14th Jun

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THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

Legendary Pakistan singer Mehdi Hassan dies

www.kuwaittimes.net

Durant powers Thunder past LeBron’s Heat 105-94

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Barrak: Central Bank not cooperating with panel

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RAJAB 24, 1433 AH

Court acquits officers who beat MP Wasmi

Max 45º Min 30º High Tide 07:36 & 20:20 Low Tide 12:24 & 14:23

By B Izzak

Political row has economic plans on ice KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti walks into a lost and found bureau and says he is searching for the Gulf state’s vaunted KD 30 billion ($107 billion) economic development plan. The cartoon in the Kuwait Times captures frustration at a long-running political row which has engulfed the major oil producer, distracting from economic reforms and stalling legislation. Political infighting between the parliament and government has forced the resignation of two cabinet ministers in less than a month and threatens to draw in more of their cabinet colleagues.

The minister for social affairs and labour resigned this week and the finance minister quit last month after a questioning session in parliament led by opposition lawmakers. The opposition MPs, who hold a majority in parliament, are mulling similar sessions for the oil minister, interior minister and defence minister over different issues. Such grillings may end in a confidence vote which could force ministers out of office. “The political situation in Kuwait is hindering economic development because to unleash Kuwait’s economic potential you really need to make progress Continued on Page 13

LVIV, Ukraine: Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (left), Denmark’s Simon Kjaer and Danish goalkeeper Stephan Andersen go for the ball during the Euro 2012 championship Group B match between Denmark and Portugal yesterday. — AP (See Page 20)

Iraq attacks kill 72

BAGHDAD: People and security forces inspect the scene of a car bomb attack in the Karrada neighborhood of Baghdad yesterday. — AP

Gulf looks to sun for future power DUBAI: After decades of relying on carbon-emitting fossil fuels to build their cities in the desert, some oil and gas rich nations of the Gulf are now turning skywards to the sun to meet future energy demands.

Ambitious multi-billion-dollar projects to harness the power of the region’s year-round blazing sun have already been announced by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Global energy summits are being held in the region’s desert capitals while whole communities, research institutes and businesses devoted to the production, promotion and application of renewable energy are being built.

Perhaps most significantly, the region’s nations are speaking of sustainable development and clean energy as a key to ensuring future growth. Focusing on renewable energy also makes “economic sense” for the Gulf states, said Adnan Amin, director general of the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). With local energy demands rapidly increasing, “it’s much more expensive for them to subsidise their oil consumption than it is to invest in renewable energy,” he said.

The hydrocarbon-producing six nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council are still far behind much of the world when it comes to environmental protection, reducing per capita carbon emissions and the use of clean energy to drive their economies. But there are signs the trend is changing, with the Gulf waking up to the benefits of renewables, specifically the sun.

The region is likely to become “one of the fastest growing in renewable energy investment in the coming years,” said Amin, adding that the controversial decision to base IRENA in a nation ranked third in the list of global per capita carbon emissions has been “vindicated”. The UAE is “seeing itself as an energy economy for the future, not just an oil economy,” said Amin. They are “investing heavily worldwide and taking forward the cause of renewable energy.”

Continued on Page 13

BAGHDAD: A wave of apparently coordinated bombings and shootings rocked Iraq during a major Shiite religious commemoration yesterday, killing at least 72 people and wounding more than 250, many of them pilgrims. The attacks, which came as pilgrims flocked to a shrine to mark the anniversary of the death of Imam Musa Kadhim, a revered imam in Shiite Islam, were the deadliest in Iraq since Aug 15, 2011 when 74 people were killed. The targeting of Shiite pilgrims was a stark reminder of SunniShiite violence which tore Iraq apart in 2006-2007 and was condemned by parliament speaker Osama Al-Nujaifi, who termed it an attempt “to provoke sectarian strife”.

Continued on Page 13

in the

news

Saudi king asked to lift ban on female driving RIYADH: Hundreds of people have petitioned Saudi King Abdullah to allow women to get behind the wheel on the first anniversary of the Women2Drive campaign launched in June 2011. The signatories, who numbered nearly 600 yesterday, are asking the king of the only country in the world that forbids women to drive to “encourage women who have obtained driving licences from neighbouring countries to begin driving whenever necessary.” They also called on the monarch to “establish driving schools for women and (begin) issuing licences”.

Bin Laden son pitches for World Cup deals DOHA: A Qatari constructor, founded by a son of former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, has bolstered its bid to win contracts ahead of the 2022 football World Cup by forming a joint venture with Spain’s Coprosa. Qatar Bin Laden Group will hold 51 percent of the new company, BC Group - to be based in Doha - and Coprosa 49 percent, chief executive Omar bin Laden told Reuters in an interview yesterday. Qatar Bin Laden Group was founded two years ago by Omar bin Laden, son of Osama bin Laden.

Bahrain king warns over insults to army DUBAI: Bahrain’s King Hamad said yesterday he would not allow any more “insults” of the armed forces in the Gulf state in an apparent warning to leading Shiite opposition party Wefaq after criticisms it levelled earlier this week. “We have heard voices in recent days spreading hatred and abusing freedom of expression to the extent of insulting the Bahrain Defence Forces, and without doubt it is our duty not to allow this to be repeated,” the king said in a speech to senior military officers at their headquarters.

KUWAIT: Central Bank Governor Saad Al-Hashel yesterday refused to provide the National Assembly probe panel information or documents about former MPs who have been accused of receiving illegal funds into their bank accounts. Head of the committee MP Musallam AlBarrak regretted that the governor and his aides refused to provide the documents that the panel had demanded, saying they are not immune and their rejection is not in line with the constitution or the law.

The panel was formed in mid-March by the Assembly to investigate allegations that around KD 100 million was illegally deposited into the accounts of 13 former MPs, a scandal that led to the resignation of former prime minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah last November. Barrak said Central Bank officials refused to provide the committee with the amount of cash deposited into the accounts of members of the previous Assembly and the Cabinet in addition to their close relatives without giving their names. The committee wanted to establish if the bank accounts of some former MPs had received huge illegal deposits. Barrak also said that the Central Bank refused to provide copies of the correspondence between the Central Bank and local banks regarding the illegal deposits.

Last year, the public prosecution launched an investigation into the allegations and questioned 13 former MPs. They are all free on bail pending further investigation. Barrak accused the Central Bank governor of trying to protect those who violate the law, saying that the Continued on Page 13

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THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

LOCAL

NGOs help abused women in Kuwait More awareness needed

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: All over the world, women are subjected to various forms of violence and brutality. In the Middle East, the case isn’t different - except for that the numbers are morbidly higher. Some women don’t admit to being beaten by their husbands out of fear of divorce or for the sake of their children.

Fatma, a 29-year-old Kuwaiti is married for the second time after she became a victim of domestic abuse during her first marriage which lasted for nine months only. She suffered in silence without telling her family what she was going through and stayed optimistic that things would change - but they didn’t.

“After I realised that it was hopeless to continue my life with my first husband who was beating me almost daily, I divorced him.

I lost the KD 10,000 dowry that my family had paid just to be free from him. Women in our community put up with violence just to avoid divorce. I didn’t want to tell my parents as I made the choice to marry him. I used to get beaten up if I didn’t bring him water within 10 minutes. This happened 10 years ago when I was still very young. Now I’m happy in my second marriage,” said Fatma.

NGOs and special departments in public institutions were formed to help women and children who face violence from their family members. In Kuwait, there are societies providing consultation and support for victims of abuse. The Kuwait Society for Basic Constituents of Human R ights (KSBCHR) was established in 2006 and works to protect human rights through different activities. They aim to eliminate or decrease violence in the communit y through awareness campaigns and activities.

KSBCHR held a three-month long awareness campaign from March till May 2012.

They held different activities including symposiums, documentaries, ads and meetings. “ We went to different boys’ and girls’ schools. We also presented lectures at the Kuwait University and some private universities to educate young people about women’s rights, and the effects of violence.

Experts from different institutions in-charge presented these lectures and symposiums.

We also broadcast video clips and ads on TV, radio, and at shopping malls to make people aware about violence,” K amal Aldeen, Executive Secretary of KSBCHR told Kuwait Times.

KSBCHR is a non-government organization that provides advices. “We don’t have legal authority or competency to interfere in cases of violence but we do advise the victims on what to do and where to seek help. S o in case of physical attack or defamation for instance, the victim should go to the police station to complain, as these are acts of crimes,” he explained.

“We work on eliminating all kinds of violation through symposiums and fight this phenomenon. We also provide advice on where to seek help such as the Family Consultation Department, the Reconciliation Centre, Child and Maternity Regional Centre, Listening Centre, Social Development Office, Family Development Department and others. We have printed their numbers as well on our brochures to help people contact them,” added Aldeen.

“Women visit such centres if they are insulted or beaten by their husbands. They choose not to go to the police for the sake of the family but still need a solution. On the other hand, we also deal with cases where women are abused or indirectly offended by their male boss who belittle their tribe or try to put them down just because they are in a superior position,” he pointed out.

Tueller launches ‘Direct Line to American Business Program’ KUWAIT: On Tuesday, US Ambassador Matthew H Tueller launched the ‘Direct Line to American Business Program’ in Kuwait. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton launched the initiative at the Global Business Conference in February of this year. The program aims to strengthen US government support for the private sector, a key component of United States’ overall economic diplomacy goals.

During the call, the ambassador gave a broad overview of business opportunities in Kuwait, including infrastructure develop-

ment plans and upcoming tenders, to more than 30 individuals representing small, medium and large US businesses.

“Through programs like the ‘Direct Line to American Business Program,’ we are letting the world know that America is open for business. We are doing everything we can to connect US businesses to opportunities in the Kuwaiti market and to connect Kuwaiti businesses to opportunities in the US. We encourage companies interested in investing in the US market to visit the Select USA website and see what

the US has to offer. Bringing our people together is good for our friendship, and good for our economies,” the ambassador said.

The teleconference is part of a broader United States government initiative to establish regular dialogue between the Embassy and US businesses, and to strengthen relationships between US business and Kuwaiti business institutions.

Tuesday’s call represents the first in a series of teleconferences that we will host on a quarterly basis to inform US companies

about opportunities in Kuwait.

The next call will take place in September, and will focus on specific growth sectors and opportunities. It will be open to Kuwaiti participants.

Under the direction of Secretary Clinton, the United States is bringing economies to the forefront of our foreign policy. The US Embassy in Kuwait will be working to support this initiative on several fronts including by improving visa processing times and making it easier for people around the world to visit the United States.

KUWAIT: A mock evacuation drill was staged at the Adan Hospital yesterday in line with the directives issued by Minister of Health Dr Ali Al-Obaidi, Medical Emergency Director Dr Khaled Al-Sehlawi, Assistant for Technical Affairs Dr Faisal Al-Ghanim and Adan Health Zone Director Dr Mubarak AlAjmi. Six ambulances and 12 paramedics were deployed to execute the drill.

—Photo by Hanan Al-Saadoun

CBK presents innovation KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait was invited to the Product Development Summit held in Dubai, organized by Fleming Gulf, to share experience and insight into how product development takes place at the bank.

The focus was on business intelligence which is becoming a key element in all marketing techniques and the way Commercial Bank uses its advanced expertise in that field to introduce new products and campaigns for its customers. This summit gathered people from all around the world and invited prestigious speakers to share new ideas and opportunities.

The invitation was addressed to Ramzi Sabboury - the executive manager for Marketing and Sales - as he was selected as one of the speakers to present business intelligence and its power in prod-

uct development and how it is used to arrive at the remarkable success of AlTijari offerings.

Sabboury explained the necessity to change the mindset of all business managers to become data-savvy and base all decisions taken in the organization on indepth analysis backed by management information system advanced techniques. The future and power resides in predictive modelling and the increasing demand of customers. The high level of sophistication will push all banks to be proactive and start using these methods to ensure that all deliverables will meet customers’ expectations. Commercial Bank of Kuwait continues to bring the most innovative offerings as promised to its customers and ensures all products meet their customers’ expectations and needs.

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

LOCAL

Spanish FM optimistic on country’s fiscal future Rescue operations continue

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Spain is looking forward to resolving their financial trouble at the earliest as they face the toughest financial crisis in history, disclosed Spanish visiting foreign minister. Speaking at a press conference yesterday at the Spanish ambassador’s residence in Yarmoukh, Gonzalo de Benito, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs noted that they are mainly looking at the future and not the past.

“We have a difficult economic situation right now in Spain,” admitted de Benito.

KUWAIT: Gonzalo de Benito addressing the local media during a press conference Tuesday night. —Photo by Joseph Shagra “It’s been critical because we have the monetary union but we do not have the fiscal union; fiscal policy and monetary policy have to go hand-in-hand. Now we are paying the price for it because the currency is one while the fiscal policies are different,” he explained.

De Benito, who is in the country on the last leg of his tour to six countries in the Gulf, said they are working hard together to resolve their financial trouble. “We have more deficit than Britain or Germany; Portugal has more deficit than France. What we are doing now is supporting each other,” he said. He explained that during the EU financial crisis, there have been three financial rescue operations over the last year-and-a-half.

“Greece received about 80 percent of its GDP; Ireland received 50 percent while Portugal got 30 percent. Now we are receiving a maximum of 10 percent but are not using the facility as a whole; probably only half. But the market and investors are speculating and investors are also considering what will happen in Greece next week after elections and what will happen with French banks if Greece collapses. What will happen to Portugal if they cannot resolve the problem after the injection of liquidity? So this is a very fluid situation but we have to find a way out and we wish to solve

this situation soon,” he added.

De Benito pointed that the scheduled meeting in Rome on June 22 will be a preparation for the summit to be attended by the five largest economies in EU which also hope to resolve EU financial issues. “EU grew when there was a crisis and tough and advanced political decisions were taken to overcome the crisis.

We are now in the toughest part in the history of EU and political decisions will be taken soon. You have to understand that we are the organization of 27 countries with no borders, and the largest trade power in the world, the largest contributor to the development and underdeveloped countries - more than the US or any other countries. So we have problems but we will work hard to solve it,” he promised.

When de Benito was asked on what kind of support they provided to countries in the Mediterranean region which recently experienced political changes, and have witnessed the rise of Islamic parties, he said “It’s a complex process and each country has a different case; but Spain and EU aspire for more inclusiveness, more tolerance, more economic development and social justice. We like those kind of changes, because it’s good for the people,” de Benito noted.

When pressed for reaction on the rise of Islamic party or government, de Benito said they will support any government that will value inclusiveness, tolerance and social justice. The trade balance between Kuwait and Spain according to de Benito is disproportionate to present with $200 million of export from Spain to Kuwait and $280 million from Kuwait to Spain. “We think we have much to do and what we are proposing is for companies in Spain to visit Kuwait. We want to promote trade and investment; we think that if we continue with this action, the figure of trade could double in five years,” he said. De Benito started his tour in the Gulf from Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain before proceeding to Kuwait. He met with HH the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Public Works. “We want to strengthen our political dialogue and our economic relations with Kuwait.

We are negotiating two agreements; one on establishing a joint economic committee, and another, cooperation between ministries especially in the public works and transport; we hope to bring here some companies active in Europe, Latin America and in the US. I brought a letter from the Prime Minister of Spain, inviting your Prime Minister to visit Spain.

We hope that this political dialogue continues on a regular basis to strengthen our relations in all aspects,” he concluded.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah receiving the Jordanian Prime Minister Fayez Al-Tarawneh and his accompanying delegation yesterday.—KUNA

Jordan premier arrives in kuwait K U WA I T: J o rd a n i a n Pr i m e Minister Fayez Al-Tarawneh, and h i s a c c o m p a ny i n g d e l e g a t i o n , arrived in the country for a twoday official visit upon the invitat i o n o f H i s H i g h n e s s t h e Pr i m e Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

T h e J o rd a n i a n m i n i s t e r w a s received, at Kuwait International Airport, by HH the Prime Minister, D e p u t y Pr i m e M i n i s t e r a n d M inister of Defense and Ac ting Interior M inister Sheik h Ahmad Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Pr i m e M i n i s t e r a n d Fo r e i g n

Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

He was also received by Head of h o n o r a r y m i s s i o n a t t h e Pr i m e Minister’s Diwan Sheikh Dr Salem Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and a number of top state officials, advi-

sors at the Premier’s Diwan as well as senior leaders from army, police and National Guards.

Deputy Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Somalia’s Ambassador to Kuwait attended the reception, in addition to the two countries’ ambassadors. — KUNA

Leaders Group to organize Horeca Kuwait K U WA I T: “ L e a d e r s G r o u p f o r Con sultin g an d Developmen t ” will organize the Horeca Kuwait 2013 hospitality, hotel and food industry from Jan 28 to 30, 2013, at Al-Raya Hall, Cour tyard Mariotte Hotel, announced the company yesterday. The company revealed the results of a survey of participants and visitors of its previous exhibition.

A company statement said “Horeca Kuwait ” that was held l a s t J a n u a r y, h a d r e s u l t s t h a t went beyond expectations at all levels, and proved the sound

commitments by the company towards its customers and exhibitors, be it in management, marketing or efficacy, as well as what the exhibition provided in the form of interaction between the constituents of hospitality and tourism market.

This was confirmed by a study on the previous exhibition that included sponsors, companies and all participating exhibitors on one hand and the visitors traffic, their groups and interests on t h e o t h e r. T h e s t u d y re ve a l e d that highest level of quality and

feasibility, as the satisfaction percentage among all participants the 80%, including the sales achievement indicator during the exhibition period, as the exhibition saw more than 3500 visitors, w h o a re s p e c i a l i s t s, e xe c u t i ve officials concerned with these sectors.

The company said that the results that surpassed expectations, especially it was the first time for the exhibition in Kuwait, and the success was achieved, because of the utilization of the “ Le a d e r s G r o u p” a c c u m u l a t e d

experience in the field of organizing exhibitions and seminars, in addition to what Horeca enjoys as a very famous trade mark since its establishment in 1992 by Hospitality Services Company.

T h e s t a t e m e n t s t re s s e d t h e confidence of “Leaders Group” and its commitment to raise the satisfaction level in the coming Horeca exhibition to a record level reaching over 90%, especially that it learned first hand the wishes of those concerned with the hospitality and tourism industry.

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

LOCAL kuwait digest

In my view

Dark side of social media

Why blame the legislators?

By Abdullatif Al-Duaij

By Abdel Aziz Al-Uwaisheg

T

T

he recent disrespectful attitude displayed by Islamist MPs against national symbols is not a new phenomenon. It is not the Islamist MPs that specialize in expressing such behavior, as many believe. It is the result of a system that has been in existence since the 1976 Parliament dissolution. Tribal allegiances run deep in a society at the expense of patriotism.

Many legislators criticize their colleagues’ ‘npatriotic practices’ of disrespecting the Kuwaiti flag and national anthem.

They overlook the government’s practices which are even more dangerous. kuwait digest Despite calls made about the need to commit to the Constitution and a democratic system, the government, even the society are unable to address the need to contain sectarianism. Although many wish to transform Kuwait into a financial and perhaps touristic hub of the region, sectarianism continues to spread. The results of the recent Parliament elections contradict with democratic principles. Speaking of which, it was an Islamist MP who swore -in with a different oath during Parliament’s inaugural session, violating Article 91 of the Constitution. Yet, this was allowed to happen because other MPs were restrained by their ‘religious upbringing!’

Many legislators criticize their colleagues’ ‘unpatriotic practices’ of disrespecting the Kuwaiti flag and national anthem. They overlook the government’s practices which are even more dangerous.

These practices allow loyalty to religious and tribal values. The government sponsors religious competitions and ignores other activities. It pardons criminals who memorize verses from the Holy Book, not because they read and understood the state’s laws and constitutional regulations. It promotes Salafists’ publications openly while censoring books of science, literature and arts.

Do not blame MPs Mohammad Hayef, Waleed Al-Tabtabaei because they are either the product of the government’s education or are simply reaping what the government has sown. — Al-Qabas

What about visa traders?

By Waleed Al-Ahmad

T

he Ministry of Interior (MoI) is carrying out random security campaigns to arrest illegal residents in the country. The measure being taken is in the right direction as long as it yields results. But the question is, will these efforts continue until the problem is over? Will they feature the same fate of security campaigns that ended abruptly?

It is obvious that addressing this problem needs more than just a crackdown on laborers. In order for the Ministry to achieve success, it needs to simultaneously tackle visa traders who are Kuwaiti criminals who resort to human trafficking as their main source of income.

The Interior Ministry can carry out as many raids as they want, but unless they coordinate with other state departments like the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MSAL) to stop violators, all efforts will be futile. While police arrests and deports dozens or hundreds of illegal residents, visa traders bring in more violators to Kuwait. Therefore, security campaigns turn into a vicious circle.

There is no doubt that visa traders will not give Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Al-Homoud AlSabah a breather as he continues to campaign

against brothels, fugitives, bogus companies and labor forces working for years without valid (or with forged) residencies.

I hope the minister will never yield to external pressure, and take more measures to prosecute visa traders. There is a pending debate for a grilling motion pressed against minister Al-Hmoud, I really hope that MP Mohammad Al-Juwaihel poses questions regarding efforts the ministry is taking against visa trade as well as prostitution and alcohol smuggling. — Al-Rai

The Interior Ministry can carry out as many raids as they want, but unless they coordinate with other state departments like the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MSAL) to stop violators, all efforts will be futile.

here is no question that the Internet has been an overall boon to communications, education, providing a voice for the voiceless and power for the powerless worldwide.

Social media in particular have created an integrated universe where friends and strangers alike can exchange news and views. In many ways, social media have won the battle, forcing traditional news outlets to tap into social media capabilities and use them to disseminate their news.

However, with all the advantages have come many risks. I am not going to talk about the ease with which criminals have used the Internet, how law enforcement agencies have been trying to combat cybercrime, or how criminals appear to be one step ahead of the law most of the time.

Nor am I going to talk about hacking per se, which is already illegal in most countries, regardless of its motives. Or about the “Cyber Warfare,” which seems to be taking place between Iran and its opponents - Stuxnet, Flame ... etc.

What I would like to address today is political uses and abuses of the Internet. In the Syrian conflict, the Internet has been the main source of news from the inside in light of the government’s refusal to permit access by foreign media into the country.

To get the news out, activists upload videos via proxy servers, which are located in other countries, so that it’s more difficult for the government to track them. In US politics, the anonymity of the Internet has made “dirty politics” during this election season much easier.

In the birthplace of the Internet, Americans seem to have perfected the art of Web political campaigns. During this political season, “dirty politics” is the order of the day on the Web, where anything goes. Or so it appears. Social media are changing the way political campaigns are run.

Websites and social media pages seem to make the difference between a successful, well-oiled and well-funded campaign and a losing one.

The Internet has played an equalizing factor between rich and poor, between powerful lobbies and grassroots organizers.

However, Internet has made dirty politics easier as well. Opponents could use fake Twitter accounts, Facebook pages, and anonymous posting that do not have to be vetted by anyone. Their authors cannot be traced, if they are careful enough, without much expense and effort. Impersonation or the establishment of fake accounts is quite common in Twitter and Facebook, frequently succeeding in diluting an opponent’s message or reversing it altogether. Some extremists and hard-liners have used social media to wage smear campaigns against their adversaries, taking advantage of the anonymity of the Internet and social media.

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

local

Geriatric program launched KUWAIT: Health Minister Dr Ali Al-Obaidi announced yesterday the launch of a national geriatric program with the involvement of many government and private sectors.

Al-Obaidi said after a meeting with top Ministry officials, that the highly-leveled program aims at giving proper health care for elderly people at all of the country’s health clinics. The program will focus on

KUWAIT: The Beninese President Yayi Boni and his accompanying delegation left the country after a three-day official visit. He was seen off at Kuwait International Airport by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, ministers and top state officials as well as senior leaders in military, police and National Guard.

Majority bloc to negotiate on ministers’ strength Premier ‘in a tough position’ KUWAIT: The majority bloc’s hopes of being represented by at least nine ministers in the Cabinet appear to be farfetched, but nominating five ministers can help them lead the Cabinet into achieving much-needed reform.

This was stated by sources close to the bloc commenting on MP Musallam Al-Barrak’s remarks. The coalition of oppositionists will not accept being represented in the Cabinet by less than nine seats.

“Setting a minimum of nine portfolios as a precondition to joining the Cabinet sends a signal that the majority bloc refuses the idea of joining the Cabinet,” said sources who spoke to Al-Qabas.

In the meantime, sources believe that the strength of ministers will not be a problem “if the Cabinet and the majority bloc can reach an agreement on the principle” of the antigovernment blocs joining the Cabinet. “The troubled relationship between the two authorities will escalate if [HH Prime Minister] Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah fails to include majority bloc members in the Cabinet,” sources said, adding that the bloc may be willing to make concessions “as they

feel pressured to pass regulations.”

MP Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabae opened the door for negotiations over the number of oppositionist lawmakers that can join a potential new Cabinet. “The majority bloc seeks to nominate nine members as ministers in a new Cabinet, but is open to negotiations with the Prime Minister over the work program,” Al-Tabtabaei said, acknowledging that Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah “is in a tough position after receiving rumors about six ministers that submitted their resignations.”

Meanwhile, MP Dr Faisal Al-Mislem asked the Cabinet to resign and allow the formation of a “parliamentary majority Cabinet” that “saves the country from the current situation and meet citizens’ demands of development,” reported Al-Rai. ‘Minority group’ MP Ahmad Lari questioned the bloc’s demands on deciding on a figure to participate in the Cabinet as being “contradictory with the Constitution that asserts the Prime Minister’s right to select ministers.”

In other news, MP Mohammad Hayef

threatened to file two grilling motions against Prime Minister HH Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak, the first concerning “violations carried out at the National Guard by terminating senior officials.” While speaking during a seminar organized by the Salafist Islamic Movement, the Islamist lawmaker announced that he is “seriously studying” an interpellation motion after the Cabinet’s decision to reject a draft law that places death penalty as punishment for blasphemy, reported AlJarida.

Separately, MP Al-Mislem denied rumors that the committee investigating the foreign transfers’ case which he chairs “leaked documents to the media,” arguing that those posted online are “part of attempts to damage the committee’s integrity.” He added that he plans to make his last visit to the Foreign Ministry today.

Sources said that the panel plans to prepare a memorandum “that will be attached to the investigations report” pertinent with former prime minister Sheikh Nasser AlMohammad Al-Sabah’s decision to ignore calls, reported Al- Qabas.

physical and psychological health of senior citizens, as well as all health-related laws concerning this sector of the society. The program provides four major services that include health screening, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. The minister stressed that all government and private bodies of the country should engage and get familiarized with this program in order to render a better service for old people. — KUNA

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THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

LOCAL

187 Asians, Arabs in net for residency violations Family driver commits suicide KUWAIT: At least 37 individuals were arrested during a recent campaign in Abdaly as part of ongoing efforts to pursue residence permit violators in Kuwait. According to a source, 32 Asian workers were held for failing to possess identification cards, while five others were detained for violating residency regulations. A fugitive facing an attempted murder charge was also arrested during the campaign, reported Al-Rai. Meanwhile, police arrested 150 people of Arab and Asian nationalities that violated residency regulations during a three-hour crackdown carried out recently in Hawally and Nugra. All detainees were referred to higher authorities, reported AlAnba.

