice and education by the numerous winemakers that I met. I still recall much of the extremely valuable tips that Don Raul de la Mota gave me when he was running Weinert?s winery. One of these tips was to the effect that a good red wine required at least a year to become drinkable, and several more to become truly great. That was over 30 years ago. How times - and wines - have changed since then! Keep an eye open to spot the Ricardo Santos Malbec 2005 when it appears on the streets some time towards the end of this year. It could be Ricardo?s best ever, to date. Jeffersonian democracy? Lula surmounted (at least for now) a much bigger crisis than any facing our Nstor Kirchner while spending far more time at the 28th Mercosur summit. michael soltys latam watch Buenos Aires Herald Just not Lulas month, is it? Not only soccer defeats suffered by Brazil at the hands of Argentina and Mexico a corruption scandal of potentially Watergate proportions forced him to part company with his right-hand man, Cabinet Chief Jos Dirceu, last Thursday. Who has just been replaced by a right-hand woman Energy and Mines Minister Dilma Rousseff, who was named Cabinet Chief yesterday and will take office today. Like Dirceu, Rousseff entered politics in opposition to the 1964-85 military dictatorship whether she shares his skills as a political operator remains to be seen. But then again Dirceu may not be so much leaving the scene of battle as switching to the front line. Relinquishing the Cabinet helm to return to Congress has every appearance of a face-saving excuse but may even be the truth, given the way the problems of majority-building in Congress lie at the core of Brazils corruption problem. Since those minor parties fishing for the alleged bribes hold Cabinet posts as well as Congress seats, the Cabinet overhaul is unlikely to be limited to Rousseff Lulas embarrassing allies are likely to be evicted, probably in favour of the centrist PMDB party. But one minister at least is likely to stay put Economy Minister Antonio Palocci (even though he was named by the whistle-blowing Brazilian Labour Party leader Roberto Jefferson as being just as aware of slush fund 12,000-dollar bonuses to legislators as Dirceu). This raises the question of whether the crackdown felling Dirceu was as much as political as ethical and whether Palocci and his orthodox economic policies may be the ultimate beneficiaries (the Bovespa share index perked up by over three percent last Thursday). Dirceu (an ex-guerrilla who was freed in exchange for kidnapped United States Ambassador Charles Elbrick back in 1969 before chairing Lulas PT Workers Party from 1995 to 2003) was the main champion of the political wing against Paloccis market policies. An obstacle now disappears but the problem of commanding a Congress majority (where the PT has only 91 of the 513 seats) remains. What the Italians call "trasformismo" had mitigated that problem thus the Liberal Party of Vice-President Jos Alenar has magically grown from 26 to 53 seats since 2003 but those methods do not seem to be sustainable. The PMDB is waiting in the wings as the new allies but at least two questions here: Are they keen? And are they clean? The battle for damage limitation is far from lost if opinion polls are anything to go by. Lula still has a 56 percent popularity rating with 73 percent believing in his honesty even if 58 percent are aware of the corruption scandal (including two-thirds of PT voters) while even his less popular government is considered good by 36 percent and bad by only 22 percent Congress is deemed good and bad by 15 and 42 percent respectively, thus showing where the main damage lies. How far the scandal ultimately goes depends on perceptions and Jeffersons credibility. Was the original postal graft scandal actually a defensive move to discredit Jefferson or did Jefferson (self-incriminating but also a disciple of ex-president Fernando Collor de Mello, ousted in 1992 for graft) feel that attack was the best means of defence? He has no physical evidence but witnesses almost as good. Above all, hardly anybody in Brazil finds the notion of political corruption absurd. The political disarray comes amid a sturdy economy a trade surplus of 17 billion dollars has been posted so far this year out of a trade volume of nearly 78 billion (the trade surplus for all 2004 was 33.7 billion and for 2003 24.8 billion). Lula surmounted (at least for now) a much bigger crisis than any facing our Nstor Kirchner while spending far more time at the 28th Mercosur summit in Asuncin over the long weekend an event attended by all South American presidents save Bolivias brand-new Eduardo Rodrguez even if Kirchner was only there for a few hours. Apart from his electoral obsessions (including the presence of his main party rival Eduardo Duhalde as Mercosur Commission chief), Kirchners main justification of his minimal presence would be that Argentinas chief Mercosur issue is its trade differences with Brazil, which are best handled directly. But Paraguay is also starting to make noises about "safeguards" against Brazil while the day may not be too distant when all countries in the region become more worried about China than each other. All summits need something to show in this case it was the creation of a 100-million-dollar Mercosur structural fund (with Brazil providing 70 percent of the money). Energy was clearly at the forefront of infrastructural needs for use of these funds while oil-rich Venezuelas Hugo Chvez promised help. A less successful attempt at regional integration came early last week when Economy Ministers Roberto Lavagna, Palocci and Nelson Mirantes (Venezuela) failed to agree on a regional bank. Before too long Latin America will have to start deciding who replaces Enrique Iglesias as president of the Inter-American Development Bank (BID). Before leaving Asuncin, some more domestic Paraguayan issues. Granting United States troops legal immunity (in return for FBI help with a rising wave of kidnaps, including the murdered daughter of ex-president Ral Cubas) despite being signatories of the Treaty of Rome for the International Criminal Court is one such issue. Last week Interpol criticized the Triple Frontier with Brazil and Argentina as a hotbed of piracy of intellectual property, as well as contraband. Last but not least, how many people know that little Paraguay is the worlds 4th biggest soy exporter after territorial giants the US, Brazil and Argentina? On the energy front, Peru expressed interest in sending gas south as well as north even if NAFTA countries have been the best markets so far. But the price has yet to be settled this price will presumably factor in the cost of the 2.5-billion-dollar pipeline needed to tap Peruvian gas unless BID foots the bill. Incidentally, Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo is the regions least popular leader with 10 percent approval the other extreme is Uruguays Tabar Vzquez (80 percent) with Kirchner, Colombias Alvaro Uribe, Chvez and Chiles Ricardo Lagos all over two-thirds. Long in the eye of the storm, Bolivia had a relatively uneventful week. Divisions between doves and hawks in opposition ranks prevented protests from reaching dangerous levels. President Rodrguez named his new Cabinet (with two names surviving from his predecessor Carlos Mesa). He is pledged to calling elections the question is whether these elections will be general (they cannot include Congress if called before August 6 without constitutional change) and whether they will extend to a constituent assembly and autonomy referenda. But nobody wants the presidential election decided in Congress any more in the absence of an absolute majority. Bolivia was chided for letting coca production creep up three percent last year even if Peruvian production rose 14 percent and Colombia still accounts for half the worlds output (Peru a third). In other news, there was an earthquake measuring nearly eight on the Richter scale in the far north of Chile, which killed a dozen people. Also a bloody prison mutiny in Sao Paulo. In Mexico Ral Salinas de Gortari, brother of 1988-94 president Carlos Salinas de Gortari, was released after 10 years in prison for ordering the murder of a chairman of the erstwhile ruling PRI party. The European Union has decided against any sanctions against Cuba despite the deportation of Eurodeputies and journalists attending a dissident rally last month. Fidel Castro is offering no concessions in return on the contrary, a crackdown against microbusinesses and the self-employed is gathering steam. Jittery EU visits BRUSSELS Senior European Union officials meet with US President George W. Bush in Washington today amid uncertainty about the impact that the unprecedented crisis gripping the 25-nation bloc could have on trans-Atlantic relations. But as the delegation headed for Washington, EU capitals were just beginning to digest the impact of the collapse of their recent EU summit. The leaders failure last Thursday and Friday to agree on a budget for the next few years and signal that the EU draft Constitution remains a viable undertaking has saddled Europe with a crisis of confidence. Well beyond the borders of the European Union, there will be concern, not that the EU is now facing some kind of unravelling or disintegration, but that it will be paralyzed as a major force in world affairs, said John Palmer, political director of the European Policy Center, a Brussels-based think tank. He said the crisis of confidence will have particular importance in the United States. Opinion in Washington seems divided between those who want to see a more united and effective EU and those who openly celebrate its failure to act as an effective player on the global scene, Palmer said in an assessment of the crisis posted on his think tanks web site. He said the EU crisis will be closely followed in Asia, Latin America and Africa, where governments will fear the possible weakening of influence of an ally in the cause of a more effective system of law-based, global governance. The EU delegation traveling to Washington will be led by Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, whose country holds the EU rotating presidency until the end of the month. Juncker will meet with Bush at the White House. The delegation also includes Jose Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, the executive that runs the EUs day-to-day affairs; Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU External Relations Commissioner, and Javier Solana, the 25-nation blocs security affairs chief. EU sources said Juncker who chaired the EU summit will make clear in his talks in Washington there is a crisis but not one that will aggravate trans-Atlantic ties at a time when both sides are working hard to improve relations. Bush made a bury-the-hatchet visit to Europe in February to close the book on intense divisions over the US decision to go to war in Iraq. The two sides agreed to co-host a conference on Iraqs economic and political development that will be held in Brussels on Wednesday. The EU-US meeting had been scheduled before French and Dutch voters rejected the draft EU Constitution in votes on May 29 and June 1, setting off a crisis over ever more integration that only got worse when the EU leaders tangled over farm spending as part of a budget deal in the 2007-2013 period. The leaders postponed a November 2006 ratification deadline for the EU Constitution, but were unclear on how to undo the rejections of the draft charter by voters in France and the Netherlands. Britain has already put its 2006 referendum on hold, as have Denmark and Portugal. (AP) JP Morgan Chase to pay Enron investors $2.2 billion The agreement came just days after Citigroup reached a $2 billion settlement. While the settlements with two of Enron's biggest lenders closes one chapter, Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse First Boston and other banks still face claims from investors. Combined with earlier settlements, the pool available to compensate investors who lost billions as Enron tumbled into bankruptcy in 2001 has grown to $4.7 billion and could eventually surpass the $6.13 billion that Wall Street firms have agreed to pay WorldCom investors. J.P. Morgan Chase clearly rushed to the negotiating table after the Citigroup settlement. That stands in sharp contrast to the WorldCom shareholder lawsuit in March, when J.P. Morgan Chase waited until the night before the trial to settle, agreeing to pay $2 billion to investors. Had it quickly followed Citigroup, which settled a year ago for $2.575 billion, J.P. Morgan Chase may have gotten away paying $1.4 billion in that case. "The WorldCom settlement was a disaster for J.P. Morgan," said Tim Ghriskey at money-management firm Solaris Asset Management in New York. "No one on the Street wants to see a repeat of that." J.P. Morgan Chase also said Tuesday it would take a $2 billion charge before taxes, or $1.25 billion after taxes, in the second quarter, in part to cover costs associated with the settlement as well as other potential lawsuits. The bank's legal reserves currently stand at about $3.6 billion. The firm said insurance would not cover any portion of the settlement. "By settling this case and increasing reserves for our remaining legal issues, the firm can better focus its energies on building our great company and serving our clients and shareholders," William B. Harrison Jr., the chief executive of J.P. Morgan Chase, said in a statement. The bank did not admit wrongdoing in agreeing to settle. J.P. Morgan has struggled in the last year, underperforming most rivals as it continues to slash costs and merge operations after the $58 billion merger with Bank One last year. Analysts were already forecasting the bank's earnings in the second quarter would come in sharply lower when James Dimon, the bank's president, indicated at a investor conference on June 1 that trading revenue had tumbled. In the first quarter, trading revenue at the bank totaled $2.2 billion. Dimon said that trading revenue would come in below $842 million for the second quarter. J.P. Morgan will report its second-quarter earnings in a month. The move to settle quickly also shows that J.P. Morgan Chase is trying to put its past behind it before Dimon ascends to the chief executive suite next year. "The pressure has been on for J.P. Morgan to settle Enron," says Richard X. Bove, an analyst at Punk Ziegel & Co. "Jamie Dimon is really trying to sweep the decks pretty thoroughly." Shares of J.P. Morgan Chase rose 10 cents on Tuesday, to $35.60. The settlement was announced after the stock market closed. Two years ago, J.P. Morgan Chase agreed to pay $162.5 million to settle criminal and regulatory investigations into its dealings with Enron. The bank had been accused of financing and putting together a broad range of partnerships and transactions that contributed to Enron's collapse and hid debt from investors. Many of the transactions that came under fire were called prepays, which investigators claimed were little more than loans disguised as commodities transactions with a web of offshore corporations. Over a number of years, J.P. Morgan was accused of participating in seven prepay arrangements, including a deal with an offshore entity called Mahonia that ultimately lent $2.6 billion to Enron. (Citigroup lent it a total of $3.8 billion under similar arrangements, according to investigators.) June 20, 2005 june 21, 2005 K not involved in bid talk President Nstor Kirchner yesterday said that he is not directly involved in the drafting of slates in the province of Buenos Aires for the October 23 midterm election. Kirchner sought to defuse expectations fuelled by reports over the long weekend that he was about to obtain an agreement over candidacies with former interim president Eduardo Duhalde, the Peronist strongman in Buenos Aires province, Argentinas largest electoral district. I am not involved in the internal provincial discussion and neither am I in charge of the campaign, said the President in the city of Rosario, minutes before presiding over the main official ceremony to mark Flag Day. Kirchner and Duhalde are entangled in a cold war for control of the Peronist party in Buenos Aires province. Duhalde, twice governor in the 1990s, has pulled the Peronist strings there for 15 years. The support of Duhaldes political machine catapulted Kirchner to the presidency in 2003. But Kirchner is now trying to enhance his political position by scoring a victory he can call his own in the midterm vote. The President has said the October election will amount to a plebiscite of his administration. For that purpose, Kirchner wants his wife, Senator Cristina Fernndez, to clinch the high-profile Peronist senatorial nomination in Buenos Aires province. Public opinion polls indicate that the first lady would win by a landslide. (See also Political Beat on this page) But Duhaldes wife, Deputy Hilda Chiche Gonzlez, has also said she wants to run for senator. Mrs. Duhalde is widely expected to announce what she is going to do in the coming days. If she decides to run, the Peronists will likely feature two candidates in October. Eduardo Duhalde, who as Congress-appointed interim president ran Argentina between January 2002 and May 2003, yesterday said that he might leave his current job as head of the permanent commission of the Mercosur trade bloc when his first two year-term in the job expires in December. Duhalde got the job with Kirchners blessing after leaving office. But rumours circulated last week that the government would withdraw his support for Duhalde if the domestic political infighting escalates. Kirchners Interior Minister Anbal Fernndez, meanwhile, said that an eventual agreement for a single Peronist slate in the province of Buenos Aires should only materialize if there are more coincidences than differences between the two factions. If there are coincidences there should be an agreement. If not, there should not be any deal and we should confront in the election. There would be nothing wrong with that, said Fernndez. (Herald staff with DyN-Tlam) K: its the IMF against me According to the alleged IMF report, the Argentine government "has a certain animosity against private foreign investment and against the companies responsible for operating the privatized public utilities." The document also states that Kirchners rigid approach during the negotiations to reschedule the defaulted foreign debt masked "a political bet to gain popularity." Now that Argentina has rescheduled its debt it needs to reach a new