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Restaurant and food cart serve up food ‘Gangnam Style’ Posted: 30 Nov 2012 06:36 PM PST The viral video hit 'Gangnam Style' by South Korean singer Psy has inspired the rebranding of a restaurant and food cart in the US. — AFP-Relaxnews pic LOS ANGELES, Dec 1 — One US restaurateur is hoping that the epic viral hit "Gangnam Style" from South Korea will have enough legs to bring his establishment more foot traffic by re-opening it under that name. Spotted by celebrity gossip site TMZ.com, the Korean restaurant in Los Angeles rebranded itself from Soju Town to Gangnam Style last month, in homage to the viral video of the year by K-Pop singer Psy. Psy's video has gone down in history as the most viewed YouTube video ever, having registered nearly 814 million views in four months. Meanwhile, according to TMZ, the pop star has reportedly said he won't pursue legal action for copyright infringement, because, "as far as he's concerned, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." The LA eatery isn't the only business to try and capitalise on the K-Pop phenomenon. In New York, website Midtownlunch.com spotted a Korean food cart that peddles bulgogi and barbecue chicken and pork platters, served, according to its menu board, 'Gangnam Style.' — AFP-Relaxnews

The yin and yang of noodles Posted: 30 Nov 2012 05:02 PM PST Ying Yong hor fun KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 — This dish never fails to satisfy my rumbling tummy. With the hor fun (flat rice noodles) resting in light egg sauce and the medley of flavours from the accompanying ingredients, this dish will satisfy any food critic. My secret to the perfect egg sauce is to do the corn flour mixture first and wait till the sauce thickens, only then adding in the eggs right before serving.  It is essential to mix the corn starch in some water before adding it into the sauce to allow them to incorporate with the sauce easily, besides preventing the formation of unsightly lumps.  The egg also acts as a thickening agent besides aiding in enriching the flavourful sauce. Adding the eggs right before serving is extremely important.  Eggs coagulate easily, and so introducing them to the sauce at the very last moment prevents them from turning into scrambled eggs. Instead, they will increase the viscosity of the sauce and give it a velvety texture, besides imparting their wonderful flavours to the sauce, of course.  One thing you should remember though - do not overcook the sauce, and this is for two reasons. Firstly, the efficiency of corn starch as a thickener tends to decrease if it is overcooked, and we certainly don't want that. The second reason is that as mentioned earlier, eggs coagulate easily at high temperature. This will result in the eggs being cooked instead of being in the required liquid state. A piping hot serving of this dish is guaranteed to bring you warm, fuzzy feelings that usually accompany comfort food.  It does not take a long time to prepare too, which definitely is an added bonus. After all, the faster you're done cooking them, the sooner you can proceed to devouring the hor fun and the incredible egg sauce!  Ying Yong Hor Fun  Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: < 15 minutes Serves: 3-4  1 packet store-bought fresh rice noodles, room temperature 6 tiger prawns, shells removed and deveined 200g chicken breast, sliced to a thickness of 0.5cm 2 chicken eggs, beaten lightly handful of choy sum vegetables, washed  1 inch ginger, skin removed and sliced thinly 4 cloves garlic, skin removed and finely chopped 1 teaspoon light soy sauce 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1 tablespoon corn flour 2 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 cups home-made chicken stock salt and pepper for taste  1. Heat wok over high heat. Add fresh rice noodles and coat with light soy sauce until evenly coated. Remove from wok and set aside 2. Using the same wok, add vegetable oil, ginger and garlic and stir fry over high heat until fragrant 3. Add tiger prawns and chicken. Fry over high heat until ingredients are cooked 4. Add chicken stock, salt and sugar and let ingredients simmer over low heat for 5 minutes 5. Remove about 1/4 cup of chicken stock from the wok. Mix together with corn flour until corn flour dissolves. 6. Add dissolved corn flour in chicken stock back to the wok and simmer for further 5 minutes, until sauce thickens. 7. Add choy sum vegetables and a dash of pepper, adjust according to taste. 8. Turn off heat and then add beaten eggs to the wok. Gently mix eggs with the rest of the ingredients. Sauce should be a runny texture. 9. Divide fried rice noodles into 4 separate plates. 10. Dish egg sauce over fried noodles, just before serving. Sauce should cover noodles.   For more recipes, go to www.chopstickdiner.com

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More woe for Scariolo as Milan are beaten Posted: 30 Nov 2012 03:15 PM PST BELGRADE, Dec 1 — Former champions Emporio Armani Milan's fears of making an early exit from the EuroLeague grew after yesterday's 64-62 defeat at Caja Laboral Vitoria completed an eventful week for coach Sergio Scariolo. Besiktas' Muratcan Guler (centre) goes for the basket against Partizan Belgrade's Nikola Milutinov (right) and Danilo Andjusic during their Euroleague Group D basketball game in Belgrade, November 15, 2012. — Reuters file pic Elsewhere, 1992 winners Partizan Belgrade rekindled their hopes of reaching the last 16 with a dramatic 75-74 home victory over Lithuanians Lietuvos Rytas while Alba Berlin and Khimki Moscow advanced with contrasting victories. Scariolo, who resigned as Spain coach on Wednesday having guided them to two successive European championship titles and the 2012 Olympic silver medal, saw Milan squander a 14-point halftime lead as Thomas Heurtel produced the game-winning shot for Caja. Milan are fourth in their section with three wins and five defeats, ahead of Caja and Cedevita Zagreb who are breathing down their necks with two wins and six defeats apiece and two rounds left in the preliminary group stage of the 24-team competition. Four teams from each of the four pools progress to the last 16 where they will be divided into two groups of eight. Milan's last two games are against already-qualified Zalgiris Kaunas and holders Olympiakos Piraeus. "It hurts to lose a game you dominated for almost 40 minutes and the fight for qualification is as uncertain as ever now," Scariolo told the competition's official website (http://www.euroleague.net). "We must beat Zalgiris at home and go to Athens with no other thought than winning although it's going to be tough and we have to work on the things we did badly against Caja who showed great pride tonight," added the coach who took over at Milan in 2011. Forward Fernando San Emeterio led Caja with a game-high 17 points, Polish centre Maciej Lampe scored 14 and Heurtel added 11 to go with five rebounds. Alba beat Poland's Asseco Prokom Gdynia 67-64 after nearly throwing away an 11-point lead in the last quarter while Khimki romped to a 77-53 home rout of Italians Mapooro Cantu thanks to 14 points from Croatian guard Zoran Planinic and American centre Paul Davis. Fits and starts Budget cuts have left Partizan with a modest but hard-working roster and they produced a heart-stopping victory over Lietuvos in a game where both teams played in fits and starts before a fervent 7,500 crowd in the Serbian capital. Partizan led by eight points at the end of the third quarter but an 11-0 run hauled the visitors back into the match and forced a thrilling climax, only for their guard Renaldas Seibutis to narrowly miss the game-winning shot on the buzzer. An eruption of joy followed in the Pionir Arena as the home players stayed on the court for 10 minutes to salute their passionate fans. "Every EuroLeague win is important for this young team and although we are almost resigned to defeat against the likes of Barcelona, we have shown we can still stand our ground against anyone," Partizan coach Dusko Vujosevic told a news conference. "It is so important to advance into the top 16 because that means another 14 games against high-quality opposition." Partizan have suffered narrow defeats against six-times winners CSKA Moscow and double champions Barcelona but Latvian forward Davis Bertans made sure they were not on the receiving end this time with an effervescent 14-point performance. The 20-year-old, provisionally selected by the Indiana Pacers in the 2011 NBA draft, buried four three-pointers from five attempts and most of them came when his team were reeling. "The important thing is we are still in with a chance of reaching the top 16 and we are now looking forward to the final two games against Barcelona and Bamberg," said Bertans. "We played with a lot of energy which definitely came from the fans and they were so noisy I am surprised they didn't bring the house down." Montepaschi Siena booked their passage with a 91-72 blowout of Unicaja Malaga, their fifth successive win after three opening defeats, while eight-times winners Real Madrid cruised to a 77-61 home victory over Fenerbahce. Barcelona stretched their perfect record to eight wins after a 78-48 away mauling of Besiktas Istanbul and playmaker Vassilis Spanoulis scored 16 points to help Olympiakos to a 77-63 triumph at Zalgiris. — Reuters