Asian found dead A family driver committed suicide after learning that his entire savings were stolen in his home country. The Asian man was pronounced dead at the Jahra Hospital where he was admitted to by his sponsor. He was found in an unconscious state. A medical examination revealed that the man died after consuming an overdose of pills. Investigations revealed that he committed suicide after receiving a phone call from his family, informing him that KD 2,000 he had sent during the past five years was stolen, reported Al-Rai.

Pedestrian killed A pedestrian was killed in an accident that took place recently on a street near Faiha.

Police arrested the Kuwaiti driver who ran over him. The Egyptian man was pronounced dead on the scene, reported Al-Anba.

Traveler caught Officers from Al-Salmi border checkpoint arrested a veiled woman who attempted to exit the country with a different passport.

Female police inspected her thoroughly after border security police cast suspicions on her nervous behavior. After it was discovered that the GCC passport she was carrying belonged to another individual, the woman was whisked away along with her male companion to Al-Salmi investigations office. It was revealed that the woman was planning to move to a ‘nearby GCC country.’ She remains in custody pending a trial in forgery and complicity in crime charges respectively, reported Al-Rai. Drug possession A male driver was arrested in Mahboula with possession of drugs, after a car chase.

Patrol officers pursued the suspect when he ignored orders to pull over. The man was intercepted and arrested after a bag con-

taining 64 pills as well as an amount of hashish were recovered from the car. He was taken to the General Department for Drug Control(GDDC) for fur ther action, reported Al-Rai. Thieves nabbed Two individuals were arrested recently in connection with multiple robberies that were reported by bank customers in Hawally.

People reported that thieves broke into their cars and stole cash they had just withdrawn from ATM centers. Police that were monitoring a bank’s branch in Hawally spotted two suspects keeping a close watch on a customer who was exiting the bank. The two Palestinian men were immediately arrested. During investigations, they admitting to committing all thefts. They remain in custody pending trial, reported Al-Qabas.

Ex-wife charged Riqqa police are on the lookout for a woman who has been accused of injuring her four-year-old daughter. Officers were earlier approached by a citizen with a medical report which showed the burn injuries his daughter suffered from. The man pressed charges against his ex-wife who has custody of the girl, reported Al-Watan.

‘Russia-GCC meeting in the works’

KUWAIT: The Environmental Voluntary Foundation team yesterday presented a United Nations report on volunteerism to commemorate the tenth anniversary of World Volunteers Year. The report was presented by EVF’s Development and Environment Committee Rapporteur, Mona Al-Wazzan to the UNDP official in Kuwait, Mai Al-Essa. Speaking on the occasion, AlWazzan stressed that the report focused on the value of volunteer-driven work, its impact on both societies and individuals, and its significance in human resource development.

News

in brief

Hayef denies fatwa KUWAIT: The criminal court has refused to consider the case filed by Ministry of Interior against MP Mohammad Hayef for the fatwa he allegedly issued to kill the Syrian Ambassador to Kuwait. The refusal was based on the fact that Hayef enjoys immunity. Public prosecutor charged Hayef with three accusations, two of which state security crimes, and the third one which states endangering the Syrian ambassador’s life. Hayef denied the charges saying that it was not true.

Safar signs KD 2.199 m contract KUWAIT: Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Planning and Development Dr Fadhel Safar signed a contract for KD 2.199 million yesterday to design and supervise the construction of a headquarter for the Public Department for Information System. The new phase of the project covers the studies and design aspects, at a value of KD 953,242, while the second phase includes supervision over construction for the sum of KD 1.246 million.

The project involves construction of a building for administrative offices and a center for training of Interior Ministry employees.

Al-Muwaizri silent KUWAIT: Housing Minister Shuaib Al-Muwaizri refused to comment on the expected resignation of the government but he emphasized that if he is offered a post in a new ministry once again, he will not accept any except the housing ministry, as it is the one that suits him best.

Responding to a question about increasing the housing loan for women, especially since the previous ministerial decision was KD 70,000, Al-Muwaizri said that positive decisions were taken which will be issued shortly. Pointing to the housing loan, he explained that housing authority intends to build apartment buildings and sell the apartments to female citizens who deserve a loan make it easier for them to bear the cost of the expensive apartments.

Ministry threatens legal action KUWAIT: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) may take legal action against the country’s main red meat supplier, forcing it to slash the price of Australian sheep to KD 1.25 per kilogram, a local daily reported yesterday quoting ministry officials. “The Ministry plans to discuss several solutions with the Kuwait Livestock Transport and Trading Company (KLTC) to restore prices to the previous rate,” said the source. A meeting to discuss the issue was held between the two sides yesterday.

“If an agreement is not reached on a solution, the MCI will be left with no other option but take legal action against the company for hiking prices without a legitimate reason.” They add that solutions on the table include increasing government subsidization from KD 5 to 16 before the end of the year. The KLTC announced new rates for Australian livestock and red meat that exceeded the old price by more than 100 percent, citing an “increase in price at the country of origin.”

KUWAIT: The Gulf Cooperation Council countries could meet with Russia in the near future to discuss the situation in Syria, though a specific program is yet to be planned, a senior official at Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry said recently.

Undersecretary Khalid Al-Jarallah made these statements to the press while participating in an event hosted by the Russian embassy in the country to celebrate Russia’s National Day. “I don’t rule out the possibility of GCC-Russian meetings given the dynamic role that GCC countries continue to play on regional and international levels”, he said. Meanwhile, Ambassador of Russia to Kuwait Alexander Kinshchak confirmed that preparations are already ongoing to organize talks between his government and its counterparts at GCC states, adding that a meeting is likely to be held either in Riyadh or Cairo.

In the meantime, Ambassador Kinshchak reiterated Moscow’s stance regarding the Syrian crisis which “rejects any form of foreign intervention”.

In other news, Ambassador Kinshchak noted that commercial exchange between Kuwait and Russia increased “from $20 million per year to $200 million in five years”, hoping that the rate continues to rise and reach $1 billion “as the current rate with the United Arab Emirates”. —Al-Rai

GCC confident about ability to maintain regional security MANAMA: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Dr Abdullatif Al-Zayyani affirmed yesterday the ability of the regional bloc to contribute to the efforts aimed to preserve peace and security in the Arabian Gulf region.

“As it enters the fourth decade, the GCC gains more strength, coherence and confidence about ability to preserve regional security and stability,” Dr AlZayyani said in an address to the opening session of the Gulf security conference here.

“Since its inception over the last three decades, the GCC has transformed from an organization of cooperation among its six member states into a powerful alliance in a turbulent region,” he said. “ The bloc has made countless achievements; it speaks with one voice on almost all regional and international issues and plays an effective and influential role in settling the regional disputes,” he noted.

Regarding the major challenges facing the GCC, Dr Al-Zayyani said they include Israel’s continued occupation of the Arab territories; Iran’s interferences in

the domestic affairs of the GCC countries, its occupation of the three UAE islands and its brandishing the use of force to expand hegemony over the region; and the infiltration of some extremist, sectarian and foreign-backed movements into the region. “ The GCC states believe that any aggression on one of them is one on all of them; based on this conviction, they work to cement intensify integration among themselves and coordination with their friends to maintain the security and stability of this vital region,” he went on.

Dr. Al-Zayyani noted that terrorism is a global menace that requires concerted efforts from all countries to curb the attempts of terrorists to manipulate the information and communication technologies to spread their criminal activities.

The two-day gathering debates a range of regional issues including the security arrangements between the GCC states, on one hand, and the United States and the United Kingdom, on the other. —KUNA

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) held an introductory meeting for Kuwaiti graduates who were recently hired. While addressing newcomers, Sami Al-Rushaid, Managing Director and Chairman of the Board said that 80.2 percent of KOC’s staff are citizens.

Paramedic dies in accident

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: A paramedic was killed in a bike collision when he lost control of his bike, said security sources.

Child rescued Farwaniya firemen managed to rescue a child whose foot was trapped between a lift floor and the ground. The child was rushed to Farwaniya Hospital for treatment.

Residency violators A recent campaign by Farwaniya detectives resulted in the arrest of 160 expatriate men and women for violating residency laws.

Cop insulted A police officer accused a young citizen of insulting him while on duty, said security sources. The officer said that on stopping the citizen for violating traffic laws and attempting to file a ticket for him, the suspect insulted him. A case was filed and further investigations are in progress.

Computers stolen The director of an intermediate school in Ahmadi reported that unidentified robbers broke into his school and stole some computers.

Citizen kidnapped, raped A 15-year-old citizen reported that three of his school-mates kidnapped him and raped him after they asked him to escor t them to check the final exam results. A case was filed and the suspects are being summoned for further investigations.

Accidents A 32-year-old Egyptian sustained various injuries and bruises all over when he was run over by a speeding vehicle in Salmiya, said security sources. Similarly, a 24-year-old female Nepalese sustained various bruises when she was run over in Hawally. A 27-year-old Egyptian broke his right thigh bone when he lost control over his bike along the Ghazali highway, said security sources.

88,000 face travel ban KUWAIT: Nearly 88,000 people in Kuwait face a travel ban, in accordance with orders passed by the Ministry of Interior last week. Sources added that that at least 45,000 of them are citizens.

The Ministry of Interior issues travel bans on individuals against whom court rulings have been passed. Sources said that failure to pay dues is the most common reason why travel bans are imposed in Kuwait.

Local regulations do not set a cap for those in debt according to which a travel ban is issued. An individual could be

barred from travelling for failing to pay as little as a KD 20 fee, reported AlQabas.

However, the Kuwait International Airport (KIA) has opened special cells that allow citizens and residents to make payments.

Last month alone, the names of 3,000 individuals were added to the list.

Sources added that the non-Kuwaitis who have been barred from travelling are Indian, Bangladeshi, Egyptian, Syrian, Lebanese, Pakistani, Filipino, Nepalese and Ethiopian nationals.

NBK honors third group of AUB High Fliers program KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) celebrated the graduation of the third group of participants in the prestigious High Fliers leadership program, in partnership with the American University of Beirut (AUB). The event was attended by NBK Kuwait CEO Shaikha Khaled Al-Bahar and NBK executives.

Commenting on the success of the

program, Al-Bahar said: “The next generation of leaders is the future of NBK. We are committed to identifying and developing our talented people so that in time they can guide the bank to even greater success.”

Al-Bahar congratulated the graduates and called them to strive for excellence.

“This program marks the start of what

will be a continuing process to develop and grow young talents. I am delighted with the outcome of this program and look forward to seeing the participants moving into key leadership roles in the bank.”

The High Fliers leadership program is designed in partnership with AUB to provide NBK’s future leaders with a wide

range of leadership disciplines. This intensive program, which commenced in May 2009, covers topics such as financial and risk management, change and innovation management, future proofing, effective communication skills and leadership development and included classroom discussion, case studies and assignments.

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

UN envoy visits western Myanmar

I Coast: Coup plot by military exiles foiled Page 10

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DAMASCUS: A photo released by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) shows Syrian government troops carrying the coffins of two comrades killed in the ongoing fighting across Syria during their funeral at the Tishrin military hospital in Damascus yesterday.—AFP

Syria says enclave ‘cleansed,’ Russia accuses US Fighters pulled out of Al-Haffe in tactical move: Rebels DAMASCUS: Syria’s government said yesterday it has “cleansed terrorists” from Al-Haffe, a Sunni enclave feared to be the site of a new massacre, as Russia accused the United States of arming rebels. The rebel Free Syrian Army said its fighters pulled out of Al-Haffe in a tactical move to spare civilians of the beleaguered northwestern town after an eightday regime bombardment. As the conflict spiralled to vicious new heights, Turkey reported that 2,500 Syrians had fled across its border in 48 hours, saying numbers had increased amid attacks even targeting UN observers.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Washington of giving arms to the rebels after his US counterpart Hillary Clinton charged that Moscow was supplying President Bashar al-Assad’s regime with attack helicopters.

On the ground, at least 15 people were killed as troops and rebels clashed across the country, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. State media said government forces over-

ran Al-Haffe, a day after UN observers came under fire trying to reach the town after the UN and opposition activists expressed fears of a massacre.

“Security and calm were restored in the area of Al-Haffe which was cleansed after armed terrorist groups assaulted citizens and vandalised and burned a number of public and private properties,” SANA said. “The authorities pursued the remaining terrorists in the villages surrounding Al-Haffe” where they “killed and arrested a number of them,” the news agency said, adding that regime forces also suffered casualties.

The rebels said they “withdrew from Al-Haffe and the entire region at dawn in order to spare the lives of residents undergoing extremely violent shelling.” “The town and villages of Al-Haffe were subjected to aerial, tank and rocket bombardment, as well as a suffocating siege by regime forces and thugs,” they said, adding the retreat was “to avoid falling into the regime’s civil war trap.”

Expressing surprise at an assessment by the UN peacekeeping chief that a sharp escalation in violence had changed the nature of the 15-month conflict, Syria said UN officials should remain “neutral, objective and precise”. “Talk of civil war in Syria is not consistent with reality ... What is happening in Syria is a war against armed terrorist groups,” the foreign ministry said. It urged regional and international powers to “stop any military or financial support for terrorist groups” operating in Syria, and urged the UN to take a “decisive stand against the crimes committed by armed groups.”

‘US supplying arms to rebels’- The Syrian government, which is dominated by Assad’s Alawite offshoot of Shiite Islam, has refused to acknowledge an uprising that erupted in March 2011 inspired by the Arab Spring.

It consistently refers to the Free Syrian Army and other armed groups as “terrorists” and has accused Washington and its regional allies of complicity in their operations.

Asked on Tuesday whether he believed Syria is in a civil war, UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous said: “Yes I think we can say that. I think there is a massive increase in the level of violence, so massive indeed that in a way it indicates some change of nature.” His comments marked the first time a UN official had openly spoken of civil war in Syria. The almost 300 observers in the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria, or UNSMIS, face a “grave security risk,” Ladsous said.—AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

i n t e r n at i o n a l

Ex-military man taps Islamist fears in vote Run-off vote scheduled on Saturday and Sunday

ABYAN: Yemeni soldiers and local tribes men gather around a tank yesterday, after the army seized the Al-Qaeda strongholds of Jaar and the provincial capital Zinjibar on June 12, more than a year after the jihadists captured most of the Abyan province.—AFP

9 Qaeda fighters killed in Yemen missile attack SANAA: An airstrike killed nine Al-Qaeda fighters yesterday in southern Yemen as the military maintained pressure on the terror group a day after government troops backed by armed tribesmen recaptured two militant strongholds, officials said. The military officials said the strike destroyed a car parked near a house in the town of Azan in Shabwa province, an Al-Qaeda stronghold. They said the missile was believed to have been fired by a drone.

Al-Qaeda ‘s propaganda arm known as Madad claiming in an email message that the attack was launched by a US drone.

The Internet-based agency is known to be close to Al-Qaeda ‘s Yemen branch. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with army regulations. A monthlong government offensive in the south, orchestrated by US military advisers and bankrolled by neighboring Saudi Arabia, succeeded in driving the militants from two towns in Abyan province - Jaar and the provincial capital Zinjibar. The militants had held the two population centers for more than a year.

The group, however, remains in control of a handful of towns, with hundreds of its members scattered in the mountains, valleys and vast desert of the Arab world’s most impoverished country. The officials said some militants who fled Jaar have taken refuge in Azan. The militant group said it retreated to “spare bloodshed,” threatening to retaliate by attacking Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. In an emailed statement, the group addressed the Yemeni leadership as “crusaders and American agents” and warned “we will chase you in your cities and palaces.”

Tuesday’s success capped weeks of fighting as Yemen’s new President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi has pledged to uproot Al-Qaeda from the south with help from the United States as part of a new cooperation following Ali Abdullah Saleh’s

ouster. With the capture of Jaar and Zinjibar, Yemen’s new US -backed leadership now has to deal with another fight in its war against Al-Qaeda : sleeper cells, which are hard to chase.

Brig. Gen. Mohammed al-Sawmali said Tuesday’s successes ended Al-Qaeda ‘s aspiration to establish Islamic rule in the south but not its presence in the country. “We expect the group to carry out selective operations targeting key political and military figures,” al-Sawmali said Tuesday, speaking from the governor’s office in Zinjibar, which Al-Qaeda had turned into a command center. The US considers AlQaeda ‘s Yemen branch to be the terror network’s most dangerous offshoot.

The group took advantage of a security vacuum last year amid a popular uprising against Yemen’s longtime leader, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to seize major swaths of territory in the strategic south. That raised fears it could use the area as a foothold to launch more attacks on US targets.

Yemen’s Al-Qaeda offshoot, known as the Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, has been blamed for directing a string of unsuccessful bomb plots on US soil from its hideouts. It also emerged last month that the CIA had thwarted a plot to down a US -bound airliner using a new, sophisticated explosive to be hidden in the bomber’s underwear. The planned bomber was actually a double agent who turned the device over to the US government.

The US is helping the Yemenis from a command center manned by dozens of US troops in the al-Annad air base in the southern desert, not far from the main battle zones. The Americans are coordinating assaults and airstrikes, and providing information to Yemeni forces while Saudi Arabia, the oil-rich Gulf country, has come forth with cash - especially to armed civilians who back up the Yemeni army in its battles against Al-Qaeda .— AP

CAIRO: The Muslim Brotherhood’s formidable support base stands in contrast to the patchwork of interest groups backing former senior military officer Ahmed Shafik in the race to lead Egypt. But this could prove to be a weakness for the Brotherhood and an advantage for Shafik as the country heads towards the last leg of its first free presidential election, concluding 16 months of turbulent army rule since Hosni Mubarak was deposed.

The Islamist movement’s power to quickly mobilise its followers and a discreet decision-making style make it easier for Shafik to paint it as an obscure sect whose candidate Mohamed Mursi will place its interests above those of Egypt.

“The Brotherhood and their candidate use religion to shackle human freedoms,” Shafik, who was Mubarak’s last prime minister, told supporters on Friday. His strongest card is a pledge to restore order. A belief that he has the support of state security, intelligence and the military, has struck a chord with businessmen, Coptic Christians, Mubarak-era nostalgics and millions of others who fear an experiment in Islamist rule.

The Brotherhood, Egypt’s oldest Islamist movement, tries to weld conservative social values with a message of tolerance and modernity. It dismisses Shafik as a remnant of the Mubarak era who will wipe out the democratic gains of last year’s uprising. Its organisational strength helped it resist decades of repression under Mubarak and mobilize faster than its political rivals to secure a dominant role in the new parliament.

To some, however, its coherence and ideological unity has left it unable or unwilling to rally most of the candidates defeated in the first round behind Mursi, helping Shafik portray it as inflexible and dogmatic. Since suggesting he could work with a Brotherhood-led cabinet, Shafik has hardened his stance as the weekend vote nears, branding the group as the biggest threat to a free Egypt. Both he and the Brotherhood have denied reports

from some state officials that the two camps had held secret meetings to negotiate how to work with each other after the election.

Shafik’s appeal as the only candidate with public office and military experience plays well with Egyptians fed up with bouts of unrest, from shopkeepers to taxi drivers and tourism workers. His defence of individual freedom however hollow it rings with the

CAIRO: An Egyptian woman sits in front of a mural demouncing presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq, at Tahrir square in Cairo yesterday, days before some 50 million Egyptian head to the polls in the second round of voting for the country’s president. —AFP young revolutionaries who led the uprising - will comfort Coptic Christians, who form a tenth of the population and are likely to back anyone but an Islamist.

SUPPORT FROM OLD GUARD It also seems to be luring some liberals and leftists who supported Mubarak’s overthrow but see the Brotherhood as an equal threat to Egyptian democracy as Mubarakera holdovers. Those voters have been left with a painful choice since their first-choice candidates lost in the first round. Shafik quit as prime minister in March 2011 after

in the suburb of La Marsa that included paintings that caricatured Mecca, portrayed a nude woman, and showed the word “Allah” spelled with strings of ants.

That night the violence spread around the suburbs of Tunis and police stations and courthouses were attacked by mobs throwing stones and firebombs and had to be dispersed with tear gas and warning shots. The cities of Sousse and Monastir to the south, as well as Ben Guerdane on the Libyan border also witnessed similar incidents. The art gallery has since been closed by the government, and Minister of Culture Mehdi Mabrouk has said that while they support freedom of expression, they are opposed to any insults to religion.

Hardline secularists have been charged with trying to provoke religious extremists with attacks on Islam and on Tuesday Interior Minister Ali Larayedh accused “extremists from the right and left” of being behind the violence. He also said remnants of the old regime and bands of criminals could also be involved in the incidents and warned that “no one was above the law.” The government has long taken a cautious approach to the protests of the Salafists, but amid the violent escalations of the recent weeks, they appear to be taking a firmer line.—AP

Tribal clashes kill 14 in Libya’s west TRIPOLI: Fighting between rival tribes in the mountains of western Libya has claimed 14 lives and left dozens wounded in the past two days, the government said yesterday.

“Fourteen people were killed and about 89 wounded in combat in the Nafusa mountains,” Nasser al-Manaa, spokesman of the interim government, told journalists in Tripoli. He gave no details on the cause of the clashes or the parties involved. On Monday, the official LANA news agency reported that “armed exchanges in the town of Mizdah killed three people and wounded three others.”

Manaa said the army had been deployed in the Nafusa mountains to separate the warring parties and that negotiations were underway with elders to bring an end to the bloodshed. Several sources have said the clashes focused on the towns of Sheguiga and Mizdah, pitting fighters of the Mashashia

tribe against gunmen from the Gontrar tribe and the town of Zintan, 170 kilometers (105 miles) from Tripoli.

They say the fighting erupted after a resident of Zintan was killed at a roadblock set up by Mashashia tribesmen who accuse Zintan forces of shelling their village with tank and rocket fire. Tensions have been high between former rebels in Zintan and Mashashia tribesmen since a popular uprising toppled Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi last year. Zintan fighters are credited with leading the units that captured Tripoli from Kadhafi’s forces in August. They also detained the slain dictator’s son, Seif al-Islam, on November 19 and have held him ever since.

The Mashashia are accused of backing Kadhafi’s regime in the 2011 conflict. Clashes between former rebels from Zintan against Mashashia tribesmen killed four people in December.—AFP

officials also said they back him.

PARTNERSHIPS Comments from a broader section of entrepreneurs suggest little enthusiasm for the Brotherhood’s painstakingly detailed program to revive Egypt’s economy, which gives just as much prominence to stimulating private investment.

Many risk-averse businessmen and stock market investors, rattled by an exodus of foreign investors, see Shafik’s government experience as a decisive advantage.

“With Ahmed Shafik, it’ll be business as usual. This is what Egypt

needs now - going back to a normal flow of investment activity to boost the economy,” said Rahim elKishky, who runs an information technology company. Tourism executives frown on the Brotherhood’s plan to diversify away from the industry’s main segment, beach holidays. “We did not revolt against the old regime only to hand the country to the Islamists. Egypt has always been a civilian state,” said Nader Boulus, a Christian who manages a tourism company in the port city of Alexandria.

Hasan Malek, one of the Brotherhood’s financiers, has sought to reassure established business that post-Mubarak Egypt would be about partnerships, transparency and the rotation of power. But some businessmen fear the Brotherhood will elbow out entrenched companies to favour firms run by its members. Malek denied this, saying the real battleground was not the economy. “I tell them we seek partnerships with all to expand the industrial and investor markets,” he said. “Old and new business will benefit because there is room for everybody.” “ The real fight is where the Brotherhood would usher in a civilian state, while Shafik’s purpose is to keep Mubarak’s deep state intact, as if the revolution never happened,” Malek said. Shafik’s pledge of stability is open to question the risk of a hostile reaction on the streets if he wins. His supporters point to what they see as a greater risk if Mursi becomes leader and ends up quarreling with state security, the intelligence establishment and the military leadership.

For Ahmed Metwali, a 53-yearold retail manager who runs a business in central Cairo, the choice will still be tough. “What we need now is stability so our businesses and lives can run smoothly. I do not want another vicious police state that does not respect me as a citizen. I revolted against that,” Metwali said. He plans to vote for Shafik to avoid what he called “a religious state”.—Reuters

Israel arrest toll rises ahead of South Sudan deportations

Tunisia: 162 arrests after Islamists’ riots TUNIS: Calm returned to Tunisia yesterday after days of riots by radical Islamists across the country left 62 members of the security forces injured and led to 162 arrests.

Ultraconser vative Islamists known as Salafists attacked an art gallery Sunday for an exhibition they said insulted Islam. After security forces dispersed them with tear gas, gangs attacked police stations around the country. The country is bracing for renewed unrest on the Muslim holy day of Friday when a number of conservative religious groups have called for renewed demonstrations against insults to the faith.

Tunisia for half a century was ruled by a secular dictatorship that fiercely repressed any Islamist sentiment and since the overthrow of the regime last year, there has been a spread of religious groups. A moderate Islamist party, Ennahda, won elections and allied itself with two secular parties, but hardline groups say the government is not doing enough to implement Islamic law.

There have been a rising number of clashes between secular groups and religious hardliners in recent months, but this week ’s violence is unprecedented and comes just two days after Al-Qaeda issued a statement calling on Tunisians to rise up against Ennahda. Late Sunday, hundreds of extremists destroyed artworks at an exhibit

anti-army protesters demanded a purge of Mubarak-era officials. He denies seeking to reconstruct Mubarak’s old system and his campaign dismisses accusations that he is leaning on the network of the deposed leader ’s disbanded National Democratic Party (NDP).

Some of Egypt’s wealthiest businessmen, who thrived under Mubarak, have given tacit approval of Shafik, and some former NDP

HEBRON: Israeli soldiers and border police try to arrest a demonstrator wearing a traditional Palestinian dress during a demonstration on AlShuhada street against the closure of the central street in the West Bank town of Hebron yesterday. The street is closed to Palestinians and open only to the Israeli settlers that live there. —AFP

JERUSALEM: Israeli immigration police, in their fourth day of nationwide raids to round up African illegal immigrants, had by yesterday afternoon arrested at total of 270 people, mostly from South Sudan, officials said. The operation, which began early on Sunday, is an attempt to track down and deport as many illegal immigrants as possible, with officials confirming that the first planeload would leave for the South Sudanese capital Juba on June 17.

As the arrest operation gathered pace, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to assure ministers that “the infiltrator problem” was being resolved, using a pejorative term for illegal immigrants which is widely used across the Israeli political spectrum. “We will solve the problem,” he said in remarks communicated by his office. By yesterday afternoon, some 270 people had been arrested, a statement from the Population and Migration Authority said.”Until now, 270 illegal immigrants have been arrested, most of them citizens of South Sudan,” it said.