agreement with the IMF, and the tone of yesterdays review is expected to mark that of the negotiations that lie ahead. Analysts believe that negotiations will be far from simple as the Kirchner government is expected to dig in its heels against many of the IMFs demands such as an increase in the fiscal surplus, hikes in utility rates and that banks be compensated for the messy devaluation in 2002, among other points. Although analysts consider that it is in Argentinas best interests to reach an agreement as soon as possible, they also tend to agree that an agreement is unlikely until after the October elections. I ask you all to help me, and not follow me, as a predecessor said, to push back those interests that encroach on us permanently and prevent Argentina from fulfilling its destiny," Kirchner said. (Herald staff with AP) Kalmar puts reachstackers in major Brazilian ports Kalmar Industries has beaten the competition to land an order from Libra Terminais S/A of Brazil for thirteen ContChamp DRF reachstackers for its container terminal facilities in the Brazilian ports of Santos and Rio de Janeiro. Delivery of the first batch of five ContChamps will be to Libras Terminal 37 and Terminal 35 at the Port of Santos in August this year, while the remaining eight units will be delivered in two batches of four, in October and November, to replace other brand rented reachstackers at both Santos and Libras Terminal 1-RIO at Rio de Janeiro. With a 45-ton lifting capacity, the ContCamp can stack containers 6 high. Kalmar has recently completed deliveries of the hi-spec ContChamp DRF to Mexico and Venezuela. According to Kalmars product manager, Per Rosengren, Libra Terminals decision to invest in the ContChamp DRF serves as an excellent reference for the machines performance and quality. We will capitalise on this recent success to further strengthen the presence of our Generation F heavy counterweight trucks in Latin America, said Rosengren. Kalmar Brazil will train its staff in Sweden and, together with our significant knowledge of the RTG business in Brazil, we will use our reachstacker expertise to enhance our overall presence in the Brazilian market. The Kalmar ContChamp DRF is equipped with Kalmars latest electronic transmission, and is equipped with a low emissions engine that meets 97/68 EC Stage 2 and US EPA Tier 2 standards. From a commercial aspect, the ContChamp is an extremely efficient machine, with a monitoring system that controls around 500 measuring points at 50 times a second, ensuring safe operations and rapid alarming in case of problems all features that help minimise downtime and maintain operational efficiency. Kickback scandal turns into political crisis Congressional Deputy Roberto Jefferson, the central figure in the scandal, said in interviews with a Brazilian newspaper over the past week that he warned President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the vote-buying arrangement and that da Silva "broke into tears" at the news. But, he added, da Silva's closest aide "always knew all about it," and, he said, other top officials in the leftist Workers' Party actively participated in the arrangement, which involved a large monthly stipend paid in cash out of suitcases. The resulting crisis is the worst to hit da Silva's government since he took office in January 2003, promising the most honest and ethical government in Brazilian history. The avalanche of corruption accusations has so weakened the president's standing that politicians and press commentators have begun openly speculating about his impeachment. If the accusations are proven, "that is grounds for impeachment," Cesar Maia, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro and a leader of the conservative Liberal Front Party, said in a radio interview. Maia, a likely candidate in next year's presidential election, added that the allegations are as grave for da Silva as Watergate was for Richard Nixon. "We'll cut into our own flesh if we have to," da Silva vowed in a speech last week, after the first wave of accusations were made public in the daily Folha de Sao Paulo. He added, "What is at stake is the respectability of our institutions, of which I am the principal guardian." Jefferson has admitted that he can provide no proof of his allegations, which Workers Party leaders have vehemently denied. But he vowed to "tell everything that I lived through, talked about and negotiated" on Tuesday, when he is scheduled to testify before the television cameras to a newly established parliamentary commission of inquiry. Parts of Jefferson's account, however, have already been confirmed by other political figures. A state governor who belongs to the main opposition party, for instance, has said that he too had warned da Silva privately about the vote-buying scheme, and a congressional deputy has said that a member of the Liberal Party, a pro-business party in da Silva's coalition, offered her a "monthly allowance" if she would switch to a party allied with the government. She says she declined. Brazil's political system makes it almost impossible for a single party to attain a majority in Congress. As a result, da Silva has had to negotiate coalitions with several smaller "parties for rent" whose ideology is nebulous and whose main interest appears to be patronage. Jefferson, the congressional leader of one of those parties, said that he turned down an offer of $12,500, to be paid monthly to each member of his party's congressional delegation. But he maintains that at least two other parties allied with the government have accepted the offer, including the Liberal Party, whose delegation in Congress has doubled in size, from 26 to 53, since da Silva was elected. According to Jefferson's account, the payoffs were made by the Workers' Party's treasurer, a former mathematics teacher named Delubio Soares. At a news conference in Sao Paulo last week, Soares spoke darkly of "blackmail" and proclaimed, "The Workers' Party doesn't buy votes or support of congressional deputies." Kirchner says pardons are up to the courts Dirty war President Nstor Kirchner yesterday said that the eventual annulment of pardons granted in 1989 and 1990 to military officers accused of atrocities and to former guerrilla commanders should be decided by judges. It is up to the courts. Thats the road it should take, said Kirchner in the city of Rosario, where he presided over the main official ceremony to mark Flag Day. The President added, however, that he believes some members of the Supreme Court have already hinted they would quash the pardons if the case reaches them. I think some Supreme Court justices have been pretty clear (about the future of the pardons), said the President. The Supreme Court last week ruled that two immunity laws passed in 1986-87 under then Radical president Ral Alfonsn to shield hundreds of low-ranking military officers from prosecution on human rights violations were unconstitutional. The ruling upholds a government-sponsored law passed by Congress in 2003, months after Kirchner took office, quashing the immunity laws. But the pardons, issued in 1989 and 1990 by then president Carlos Menem on grounds this would serve to the countrys reconciliation, benefit higher ranking officers and guerrilla chiefs. Some of them were serving time for the atrocities committed in the 1970s. Kirchners Justice Minister Horacio Rosatti had also said last week that the future of the pardons was in the hands of the courts. Rosatti is this week expected to hand the President a report about the issue. The pardons will also be debated in Congress today, if a special session called by the opposition to discuss them musters a quorum. A group of centre-left and left-wing deputies have been pushing for a special session to quash the pardons for months but have repeatedly failed to get the 129 deputies needed to get the session going. But the ruling Peronists, who hold the largest group in the 257-seat Lower House, have already said they would not attend the session. The deputy head of the Peronist Lower House caucus, Deputy Julio Gutirrez, said yesterday that he also believes the pardons should be left to the courts. He added, however, that the caucus is yet to formally engage in a debate on the issue. (Tlam) La reforma puede esperar Todava seguimos esperando la largamente prometida reforma poltica. La primera vctima de este ao, aparte de la verdad, es la democratizacin del sistema de partidos. Ello estaba instaurado por una ley del 2002, que el peronismo decidi dejar en suspenso para poder presentar sus tres candidatos presidenciales en el 2003. Sin embargo, para compensar esa deficiencia impulsada por una crisis econmica e institucional tanto como partidaria, el actual gobierno fij como fecha para las internas de todos los partidos el 7 de agosto, un mes despus que todos registren sus listas internas para competir en busca de una frmula consensuada para competir en las elecciones del 23 de octubre. Por supuesto, el agujero legal existente en esta aparentemente bienvenida pieza legislativa estaba en que, si los partidos lograban ponerse de acuerdo presentando una nica lista de candidatos a tiempo para el cierre del registro de candidatos, sin rivales internos que cuestionaran su derecho a candidatearse para las elecciones de octubre, no habra necesidad de internas. Ah es donde estamos ahora. En las dos semanas que quedan para re-gistrar los candidatos representantes peronistas y radicales, as como de los partidos menores, trabajan tiempo completo para lograr acuerdos acerca de los candidatos que cada uno llevar a las urnas, y evitar as las internas. El proceso no augura nada bueno para la renovacin democrtica en la poltica argentina, pero ocurre que pocos parecen estar realmente interesados en el proceso democrtico, salvo cuando les afecta en persona, y la mayora de los partidos son minsculos y carentes de importancia para la vida de la gente. Los mini-partidos han aumentado en quinientos (y la indiferencia probablemente en igual relacin) estas dos ltimas semanas, dado que el decreto presidencial 535/05 autoriz la existencia de 546 agrupaciones que han solicitado su condicin de partidos polticos desde 1983 pero no cumplido con las normas jurdicas electorales sobre el nmero requerido de afiliados y comits ejecutivos. Algunos de estos partidos podrn haber quedado fuera de carrera en estos veinte aos, de modo que es difcil saber cuntos de las siglas y los sellos son vlidos. Pero la autorizacin de ms de quinientos realmente apunta a blanquear a un par de ellos, o quizs un puado, que el gobierno necesita para asegurarse su apoyo en algunas provincias para octubre. Todo lo cual tiene tanto que ver con la reforma democrtica como un poltico con la honestidad. Sin embargo, recientemente se citaron palabras del presidente mencionando que se estaba jugando a su esposa en estas elecciones, de modo que aqul desea tener la victoria (de l y de ella) asegurada. En consecuencia, la renovacin, como la honestidad, y como la democracia en la Argentina, tendrn que esperar algn tiempo ms, y nadie puede saber a ciencia cierta cun larga ser la demora. Learning to decide rational action in volatile Argentina When the economy went bust in 2001-2002 after a four-year-plus recession, a dramatic shortage of resources hit Argentine organizations, whether public or private. Now that the country is back on the path of growth and economic recovery, enterprises of all sorts are looking into better ways to allocate the resources available. An academic joint venture involving Argentine, British and German researchers and students will look into strategies to improve the way decisions are made within organizations. One of the goals is to improve efficiency. Efficiency increases can become a driver for economic growth, says Cornelius Schaub, one of the coordinators of MARA, a non-profit project aimed at introducing decision science methodologies into the sometimes volatile reality Argentine organizations face every day. Starting next week, MARAs research team manned by graduates from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) School of Economics, the London School of Economics (LSE) and interdisciplinary scholars from the Foundation of German Business will work hand in hand with decision-makers in businesses, NGOs and government agencies for three months in order to assess the rationale behind the way decisions are made in Argentina. The goal of MARA a Spanish acronym that stands for Resource Allocation Methodologies in Argentina is to underpin more transparent and predictable decision-making practices by introducing maths-based models and insights. The idea is to solve real resource allocation problems. The MARA teams will develop models with the decision-makers, incorporating the subjective views of the stakeholders of the problem and incorporating hard data, explains Martin Schilling, co-organizer of MARA and PhD student at the LSE. The MARA project has the patronage of the British and German embassies in Argentina. Some of the organizations that will be taking part include the Argentine branches of Siemens, Volkswagen, BASF and Schering. As recession set upon the country in 1998 and through the 2001-2002 economic crash, most Argentine organizations kept a hold-on strategy of survival. Now that the economy is booming, managers are beginning to switch to a more aggressive business strategy. In that context, decision-making becomes crucial for success. This is an ideal environment to apply methods to aid decision-makers dealing with risk and/or with multiple conflicting objective when allocating resources, says adds Schilling. Decisions set the direction of organizations. It is not what organizations or the people in them say but what they do what counts, says project content coordinator Juan Manuel Duhalde, a lecturer on decision-making theory at the UBA. During preliminary talks with Argentine managers, MARA researchers detected a need and a wish for more rational decision-making tools. Intuitive decision-making currently outnumbers technical decision-making in most of the organizations that will be taking part in the project. MARA researchers would like to see technical beating intuition once their work is over come the end of September. MARA poses a twofold challenge for the researchers involved. They will, on one hand, seek to merge their different approach in decision-making science to enhance the impact of their work in the organizations involved. Yet a greater challenge lies on melting two worlds which sometimes stand at a oceans distance: academia and real world management. (Herald staff) More information at . Leonardo Da Vinci Residence 1-2 room furnished apartments & loft. Libertad 1224, Recoleta. Phone: (54-11) 4815-8099/ 9610. Life at the top in the US isnt just better, its longer Will L. Wilson's heart attack came four days earlier in the bedroom of his brownstone in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn. He had been regaling his fiancee with the details of an all-you-can-eat dinner. Wilson, a Consolidated Edison office worker, was feeling a little bloated. He flopped onto the bed. Then came a searing sensation, like a hot iron deep inside his chest. Ewa Rynczak Gora's first signs of trouble came in her rented room in the shadow of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. It was the Fourth of July. Gora, a Polish-born housekeeper, was playing bridge. Suddenly she was sweating, stifling an urge to vomit. She told her husband not to call an ambulance; it would cost too much. She tried a home remedy: salt water, a double dose of hypertension pills and a glass of vodka. Architect, utility worker, maid: Heart attack is a great leveler, and in those first moments, three New Yorkers with little in common faced a common threat. But in the months that followed, their experiences diverged. Social class that elusive combination of income, education, occupation and wealth played a powerful role in Miele's, Wilson's and Gora's struggles to recover. Class informed everything from the circumstances of their heart attacks to the emergency care each received, the households they returned to and the jobs they hoped to resume. It shaped their understanding of their illness, the support they got from their families, their relationships with their doctors. Class is a potent force in health and longevity in the United States. The more education and income people have, the less likely they are to have and die of heart disease, strokes, diabetes and many types of cancer. Upper-middle-class Americans live longer and in better health than middle-class Americans, who live longer and better than those at the bottom. And the gaps are widening. The advances in medicine have disproportionately gone to people with education, money, good jobs and connections. Heart attack is a window on the effects of class on health. The risk factors -- smoking, poor diet, inactivity, obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol and stress -- are all more common among the less educated and less affluent, the same group that research has shown is less likely to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to get emergency room care or to change habits. Miele's advantage began with the people he was with when the lining of his right coronary artery ruptured, cutting off the flow of blood to his 66-year-old heart. His two colleagues knew enough to dismiss his request for a taxi and call an ambulance. And because he was in Midtown, there were major medical centers nearby, all licensed to do the latest in emergency cardiac care. The emergency medical technician in the ambulance offered Miele a choice. He picked Tisch Hospital, part of New York University, and passed up city-run Bellevue. Within minutes, Miele was on a table in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, awaiting an angioplasty to unclog his artery a procedure that many call the gold standard. When he developed a heart rhythm abnormality that can be fatal within minutes, the problem was quickly fixed. Then Dr. James N. Slater, a 54-year-old cardiologist who had done some 25,000 cardiac catheterizations, threaded a catheter through a small incision in Miele's thigh and steered it toward his heart. Less than two hours after the first symptoms, his artery was reopened and a stent was implanted to keep it that way. The damage was minimal. Miele spent just two days in the hospital. Things went less flawlessly for Wilson, a 53-year-old transportation coordinator for Con Ed. He imagined fleetingly that he was having a bad case of indigestion, though