Juve’s Barzagli cannot wait for Conte return next month Posted: 30 Nov 2012 08:00 AM PST AC Milan's Stephan El Shaarawy (R) and Juventus' Andrea Barzagli fight for the ball during their Serie A soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan November 25, 2012. — Reuters pic ROME, Nov 30 — Tomorrow's Turin derby comes too soon but Juventus players are eagerly anticipating the return to the dugout of banned coach Antonio Conte next month. Conte has been suspended from matchday duties so far this season for his part in a match-fixing scandal at former club Siena and defender Andrea Barzagli says his return on December 9 will help them turn their recent shaky form around. "It is not easy to play so many matches without a coach of his temperament, someone who knows how to drag us along," Barzagli told Italy's Corriere dello Sport newspaper today. "(Assistant managers) Massimo Carrera and Angelo Alessio are good, but having the coach there is something completely different." The league leaders and defending Serie A champions will miss injured attacking midfielder Arturo Vidal, who is set to be replaced by Paul Pogba, but otherwise are at full strength for the home game with Torino. — Reuters

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More than 100 graves robbed in Benin for voodoo rituals Posted: 30 Nov 2012 05:47 AM PST A protester sticks a pin into a voodoo doll of Peru's former president Alberto Fujimori during a protest in downtown Lima November 22, 2012. — Reuters pic COTONOU, Nov 30 — Tomb raiders have dug up more than 100 graves at a cemetery in Benin since Saturday for what authorities suspect is a black-market trade in human organs and skulls for voodoo ritual fetishes. The incident is the most serious case of grave robbing in the West African state, the world capital of voodoo where most of the country's 9 million residents practice a benign form of the official religion. Authorities in Dangbo, a village 10km (6 miles) from the capital Porto-Novo, began an investigation after a mason working at the cemetery said he spotted several masked men digging up the graves, from which organs and skulls were removed. "The desecration of graves is about money in this region," said Joseph Afaton, director of the cemetery. "It is for sacrifices, or for bewitching." Body parts of humans and rare animals are prized by some people in central Africa for their supposed supernatural powers, and are used in occult ceremonies. Traffickers often obtain human remains from grave robbers, but a recent spate of killings has also been linked to the gruesome trade. Authorities in Cameroon in September arrested five people suspected of trafficking human body parts after they were discovered at a checkpoint carrying a severed human head. — Reuters

Missouri Powerball lottery winner to become a celebrity Posted: 30 Nov 2012 05:25 AM PST A Powerball lottery ticket sits in the machine at the 4 Sons Food Store and Chevron gas station which sold one of two winning Powerball lottery tickets in Fountain Hills, Arizona November 29, 2012. — Reuters pic KANSAS CITY (Missouri), Nov 30 — The winner of half of a record US$587.5 million (RM1.785 billion) Powerball jackpot will briefly become a national celebrity today when the Missouri Lottery announces the name of the buyer at a press conference in the tiny farming town of Dearborn. The Missouri Lottery said it would identify the winner at 11am local time at the high school in Dearborn, which had a population of 496 at the 2010 census. The Missouri ticket, sold at a local Trex Mart gas station and convenience store about 30 miles (48km) north of Kansas City, was one of two winners announced on Wednesday night. The other was sold at a food store in Fountain Hills, Arizona, on the outskirts of Phoenix. The Arizona winner has not yet come forward. Some states allow lottery winners to remain anonymous but Missouri requires that the winner be publicly identified to claim the prize. Dearborn was awash with rumours yesterday that the winner was a local man in his early 50s. No one was home when a Reuters reporter arrived at the address listed as the man's residence. Dearborn reveled in its sudden arrival in the spotlight. "It was a total surprise," Don Palmer, a customer at the Trex Mart convenience store, said yesterday. "Nothing ever happens in Dearborn." The winning numbers were 5, 16, 22, 23, 29, and the Powerball number 6. The Missouri winner will have the choice of half of an estimated US$385 million before taxes if taken in a lump sum, the Multi-State Lottery Association said. Or, the winner can receive half of US$587.5 million as an annuity in payments over three decades, the association said. The odds of winning based on a US$2 purchase were calculated at more than 175 million to one. — Reuters