Since Sunday, the immigration police had been “carrying out intensive activity to locate illegal immigrants throughout Israel, with a focus on the centre and the south,” the statement said. Israeli figures indicate there are some 60,000 Africans in the country illegally, most of whom are living in the poor neighbourhoods of south Tel Aviv, although up to a quarter of them are living in the southern Red Sea resort town of Eilat. Only a tiny fraction of them are from South Sudan, with rights groups putting their number at some 700, although Israeli officials say the number is at least 1,500. Until last week, the South Sudanese were protected from deportation by a policy which afforded them “temporary protection.” But on June 7, a Jerusalem court overturned that long-standing policy, ruling that they were no longer at risk in their homeland and clearing the way for their mass expulsion.

Earlier yesterday, Israel said it would fly 150 deportees back to Juba on Sunday, with more expected to follow later in the week. “We have

about 150 so far (for Sunday’s flight),” Population and Migration Authority spokeswoman Sabine Hadad told AFP. The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed that a delegation of civil servants was due to arrive in Israel in the coming days in order to help coordinate the process of repatriation.

“They are coming here to coordinate things because there isn’t a South Sudanese ambassador here,” said spokesman Yigal Palmor. “There is no problem with the people who want to return of their own free will but if they don’t want to cooperate, there is a need for someone to identify them,” he said. The population authority also said there had been a “sharp increase” in the number of people volunteering to return willingly in exchange for a plane ticket and a grant of 1,000 euros ($1,250) per family.

It did not give numbers, but on Tuesday, officials had said 300 people had agreed to be repatriated willingly. “We are in the midst of taking care of the infiltrator problem,” Netanyahu told ministers at his office yesterday, indicating construction of a giant, hi-tech security barrier along Israel’s 240-kilometre (150-mile) border with the Egyptian Sinai would be completed “in a few months.”

“We are setting up holding facilities near the fence so we can transfer the infiltrators directly to detention of up to three years. We have also begun actions to return the illegal infiltrators to their homelands,” he said. Rising tensions over the growing number of illegal immigrants in Israel exploded into violence last month when a protest in south Tel Aviv turned nasty, with demonstrators smashing African-run shops and property, chanting “Blacks out!”

Israel, which reportedly backed South Sudan through its 1983-2005 war with Khartoum, recognised the new nation and established full diplomatic relations with its government shortly after it declared independence in July last year. The Jewish state does not have relations with Sudan, which it has accused of serving as a base for Islamic militants.—AFP

Turkey: Ex-president’s death is ‘suspicious’ ANKARA: The 1993 death of Turkey’s then-President Turgut Ozal is suspicious and should be investigated, a report by the presidential palace said yesterday. The report said there has been no satisfactory investigation into allegations by some family members and lawmakers that Ozal, whose pro-Western policies helped modernize Turkey and gave the US -led coalition a strategic ally during the Persian Gulf War, might have been poisoned.

The report by the State Auditing Board, which is under the direct supervision of President Abdullah Gul, cautioned that most of the allegations were “intangible,” but suggested an autopsy and a hair sample test could confirm for certain the cause of death. It said the results of the president’s blood tests, as well as his blood samples, were missing.

Doctors at the time said Ozal, who underwent triple bypass surgery in 1987, died of heart

failure on April 17, 1993. But, the president’s wife, Semra Ozal, has claimed she received a note in 1998 that said her husband was poisoned and has told several television stations that Ozal died a day after drinking lemonade at a reception in Ankara. The report said Ozal apparently consumed fresh orange juice but not lemonade at the event.

The report said the burial of the president without an autopsy has also fueled concerns over his death. It cited inconsistent

statements by officials about how and when his health deteriorated. Conflicting statements and the questions over the fate of the blood tests showed that “the death of late Turgut Ozal was still a mystery today,” according to the report. Ozal, who is of Kurdish origin, was allegedly preparing to announce a plan to reconcile with the Kurdish minority as a war by Kurdish rebels for autonomy in the largely Kurdish southeast reached its peak.— AP

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

i n t e r n at i o n a l

Mexican president: Race to replace me still open

MEXICO CITY: In this June 3, 2012 file photo, a 15-year-old girl holds up a sign that reads in Spanish “ # I’m 132 for the freedom of expression” during a “Quinceanera” birthday celebration after a protest in Mexico City. —AP

MEXICO CITY: Mexican President Felipe Calderon has begun speak ing out about the race to replace him, a potentially controversial move in a country where sitting presidents are barred from campaigning. Mexico passed a series of laws intended to prevent government interference in elections after seven decades of autocratic, single-party rule ended in 2000. Not only are presidents barred from campaigning, federal agencies stop releasing most public information during the election season.

However, during a candidates’ debate last Sunday, Calderon tweeted a response to the leftist candidate’s proposal to cut the civil service payroll.

And on Tuesday the president, who is barred from seek ing re - elec tion, declared the race to replace him to be

Ex-Indian officer who shot family in US illegally FRESNO: The former Indian army officer who was wanted for murder in his homeland and killed his family in California last weekend had been living illegally in the US for at least five years, federal immigration officials said Tuesday. Avtar Singh, who killed his wife, two children and himself in their Selma, Calif. home on Saturday, had been arrested by investigators for unlawful presence in July 2007, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Lori Haley told The Associated Press.

He was “subsequently placed in removal proceedings. At the time of his death, ICE Homeland Security Investigations was continuing to investigate his case,” Haley said in a written statement. Haley did not say where or why Singh first came to the attention of US authorities, why ICE released him, or whether ICE officials knew of his alleged crimes in India. Singh was sought with an Interpol notice for the 1996 killing of Jalil Andrabi, a lawyer and prominent human rights advocate, in the disputed region of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Andrabi disappeared at the height of protests in the region, where nearly a dozen rebel groups have fought Indian security forces for independence or merger with Pakistan since 1989. More than 68,000 people, mostly civilian, have been killed in

the uprising and subsequent crackdown. A police investigation said Andrabi had been picked up in Kashmir’s main city, Srinagar,

by Indian troops and killed in their custody.

His body was recovered in a local river - he had been shot in the head and his eyes were gouged out. The probe blamed Singh and his soldiers for that killing and accused Singh of involvement in the killings of six other Kashmiri men.

Singh lived freely in India for years after the charges against him were filed.

India did not request Interpol to issue a so-called “red notice” on him until 2009.

He is believed to have fled to Canada before moving to California after the Canadian Center for International Justice pressured the Canadian government to locate him, said Hafizullah Mir, Andrabi’s lawyer. Singh, who owned a trucking company in Selma, had been arrested in Selma in February 2011, after his wife said he choked her. Police then discovered that he was being sought in India on a murder charge, Selma Police Chief Myron Dyck said shortly after that arrest. Dyck said at the time, that he could not keep Singh in custody on the murder charge, so Singh bailed out of jail. Dyck hasn’t responded to calls seeking comment about the 2011 arrest. — AP

wide open, despite polls showing his party’s rival with a wide lead. Most polls show a double -digit advantage for Enrique Pena Nieto, the candidate of the party that was thrown out of the presidency by Calderon’s party 12 years ago. That advantage has been slowly narrowing in the face of corruption allegations against members of Pena Nieto’s Institutional Revolutionar y Par ty, or PRI. A student-led protest movement that has marched against the return of the PRI has also worn away at Pena Nieto’s advantage.

“I’m a democrat, and, as a democrat, I believe in the citizens’ vote,” Calderon told reporters at a Tuesday afternoon press conference. “In this sense, the election still must be decided. This election isn’t decided yet. “In my opinion, any of the current candidates, especial-

ly the three leading ones, could win the election.” Most pollsters disagree. With three weeks left until the July 1, Pena Nieto’s lead appears solid, and the candidate of Calderon’s National Action Party has been eclipsed in second place

by Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a leftist who narrowly lost to Calderon in 2006 in a race that Lopez Obrador declared to be stolen.

Bitter feelings remain on both sides, and the president apparently couldn’t resist tweeting a swift response to Lopez Obrador during Sunday night’s second presidential debate. After Lopez Obrador said that cutting the salary of high-ranking civil servants could save 300 billion pesos ($21.5 billion), Calderon tweeted that firing every single high-ranking official would save only 2 billion pesos ($143 million).

Calderon leaves office in December and has appeared to be deeply concerned about his legacy in recent months, publicly defending his war against drug cartels, and touting Mexico’s role as host of a papal visit and the upcoming G-20 global leaders’ summit. Lopez Obrador, who was criticized for his aggressive response to his 2006 loss, said he respected the president’s opinion and wouldn’t make a campaign issue out of it. Calderon offered a tepid defense of his debate twittering when asked about it Tuesday, saying “I don’t intervene in the debates, I’m not a candidate, I don’t appear on television, and I didn’t get response time. His tweet, he said, “doesn’t indicate any point of view, for or against anyone. This is public information about a topic that is, obviously, of public interest.”— AP

Gunman dies after 14-hour Nebraska pharmacy standoff Hostage shot while trying to escape OMAHA: A gunman who held a pharmacy owner hostage at his store in rural western is dead after a 14-hour standoff, the Nebraska State Patrol said early yesterday. Th e gun man , 2 7year-old Andres Gonzales, died after a shoot-out with Nebraska State Patrol SWAT team member s at th e ph ar mac y in Alliance, patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins said in a statement.

None of the SWAT officers were injured. Gonzales earlier shot one city police officer and a state patrol officer. A second city police officer was injured by shrapnel. None of the officers suffered life-threatening injuries.

The statement did not e x p l a i n h ow G o n z a l e s, o f Alliance, died. Under state law, a gran d j ur y must revie w Gonzales’ death because police were trying to arrest him when

he was shot and k illed. The standoff began Tuesday morning when Gonzales entered the Thi e l e P ha r m a c y & G i f t s i n downtown Alliance, a Nebraska Panhandle city of about 8,600 people. Authorities said police officers responded to reports of a robbery.

Gonzales took the pharmacy’s owner, 62-year-old Charles Lierk, hostage for hours, Collins said. Lierk managed to escape but was shot as he ran and is in stable condition, Collins said.

Police and the state patrol did n o t s ay w h o s h o t L i e r k . R ay H i e l s c he r tol d t he Li ncol n Journal Star that he was watching the pharmacy from a Radio Shack across the street and saw the hostage run out about 5:30 pm. H ielscher said he heard shots as the hostage ran out the front door and made it to nearby police. S eparately,

police found a body at a nearby home Tuesday but declined to say whether it was related to the standoff. Police don’t know how that person died, Nebraska State Patrol Lt. Lance Rogers said. The standoff prompted police to close off several blocks of downtown Alliance, where residents were shaken by the drama.

“When we woke this morning in the best hometown in America, little did anyone in our wildest dreams foresee what would transpire today,” said Mayor Fred Feldges. Most of downtown Alliance remained blocked off for the investigation yesterday morning and will likely remain closed for the rest of the day, City Manager J.D. Cox said.

Alliance lies about 370 miles we s t O m a ha a nd 190 m i l e s from Denver. Alliance Police

Chief John Kiss said Gonzales s h o t K i r k Fe l k e r, 4 3 , i n a n exchange of gunfire during the initial response. Felker had surg e r y a t B ox B u t te G e n e r a l Hospital and was recovering.

Later, state trooper Tim Flick, 37, was shot and wounded, and Alliance Police O fficer M att Shannon, 35, suffered a shrapnel wound. Dixie Nelson, director of the Alliance Chamber of Commerce, said she looked out the window of her office across the street from the pharmacy after an employee heard a gunshot Tuesday.

Nelson said she saw a police officer who had been shot outside the pharmacy. It appeared the shot was fired through the glass on the store’s door or window. “He was shot in the arm. I could see. Either his upper forea r m o r b i ce p a re a ,” N e l s o n said.—AP

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

I Coast: Coup plot by military exiles foiled ABIDJAN: Authorities say they have foiled a coup plot led by militar y exiles loyal to the country’s former president, airing a video that allegedly was going to be broadcast on national television after the takeover. The announcement comes just over a year after President Alassane Ouattara took office following a months-long political crisis that left an estimated 3,000 people dead. The former president who refused to concede defeat, Laurent Gbagbo, is now facing war crimes charges at the Hague.

In the video aired late Tuesday on national television, a man in military

uniform accuses Ivorian authorities of being responsible for massacres and putting “victor’s justice” into place. In a statement, the colonel also criticizes Gbagbo’s extradition. Authorities identified the man in the video as Kate Gnatoa, and said that he had been arrested along with several others.

Ivorian Interior Minister Hamed Bakayoko said all borders would be closed and a curfew put in place, and that political activities would be suspended. “We have precise indication that a group of officers in exile in Accra (Ghana) planned a militar y

operation in Ivory Coast ... with the objective of destabilization,” he said.

Last week, authorities in the West African nation of Togo said they had arrested Gbagbo’s former defense minister, Moise Lida Kouassi, who was living there in exile.

Togolese police have accused Kouassi of being “involved in subversive activities meant to destabilize the present Ivorian government of President Alassane Ouattara.” Kouassi’s lawyer, Joseph Kokou Koffigoh, though, said his client is not a danger to Ivory Coast and criticized his extradition. Ivory Coast was brought to the

brink of civil war when Gbagbo refused to cede power after the November 2010 election. Gbagbo was arrested with the help of UN and French forces in April 2011.

While more than 100 Gbagbo suppor ters subsequently have been charged with postelection crimes in Ivory Coast, fewer from Ouattara’s side have been charged, though the UN and human rights groups say both sides carried out killings and rape.

During the political standoff, Gbagbo’s forces and pro-Gbagbo militia groups used heavy artillery, tanks, grenades and tear gas against civil-

ians perceived to be Ouattara supporters. Ouattara enlisted the help of the former nor thern rebels, who began a violent takeover of towns on their push south to Abidjan.

Western Ivory Coast has remained par ticularly unstable following Gbagbo’s arrest, and an ambush last week left seven peacekeepers dead along with at least nine others in an unprecedented attack on UN operations in the country.

Burke reported from Accra, Ghana.

Associated Press writer Ebow Godwin in Lome, Togo also contributed to this report. —AP

Greek parties set bailout dilemma in crunch vote Samaras wants to cut top income tax thresholds

MOGADISHU: In this photo taken Wednesday, June 6, 2012, Burundian troops serving with the African Union peacekeeping force sing church hymns at their base near Mogadishu, Somalia. —AP

Mogadishu losing ‘Most Dangerous City’ label MOGADISU: Mogadishu is losing a label it never wanted in the first place: The World’s Most Dangerous City. The seaside Somali capital is enjoying a peace that, except for the infrequent attack, has lasted the better part of a year. Somalis who fled decades of war are coming back, as are UN workers who long operated out of Nairobi, the capital of neighboring Kenya. Embassies are reopening and a US assistant secretary of state visited here on Sunday, the highest-ranking US official to set foot in Mogadishu since the infamous Black Hawk Down battle of 1993.

Minnesota resident Abdikhafar Abubakar fled Somalia in 1992, leaving behind his mother, three siblings and other family members. He planned to visit twice in previous years, but each time his mother warned it was too dangerous.

Last week, he finally returned to Mogadishu, where he saw his mother for the first time in two decades. This time she said it was safe and she welcomed him home with tears of joy. He later walked the streets with his brother.

“One thing I could say about Mogadishu as the most dangerous city in the world: I’ve been here one week and I never felt any danger,” Abubakar said.

“When I was out walking around, I wasn’t scared. There was nothing to be scared of.” He did hear gunshots in the distance but even that didn’t rattle him.

Mogadishu’s designation as the World’s Most Dangerous City was unofficial, of course, but widely applied.

The UN and embassies pulled out in the 1990s, following the collapse of the last fully functioning government in 1991. Al-Qaeda-linked militants held

sway over much of the city from 2007 until last August, a four-year span when full-fledged war raged with African Union troops. On Aug 6, the African Union fighters pushed out al-Shabab, ending the daily grind of war. Last month, the African force took control of Afmadow, an al-Shabab stronghold on Mogadishu’s outskirts the insurgents had used for staging the occasional bomb attack.

Armored personnel carriers driven by Ugandan and Burundian troops still rumble through the city. But with the fighting at bay, the military convoys feel more like heavy security than front-line forces.

“This is the longest period of sustained peace Mogadishu has seen in 20 years,” said Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, spokesman for the African Union force known as AMISOM. Britain announced in February that it was naming an ambassador to Somalia, though he is mostly stationed in Nairobi. Johnnie Carson, the US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, visited Mogadishu on Sunday and noted that eight or nine countries - including Turkey, Libya, Yemen and Sudan - now have a diplomatic presence in Mogadishu, though the US does not.

The countries setting up embassies are generally using different buildings from the ones they used to occupy whole neighborhoods were destroyed or damaged in the fighting - and they are patrolled by armed guards. Robert Young Pelton, author of “ The World’s Most Dangerous Places,” said al-Shabab-held Somali cities like Merca and Kismayo, where some of the foreign fighters associated with Al-Qaeda have fled, are more dangerous than Mogadishu. — AP

Ugandan women go to court over maternal mortality KAMPALA: More than 100 women die during childbirth each week in Uganda, a heartbreaking statistic that has energized activists to go to the Supreme Court in a bid to force the government to put more resources toward maternal health care to prevent the wave of deaths. The activists say they want the country’s top judges to declare that women’s rights are violated when they die in childbirth, the kind of statement a lower court declined to give last week. In rejecting the petition, the Constitutional Court said the matter was for the country’s political leaders to handle.

The country’s top judges have a serious role to play: A declaration favoring the women activists would shame the government into action that drastically reduces mortality among childbearing women in Uganda, activists say. “All we want is a declaration that when women die during childbirth it is a violation of their rights,” said Noor Musisi of the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development, a Kampala-based group that is championing the legal push. The groups presented the bid to the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Uganda loses 16 women in childbirth daily, a figure some activists boldly emphasize on placards during regular marches in the streets of the Ugandan capital. Most of these deaths happen in villages where bad roads and poverty make it difficult for women to reach health centers. Even when they get there, some say, the available care is poor. Health centers have been built in villages across Uganda, but the struc-

tures are usually devoid of equipment and medicine. Ugandan newspapers frequently tell stories of midwives and nurses who treat women in labor with a chilling lack of compassion. And at times, when the caregivers are overwhelmed, some women are left to die.

Valente Inziku, a Ugandan man who lost his wife and baby in such circumstances in 2010, blamed the government for his loss. The hospital in northern Uganda where his wife went had no gloves or a delivery kit that Sunday morning, and the midwives were greatly outnumbered by the patients, he said.

The nurses asked him to buy gloves that were never used. “She was not attended to,” Inziku said. “She waved her hands the whole day but no one responded. Then she started bleeding. She bled and bled and then she died in my hands.”

On a visit to Uganda in February, the head of President Barack Obama’s Global Health Initiative said she had asked Ugandan officials to take “greater ownership” of maternal health care and avoid sinking deeper into dependency on foreign benefactors. “Far too many women lose their lives giving birth,” Lois Quam told reporters in Kampala. “When a mother bleeds to death a nation bleeds.”

The Ugandan government employs only about half of the health professionals the country needs, according to Samuel Lyomoki, a lawmaker and physician who has been prominent in calling for more action to improve maternal health. If the number rose to 65 percent, Lyomoki said, Uganda’s maternal mortality rate would fall substantially.

ATHENS: An anti-austerity radical, a conservative bruiser or a socialist trying to change his stripes-Greece seems spoilt for choice ahead of Sunday’s election but the real decision is on economic survival. In reality, the campaign decision boils down to whether the country will reject a tough EU-IMF recovery program tied to bailout loans, or seek merely to renegotiate some of its more painful provisions. The conservative New Democracy party, one of the two likely victors in the legislative polls, has pledged to renegotiate elements of the loan deal, slashing taxes and placing more emphasis on badlyneeded growth after five years of recession.

Conservative chief Antonis Samaras, a 61year-old economist, wants to cut top income tax thresholds and sales tax and mobilize European funds for construction projects to pull the economy out of the trough that has left over a million jobless. Samaras has pledged to “renegotiate” with Greece’s creditors to reverse cuts on low-income pensioners and police, protect private-sector wages and make austerity reforms more gradual with a two-year extension to 2016. “Our central policy is, no more horizontal cuts to salaries and pensions, no more taxes, no more cuts to investment spending,” he told par ty cadres in a presentation of New Democracy’s electoral program on May 31.

The other possible winners, the radical leftist Syriza party, want to reject the loan agreement altogether, arguing that “useless” labor reforms and spending cuts have ruined the Greek economy and will fail elsewhere in Europe too. “The bailout deal is an automatic pilot to utter disaster,” Syriza’s 37-year-old leader Alexis Tsipras told party supporters on June 1 as he unveiled an election program that runs contrary to many of Greece’s loan obligations. “We ask for the vote of the Greek people in order to annul it,” he said.

New Democracy and Syriza are neck-andneck in the opinion polls, but they will probably be unable to form a government without help from other parties. Meanwhile, the once-mighty socialist Pasok party-which

tumbled to third place in a first, inconclusive general election on May 6 — has pulled out all the stops to lure back disillusioned voters.

Its leader Evangelos Venizelos, who applied successive austerity cuts from the post of finance minister until March, now insists that

ing euro-zone debt crisis. “When Hollande’s victory became clear we took heart, we saw a ray of hope,” Venizelos told a news conference on May 27.

Both Samaras and Venizelos warn that a unilateral rejection of the bailout deal would

ATHENS: A man passes by election posters of the conservative new Democracy party and the left coalition Syriza party in central Athens yesteday. —AFP many of the unpopular measures can be reversed.

“There will be no civil service layoffs,” he told unionists on May 30, a statement that flies in the face of Greece’s promise to its international creditors to reduce its civil service payroll by 150,000 by 2015.

“We proposed a structured and courageous revision of the unfavorable conditions of the (loan) agreement,” he later told a crowd in the working-class Athens district of Nea Ionia. For all three, the election of socialist Francois Hollande to the French presidency earlier in May is a game-changer that will redefine Europe’s response to the burgeon-

Zimbabwe PM’s party: No more cash for the army HARARE: The Zimbabwe prime minister’s party said yesterday it can’t pay the military until revenues from the nation’s eastern diamond fields, largely sealed off by troops, reach state coffers. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party said the finance ministry it controls in the coalition government isn’t receiving money promised from diamond sales. The national treasury “is yet to receive a cent” from the biggest mining company that is staffed by former military and security officials, the Movement for Democratic Change said.

The defense ministry has said it needs cash for soldiers who are going hungry and to fund a recruitment drive for an additional 5,000 men.

Defense officials loyal to President Robert Mugabe have threatened violence, the MDC said. Defense Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa vowed to send army generals to the finance ministry to force Minister Tendai Biti to meet the military’s demands, it said.

Top military commanders have repeatedly refused to salute Tsvangirai. In the latest statement of defiance, a third general last month repeated that the military would not allow politicians who did not fight in the bush war that led to independence in 1980 to take over the reins of power even if they win elections proposed early next year. Human rights groups accuse the military and police of being at the forefront of political violence and intimidation surrounding disputed elections in 2008 that led to the formation of the troubled power-sharing coalition.

Biti has said he had been promised $600 million this year in diamond revenues but received only about $30 million between January and March. Last month, he criticized what he called the militarization of diamond mining and said the company Anjin, jointly owned by the state minerals enterprise and China, remitted none of the $75 million in diamonds it was estimated to have sold in the early part of this year. Anjin is mostly staffed by “security personnel of all ranks” transferred to its payroll to run its operations, Biti’s party said yesterday.

Diamond mining in eastern Zimbabwe has been the subject of allegations of human rights abuses by the military and police and illegal money laundering by Mugabe loyalists. Biti’s party said it feared diamond receipts were being used to prop up state institutions controlled by Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party. — AP

be disastrous for Greece. “I assure you, there are powerful countries in the euro-zone who would like us to become the black sheep, and get eaten by the bad wolf, so as to set an example to the other sheep,” Samaras warned his party on May 31.

Tsipras insists the cost of austerity on an exhausted economy is greater. “There are no pro-Europeans and anti-Europeans,” he told suppor ters in the town of Keratea near Athens on May 30. “There is only the danger of the memorandum,” the Syriza chief said, referring to the EU-IMF loan agreement. “The only real dilemma is, memorandum or dignity. Memorandum or Syriza,” he said. — AFP

Russian chief investigator ‘threatened to kill journalist’ MOSCOW: Russia’s main opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta yesterday accused the country’s chief investigator of taking its top journalist into a forest and threatening to kill him. The newspaper’s editor Dmitry Muratov alleged in an open letter that the head of the Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, threatened its deputy editor Sergei Sokolov over an article criticising the committee’s work. Contacted by AFP yesterday, Muratov said Sokolov “had been forced to leave the country” and that he could not be reached by telephone.

The Investigative Committee declined to comment when contacted by AFP and made no public statement on the claims.

President Vladimir Putin “has been told of the media reports on this topic,” his press secretary Dmitry Peskov told the Interfax news agency. Novaya Gazeta is jointly owned by Alexander Lebedev, who also owns Britain’s Evening Standard and The Independent newspapers, and the last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. “You

MOSCOW: In this undated handout photo provided by Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, Sergei Sokolov, a deputy editor of Russia’s Novaya Gazeta newspaper, sits in his office in Moscow, Russia. —AP

brutally threatened the life of my deputy editor,” Muratov wrote in his open letter to Investigative Committee chief Alexander Bastrykin. He called for “security guarantees” for his deputy and other reporters.

“You even joked that you would be the one investigating the (murder) case.”

The journalist and the investigator allegedly quarrelled on a trip they took together last Monday, Muratov wrote in the letter, published on the newspaper’s website. After coming back to Moscow, Bastrykin’s “security guards put Sokolov into a car and took him to a forest in the Moscow region” where the official made the threats, Muratov wrote.

“It was a good decision if Novaya Gazeta took Sokolov out of the country,” the chief editor of opposition-supporting Moscow Echo radio station, Alexei Venediktov wrote on Twitter. Five journalists were detained yesterday afternoon as they picketed the Investigative Committee building over the allegations, Moscow Echo radio station reported, naming four as being on its staff. Political journalist Sergei Parkhomenko was detained after holding a placard saying “I demand an independent investigation,” the station reported.

One of those held, Alina Grebnyova, told Ridus citizen journalist website that all were later released without charge, as opposition activists continued the picket yesterday evening. Bastrykin’s threats concerned an article published on June 4 in which Sokolov lambasted Bastrykin for an overly light punishment given to a man convicted of covering up a 2010 mass murder, Muratov wrote. Twelve people, including children, were brutally killed in the southern town of Kushchevskaya in a crime blamed on fighting between clans. The man convicted of helping conceal the crime kept his freedom and was recently fined 150,000 rubles ($4,600). Novaya Gazeta, a tri-weekly paper known for its investigative reporting and fervent opposition to President Vladimir Putin, has lost several journalists in unresolved murders over the past decade. — AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Tycoon could face contempt charges in Supreme Court saga ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Supreme Court said yesterday that a real estate tycoon could be in contempt of court for accusing the chief justice of turning a blind eye to his son’s alleged corruption.

Malik Riaz, one of Pakistan’s most high-profile businessmen, alleged on Tuesday that Arsalan Iftikhar, son of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, took almost $3.6 million from him in exchange for favourable verdicts in cases involving Riaz’s businesses.