he had had a heart attack before. His fiancee insisted on calling an ambulance. Again, the medic offered a choice of two hospitals neither with state permission to do angioplasty. Wilson chose the Brooklyn Hospital Center over Woodhull, the city-run hospital that serves three of Brooklyn's poorest areas. There, he was given a drug to break up the clot blocking an artery. It worked at first, said Dr. Narinder P. Bhalla, the hospital's chief of cardiology, but the clot re-formed. So Bhalla had Wilson taken to NewYork-Presbyterian in Manhattan. There, Bhalla performed an angioplasty and implanted a stent. Asked later whether Wilson would have been better off if he had had his heart attack elsewhere, Bhalla said, "In his case, yes, he would have been better off had he been to a hospital that was doing angioplasty." Wilson spent five days in the hospital before heading home on many of the same high-priced drugs that Miele would be taking and under similar instructions to change his diet and exercise regularly. After his first heart attack in 2000, he quit smoking; but once he was feeling better, he had stopped taking several medications, drifted back to red meat and fried foods and let his exercise program slip. This time would be different, he vowed. Gora's experience was the rockiest. She hesitated before allowing her husband to call an ambulance; she hoped her symptoms would go away. He finally insisted; but when the ambulance arrived, she resisted leaving. She was given no choices; she was taken to Woodhull, which Wilson had rejected. Woodhull was busy when Gora arrived. A nurse found her stable and classified her as "high priority." Two hours later, a physician assistant and an attending doctor examined her again and found her complaining of chest pain, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Over the next few hours, tests confirmed she was having a heart attack. She was given drugs to stop her blood from clotting and to control her blood pressure. The heart attack passed. The next day, Gora was transferred to Bellevue, which Miele had rejected, for an angiogram. But Gora, who was 59 then, contracted a fever, so the angiogram had to be canceled. She remained at Bellevue for two weeks. Finally, she was sent home. No angiogram was done. By any definition, Miele is upper middle class, the son of an architect and an artist. After college, he joined his father's firm, where he built a practice as not only an architect but also an arbitrator and an expert witness, developing real estate on the side. He bought a $21,000 house in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn, sold it about 15 years later for $285,000 and used the money to build his current house next door, worth over $2 million. In Brookhaven, on Long Island, he took a derelict house on a single acre, annexed adjoining lots and created what a four-acre, three-house compound. He had figured out how to live like a millionaire, he liked to say, even before he became one. He had worked four-day weeks for the last 20 years, spending long weekends with his family, sailing or iceboating on Bellport Bay. He was also a passionate chef who put great store in the healthfulness of fresh ingredients from his family's vegetable garden or the greengrocers in Park Slope. He figured he had something else working in his favor: he was happy. He adored his second wife, Lori, 23 years younger, and their 6-year-old daughter, Emma. He lived within blocks of his two sisters and two of his three grown children from his first marriage. The house regularly overflowed with guests, including Miele's ex-wife and her husband. An important link in the safety net that caught Miele was his wife. While he was in the hospital, she was on the Internet, Googling stents. She prodded Miele, gently, to cut his weekly egg consumption to two, from seven. She found fresh whole wheat pasta and cooked it with turkey sausage and broccoli rabe. She knew her way around nutrition labels. Lunches in Brookhaven went straight from garden to table: tomatoes with basil, eggplant, corn, zucchini flower tempura. At the suggestion of his cardiologist, Dr. Richard M. Hayes, Miele enrolled in a three-month monitored exercise program called cardiac rehab, shown to reduce the mortality rate among heart patients by 20 percent. Miele's insurance covered the cost. He even found a class 10 minutes from his country house. His weight dropped to 189 pounds, from 211. He had doubled the intensity of his workouts. His blood pressure was lower than ever. Miele saw Hayes only twice in six months. He had been known to walk out of doctors' offices if he was not seen within 20 minutes, but Hayes did not keep him waiting. Just one unpleasant thing happened. Miele's partners informed him in late July that they wanted him to retire. It caught him off guard, and it hurt. Will Wilson fits squarely in New York's middle class. His parents were sharecroppers who moved north and became a machinist and a nurse. He grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant and had spent 34 years at Con Ed. He had an income of $73,000, five weeks' vacation, health benefits, a house worth $450,000 and plans to retire to North Carolina at 55. Wilson, too, had imagined becoming an architect. But there had been no money for college, so he found a job as a utility worker. By age 22, he had two children. He considered going back to school but never found the time. For years he was a high-voltage cable splicer, but an injury ended that career track. Instead of disc surgery, like Miele had, a doctor suggested that Wilson learn to live with the pain. So Wilson became a laboratory technician, then a transportation coordinator, overseeing fuel deliveries. Wilson's health was not bad, but far from perfect. He had quit drinking and smoking, but had high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes. He was slim, 5-foot-9 and just under 170 pounds. He traced his first heart attack to his smoking, his diet and the stress from a grueling divorce. By the time Bhalla encountered Wilson, there was damage to all three main areas of his heart. "He has to behave himself," Bhalla said. "He needs to be more compliant with his medications. He has to really go on a diet, which is grains, no red meat, no fat. No fat at all." But Wilson's fiancee, Melvina Murrell Green, found it hard to find fresh produce and good fish. At Red Lobster after his second heart attack, Green would order chicken and Wilson would have salmon -- plus a side of fried shrimp. "He's still having a problem with the fried seafood," Green said. In August, Green's blood pressure shot up. The culprit turned out to be a turkey chili recipe that she and Wilson had discovered: every ingredient except the turkey came from a can. She was shocked when her doctor pointed out the salt content. Bhalla had suggested that Wilson walk for exercise. There was little open space in the neighborhood, so Wilson and Green often drove just to go for a stroll. In mid-October he entered a cardiac rehab program like Miele's, only less convenient. Gora is a member of the working class. A bus driver's daughter, she arrived in New York from Krakow in the early 1990s, leaving behind a grown son. She worked as a housekeeper in a residence for the elderly in Manhattan, making beds and cleaning toilets. Her annual income, she said, was $21,000 to $23,000 a year, with health insurance through her union. For $365 a month, she rented a room in a friend's Brooklyn apartment. She was in her seventh year on a waiting list for a subsidized apartment. In the meantime, she acquired a roommate: Edward Gora, an asbestos-removal worker newly arrived from Poland and 10 years her junior, whom she met and married in 2003. "My doctor said, `Ewa, be careful with cholesterol,"' recalled Gora, whose Old World sense of propriety had her dressed in heels and makeup for every visit to Bellevue. "When she said that, I think nothing; I don't care. Because I don't believe this touch me. Or I think she have to say like that because she doctor. Like cigarettes: She doctor, she always told me to stop. And when I got out of the office, lights up." She had smoked for 30 years. She grew up on her mother's fried pork chops, spare ribs and meatballs all cooked with lard and had become a pizza, hamburger and french fry enthusiast. Fast food was not only tasty but also affordable. "I eat terrible," she reported cheerily from her bed at Bellevue. "I like grease food and fast food. And cigarettes." Her husband smoked, her friends all smoked. Everyone she knew seemed to love tobacco and steak. Her life was physically demanding. She would rise at 6 a.m. to catch a bus to the subway, change trains three times and arrive at work by 8 a.m. She would make 25 to 30 beds, vacuum, cart out trash. Yet she says she loved her life. "Here, I don't have a lot of, but I live normal." The nature of Gora's illness was far from clear to her even after two weeks in Bellevue. In her first weeks home, she remained unconvinced that she had had a heart attack. When she arrived at Bellevue for her first follow-up appointment, Dr. Jad Swingle, completing his training in cardiology, asked questions, speaking slowly. Do you ever get chest discomfort? Do you get short of breath when you walk? She interrupted: "Doctor, I don't know what I have, why I was in hospital. What is this heart attack? I don't know why I have this. What I have to do to not repeat this?" No one had explained these things, Gora believed. Or, she wondered, had she not understood? Swingle examined her, then said he would answer her questions "in a way you'll understand." What about the procedure that was never done? She asked. "I'm not sure an angiogram would help you," he said. She needed to stop smoking, take her medications, walk, come back in a month. Outside, Gora tottered toward the subway, 14 blocks away, on pink high-heeled sandals in 89-degree heat. "Now I worry," she said. If Miele's encounters with the health care profession in the first months after his heart attack were occasional and efficient, Gora's were the opposite. A growth on her adrenal gland had turned up on a Bellevue CAT scan. An old knee problem flared up; an orthopedist recommended surgery. An alarming rash on her leg led to a trip to a dermatologist. Because of the heart attack, she had been taken off hormone replacement therapy and was constantly sweating. She tore open a toe stepping into a pothole and needed stitches. Without money or connections, moderate tasks consumed entire days. One cardiology appointment coincided with a downpour that paralyzed the city. Gora was supposed to be at the hospital laboratory at 8 a.m. to have blood drawn and back at the clinic at 1 p.m. In between, she wanted to meet with her boss about her disability payments. She had a 4 p.m. appointment in Brooklyn for her knee. So at 7 a.m., she hobbled through the rain to the bus to the subway to another bus to Bellevue. She was waiting outside the lab when it opened. Then she took a bus uptown in jammed traffic, changed buses, descended into the subway, rode to Times Square, found service suspended because of flooding, climbed the stairs, maneuvered through angry crowds hunting for buses and found another subway. If she had had the money she could have made the trip in 20 minutes by cab. Her boss was not there. So she returned to Bellevue and waited until 2:35 p.m. for her 1 o'clock appointment. As always, she asked Swingle to let her return to work. When he insisted she have a stress test first, a receptionist gave her the first available appointment seven weeks away. Meanwhile, Gora was trying to stop smoking. She had quit in the hospital, then started again. She tried the free smoking cessation program at Bellevue, where a counselor supplied her with nicotine patches and advice. Over time, her tobacco craving waned, but she was gaining weight. She took steps to take it off, but always seemed to slip back to old habits. Meanwhile, her disability payments, for which she needed a doctor's letter every month, came to just half her salary. Once, she spent hours searching for the right person at Bellevue to give her one, only to be told to come back in two days. After reaching "maximum benefit" on her insurance, she switched to her husband's insurance plan. Twice, Bellevue sent bills for impossibly large amounts of money, and each times she spent hours traveling to the hospital's business office for explanations. Each time, a clerk listened, made a phone call, said the bill was a mistake. By February, Miele's heart attack, remarkably, had left him better off. He had lost 34 pounds and was exercising three times a week and taking subway stairs two at a time. He had retired on the terms he wanted. He was working from home, billing $225 an hour. His blood pressure and cholesterol were low. Wilson's heart attack had been a setback. His heart function remained impaired, though improved since May. He still enjoyed fried shrimp on occasion but he took his medications diligently. He graduated from cardiac rehab and was looking forward to retirement. Gora's life and health were increasingly complex. She returned to work in November and moved into the subsidized apartment, which gave her a kitchen and a bathroom for the first time in seven years. But she began receiving menacing phone calls from a collection agency about an old bill her health insurance had not covered. Her husband, with double pneumonia, was out of work. Her weight hit 200 pounds. Her blood pressure and cholesterol remained ominously high. She had been warned that she was now borderline diabetic. "You're becoming a full-time patient, aren't you?" Swingle remarked. Like the jazz orchestras of yore By Miguel Bronfman For the Herald The Palacio Moreno shines with the splendour of past times: brand new red carpets, high ceilings, sumptuous stairways, a pianist and a bassist playing low and mellow at the big hallway and a wine bar offering visitors a glass of Malbec. In the upper floor, a big hall full of tables. People have dinner or just something to drink among young waiters who rush to and fro. Everybody is a bit nervous. It is their second night since the place reopened after a long time. At 65, pianist and now band leader Jorge Navarro knows nothing about being nervous. I greatly enjoy being on stage. I always try to have fun while playing music, that is my essence. If the day comes when Im not having fun any more, Ill stop doing what I do, Navarro tells the Herald, quite enthusiastic after his Big Band (La Gran Banda)s first weekend at the Palacio Moreno. La Gran Banda was born a year ago, when producer Gustavo Levit approached Navarro with this adventurous idea. At the beginning I told him he was just crazy. I had never conducted a big band and, on the other hand, in financial terms it is usually bad business, and not only in this country, where we dont have a solid tradition regarding jazz orchestras. But the producer took the risk, and the conductors shoes suited Navarro to perfection: La Gran Banda was born and fifty concerts at the Margarita Xirgu theatre proved Navarros first reaction to be completely wrong. A year later, with some lineup changes, Navarros big band is in the spotlight again. Except for Eduardo Casalla (drums), Alberto Fili Savloff (guitar), Richard Nant and Juan Cruz Urquiza (trumpets), who were in the original lineup, the rest of the members are new. Navarro is proud of his musicians, most of them young enough to be his sons. I feel honoured to have them in my band, all of them are first-rate players, they really help me to conduct. Most of them had never played before in a big band, so we are all learning together. We used to have our constellation of big bands here in Buenos Aires, but that was like... fifty years ago. Thats why Im happy, I always wanted to have a big band, and the challenge is really thrilling. Navarros excitement and love for this music (Ive played Count Basies music thousands of times, and I still enjoy doing it, he says) is evident not only in the repertoire he has chosen, but also in the way it is organized. In the form of tributes, La Gran Banda revisits seminal samples of the genres founding fathers: Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman (the latter features the stellar presence of clarinetist Mauricio Percan as special guest). Every tribute includes about three well-known pieces by the honoured composer, intelligently arranged by Alfredo Wulff Woesten. In the tribute to Duke Ellington, for example, a delicate version of In a Sentimental Mood rendered in duo by Navarro at the piano and trumpeter Rogelio Jurez (one of the few veterans in the band, along with drummer Casalla and saxophonist Vctor Skorupski) is followed by a piano solo version of Dont Get Around Much Anymore, culminating with the potent and jubilant Take the A Train. The seventeen-piece band is completed by Carlos Alvarez on double bass, Miguel Hornes on trumpet, Juan Escalona, Juan Canosa, Eduardo Manenti and Maximiliano de la Fuente on trombones, Gustavo Musso, Ricardo Cavalli, Gustavo Cmara and Rodrigo Domnguez on saxophones. Navarro is also happy with the sound the have have achieved. When you play in a section of a big band, it is just like singing in a chorus: its not your individual voice the one that has to be heard, but the voice of the chorus. The sound of a brass or a reed section has to be homogenous, and that is difficult to accomplish. I call it the ego-breaker. Then, when the opportunity to play a solo on the spot comes, thats where the musicians can play the way they like, with their personal sound. And I think we have achieved that too, that balance between the individual personalities and the collective sound, says Navarro. As in every traditional band, which always featured one or two singers in a couple of numbers, La Gran Banda features Livia Barbosa and Willie Lorenzo. While Barbosa is an experienced singer with an important jazz background and feels comfortable within the band, Willie Lorenzo might still need some extra time to adjust himself and thus make good use of his talent. Like Navarro says, We are playing music that has been played for so many years. Yet, I still feel we have something to offer. For me, every time I play its like the last time Im playing, Im giving all I have. And that intensity, I believe, is noticeable. If somebody tells me that my music made them want to dance, then Im happy. It means that we have reached those peoples hearts and feet. Right after the bands performance last Saturday night some couples moved the tables away and, as though