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Korean pop rides ‘Gangnam Style’ into US music scene Posted: 30 Nov 2012 05:53 AM PST South Korean singer Psy of the dance hit "Gangnam Style" greets his fans ahead of his concert in Bangkok's shopping district, November 28, 2012. — Reuters pic LOS ANGELES, Nov 30 — "Gangnam Style", the catchy Korean song by rapper Psy, may have danced its way into the American charts but the Korean pop industry isn't horsing around when it comes to capitalising on the singer's phenomenal US success. With "Gangnam Style" topping the current Billboard Digital Songs chart and becoming the most-watched video on YouTube ever with more than 800 million views, fellow Korean pop, or K-pop, artistes are positioning themselves for similar US breakthroughs. Korea's pop music industry is thriving. Over the past two years, a handful of K-pop acts including girl group 2NE1, boy band Super Junior and nine-piece band Girls Generation have embarked on mini-promotional tours around the United States to build their audience. "Psy has opened doors and is shining a spotlight on K-pop. People are paying attention to what's being done there," Alina Moffat, general manager at YG Entertainment group, which manages Psy, told a recent entertainment industry conference in Los Angeles. Psy's vibrant music video, featuring his invisible pony-riding dance, also featured K-pop artistes Kim Hyun-a of girl band 4Minute, and Daesung and Seungri of boy band Big Bang, all of whom are attempting to crack the US market. "YouTube has really changed the awareness of K-pop. Both American kids and second-generation Korean American kids are discovering it," Kye Kyoungbon Koo, director of the Korea Creative Content Agency, told a panel at a Billboard and Hollywood Reporter conference in Los Angeles in October. Marketing the next big thing For US companies looking to invest, K-pop is being marketed as the next big thing, boasting young, stylish and influential artistes who command devoted fan followings. Moffat said car companies and mobile phone brands were among those being courted at KCON, a convention held in October in Irvine in Southern California that showcased K-pop artistes. "Kids are coming, they're engaged, they want to spend money and sponsors saw that," Moffat said. Whether Psy or other K-pop artistes can command a global following to rival Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber or Rihanna remains to be seen, but John Shim, senior producer at MTV World, believes it is the right genre to compete with pop music's biggest names. "K-pop admittedly is a very niche genre but I also think it's the best equipped of Asian pop to cater to the US audience," Shim told Reuters. Psy has helped to break down language barriers, keeping "Gangnam Style" in its original Korean form instead of adapting it to English when it became an international hit. The singer told Reuters he was persuaded to keep it that way by his manager Scooter Braun, the talent scout responsible for Justin Bieber's success, who signed Psy to his record label. "I thought, 'Should I translate this or not?' because (the fans) have got to know what I'm talking about, and lyrics are a huge part," Psy said. Chatting in English But industry executives say at least one member of each K-Pop group is usually taught to be fluent in conversational English. "The investment in language is costly, but effective," said Ted Kim, president of South Korean music television channel Mnet. "It really matters that Psy can go on the Ellen DeGeneres TV show and have a conversation." Psy said he was proud his song succeeded in Korean, but he now wants to branch out into English. "'Gangnam Style' is not the sort of thing that's going to happen twice. I've definitely got to make something in English so I can communicate with my fans right now," the singer said. In Korea, bands such as SM Entertainment's Super Junior and Girls Generation have became branding powerhouses, scoring endorsements ranging from cosmetics, fashion, video games, electronics and beverages. In the United States, companies such as Samsung have already jumped on the K-pop train, sponsoring Korean boy band Big Bang's US tour. But while the genre is gaining steam in the charts, it has yet to spill into ticket sales for tours, according to Gary Bongiovanni, editor in chief at Pollstar.com, which tracks concert sales. "Psy may be able to sell out arenas in Asia, but not yet here. For the American audience, he has to prove that he's more than a novelty act," Bongiovanni said. "K-pop has to prove itself before large companies spend money on it," he added. — Reuters

‘Hobbit’ may bring a Hollywood ending to 2012 box office Posted: 30 Nov 2012 05:40 AM PST New Zealand director Peter Jackson (9th from left) and cast members pose on a stage at the world premiere of "The Hobbit — An Unexpected Journey" in Wellington, November 28, 2012. — Reuters pic LOS ANGELES, Nov 30 — It took more than a decade, two directors and a lawsuit before "The Hobbit" made it to the big screen. Hollywood executives are crossing their fingers that the culmination of that journey will help smash movie box office records this year. The film, which opens on December 14, is expected to contribute to the first annual box office increase in North America in three years, a sign that big movie studios have made more films enticing enough to get people into theatres and away from their TVs, games and the Internet. "The Hobbit" follows this year's other big box office successes "The Avengers," which became the industry's third-largest film with US$623 million (RM1.87 billion) in US sales, and "The Dark Knight Rises" and "The Hunger Games" which both passed US$400 million. Hollywood analysts predict the two months of the year that include "The Hobbit" and the finale of the "Twilight" vampire series may lift US and Canadian ticket sales above the US$10.6 billion record set in 2009. "The fourth quarter is just gangbusters," said box office watcher Phil Contrino, editor of the boxoffice.com website. "One movie after the other is exceeding expectations." Annual receipts are on track to end 5 per cent above last year at US$10.8 billion or more, projects Paul Dergarabedian, box office analyst for Hollywood.com. Ten films have already passed US$200 million in ticket sales, compared to seven last year, when no film passed the US$400 million mark. That would be the first yearly box office increase in three years, and would be from a jump in admissions rather than a hike in ticket prices that traditionally fuel box office growth. Ticket prices are averaging US$7.94, a penny increase from last year, according to the National Association of Theatre Owners. Hollywood has raked in US$9.7 billion so far in ticket sales and sold more than 1.2 billion tickets in the North American (US and Canadian) market, 5.5 per cent up on a year ago. The industry thought it had a record in sight last year, only to see underwhelming performances from holiday releases such as thriller "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and animated movie "Hugo," which left ticket sales at a three-year low. Off the couch Studios face a difficult entertainment landscape in which consumers have an array of competing outlets for movie watching that includes DVR recordings, game players and movies streamed over computers and mobile phones. Services like Netflix Inc have also made a dent in trips to the theatre by offering cheap monthly rentals that make it easier to stay on the couch. What has got people out of their homes, Hollywood moguls say, is a rise in the quality and variety of what is on screen. This year, studios offered up a rush of big-budget blockbusters including "Skyfall," the highest grossing of the 23 James Bond films that is still selling well with US$227 million in domestic sales. "Ted," about a foul-mouthed stuffed bear, was a surprise winner with US$219 million. Several mid-sized hits that won critical acclaim, including Steven Spielberg's historical drama "Lincoln" and the Iran hostage thriller "Argo," became box office darlings. "There is something for everyone," said Chris Aronson, president of domestic distribution at News Corp's 20th Century Fox studio. "When we achieve that as an industry and the movies are of good quality, that's when good things happen." Sony oiled up its Spider-Man franchise and collected US$262 million by rebooting it with new stars Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone in "The Amazing Spider-Man". Disney's Pixar unit struck it big again with the animated movie "Brave." Hollywood did not escape some box office bombs. Two big-budget bets — board-game inspired thriller "Battleship" and outer space adventure "John Carter" — ranked among the most costly flops in movie history. The mass killing at a Colorado movie theatre in July marred the release of Batman film "The Dark Knight Rises". But the film eventually grossed US$448 million domestically, ranking as the year's second-biggest. Hollywood also overcame summer doldrums. The season that accounts for the bulk of yearly sales slumped 5 per cent behind 2011. The second weekend in September produced the lowest-grossing weekend since 2001. The pace quickened at the start of the holidays — the second-biggest movie going period — with "Twilight" finale "Breaking Dawn — Part 2" and James Bond movie "Skyfall" leading record Thanksgiving sales of US$291 million over five days. "Four quadrant" film That has got the industry's hopes up for the Christmas season when families gather and shoppers fill malls. Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures is releasing the musical adaptation "Les Miserables", and The Weinstein Company offers up the Leonardo DiCaprio thriller "Django Unchained". A street-brawling Tom Cruise returns in "Jack Reacher" from Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures. But it is the dwarves and wizards from "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," that Hollywood is banking on to generate movie going mania. Set 60 years before the Oscar-winning "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, the movie is the kind that studios love — a "four quadrant" film that appeals to male, female, young and old, said Contrino of Boxoffice.com. He projects US$137 million in opening weekend domestic sales, rising to US$475 million through its theatrical run. The film, based on the fantasy novel by JRR Tolkien about the travels of hobbit Bilbo Baggins, almost did not make it to the screen at all. Director Peter Jackson made the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy when producers could not get "The Hobbit" rights that were held by MGM's United Artists unit. "The Hobbit", also a trilogy, has been produced by MGM and Time Warner Inc but only after Jackson settled a lawsuit against Time Warner's New Line Cinema unit in a dispute over profits from the "Rings" trilogy. Now all the film has to do is delight fans with a new hobbit adventure across Middle Earth and deliver a record year for Hollywood. — Reuters