Riaz has not presented any examples of such verdicts and Iftikhar denies any wrongdoing. Riaz’s accusation “prima facie amounts to contempt of court for scandalising the court and bringing the court and the judges of the cour t into hatred, ridicule and contempt”, the Supreme Court said in an order yesterday. The case could damage Chaudhry, who became a household name in Pakistan and gained international recognition in 2007 after standing up

to then President General Per vez Musharraf over his legally questionable bid to hold on to power.

It could also distract Pakistan from problems including a struggling economy, chronic power cuts and a Taleban insurgency. Chaudhry has taken on the unpopular civilian government over allegations of corruption and challenged Pakistan’s powerful military, demanding it produce suspec ted militants who were allegedly kidnapped and tortured.

The military, which has ruled the country for more than half of its 64year histor y, denies wrongdoing.

Chaudhr y, the one man with the clout to possibly keep the government and military in check, is unlikely to lose his job because the constitution provides strong protection for his office. He has dismissed criticism during hearings, saying he only acts to uphold the law and the constitution.

R iaz has accused Chaudhr y of

knowing that his son took bribes, and of not acting on the matter until last week, when the scandal broke, creating a media frenz y. The Supreme Court also said Riaz’s statements appeared to be “causing obstruction in the administration of justice because of the pendency of his cases in the court”. Riaz was summoned by a three-judge panel to explain his position today. He was not immediately available for comment. —Reuters

Bulldozers dig for victims of Afghanistan earthquakes 69 other people feared dead

SRINAGAR: Police use colored water from a water cannon to disperse Kashmiri government employees protesting against the government in Srinagar, India yesterday. The employees demanded the government compensate them for unpaid salaries and raise the retirement age. —AP

Lanka arrests 80 headed illegally to Australia COLOMBO: Sri Lankan authorities have arrested 80 people, including Sri Lankans, Afghans, Pakistanis and Indians, who allegedly intended to migrate illegally to Australia, officials said yesterday.

Immigration officials arrested 22 Afghans and five Pakistan nationals in Colombo while they were waiting to migrate to Australia illegally early yesterday morning, said an immigration official who spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to the media.

He said preliminary investigations have revealed that their alleged plan was to fly to either Thailand, Malaysia or Indonesia and thereafter travel to Australia by boat. A Pakistani man suspected of running the human-smuggling

racket has also been arrested, he said, adding that further investigations were going on. Separately, police spokesman Ajith Rohana said police also have arrested 53 people who allegedly intended to migrate illegally to Australia after the navy intercepted a boat off the eastern coast.

He said the group arrested Tuesday includes four Sri Lankans suspected of running a people-smuggling ring. Two of the would-be migrants are Indian, and the rest are ethnic Tamils from Sri Lanka.

A magistrate has ordered them detained until a hearing on June 20. Hundreds of Sri Lankans try each year to leave illegally by boats for Australia, New Zealand and Europe looking for jobs.—AP

India ‘worst’ G20 nation to be a woman; Canada best LONDON: Policies that promote gender equality, safeguards against violence and exploitation and access to healthcare make Canada the best place to be a woman among the world’s biggest economies, a global poll of experts showed yesterday. Infanticide, child marriage and slavery make India the worst, the same poll concluded.

Germany, Britain, Australia and France rounded out the top five countries out of the Group of 20 in a perceptions poll of 370 gender specialists conducted by TrustLaw, a legal news service run by Thomson Reuters Foundation. The United States came in sixth but polarized opinion due to concerns about reproductive rights and affordable healthcare. At the other end of the scale, Saudi Arabia where women are well educated but are banned from driving and only won the right to vote in 2011 - polled secondworst after India, followed by Indonesia, South Africa and Mexico.

“India is incredibly poor, Saudi Arabia is very rich. But there is a commonality and that is that unless you have some special access to privilege, you have a very different future, depending on whether you have an extra X chromosome, or a Y chromosome,” said Nicholas Kristof, journalist and co-author of “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide”, commenting on the poll results. The poll, released ahead of a summit of G20 heads of state to be held in Mexico June 18-19, showed the reality for many women in many countries remains grim despite the introduction of laws and treaties on women’s rights, experts said.

“In India, women and girls continue to be sold as chattels, married off as young as 10, burned alive as a result of dowryrelated disputes and young girls exploited and abused as domestic slave labor,” said Gulshun Rehman, health program development adviser at Save the Children UK, who was one of those polled. “This is despite a groundbreakingly progressive Domestic Violence Act enacted in 2005 outlawing all forms of violence against women and girls.”

TrustLaw asked aid professionals, academics, health workers, policymakers, journalists and development specialists with expertise in gender issues to rank the 19 countries of the G20 in terms of the overall best and worst to be a woman.

They also ranked countries in six categories: quality of health, freedom from violence, participation in politics, work

place opportunities, access to resources such as education and property rights and freedom from trafficking and slavery.

Respondents came from 63 countries on five continents and included experts from United Nations Women, the International Rescue Committee, Plan International, Amnesty USA and Oxfam International, as well as prominent academic institutions and campaigning organizations. Representatives of faithbased organizations were also surveyed.

The EU, which is a member of the G20 as an economic grouping along with several of its constituent countries, was not included in the survey. Canada was perceived to be getting most things right in protecting women’s wellbeing and basic freedoms. “While we have much more to do, women have access to healthcare, we place a premium on education, which is the first step toward economic independence and we have laws that protect girls and women and don’t allow for child marriage,” said Farah Mohamed, president and CEO of the Canada-based G(irls) 20 Summit, which organized a youth gathering that took place in Mexico in May, ahead of the G20 leaders’ meeting.

Experts were divided on the situation in the United States. Civil rights and domestic violence laws, access to education, workplace opportunities and freedom of movement and speech were positive. But access to contraception and abortion were being curtailed and women suffered disproportionately from a lack of access to affordable healthcare, some experts said. “Many of the gains of the last 100 years are under attack and the most overt and vicious attack is on reproductive rights,” said Marsha Freeman, director of International Women’s Rights Action Watch.

It is more vital than ever to protect women’s freedoms at a time of political upheaval in several parts of the world, some experts said. “Times of political transition, we’ve learned the hard way, can also be times of fragility, and when rights for women and girls can be rolled back instead of advanced,” said Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch. Women’s rights are particularly under attack in G20 host country Mexico, which ranked 15th in the survey. Mexico has a culture of male chauvinism, high rates of physical and sexual violence and pockets of poverty where healthcare and other services are no better than in some of the most marginalised communities of Africa, experts said.—Reuters

KABUL: Bulldozers dug through tons of rocks and dirt yesterday in hopes of recovering 71 victims of a landslide that occurred after two earthquakes struck in northern Afghanistan earlier this week. Two bodies have been recovered so far and 69 other people are feared dead entombed in the rubble in Baghlan province’s Burka distric t, Mahmood Haqmal, the spokesman for the province, said yesterday.

Wielding shovels, nearby villagers and Afghan policemen dug into the dirt alongside three bulldozers as they uncovered beams of houses crushed under the weight of the landslide. “We have to dig and find the 69 other bodies,” Haqmal said. “I do not know how long it will take. It is not an easy task, but the government has promised that they will not leave the bodies under the rocks ... they will stay until they find the last bodies.”

The US Geological Sur vey said one ear thquake with a magnitude of 5.4 struck the region on Monday morning, followed by a magnitude 5.7 quake. Both caused buildings to shake in the Afghan capital, K abul, 190 k ilometers (120 miles) to the south. Damage was repor ted in five areas of the province, but the worst was in the village of Sayi Hazara. The village, which is home to about 20 families, was buried under an

JALALABAD: An Afghan woman with her children begs for money in Jalalabad, Nankarhar province yesterday. Poverty and an ongoing insurgency by the ousted Taleban still pose a threat to the stability of the country. —AFP estimated 30 meters (yards) of rocks and dirt, according to the governor of the province, Gov. Abdul Majid, who reached the area on Tuesday afternoon after a four-hour drive from the provincial capital of Pul- e Khumri.

One Monday, local officials

feared that as many as 100 people could have been killed. On Tuesday, officials in Baghlan revised the number to 50 or fewer, but after a few survivors from the village were interviewed, they now believe 71 people are feared dead. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of

Humanitarian Affairs said Wednesday that non-governmental agencies, Afghan government offices, the U.N. and the Afghan Red Crescent Society have sent tents, blankets, water, bulldozers, hand tools, food, ambulances and other aid to the site.—AP

Bangladesh urged to keep border open DHAKA: A global human rights group yesterday urged Bangladesh to keep its border open to people seeking refuge from sectarian violence in western Myanmar. New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a statement that Bangladesh should also allow independent humanitarian agencies free and unfettered access to the border areas. It expressed its concern after Bangladesh on Tuesday turned away three boats carry-

ing 1,000 Muslims fleeing violence in neighboring Myanmar, bringing to 1,500 the number of refugees intercepted in recent days.

“By closing its border when violence ... is out of control, Bangladesh is putting lives at grave risk,” said Bill Frelick , Refugee Program director at Human R ights Watch.

“Bangladesh has an obligation under international law to keep its border open to people flee-

ing threats to their lives and provide them protec tion,” Frelick said. It also urged other governments to provide humanitarian assistance and other support for the refugees.

Violence in western Myanmar between Buddhists and minority Muslims who call themselves Rohingyas have left at least 12 people dead and hundreds of homes burned since Friday.

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said Tuesday at a news conference in

TAKNAF: A Rohingya Muslim man who fled Myanmar to Bangladesh to escape religious violence, cries as he pleads from a boat after he and others were intercepted by Bangladeshi border authorities in Taknaf, Bangladesh yesterday.—AP

the capital, Dhaka, that it was not in Bangladesh’s interest to accept any refugees because the impoverished countr y ’s resources already are strained.

Some still slipped into Bangladesh, and one 50-year-old refugee allegedly wounded by gunfire from Myanmar security forces died Tuesday at a hospital in Chittagong, a doctor said. Two other Rohingyas are being treated for bullet wounds, said Anisur Rahman, a doctor at Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

Yesterday, the Daily Star newspaper published a photograph on its front page of two women and four children who reached Shah Pori Island in the Bay of Bengal a day earlier, reportedly after spending five days at sea. Myanmar considers the Rohingya to be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denies them citizenship.

Bangladesh says Rohingya have been living in Myanmar for centuries and should be recognized there as citizens.

In the 1990s, about 250,000 Rohingya Muslims fled to Bangladesh in the face of alleged persecution by the military junta. Later, Myanmar took back most of them, leaving some 28,000 in two camps run by the government and the United Nations. Bangladesh has been unsuccessfully negotiating with Myanmar for years to send them back and, in the meantime, tens of thousands of others have entered Bangladesh illegally in recent years.— AP

US drone strike kills 3 militants in Pakistan MIRANSHAH: A US drone attack in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal region near the Afghan border killed three insurgents yesterday, security officials said. “The drone fired two missiles on a vehicle and initial reports said three militants were killed,” a security official said. The vehicle was hit in Isha village, about 10 kilo-

metres (six miles) east of Miranshah, two other security officials said. Miranshah is the main town in North Waziristan, a known Taleban and Al-Qaeda stronghold. There has been a dramatic increase in US drone strikes in Pakistan since a NATO summit in Chicago ended last month without a deal to end a six-

month blockade on NATO supplies crossing into Afghanistan. A drone attack killed 15 militants in North Waziristan on June 4. The dead included senior Al-Qaeda figure Abu Yahya alLibi. It was not immediately known if there were any high-value targets killed in the latest strike.—AFP

12

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

international

UN envoy visits western Myanmar Dusk-to-dawn curfew still in effect SITTWE: A top UN envoy arrived in strife-torn western Myanmar yesterday as security forces grappled with sectarian violence that has left dozens dead and hundreds of homes burned down. A state of emergency has been declared in Rakhine state, which has been rocked by a wave of rioting and arson, posing a major test for the reformist government which took power last year. A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed in many areas. Vijay Nambiar, UN chief Ban Ki-moon’s special adviser on Myanmar, flew into the capital of

how we can continue to provide support to Rakhine,” Ashok Nigam, UN resident and humanitarian coordinator who was also in the group, told AFP. An uneasy calm pervaded Sittwe, which has been rattled by gunfire in recent days and was drenched by heavy rains yesterday.

Local residents have been seen roaming the streets wielding knives, swords and sticks, while people from both the mainly Buddhist ethnic Rakhine and Muslim Rohingya communities have been forced to flee their

been killed and a further 41 people were wounded in five days of unrest, an official told AFP on Tuesday. He did not give details of how they died or whether they were Buddhists or Muslims.

Rohingya leaders say the real number of dead is much higher but AFP could not verify the allegation and has been unable to visit many of the affected areas for security reasons. The toll does not include 10 Muslims who were killed on June 3 by a Buddhist mob in apparent revenge for the rape and murder of a woman, sparking

YANGON: Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi (R) is surrounded by media representatives ahead of her departure at Yangon International Airport yesterday. —AFP Rakhine to visit Maungdaw, a town near the border with Bangladesh where the violence flared on Friday.

He was accompanied by Myanmar’s Border Affairs Minister General Thein Htay and 15 Muslim religious leaders from Yangon.

“We’re here to observe and assess

homes. The Buddhists and Rohingya have both accused each other of violent attacks. The UN has evacuated most of its foreign staff from Maungdaw, which is its main base in the state and has a large population of stateless Rohingya Muslims. Around 25 people have

the violence in Rakhine. Rakhine, a predominantly Buddhist state bordering Bangladesh, is home to a large number of Muslims including the Rohingya, described by the United Nations as one of the world’s most persecuted minorities.

The Myanmar government con-

siders the Rohingya to be foreigners, while many citizens see them as illegal immigrants and view them with hostility, describing them as “Bengalis”. Hundreds of Rohingya, many of them women and children, have attempted to flee to Bangladesh in rickety boats in recent days, but have been turned away. Border guards yesterday said they had refused entry to another three vessels, although a single six-week-old baby girl found floating alone in a boat was rescued and placed with a local family.

The Dhaka government has rebuffed international calls, including by the UN refugee agency UNHCR, to let in the fleeing Rohingya. The United States has urged an immediate halt to the sectarian unrest. A leader of Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh camps appealed for help from Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday, accusing the democracy icon of ignoring the plight of the minority group, who the UN says has suffered decades of discrimination in Myanmar. “Aung San Suu Kyi hasn’t done or said anything for us, yet the Rohingyas including my parents campaigned for her in the 1990 elections,” Mohammad Islam, of Nayapara camp in the border town of Teknaf, told AFP. A spokesman for the opposition leader’s National League for Democracy party said the former political prisoner had instructed him to work “to help both sides equally” before she left yesterday on a historic trip to Europe. The veteran activist, who will formally accept her 1991 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo on Saturday, has remained largely silent on the unrest apart from calling for “sympathy for minorities”, while key figures in the democratic movement have said the Rohingya are not one of Myanmar ’s ethnic nationalities. —AFP

7 dead, 13 missing as rains hit Philippines MANILA: Big waves smashed a passenger boat into rocky outcrops and sunk the vessel in stormy weather in the southwestern Philippines, killing at least five people while 54 others were rescued, officials said yesterday. The MV Josille 2 sank near before midnight Tuesday near an island off the resort town of El Nido in Palawan Island, said coast guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo.

One of the passengers managed to contact the coast guard, sparking a search that also involved the Philippine navy and local fishermen. Rescuers plucked the bodies of three women and two men at sea, officials said. Navy Commodore Alexander Lopez said authorities were not sure how many people were on board the boat because the dead and rescued have already exceeded the manifest count of 46.

Navy, coast guard and fishing boats would continue a search in the rough waters, but strong winds prevented military planes from participating, Lopez said.

Many of the rescued passengers have returned to Liminangcong village in Palawan’s Taytay town, where the Manila-bound boat originated, he said. The onset of the typhoon season brought heavy rains, flash floods and strong waves in southern Mindanao region, where 75 fishermen and villagers were rescued while 13 others are still unaccounted for, regional military spokesman Maj. Jake Obligado said. He said search and rescue operations were ongoing.

Three days of flooding in several southern provinces displaced nearly 3,000 families and at least two drowned in Sarangani’s Glan town, said Benito Ramos, head of the Philippines’ disaster response agency. Those who fled were being sheltered in public gymnasiums and other government buildings. A new storm in the western Pacific was forecast to reach the eastern Philippines later this week and could become the first typhoon of the year. About 20 tropical storms and typhoons each year batter the Philippine archipelago.— AP

Taiwan ex-agent jailed for leaking national secrets TAIPEI: Taiwan has sentenced a retired senior military intelligence officer to three years and six months in jail for leaking classified national secrets, a court said yesterday. Pang Ta-wei, formerly of the military intelligence bureau, was convicted by the High Court Tuesday of leaking sensitive military intelligence in a book he published in Hong Kong in 2010. “What he did, identifying intelligence sources, organizations and other agents, has gravely compromised national security,” high court spokesman Hung Kuang-tsan told AFP. The former colonel will be allowed to appeal, but it was not immediately clear whether he will do so. The 64-year-old had pleaded not guilty, arguing that the information he cited in this book, the second he wrote, had been reported by local media before, Hung said. According to the Taipei-based China Times, Pang described his role in the recruiting in 1992 of Liu Liankun, then a major general in the People’s Liberation Army, in what is believed to have been the most successful counter-intelligence programme ever launched by Taiwan against China.

Liu reportedly had provided confidential data to Taiwan during the 1990s and became the highest ranking Chinese military officer to be accused of spying for Taipei. He was executed in 1999, according to reports. Pang had been convicted and sentenced to 18 months on charges of leaking classified military secrets in his first book published in 2004, which was conditionally suspended for four years. —AFP

HONG KONG: People attend a candlelight vigil to mourn Chinese labor activist Li Wangyang’s death in Hong Kong yesterday. Li imprisoned for two decades died in a hospital Wednesday, June 6, 2012, one year after being released from jail, and a relative raised doubt on the official explanation that he had hanged himself. —AP

NATO chief vows not to abandon Afghanistan SYDNEY: NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen yesterday vowed not to abandon Afghanistan as foreign nations plan to transition forces out of the country after a decade of conflict. “We will not abandon Afghanistan, we will not leave behind a security vacuum,” he told a National Press Club lunch in Canberra. NATO plans to withdraw its 130,000 troops by the end of 2014, and Rasmussen said there would also be a likely political transition as Afghan President Hamid Karzai is expected to step down at the next election, due the same year.

“Yes, we would expect President Karzai to abide by the Afghan constitution which... doesn’t allow him to run again for president,” he said. Secretary General Rasmussen said the international community had a “common interest in and a common responsibility” to see the decadelong intervention in Afghanistan through to a successful end. He said he understood impatience regarding the conflict in which foreign troops have been helping Afghans fight an insurgency by hardline Taliban militants, saying people “want to see the light at the end of the tunnel”.

“People want to see progress, so do I,” he said, adding that foreign forces had deployed to Afghanistan to prevent the country from once again becoming a safe haven for terrorists from which to launch attacks. “Despite this impatience, all ISAF coalition partners have decided to stay committed, to see this operation though to a successful end. And that’s encouraging despite the economic crisis and

declining public support.”

The NATO plan is to progressively hand control for security in the countr y to Afghan forces, and Rasmussen said he was confident they would be up to the task even as some nations accelerated their drawdowns. “There may be partners, may be allies, who will reduce their troops’ presence during the transition period but they have declared they will stay committed throughout the transition until the end of 2014,” he said.

“All 50 nations within our ISAF (the NATO -led International Security Assistance Force) coalition have sent the clear message ‘in together, out together’, and that’s a basic principle.” France has announced it will withdraw combat troops by the end of 2012, while Australia has also accelerated the exit of its 1,550strong force, but both nations have said they will continue to contribute to the overall mission.

“You will see troops reduction and you will see a gradual change of the role of our troops from combat to more and more focus on support, but don’t misinterpret it as a rush for the exit,” Rasmussen said. “It’s actually part of the strategy that we actually hand over. “I feel confident that by the end of 2014 the Afghan security forces will be able to take full responsibility for security.” Rasmussen said the timing of the next presidential election, which coincides with the pull-out of foreign troops, had been raised publicly by Karzai, who has suggested the vote could possibly take place a year earlier. —AFP

SEOUL: South Korean street vendors burn letters reading “Korea Democratic Street Vendors Confederation” during a rally against the government’s crackdown on them in Seoul, South Korea yesterday. Thousands of protesters attended the rally, demanding job security. —AP

China shipped missile vehicles to North Korea TOKYO: China shipped missile-launch vehicles to North Korea last year in breach of UN resolutions but was never rebuked because the US did not want to embarrass Beijing, a Japanese newspaper said yesterday. Beijing denied the report, which is based on Japanese government sources and is the most strident of recent claims that China has been involved in helping to arm its wayward ally, after earlier allegations Beijing supplied technology.

Four giant trucks capable of transporting and launching ballistic missiles were exported by a Chinese firm last August, the leading Asahi Shimbun said. The vehicles were likely those on display at the huge military display in April marking the centenary of the birth of the state’s founder Kim Il-Sung, the Asahi said.

The sale of weapons systems to Pyongyang is banned under UN Security Council resolutions aimed at containing the hermit state’s nuclear ambitions. But at Washington’s urging, Tokyo and Seoul have avoided confronting Beijing in a bid to keep North Korea’s patron onside in the international effort to tamp down tensions on the peninsula, the paper reported. Top Japanese government spokesman Osamu Fujimura declined to confirm the report, saying it was “a matter of intelligence”.

Speak ing in general terms, he added: “If Japan obtains information about any violation of the UNSC resolution, the government will address the matter in cooperation with concerned nations.” Asked about the claim, Chinese foreign ministr y spokesman Liu Weimin said in Beijing: “China has been strictly implementing relevant Security Council resolutions and its own laws and regulations on non-proliferation expor t control.

“Chinese companies did not export items that are banned by relevant S ecurit y Council resolutions or Chinese laws and regulations.”

Asked whether China may have exported the vehicles through companies from third countries, Liu

refused to comment further. Japanese government papers reveal four 16wheel vehicles were transpor ted aboard a Cambodian-registered ship, which was tracked by spy satellites leaving Shanghai on August 1 and arriving at Nampho, in western North Korea, three days later, the Asahi said.

The vessel then moved on to Osaka where the Japanese coastguard conducted an on-board inspection and discovered documents detailing the export of the vehicles, issued by an agent in Shanghai, the Asahi said.

A repor t was passed on to the Japanese government’s intelligence office, the Asahi said. According to the report, four WS-51200 transport vehicles with a length of 21 metres (about 70 feet) were exported by a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp., which is affiliated to the Chinese military. Vehicles of this kind are used in China to transpor t ballistic missiles and the 16wheeler 51200 model was likely developed to transport the Dongfeng 31 intercontinental ballistic missile, the report said.

Japan, South Korea and the US agreed the shipment was a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1874, which bans the expor t of weapons to North Korea, the paper said. Washington raised the issue with Beijing in April, the paper reported.

Chinese officials acknowledged the export had taken place, but said the vehicles were for civilian purposes, including the transportation of timber. Two months ago the United States said it believed China’s assurances that it was abiding by sanctions on Nor th Korea after charges that Beijing supplied missile launcher technology. “China has provided repeated assurances that it’s complying fully with both Resolution 1718 as well as 1874. We’re not presently aware of any UN probe into this matter,” State Depar tment spokesman Mark Toner told reporters. “I think we take them at their word,” Toner said at the time. —AFP

Australia: Early release of Libya lawyer unlikely SYDNEY: Foreign Minister Bob Carr said yesterday an Australian lawyer and three others held in Libya were entitled to immunity, but admitted the chances of their early release appeared slim.

Melinda Taylor was detained late last week after she met with Seif al-Islam, the son of the slain dictator Muammar Gaddafi, as part of a four-person team from the International Criminal Court (ICC ). They were there to help the detained Seif, 39, choose a defence lawyer. The Hague-based ICC wants to try him for crimes against humanity.

But Libyan officials have alleged Taylor was carrying a pen camera and attempting to give Seif a coded letter from his former right-hand man Mohammed Ismail, who is on the run.

An international delegation was eventually allowed to visit the four on Tuesday in the hill town of Zintan, and Carr said Australian ambassador David Ritchie spent 90 minutes with them.

“The ambassador examined the conditions of the prison and reported they were generally adequate,” he said in a statement. “He said Ms Taylor appeared to be well and in reasonable spirits given the circumstances. “As a representative of the ICC, Ms Taylor and her colleagues were doing the impor tant work of the court and are entitled to immunity,” Carr added, urging their early release.

However, in an interview with ABC radio he admitted this was unlikely.

“The Libyans are attaching a very great impor tance to this case,” he said, adding that the four were being held “under guard, they’re under duress”.

“The disturbing part of his (Ritchie’s) report is that there’s no evidence of a

Libyan interest in an early release.

“Indeed, there’s the suggestion that they might be seek ing to hold the detainees for 45 days which they have said is the time they need for these sorts of investigations.”

The delegation, which included the ambassadors of Australia, Lebanon, Russia and Spain, were initially denied access to the four, but were eventually allowed in after the defence ministry sent documentation in support of the visit. On Tuesday, Libyan government spokesman Mohammed al-Harizi told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Taylor would be freed if she gave them information on Ismail.

“We want this guy. It is very important to catch this guy because this guy is very, very, very danger(ous) for us,” he said, and claimed Taylor had met with Ismail, given that she had a letter from him.

Carr refused to be drawn on the allegations. “I don’t want to canvass that sort of material. I don’t want to enter an argument,” he said. “I’m very conscious that we’ve got an Australian woman in detention and that we need to maintain a reasonable dialogue with the Libyan government because we want her to be able to enjoy access to her family and decent conditions.”

Taylor’s parents pleaded for her swift release. “We just pray and hope that this is resolved as quickly as possible,” her mother Janelle Taylor told the ABC. Her father John added that his daughter had also been involved in the defence of former Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic. “She really loves her work, she puts her heart and soul into it,” he said. —AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

NEWS

CAIRO: An Egyptian walks past graffiti showing head of the Egyptian ruling military council Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi (left) using a bloody hand to vote yesterday, days before some 50 million Egyptian head to the polls in the second round of voting for the country’s president. — AFP

Revolt threatens Assad’s grip on Damascus AMMAN: Plain-clothed police stationed near the presidential palace, a grey marble Soviet style compound towering over Damascus, fire automatic rifles into the night as rebels encroach towards the seat of Bashar Al-Assad’s power.

Gunmen guarding the luxury apartment of an intelligence officer nearby monitor incoming traffic from behind newly erected concrete walls and roadblocks that have become a familiar sight in residential neighbourhoods, according to residents and diplomats in the capital. Fifteen months into Syria’s uprising, now coupled with an armed insurgency against Assad that is spreading from outlying regions, the rebels have infiltrated Damascus.

They are beginning to attack army and securi-

ty strongpoints and fighting gun battles with loyalist troops, forcing Assad to devote more resources to protect Damascus and raising the once unlikely spectre that the capital could slip out of his grip. The instability could spiral into full-fledged urban warfare, opening a new front for already stretched troops and increasing sectarian tension between Sunni inhabitants and Assad’s minority Alawite sect, concentrated in hilltop enclaves overlooking the city of 3 million.