they knew they were paying Navarro back, they began to dance. Lots of snow! By the second fortnight of May, all the ski centres had been been blessed by snow. At Caviahue (Neuqun) people have been skiing since May 18. Blizzards closed the Cristo Redentor pass from Mendoza to Chile and the Seven Lakes Road in Neuqun. Things looked so good (to skiers and the hotel industry) at the beginning of June that Cerro Bayo in Neuqun moved its official opening up to June 11 and Chapelco announced a pre-opening discount week starting on the same date nearly two weeks earlier than the traditional date. (See pages 4 and 5). Last year Chapelco didnt get enough snow to open until July 3. Cerro Catedral in Bariloche has been recording every snowfall since May 12 on its Website, but has set its opening date for June 18. Las Leas in southern Mendoza, where it has been snowing a lot since May 21, will open on June 17, the same date chosen by Cerro Castor in Tierra del Fuego. Keep up with the latest snow news on the ski centres Websites: altapatagonia.com; . com; ; www. caviahue.com; ; ; . com; ; and vallecitos. com. Maersk raises stake in P&O Nedlloyd to 14.4 pct COPENHAGEN Danish shipping and oil giant A.P. Moeller-Maersk has agreed to buy a 5.0 percent stake in Dutch rival P&O Nedlloyd as part of an ongoing takeover offer, Maersk said on Friday. Earlier this week Maersk launched a 2.3 billion euros takeover offer for P&O Nedlloyd to cement its position as the worlds number one container shipper. On Thursday, Maersk bought 8.2 percent stake P&O Nedlloyd from Fidelity. Maersk said it would hold about 14.4 percent of the shares in P&O Nedlloyd after the latest purchase. (Reuters) Major ELT events recapped - New Section! By Sergio Mobilia For the Herald Is the variety of local ELT events available so overwhelming that you cannot seem to decide on which one course to attend? Or are two of your favourite workshops taking place simultaneously? Maybe you live too far away from the venue of the seminar of your interest? No problem! Major ELT Events Recapped is the HEN's solution for (some of) your professional troubles. In our bimonthly summary of ELT highlights, we offer our read ers a selection of the hottest ideas, tips and research updates recently presented in our teaching community. Last April 23, Asociacin de Profesores de Ingls de Buenos Aires (APIBA) hosted a double event which brought together an important number professionals at the premises of Instituto de Enseanza Superior en Lenguas Vivas Juan Ramn Fernndez. The menu offered a variety of interesting sessions to attend, including storytelling in the morning and the APIBA SIGs Opening Event in the afternoon. Continues on page 5 Continued from front page And what better hinge between these professional-development (PD) encounters than an enlightening presentation by Dr Cristina Banfi precisely on What is What in the Professional Development of English Language Teachers or Finding Your Way in the Professional Development Maze? This self-explanatory title reveals the aims of the talk: to provide the audience with tools to assess the nature of different PD offers flooding the local and international markets. Focussing on Maley's 1992 distinction between TT (Teacher Training) and TD (Teacher Development), participants were invited to reflect on their motivation for PD as well as on the factors which have brought about the so-called TD Explosion. Among the problems generated by this oversupply, Dr Banfi mentioned the overwhelming offer of activities, the lack of direction as well as questions of quality, warning her colleagues not to be taken in by flashy advertising which may mask lack of academic excellence. The life-long learning education movement, with its focus on increasing professionalization in ELT, has allowed us teachers to exert autonomy in shaping our own professional development. However, when it comes to choosing a path for PD, informed decisions should be made by considering questions which help us look back (What have/haven't I done before?), look forward (Where do I want to be in 5, 10, 20 years' time), look at the present (What stage am I at in my career?), analyse the state of the art (What is being discussed?) as well as look in (What am I good/bad at?). Dr Banfi also discussed specific options available for PD, such as higher education degrees (post/graduate; professional/academic), short courses, conferences, symposia, forums & lists and discussion & study groups. Yet, no serious decision can be taken without evaluating the personal situation of the PD candidate: what is his/her motivation, aims and level of commitment? You are bound to be disappointed if you don't know who is aimed at, explained the speaker. She also raised issues not always considered by professionals willing to take up PD-related activities: Who are the speakers? Are just a name and a nationality enough? Are they practitioners, researchers, or just tourists giving a talk on the side? In a word ... Does anything go? The presentation closed with simple yet powerful advice to evaluate PD proposals: l Be discerning l Be selective l Be open-minded l Be active l Be autonomous l Be consistent l Be reflective l Be responsible Dr Banfi's presentation certainly left the audience with food for thought: There's a place for everything ... but everything should be in its place. So ... what PD path are you going to take? Making sense (and art) of a glut of information A better-than-average example of this ambitious show-hatching and packaging is the latest offering from the Whitney Museum of American Art: "Remote Viewing: Invented Worlds in Recent Painting and Drawing." The savvy brainchild of the curator Elisabeth Sussman, the show presents eight artists who invent "new worlds that exist somewhere between representation and abstraction," as she puts it in the show's catalog. The "invented worlds" conceived by these artists are based on the torrents of information that assail us all today. They are swollen by scientific theory and technological data, electronic imaging, geopolitical events and such, along with growing literacy about culture and history. There is no thought that the group forms a movement or shares a common style, Sussman says; their work is diverse (although the general rubric "narrative abstraction" might be a handle). What the artists do share, it is suggested, is the ability to whip slews of disparate information into their own visual cosmologies, from the architectural plans, site maps, graffiti and comic-book art that inform the explosive worldscapes of Julie Mehretu to the laws of thermodynamics, mythology, religion and such that feed the snaky, jungly compositions of Matthew Ritchie. As for the "remote viewing" in the somewhat misleading title, it is an adaptation of a term that described the psychics, known as "remote viewers," who were recruited by U.S. intelligence organizations during the 1960s for their ability to throw light - presumably for our country's benefit on places or things they hadn't seen. The painters chosen represent a wide range, although they all draw from the barrage of information common to us all. Some of them are familiar, like Terry Winters and Carroll Dunham (the two old masters of the group); the others Ati Maier, Franz Ackermann, Alexander Ross, Steve DiBenedetto, Mehretu and Ritchie are newer to the scene. They are a mixed lot, too, in their capabilities. Some have strength and depth as painters; others have the shallow slickness of illustrators. If many of the works lack emotional resonance, that is not the issue here; in this cool show it's not insight, but inflow and outgo that count. It's a bit of a stretch to bring together eight artists of such diverse expression and expect to find a common high of achievement and originality. But overall the work does not lack interest, and Sussman's rationale for putting it together is persuasively argued. While there is no dearth of artists who actually employ technological means to fill the bill, the beauty part is that all of the participants here use paint (or colored inks), working unabashedly with old-fashioned implements like brushes, pigment, pens and pencils. What's more, the show is well laid out, with each artist given a separate space where the work is displayed without bumping into anyone else's. In several instances artists have painted black-and-white imagery as an accessory to their main exhibits directly on the walls. Ackermann, for example, has covered one wall of his niche with a tangle of white lines on black that might symbolize his global wanderings in the service of his politically oriented art. On it he has hung a painting of a face, partially covered by a dense rash of mini-images that seem to consist largely of crumpled futuristic buildings. Chief among his other paintings is "Untitled (evasion 1)," whose slick, hard-edge pinwheels and architectural forms in brilliant colors seem abstractly to evoke the seductive lure of luxury living. Market Report BUENOS AIRES Closed for a public holiday SAO PAULO Brazilian stocks slipped yesterday on higher world crude oil prices and a decline in US stocks. The benchmark Ibovespa stocks index lost 0.18 percent to close at 26,046 points. Volume was high at 2.64 billion Brazilian reals, but nearly half of yesterdays volume was accounted for by the exercise of stock options expiring yesterday. Rising world oil prices took their toll on Brazilian stocks. Brazil is a net importer of crude oil and oil products. SANTIAGO Chilean shares ended lower yesterday, falling from the record high they posted the previous session, as investors booked profits, traders said. The 40-share, blue-chip Ipsa index closed 0.6 percent lower at 2,053.92, from a record 2,063.83 Friday. Volume fell to 17.80 billion pesos from 34.16 billion. MEXICO CITY Mexican stocks rose for a sixth straight session yesterday, led by gains in blue-chip issues. The markets IPC index closed up 0.5 percent, or 63.40 points, at 13,709.36. It was a sixth straight rise for the local index, which closed at a record high 13,877.69 points on March 7. Volume was a moderate 75.2 million shares worth 1.58 billion pesos. NEW YORK Wall Street slipped lower but still held on to most of its recent gains yesterday as investors, their confidence in the economy growing, reacted calmly to oil prices that approached US$60 per barrel. A barrel of light crude settled at a record US$59.37, up 90 cents, on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 13.96, or 0.13 percent, to 10,609.11, ending seven straight sessions of gains which saw the Dow rise 140 points. Broader stock indicators were narrowly lower. The Standard & Poors 500 index was down 0.86, or 0.07 percent, at 1,216.10, and the Nasdaq composite index lost 1.98, or 0.09 percent, to 2,088.13. Both indexes reversed five days in positive territory. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies was down 2.35, or 0.36 percent, at 641.84. LONDON Britains top shares fell, retreating from three-year highs as a fresh surge in oil prices unnerved investors, although strength in heavyweight oil firms such as BP and Shell helped cushion the fall. The FTSE 100 blue-chip index closed down 5.6 points or 0.11 percent at 5,072.0, easing after Fridays run-up to a three-year closing high. Mercosur summit kicks off ASUNCION Nine Latin American presidents are attending the South American Common Market (Mercosur) summit in the Paraguayan capital. Elvio Venegas, the spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said on Friday that Bolivias head of state had not confirmed his trip, although the corresponding invitation has been sent. The list of Heads of State that arrived to this city on Sunday includes Argentinas Nstor Kirchner, Brazils Luiz Incio Lula Da Silva, Uruguays Tabar Vzquez, Venezuelas Hugo Chvez, Panamas Martn Torrijos, Ecuadors Alfredo Palacio, Colombias Alvaro Uribe, Chiles Ricardo Lagos, and Paraguayan host, Nicanor Duarte. From Friday to Sunday, different advisor groups and official commissions made up of Economy and Foreign Affairs Ministers met to work on the drafts of the documents that will be signed today. A wide range of issues were discussed, according to Venegas, such as the signing of a protocol for the promotion of the defense of human rights, the creation of a Structural Fund with 200 million dollars of working capital for loans, and cooperation agreements for the fight against kidnappings and terrorism. Venegas also explained that Torrijos was invited by Foreign Affaris Minister Leila Rachid to begin talks in order for Panama to achieve the associated member status, along with Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Venezuela. (AP) Mexico and Japan take 1-0 victories SOCCER Confederations Cup HANOVER, Germany Mexico joined Germany and Argentina in the Confederations Cup semifinals yesterday, leaving Brazil to battle Japan for the final berth. Mexico stunned world champions Brazil 1-0 in Hanover after Japan beat European champions Greece by the same score in the days other Group B match in Frankfurt. Germany and Argentina had clinched spots in the last four with wins on Saturday. Jared Borgetti went from villain to hero as his goal gave Mexico their second straight win. Germany and Argentina, who are also unbeaten in their two Group A matches, meet tomorrow. Borgetti, who failed to score in the first half despite taking a penalty three times, emerged as the match-winner by glancing home a 59th-minute header when he escaped his marker Kak and left goalkeeper Dida stranded. Mexico, who defended superbly and in goalkeeper Oswaldo Snchez had the man of the match, are now unbeaten in 19 matches since losing 4-0 to Brazil in the Copa Amrica last July. SUPERB MATCH A superb match full of attacking and creative soccer played on a balmy night in northern Germany ended with Mexico top of Group B with six points followed by Brazil and Japan on three and Greece, who are bottom with none. Mexico face Greece in their last group match in Frankfurt on Wednesday. Brazil will meet Japan in Cologne, also on Wednesday, to decide who takes the remaining place in the last four. All that was missing from a first half full of chances was a goal, although one should have been scored after 30 minutes. Mexico were awarded a penalty by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti after Roque Junior clumsily bundled Borgetti over as they chased down a loose ball. Borgetti slammed the penalty past goalkeeper Dida but Rosetti ruled that Mexicos Francisco Fonseca had encroached on the kick and ordered a re-take. His second penalty slammed against the bar but Rosetti also called it back saying that the Brazilian goalie moved off the goalline before the shot. Dida saved the third one but Borgetti put that behind him and finally had the last word by scoring Mexicos second-half winner. BAD FINISHING In Frankfurt, substitute Masashi Oguro pounced with 14 minutes left to give Japan a 1-0 win over Greece. The Asian champions looked set to pay a high price for bad finishing, with strikers Atsushi Yanagisawa and Keiji Tamada guilty of a series of appalling misses in a one-sided game. But Zicos team showed patience as well as masterly technique and took the lead when Oguro ran on to a pass from Shunsuke Nakamura and tucked the ball past Antonis Nikopolidis. We were asleep today, said Greeces German coach Otto Rehhagel. You couldnt win a pot of flowers playing like that. Michael Jackson faces daunting road back to pop glory It's an uphill battle," said Londell McMillan, a longtime music lawyer who has helped guide the careers of Prince and Faith Evans. "Culturally, he'll never be the Michael Jackson that we knew him to be. One thing we do know is his voice is permanently ingrained in the minds of most music listeners. But he'll never be the kind of trendsetter and icon he used to be." Sales of Mr. Jackson's albums have dwindled since the explosive success of 1982's "Thriller," which at 26 million copies is the second-biggest-selling record in United States history, behind a greatest hits album by the Eagles. His last studio album, "Invincible," sold just 2.1 million copies domestically after its release in 2001. And Mr. Jackson, 46, must surmount a library's worth of tabloid history that has cast him as a weakened, out-of-touch dance-pop relic - not to mention the prospect of losing control of his music-publishing interests as he struggles with debts recently estimated at $270 million. But his advisers have long insisted that he could quickly raise millions of dollars by staging an international concert tour and selling his own recordings. And although it has been many years since Mr. Jackson embodied the youthful energy and innocence that earned him endorsement deals from Pepsi, he remains a worldwide star, one who inhabits a culture where criminal charges do not seem to worry hard-core fans. The rhythm and blues singer R. Kelly, for example, has enjoyed a run of commercial success even as he faces charges of child pornography. Even people close to Mr. Jackson do not seem to know exactly what he would do next. His brother Jermaine, asked whether the singer would be picking up his career again, said in an interview with Larry King on Monday night that Mr. Jackson "is going to rest right now." He went on to say: "It's in his blood. It's in his blood." Music executives said Mr. Jackson could even make a run at his old pop throne. "You almost need a cultural anthropologist to figure this one," said Richard Rosenberg, who retired this year as head of the music division at the William Morris Agency. "I would think most of the people who were neutral about his guilt are now going to say, 'The system worked; 12 people in this conservative town came up with not guilty.' "He's not that different from most celebrities who they go to see, who might have personal lifestyles different from theirs, who might be drug addicts or public adulterers," Mr. Rosenberg said. "They don't care." Mr. Jackson has not toured the United States in more than 15 years, although he has appeared on MTV and performed on a 2001 CBS television special. He last toured in 1997, playing stadiums overseas, and grossed more than $90 million, according to Pollstar magazine, which tracks the concert industry. For Mr. Jackson to mount a serious effort to regain his past glories, even supporters say he must return to the energetic performances that display the dancing and singing talent that once electrified audiences. "He's always been a genius; now he just needs to maximize his gift," said Rodney Jerkins, the producer who worked on "Invincible." Attracting today's young fans "is a hard mission to accomplish at his age," Mr. Jerkins said. "I think he should really tour, focus on the fans he has and pick up new fans through word of mouth." A return to performing may not be enough to shield Mr. Jackson from his debts. He is already finding himself reduced from a king to a mere pawn in a complex financial chess match over the fate of his prized stake in Sony ATV Music, the music publishing venture that owns and administers the copyrights to more than 250 songs by the Beatles, one of the most treasured catalogs in music. Mr. Jackson's stake is the collateral for a part of his loans, which Bank of America sold to a New York private equity company last month. Mr. Jackson and his advisers have long waved off suggestions that he might have to sell his stake in the venture - valued by some at $500 million - to cover his debts. But people in Mr. Jackson's camp say that with the loan's acquisition by a possibly less patient creditor, it has become far more likely that he will have to sell the publishing catalog or reduce his stake in it. However Mr. Jackson chooses to deal with his financial problems, there is still no end in sight to his legal troubles, some of which may once again cast him in an embarrassing light. In a lawsuit filed in November and halted pending the outcome of the criminal case, a former Jackson adviser, F. Marc Schaffel, contends that Mr. Jackson owes him more than $2 million for personal loans he made to the singer. Mr. Schaffel says Mr. Jackson was "desperate for cash to support his uncontrolled spending habits" and never reimbursed him for expenses, or for loans used - among other purposes - to pay Marlon Brando for appearing at one of Mr. Jackson's concerts and to provide jewelry for Elizabeth Taylor, as compensation for her appearing in a Jackson television documentary. Having delivered the last new studio album owed under a lucrative 1991 contract with the Sony Corporation's music unit, Mr. Jackson can strike virtually any deal he likes for financing and distribution of his future recordings. His last CD, a greatest-hits collection called "Number Ones," has sold an estimated 906,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan data. It was released the same day the authorities raided his ranch seeking evidence for the criminal case. Mideast violence grows on eve of key summit JERUSALEM Palestinian gunmen yesterday killed an Israeli motorist in a West Bank ambush and Israeli troops nabbed an alleged female suicide bomber with explosives hidden in her pants, escalating a wave of violence that has strained an already shaky ceasefire. Palestinian officials condemned the violence, which also included the shooting death of a Palestinian man by Israeli troops, but Israel angrily demanded tougher action. The growing tensions cast a cloud over a meeting set for today between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, where they are expected to discuss coordination for Israels upcoming withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank. The violence has raised doubts over whether Abbas can keep his pledge to maintain calm during the Gaza withdrawal, which is scheduled to begin in mid-August. Todays summit is just the second time the two leaders have met since Abbas election in January. At their first meeting, in February, the two men declared an end to more than four years of fighting. While the truce has brought a drop in bloodshed, sporadic violence has persisted. Yesterday marked the third consecutive day of deadly incidents. Early yesterday, Palestinian gunmen hiding in an alley ambushed an Israeli minivan driving through the northern West Bank near the town of Jenin, killing one passenger and slightly wounding a second, the army said. The gunmen escaped. Also yesterday, Israeli troops stopped a Palestinian woman with 10 kilograms of explosives hidden on her body who unsuccessfully tried to blow herself up at a crossing from Gaza into Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian man and wounded another as they tried to climb over the fence from the Gaza Strip into Israel, Palestinian hospital officials said. In Cairo yesterday, Israeli Vice-Premier Shimon Peres said he made significant progress in talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak toward an agreement to turn security on the Gaza-Egypt border over to Egypt. Israel is concerned about Palestinian arms smuggling from Egypt into Gaza. (Herald staff with AP) Monkeyshine LONDON Three tempera paintings by Congo the Chimp, including the one above, went yesterday for a joint 25,600 dollars at Bonhams in London. Congo (1954-1964) produced about 400 drawings and paintings. Pablo Picasso is reported to have hung a Congo painting in his house. Theres no precedent for things like this having been sold before, an auction house official said. (AP) Nation at a Glance Galeano trial starts today The impeachment against suspended Judge Julio Galeano begins today. Galeano is facing 13 charges, all related to his performance as investigative judge in the AMIA case. Among other wrongdoings, Galeano is accused of having authorized a 400,000-peso illegal payment to Carlos Telleldn, an ex-suspect in the case. The payment was allegedly made so that Telleldn would incriminate a group of members of Buenos Aires provinces police force of taking part in the July 18, 1994, terrorist attack against the Jewish community centre, in which 85 people died and around 300 were wounded. Today, the Impeachment Court of the Council of Magistrates will open the trial by reading all the charges against Galeano, who is expected to testify on Wednesday. On Thursday, the Court will begin to hear the testimony of the 50 witnesses. A verdict must be reached before August 9. Galeano is also accused of illegally keeping and destroying evidence, having ordered the torture of a suspect, telephone bugging and witness coercion, among other things. Picketers murder trial resumes today The trial on the murders of picketers Daro Santilln and Maximiliano Kosteki will continue today with the testimony of Ral Roda, former chief of the Marea Roja (Blue Tide) special police group. Roda is an important witness who the prosecution believes worked aside the main suspect, ex-police chief Alfredo Fanchiotti during the June 26, 2002, picket demonstration in which Kosteki and Santilln were murdered. The prosecution says Roda must have seen at least one of the murders in what has been labelled the Avellaneda Massacre. Kosteki and Santilln were murdered in Avellanedas train station after the police broke up a protest at the nearby Puente Pueyrredn. Fanchiotti was photographed hitting and kicking them, as well as shooting them from close range. Argentina investigates Pinochet accounts The Argentine Central Bank and an Argentine court began an investigation into whether or not former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet or any members of his entourage did any money laundering in the country, the daily Clarn reported yesterday. The Argentine investigation results of a US Senate report, which says that over the past 25 years Pinochet has had several secret multi-million accounts. The Senate report specified that since 1998 Citibank opened several accounts in different countries, one of which was Argentina, for relatives of Pinochet. Clarn explained that Prosecutor Carlos Stornelli started the preliminary investigation to determine if there were any money-laundering operations by Pinochet in the country. Just over two weeks ago, a Chilean appeals court stripped Pinochet of legal immunity to allow for a case to be opened against him on tax fraud charges. Zamora bashes leftist religion Leftist deputy Luis Zamora, leader of the Self-Determination and Liberty (AyL), yesterday questioned the paradox that the left has highly religious concepts, since every leftist party considers that it is the one who can truly understand the socialist texts. This make them unable to unify. Also, the left doesnt debate a project for the country and unity disappears in two or three months and it all end up being very frustrating, said Zamora. Zamora, a national deputy, is a former Trotskyist who is widely expected to run for the Lower House of Congress in the October 23 vote. Yesterday, however, he did confirm he will run but said that there is evidently a vast portion of people who back us. K to celebrate Flag Day in Rosario President Nstor Kirchner will head an official ceremony at midday today in Rosario as part of Flag Day celebrations. Santa Fe Governor Jorge Obeid and Rosario Mayor Miguel Lifschitz will be among the government officials who will join Kirchner. 14 kilos of coke Some 14 kilograms of topnotch cocaine worth 140,365 pesos were found yesterday by members of the border guard in the northwestern province of Salta, near the border with Bolivia, reports said. The drug was found after two smugglers left it and escaped after seeing the guards. (Herald staff with agencies) Nation at a Glance Ten inmates escape from Buenos Aires prison Ten prisoners escaped late Sunday night from a police precinct in the Buenos Aires town of Lobos. Police sources said that 24 cell inmates were held at the precinct before the escape and the capacity is much lower than 24. The prisoners escaped through a window, after filing the security bars. Several of the escapees were facing murder charges. Police only recaptured one man arrested for armed robbery. Fasting Castells in hospital Picket leader Ral Castells, who has been on a hunger-strike for 11 days, was taken to the prison hospital yesterday in the Greater Buenos Aries Marcos Paz jail where he is under arrest. The leader of the Independent Movement of Pensioners and Unemployed (MIJD) began the hunger strike after being transferred from Resistencia to Buenos Aires. Castells wife, Saturnina Nina Peloso said that her husband was suffering from blood pressure problems after losing more than six kilos. Police arrested the hardline picketer in the northern province of Chaco last week on charges of extortion in connection with a protest last year outside a McDonalds restaurant in downtown Buenos Aires. Virtual protest for whales An Argentine environment activist yesterday screened images of whales at the 57th International Whale Commission Assembly in South Korea, saying that thousands of whales will be killed this year for scientific purposes. World experts assembled to discuss the future of whales. Marcelo Iarra Iraegui presented thousands of photos coordinated by Greenpeace of whales taken along Argentinas coastline. Sntora to appeal life sentence The defence team of former police officer Oscar Sntora, sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of killing former Radical senator Regino Maders, said yesterday that they will appeal the ruling. On Friday, a Crdoba court found Sntora guilty of the 1991 murder. The court said that Sntora acted as a hit-man who shot Maders in the back for money. Trucks jammed at border crossing Nearly 3,000 trucks lined up yesterday to get through the Cristo Redentor border crossing in the Mendoza province, which links Argentina and neighbouring Chile, after clear skies indicated favourable weather conditions. However, avalanches hampered travellers plans to cross the border, but did not cause any injuries. Truck drivers are lining the way to the tunnel on National Route 7, under clear skies, after weather forecasts predicted the crossing might be reopened today. Meanwhile, the border guard said that the crossing will continue to be closed to all vehicles due to heavy snow storms in the past days. The crossing has been closed for over 10 days. Protesting against hunger More than 1,500 children and adults yesterday started a march in Tucumn to protest against poverty and malnutrition among children as part of a nationwide campaign against hunger. The Peoples Children National Movement organized the march and will lead a caravan in several northern provinces. This national march will draw to a finish on July 1 in Plaza de Mayo, across the street from Government House. The march set off from the neighbourhood of El Trula, the poorest neighbourhood in the capitals suburbs. Tucumn was emblematic for its cases of starved children after Argentinas 2001 economic meltdown. Boxing champion in a coma Former middleweight world champion Jorge Locomotora Castro underwent a medical induced coma yesterday in the Argerich Hospital, where he has been hospitalized since Friday after a car accident. Doctors said that Castros condition deteriorated and they induced the coma to help him cope with the pain. The Santa Cruz native crashed into a tree while driving in the Buenos Aires neighbourhood of Puerto Madero. One lung was seriously damaged. Record visitors at falls Over 10,000 tourists visited Iguaz Falls over the long weekend to witness a spectacular waterfall thanks to the water level rise in the Iguaz river. Tourism board officials said that 50 percent more travellers visited Iguaz than last year. National Park officials said that on Saturday, over 4,200 visitors toured the park. Iguaz Mayor Claudio Filippa said at a National Flag Day ceremony that an ecological hot balloon will be installed in the park. Mendoza shakes A 4.5 Richter scale earthquake was reported yesterday in the western province of Mendoza, causing no injuries or damage. Commando group in supermarket hold up A group of at least eight armed people robbed a Makro supermarket chain in the Greater Buenos Aires town of Ituzaing, making a getaway with cash from check out registers and customers, police said yesterday. The robbers beat up the private security guards and held up cashiers. Freight train union threatens to strike The Fraternidad train workers union chief, Omar Maturano, said yesterday that freight workers will stage a 24-hour strike on June 29 if a salary increase agreement is not reached. Maturano added that a strike would seriously effect cargo companies profits. The union has also threatened a full nationwide train strike if a favourable agreement is not reached. He added that cargo train companies were not willing to negotiate a wage increase. (Herald staff with news agencies) Near-empty track AP Just six racING cars start the United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis yesterday an unprecedented low number after the tyremaker Michelin advised the teams it supplies not to race because of safety concerns relating to the type of tyre for the tracks conditions. Negotiations between debt-ridden Varig and TAP collapse LISBON Negotiations between Brazils flagship carrier Varig and Portugal airline TAP for a plan to rescue Varig from financial collapse have failed, TAP Chief Executive Fernando Pinto was quoted as saying in an interview published yesterday. The operation has ended, although TAP is still interested in a partnership with Varig and will now see if it makes sense to apply the same kind of plan to the process, Pinto told the Dirio Econmico financial newspaper. TAP representatives could not immediately be reached for comment yesterday. Portuguese officials would not comment. TAP and Varig had been discussing a plan under which Portugals state-owned airline would invest an undisclosed sum in Varig and get a stake of up to 20 percent in the Brazilian carrier. The companies have overlapping trans-Atlantic routes between South America and Europe, and already have a code-sharing agreement on some flights. The two airlines would not have merged under the deal being discussed. (AP) New releases slo un ngel Murdered by his greedy partners, engineer and construction company owner Gonzalo (Osvaldo Laport) returns from death in the form of an angel who has the ability to modify things in order to avenge his death. Running time: 95 minutes. NC 13. batman begins (batman inicia) Following in the Hollywood Star Wars-style trend of prequels, Christopher Nolans Batman shows the superheros early days. Christian Bale plays the young Bruce Wayne, who inherits his parents fortune after they are murdered in front of his own eyes. The movie tells us how Waynes desire to revenge his parents deaths transforms him into Batman. Running time 138. NC13. the door in the floor (una mujer infiel) Director Tod Williams states that the film, which is based on a John Irving novel, analyzes how love is defined by its dark side and by loss. After the family of a successful writer loses two of its three children in an accident, a young aspiring novelist is hired as the writers assistant. But the wannabe novelists inclusion in the household awakes restrained sexual fantasies in the writers wife. Running time 110. NC16. New sight in Chernobyls dead zone: tourists Much was as the children and their teachers had left it 19 years ago. Tiny shoes littered the classroom floor. Dolls and wooden blocks remained on shelves. Soviet slogans exhorted children to study, to exercise, to prepare for a life of work. Much had also changed. Now there is rot, broken windows, rusting bed frames and paint falling away in great blisters and peels. And now there are tourists, participating in what may be the strangest vacation excursion available in the former Soviet space: the packaged tour of the Chernobyl exclusion zone, scene of the worst civilian disaster of the nuclear age. A 19-mile radius around the infamous power plant, the zone has largely been closed to the world since Chernobyl's Reactor No. 4 exploded on April 26, 1986, sending people to flight and exposing the Communist Party as an institution wormy with hypocrisy and lies. For nearly 20 years it has been a dark symbol of Soviet rule. Its name conjures memories of incompetence, horror, contamination, escape and sickness, as well as the party elite's disdain for Soviet citizens, who were called to parade in fallout on May Day while the leaders' families secretly fled. Now it is a destination, luring people in. "It is amazing," said Ilkka Jahnukainen, 22, as he wandered the empty city here that housed the plant's workers and families, roughly 45,000 people in all. "So dreamlike and silent." The word Chernobyl also long ago became a dreary, shopworn joke, shorthand for contaminated wasteland. But Chernobylinterinform, the zone's information agency, says its chaperoned tours do not carry health risks. This is because, the agency says, radiation levels here have always been uneven. And most of the zone is far cleaner than it was in 1986, when radiation levels were strong enough in places to kill even trees. A lethal exposure of radiation ranges from 300 to 500 roentgens an hour; levels