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Juve’s Barzagli cannot wait for Conte return next month Posted: 30 Nov 2012 08:00 AM PST AC Milan's Stephan El Shaarawy (R) and Juventus' Andrea Barzagli fight for the ball during their Serie A soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan November 25, 2012. — Reuters pic ROME, Nov 30 — Tomorrow's Turin derby comes too soon but Juventus players are eagerly anticipating the return to the dugout of banned coach Antonio Conte next month. Conte has been suspended from matchday duties so far this season for his part in a match-fixing scandal at former club Siena and defender Andrea Barzagli says his return on December 9 will help them turn their recent shaky form around. "It is not easy to play so many matches without a coach of his temperament, someone who knows how to drag us along," Barzagli told Italy's Corriere dello Sport newspaper today. "(Assistant managers) Massimo Carrera and Angelo Alessio are good, but having the coach there is something completely different." The league leaders and defending Serie A champions will miss injured attacking midfielder Arturo Vidal, who is set to be replaced by Paul Pogba, but otherwise are at full strength for the home game with Torino. — Reuters

Obama takes ‘fiscal cliff’ on the road; Republicans stew Posted: 30 Nov 2012 07:53 AM PST US President Barack Obama walks out from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington before his departure to Hatfield, Pennsylvania, November 30, 2012. — Reuters pic WASHINGTON, Nov 30 — President Barack Obama, reapplying his re-election campaign theme of protecting the middle class, heads to Pennsylvania today suggesting that Republicans could spoil Christmas by driving the country over the "fiscal cliff". The president's road trip, visiting a factory that makes Tinkertoys, is infuriating Republicans, with House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner calling it a "victory lap" Thursday as he rejected Obama's proposals to avoid the cliff, which is a combination of tax increases and spending cuts set to start taking effect in January. But Boehner confronts challenges not only from Democrats but increasingly from other Republicans, some of whom have advocated greater flexibility than their leadership on Obama's demand that Congress approve tax increases for the wealthy as well as extend tax cuts for the middle class as part of a deal to avoid the cliff. Most Republicans oppose raising any tax rates. While Republicans are unhappy with the Obama's opening bid of deficit reduction measures, drawn mostly from previous presidential budget proposals, they are nervously eyeing the markets as well as polls indicating that the public is likely to blame Republicans if there is no deal at year's end to avoid the tax increases and severe spending cuts that economists say could tip the economy into a recession. What the president is doing, Republican Representative Lee Terry of Nebraska told MSNBC yesterday, "is setting us up to be the fall people for going over the fiscal cliff. And, frankly, going over the fiscal cliff is a win for the president. So either way, we're going to get it." Obama will visit a manufacturing facility in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, operated by The Rodon Group, a plastic-injection molding company that supplies, among other things, Tinkertoys and Angry Birds building sets for children. "As we move into holiday season, Democrats and Republicans should come together to renew middle class tax cuts so families have more certainty at this critical time for our economy," the White House said in announcing today's trip. — Reuters

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Twitter fiction festival kicks off Posted: 29 Nov 2012 07:46 PM PST Twitter announcing the fictionfestival.©2011 Twitter PARIS, Nov 30 — Twenty-nine storytelling projects from around the world are being showcased in the first-ever Twitter fiction festival, held over five days on the microblogging site. The virtual event that opened on Wednesday will run to December 2, according to the social network's official blog (blog.twitter.com). It is being conducted in five languages — Arabic, English, French, Italian and Spanish. While everyone is free to take part under the #twitterfiction hashtag, the festival's selection panel, made up of US publishing industry experts, picked 29 entries from around the world to highlight on a dedicated page. The Twitter media team's head of research and development, Andrew Fitzgerald, stressed the festival was "not a competition". "There will be no winner, we just want to showcase creative storytelling," he told AFP ahead of the event. A young American woman, Elliott Holt (@elliottholt), opened proceedings on Wednesday at 2400 GMT with a crime story that plays on the idea of a Twitter feed used as evidence. Among the tales on offer — which come from a mix of published and novice writers — Lucy Coats (@lucycoats) from Northampton in Britain will retell 100 Greek myths in 100 Tweets. London-based Faiq Muneef will be tweeting an Arabic-language story called "The Crying Canary" from Sunday at 1300 GMT. From today to Sunday at 0900 GMT, @00serialTW will be unfurling a stream of tales inspired by the work of Italian writer Italo Calvino. And Marc Capelle (@marccapelle), the head of the French journalism school ESJ, will tell the story of Marcel Lasoen (@MarcelLasoen), an elderly man using Twitter to reconnect with his family, from today to Sunday at 1100 GMT. Bookworms can tune in using the #twitterfiction hashtag, or consult the webpage set up for the festival, at twitter.com/hashtag/twitterfiction. — AFP/Relaxnews