Alawites, an offshoot of Shiism, already comprise the majority of the feared pro-Assad “shabbiha” militia as well as the Republican Guards and the Fourth Armoured division - core forces strategically based in mountains around Damascus under the command of Assad’s broth-

er Maher. This has not stopped the Sunni-led protest movement from spreading into the heavily guarded capital, where army roadblocks and supply lines are coming under attack from lightly armed rebels.

When night falls, demonstrations that were once easily put down by the shabbiha break out under rebel protection, not far from central areas of the city. Aside from the protests, streets quickly empty of pedestrians and Assad’s forces erect roadblocks separating the main districts, residents say. A video broadcast by activists on YouTube, which could not be independently verified, showed crowds at an anti-Assad rally on Monday dancing and carrying huge white and green flags from the era before Assad’s Baath

Barrak: Central Bank not cooperating with...

Continued from Page 1 committee will hold a meeting next week to determine how to deal with the governor and called on the government to shoulder its responsibility.

In another development, the court of misdemeanours yesterday acquitted five officers from the special forces of charges of beating MP Obaid Al-Wasmi during a public rally

in December 2010. The court said that the officers were exercising orders they had received from their commanders who were implementing instructions by HH the Amir to prevent rallies outside homes or diwaniyas. Wasmi however reacted angrily to the ruling, sharply criticizing the verdict and insisting that it was not in line with Kuwaiti law.

Wasmi said that he respects the law and all verdicts issued on its basis

but “this one is not a verdict and cannot be an implementation of the law. In brief, I will not accept a judiciary that issues verdicts in this way”.

Also, 13 Kuwaiti MPs, most of them Islamists, yesterday appealed to Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to take the necessary measures to rescue the Syrian people from the bloody crackdown of the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad.

Political row has economic plans on ice Continued from Page 1 on the development plan,” Farouk Soussa, Middle East chief economist at Citi in Dubai, said.

The development plan aims to draw in private investment for huge infrastructure projects and help Kuwait’s economy diversify. The larger multi-billion-dollar projects include a new airport terminal and oil refinery.

Progress is slow because by-laws needed for the plan have to pass through parliament and the current political gridlock makes this impossible, Soussa said. “We think there are going to be more resignations and that we are going to see further political instability.”

Opposition, mainly Islamist MPs, emboldened by regional upheaval and their electoral success, have been using these tactics more frequently and making demands for Cabinet posts. At present, HH the Amir picks the prime minister who in turn selects a cabinet.

Political parties are banned so MPs rely on forming blocs. Tensions between Kuwait’s elected parliament and the cabinet have brought years of political turmoil to the OPEC member state but the current crisis, less than four months after a snap election, has developed quickly even by Kuwaiti standards.

Mustapha Al-Shamali resigned as finance minister last month after opposition lawmakers accused him of failing to deal with alleged financial irregularities in his departments. Shamali, who had served as finance minister from 2007, denied the allegations of mismanagement but quit rather than face a parliamentary confidence vote. Kuwait’s minister for social affairs and labour, Ahmed Al-Rujaib, resigned ahead of a questioning session scheduled for next week. It was a similar fight between MPs and the Cabinet which led to the dissolution of the chamber in December and a snap election that brought in the fourth parliament in six years.

Some MPs have said they want to question oil minister Hani Hussein in parliament after an arbitrator’s ruling last month that Kuwait’s state-run chemical company must pay Dow Chemical Co. $2.16 billion for wrongly cancelling a deal. The ruling against Petrochemical Industries Co (PIC) is final and believed to be one of the largest ever arbitration awards. Kuwait pulled out of the

$17.4 billion “K-Dow” joint venture with the US company as the global economy sunk into a deep recession nearly four years ago.

Kuwait’s losses from the project amount to more than just the compensation sum, said Naser Al-Nafisi from the Al-Joman Centre, an independent economic consultancy based in Kuwait. The country has lost an estimated $6-10 billion in business and damaged its image with an important trade partner, he said, adding, “The negative consequences are both visible and invisible.” Hussein, a former chief executive officer of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, has declined to comment on the case.

As for the development plan, which is spread over four years until 2014, Nafisi said it was only about 15 percent complete with work on smaller projects and general maintenance rather than progress on the big ticket items. The development plan timetable is at risk unless Kuwait’s government and parliament push through an agenda which improves the investment climate, the International Monetary Fund said in a report last month. Implementation of the plan has suffered from “red-tape bureaucracy, an outdated legislative base, deficiencies in laws that have been passed in recent years, and holdups in passing new legislation,” it said.

While the row between Kuwait’s cabinet and parliament has been a major factor in stagnant policymaking and reform, it has also led to a lack of fiscal dynamism said Liz Martins, senior Middle East economist at HSBC in Dubai. “For better or worse, this has tended to leave Kuwait with some of the largest budget surpluses in the Gulf, and as such, oil prices would have to drop quite substantially before it became fiscally vulnerable.”

Kuwait has posted fiscal and external surpluses for thirteen years in a row and can absorb the current fall in the oil price despite its large spending plans. Crude traded under $100 a barrel last week.

But analysts say this level of comfort means it lacks a sense of urgency to implement the development plan and longer-term reforms. Kuwait is not translating its healthy fiscal position into economic progress, said economist Jassem Al-Saadoun, director of the independent Al-Shall Centre in Kuwait. — Reuters

Party took power in a coup in 1963.

“I think we’re heading to the point where the regime will be only in control of the most central parts of Damascus and the airport road. It may able to continue mounting raids on other districts but it will not have real presence there,” said a Western diplomat still in the city after many embassies have closed. Gun battles have spread from the suburbs, which the army has struggled to control since the beginning of the year.

Residents say gunfire can now be heard daily in the northern residential neighbourhoods of Barzeh and Al-Qaboun, from which most inhabitants have fled, and in the Kafr Souseh district in the west, home to a fortress-like intelligence headquarters. “It is becoming a cycle now.

Troops fire at demonstrators in the morning and the rebels respond by attacking roadblocks and busses at night,” said Lana, a businesswoman who lives in Kafr Souseh with her husband and three children. “No one dares go out, and the troops manning the roadblocks become so nervous, especially at night. I mistakenly walked back from a friend’s house at ten at night the other day and there was not a single soul in the streets. I made it. Others sometimes don’t,” she said. She cited the case of Rabih Ghazza, a peaceful activist whose body was found stuffed in the trunk of his car near a security compound on Al-Khatib Street, adding that friends who went to pay condolences were beaten by the shabbiha. — Reuters

Gulf looks to sun for future power Continued from Page 1 The renewable energy pride of the UAE is the Masdar City project, designed to have the lowest possible carbon footprint with futuristic electric cars, street lights and airconditioning all powered by a 10-megawatt on-site solar power plant. Still in its initial phase, the city today consists of only a few buildings and is home to the Masdar Institute, a research-based post-graduate clean energy academy.

The compound’s buildings are designed to let in the sun but keep out the heat. The temperature in the walkways between the buildings is 10 to 15 degrees cooler than in Abu Dhabi just a few kilometres away.

“These are the fundamentals of the cities of the future... how you go about the architecture, the waste management. Those aspects of the city of the future have now become a reality,” said Masdar’s clean energy director, Bader Lamki. He says new building codes in both Abu Dhabi and neighbouring Dubai demand more efficient energy consumption, and governments in both emirates are running energy audits on existing buildings.

Masdar is also about to complete one of the world’s largest Concentrated Solar Power plants in the desert south of Abu Dhabi. Shams 1, a joint venture with Spain’s Abengoa Solar and French Total is set to be complete by the end of 2012. It will extend over a 2.5-sq-km area, have a capacity of 100 megawatts and according to Lamki, prevent approximately 175,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, the equivalent to “taking 15,000 cars off the road or

planting 1.5 million trees”. The announced 2020 target for Abu Dhabi is to have 7 percent of its energy produced by renewables. Dubai’s target is 5 percent by 2030.

In Januar y, Dubai announced plans for a 1,000megawatt solar power plant. The first phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, a 10megawatt facility, will be completed in 2013. “Yes, we are building cities in the desert... but we’re working on building those cities sustainably,” said Mohammed Issa Abushahab, head of the UAE foreign ministr y ’s International Climate Change Division. Similar steps are being taken in other Gulf countries.

In Saudi Arabia, home to the world’s largest oil reserves, the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy last month announced plans to build 41 gigawatts of solar power capacity over the next two decades. And in Qatar, the small-population country with the world’s largest per capita ecological footprint and one of the largest global exporters of gas, has announced plans to build solar-powered air-conditioned stadiums to host the 2020 football World Cup. Sven Teske, Clean Energy director at Greenpeace International, described the Gulf bloc as the “sleeping giant” of renewable energy, but said the steps being taken so far are still small. The region could be “a huge market, a huge centre and hub for solar and wind energy,” said Teske. “But right now, we see a lot of conferences, a lot of announcements, real action is still missing.” On a positive note, he said at least “there is a recognition, an understanding... that it’s time to do something”. — AFP

Iraq attacks kill 72 Continued from Page 1 Baghdad was hit by 10 bomb attacks and two shootings that killed at least 28 people and wounded dozens more, according to an interior ministry official and a medic. The deadliest attack in the capital saw a car bomb explode in the Karrada neighbourhood of central Baghdad where pilgrims were eating breakfast in tents. Human remains were scattered across the street, while cars and shops in the area were damaged, an AFP journalist said.

The attack, in which a medical official said 16 people died and 32 were wounded, appeared aimed at the Shiite pilgrims as they headed in their tens of thousands to Imam Kadhim shrine in the northern neighbourhood of Kadhimiyah. Another car bomb on the outskirts of Kadhimiyah, which an interior ministry official and a medic said killed seven people, left a hole two metres deep in a street, damaged cars and destroyed a number of makeshift houses. “I could not see for more than two metres because of the smoke and dust,” said a resident, Abdul Zahra Abdul Saad, adding that the blast occurred at about 5:00 am (0200 GMT).

“I took out three people: two children and an old woman. They were all dead.”

Coordinated attacks took place across other centres, including in the central city of Hilla, where a police captain and doctor Ali Al-Khafaji at the main hospital said two car bombs killed 20 people and wounded 51 others. Ten people, meanwhile, were killed in a wave of attacks in and around Baquba, north of Baghdad, security and medical officials said. In the northern city of Kirkuk, three car bombs killed two people and wounded at least 17 more, the interior ministry official and doctor Nabil Hamdi Mushnaq of Kirkuk hospital said.

Marwan Ibrahim, a 34-year-old journalist who has worked for AFP since 2003, was wounded by a car bomb while reporting on the attacks in Kirkuk.

In other incidents, five people were killed and 30 wounded in two car bombs in Balad, north of Baghdad, including one which targeted the local headquarters of the Shiite endowment.

Car bombs in Al-Azizyah, south of Baghdad, and in the restive northern city of Mosul killed a total of four people, while 24 people were wounded in a blast near the holy city of Karbala in central Iraq.

And west of Baghdad, insurgents killed two policemen in an attack on a checkpoint near Fallujah, while a mag-

netic “sticky bomb” killed a health directorate employee in Heet, police Lieutenant Colonel Haidar Al-Jaafari said. Along with the security forces, the Shiite majority in Iraq has been a main target of Sunni Arab armed groups since the US-led invasion of 2003 toppled now executed dictator Saddam Hussein’s Sunni-dominated regime.

Yesterday’s attacks come during a political row that has seen opponents of Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki mounting an attempt to oust him, but so far failing due to a lack of votes.

Maliki’s opponents have for months accused him of monopolising decision-making and moving toward dictatorship. A statement on Maliki’s website yesterday said that he had warned during a meeting against “political differences that ... may negatively affect the security situation”. The Iraqiya bloc, one of the parties pushing for Maliki to be unseated, said that it “holds the government and he (Maliki) who controls ... the security forces fully responsible for establishing security.” Violence across Iraq has declined dramatically since the 20062007 peak but attacks remain common, especially in Baghdad. A total of 132 Iraqis were killed in May, official figures show. —AFP

14

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

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Issues

Syria has friend indeed in Iran s Syria’s conflict spirals to vicious new depths, Iran is doubling down on its support for Damascus out of fear of losing its main pillar of regional influence, analysts said. The backing reflects Tehran and Damascus’s shared anti-West, anti-Israel position and mutual succour as each weathers international sanctions and attempts to isolate them. Tehran’s aid to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime probably goes well beyond the diplomatic and humanitarian support it has publicised to also include covert military assistance, the analysts said. Assad is dependant for his survival on Iran, which in turn fears he could be replaced by radical Sunnis who are hostile to Tehran’s Shiite rulers and may cut Iran’s links to Hamas and Hezbollah.

“Assad’s Syria is the gateway for Iranian influence in the Arab world and the Levant,” said Alireza Nader of the US-based think-tank Rand Corporation. A regime collapse could deal “a large blow to Iranian interests in the Middle East,” he said. Iran’s rivals among the Gulf Arab states, “especially Saudi Arabia, realise that Syria is a weak link in Iran’s regional influence. Hence they are eager to see Assad go and be replaced by a Sunni-dominated regime,” he said.

A Western diplomat agreed. “Shiite Iran - perhaps rightly - is concerned about what would happen if a proIranian Alawite regime were replaced by one that came to be dominated by the (Sunni) Muslim Brotherhood,” the diplomat said on condition of anonymity. However observers said Iran could be open to a scenario of Assad being replaced - as long as his regime survived and his successor kept the ties to Tehran.

“I believe that Iran does not back Assad as much as it backs the political regime in Syria, though there are very strong ties between the Assad family and the Islamic revolution which goes back to more than 30 years,” said Mohammad Saleh Sedghian of the Tehran-based Arabic Centre for Iranian Studies. Iran would deal with a new leader “on condition the new government maintains Syria’s constants, which are the backing of Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad and opposition to Israel”, he said.

Right now, though, Iran is navigating its way through what increasingly resembles a civil war in Syria, fuelled by outside forces. “The conflict in Syria certainly appears to be getting more brutal - and not just on one side,” the Western diplomat said. “There is a real risk of it sliding into a proxy war as certain states support the regime or ‘the opposition’,” the diplomat warned. Iran accuses Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United States of funnelling weapons and fighters into Syria to battle Assad’s forces.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on a visit to Tehran yesterday, also alleged Washington was arming the Syrian rebels. The United States, Lavrov said, “is providing arms to the Syrian opposition which are being used against the Syrian government.” Israeli and US officials in turn say Iran is providing Damascus with arms, military muscle and surveillance technology used for repression. Dina Esfandiary, an Iran analyst at the London-headquartered International Institute for Strategic Studies, said: “Although the exact extent of Iran’s support is unclear, it is highly likely that it goes beyond money, and includes military aid.”

She thought a proxy war was unlikely. “But will Iran use it as an opportunity to make life difficult for everyone involved in the region? Yes, absolutely.” Nader noted “Iran has reportedly provided technical and military support to Bashar al-Assad. Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers have even publicly admitted that they have helped battle insurgents in Syria.”

Publicly, Iran has said several cargo flights to Syria have been carrying only medical and humanitarian aid.

But Iran’s ISNA news agency ran an interview last month with a senior Revolutionary Guards commander, Ismail Ghani, quoting him as saying the Guards’ elite Qods Force was present in Syria. ISNA later deleted the report without explanation, and Iranian media then quoted an armed forces chief, Major General Hassan Firouzabadi, denying Tehran was supporting Damascus other than “intellectually and spiritually.” Foreign ministry spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, said on Tuesday that a solution to Syria should be found “without foreign interference.” Russia, which protects Damascus against muscular action in the UN Security Council wanted by Western powers, is calling for a multi-nation conference on Syria that should include Iran, despite US opposition. The aim is to shore up international envoy Kofi Annan’s tattered peace plan. Iran has welcomed the idea, but Washington and some European allies have expressed reluctance. At the same time, Iran has raised Syria as one of several issues it wants to negotiate in talks about its disputed nuclear program.— AFP

A

All articles appearing on these pages are the personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait Times takes no responsibility for views expressed therein. Kuwait Times invites readers to voice their opinions. Please send submissions via email to: opinion@kuwaittimes.net or via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. The editor reserves the right to edit any submission as necessary.

Bahrain reforms takes hit amid uprising

By Andrew Hammond ahrain’s economic reforms - once hailed as the most ambitious in the Gulf - seems to have stalled as hardliners in the Sunni ruling family who see Shi’ite protesters as a threat to the state bring the program under their wing. Hawks within the Al Khalifa family asserted themselves after a pro-democracy protest movement led by the majority Shi’ite population erupted last year following successful revolts in Egypt and Tunisia. They swept aside a political dialogue with opposition parties offered by Crown Prince Salman, introducing a period of martial law, detaining thousands and staging military trials.

But they also turned their attention to the economic reforms that the crown prince had championed since his father King Hamad took the reins in 1999, proceeding to reinstall the Gulf state’s parliament to end a 1990s uprising led by majority Shiites. The idea of those reforms was to reduce reliance on foreign labour through comprehensive job training for Bahrainis, attracting investment to a financial services hub and creating a viable economy that could survive the dwindling of its oil resources and resultant reliance on neighbour Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia shares ones of its oilfields with Bahrain, providing around 70 percent of the budget revenue in a country of over 1.2 million people, including 660,000 foreigners. “The idea was that through incremental political liberalisation and simultaneous improvement of citizens’ economic conditions, Bahrain could solve the problem of chronic unrest seen in the 1990s under the king’s father,” said Justin Gengler, a Bahrain researcher based in Doha.

But the authorities, in which Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman, Royal Court Minister Khaled bin Ahmed and his brother Khalifa bin Ahmed who heads the army are powerful, have put a brake on political reforms demanded by protesters. They appear to have taken control of economic reform and scaled back its ambitions too. Their view, Gengler says, is that historically disenfranchised Shi’ites who stood to gain the most from the reforms have proven through the street mobilisation to be a security threat to the Al Khalifa-led state. Stalling the reforms has involved replacing the heads of key institutions and altering their remits. And the process has the added advantage of reinforcing patronage networks stemming from resources under the control of powerful figures in the state.

Analysts as well as Bahrainis and foreigners working in some of those institutions, and who requested anonymity for fear of repercussions, pointed to a series of telling shifts that indicate new directions in economic reform. The head of the Economic Development Board (EDB), who is a confidante of the crown prince, was removed in March and the body which was the most influential player in economic policy - hosting weekly ministerial meetings - has been reduced to an advisory body without executive power.

Senior officials have been removed in

B

the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and job training and labour fund Tamkeen, which together oversaw labour market reforms that took taxes from firms on the basis of how many foreigners they hired and used them mainly to train Bahrainis for work. The LMRA chief, a Shiite, was removed after callers on state television during last year’s crackdown accused him of discrimination against Sunnis. The government has stopped collecting Tamkeen taxes on businesses and wants to reduce the percentage set aside for job training.

There have also been personnel changes at sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, Bahrain Polytechnic - which some fear will reduce its student intake and the Bahrain Teachers College. The government Information Affairs Authority was not able to arrange interviews with officials in the LMRA and Tamkeen, but Jamal Fakhro, deputy head of the upper house of parliament, said economic reforms were still on track.

“The LMRA is still there and there are no changes in regulations. The idea is to make the Bahraini a more attractive individual for employers. We are increasing the cost of visas for foreigners and using that money to develop Bahrainis,” he said. “I’m not worried: reform could be even quicker now. New initiatives will come directly from the cabinet instead of the EDB. I don’t see that things will go south - the money is there, the will is

rod in April this year for the protest movement. Though the scholarship program has not fallen victim to anti-Shiite sentiment, some Bahrainis say it is not getting the same attention from state media and company sponsors as before.

And some prominent family firms seen as soft on the uprising have also lost government contracts to staunch loyalists.

“The sense is that political and security issues are taking precedence over any economic reform,” said Farouk Soussa, Middle East chief economist for Citigroup. “The government’s energies appear to be focused more on restoring stability and dealing with the political fallout of the unrest we have seen over the last 18 months.”

Hits to the crown prince’s development projects could backfire on the street. Impoverished Shiite villagers have formed the kernel of a protest movement that has continued unabated despite nearly three months of martial law last year. EDB officials have been proud of efforts over the past decade to end marginalisation of many Shiite villages with no proper paved roads and other services. “There is a huge difference in recent years in villages where there was no development at all and there is political space for them too,” one government official said.

An oil state with dwindling supplies, Bahrain imposes no personal income tax and some Bahrainis enjoy a high stan-

Bahraini Shiite Muslim youths clash with riot police during a demonstration in solidarity with jailed dissident Abdulhadi Khawaja and human right activists Nabeel Rajab in the village of Daih, west of Manama, on June 11, 2012. — AFP there, and the need is there.” He said the LRMA head had ended his term of office, rejecting claims of sectarian motives to his departure, and he said Tamkeen would resume collecting labour fees from July. But many worry about the sidelining of the crown prince.

“The only thing that remains in the crown prince’s hands is his scholarship program, which is based on merit and is not sectarian or tribal, and the Formula One Grand Prix,” said one well-placed Bahraini observer who is close to official circles.

Prince Salman brought the Grand Prix to Bahrain in 2004, but it has failed to attract investment and create jobs as envisioned, while becoming a lightning

dard of living, but inequalities have been a major spur to discontent. Bahrain’s economic growth slowed in the final three months of 2011, a sign that political unrest is continuing to weigh on businesses as the government tries to crush the uprising. Inflation-adjusted expansion in gross domestic product decelerated to 1.3 percent quarter-on-quarter from 2.2 percent in the third quarter of 2011, data showed in March.

Some in the financial sector argue that these figures could have been worse and point to a latent strength in Bahrain’s economy that is due to the decade of reforms. One Western banker in Manama said current sluggishness was partly due to the world financial crisis that began in

2008. Some banks have quit the country while some office space including the Bahrain Financial Harbour remains unoccupied. “It’s not just the uncertainty of last year; the migration of Western banks started before those events,” he said, adding that the efforts to reform the labour market were running into problems already for other reasons.

“It was a good idea - you would open up the labour market and have money to train people - but they would have had to relook at those reforms,” the banker said, though he rejected the notion that it was powerful players in the business community who objected most strongly.

“There was pressure from lower down the chain, like fishermen who hire Indian fishers. It was opposition from smaller outfits that didn’t have access to Bahraini labour, who didn’t want to do those jobs.”

The government appears to be betting on Saudi backing to sustain the country in the absence of a political resolution with opposition groups who want democratically-elected governments, legislative clout for the elected parliament and removal of the prime minister, in his post since 1971. “Everybody is talking about Saudi money. The hardliners are the gatekeepers of the new system, and everything that comes in will go through them,” said the Bahraini observer. “If you tell people that the financial system will collapse, they say ‘yes, but we have Saudi Arabia’.”

Riyadh and other Gulf countries last year promised Bahrain and Oman $10 billion each over ten years for socio-economic spending to bolster their governments in the face of unrest. “It begins with budgetary support - the $1 billion a year that the GCC is providing to Bahrain is an extremely important part of that and it extends beyond that into the hydrocarbons industr y,” said the Citigroup economist Soussa. Soussa said the fall in global oil prices over recent weeks was worse for Bahrain’s economy than for other Gulf states since Bahrain needed a higher oil price to balance its budget - analysts estimate that price at above $100 a barrel, compared to around $80 or lower for other Gulf states. That could further drive the country into the arms of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi state oil firm Aramco gave Bahrain all of the Abu Safa field during low oil prices in the 1990s but since 2004 a 50-50 split has been in place. The 150,000 bdp to Bahrain has accounted for some 70 percent of its budget in past years. But Jassim Hussein, an economist and senior member of leading opposition party Wefaq, said the Saudi option was not a viable alternative.

“The support from Saudi Arabia is not clear and not sustainable. It’s not the right way for the country to move forward, we have to live within our means,” he said, though he praised efforts to encourage small- and medium-sized enterprises and foreign trips by the crown prince to attract investment. “The crown prince’s initiatives made changes but time was not on his side. The hardliners have all but stolen his program and they don’t care about the consequences for the country.” — Reuters

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

Syria firestorm too fierce for Annan cooling touch

By Matthew Tostevin

S

carred by his failure to stop Rwanda’s genocide nearly two decades ago, Kofi Annan faces another bloody debacle on his watch as his mediation efforts founder in Syria. Steeped in a culture of seeking consensus even when it looks unlikely, the soft-spoken former UN secretary-general is again at the point where his diplomatic efforts are being overtaken by mass killings rather than being seen as a step to peace.

Although as mediator for the United Nations and the Arab League he has sounded the alarm in Syria with as much moral force as anyone could muster, Annan has failed to get divided world powers or President Bashar Al-Assad to stop the bloodshed.

His qualifications as a star statesman who could make mediation work in Syria - if anyone could - were strengthened by his success in halting a spiralling conflict in Kenya four years ago. But Syria is proving a far tougher task. “He’s driven by the idea of ‘don’t think no’, always looking for the best outcome,” Fred Eckhard, who worked as Annan’s spokesman during his time as secretary-general, told Reuters. “We’ll just see if that’s enough.”

In little over a week since Annan called on Assad to take “bold steps” to make his peace plan work, loyalist forces have been accused of more massacres, opposition strongholds have been shelled and U.N. monitors have been shot at. With sectarian violence worsening, Annan could do little this week but express concern and demand access for UN monitors to investigate killings. On Tuesday, his spokesman said Annan hoped to convene a meeting of an international contact group on Syria soon, but no venue or list of participants had yet been set. Asked late last month what had to happen before his peace plan was declared dead, Annan said only the UN Security Council could

decide. “When you are dealing with these sorts of issues, it is not a simple issue of drawing up red lines,” he said.

Annan, 74, was shaped by an upbringing in an ethnically divided culture in his native Ghana, but one where dialogue was prized and outright conflict rare.

It was a time of optimism and confidence as Ghana headed for independence from Britain. “He was born and bred in an environment of looking for compromise,” said economist Kwame Pianim, a childhood friend. That seemed to work after Kenya’s 2007 presidential election, when rival candidates from different tribes claimed victory and some of their followers engaged in ethnic massacres, killing more than 1,200 people.

With the country seeming headed towards the brink of civil war, Annan put the two candidates in a room and announced: “There is only one Kenya”. He helped persuade one of the rivals to accept the post of prime minister in a joint government. The violence ended and his role was praised. “He is a very skilful negotiator. We came to see that he was offering us the best possible that was available,” said Salim Lone, from the Kenyan opposition camp that had felt cheated of victory. “The alternative was the continuation of mass killings,” said Lone, himself a former UN official.

But earlier in his career, Annan’s record was less successful. He was head of UN peacekeeping in 1994, when he acknowledges he should have done more to help prevent the slaughter of 800,000 Rwandan Tutsis and moderate Hutus. Critics say he chose the route of procedure and diplomacy instead. “He becomes quite wedded to the processes, but ultimately you don’t serve the processes by following the processes to the point of absurdity,” said David Bosco of American University in Washington.