in the tour areas vary from 15 to several hundred microroentgens an hour. A microroentgen is one-millionth of a roentgen. Dangers at these levels, the agency says, lie in long-term exposure. Still, the zone in northern Ukraine has much more radioactive spots than those where tourists typically go. So there are rules, which Yuriy Tatarchuk, a government interpreter who served as the Finns' guide, listed. Don't stray. Stay on concrete and asphalt, where exposure risks are lower than on soil. Don't touch anything. (This one proved impossible. Tours involve climbing cluttered staircases and stepping through debris. Handholds are inevitable.) No matter its inconveniences or potential for medical worry, the zone possesses the allure of the forbidden and a promise of rare, personal insights into history. Its popularity as a destination is increasing. Few tourists came in 2002, the year it opened for such visits, according to Marina Polyakova, of Chernobylinterinform. In 2004 about 870 arrived, she said, a pace tourists are matching this year. Tourists cannot wander the zone on their own. One-day group excursions cost $200 to $400, including transportation and a meal. The tour on June 11 began with a drive through meadows, marshes and forest, belts of green broken by glimpses of gap-roofed houses and crumbling barns. It is what Mary Mycio, a Ukrainian-American lawyer in Kiev and author of a soon-to-be released book, "Wormwood Forest: A Natural History of Chernobyl," calls a "radioactive wilderness," an accidental sanctuary populated by wolves, boars and endangered birds. Its beauty cannot be overstated. Soon reminders of the grim history appeared. The tour stopped at a graveyard of vehicles and helicopters used to fight Chernobyl's fires. Roughly 2,000 radioactive machines are parked here - fire trucks, ambulances, armored vehicles, trucks, aircraft. Two tourists slipped through the barbed wire and wandered the junkyard, taking pictures for a Web site they plan to make of the trip. The rest roamed the edge, awed. "I cannot find words," said Juha Vaittinen, 22. The minivans then headed to Chernobyl proper for a briefing on the accident. Next stop: the nuclear plant and "sarcophagus," the concrete-and-steel shell built to contain Reactor No. 4's radioactive spew. Mr. Tatarchuk held up a radiation detector - 470 microroentgens per hour. The Finns posed for a group shot. Motivations for coming here are many. The Finnish tourists, all in their 20's, said they had an affinity for lonely, abandoned places, and the zone so far exceeded the forgotten homes, farms or industrial spaces in Finland that its draw became irresistible. They flew to Kiev from Helsinki solely for the trip. Mr. Tatarchuk said others had turned up because they were curious about the disaster, or wished to enter an accidental preserve of Soviet life. Bird-watchers have visited to catalogue the zone's resurgent life. One group came for a hoax. About two years ago, Mr. Tatarchuk said, a Ukrainian woman booked a tour, wore a leather biker jacket and posed for pictures. Soon there appeared a Web site in which the woman, using the name Elena, claimed that she had been given an unlimited pass by her father, a nuclear physicist and Chernobyl researcher ("Thank you, Daddy!" she wrote) and now roamed the ruins at will on her Kawasaki Big Ninja. The site, , billed as a tale "where one can ride with no stoplights, no police, no danger to hit some cage or some dog," was a sensation, duping uncountable viewers before being discredited. The Finns said they had seen the Web site, and hoped their planned site would be as popular. On the day of their tour, the most haunting destination came last: Pripyat, a city left behind. "Heralded as the world's youngest city when it opened its doors in the mid-1970's," Ms. Mycio writes, "Pripyat also turned out to be its shortest lived." The city was encased on this day in a silence broken by breezes sighing through rustling trees. A heavier hush resided in buildings, where drops of water plopped loudly into puddles, and glass squeaked as it broke underfoot. Built on marshes, the place smelled of peat. At the amusement park, near idled bumper cars, Mr. Tatarchuk's monitor registered 144 microroentgens an hour. He moved four feet away, to a mat of damp green moss. It read 823. "Stay off the moss," he said. The moss is all around. Pripyat, both a time capsule of the Soviet Union and a monument to its folly and pain, is being consumed. What looters have not sacked or stolen succumbs now to the elements and time. A cafe patio atop the Polissia Hotel, offering views to the reactor that ruined this place, has been colonized by birch trees. One stands roughly seven feet tall, climbing skyward from a crack in the high-rise's tiles. Fine views of Pripyat are available from among these misplaced trees, including one in the direction of the reactor that reveals an empty clinic bearing an enormous sign. "The health of the people," it reads, "is the wealth of the country." Mr. Tatarchuk, looking down over buckling rooftops, repeated those words in Russian, then allowed himself a knowing, head-shaking smile. No-brain orgasm COPENHAGEN New research indicates that parts of the brain that govern fear and anxiety are switched off when a woman is having an orgasm. In the first study to map brain function during orgasm, scientists from the Netherlands also found that as a woman climaxes, an area of the brain that governs emotional control is also heavily deactivated, but that fear, anxiety and emotional control zones are not switched off when the orgasm is being faked. The fact that there is no deactivation in faked orgasms means a basic part of a real orgasm is letting go. Women can imitate orgasm quite well, as we know, but there is nothing really happening in the brain, said neuroscientist Gert Holstege, presenting his findings yesterday at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. In the study, Holstege and his colleagues at Groningen University recruited 11 men and 13 women, together with their respective partners. The volunteers laid on a scanning machine bed and were injected with a dye that shows changes in brain function on a scan. For the men, the brain scanner tracked activity during rest, during erection, during manual stimulation by their partner and then during ejaculation, brought on by the partners hand. For the women, the scanner measured brain activity during rest, while they faked an orgasm, while their partners stimulated their clitoris and while they experienced genuine orgasm. Holstege said he had trouble getting reliable results from the study on men because the scanning machine needs activities lasting at least two minutes to record an activity and the mens climaxes didnt last anywhere near two minutes. Holstege said his results on women were more clear. When women faked orgasm, the cortex the part of the brain governing conscious action lit up. It was not activated during genuine orgasm. Even the body movements made during a real orgasm were unconscious and did not involve the thinking part of the brain, Holstege said. The most striking results, however, were seen in the parts of the brain that shut down, or deactivated. Deactivation was visible in the amygdala, a part of the brain thought to be involved in the neurobiology of fear and anxiety. (AP) Notice board Forthcoming events APIBA SIGs Biennial symposium Date: Saturday, June 11th, 2005 (9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.) Venue to be confirmed In this symposium you may choose to attend the preentation of a paper, a workshop or a demonstration on Applied Linguistics, Computers, Critical Theory & Literature Studies, Language, Phonology, Literature & Cultural Studies, and Second Language Teaching SIG members and paid-up APIBA members / teacher trainee: Free of charge (proof of status required) SIG members and APIBA non-members: $15 SIG non-memberss and APIBA non-members: $25. For enquiries, please contact: Argentina TESOL: 19th ARTESOL Convention Dates: Friday, July 01 - Saturday, July 02 Venue: Universidad del Aconcagua. Escuela Superior de Lenguas Extranjeras. Lavalle 393, Mendoza Keynote Speaker: Jodi Crandall, University of Maryland Baltimore County, PhD. Georgetown University. Her teaching and research interests include Content based language learning, Second language literacy, Language teacher education, First and second language writing. ARTESOL Convention welcomes ARTESOL Members and Non-Membes To register visit our web page at: or 30th FAAPI Conference: Towards the knowledge society: making ESL education relevant Date: 22 to 24 September Venue: Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcin, Santa Fe (Santa Fe) For further infomartion contact ESSARP Good practice in bilingual education The first ESSARP Good Practice in Bilingual Education day will take place on Saturday June 25, 2005 in Buenos Aires with the theme: Innovative strategies in the bilingual school The ESSARP Good Practice in Bilingual Education day will be a one-day conference in which teachers and school managers are invited to share their experience with colleagues. It is an excellent opportunity to communicate with other teachers and heads in a friendly and professional environment. Making a presentation at the ESSARP Good Practice in Bilingual Education day will provide teachers and managers with the possibility of professional growth as well as with the opportunity of making a contribution to the development of their colleagues. Interested teachers may have or have not made a presentation before. The ESSARP Good Practice in Bilingual Education day may be the best place to start with or widen this experience. If you are keen on participating as a presenter or a workshop leader, please contact . Marketing for educational institutions Date: June, 4th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Venue:Howard Johnsons Hotel, Capital Federal Delivered by Laura Lewin (011) 4749-3600 2 Encuentro Mediterrneo de Profesores de Ingls "Contribuyendo al desarrollo profesional" Date: June 4, 9 to 16 Venue: Salones Amerian B y Amerian City, Patio Olmos - Crdoba Organized by English Forum; sponsored by ACPI. ACPI members get 20% discount on the fee For further information and enrolment: or phone (0351) 4601875 The Suburban Players Date: May 21st thru June 5th, 2005. Fridays & Saturdays 9 pm - Sundays 7pm Venue: The Playhouse - Moreno 80 - San Isidro Presents Agatha Christies The Mousetrap Worlds Longest Ever Run. Directed by Ximena Faralla -Eight performances only- Tickets $12.- Find out about our group discounts! Reservations: 4747-4470 The Suburban Players Choir We are organizing a choir for those who wish to take part in a relaxed and fun loaded activity, singing their hearts out. The choir will practice once a week, probably Wednesdays, from 8,30pm to 10,30pm. The choir will be led by an experienced choir master, and there will be a fee of $ 50.- per month. Please e-mail us and let us know if you are interested in participating, and if the day and time are suitable for you. The Suburban Players. Telephone: 4747-4470 Net Learning - Online courses for teachers and translators All our courses are delivered via the Internet through the Net-Learning system at . Visit our campus! They are aimed at teachers and translators who want to improve their professional practice. Face-to-face attendance is not required. These courses are attended from any computer, any where, any time. They are delivered on-line. See the courses content and methodology fully described in our web site. Our coming courses are: lLiterature in the ELT class (Tutor: Prof. Claudia Ferradas Moi), starting May 18 - Resolucin del Gob. de la Cdad. de Bs. As. 453/05 lAspect in English: the key to understanding TENSES and much more (Tutor: Prof. Aldo Blanco), starting May 19 - Resolucin del Gob. de la Cdad. de Bs. As. 3131 lPortfolio Assessment (Tutors: Prof. Liliana Luna and Prof. Viviana L. Pisani), starting June 9 - Resolucin del Gob. de la Cdad. de Bs. As. 2265. Please consult our website for more information: or e-mail us: . Phones: (011) 4654 8945 / (011) 4791 6009. On the Road Theatre Company Venue: UPeBe Theatre - Ciudad de la Paz 1972 - Belgrano. Our shows at UPeBe Theatre in Belgrano. Limited seats - Book now! Cinderella lJune, Tuesday 14th - Showtime: 2:30 pm lJune, Thursday 16th - Showtime: 2:30 pm lJune, Friday 17th - Showtime: 2:30 pm lJune, Thursday 30th - Showtime: 2:30 pm Mostly enjoyed by ages 3 to 9 Robinson Crusoe l June, Tuesday 21st - Showtime: 10:30 am l June, Thursday 23rd - Showtime: 2:30 pm Mostly enjoyed by ages 6 to 13 Ticket: $6.- Bookings & Info: 4568-7125 - International Congress for English Coordinators and Directors of studies Venue: Dinasta Maisit Convention Center, Malabia 460, Buenos Aires Date: August 25,26 and 27 2005 Workshops and lectures on educational management delivered by over 40 national and international professionals. Limited Vacancies. For further information contact ABS International at: or E-teachingonline E-teachingonline has reached 90.000 visitors and wants to thank subscribers for their amazing support in 2005. The magonline offered awesome material based on Tsunami, Cromagnon, John Paul II, which was vastly appreciated and can still be obtained for work with students in the Special Section. In May we added DRAMA in the ELT, Teenage Nutrition & Eating Disorders. At the Computer, teen students will work on the Lizzie site, kids will delight in a marvellous Fairy Tales website with specially prepared worksheets. Pre-schoolers dental heath and safety are considered in creative activities. The FILM section offers Smallville and Batman Begins as background for motivating EL teaching. Music and Dictation, The Da Vinci Code, Writing Poetry (Funny poems included) are some of the updated, fun subjects underlying the mag?s intention to assist teachers in their work. Visit our site at: and check the vast array of material offered in its 3 main sections, all subdivided into multiple areas. Every month we include new, updated, user friendly activities. We are already working on the June Issue which will feature new versions of Dad?s Day and Winter activities, Exam Zone with loads of exercises and mock exams to train for mid term papers or international exams, among the many pages we prepare monthly. Let us help you! British Council JUNE 2005 Young Argentines visit UK Graduates Fashion Week Dates to be confirmed Two young designers, winners of the Stone Competition held in November 2004, are visiting the UK to attend fashion studios and events at the Graduates Fashion Week. JULY 2005 lVisit by Visual Artist Jeremy Deller Dates to be confirmed 2004 Turner Prize winner is to visit Argentina. lStrategic Planning Seminar Dates to be confirmed lSpecialists from the UK are participating in a seminar for museum staff from around Argentina. Organised in association with the Argentine National Secretariat of Culture. lAnimation workshops and screenings by Barry Purves July/August 2005 (exact dates to be confirmed) As part of the Ministry of Education programme in Media, animation specialist Barry Purves is offering workshops, lectures and screening of a selection of films. lMultiplication Exhibition Dates to be confirmed Visual Arts exhibition including works by artists such as Mark Wallinger, Anya Gallaccio, Graham Gussin, Dan Hays, Tim Head, Damien Hirst, Nicky Hirst, Paul Hodgson. For further infomation contact us at: Words on Words Reading groups. dates: may 30th, june 7t, june 16th from 10 to 12 Venue: I.E.S Lenguas Vivas The Buenos Aires Players lDrama Workshop for teachers by Patricia Gmez Date: May, Saturday 14, 21 and 28. From 10 am to 1 pm Venue: Capital Federal Teatro Santa Mara: Montevideo 850Contact us at (011) 4812-5307 / 4814-5455 2nd Special English Language Immersion course for teachers and advanced students of English Date 3rd, 4th & 5th June Venue: Villa de Merlo, San Luis For further information contact us at:02656-476380 or at 11th National Congress of Teachers & Students of English Date: July 7, 8, 9 Venue: Centro Cultural Bernardino Rivadavia, San Mart Contact Miss Florencia Benmuyal - Congress Office Secretary (Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 17:00 to 20:00 hours; Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 to 12:00 hours) 2nd II IBEC (International Brain and Education Congress) Date: July 1, 2 Venue: Regent Hotel, Buenos Aires Join top education experts at the International Brain and Education Congress as they present the most recent findings in brain research and translate them into powerful new paradigms for teaching to enhance learning, foster student development and raise achievement. Further information at TWCInternational. Telephone: 4683-6621,email NYK confirms Grand Alliance to call at Amsterdam NYK has confirmed that two of the Grand Alliances Asia-Europe Liner services will call at the Ceres Paragon Terminal in Amsterdam. The two services are the existing Loop A service serviced by NYKs 6,000 TEU vessels and the new Loop F service being introduced this summer. In other news, NYK recently transferred its Container Cargo Advisory Team (CCAT) to Monohakobi Technology Institute, a wholly owned subsidiary of NYK. The team has been launched as Global CCAT. CCAT provides support for domestic sales by giving guidance on cargo stacking for safe transport and advice on preventing damage, while MTI develops ship and logistics technologies and provides technical consulting services internationally. The objective of this transfer is to integrate the domestic sales support functions with the international and technical support functions. MTI previously tied up with CCAT to study and research the effect that impacts and temperature changes have on cargo during transport. MTI applied the multi cargo simulator (MCS) to not only resolve various problems during cargo transport but also worked to develop new technologies that improve transport quality. This decision to integrate CCAT, with its direct line to the work site, and MTI, a specialist in technological development, is expected to lead to quicker R&D that is more in tune with the work site and customer needs. Oil prices set a new record NEW YORK Oil prices set a new record high yesterday as worries about a winter fuel crunch stoked buying by hedge funds and forced OPEC to consider lifting supply quotas again. US light crude moved to a record for the second successive session, hitting $59.52 a barrel, before paring gains to settle up 90 cents at $59.37. London Brent futures rose 56 cents to $58.32 a barrel, having hit