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Kemaluan disimbah asid disyaki perkosa gadis bawah umur Posted: 30 Nov 2012 03:10 AM PST GEORGETOWN, 30 Nov — Gara-gara memperkosa gadis bawah umur, kemaluan seorang lelaki disimbah asid oleh ahli keluarga mangsa ketika dalam perjalanan pulang ke rumahnya di Jelutong petang semalam. Timbalan Ketua Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Negeri ACP Mohd Nasir Salleh berkata polis menahan seorang lelaki berusia 30 tahun pada hari yang sama dan sedang mengesan beberapa orang lagi yang terlibat. "Lelaki berusia 18 tahun itu kini menerima rawatan di Hospital Pulau Pinang dan keadaannya dilaporkan stabil," katanya kepada pemberita di sini hari ini. Beliau berkata kejadian itu bermotifkan dendam susulan terdapat ahli keluarga mereka yang berusia 16 tahun diperkosa lelaki terbabit dalam sebuah tandas pasar raya di pusat bandar pada Rabu minggu lepas. Difahamkan lelaki dan gadis berkenaan berkenalan di laman sosial Facebook sebelum berjumpa di pasar raya berkenaan. Nasir berkata lelaki itu disiasat mengikut Seksyen 376 Kanun Keseksaan yang  memperuntukkan hukuman penjara sehingga 20 tahun dan sebatan, jika sabit kesalahan. Sementara itu, ahli keluarga gadis berkenaan disiasat mengikut Seksyen 324 Kanun Keseksaan kerana mendatangkan kecederaan dengan sengaja yang memperuntukkan hukuman penjara maksimum tiga tahun atau denda atau sebat atau mana-mana dua daripada hukuman berkenaan, jika sabit kesalahan.— Bernama

Lynas kata ia telah mulakan pengeluaran di Kuantan Posted: 30 Nov 2012 02:59 AM PST MELBOURNE, 30 Nov — Pelombong bumi nadir Australia, Lynas Corporation, akhirnya telah memulakan pengeluaran di kilang pemprosesan Malaysianya selepas menang perbicaraan mahkamah baru-baru ini. Dalam satu kenyataannya hari ini, syarikat itu berkata suapan pertama konsentrat bumi nadir telah disuap ke dalam relau Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) di Kuantan, Pahang. Langkah itu adalah berikutan timbulnya kontroversi dan kelewatan disebabkan bangkangan kuat mengenai kemungkinan ancaman kepada kesihatan disebabkan pencemaran. Satu Mahkamah Malaysia baru-baru ini menolak permohonan Kumpulan Selamatkan Hentikan Lynas bagi menyekat lesen mengendali Lynas tetapi cabaran perundangan itu masih diteruskan. Lombong bumi nadir di Mt Weld di Australia Barat mengandungi elemen logam yang mempunyai pelbagai kegunaan seperti televisyen digital, pemain MP3 dan lampu kalimantang. "Ini merupakan satu mercu tanda bagi Lynas." "Operasi LAMP kini adalah satu realiti dan LAMP akan menyediakan data sebenar yang akan menjamin rakyat bahawa LAMP secara keseluruhannya adalah selamat bagi komuniti tempatan dan alam sekitar," kata Pengerusi Lynas Nicholas Curtis dalam satu kenyataan. Ia akan memakan masa kira-kira dua bulan sebelum jualan pertama produk siap dilakukan dan menjana tunai. — Bernama

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The political chemistry of Lynas Posted: 29 Nov 2012 04:29 PM PST NOV 30 — To most people, chemistry and politics might not seem directly related, yet I have found they are. This is not just because I earned my first degree in the science of chemistry and last studied political science. Over the last two weeks, thousands of Malaysians marched in protest across the peninsula because chemicals got political. Chemicals and politics are tied together because we live in an industrial society, and industry — particularly the wealth and power that flows from it — is intensely political. Governments seek to promote industry in order to generate and capture wealth, which can be reciprocated as political financing. Industry seeks to influence government in order to secure subsidies, favourable regulatory environments, and access to resources both local and foreign. The general public, with little concentrated funds or power, is often caught between these two giants of the power elite. IG Farben is one famous example of political chemistry. This predecessor of BASF, Bayer and Hoescht was the manufacturer of Zyklon B, the pesticide used to perform mass extermination in Holocaust gas chambers. The Nazis by no means enjoy a monopoly on chemical atrocity. The Monsanto company of the United States, better known now for its genetically-modified seeds and the artificial sweetener aspartame, was the manufacturer of Agent Orange, a herbicide and defoliant used to devastate swathes of jungle in the Vietnam War as an anti-guerrilla measure. Indiscriminate use of Agent Orange produced a legacy of birth defects and cancer in post-war Vietnam. Then there are the more mundane examples of collusion between industry and government in peacetime. There is a phenomenon in the US called the "revolving door" between business and government whereby senior corporate figures secure highly placed positions in regulatory agencies and vice versa. Ironically, this international defender of democracy takes a rather relaxed attitude towards conflicts of interest. In one recent example, close to 450,000 people have signed a petition on signon.org urging President Obama to sever ties between the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Monsanto. The petition specifically singles out the appointment of Michael Taylor, a former lobbyist for and vice-president of Monsanto, as deputy commissioner for foods at the FDA. Taylor previously worked as an attorney for the US Department of Agriculture, represented Monsanto as a private lawyer, became deputy commissioner for policy at the FDA, before returning to Monsanto as its vice-president for public policy. Now he occupies a post in the leading US agency for food and drug safety. In, out, in, out. Thus, the "revolving door." Why is this a problem? Not all products which leave a company's factories are necessarily safe, nor can companies be unconditionally trusted to put out safe products. Regulators have a duty to impartially enforce the public interest, in this case health and safety. A company's profit-making interests may cause it to discount public health and safety in order to more swiftly recoup the millions and billions it has spent on research and development. While government should support legitimate business activities, it should not allow support of business to compromise overall public wellbeing. A person in a regulatory position whose loyalties are seen to lie more with the corporate sector rather than with the public may not be trusted to discharge their regulatory duties without fear or favour. Taylor's time at the FDA is associated with its policy stance that genetically-modified foods were substantially equivalent to conventional foods. This is great for companies such as Monsanto or Syngenta because it relieves them of jumping further regulatory hurdles. However, it spells bad news for the public if, as some studies suggest, genetically-modified foods are substantially different from conventional foods and pose potential health and environmental risks. Similar problems appear in Malaysia where political parties and the government they control are deeply and directly involved in business. Here a revolving door is less necessary as a façade to ensure unity in corporate-government policy. Proxy ownership, ownership via family networks, and dilution of democratic accountability all ensure that the commanding heights of industry are harmonised with government and regulators remain compliant. If regulators don't dance to the tune, then the revolving door can hit them on the way out (as former police chief Musa Hassan now alleges). Regulatory and enforcement agencies have been compromised when it comes to politically-connected business projects. It is a case of "pagar makan padi" as the peribahasa goes. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are supposed to protect the public and the environment from undue harm resulting from development projects. However, the consultants who produce EIAs are paid by the developers. Who will they be disposed to favour? Governance of radioactive projects falls under the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) which promotes radiological activities as well as regulates them. Advocates don't make the best regulators since they are inclined to discount contrary evidence. A similar problem exists with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In the past the AELB has insisted that projects such as the Bukit Merah rare earth refinery were safe when they clearly were not. Now, the government has rested on them to help vouch for the safety of the Lynas rare earth plant, a project that has not even produced a long-term waste management plan. This gaping omission has been finessed through the issuance of a "Temporary" Operating Licence, but this appears to be more of a public relations tactic rather than a genuine attempt at prioritising public safety. Even temporary operations will produce radioactive waste with long-term consequences. The line repeated in the media about Lynas is that its plant is not comparable to the one from Bukit Merah. On one level it is vulgarly obvious that some differences will be present in terms of the physical layout and technical aspects of the extraction process. On the other hand, both plants are comparable in that the regulator and government overseeing them have not changed. They let public interest slip in Bukit Merah and all the signs point to a repeat for Lynas. The suspicion of unhealthily close ties between Lynas and the government have been deepened by the timeline of the recent rare earth ore shipment to Malaysian shores. A Reuters report pointed out that Lynas' order to go ahead with the shipment must have preceded the lifting of the court injunction by some two weeks since it takes a month to arrive from Australia. Lynas has been holding off commencement of ore processing until clear approval was given. Did they have some insider foreknowledge of the court decision? That the ore was shipped in under the cover of darkness with a police escort only underlines the lack of transparency that has overshadowed the Lynas problem. Those citizens who undertook a gruelling 300-kilometre march in monsoon weather from Kuantan to Dataran Merdeka were met with police blockades and threats of violating the so-called Peaceful Assembly Act. Despite the sensationalism that often comes bundled with protest, there are valid concerns about the radioactive chemistry of the Lynas plant and its waste. How much waste will be produced, what kind of radiation it produces (alpha, beta or gamma) and in what form, what kinds of effects can these have on humans and the environment, why the plant is sited so close to human habitation and water sources, where and how the waste will be stored and disposed, whether Lynas is simply using Malaysia as a cheap offshore processing site where it can leave its waste — these are all valid and pressing questions that the government and Lynas have failed to adequately answer. Shutting down Lynas and sending it packing off to another location may be one political answer, but it will not relieve the world from the environmental problems associated with rare earth mining and processing. This is a minority view, but unlike some more parochially-minded people I consider myself human first and Malaysian second. Ultimately, the problem goes back not just to consumer demand for rare earth products, but to the companies and research scientists who have developed rare earth technologies. From my own time in the scientific world I suspect the latter two communities have likely spent little time considering the social and environmental consequences of these materials. Until they are forced to do so, whether by conscience, a demanding public or a publicly-spirited government, we will continue to see these problems recur again and again, if not here in Malaysia then elsewhere in our world. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