The greatest reproach was that Annan failed to act

on a telegram from the then UN peacekeeper commander, General Romeo Dallaire, urging a move against arms caches being built up by Hutu extremists as they prepared mass murder. “I believed at that time that I was doing my best,” Annan said years later. “But I realised after the genocide that there was more that I could and should have done to sound the alarm and rally support.” In a later book that was scathing about the world’s failure to act, Dallaire had only good things to say of Annan the man - describing him as projecting a rare “humanism and dedication to the plight of others”.

Rwanda was far from the only stain. Annan was at the top of peacekeeping at the time of the Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia, where insufficient UN forces again failed to stop the killing, and during a fiasco in Somalia that preceded Rwanda. Annan’s defenders say he tried to get enough troops and the big power support to make a difference in Bosnia and Rwanda. Critics argue that he was held back by respect for the limits he had learned in decades as a UN functionary. Annan’s later decade as secretary-general was tarnished by allegations of mismanagement of the oil-for-food program for Iraq. Although Annan was cleared of wrongdoing, his son Kojo was found to have used UN contacts to his improper advantage.

Even his mediation in Kenya, while mainly seen as a success for helping to halt violence, is not unchallenged. Some believe his compromise papered over a flawed election too elegantly, allowing the possible loser to keep power and failing to do enough to prevent potential future conflict. “The Kofi Annan peace architecture was sloppy in the extreme,” said Mutahi Ngunyi of The Consulting House thinktank, which gave security advice to negotiators. “His role helped only to the extent that he calmed the temperatures.” Crucially, in Kenya Annan had the advantages of the backing of

regional leaders and of Security Council powers with no particular axe to grind.

Syria is very different: Western countries are pushing for an ending that leads to the departure of Assad.

Russia and China still appear ready to veto such steps in the Security Council. “Without the political backing of governments and the right governments in the right configuration you can’t do anything,” said Eckhard. Annan, who annoyed the United States by branding the 2003 invasion of Iraq illegal, had the credentials to get a foot in the door in Damascus as more than a Western stooge. But critics say his determination to keep up the consensus seeking diplomacy is more likely to fuel than quell an increasingly sectarian conflict as Syrian forces step up efforts to crush opponents who are themselves launching more attacks.

“I think he’s fallen victim to the curse of the mediator, that all other options are inferior,” Bosco said. “He has gone out of his way to attempt to discredit other options and I think that’s a mistake,” Bosco said, while pointing out the lack of apparent appetite for options such as armed intervention. Last month’s massacre at Houla of 108 people, mostly women and children, showed the advantage of having UN observers on the ground to at least bear witness despite Annan’s failed April 12 ceasefire. The UN monitors said they suspected army shelling and pro-Assad militia were behind the Houla killings.

But those deaths and the many since then - including nearly 80 people reported massacred in another village - have also demonstrated the impotence of the monitors, who have struggled to even get access to sites of suspected slaughter. Annan described Houla as a tipping point for the conflict. That could also apply to any chance of negotiating an end to it. “Does he see a way out? Maybe not. But I don’t think that would have stopped him,” Eckhard said. — Reuters

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

sp orts Injured Schleck out of race LUXEMBOURG: Tour de France contender Andy Schleck has pulled out of the three-week race because he has a fracture in his pelvis, the Luxembourg rider said yesterday. Schleck, who was handed the 2010 title after race winner Alberto Contador failed a dope test during the Tour, finished second overall last year and had been expected to challenge champion Cadel Evans of Australia and Briton Bradley Wiggins.

“I’m not going to be in it (the Tour),” Schleck told a news conference. His doctor, Torsten Gerich, said the type of injury suffered by Schleck usually needed four to six weeks to heal and cycling was not possible. The RadioShack-Nissan rider suffered the injury in a crash during an individual time trial in the Criterium du Dauphine earlier this month. Schleck, 27 added that he was still looking forward to the Olympics and his main goal was the Vuelta (Tour of Spain) in August, where he is likely to face Spaniard Contador, who will be back from his doping ban. His older brother Frank is now expected to be the team’s leader on the Tour, which starts on June 30 in Liege, Belgium. — Reuters

Keeper banned for headbutt SINGAPORE: Diego Maradona’s Al Wasl have banned the Dubai side’s controversial goalkeeper Majed Nasser for the entire 2012-13 season after he was sent off in the Gulf region’s Champions League final on Sunday for a headbutt.

United Arab Emirates international Nasser was dismissed 10 minutes into the second leg against Bahraini side Al Muharraq, who took advantage of the extra player to overturn a 3-1 first leg deficit and prevail on penalties.

Al Wasl directors described Nasser’s behavior as a “disgraceful act” that was “detrimental, not just to the reputation of Al Wasl, but

the country as a whole,” in a statement on the club’s website.

The 28-year-old Nasser has a history of violence and was banned for 17 matches earlier this year for slapping a rival coach, which led to him announcing his retirement from the sport only to later backtrack. The loss capped a disappointing first season in charge for Argentine great Maradona, who led Al Wasl to eighth in the 12-team standings.

The World Cup winner has said he plans to see out his two year contract with the side and is already preparing for next season which starts in September.—Reuters

Striker denies rape charges LYON: Lyon’s French international striker Bafetimbi Gomis yesterday denied involvement in an alleged rape, and confirmed that he has not been arrested by police. “I formally deny the accusations that have been made against me and, contrary to what has been written, I absolutely did not spend the night in police custody. Thanks for all your support,” Gomis wrote on his Facebook page and also on Twitter.

Earlier on Wednesday, a police official in Lyon told AFP that two OL players were the subject of an investigation into the rape of a 38-year-old woman. Gomis was the only player named, but had not yet been questioned.

The official said: “A statement was made to police at the end of the evening, but the victim has not lodged a complaint nor been interviewed by police.” The police statement followed reports of the alleged incident in local media. According to the Lyon Capitale website the “incident took place early yesterday morning after a 38year-old woman was invited to Gomis’s apartment along with another, non-identified player”.—AFP

A-Rod ties grand slam record in Yankees win LOS ANGELES: Alex Rodriguez hit his 23rd career grand slam, matching Lou Gehrig’s record tally, as New York scored six runs in the eighth inning to rally for a win over Atlanta in interleague play on Tuesday.

Nick Swisher hit a tiebreaking two-run homer two batters after Rodriguez connected off Jonny Venters (3-3). New York starter CC Sabathia (8-3) left trailing 4-0 after seven innings but was the beneficiary of the rally. He gave up a seasonworst 10 hits, while striking out six. The Yankees matched their season high with their fifth straight win and moved into sole possession of first place in the American League East, one game ahead of Tampa Bay and Baltimore. The Braves have lost three straight.

Mets 11, Rays 2 In St. Petersburg, Florida, Chris Young settled down after a shaky first inning to get his first win in more than a year, steering New York past Tampa Bay. Young was making his second major league outing since returning from shoulder surgery that sidelined him most of last season.

Rookie Jordany Valdespin drove in a careerhigh four runs, three with a pair of two-out hits.

Reds 7, Indians 1 In Cincinnati, Johnny Cueto allowed only one runner to reach second base during his second complete game of the season, guiding Cincinnati past Ohio rival Cleveland. Cueto (7-3) struck out seven in the sixth complete game of his career.

Joey Votto’s two-run homer in the seventh inning made it 57 straight games with at least one home run at Great American Ball Park, the longest

fourth inning while chasing a foul pop-up, and left the game.

Twins 11, Phillies 7 In Minneapolis, Trevor Plouffe had a homer, a double and three RBIs to lead Minnesota past Philadelphia. The Phillies left 10 runners on base and couldn’t overcome another poor start from Kyle Kendrick (2-6), who gave up six runs. He has

Dodgers 5, Angels 2 Juan Rivera hit a three-run home run against his old team as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat their city rivals 5-2 ending the Angels’ 10-game road winning streak. Andre Ethier celebrated a new $85 million Dodgers contract by hitting his 500th career RBI in the eighth inning. That came after an umpire called Dee Gordon safe on a two-out stolen base. Replays appeared to show he was in fact out.

Dodgers reliever Jamey Wright (3-2) pitched a perfect eighth inning for the victory. Kenley Jansen retired the side in order in the ninth to earn the save. Angels starter Jerome Williams (64) gave up five runs in 7 2-3 innings. The Angels failed to tie the club record for consecutive road wins, set in 1988.

Nationals 4, Blue Jays 2 In Toronto, Bryce Harper homered off the restaurant in center field to help Washington edge Toronto. Harper posted his second straight three-hit game, finishing 3 for 4.

Danny Espinosa added a two-run blast for the Nationals, who have won five in a row. The Blue Jays lost for the fifth time in six games and dropped to 31-31. Toronto hasn’t been below .500 this season. Washington’s Chien-Ming Wang (2-2) earned his first victory as a starter this season in his third attempt, allowing four hits in five innings while striking out five.

Toronto starter Henderson Alvarez (3-6) allowed four runs in seven innings. His winless streak extended to six starts.

MLB results/standings Baltimore 8, Pittsburgh 6; Washington 4, Toronto 2; NY Mets 11, Tampa Bay 2; NY Yankees 6, Atlanta 4; Boston 2, Miami 1; Cincinnati 7, Cleveland 1; Texas 9, Arizona 1; Chicago Cubs 4, Detroit 3; Kansas City 2, Milwaukee 1; Minnesota 11, Philadelphia 7; Chicago White Sox 6, St Louis 1; Oakland 8, Colorado 5; LA Dodgers 5, LA Angels 2; San Diego 5, Seattle 4; San Francisco 6, Houston 3.

American League Eastern Division W L NY Yankees 36 25 Tampa Bay 35 26 Baltimore 35 26 Toronto 31 31 Boston 30 32 Central Division Chicago White Sox 34 27 Cleveland 32 28 Detroit 28 33 Kansas City 25 34 Minnesota 25 35 Western Division Texas 36 26 LA Angels 33 30 Oakland 27 35 Seattle 27 36

Washington Atlanta NY Mets Miami Philadelphia Cincinnati Pittsburgh St Louis Milwaukee Houston Chicago Cubs LA Dodgers San Francisco Arizona Colorado San Diego

National League Eastern Division 37 23 34 28 33 29 32 30 29 34 Central Division 33 27 32 28 31 31 28 33 26 35 21 40 Western Division 40 23 35 27 30 31 24 36 21 41

PCT .590 .574 .574 .500 .484

GB 1 1 5.5 6.5

.557 .533 .459 .424 .417

1.5 6 8 8.5

.581 .524 .435 .429

3.5 9 9.5

.617 .548 .532 .516 .460

4 5 6 9.5

.550 .533 .500 .459 .426 .344

1 3 5.5 7.5 12.5

.635 .565 .492 .400 .339

4.5 9 14.5 18.5

SEATTLE: As catcher Miguel Olivo watches in the background Seattle Mariners pitcher Charlie Furbush (left) tags out San Diego Padres’ Everth Cabrera as Cabrera tried to score on a passed ball by Olivo in the ninth inning. — AP

The Mets have scored a major league-leading 134 runs this season with two outs in an inning. Valdespin’s two-run single off Alex Cobb (2-3) put New York ahead 3-2 in the fifth.

His double was the first big blow in the Mets’ six-run seventh. Cobb lost his third straight start after winning the first two following his promotion from the minors. He allowed six runs in 6 2-3 innings.

Orioles 8, Pirates 6 In Baltimore, Brian Roberts returned from a 13-month layoff to get three hits and an RBI, and Baltimore homered three times in a victory against Pittsburgh. Roberts went 3 for 4 with a sacrifice fly. Playing in the majors for the first time since sustaining a concussion, Baltimore’s longtime leadoff hitter received a standing ovation in the first inning before lining a single up the middle. The two-time All-Star second baseman also singled in the fourth and eighth. Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen (6-2) allowed four runs in 6 1-3 innings. The Taiwan native improved to 4-0 at Camden Yards.

The Pirates’ four-game winning streak ended and they fell out of a first-place tie with Cincinnati in the National League Central. Pittsburgh starter Brad Lincoln (3-2) gave up four runs in 4 1-3 innings.

Rangers 9, D’backs 1 In Arlington, Texas, Colby Lewis retired the first 16 Arizona batters, setting up Texas for a comfortable win. Lewis (5-5) struck out seven and walked one as Texas ended Arizona’s five-game winning streak. Lewis didn’t permit a man on base until the sixth inning.

Diamondbacks starter Ian Kennedy (5-6) gave up six runs in 5 2-3 innings. He arrived in Texas on a private plane earlier in the day after his wife gave birth.

active streak. Votto added an RBI single as the Reds pulled away in the eighth. Jay Bruce had hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly for the Reds in the fifth off Jeanmar Gomez (4-5).

White Sox 6, Cardinals 1 In St. Louis, AJ Pierzynski hit a two-run homer as Chicago downed St. Louis. White Sox rookie Jose Quintana (2-1) allowed just one run over 5 13 innings in his fifth start. He gave up ten hits but was helped by three double plays. St. Louis’ Adam Wainwright (5-7) lasted seven innings gave up two runs to be an unlucky loser.

Red Sox 2, Marlins 1 In Miami, Clay Buchholz outpitched Mark Buehrle as Boston snapped a four-game losing streak with a victory over Miami.

Buchholz (7-2) struck out a season-high nine in seven innings while Buehrle (5-7) conceded five hits in seven innings to lose his first interleague game in 16 starts, dating back to 2007.

The game was scoreless until Boston’s Kelly Shoppach hit an RBI double in the seventh inning and came home on a single by Mike Aviles.

Alfredo Aceves closed for his 15th save in 18 opportunities for the Red Sox. Giants 6, Astros 3 In San Francisco, Madison Bumgarner had a season-high 12 strikeouts and hit his first major league home run to lead San Francisco over Houston in the lone National League game.

Bumgarner connected off Houston starter Bud Norris (5-4) leading off the third inning. It was the first home run by any Giant at their home park in four weeks. Bumgarner (8-4) struck out the side in the first, allowed an unearned run in the third following a throwing error then kept the Astros in check before leaving in the eighth. Norris sprained a knee in the

LOS ANGELES: Angels Maicer Izturis gestures to the umpire as Los Angeles Dodgers’ Dee Gordon steals second during the eighth inning of a baseball game. — AP

a 7.80 ERA in his last three starts.

The injury-plagued Phillies fell to 29-34, 91/2 games behind NL East leader Washington. Twins starter Nick Blackburn (3-4) gave up four runs in five innings.

Royals 2, Brewers 1 In Kansas City, Billy Butler drove in the goahead run in the eighth inning to lift Kansas City over Milwaukee. Alex Gordon, who homered to lead off the first, doubled to start the eighth and headed to third base on a bunt by Chris Getz.

Butler then sent a pitch from Francisco Rodriguez (0-4) into center field to score the go-ahead run.

Kansas City starter Luis Mendoza didn’t allow a hit until he got into trouble in the seventh, and the Kansas City bullpen came through with aplomb. Greg Holland (2-2) survived a shaky eighth inning to get the game to Jonathan Broxton, who earned the save.

Athletics 8, Rockies 5 In Denver, Bartolo Colon settled down after a rough start to steer Oakland past Colorado in the first meeting between the teams in three years.

Colon (6-6) trailed 4-0 after a tough first inning but only gave up one more run as he won consecutive decisions for the first time this season.

Oakland’s Brandon Moss hit two home runs, including a towering shot off the facing of the third deck as the A’s won their first game in four.

The Rockies have lost a season-worst six straight, and are 0-7 in interleague play this season.

Colorado starter Jeremy Guthrie (3-5) allowed the A’s to bat around in a six-run third inning. He gave up seven runs in five innings.

Cubs 4, Tigers 3 In Chicago, Darwin Barney had three RBIs as Chicago capitalized on two throwing errors in the eighth inning to edge Detroit.

Barney had a run-scoring groundout and a clutch two-run double, helping the Cubs build a 3-0 lead just hours after they fired their hitting coach. Carlos Marmol (1-2) got the last two outs of the eighth for the victory, and Shawn Camp finished for his first save as the Cubs snapped a seven-game losing streak against Detroit in their first matchup for three years. Detroit’s Phil Coke (1-3) got the loss.

Padres 5, Mariners 4 In Seattle, Clayton Richards pitched seven strong innings to steer San Diego to a tight win over Seattle. Richards (3-7) allowed only one run.

Everth Cabrera had an RBI triple in the Padres’ four-run sixth. Seattle starter Felix Hernandez (45) foundered in his first outing in 11 days. allowing five runs in six innings. The Mariners made a late push by scoring three runs in the ninth, but Huston Street got a ground out to end it and earn the save.—AP

IndyCar race set for China cancelled QINGDAO: The IndyCar race in China on Aug. 19 was officially cancelled yesterday, and series CEO Randy Bernard must find another event for the second-half of the season.

Bernard had been working with promoters in Qingdao for several months to salvage the race, which was announced last November to run at the same time as the International Beer Festival.

The inaugural race would have been held on a temporary 6-kilometer (4-mile) street circuit in the city that hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics sailing competition.

Despite an existing contract, new leadership in local government balked at the IndyCar race.

Discussions began with IndyCar about moving the event to a new date or new location. When faced with a deadline, Bernard said on Wednesday event promoters cancelled the race.

“The new mayor took office on March 28, and it was his opinion that it shouldn’t be run at the same time as the beer festival,” Bernard told The Associated Press.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time at that point to reschedule or find a new location.

We evaluated several different options and it was finally in the promoters’ best interest to cancel the event.”

Bernard said IndyCar was evaluating what it can recoup from the existing contract. As for what Bernard will do to fill the hole in the IndyCar schedule, he said he’s looking at several options.

“I don’t think we need a decision right this minute,” he said.

“When we do it, we need to do it right and make sure it’s the best fit for the series and the schedule and the championship race.”

He did not reveal what he’s considering, but there’s speculation IndyCar could pick up Pocono Raceway or an Oct. 7 second stop at Texas Motor Speedway.

There are other intriguing venues that Bernard can’t negotiate with just yet because they are located near existing IndyCar venues. For example, if Bernard was interested in a return to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, he could not speak to those promoters until after this weekend’s race at Milwaukee.

Bernard also indicated that the Sept. 15 race at Fontana, California, may not be the season finale. The race picked up that slot when Las Vegas was cancelled following Dan Wheldon’s fatal accident at that track, but Bernard may need to schedule something after Fontana as a replacement for China.

The cancellation of China marks the first time in 10 years IndyCar won’t race in Asia. The series spent nine years at the Twin Ring Motegi Superspeedway in Motegi City, Japan. But that contract ended, and IndyCar eyed China as its fourth international venue in 2012.

The series has already raced in Sao Paulo, and has scheduled stops this season in Toronto and Edmonton. — AP

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

sp orts

London landlords squeeze cash from dead space LONDON: London landlords are renting out everything from vacant stores to empty sports fields, rooftops and even an abandoned quarry to cash in on the tight supply of space in the UK capital during the Olympic Games this summer.

Eleven million fans, sponsors and athletes are expected to arrive in Europe’s second-most crowded city from July, stoking huge demand for storage, temporary shops and vantage points for TV cameras, in turn allowing landlords to cash in on otherwise dead space.

“You’ll see usable space created that doesn’t currently exist, “ s aid Mark Hughes-Webb, managing director of Space-2 Consultancy, a specialist real estate firm that finds buildings for events and film shoots. “It’s been a long time since the Games were in such a densely populated city,” Hughes-Webb said. “People are having to be more imaginative.”

London, the European Union’s most densely populated city after Paris according to EU statistics, will host the games between July 27 and Aug. 12.

Homeowners have already hiked rents by up to six times in anticipation of the influx and commercial landlords are getting in on

the act. Unlike the last two Olympic cities of Beijing and Athens, where neighbourhoods were demolished to create venues, or they were located in more sparsely populated outlying areas, mo st of the 34 London sites are at the heart of built-up areas.

The Games’ epicentre at Stratford in the east of the city has benefited from a 7 billion pound ($11 billion) injection of infrastructure, sporting venues and homes, revitalizing an area better known for its polluted waterways and industrial estates.

Sites for hire include a former limestone quarry near the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent, southeast England, the owner of which is targeting contractors seeking temporary staff accommodation. I ts proximity to a high-speed rail link means it is 30 minutes from the Olympic stadium in Stratford.

Elsewhere the owners of a sports field in Chiswick, west London, are in talks with an overseas group of performers to rehearse for the handover ceremony to Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian city that will host the Games in 2016.

Sites like these can cost between 10,000 to 20,000 pounds a week, Hughes-

Webb said. Also in demand are empty shops, particularly those close to busy retail areas like Oxford Street and Covent Garden, which are being snapped up by the likes of high-end U.S. clothing brand Opening Ceremony to house temporary, pop-up stores.

“Enquiries from landlords looking to lease out their vacant units during the Olympics have risen by 50 percent,” said Rosie Cann, director at consultancy Pop-up Space. Rents can be between a few hundred pounds to 20,000 pounds depending on the location and size. Stores generally remain open for between a day and two weeks, a g ents said.

Vacant shops around train and subway stations or Olympic venues are being rented by smaller sporting and drinks brands in need of makeshift space to store merchandise, Hughes-Webb said.

Not all attempts to find space are successful. Nike Inc’s plan to build a temporary two-storey building to host exercise classes in Regents Park was blocked by Westminster council on the grounds it would ruin the park’s appearance.

Equally those with empty space near venues may not see a big pay day. The

London Olympic organising committee (LOCOG) bans non-sponsors from advertising within 300 metres of venues, keeping demand in check, property experts say.

Official sponsors Cadbury, BMW and British Airways are among those companies expected to seek temporary space near Olympic venues, which include a man-made beach on the Greenwich peninsula on the Thames built specially for the Games. Australian developer Lend Lease owns large chunks of land around the O2 arena, also on the Greenwich peninsula and the venue of the gymnastics and basketball competitions. It will lease out land earmarked for redevelopment to Olympic sponsors to make a short-term return and in an attempt to lure permanent office tenants to the area.

“We are most definitely making money from this,” Simon Donaldson, Lend Lease’s head of retail operations said, declining to say how much but adding it would be substantially more without the LOCOG rules.

Elsewhere demand from film crews keen to capture panoramic views of the London skyline has pushed up prices for rooftop space. Fees are likely to double from their norm outside of the Games to

300 pounds per hour over the period, Hughes-Webb said.

Developers of the 95-storey Shard skyscraper next to London Bridge train station, about six kilometres from the Olympic park, have been approached by a string of broadcasters about filming from western Europe’s tallest tower, a spokesman told Reuters, declining to give further details.

Cash-strapped local councils are also getting in on the act. Newham, home to the Olympic stadium, has rented out the upper floors of two largely empty apartment blocks next to the Olympic Park to broadcasters BBC and Al Jazeera, while Redbridge council in northeast London is leasing out a forest to a temporary hotel company to house 4,200 Olympic security staff for an undisclosed sum.

Yet many landlords are missing out as they are unaware of the strength of demand for storage space, or the value of being close to the Olympic park, HughesWebb said. “People are fixated on what the space is, not what it could be. They’re looking at it and saying ‘it’s just an empty field’,” Hughes-Webb added. “Well, it’s not to us.” —Reuters

Drysdale set for London

Daniel Koum

Weightlifter accused of demanding cash to compete SYDNEY: An Australian weightlifter has been accused of demanding A$5,000 ($4,900) to compete at an event where his participation was essential to allow his country to win a berth at the London Olympics. Australian Weightlifting Federation (AWF) chief Michael Keelan has levelled the accusation at Daniel Koum and said he and other team members had been forced to dig into their pockets before the weightlifter would compete.

Cameroon-born Koum said he was “very disappointed” at the allegations. “I’m very shocked,” he told Australian Associated Press.

“I’ve always been competing. I’ve put all my financial money to represent this country and they’re accusing me of (asking for) $5,000?

“With past competitions, even I just went to represent Australia in the world championships and it cost me more than $10,000.”

Keelan said the incident occurred at the Oceania championships in Samoa last week, which doubled as an Olympic qualifier and where the Australian men’s team needed a good finish to win a place in London.

Concerned that Koum was not sufficiently motivated to reach his potential in his competition, Keelan offered him a $1,000 incentive, the official told ABC radio.

“You think that everyone who’s representing Australia does so with pride and with commitment and, unfortunately, we heard that wasn’t the case with Daniel Koum,” Keelan said.

“So I personally thought, well, the best

way to negate any negatives out of all this would be to, by offering, sort of, some money, whereby he could actually compete and have some incentive to do the total that we asked of him... “But then later on, it changed from an agreement to actual demand and he said that he would not lift unless he got $5,000, before he started the warm up for his own event. “And then it was pretty frantic... we had to find that money. And say, within about 30 minutes we handed over the $5,000.”

Koum came to Australia to compete at the 2006 Commonwealth Games for Cameroon before becoming a citizen and competing for his adopted country at the 2010 Commonwealths in Delhi.

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) said it had spoken to the AWF and was launching an investigation into the incident.

“The AOC is working with the Australian Weightlifting Federation (AWF) to investigate the matter,” read a statement. “The AOC investigation will be ongoing.”

Koum could conceivably yet represent Australia at the London Games after the AWF nominates its single male entry to the AOC this weekend, although he conceded that was now unlikely.

Keelan said he had no regrets about offering the incentive. “(I felt) sick in the guts,” Keelan recalled. “I was under duress. We had to make a call very, very quickly. And, you know, the call was that we would submit to his demand.” —Reuters

WELLINGTON: Mahe Drysdale has developed arthritis in his back and was so dehydrated in Beijing he had to be helped on to the podium, but despite pushing his body to breaking point for years the five-times world rowing champion cannot resist the lure of an Olympic gold medal.

While the New Zealander looks forward to the day he can eschew early morning starts sculling up and down Lake Karapiro and skip hours of road work on the bike, Drysdale’s pursuit of gold may not end in London.

He might decide to “thrash” himself for four more years and compete in Rio in 2016, when he will be 37, he told Reuters by telephone before going to Europe for his final preparations.

“It’s pretty clear that I will need to have some time out and do some different things and allow my body to have a bit of a rest,” he said.

“I’m not ruling out Rio. That’s a very inviting prospect. Four years, it’ll still be doable in terms of my age, so there is a very strong possibility I will continue.

“But I just have to get through this year and see how it goes and then decide if I still have the passion and whether I want to thrash myself for another four years.

“I will be 37 (in Rio) and it’s definitely in the prime of your rowing years.” Despite the physical toll rowing takes on the body, Drysdale said he was coming into his prime at 33.

“My take on it, looking at it around the world, is that you don’t get any better after 35 or 36 but you can definitely stay at that level in your late 30s and some of the guys are still competing in their 40s.

“I want to keep my options open and then I can make a really good decision.” While he may take a break from competitive rowing after London he will remain fit mainly due to his competitive nature and the amount of work he has done to dominate the single sculls since 2005.

Having won three successive world titles, and seen off 2000 Olympic champion Rob Waddell in a row-off for the New Zealand seat,

Mahe Drysdale he was a raging-hot favorite to take the Olympic title in Beijing but was struck down by a virus.

Despite suffering from dehydration, he jumped out to a lead that he held until the final 100 metres before he was overhauled by 2004 champion Olaf Tufte of Norway and Czech Ondrej Synek.