a peak of $58.58. US contracts for the last four months of the year, when oil demand seasonally picks up in the Northern Hemisphere, all traded at $60 or above, with December crude breaking $61. The main reasons for the continued momentum remain the same as they have been throughout the strong push up over the past month the perception of a tight balance for the back end of this year in a market with limited slack, said Kevin Norrish of Barclays Capital. That lack of flexibility has also greatly increased the sensitivity of the market to any potential interruption, he said, referring to anxiety over the US Embassy closure in oil exporter Nigeria on Friday after a threat from militants. The United States reopened its consulate yesterday. Average US crude prices so far this year are up more than $10 a barrel at over $51 despite almost flat-out pumping by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. The groups president said yesterday he would consult other member states on releasing an additional 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude. If prices continue to increase as now, by the end of this week ... I will start consultation with my colleagues to release the 500,000 bpd, Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahd al-Sabah told reporters in Kuwait. But only Saudi Arabia has spare capacity and Riyadh says it cannot find buyers for more crude. OPEC says it is doing all it can to meet demand, blaming high prices on a shortage of advanced refining capacity to meet Western regulatory standards for petroleum products. Oil has set new highs following evidence last week that high prices have failed so far to make a dent in US fuel demand, particularly for distillates including diesel. While crude inventories are close to six-year highs, stocks of diesel and heating oil are low by historic standards, taking into account rising demand. US consumption of distillates, including heating oil and diesel, over the past four weeks was 6.5 percent higher than a year earlier, more than twice the growth in gasoline. The strength of the US economy in the face of high prices is a leading factor for the international crude market and some think inflated energy costs may soon start to bite. (Reuters) On how the US won the Vietnam war WASHINGTON Once bitter enemies, the United States and Vietnam now stand as economic and political partners in a relationship barely imagined a generation ago. Prime Minister Phan Van Khai of communist-run Vietnam is embarked on a US itinerary that is pure capitalism the purchase of four 787 airliners from Boeing Co., a meeting with Microsoft Corp.s Bill Gates and a chance to ring in a session of the New York Stock Exchange. Today, Khai meets with President George W. Bush at the White House to mark the 10th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties and to press Washington on Vietnams bid for membership in the World Trade Organization. It proves that if you live long enough, anything is possible, said Sen. John McCain of Arizona, whose body bears the scars of nearly six years in Vietnamese prisons after his Navy warplane was shot down during the Vietnam War. In July 1995, when President Clinton took the bold step of restoring relations, the Republican-controlled Congress, veterans groups and families of servicemen listed as missing in action in Indochina attacked with fierce criticism. The president who had been dogged by his avoidance of military service and his opposition to the war needed political cover from decorated veterans such as McCain and Pete Peterson, whose Air Force fighter-bomber was shot down and cost him six years as a prisoner of war. McCain praised Clintons action and said, We have looked back in anger at Vietnam for too long. Peterson accepted Clintons appointment as first ambassador to Vietnam. Khais visit has produced none of the fury of a decade ago, in part because of Vietnams cooperation in the search for US servicemembers, its steps toward political change and its fertile territory for business; private US companies invested 66 million dollars last year, and two-way trade that year totalled 6.4 billion dollars. Khai toured Microsofts offices in Redmond, Washington, offices yesterday, then joined Gates in announcing two agreements to improve information technology in Vietnam including plans to offer computer and software training to more than 50,000 teachers. Despite grumblings about Vietnams human rights record, the United States gives the Socialist Republic of Vietnam far more than it has ever granted another communist-run nation in its own hemisphere: Cuba, located just 90 miles south of Florida. Its ironic, because Vietnam won the war against us, said Robert Buzzanco, a history professor at the University of Houston in Texas. The evolution of the US-Vietnam relationship can be divided into two periods, one associated with the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1995 and the other the economic steps after the Bilateral Trade Agreement in December 2001. Unlike Cuba, Vietnam has carried out far-reaching and successful economic reforms that have been recognized and supported by the international community, including the United States, said Jonathan R. Stromseth, the Asia Foundations Vietnam representative in Hanoi. Among Vietnams political reforms, its National Assembly is becoming a stronger and more independent institution, where parliamentarians can grill ministers under the full glare of live television, Stromseth said. While the anger over the war has subsided 30 years after the fall of Saigon, the 2004 presidential campaign proved how close to the surface the wounds of the Vietnam War are, McCain said. Questions about President Bushs National Guard service during the Vietnam conflict and challenges to Sen. John Kerrys decorated combat record were major issues in the contest for the White House. I spent several weeks of the campaign arguing over a war 30 years ago, and nobody can change the outcome, McCain said in a media interview. For several generations of students, Vietnam has been a chapter in history textbooks or the subject of college courses. A number of veterans have returned to the country as tourists, including McCain, who took his wife and family. Today, the Vietnamese prime minister will visit McCain at his congressional office. If somebody had walked up to Lyndon Johnson and said in 40 years, this is what it will look like, he would have said we won the war, Buzzanco said. (AP) On hybridization By Anbal Goi For the Herald Let us begin by tracing an etymology: Hybrid derives from the Latin word Hybrida, the offspring of a tame sow and a wild boar; a Roman father and a foreign mother. Hence a hybrid word describes a term whose basic elements stem from more than one language; a case in point is television, tele from Greek, and vision from Latin. Lexical hybridization is particularly common where English is used alongside other languages and should be accepted as reasonable, save perhaps when bizarre combinations occur. Widespread acceptance is the marked tendency nowadays, in view of the steady growth of vocabulary in the 20th century, which added some such words as genocide, hypermarket, microwave, escalator, finalize and a host of others. The result is that in present day usage, concern for classical and linguistic purity is suspect and the increase of hybrids is massive. At this stage, it might put one in an invidious position to draw a theoretical distinction between UK and US English. However, I trust one should be able to draw attention to differences in the two variations of English, without laying oneself open to criticism for upholding one variant and disparaging another. After all, the extent to which international English reflects the standards of those two Englishes is regarded as of no great practical significance. All national standards of English seem to be close to one another. Having set this down, nevertheless, I cant help feeling that the previous arguments might sound plausible to a handbook writer or a linguistic theorist, whereas a teacher might be inclined to define his options and reach the conclusion that in the field of language use, when anything goes, the teaching practice runs the risk of turning incoherent. It is sad that those who defend congruence are often pigeonholed as strict and fussy, while those with a more laissez-faire attitude are considered broad-minded and unbiased. Hybridization is not synonymous with neutrality; nor is a hybrid style likely to be a neutral style. It is painstaking enough to train upper intermediate or advanced classes to tackle the written word with its variations in formality (registers) to saddle the teacher with the extra job of correcting and discussing examples of code-mixing. In a broad interpretation, the expression UK English refers to the variation of the language used in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In this way of looking at it, UK English points to an extensive range of accents and dialects together with standard varieties. The other short form, US English, is more acceptable than USA English, which is also the abbreviation of United States Army. The term US English is generally used by those who wish to make a distinction between US and Canadian usage, or avoid the ambiguity in the word American. The similarity and discrepancy between two of the principal spelling varieties of the English language are complicated matters, which can only be touched on here. We may say, in passing, that when differences arise, US English spellings tend to be shorter than UK English spellings: catalog, color, jewelry. On the other hand, UK English sometimes uses spellings to distinguish items with the same pronunciation, e.g. tyre and tire; cheque and check, kerb and curb. US English rarely, if ever, does this. A brief remark may be relevant on the characteristic uses of some prepositions and their omissions, a tricky issue for students. Unlike UK people, US citizens live on a street; cater to the party; do things on the weekend; are of two minds about something and can leave Monday, and so on. As to vocabulary and idioms, a few examples will suffice: Leave well alone (UK), Leave well enough alone (US); a storm in a teacup (UK); a tempest in a teacup/teapot (US); blow your own trumpet (UK), Blow your own horn (US). Instances are innumerable. The fact remains that, It can take years, says Bill Bryson in Mother Tongue, for an American to master the intricacies of British idiom and viceversa. Besides, in common speech some 4,000 words are used differently in one country and the other. Again, it is not merely a question of stark choices, but rather of avoiding having to resort to a metaphorical sitting on the fence and ending up having the worst of both worlds. Next issue will bring you new tips on Use of English. Until we meet again! On screen mr. and mrs. smith (sr. y sra. smith) The Smiths are a married couple who have the same job they are hired killers working for rival companies. But they have both kept their jobs as a secret to each other. One day, they receive the same order: they have to kill their partner. A turn of the screw of battle-of-the-sexes comedy, with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. the woodsman (el hombre del bosque) After twelve years in prison on charges of sex abuse, Walter arrives to a city, rents an apartment across the street from an elementary school, and gets a job at a lumberyard. There, Walter finds unexpected solace from Vickie, a tough-talking woman who promises not to judge him for his history. But Walter cannot escape his past as a child abuser. With Kevin Bacon. buscando a reynols A documentary based on the Argentine music band Reynols. Their discs were produced and released in different countries but remain strangely unknown in their homeland. One of the bands special characteristics is that the drummer, Miguel Tomasn, was born with Downs syndrome. cama adentro A prize-winning entry at the Sundance independent film fest, the debut feature by local director Jorge Gaggero shows the impact of the economic crisis that rocked Argentina in late 2001. A tender friendship between an upper-class lady who tries to preserve her status despite the economic meltdown and her loyal maid, who has been working for her for more than 30 years. cursed (la marca de la bestia) Two brothers are driving across a desolated landscape when a strange figure appears before them. They are forced to violently turn and stop the car in a night of full moon. Even though they save their lives, everything changes ever since: their physical strength grows, their senses sharpen and they feel attracted to everything around them. de-lovely A biopic revisiting the life of legendary US composer Cole Porter, who wrote several perennial classics like the movies name. Starring by Kevin Kline, the film also features Ashley Judd and Jonathan Pryce. downfall (la cada/ der untergang) This German feature is the first ever to recreate the last days of Adolf Hitler from an everyday point of view. An outstanding performance by actor Bruno Ganz conveys the persona of the Nazi leader as a human being locked up in his bunker with his lover and his closest aides. Based on the memories of Hitlers private secretary. kingdom of heaven (cruzada) Ridley Scott, who has already demonstrated his deft-hand with epic features like Blade Runner, Gladiator and 1492, now focuses on the Medieval Crusades. The hero is a young Frenchman who travels to the Holy Land seeking personal and spiritual redemption. Once there, however, he disobeys his Christian lords to head the people of Jerusalem, who defend their city from the western army. house of flying daggers (la casa de las dagas voladoras) Mei, a blind courtesan, turns out to be a member of the Flying Daggers, a shadowy squad of assassins waging a guerrilla insurgency against the government. A feast of blood, passion and silk brocade set in the twilight of the Tang Dynasty. house of wax (la casa de la cera) A group of six college students travelling to attend a football match have to make an emergency stop in a small town. The main attraction in town is the wax museum. They soon realize that the museums curator has filled the entire town with wax statues of unlucky visitors and they will try to escape before becoming a permanent exhibit of this weird private collection. hermanas The 1976-1983 military dictatorship separates two sisters. Later, they will have to acknowledge their own guilt and get over the death of a friend of them, killed during the dictatorship. Directed by Julia Solomonoff, who has also built a consistent career with a series of acclaimed, moving short-films, this feature explores the links among people who love one another yet choose different paths. hitch (hitch, especialista en seduccin) Alex is a love doctor someone who makes a living by teaching men how to seduce women who are much better looking than they are. But he hasnt been able to engage in a stable relation after suffering an early heartbreak. Until he meets Sara, a beautiful, clever New York journalist. la esperanza A man whose wife has recently died travels to a small town in the Patagonia where she spent her childhood and part of her teenage years. There, he meets a young woman whose little daughter has also died recently. The seventh feature by Crdoba province filmmaker Francisco DIntino explores a friendship built upon sorrow. life is a miracle (zivot je cudo/la vida es un milagro) Moved by his old dream of building a train in his land, Luka returns to a distant town in Bosnia. Luka doesnt notice the signs of the civil war until his teenage soon is recruited by the Army and his wife runs away with her lover. Directed by the Emir Kusturica. melinda and melinda (melinda y melinda) US filmmaker Woody Allen is back at his best with a feature where two stories about Melinda one quite tragic, the other funnier are interwoven. Played by the same actress, in both plots Melindas presence stirs up latent instabilities within her friends marriages New Yorker intellectuals and artists, as customary and causes some upheaval in their social and professional lives pap se volvi loco! Two married couples fly to a luxurious beach resort in the Dominican Republic as a sort of second honeymoon. But the plan seems to go awry as one of the two husbands (played by comedian Guillermo Francella) comes across a beautiful, young woman. ral sendic, tupamaro A documentary on the life of Uruguayan unionist and guerrilla leader Ral Sendic, arrested and tortured by the military during the last de facto government in the 70s. Sendic then went into exile in Europe and died in Paris in 1989. He was the contemporary version of Artigas, said the films director, Alejandro Figueroa. robots The creators of the computer-animated Ice Age now deliver the story of Rodney, an idealistic robot who tries to change the world. But he cant stand alone in his fight against an evil corporation he needs the support of other robots. sahara Action movie starting out in Indiana Jones vein thus a cast filled with treasure hunters, warlords, tribal chiefs and officials from various global agencies as they gallivant across Western Africa. The movie actually turns into a desperate attempt to forestall an environmental catastrophe. star wars: episode III revenge of the sith (star wars: episodio III, la venganza de los sith) Everything has an end, and so does the legendary, commercially successful saga written, directed and produced by George Lucas, which started in 1977. The story resumes exactly where Episode II left off, providing a new meaning to the series back and forward. Episode III concentrates on the inner struggle of warrior Anakin, who has to choose between losing Padme, his beloved, pregnant wife, or accept the power offered by the dark forces. Brimming with magnificent outer space battles. the chorus (les coristes / los coristas) Its 1949 and an unemployed music teacher is hired by a board-school in Frances countryside. There, pupils are subjected to a tough discipline. The old teacher creates a boys chorus as a way to disrupt the oppressive atmosphere. the interpreter (la intrprete) Silvia is a translator at the United Nations. During a diplomatic summit, she overhears something she interprets as a death threat against the president of her native country. The FBI agent who leads the investigation is fascinated by Silvia, but she is not the person she seems to be. whisky romeo zulu The story before the accident of LAPAs Boeing 737, that crashed and burned on the middle in the city of Buenos Aires on August 31, 1999. The movie unveils the complex network of complicities between the airline and the air force, aimed at reducing costs, but ultimately leading to the death of 67 people. ON TV FOX SPORTS 5am: SOCCER World Youth Championship: Japan v Australia. 