How to help the Palestinians Posted: 29 Nov 2012 04:14 PM PST NOV 30 — I am all for the Palestinians. Their woeful state of affairs screams at the double standards in human rights practised by those in the corridors of world power.  For those who are naive about the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, it began when the Palestinian's homeland for over a thousand years was taken, without their consent and mostly by force during the creation of the state of Israel. And all subsequent crimes — on both sides — inevitably follow from this original injustice.  Nothing warrants the senseless killing of civilians... women, children by the thousands. Not in the name of religion, country, definitely not in self defence against a country that does not even have a proper army to defend itself. For every Israeli killed in combat, hundreds of Palestinian civilians die, and more are injured and left homeless without access to food as well as basic medical and sanitary supplies.  Help? They may fabricate evidence to invade an oil rich country but for the resource-deficient Palestine the risk of angering the small but very powerful Israel is simply too great to take. The Obama administration was in Yangon, preferring to reminisce about the days of a cruel junta while Palestinians continue to suffer the wrath of Israel in broad daylight. Malaysia tabled an emergency motion in Parliament condemning the attacks. Israel, as an established nation state, has violated international humanitarian laws, the UN Charter and the Fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians in conflict zones. The rest of the Muslim world? Some are too busy fighting each other and building their country from the recent "spring break". The rest who did not have their spring breaks (yet) are either aiming for one, wallowing in their wealth, busy playing God by judging on each other's piety, or are trying their level best to boycott anything and everything — no matter how distant — they are related to the Jews and the Israelis. It is sad when you think about it. The only real, immediate, foreseeable help and retaliation that the 1.2 billion Muslims have to offer the Palestinians are boycotts, boycotts and more boycotts towards the Israelis. Taking cues from those countries, and due to the limited response available at their disposal, certain quarters in Malaysia have also jumped on the bandwagon calling for the boycotting of certain popular fast-food chains and clothing brands.  In their haste to emulate the others, they have forgotten to include every American, British, Chinese, Russian and French brand and product to their boycott list. After all, the UN Security Council has all the powers to deploy peacekeepers and troops to create a ceasefire and protect civilians, but where are they?  Why weren't they included in the boycott list?  Within the answer lies the problem. Not only are the Muslims disunited and in disarray, but they do not seem to make sense anymore. How often have we seen Muslims killing Muslims for something that was perpetuated and started by someone else? How often have we seen Muslim suicide bombers killing their own Muslim brothers after seeing an insulting cartoon?  Irrationality seems to be the only retaliation Muslims know to dish out lately. Instead of staging an ineffective boycott, lashing out and bombing your countrymen in blind anger, perhaps we should just take a moment to recompose ourselves and ask the most important question that eludes Muslims worldwide — who is our biggest enemy? The answer is — the Muslims themselves.  We are lagging technologically, economically, politically from the rest of the world, resulting not only the inability to defend ourselves, but also our religion from our enemies.  Who is to blame?  The Muslim world must realise that education, and political stability, is always the best defence. With education comes an evolved thought process, leading to a higher level of rational thinking, resulting in scientific discovery and technological breakthrough. Political stability, believe it or not, is the bedrock of an enlightened society, both are qualities severely wanting in Muslim countries. Perhaps with rational thinking they will understand why it is futile to stage a successful boycott against these multinational companies that employ hundreds and thousands of Muslims worldwide. To the groups calling for a selective boycott in Malaysia, this is my suggestion. Instead of a boycott, why don't we round up our youths and send them for a language camp? Get them to learn an extra language or two, sign them up for extra maths and science classes at the same time. Make them hate corruption, abuse of power to the extent that they will scream whenever people ask them for "duit kopi" at road blocks.  Turn them into assets that will ensure our continued growth and stability in future instead of Mat Rempits and other juvenile delinquents you find in the Pusat Serenti. Believe it or not, they will not only be a great human capital but also serve as a deterrent to any enemy of the state, and will yield results way better than any boycott can ever achieve. Let me end this with a quote from one American author, Harlan Ellison: "The passion for revenge should never blind you to the pragmatics of the situation." We should aid the Palestinians and those in need while taking steps to ensure a similar fate will never befall us. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