A vomiting Drysdale was taken away for treatment and had to be helped on to the podium afterwards to receive his bronze medal. It was his first loss in a competitive race since he switched to the boat from the coxless four after the Athens Olympics. Pain in his back, which has since been diagnosed as arthritis, also contributed to his second loss in a competitive race when he finished second behind Synek on his home water at the 2010 world championships at Lake Karapiro.

That condition has meant he has had to manage his training workload. He no longer rows the land-based stationary rower, known as ‘the erg’, and has restricted the amount of time he spends on the water. He now rows nine hours a week, though has increased his road

cycling to 15 hours a week. Prior to the back condition worsening he was spending 18 hours on the water, with little time on his bike. “It’s just a case of managing (the condition) and I have to be careful and not do anything stupid.

I’m careful with the amount of rowing I do and just work within my limits,” he said.

“It has been quite a change but it’s something we have found is needed to make up for the lack of time on the water. “It has definitely kept me fresh because I have to make the most out of every row.”

The disappointment of missing out on gold in Beijing was not the main reason he decided to have another tilt at the Olympics, Drysdale added.

“The decision to continue in 2008 was ‘do I love the sport? Can I still improve?’ And the answer to that was ‘yes’,” he said. “It wasn’t about I have to go win a gold medal. It is something I want to do but it wasn’t the reason to continue. “The Olympics is the pinnacle and I’ve only had one go at those in the single and this is my second opportunity so I want to make the most of it.”—Reuters

Cook lashes out at taekwondo snub LONDON: Taekwondo world number one Aaron Cook has been left numb by his omission from Britain’s Olympic team and believes he is being punished for dropping out of the country’s performance programme last year.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) said in a statement on Friday its four-member Olympic qualification standards panel had agreed to back east Londoner Lutalo Muhammad over European champion Cook in the -80kg division.

The decision triggered accusations that the selection was politically motivated and punishment for Cook leaving British Taekwondo’s performance programme to train separately.

In an interview with Wednesday’s Daily Telegraph, Cook said he merited a place in the team and that his “nightmare ordeal” did not bode well for the future of the sport in Britain. “This has never been a personal battle between Lutalo Muhammad and myself,” he said. “The fight is me versus GB Taekwondo, which is denying my childhood dream of Olympic gold - a dream I believe I had earned through my performances.

“My results are vastly superior to Lutalo’s. The quality of players I have faced is far higher and I have won nine of my last 12 tournaments.”

Cook added: “I will never believe or be convinced that my non-selection for my home Olympics was not politically motivated. “When my non-selection was

announced I had the right to challenge its process via a quasi-legal body called Sports Resolution. “Their findings were very conclusive but we are not allowed to discuss them or release them. Why have I not been selected? Simple. Because I left the British Taekwondo system last year.”

Cook went on to explain the reasons behind his decision to drop out of the system. “My form was not good enough while in the academy,” he said. “I lost three matches in a row, including at the 2011 world championships. Seven weeks prior to the tournament the GB academy pulled my coach, Professor Moon.

“I had previously been given assurances he would be my coach until London 2012.

“Instead I was forced to work with a coach, Steven Jennings, with whom I had no relationship and who already had responsibility for three other athletes, including his wife who would fight on the same day as me.

“It was crazy.” Cook said he feared for the future of taekwondo in Britain and was worried that he might never have another chance to fight for an Olympic gold medal.

“It saddens me this whole debacle has happened, it brings our sport into the headlines for the wrong reasons,” he added.

“I have not been treated fairly or respectfully in this whole process. This may actually be my last Olympic chance — I hope not.

“The message to future Olympians is: ‘It is not about performance. It is about the system protecting itself’.”—Reuters

Melissa Breen

Sally Pearson

Pearson, Hooker headline Australia athletics team SYDNEY: Sprinter Melissa Breen h as been h an ded a place i n Australia’s athletics team for the London Olympics, despite missing the automatic qualifying standard by two thousands of a second.

The 21-year-old Breen was named yesterday to run the 100 meters and the 4x100 meters relay after posting a series of quick times in her hunt for selection. Selectors also took into account her domination of th e domestic season an d named her among a 54-strong team, th e secon d-larges t Australian team for an Olympic games.

Th e team is h eadlin ed by wo r l d 1 0 0 m e te r s h u rd l e s c h a m p i o n S a l l y Pe a r s o n , defending Olympic pole vault champion Steve Hooker and 2011 world championships long

jump silver medalist Mitchell Watt. Three -time Olympian Tamsyn Lewis was the team’s notable omission after failing to meet the demanding standard of 1 minute 59.90 seconds in the 800 meters. Long jumper Fabrice Lapierre, the 2010 world indoor champion, also missed selection after failing to reach the automatic qualifying standard.

If Lapierre can jump an Aqualifying distance in the next month, ahead of the IOC deadline, he could yet be added to the team.

Joel Milburn has been picked to run the 400 meters, edging out S e a n Wroe w ho won a bronze medal at the 2009 world championships.

Rising star Steve Solomon a nd 2006 Com m onwe a l t h Games c ha m p i on J ohn

Steffensen were named in the men’s 4x400m relay squad and might still run the individual 400 meters if they can better the standard of 45.30 seconds over the next few weeks.

S ol om on a nd B re e n owe their selections in part of the so - called “R io clause” which allows the Australian selectors discretion to choose young and promising athletes who may feature at the 2014 R io de Janiero Games.

“I can’t believe it. I am pinchi ng mys e l f,” B re e n tol d t he Sydney Morning Herald. “This is something I have dreamt about my whole life and now it is a reality. “I have been sitting here thinking about getting the uniform and being and the opening ceremony and being in the village, even just walking into the canteen and I can’t get the

smile off my face. I must look like a mad woman but I can’t help it.” The team features men’s 4x100 and 4x400 relay squads and a women’s 4x100 squad.

Only the top 16 teams in the world will compete in London and the women’s team is currently ranked 16th, vulnerable to being dislodged by teams competing at the European Championships on July 1 and 2.

The m e n’s 4x400 te a m i s ranked 12th in the world and the 4x100 team is 15th but both could lift their rankings in competition before the games.

Pearson underlined her reputation as the hurdler to beat in London when she ran a time of 12.49 seconds in Oslo last week, matching her best time of the year and beating American Kristi Castlin and Briton Tiffany Porter.—AP

18

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

S P ORT S

Woods, Mickelson ready to renew rivalry SAN FRANCISCO: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson often bring out the best in each other ’s games. Just don’t expect any friendly conversations when golf’s greatest running rivalry resumes at the US Open.

Luckily, there’s a guy in their group with a pink driver and a green jacket to lighten the mood. Woods and Mickelson will play with Masters champion Bubba Watson for the first two rounds beginning on Thursday at The Olympic Club.

It will be the first time Woods and Mickelson have been paired in the championship since Torrey Pines in 2008, when the US Golf Association grouped players off the world ranking.

In typical fashion, Woods brushed off any notion that his playing partners will affect how he plays. Mickelson, meanwhile, couldn’t stop gushing just thinking about all those giddy fans and camera clicks that will surround the ninth hole when he, Watson and the 14-time major champion tee off

just after dawn. Leave it to one of golf’s grandest stages to bring such contrasting personalities together.

“It’s fabulous,” Mickelson said. “First of all, I get excited to play with Tiger, I love it. I think we all do. He gets the best out of me. I think when it’s time to tee off on Thursday I’ll be ready to play.”And Woods?

“I don’t think we’re going to talk about a lot,” he said. “This is a major championship. We’ve got work to do.

Any extra motivation? No. I’m just trying to get out there and position myself for Sunday.” And so the chase begins again.

The pair last played together about a two-hour drive down the California coast at Pebble Beach, where Mickelson whipped Woods and rallied to win in February. In the majors, Mickelson topped him in the final round of the 2009 Masters won by Angel Cabrera, though Woods beat him soundly at Torrey Pines on his way to winning the US Open.

Mickelson has been on the wrong side of history at this tournament. A record five-time runner-up for the national championship, Mickelson has had more painful, exhausting - and perhaps embarrassing - moments taking on “golf ’s toughest test” than maybe any player with his resume.

Chief among them: Mickelson entered the 18th at Winged Foot in 2006 with a one-shot lead. After a tee shot into the merchandise tents left him a decent lie, he tried to carve a 3iron around the tree, didn’t pull it off and made double bogey to finish one shot behind.

“What an idiot I am,” he famously said afterward. Mickelson is embracing his latest chance to end the drought against his longtime rival.

The only real hiccups in his game that he would disclose is feeling “mentally lethargic” in the first two rounds of US PGA Tour events. With Woods staring at his every shot, he has promised that won’t happen at the start of the

112th US Open. Perhaps playing with Woods can cure whatever ails him.

“The one player I’m most concerned about if I play my best golf that may have a chance to beat me is Tiger,” he said. “And the fact that we are on the same wavelength, I’m always in favor of. Sometimes we’ll get a huge advantage in tee times, based on weather conditions or whatnot. If we’re in the same wavelength, neither of us will have a distinct advantage.”

Whatever pressure Mickelson faces is overshadowed by that of his counterpart. Woods is still the most accomplished - and watched - golfer of his generation. His mastery at Muirfield Village two weeks ago - the 73rd victory of his US PGA Tour career - makes him the betting favorite at Olympic Club to get his 15th major, first since the 2008 US Open, and resume his quest of Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18.

Then again, Woods’ win at Bay Hill made him the pre-tournament rage at the Masters. He ended up in a tie for

40th, kicking his clubs and cussing all over Augusta National.

One can only imagine what the tight, twisting fairways on the unleveled Lake Course could bring out of him this week. “It’s such a test playing in this championship,” Woods said.

“I think this is one of those championships that I think the guys talk the least to one another because it’s so difficult.” At least one guy won’t be quiet.

Watson enters the group as perhaps the most overlooked Masters champion at the US Open in recent history. The shot-shaping master, not an immediate fan of Olympic Club’s tree-lined fairways and tiny greens, will have a front-row look when all the action begins - and he’s more than excited about the pressure not being on him. Together, his playing partners have 113 U.S. tour victories and 18 majors. “It’s going to be like Sunday at the Masters,” Watson said. “Huge galleries ... two legends.” One US Open at stake. —AP

Thunder beat Heat OKLAHOMA CITY: Kevin Durant keeps insisting these NBA Finals are Thunder against Heat, not him against LeBron James. So far, his side is winning both matchups.

Durant delivered the fourth quarter his counterpart never could last year, scoring 17 of his 36 points and leading a Thunder storm that overwhelmed Miami and gave Oklahoma City a 105-94 victory in Game 1 on Tuesday night.

James and the Heat started well against the young Thunder, who acknowledged some first finals nerves. They’ve already figured out finishing, Durant showing James how a superstar is supposed to play in the fourth quarter.

“Well, those guys, they came out on fire.

the Thunder seized control of a game they trailed for all but the final few seconds of the first three quarters.

James averaged just three points in the fourth quarters of the Heat’s six-game loss to Dallas last year, taking almost all the blame for Miami’s finals failure. He was good in this one, Durant was just better.

“They didn’t make many mistakes in the fourth quarter,” James said. And when fans chanted “MVP! MVP!” late in the game, they weren’t talking about James, the guy who won the regular-season award. They meant Durant, who is in a race with James for his first ring and maybe the title of best player in the game.

Game 2 is today in Oklahoma City.

OKLAHOMA: Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook and Miami Heat small forward Shane Battier go after a loose ball during the first half at Game 1 of the NBA finals basketball series. —AP They were passing the ball well, knocking down shots. We just wanted to continue to keep playing,” Durant said. “It’s a long game, and every time our coach was just saying play harder, play harder, and that’s what we did.”

Teaming with Russell Westbrook to outscore the Heat in the second half by themselves, Durant struck first in his head-to-head matchup with James, who had seven points in the final quarter and was helpless to stop the league’s three-time scoring champion.

Westbrook turned around a poor shooting start to finish with 27 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for the Thunder, keying a strong finish to the third period that gave the Thunder the lead for good. Durant took over from there.

Scoring in nearly every way possible, Durant finished 12 of 20 from the field and added eight rebounds. He and Westbrook outscored the Heat 41-40 over the final two periods, showing that maybe this time it will be offense that wins championships. “That’s what they do, they keep on coming,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “They’re relentless.”

James finished with 30 points, the most in any of his 11 finals games, but had only one basket over the first 8:15 of the fourth, when

Dwyane Wade had 19 points but shot just 7 of 19 for the Heat, while Shane Battier provided some rare offense by scoring 17 points, his high this postseason.

Turning to a small lineup late in the third quarter, the Thunder improved to 9-0 at home in the postseason. Defensive ace Thabo Sefolosha helped defend James during the Thunder’s comeback, relieving Durant of the burden so he could focus on his scoring. And right now, nobody does it better.

Spoelstra said his team, pushed to seven games against Boston in a grueling conference finals the Heat finally won Saturday, preferred this quick turnaround. But perhaps they ran out of gas against the young Thunder, whose core players are all 23 and younger and look as if they could keep playing all night. “Honestly, I think we just came out with a lot more intensity on the defensive end. Made them feel us a little bit,” Westbrook said of the second half, when the Thunder outscored the Heat 58-40.

James and Wade both were bent over, hands on knees, during one stoppage with about 7 minutes remaining. Durant kept pouring it on, racing down the court to throw down a fast-break dunk and later adding a 3pointer that pushed it to 87-81 with 6 1-2 min-

utes remaining. The Heat got within four points, but Durant hit two quick baskets and Westbrook added another for a 10-point lead with 3:35 to go.

“They just made more plays than us,” Wade said. “They got a couple offensive rebounds that kind of hurt us. Got a couple of open shots and from that point we were kind of playing from behind.”

It‘s been a rapid rise toward the top for the Thunder, who started 3-29 in 2008-09, their first season here after moving from Seattle.

Fans were clearly embracing the finals’ arrival in Oklahoma City, where cars, buildings and even fans’ hair seemed to be painted some form of orange or blue.

Fans standing until the Thunder’s first basket didn’t have to wait long, Durant knocking down a baseline jumper 70 seconds in. He made his first three shots, including two 3pointers, but his teammates missed their first six attempts in falling into an early hole. Durant made sure they were fine at the end.

Both superstars tried to downplay their individual matchup, Durant insisting it was about the team and James adamant that he didn’t care about the best player in the game argument.

It was James’ supporting cast that stepped up bigger to start, the Heat hitting five of their six 3-point attempts in jumping to a 29-22 lead after one quarter. Spoelstra kept Chris Bosh as a reserve, the role he has played since returning from a nine-game absence with a strained lower abdominal muscle. Smart decision, as Battier hit his first three 3-point attempts in the opening minutes to spark Miami’s strong start.

Durant took only one shot in the second quarter, and it wasn’t until 9 minutes had passed. By then, the Heat had built a lead as large as 13 points, keeping it in or near double digits most of the period before the Thunder sliced it to 54-47 at halftime.

Seemingly every fan was wearing the blue shirts hung on their chairs before the game an exception being rapper Lil Wayne, who caused a stir during the Western Conference finals when he posted on Twitter that the Thunder wouldn’t let him into their arena, with the team saying simply that he needed to buy tickets if he wanted to come. He did, he and his guest both wearing black.

The sea of blue around the court looked like the scene last year in Dallas, where James struggled so badly when it mattered most. He said he let his team down, vowing he would have no regrets about his performance this time around. Unfortunately, the result was all too familiar to the Heat.

James quickly answered after Oklahoma City tied the game for the first time at 60-all midway through the third, banking in a shot and powering in for a layup and a quick fourpoint lead. The Heat pushed the lead back to five but the Thunder kept coming, finally pulling ahead for the first time when Westbrook darted into the lane and was fouled while scoring with 16.4 seconds remaining in the period, the free throw making it 74-73.

Baskets by Durant and Sefolosha to open the fourth pushed it to a five-point lead, and the Heat never recovered. —AP

LONDON: Andy Roddick of the US hits a return against France’s Edouard RogerVasselin during their men’s singles second round match on the third day of the Aegon Championships tennis tournament at the Queen’s Club. —AFP

Roddick stumbles at Queen’s LONDON: Four-time champion Andy Roddick crashed out of the Wimbledon warm-up event at Queen’s Club yesterday as France’s Edouard Roger-Vasselin clinched a shock 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory over the seventh seed.

Roddick has slipped out of the top 30 in the world rankings after an injury-ravaged campaign, but losing to RogerVasselin, ranked 67th, on the grass he regards as his favourite surface is a new low for the American.

It was the 29-year-old’s 11th defeat in 18 matches this year and raises doubts about his ability to mount a strong challenge at Wimbledon, where he has reached the final three times.

Roddick’s body is showing signs of wear and tear after over 10 gruelling years on the ATP Tour and he has struggled with ankle and hamstring injuries this year.

After a dispiriting first round exit against Nicolas Mahut at the French Open recently, Roddick had hoped the grass courts would revitalise his season.

Instead the former world number one suffered another blow, although he tried to look on the bright side afterwards. “It wasn’t that bad. I had 22 aces. I’ve certainly played a lot worse this year,” Roddick said.

“I thought I had a chance there in the third set, and honestly I felt like I was going to take that thing once I turned it.

“It didn’t work out that way. The hamstring injury certainly didn’t help but the guy played great.”

Such is Roddick’s frustation at his travails, he even hinted recently this year’s Wimbledon could be his last appearance at the All England Club.

Asked again about his future, Roddick gave a non-committal response here.

Di Matteo handed Chelsea job full-time LONDON: Chelsea yesterday appointed Champions League-winning boss Roberto di Matteo as their permanent manager and firstteam coach on a two-year contract.

Di Matteo, 42, who took over from Andre Villas-Boas in March on an interim basis, led Chelsea to a maiden Champions League title and FA Cup glory last season. The former Chelsea and Italy midfielder said: “I’m obviously delighted to have been appointed as manager and first-team coach.

“We all achieved incredible success last season that made history for this great club. Our aim is to continue building on that and I’m already planning and looking forward to the squad’s return for pre-season.” Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay added: “Roberto’s quality was clear for all to see when he galvanised the squad last season and helped the club make history, and the owner and board are very pleased he will be continuing his good work.”

No London club had ever won the European

Cup or Champions League until Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in a penalty shoot-out at the German club’s home ground in May. Di Matteo, the fourth Italian to manage Chelsea after Gianluca Vialli, Claudio Ranieri and Carlo Ancelotti, now continues an association with the club that began in 1996 when he was signed by Ruud Gullit as a player from Lazio. Portuguese boss Villas-Boas was the sixth manager sacked

by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich since the Russian billionaire bought the club in 2003, with only Guus Hiddink leaving on his own terms after a spell as interim boss. Villas-Boas, who arrived from Porto in June 2011, paid the price for a dismal run of results that left Chelsea in fifth place in the Premier League and on the verge of elimination from this season’s Champions League after a 3-1 defeat at Napoli in the last 16 first leg. But he did bring di Matteo back to Stamford Bridge at the start of last season and the popular Italian was able to repair relationships with senior players such as John Terry and

Frank Lampard that had become strained under Villas-Boas. Di Matteo won his first four games as caretaker coach, including the memorable second-leg turnaround against Napoli. The Blues lost only three matches after he took charge.

And although Chelsea finished outside the top four places in the Premier League, by winning the Champions League, where they knocked out Benfica and holders Barcelona before defeating Bayern, they still qualified for next season’s edition. And by winning the Champions League he also helped Abramovich fulfil one of his most cherished dreams as Chelsea owner.

There had been speculation thsat despite di Matteo’s success, he would miss out on becoming full-time boss, with Pep Guardiola linked with the vacancy at Stamford Bridge following his exit from Barcelona. But Gourlay said di Matteo was the right man and had already had an input into the arrival of recent signings such as Edin Hazard.

“We will be working closely with Roberto in

the weeks ahead, some exciting signings have already been made and Roberto has had input into those.”

Before the Champions League final, di Matteo guided Chelsea to a 2-1 FA Cup final win over Liverpool. Victory at Wembley was the latest chapter in di Matteo’s FA Cup history with Chelsea.

He ended his first season at Stamford Bridge by scoring in the FA Cup final as Chelsea won their first major trophy for 26 years.

He also found the net in a League Cup final win and another FA Cup final before injury forced his retirement at the age of 31, with di Matteo having scored 26 goals in 175 Chelsea appearances.

Di Matteo became a manager for the first time at third-tier MK Dons in 2008. A year later he moved up a division to West Bromwich Albion, whom he then took into the Premier League at the first attempt before leaving the Midlands club in February 2011. —AFP Roberto Di Matteo

“I’m not at the point where I’m going to deal in absolutes with my career. I’m not going to sit here and say, I’m going to play three more years,” Roddick said.

“I don’t have certainty two, three years down the road. I’m not going to talk about that. “Anything is possible. I don’t think I’m going to set the precedent on giving up dates on a day to day basis.”

The American has always thrived on the lush lawns of west London, but his latest visit to Queen’s won’t live long in his memory. After losing the first set, Roddick hit back to get the only break of a hard-fought second set.

But the former US Open champion couldn’t convert a match point at 5-4 in the final set and Roger-Vasselin made him pay as he broke for a 6-5 lead before serving out a shock win.

Roddick wasn’t the only seed to fall in the second round as Taiwan’s Lu YenHsun held his nerve to win a tie-break battle with 16th seed Ivo Karlovic.

Lu, ranked 57th in the world, came from a set down to defeat Igor Kunitsyn in the first round and he repeated the feat to record a 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (9/7) victory over Croatia’s Karlovic.

Although Lu lost the first set, he matched the big-serving Karlovic blow for blow to take the second set on a tiebreak. The final set went to a tie-break as well and it was 28-year-old Lu who took it to clinch a third round meeting with Janko Tipsaveric or Ryan Sweeting.

Italy’s Simone Bolelli also claimed an impressive scalp as he defeated French fourth seed Gilles Simon 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/2). Sixth seed Marin Cilic wasted little time booking his place in the third round as the Croatian demolished Australia’s Matthew Ebden 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour. —AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

SPORTS

Today’s Matches on TV Group

Italy v Croatia

C

Spain v Ireland 21:45 Al-Jazeera Sport 1 HD Al-Jazeera Sport +9 Al-Jazeera Sport +10 Al-Jazeera Sport 2 HD Al-Jazeera Sport - Euro

19:00 Al-Jazeera Sport 1 HD Al-Jazeera Sport +9 Al-Jazeera Sport +10 Al-Jazeera Sport 2 HD Al-Jazeera Sport - Euro

19

Euro 2012 briefs

Trapattoni’s broken English speaks volumes GDYNIA: Often charming and even downright grandfatherly at times, Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has become quite an endearing figure at the European Championship with his sometimes fractured use of the English language.

The 73-year-old Italian, who has won league titles in Italy, Germany, Portugal and Austria in a trophy-laden career, speaks a multitude of languages and certainly has shown he can get his message across to his players.

But he sometimes does it in a peculiar way. “Is old the man is no curious about

the next news,” Trapattoni said before his team lost to Croatia 3-1 in its opening Euro 2012 match. He probably meant something more like: “Old is the man who is no longer curious.”

Trapattoni’s translator, Manuela Spinelli, is used to such expressions from a man who offers words not only in Italian and English but also in German and French. “Sometimes I do find it to be quite funny and it probably shows. You probably see me smiling at times and putting my head down,” Spinelli told The Associated Press. “I wouldn’t say (his

English) is perfect, but he has improved a lot. Now that we have been away for a few weeks, you can tell that he’s much more fluent in his delivery.” Trapattoni took over as Ireland coach in 2008. Since then, he has learned to carry some cheat sheets into news conferences to help him with English expressions.

He still doesn’t always get them right, like when he said: “Don’t say cat until you have it in the bag.” He was more likely looking for something along the lines of, “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched.” Nonetheless, Trapattoni’s suc-

cess with Ireland shows his linguistic miscues have nothing to do with his football acumen.

The former Bayern Munich coach, whose famous outburst in Germany in 1998 has drawn more than 1 million views on YouTube, has led the Irish team to a major international tournament for the first time since the 2002 World Cup. “He’s an amazing person and I enjoy it as well as it being my job,” said Spinelli, who has been working with Trapattoni for four years. “It’s important to get across the colorful aspect of how he speaks.” — AP

Poland vows to get tough with hooligans

GDANSK: Coach Giovanni Trapattoni (center) talks with his players during the official training of Ireland on the eve of the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group C match against Spain. — AP

Ireland seeks belief as Spain ponder options GDANSK: Ireland’s veteran coach Giovanni Trapattoni has said his team must show belief against defending champions Spain today as the Irish fight to keep their Euro 2012 dreams alive.

Having suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Croatia in their opening Group C game on Sunday, Ireland are looking at an almost certain early exit unless they can get something from their game with the world champions in Gdansk.

The Irish are making only their second appearance at a European championship and Trapattoni says his team must concentrate and show belief if they are to avoid exiting after the group stages, as they did back in 1988.

“We have another 90 minutes coming. We have to believe.

Every game in this Euro could be a surprise. We have to believe this,” he said. It has been a decade since the 2002 World Cup, the last time an Irish team appeared at a major finals - they exited in the second round beaten in a penalty shootout by the Spaniards - but Trapattoni’s team now have their work cut out as they face Spain, followed by Italy, who drew 1-1 here on Sunday.

Having taken charge of Ireland in 2008, the 73-year-old Trapattoni has acquired cult status in Ireland having produced such gems as ‘I am not Jesus Christ, I cannot work miracles!’ during his reign. Certainly an Irish win over Spain would be little less than miraculous.

Trapattoni is coming under pressure from the Irish media to blood in-form Sunderland wing James McClean who only made his debut in May’s friendly win against Bosnia-

Herzegovina. Having played a 4-3-3 formation against Italy with Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas up front, Spanish coach Vicente Del Bosque must decide whether to give striker Fernando Torres another chance after he impressed from the bench against Italy.

“I am not happy about everything that happened against Italy - there are things we must improve,” said del Bosque.

“But I am not unhappy with the options we have, we had four options - the three everyone was aware of (strikers Alvaro Negredo, Fernando Torres or Fernando Llorente) and then that of Cesc. Del Bosque said if it came to it he would do without a classic centre forward again. “The only thing that interests us is what is in the interest of the team. The opinions of others surely have interests distinct from our own.”

With Barcelona hitman and record scorer David Villa injured, it was Fabregas who scored the winner against Italy, but Spain noticeably raised their game when Torres came on for the final 17 minutes. There are chinks in the Spanish armor for Ireland to exploit as the centre-backs Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos looked out of sorts on occasion with experienced icon Carles Puyol missing Euro 2012 through injury.

But the Irish can ill afford to concede after only three minutes, as they did against Croatia, with Spain eager for goals to ignite their campaign.

Spanish midfielder Sergi Busquets has said the world champions must show some patience with Trapatonni expected to set out a defensive strategy. —AFP

WARSAW: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk yesterday vowed to get tough with fans who marred a high-profile Euro 2012 match between the national side and Russia, calling them “idiots” who would feel the full force of the law.