7am: SOCCER World Youth Championship: Holland v Benin. 10am: FITNESS Catherine 100%. 11am: SOCCER Expediente Ftbol, Brazil: Copa Amrica champion 1997, 99. Noon: SPORTS NEWS (live). 1pm: SOCCER Ftbol para Todos (live). 7pm: SPORTS NEWS (live). 8pm: SOCCER The Last Word (live). 9pm: MOTOR RACING Last lap (live). 10.30: EXTREME SPORTS CX. 11pm: SPORTS NEWS (live). 2am: EXTREME SPORTS Amrica Extremo. TYC SPORTS Noon: SPORTS NEWS TyC Sports Noticias (live). 1pm: SOCCER Estudio Ftbol (live). 3pm: SOCCER European summary (live). 3.30pm: SPORTS NEWS (live). 4pm: SPORTS MAGAZINE Polideportivo. 7pm: SPORTS NEWS TyC Sports Noticias (live). 7.30pm: SOCCER Lbero. 8.30pm: MOTOR RACING Carburando. 9.30pm: SOCCER Los Especiales de TyC Sports: River, Opening Tournament champion 1994. 11.30pm: SOCCER Club x Club (live). ESPN CABLE 4.30pm: GOLF British Open films. 6pm: KARATE ISKA Strike Force. 6.30pm: BASKETBALL Streetball. 7pm: TABLE TENNIS 2005 Veterans Memorial, Arturo Shiu v Adam Hugh. 7.30pm: SOCCER Spanish League goals. 8pm: POKER 2004 US Championship. Midnight: SPORTS NEWS Sports Center (live). ESPN+ 9am: TENNIS Wimbledon, opening round (live). 3pm: SPORTS NEWS SportsCenter (live). 4pm: RUGBY The Churchill Cup, Argentina v US (delayed). 6pm: BASKETBALL 2005 Argentine Championship final (live). 8pm: SPORTS NEWS Sports Center (live). 9pm: SOCCER ESPN Report. 10pm: SOCCER Hablemos de Ftbol (live). 11pm: TENNIS Wimbledon highlights. Midnight: EXTREME SPORTS Gravedad Zero. 12.30am: FIELD HOCKEY Womens First Division A, Gimn. y Esgrima A v Quilmes A. AMERICA SPORTS Noon: MOTORCYCLING Moto Report. 2pm: MOTOR RACING Desde Boxes, Ya! 4pm: SOCCER River Monumental. 6pm: RUGBY Gente de Rugby. 6.30pm: ROLLER SKATING Patn Visin. 8pm: SOCCER La Cocina de Racing. 9pm: POWERBOAT RACING Offshore Magazine. 11pm: MOTOR RACING Desde Boxes, Ya! ON TV FOX SPORTS 10am: FITNESS Catherine 100%. 11am: SOCCER Expediente Ftbol, Argentina v Germany special programme. Noon: SOCCER World Youth Championship last 16 preview, China v Germany (live). 12.30pm: SOCCER World Youth Championship last 16, China v Germany (live). 2.30pm: SOCCER Confederations Cup, Argentina v Germany preview (live). 3.30pm: SOCCER Confederations Cup, Argentina v Germany (live). 6pm: SOCCER World Youth Championship last 16, Brazil v Syria. 8pm: SOCCER World Youth Championship last 16 summary (live). 11pm: SPORTS NEWS (live). Midnight: SOCCER Confederations Cup, Australia v Tunisia. 2am: SOCCER World Youth Championship last 16, United States v Italy. TYC SPORTS Noon: SPORTS NEWS TyC Sports Noticias (live). 1pm: SOCCER Estudio Ftbol (live). 3.30pm: SPORTS NEWS TyC Sports Noticias (live). 7pm: SPORTS NEWS TyC Sports Noticias (live). 8.30pm: SOCCER TyC Sports Special programme: Hernn Crespo. 10.30pm: SOCCER El Aguante. 11.30pm: SOCCER Club x Club. ESPN CABLE 2pm: WINTER X-GAMES First part (from Aspen, Colorado). 4.30pm: GOLF British Open films. 5.30pm: TABLE TENNIS 2005 Killerspin Tournament, Biba v Ilija Kupulesku. 6pm: KARATE ISKA Strike Force. 6.30pm: WINTER X-GAMES Second part (from Aspen). 8.30pm: MOTOR RACING IndyCar Series. 9pm: BOXING Lightweight bout, Damien Fuller v John Brown (live). 11pm: SPORTS NEWS Sports Center (live). ESPN+ 9am: TENNIS Wimbledon Championships, second day (live). 3pm: RUGBY U-21 Tournament second semifinal (live, replay at 9pm). 5pm: RUGBY U-21 Tournament first semifinal. 7pm: SOCCER Hablemos de Ftbo with Vctor Hugo and Roberto Perfumo. 8pm: SPORTS NEWS Sports Center (live). 11pm: TENNIS Wimbledon highlights. Midnight: FIELD HOCKEY Mens local match, Banco Provincia v Quilmes A. 1am: BASKETBALL Argentine Championship, third-place playoff. AMERICA SPORTS Noon: TENNIS Tenis Sports. 1pm: MOTORCYCLING Moto Report. 2pm: SOCCER La Cocina de Racing. 3pm: ATHLETICS Triatln.ar. 3.30pm: POWERBOAT RACING Offshore Magazine. 4.30pm: TENNIS Tenis Sports. 7.30pm: EQUESTRIAN Rincn Ecuestre. 8pm: SOCCER River Monumental. 10pm: SOCCER Vlez Total. 11pm: SOCCER Independiente TV. Open tournaments at local clubs TODAY Open tournaments, 18 holes fourball with handicap for men and women at Lomas AC (4234-8043/3193), Villa Adelina GC (4766-6371). WEDNESDAY Eighteen holes medal play tournaments with handicap for men and women at Golf Club Gral. Pacheco (4740-9820/8479), Ranelagh GC (4258-8514/3563). THURSDAY Eighteen holes medal play tournaments with handicap for men & women at Club Privado El Omb (4324-2727), Golf Club Jos Jurado (4605-4706/0623), Ranelagh GC (4258-8514/3563), Olivos Golf Club Copa Garbarino (4463-1507/0035; 15-4-413-9846). FRIDAY Eighteen holes medal play tournaments with handicap for men & women at Pacheco GC (see above), Libertad GC (0220-4941225/4940444), Lomas AC (4234-8043/3193). SATURDAY Eighteen holes medal play tournaments with handicap for men & women at Club de Campo La Orqudea (02322-493537; 15-4-440-3188), Club de Campo Armenia (15-4-414-8729), Club Privado El Omb (4234-2727, Ricchieri-Cauelas freeway, Km 41), Golf Club Jos Jurado (4605-4706/0623), Ranelagh GC (4258-8514/3563), Boulogne GC (4766-7508), Marina Golf (15-4-183-1890), Libertad Golf Club (0220-4941225/4940444), Jockey Club (4743-1001 to 1004), Lomas AC (4234-8043/3193). SUNDAY Eighteen holes medal play tournaments with handicap for men & women at Club de Campo Armenia (15-4-414-8729), Ranelagh GC (4258-8514/3563), Lomas AC (4234-8043/3193), Marina Golf (see above), Libertad Golf Club (0220-4941225/4940444), Jockey Club (4743-1001 to 1004), Club de Campo La Orqudea (see above), Smithfield Golf Club (03487-421835). MONDAY Open Tournaments at Club Argentino de Empleados de Golf, open prizes for men and women for teams & individual (02322-494121/15-4-937-6615), Boulogne GC (4765-7508/7525), Lomas AC (4234-8043/3193), Libertad GC (see above). Opposition to CAFTA solidifying WASHINGTON Opposition to the Central American Free Trade Agreement appears to be solidifying in Congress, with a smattering of Republicans joining nearly united Democrats in urging its rejection, even as President Bush intensifies lobbying for his top trade priority. CAFTA, signed by Bush in May 2004, would eliminate most tariffs and import restrictions between the United States and five Central American nations Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua - in addition to the Dominican Republic. Republican senators from farm states had harsh criticism for CAFTA at a hearing Tuesday, and the agreement currently lacks majority support in the House and the Senate, according to lawmakers on both sides of the issue. Since Congress must approve or reject the agreement without making changes, such opposition would doom the measure, though Bush and other CAFTA supporters are still seeking to persuade undecided lawmakers. If the Republicans had the votes, they would have put this on the floor a long time ago, said Representative Xavier Becerra, a California Democrat opposed to the trade pact. The panic buttons are being pushed by those who want to push this thing through. A defeat would be a major setback for the Bush administration. The president sought to rally support for the agreement Monday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., pressing Congress to approve a measure he said would foster economic growth in the United States and across the Western Hemisphere. CAFTA is more than just a trade agreement, Bush said in a speech to the Organization of American States. It is a signal of the US commitment to democracy and prosperity for our neighbors, and I urge the United States Congress to pass it. The congressional opposition that has developed is reminiscent of the debate over the North American Free Trade Agreement, which was championed by President Bill Clinton. NAFTA also faced strong opposition particularly from Clintons fellow Democrats - but Congress ultimately endorsed the deal in 1994 as a way to open American products to new markets. Now, NAFTA is being blamed for a ballooning trade deficit, the loss of manufacturing jobs, and the persistence of low wages and workplace standards in nations that compete with the United States. The Central America pact, modeled on NAFTA, is coming under fire in part because of lingering disappointment about its predecessor. Representative Stephen F. Lynch, a South Boston Democrat who opposes the pact, said the relatively small buying power of the Central American market is not worth the potential loss of hundreds of thousands of US jobs. Were competing for a market the size of New Haven, Conn., and were risking quite a bit, Lynch said. On the merits, this bill is not going to convince enough people to take that chance. Studies have suggested that NAFTA has cost the United States between 500,000 and 900,000 jobs mainly in manufacturing - and has not caused Mexican wages to rise. But the pacts supporters point to increased sales of US goods in Mexico as evidence that NAFTA has worked, and contend that the jobs would have been outsourced to other countries even if NAFTA had never been approved. By comparison, CAFTAs impact would be relatively small: When fully implemented, it is expected to add $1.9 billion to the $16 billion-a-year Latin American market for US goods. But Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns warned Tuesday that a defeat of CAFTA would hurt the United States in the current round of world trade talks. Republican leaders in Congress have delayed a vote because of the threat of defeat. But congressional leaders have vowed to complete action by the end of next month, and committee hearings in the coming weeks are expected to add some momentum. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley, a CAFTA supporter, said the vote will be very, very close when his panel considers the agreement next week. He said it has been unfairly criticized because of concerns about job outsourcing, the trade deficit, and US debt held by foreign interests. Its an opportunity for people to vent frustration about these other issues, said Grassley, an Iowa Republican. I tell people all the time, theres not any job that can be lost to Central American countries that couldnt get there whether weve got CAFTA or not. Backers say CAFTA would boost US sales of everything from apples to DVDs to shampoo. Bush has also touted the ability of free trade to raise living standards in Central American nations and strengthen democracy in the region. Unlike other recent trade agreements, Bush has not been able to count on support from centrist Democrats. The New Democrat Coalition, House members who generally favor free trade, has called on Bush to bargain for more labor standards and guaranteed workers rights in Central America. Some Republicans are also distancing themselves from the president over CAFTA, reflecting concerns in the agriculture industry particularly among sugar growers over cheap imports and the potential for jobs heading south. (NY Times) Original kings I remember a woodworker's shop on a back road by the sea. You could stop in there and wander through the long, light-filled workshop where everything was stained a dusty rose colour by the wood dust. There was a pagoda down a path through the trees where the finished pieces were displayed. The man's name was Espinet. A carved wooden sign on the road proclaimed it. We would stop in there once each year on our way to the rugged Northern California coast. I recall the comforting sound of the tires turning off the asphalt and crunching the gravel of the drive. I was glad to be arriving, to be smelling the salt air in the eucalyptus branches, to be returning to a place I had known and which was inhabited by such magic. Espinet did not speak; he made things in wood. I do not remember him ever speaking a word. But, of course, every object there, every blade of grass, spoke for him. One year they took us out to see monarch butterflies hanging by the thousands in live clumps from the trees and I could not imagine how such fragile creatures had flown all the way from Mexico or why they made such strange colonies in those trees. Back at the house I remember slipping between the covers of a strange bed where the sheets were cold and the odours of the room unfamiliar. Sometimes we went walking along the cliffs and saw how the ocean was slowly diminishing the continent and creeping closer and closer to the houses that had dared to build themselves there. Each year, after the storms, the cliffs would be a bit nearer to the porches of those houses. One afternoon while walking on the beach beneath those cliffs, my sisters were caught by the rising tide. They were at a loss because they could not go back because the way was covered in water; but nor could they continue on because the way forward was quickly being filled by water. At last they splashed forward and arrived breathless at home full of their recent adventure. One morning on a walk, my father slipped a rock into his pocket. In the afternoon with his pocket knife he carved a view of the cliffs into the soft stone, the very same material of which the receding cliffs were made. That bay full of water that was slowly devouring the continent was called Drake's Bay after Sir Francis Drake who, it was said, had anchored there to repair his ship The Golden Hind on his way to becoming the first captain to circumnavigate the globe. Several decades ago, someone found a copper plate nailed to a tree purporting to claim the land for the Queen of England. But the kingdom was not for the claiming; the plate was a hoax by a group of local pranksters. Please send your thoughts to Original sin? Welcome to the world of globalisation! Welcome, too, to the world of GI, which stands for Geographical Indication, a claim recognised by the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It all started when, in June 2003 a number of producers from all over the world, troubled by the indiscriminate use of traditional denominations, gathered together to try an impose a protective organisation, whereby images and traditions could be protected. Thus was born ORIGIN, with today ovr 100 members whose aim is to protect products from a given region whose quality, reputation and other features may be directly attributed to those regions. ORIGIN stands for Organisation for an International Geographical Indication Network, and it is based in Geneva. Its three basic objectives are: to promote GI as a tool to develop and promote local skills; to demand better international protection of GI?s, and to act as a framework enabling members to exchange and share their experiences. While this would seem to be a logical and natural objective, it faces a good deal of problems in its way. Not all nations are supportive. Developed nations such as the EU, Switzerland, Hungary, Turkey, and developing nations such as India, Thailand and Kenya are extremely supportive, but other nations, such as Australia, Canada, the US and Argentina, amongst others, are strongly opposed. These countries look inwards to their domestic factories and producers who live happily off the rewards of copying traditional products They suscribe to the theory that the name of a product belongs to the first person to register it as a trademark.. Historical links to a terroir or a local tradition counts for nothing. Since ORIGIN has set to work in 2003 some positive results have been achieved. The increasing use of DOC?s and similar appellations in Europe and elsewhere is showing the way, while cooperation between producers has created some interesting progress. For example Argan oil, (Morocco), Comte cheese (France), Agen prunes (France) and Antigua coffee (Guatemala) are already benefiting from GI protection, and many other products are close to entering the family. Meanwhile, when purchasing, take a good look at the label. It could be that the Portuguese port you are selecting is actually made in South Africa, or the Spanish sardines were actually caught in Tierra del Fuego. Outraged fans react Many Formula One fans were outraged by the withdrawal of all but six cars and reacted by throwing cans and bottles on to the track in disgust. A big number of spectators left before the start left before the end and demanded ticket refunds. To just give the race away like that is not fair for us, the fans. ... We want out money back, a fan said. Another one called it an absolute outrage. I have been to this race every year theyve had it here, fan Joe Huling said. My brothers and I have followed Formula One since the 70s and have never seen anything as outrageous as this. As far as Im concerned, if they do have a race here again, I would be questionable about coming here. I wanted to see Ferrari win, but not like this, fan James McAden said. Paraguay endorses Argentina and presents safeguards for Mercosur Paraguay presented a project for the application of special measures on imports within Mercosur, similar to the proposal that Argentina made to Brazil to correct trade unbalances within the bloc, a proposal that has also reached consensus in Uruguay. The project was presented last week in Asuncin at the Common Market Groups meeting, in preparation for the Common Market Council and presidential summit, which will take place between the 18 and 20 of this month in Asuncin. The proposal, which was part of the agenda of the blocs presidency, which is held by Paraguay this semester, establishes the temporary and unilateral application of a Common External Duty to those products in which case it can be demonstrated that there is a significant imported volume which threatens local production, according to Foreign Ministry sources. Sources from the San Martn Palace said that the measures aim to correct economic imbalances caused by a marked alteration of the macroeconomic variables, or important variations in trade volumes that affect local production. The proposal is similar to the one that is being currently discussed between Argentina and Brazil; which coincide with the Paraguayan initiative to correct commercial asymmetries, through the application of temporary mechanisms, as an encompassing package that can contribute to the improvement of Mercosur, Foreign Ministry sources said. While Argentina had focused the negotiations on a bilateral level, the government hopes that these mechanisms will be applied in the whole bloc, which the Brazilians are trying to avoid. Brazil has not yet given an official response to Argentinas late