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Biula’s winning burger Posted: 29 Nov 2012 07:16 PM PST The tantalising Big Mama burger that became Biula's winning entry. — Picture courtesy of AFC KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 — Malaysia Boleh! You usually hear that at some sporting event like badminton, or football when our team wins. But this time, it's a 17-year-old girl's amazing burger creation which brought out the Malaysia Boleh yell. Thashini Ramakrishnan, popularly known as Biula on 'The Big Break' made Malaysia proud when she won the Burger Challenge in Episode 3. Thashini Ramakrishnan, better known as Biula on "The Big Break" which is a TV cooking contest for underprivileged children across Asia, was the winner in Episiode 3's Burger Challenge.  She beat the other 10 contestants with her Big Mama recipe, a delicious beef patty served with mouth-watering sauces, buttered sesame buns, garnished with green and purple vegetables ... and won a SG$200 (RM498) shopping voucher.  The feisty 17-year-old lives with an ailing father and a mother who works as a cleaner to support the family of five in a community building in Selayang. When there is not enough food on the table, Biula has been known to go out and search for food and money. Biula enjoys cooking nasi goreng for her family and she said that if there was one person in the world she would cook a special meal for, it would be for her mother.   "The Big Break" is aired on The Asian Food Channel, Astro Channel 703, every Wednesday, 10pm. The winner of the contest will be offered a one-year scholarship at At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy in Singapore. If you want to see Biula do Malaysia and her family proud, catch the repeat of Episode 3 on AFC tomorrow at 10am, 5pm and 11pm.

Eat it, Gangnam-style Posted: 29 Nov 2012 05:03 PM PST The menu (left) and the Beef Rice Burger at Namoo on the Park. — Pictures by CK Lim KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 — I am Gangnam-phobic. Can you blame me, really? The innately ridiculous yet astonishingly addictive bow-legged dance phenomenon has gone viral all over the world in the past few months. Everyone from Wolverine and Madonna has got on the saddle, so to speak. Intimate corners abound, complete with curios. Earlier this month I even had a gaggle of Argentinian kids doing the Gangnam around me when I was admiring the view at the Iguazú Falls. (Obviously everyone remotely Asian-looking must be a Korean. Obviously.) There seems to be no escaping K-Pop sensation Psy's "Gangnam Style": I have friends in KL for a visit, and after I have filled their bellies with the best of local fare available, somehow we manage to find ourselves in a Korean dessert bistro one hot weekend afternoon. It is only a matter of time, I think, before the blasted song comes on over the stereo. The bistro in question, Namoo on the Park, is the brainchild of a trio of young Koreans and their Malaysian business partner who saw the opportunity in a market that was crazy about Korean food but only offered the traditional options.  Instead of more bulgogi and Korean BBQ, the founders – managing director Kim Sung Yong, pâtissière Kim Hye Jin, finance director Desmond Yap and Korean-based partner Hwang Qtek – are offering decidedly contemporary and fusion Korean creations. Hottuk, hot Korean-style pancakes with berries (left); Yuza Smoothie (right). During earlier visits, my partner and I have tried their some of their savoury offerings. Namoo's Beef Rice Burger (grilled handmade beef patty and a fried egg sandwiched between two grilled rice buns) is substantial while their Stewed Ginseng Chicken (a whole spring chicken stewed in a spicy-sweet ginseng gravy) is hearty and perhaps an acquired taste. Today though, we are all dying for a cold drink. Spicy and delicious, the Cinnamon Punch with Dried Korean Persimmon is certainly a good way to ward off the heat wave. Equally soothing is the Yuza Tea, a traditional Korean citrus tea, which comes with ice, of course. My favourite beverage has to be their Yuza Smoothie which is refreshing and has a mild citrus flavour without being too overpowering or acidic. Sweet Potato Cake (green filling) and Sweet Pumpkin Cake (yellow filling). There is a lot of natural sunlight in the alfresco area facing the park but inside wood and concrete dominates, with plenty of curios hidden away in corners. The bistro is always busy but you can carve your little intimate space here nonetheless. My friends and I sip our drinks eagerly and catch up on each other's lives while waiting for our sweet treats to arrive. The desserts are clearly the highlight here at Namoo, and a fine way to finish any meal. We start with Mat Tang, a Korean street snack of honey-glazed sweet potato cubes. Here, it is given a twist by adding chunks of tteok (glutinous rice cake) and honey-glazed pumpkin to the sweet potato. A smattering of yuza-caramelised nuts and a dish of yuza marmalade on the side complete the dessert. Cameras and other small details. Tangy and sticky, the Mat Tang is definitely a dish to share with a partner as it can be a bit cloying. Easier on the palate are the bistro's signature Sweet Potato Cake and Sweet Pumpkin Cake.  How to differentiate? Golden yellow is pumpkin and tofu (denser and blander); pale green is sweet potato and nuts (lighter and more aromatic). The final dessert of the day is Hottuk, a Korean-style pancake that originated from Chinese merchants who arrived in Korea in the late 19th century. Instead of savoury minced meat (which is more Chinese), these doughy pancakes (also known as hotteok) contain sweeter fillings such as honey, cinnamon and chopped peanuts. Namoo's version has a nice bite and comes topped with fresh berries and jam. A fine dusting of matcha powder on the accompanying ice-cream leaves a light scent of green tea that goes well with the desserts. They are what you will remember and return for the next time. The meal is over and it's time to leave. Just when I think it is safe, one of my friends decides to ham it up and performs the now infamous horseback dance move at the table. The rest joins in, providing the chorus, "Oh, sexy lady …" "Namoo" means "tree" in Korean, hence the heavy usage of wood in the bistro decor. There's no escaping K-Pop, or K-Eats for that matter. Oh well. If you can't beat them, join them and dig in. Namoo on the Park Korean Dessert Café n Bistro Level G3, Lot 4A , Publika, Solaris Dutamas No. 1, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03 6411 6698. Open daily 11am to 10pm. Website: http://www.facebook.com/namoocafe/ * Kenny eats it Malaysian-style most days of the week. More edible adventures at http://lifeforbeginners.com

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Scolari shrugs off pressure on Brazil return Posted: 29 Nov 2012 06:40 AM PST Brazilian soccer coach Luiz Felipe Scolari raises his hand during his official presentation as Brazil's new coach for the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament in Rio de Janeiro November 29, 2012. — Reuters pic RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 29 — Luiz Felipe Scolari shrugged off the pressure of leading Brazil at home in the soccer World Cup and said they were "obliged" to win the title as he took over for a second stint as their coach today. Scolari, who led Brazil to their fifth and last world title in 2002, was officially presented as coach of the 2014 World Cup hosts, while Carlos Alberto Parreira, in charge when they won their fourth World Cup in 1994, was named technical director. "We have the obligation to win the title; we are not favourites at the moment but we intend to become favourites during the competition," said the man known as Felipao (Big Phil). "Third or fourth place is no good for a country that has won five World Cups." Scolari, who has inherited a young side who are seen as lagging behind teams such as Spain, Argentina and Germany, will have to cope with huge expectations from his 190 million compatriots. Scolari replaced Mano Menezes who was surprisingly sacked last Friday, just as his team appeared to be taking shape. The unveiling comes two days before the draw for the next year's Confederations Cup, also to be hosted in Brazil, in Sao Paulo. Scolari's first game in charge is scheduled to be a friendly away to England in February. Brazil's vast and fickle army of supporters always expect them to win the World Cup and the pressure will be even greater as the country hosts the event. Their failure to win on home soil in 1950 still rankles and the members of that team were never wholly forgiven for losing the decisive match to Uruguay. Scolari said it was water off a duck's back. "If you don't like pressure, it's better to go and work in the Bank of Brazil, or outside on the corner or sit in an office and do nothing," he said. "It would not be right if there was no pressure and the players thought the target was just to play at the World Cup. Sixth title "This would be one of our most important titles — the sixth title, at home at our second opportunity." Scolari said he felt under much greater pressure when he took over for the first time in 2001 when Brazil were in danger of missing out on the following year's World Cup. "It would have been the first time that Brazil would have missed a World Cup, that was when I felt under pressure," he said. Scolari, 64, and Parreira, 69, both said they felt rejuvenated by the challenge. "I feel like a young boy, starting all over again," said Parreira, who also coached Brazil at the 2006 World Cup when they reached the quarterfinals. "The Brazil team does you good, all that adrenalin. It's a marvellous challenge, to come back to the team for a World Cup here in Brazil, you can't describe it." Both pointed to their past experience in Brazil and abroad. Scolari has led Portugal at three major tournaments and coached in England, Uzbekistan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, while Parreira has coached the national sides of Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia at the World Cup. Scolari was proud of his record with Portugal who had a reputation for underachieving before he took over. "We revolutionised the relationship with the supporters," said Scolari. "I maybe didn't win anything but the work we did was worth more than 10 or 20 titles." Former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola had been suggested as a possible replacement for Menezes but Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Jose Maria Marin said there was ample domestic talent. "We have won all of our titles with Brazilian coaches who have taken their knowledge beyond these frontiers," he said. "Our country has a great number of competent coaches who deserve to hold this position." — Reuters

High-flying Atletico Madrid seeking Real scalp Posted: 29 Nov 2012 04:10 AM PST Atletico Madrid's coach Diego Simeone gestures during their Spanish first division soccer match against Getafe at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, November 11, 2012. — Reuters pic MADRID, Nov 29 — If coach Diego Simeone was not already a hero to Atletico Madrid fans, victory in Saturday's La Liga clash at bitter city rivals Real for the first time in more than a decade might just tip the balance. The combative Argentine, who helped Atletico to the league and King's Cup double as a player in 1996, has transformed the Spanish capital's second club since taking over from Gregorio Manzano in December 2011. The Europa League champions are three points behind leaders Barcelona after 13 matches and, unbelievably for many of their long-suffering supporters, eight ahead of stuttering Real, who slipped to a third defeat of the campaign at Real Betis last weekend that left their title defence in serious peril. Simeone, a tough-tackling midfielder sometimes described as "playing with a knife between his teeth", has given his players added steel and in Colombia striker Radamel Falcao they have a genuine goal scorer who has attracted the attention of the sport's big spenders. Turkey playmaker Arda Turan is also having an impressive season, linking well with Falcao and scoring goals of his own, while the defensive line has a solidity that has been sorely lacking in recent years. "I think bringing in Simeone has been a success for Atletico," Real captain Iker Casillas said yesterday. "He has given them a new spirit and no one has gifted him anything," added the Spain goalkeeper. "Falcao is a great player. He was a very successful signing and is a very complete, natural finisher." Claudio Ranieri was the last Atletico coach to savour victory over Real, when former Netherlands striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored twice in a 3-1 away triumph in 1999. A win or even a draw on Saturday could spell the end of Real's hopes of a second straight La Liga title and Casillas is well aware of what is at stake. "It is a different match from previous seasons," he said. "They are coming to the Santiago Bernabeu with a very strong team and after a win in a very tough match against Sevilla, who beat us. "We hoped that there would be less of distance between us, but hopefully at the end of the match that advantage will be cut to five points. Any aim other than winning is no good for us." Real's Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho was whistled by some sections of the Bernabeu crowd during Tuesday's Cup victory and their reaction on Saturday will be closely watched. The team's erratic form has prompted speculation the former Inter Milan and Chelsea manager will not last the season, with almost 70 percent of voters in an internet survey conducted by As sports daily saying they believed he would be gone by May. "The club is the club and is in charge and I'm just an employee trying to do their best," Mourinho told a news conference previewing the Cup match on Monday. "The club has to decide if it is happy with the path we're on and we'll get to the end of season calmly," he added. "It is possible that at the end of the season the club will not be happy with my work and that things have to change." Well rested Unbeaten Barca, meanwhile, will seek a 13th win in 14 games and look to increase the pressure on Atletico and Real when struggling Athletic Bilbao visit the Nou Camp a couple of hours before the Madrid derby. Barca's World Player of the Year Lionel Messi has another chance to get closer to, or even overhaul, the record for the number of goals scored in a calendar year of 85 set by Germany and Bayern Munich striker Gerd Mueller 40 years ago. The Argentine forward is on 82 after his double at Levante last weekend and should be well rested after sitting out Wednesday's King's Cup match at home to third-tier Alaves. Also on Saturday, fourth-placed Malaga, four points behind Real, play at Getafe, while 11th-placed Valencia, through to the last 16 of the Champions League but struggling domestically, are at home to Real Sociedad. Mexican Javier Aguirre will take charge of his first match since replacing the sacked Mauricio Pochettino when Espanyol play at Granada on Sunday. — Reuters

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