More than 180 supporters were detained after police were forced to use water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse violent fans who clashed on the streets of the Polish capital on Tuesday. The Warsaw violence also prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to call Tusk, voicing concern over the safety of Russian fans in Poland and asking the Polish leader ensure their security.

“The Russian president expressed his concern with the situation with Russian fans in Euro 2012,” Putin’s spokesman told Russia’s Itar-Tass news agency, adding: “Organisers of international competitions bear responsibility for the security of foreign fans.” Tusk assured Putin that “all necessary action” was being taken to detain and prosecute offenders, regardless of their nationality, according to a statement from the premier’s office.

He said the vast majority of fans had “enjoyed a good atmosphere in Warsaw” on Tuesday, the day Russians also celebrated their post-Soviet independence. Police had mounted what they said was their biggest ever security operation amid fears of trouble before, during and after the match, which took place against a backdrop of turbulent political and historic ties. “It (the violence) really wasn’t any historic PolishRussian battle but rather involved several hundred idiots from both sides,” Tusk told reporters earlier yesterday. “We’ll teach them all a lesson, whether they’re Polish or Russian or someone else.”

Poland’s sports minister Joanna Mucha had described those involved as “your average hooligans who have nothing in common with real fans” but nevertheless said she was shocked by the violence.

Police, who had 6,000 officers out in force, said in a statement they had arrested 157 Poles and 24 Russians, as well as a Spaniard, a Hungarian and an Algerian. Ten police officers were treated for injuries, as well as 10 fans. European football’s governing body UEFA also condemned the clashes, which threatened to overshadow one of the most high-profile matches of the tournament that began in Warsaw last Friday and ends in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, on July 1. The match itself ended 1-1. UEFA later said both teams would face sanctions after fans set off fireworks in the stadium, while one Russian supporter got on the pitch and a far-right flag was seen at the visitors’ end. UEFA, however, set itself at odds with the Polish authorities by questioning their show of strength at the end of the match, when hundreds of black-clad police in full riot gear amassed in front of the 10,000 or so Russian fans in the stadium.

“UEFA’s philosophy is to create a welcoming environment coupled with a low-profile approach to policing,” it said in a statement. “The focus should be on facilitating the enjoyment of the matches by genuine football fans and isolating the tiny percentage of troublemakers.” —AFP

Unique punishment Sweden’s players have devised a unique punishment for squad members who under-perform in training, as a video published on the website of the Expressen newspaper yesterday revealed.

After losing a ball exercise during Tuesday’s training session, unfortunate third-choice goalkeeper Johan Wiland had to roll down his shorts and bare his bottom as a target for his team-mates’ shooting practice.

Fan chucks TV out A Polish football fan was so devastated when Russia scored against Poland at Tuesday’s Euro 2012 match that he threw his television set out his third-storey window, police said yesterday. They took the man into custody, prompting him to miss the second half of the game, when Poland scored an equaliser, making the final score a 1-1 draw.

The tie kept alive Poland’s hopes to make it to the quarter-finals of the 16-nation, quadrennial Euro 2012 football championships co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine. “When Russia scored the first goal, the man was so overcome by emotion that he took his old television and simply chucked it out the window,” Tomasz Czerniak, spokesman for the municipal police, told AFP yesterday.

“Fortunately no one was around, so the television just fell, exploded, but no one was injured,” he added.

Shevchenko in accident Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin said yesterday his veteran striker Andrei Shevchenko, whose brace saw off Sweden 2-1 in the co-hosts’ Euro 2012 opener on Monday, was unhurt after a minor traffic accident. “It was a minor accident - not serious at all.

He was not hurt,” Blokhin said. “He was accompanying his wife to the airport. Shevchenko was present at training yesterday at Kiev’s Valeriy Lobanovsky stadium.

Italy to go on offensive against Croats

POZNAN: Andrea Pirlo (bottom) warms up alongside teammates during the official training of Italy on the eve of the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group C match against Croatia. — AP

POZNAN: Antonio Cassano believes Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will continue his attacking approach as the Azzurri tackle Croatia in their second European Championship Group C match here today.

Italy surprised many people with their positive performance in a 1-1 draw with world champions Spain on Sunday as they took the game to the defending champions at times and created several scoring opportunities.

And Cassano said a return to the traditional “catenaccio” (door-bolt) style of the past is not an option under Prandelli.

“From the first day Prandelli’s style has always been to attack,” said the 29-year-old AC Milan forward. “He’s changed his system but his style is always to have possession and to attack. “Against Spain we did it less because they had a lot of the ball but you saw the same idea, it didn’t change from attacking.” Cassano himself is the man who leads the line but many are wondering who will play alongside him. Errant Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli got the nod against Spain but played poorly and was replaced just before the half hour mark by Antonio Di Natale, who looked lively and scored the opener.

Prandelli has admitted he is considering dropping Balotelli in favor of Di Natale and Cassano says he has no preference as to who he plays alongside.

“The important thing is that I play,” he joked. “Whoever (Prandelli) he chooses, the problem would be if they both played and not me!”

Italy need a victory to ensure they tackle Ireland in their final group game with their destiny in their own hands as Croatia won their opening match against the Irish 3-1.

Failure to beat Croatia would mean Italy needing to beat Ireland in their final game in Poznan and hoping the result

between Spain and Croatia does not cost them.

The importance of this match has not been lost on Prandelli who says he will change some things.

“What counts in the choices is the nervous and physical state of the players,” he said. “This will be the decisive match of the group. The idea is not to change too much so that we have consistency.” In the first match against Spain, Prandelli abandoned the four-man defence that conceded the least goals of any team in qualifying and reached the finals with two games to spare. Instead he opted for a back three with wing-backs Christian Maggio and Emanuele Giaccherini working tirelessly on the flanks. Prandelli has yet to decide what to do in his next match but says much will depend on the fitness of his players. But he also admitted he hadn’t decided who would start up front. “Before thinking about how to tackle Croatia we have to study them well,” he said.

“When we decide on how to tackle this team, we will decide on the forwards.” The pressure is on Italy as they play opponents with two more points than them.

Cassano is wary of the threat posed by Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric. “Their main strength of course is Modric, he’s the best of the Croatians and is a great player,” he said.

“We’ll play like we did against Spain, we’ll go for a result, we’ll play well and try to win the game to seal qualification.”

But Croatia coach Slaven Bilic says his side only need one more win to reach the quarter-finals. “We have three points, and we’re top of the group,” said Bilic.

“One win would be enough to go to the quarter-finals.

We cannot fly in the championship, but let’s go step by step.

“We respect all of our opponents. We have no fear against anyone. Spain and Italy are favourites in our group, but I still think we are able to beat one of them.” —AFP

They come in peace Poles have indulged in a little black humour as they co-host Euro 2012. “It’s the first time so many foreigners have come to our country ... unarmed,” is a popular joke doing the rounds. Across history, Poland’s undulating plains were the scene for a succession of invasions from the Huns to the Nazis, the Teutonic Knights to the Russians.

Watching West Brom Sweden defender Jonas Olsson knows all about what tactics England will adopt in Friday’s crucial pool match — it’ll be just like watching West Bromwich Albion. “The way England played against France is very similar to the way Roy Hodgson set the team up at West Brom. It’s an organised team, they defend well and are good on the counterattack,” said Olsson, who worked with the man he calls a “top, top coach” at the Hawthorns.

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

Ireland seeks belief as Spain ponder options Page 19

LVIV: Danish defender Daniel Agger (center) vies with Portuguese opponents during the Euro 2012 championships football match. — AFP

Varela saves Ronaldo’s blushes in thriller LVIV: Portugal beat Denmark 3-2 in a thrilling Euro 2012 Group B clash here yesterday to keep alive their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals.

A stunning goal by substitute Silvestre Varela three minutes from time saw the 2004 finalists take the points after they had let slip a 2-0 lead as Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner drew the Danes level with two headers.

Goals from Pepe - with a superb header and Helder Postiga, with his 20th goal for his country, had given the Portuguese a perfect start. However, a series of terrible misses by their star player Cristiano Ronaldo had threatened to prove very costly until Varela stepped up to save them just three minutes after coming on. The win puts Portugal level on points with Denmark, who beat the Dutch in their opening game, while Germany top the table and take on Holland later on Wednesday.

For Pepe it was not so much about personal satisfaction with regard to his goal but more

the overall benefit to the team. “I had the luck to score against Turkey at the last Euro,” said the 29-year-old Real Madrid defender.

“I was able to help once again my team, but the most important thing is the team. We showed a real willingness to sacrifice ourselves in order to win this match.”

The Danes had the first chance in the fifth minute as the ball deflected to highly-rated youngster Christian Eriksen inside the area but Pepe did well to block his goalbound shot.

The Portuguese managed to put very little together in the opening 20 minutes save once when Ronaldo drifted in from the wing into the centre and played the ball to Raul Meireles.

Meireles found the Real Madrid star — just five goals in 15 tournament matches — in space but he produced a woeful shot and tried to blame the pitch as he looked ruefully down at it afterwards. However, he was not found wanting when he delivered his corner in the 24th minute as Pepe came steaming in to head

home, the ball flying in over Danish midfielder William Kvist’s head at the near post.

Ronaldo appeared to take heart out of that and he was unfortunate to see an on-target freekick take a deflection off a Danish defender in the 32nd minute.

But he did not have to wait long for his side to double their lead. His former Manchester United team-mate Nani was the creator, passing the ball into the box where Postiga got a yard on his marker Simon Kjaer and put the ball away with a sharp finish.

The Danes, though, got themselves back in the match four minutes before half-time as a smart header across the goal from Michael Krohn-Dehli found Bendtner unmarked and he made no mistake with a close range header to make it five successive games with the Portuguese that he has found the net.

Ronaldo, though, should have restored the two goal advantage soon after the start of the second-half as put clear he was one on one

with Danish ‘keeper Stephan Andersen, but the latter blocked his shot with his legs. The Danes still found plenty of fight with Kvist going close with a rasping shot.

Bendtner was in lively form and worked himself some space in the 72nd minute to set himself up nicely but he sent his shot well wide of the goal.

Ronaldo’s woes in front of goal continued as Nani’s superb through ball found him in acres of space and from about eight yards out and with just Andersen to beat he put it wide - provoking jeers and whistles in the stands.

That miss looked to have been extremely costly as Bendtner rose superbly to head home Lars Jacobsen’s excellent cross from the right.

However, the drama was not over as Fabio Coentrao hared down the left flank and crossed into the box. Varela swung at the ball with his left foot and miskicked but showing remarkable composure connected with his favoured right foot and lashed home.—AFP

STATISTICS Match statistics for Portugal’s 3-2 win against Denmark in their Euro 2012 Group B match at the Arena Lviv yesterday.

Denmark Portugal Goals scored 2 3 Total shots 9 17 Shots on target 6 12 Corners 7 6 Offsides 2 0 Fouls committed 18 17 Yellow cards 2 2 Red cards 0 0 Ball possession (percent) 58 42

Germany humble Holland KHARKIV: Germany are on the verge of the Euro 2012 quarter-finals following their 2-1 win over Holland yesterday as Mario Gomez scored twice, while the Dutch are heading for a first-round exit.

World Cup finalists Holland will bow out on Sunday unless they beat Portugal in their final game here at the Metalist Stadium and hope Germany defeat Denmark the same day in Lviv to give them a chance of reaching the last eight.

After Portugal earlier beat Denmark 3-2 in Group B, Germany now need only a point against the Danes in Lviv the same day to be sure of reaching the last eight at Euro 2012 as group winners.

Having scored the winning header in Germany’s opening 1-0 victory over Portugal, Germany’s Gomez is now the tournament’s early joint top-scorer with three goals after Bastian Schweinsteiger set up both his first-half strikes.

Holland earned a late lifeline when Arsenal striker Robin van Persie pulled a goal back 15 minutes from time, but it was not enough to prevent their second Euro 2012 defeat after Saturday’s shock 1-0 defeat to Denmark.

STATISTICS Match statistics for Germany’s 2-1 win against the Netherlands in their Euro 2012 Group B match at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv yesterday.

Netherlands Germany Goals scored 1 2 Total shots 13 12 Shots on target 6 9 Corners 6 5 Offsides 1 4 Fouls committed 11 7 Yellow cards 2 1 Red cards 0 0 Ball possession (percent) 52 48

“It was very tight right up until the end and was nervewracking for us,” admitted goal-scorer Gomez. “We have to remain realistic, we have taken six points against two topclass teams, but we want more.

“I’m very happy to have scored two goals to help the team, it is important that the right playars and the coach are behind me.” There is still a long way to the final.”

Scorching temperatures in eastern Ukraine meant the game kicked off with the thermometer showing 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit).

Dutch defender Joris Mathijsen was the only change to the team beaten by Denmark here again in Kharkiv, while the Germans kept the same team which beat Portugal.

A great chance fell to Van Persie after five minutes as a ball over the top got behind the German defence, but the striker could only fire his shot into Neuer’s grateful arms.

Germany replied as Mesut Ozil hit the post from the edge of the penalty area on eight minutes, but the Dutch went back on the attack soon after as Van Persie fired wide this time. The Germans took the lead thanks to a clever throughball from Schweinsteiger which beat the Dutch off-side trap and fell to the feet of Gomez, who powered onto the pass and rifled home on 24 minutes. The pair combined again on 38 minutes when Schweinsteiger’s pass freed Gomez on the right and he fired past Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg on 38 minutes to make it 2-0 to the Germans at the break.

It could have been 3-0 to Joachim Loew’s Germans as defender Holger Badstuber had headed straight at Stekelenberg before Gomez’s second.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk shook up his attack after the break by bringing on Tottenham Hotspur’s Rafael van der Vaart for captain Mark van Bommel and Schalke striker KlaasJan Huntelaar for Barcelona’s Ibrahim Afellay.

The Oranje upped the pace and created several chances before Van Persie put them back in the game when he turned Germany defender Mats Hummels to fire an unstoppable shot past Manuel Neuer’s left hand.

Both sides made changes in the last ten minutes with legs tiring in the stifling heat, as Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt came on for Bayern’s Arjen Robben, who trudged off with his forlorn face summing up the Oranje’s darkening mood. —AFP

Group B standings Euro 2012 Group B table after yesterday’s games (Played, won, drawn, lost, for, against, points): Results Netherlands 0, Denmark 1 Germany 1, Portugal 0 Denmark 2, Portugal 3 Netherlands 1, Germany 2 Group B Germany Portugal Denmark Netherlands

2 2 2 2

2 1 1 0

0 0 0 0

0 1 1 2

3 3 3 1

1 3 3 3

6 3 3 0

KHARKIV: Dutch defender Joris Mathijsen (right) vies with German forward Miroslav Klose during the Euro 2012 championships football match. — AFP

Misfiring Ronaldo searching for spark KIEV: Portugal heeded Luis Figo’s call to create more chances for Cristiano Ronaldo but the world’s most expensive player misfired again yesterday as unheralded Silvestre Valera stole the limelight that he usually basks in.

After Ronaldo had missed two great chances and spurned two other decent openings, substitute Varela struck an 87th minute winner to seal a 3-2 success over Denmark and get his side’s Euro 2012 campaign back on track after their opening loss to Germany.

In the white of Real Madrid Ronaldo can seemingly do no wrong, scoring 60

goals in all competitions last season and generally giving the impression that he is unplayable. But his form appears to have deserted him in Portugal’s two Group B games to date in Ukraine.

Usually mentioned in tandem with Argentine Lionel Messi as the best in the world, the winger is still looking for the spark that Portugal need from him if they are to progress from what is arguably the toughest group in the competition.

Portugal’s most capped player Figo said the team must improve their supply lines to Ronaldo but he has now taken 10 shots at Euro 2012 without getting his

name on the score sheet. Only Russia’s Alexander Kerzhakov has been more profligate in front of goal. Leading 2-1 against the Danes in Lviv, Ronaldo had two gilt-edged chances to put the game out of reach. He spurned both of them, first shooting straight at Stephan Andersen and then side-footing wide in a one-on-one situation from which he has scored dozens of goals in his career.

Instead, Nicklas Bendtner scored his second to level for Denmark, only for Valera, who has won just a handful of caps and plys his trade for Porto, to smash home the winner at the second attempt. —AFP

Saudi-led group targets Moroccan solar plant Page 23

US could out-produce Saudi Arabia, Russia in oil and gas Page 24

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

US: India investment climate ‘deteriorates’

Iran’s oil exports plummet as sanctions bite Page 22

PAGE 23

GAZA: A Palestinian farmer harvests grapes from a field cultivated in the former Israeli settlement of Neve Dekalim in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday. The grapes are for local consumption in the Hamas government in Gaza Strip.— AFP

Syria prints money as deficit grows News

in brief

Cypriot banks downgraded NICOSIA: Credit ratings agency Moody’s has downgraded two of Cyprus’ top three commercial banks by one notch over the heightened risk that Greece may leave the euro-zone. Moody’s said in a statement that it has cut the deposit ratings of the Bank of Cyprus to B2 from B1 and of Hellenic Bank to B1 from Ba3. The agency said it has placed both banks - the island’s first and third largest lenders, respectively - on review for further downgrade. It said has also placed Cyprus Popular Bank, the country’s second-largest lender, on review for a possible downgrade. Moody’s said all three banks’ extensive branch operations in Greece make them vulnerable to the increased risk of a Greek euro exit because it could speed up deposit outflows from their Greek branches.

Wal-Mart bribery probe NEW YORK: Lawyers for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. have identified Brazil, India, China and South Africa along with Mexico as areas having the biggest risk for corruption, according to a letter from two congressmen who are doing their own investigation into the allegations of bribery in its Mexico operations. The letter, dated Monday, shed light on a May 21 briefing with outside lawyers from Wal-Mart, who said they had been retained to do a global anti-corruption compliance review of its operations in 2011. The attorneys from the law firms Greenberg Traurig and Kind Gump said the review focused on Brazil, China and Mexico because they represent the highest corruption risk.

Based on the review, they recommended that WalMart also evaluate its operations in India and South Africa In the letter to Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke, Democratic congressmen Elijah Cummings of Maryland and Henry Waxman of California wrote that the world’s largest retailer hasn’t provided any documents regarding the potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which forbids US companies from bribing foreign officials.

Stelios to fly again LONDON: EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou moved a step closer to setting up a new Africa-focused airline, Fastjet, after a British investment group he is part of bought Lonrho’s African aviation business. Lonrho, an industrial group with interests in Africa, said yesterday it had sold its aviation unit to British investment firm Rubicon for $86 million in Rubicon shares. As part of the deal, Stelios’s easyGroup will own 5 percent of Rubicon. Lonrho, which will own more than 50 percent of Rubicon on completion of the deal, runs Fly540, a low-cost carrier that operates in east Africa. Fastjet, which plans to list on London’s junior AIM market under the Rubicon banner, will use the existing Fly540 platform and expand its network, eventually folding it into the new airline.

Govt flirts with inflation as sanctions bite AMMAN: Syria has released new cash into circulation to finance its fiscal deficit, flirting with inflation after violence and sanctions wiped out revenues and led to a severe economic contraction, bankers in Damascus say. Four Damascus-based bankers said that new banknotes printed in Russia were circulating in trial amounts in the capital and Aleppo, the first such step since a popular revolt against President Bashar Al-Assad began in 2011.

The four bankers said the new notes were being used not just to replace worn out currency but to ensure that salaries and other government expenses were paid, a step economists say could increase inflation and worsen the economic crisis.

The United Nations says Assad’s forces have killed at least 10,000 people in a crackdown, and the government says more than 2,600 members of its security forces have died.

The four bankers, along with one business leader in touch with officials, said the new money had been printed in Russia, although they were not able to give the name of the firm that printed it. Two of the bankers said they had spoken to officials recently returned from Moscow where the issue was discussed. “(The Russians) sent sample new banknotes that were approved and the first order has been delivered. I understand some new ban-

knotes have been injected into the market,” said one of the bankers. All requested anonymity.

Two other senior bankers in Damascus said they had heard from officials that a first order of an undisclosed amount of new currency had arrived in Syria from Russia, although they were unable to confirm whether it had entered circulation.

Outgoing Finance Minister Mohammad al-Jleilati said last week that Syria had discussed printing banknotes with Russian officials during economic talks at the end of May in Moscow. He said such a deal was “almost done”, without going into details.

However, the central bank later denied through state media that any new currency had been circulated.

Goznak, the state firm that operates Russia’s mint and has exclusive rights to secure printing technology, regularly prints money for other countries. It declined to comment.

“LAST RESORT” Russia is one of Syria’s major political backers and a close trading and economic partner. There are no sanctions in place that would bar a Russian firm from printing money for Syria.

Syrian money was previously printed in Austria by Oesterreichische Banknotenund Sicherheitsdruck GmbH, a subsidiary

of the Austrian central bank. That order was suspended last year because of European Union sanctions, an Austrian central bank spokesman said.

One of the four bankers described the decision to use newly printed money from Russia to pay the deficit as a “last resort” after several months of consideration.

Syria’s deficit has swollen because of declining government revenues and loss of oil exports hit by sanctions. The government is loathe to impose unpopular measures to fight the deficit, like cutting subsidies or raising taxes.

“The deficit is there and it is already increasing and increasing quickly. And to finance it they have decided to print currency,” said the senior businessman, who is familiar with the subject and in touch with monetary officials.

Bankers say a priority has been to continue salary payments for over 2 million state employees among a workforce of 4.5 million in a country of more than 21 million people.

“You cannot allow the public sector to collapse,” said one of the bankers. ”People are getting their wages and there are no complaints if they are paid at the end of every month. If we reach a stage where they are not paid there will be a crisis.”

Syria’s $27 billion 2012 budget was the biggest in its history, taking many by sur-

prise. Bankers say the spending surge was motivated by a desire to create more state jobs and maintain subsidies to help ward off wider discontent.

The private sector has suffered large scale layoffs, but workers in the public sector have kept their jobs and had steady wages despite a salary freeze.

Financing the spending has proven difficult. The central bank has exceeded borrowing limits from public banks, and private banks are reluctant to buy government bonds, one of the bankers said.

Inflation is already running at 30 percent, although the central bank considers it manageable.

Authorities have spent state funds on subsidies to keep the prices for household utilities and petrol unchanged, and have announced planned price controls on basic commodities. However, electricity prices for big industries have risen by 60 percent and the price of subsidized diesel fuel has also risen. The authorities plan to inject only a small amount of new currency to prevent runaway inflation, said one of the bankers. “But there is a limit to how much fresh money could be injected into the economy in such highly uncertain times. Reckless printing of money as a way of buying short term reprieve could be economic suicide,” the banker added.— Reuters

OPEC ‘most likely’ to maintain output

MUMBAI: Shirish Kulkarni (left), Director of DSK Motowheels, and D S Kulkarni, chairman of DSK Group, pose with the new Hyosung GT250R motorcycles during its launch in Mumbai yesterday. The 250cc superbike will be available in three colors schemes with a price tag of 275,000 rupees ($4,906). — AFP

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Oil Minister Hani Hussein said yesterday that OPEC will “most likely” maintain its production at 30 million barrels per day, but admitted differences among member countries. “There are different directions before the OPEC ministerial meeting,” today, the official KUNA news agency quoted Hussein as saying in Vienna where the meeting will take place. “(But) most likely the ministers will maintain the (current) production ceiling at 30 million barrels per day without change,” Hussein said, as some OPEC members called for an increase and others demanded a reduction.

OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia has called for existing output levels to be raised while some other members, including Venezuela, called for production to be slashed, accusing some countries in the Gulf of over-production. “It will have to be reduced... We estimate that we have an over-production of 3.0 million barrels a day”

above the ceiling of 30 mbpd that was decided in December, Venezuelan oil minister Rafael Ramirez said. Hussein said that geopolitical, psychological, climatic and the levels of crude stockpiles are affecting the price of oil.

Oil was lower in Asian trade yesterday ahead of the crucial OPEC meeting. The oil markets were also under pressure from growing worries over the economic crisis in Europe despite a massive bailout of up to 100 billion euros ($125 billion) to rescue Spain’s ailing banking sector. New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in July, eased 30 cents to $83.02 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for July delivery fell 12 cents to $97.02 a barrel.

The 12-member cartel, which pumps about one third of the world’s crude supplies, left its 2012 world oil demand outlook almost unchanged on Tuesday, citing price volatility and pressure on the global economy.—AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

BUSINESS

Iran’s oil exports plummet as sanctions bite Data suggest exports down by 1 million bpd LONDON: Iran’s oil exports have fallen by an estimated 40 percent since the start of the year as Western sanctions tear into the country’s vital oil industry, the International Energy Agency said yesterday.

The agency, which represents the interests of major consuming nations, said preliminary indications suggested exports - the lifeblood of Iran’s economy - fell to 1.5 million barrels per day in April-May from 2.5 million at end 2011.

“In months ahead, Iran may need to shut in production volumes if export markets remain similarly constrained and storage fills up,” the IEA said in its monthly report.

It said it believed Iran was still pro-

from July 1. The measure will also effectively cut off tanker insurance, a major problem for Asian buyers who traditionally account for the bulk of Iran’s oil sales. The IEA report came out days ahead of nuclear talks in Moscow between Iran and world powers - the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, of which Iran is a member, will meet in Vienna this week to discuss production running at a multi-year highs. US ally Saudi Arabia has been stepping up supply to replace lost Iranian barrels.

Earlier this year, oil prices rallied to $128 a barrel, their highest since 2008,

ducing 3.3 million bpd, down from 3.5 million last year and stockpiling unsold oil. Tehran has denied it is experiencing problems with oil sales despite mounting evidence its major customers, including China, are turning down offers of cheap crude under pressure from Washington to cut trade ties. On Monday the US government, which aims to choke off Tehran’s oil revenue and force a halt to nuclear development it believes is aimed at making weapons, said India, South Korea, Japan and Turkey have made significant cuts to oil imports from Iran.

Iran says its nuclear program is for civilian purposes. The European Union will impose a full embargo on Iran’s oil

on fears of a loss of Iranian production.

But they have since fallen below $100 per barrel on signs of slowing economic growth in China, weak US data and an escalation in Europe’s debt crisis.

The IEA said the world was better supplied with oil now than in recent years but warned against calling it an over-supplied market. “Nobody knows exactly how oil supplies will develop this summer. Memories are indeed short: crude prices remain very high in historical terms, and are acting as a drag on household and government budgets in OECD and emerging markets alike.”

The IEA said other bullish factors for oil prices included power sector oil demand this summer and stockpiling by

major non-OECD economies including China, which have been accumulating crude in the past months ahead of the Iranian embargo.

The agency left its global oil demand growth forecast broadly unchanged at 820,000 bpd. Its view contrasted with reports by OPEC and the US government which said on Tuesday that global oil markets could loosen further in the second half of the year.

The IEA said its demand estimate for OPEC’s oil also remained broadly unchanged although it was 1 million bpd higher for the second half of 2012 at 30.9 million bpd. The figure was still 1 million bpd higher than OPEC’s current production levels. —Reuters

Shares inch up as Spain drags Asian shares creep higher in choppy trade

TROLLHAETTAN: A file picture shows a SAAB sign outside of the SAAB factory in Trollhaettan, north of Gothenburg. — AFP

NEVS buys Saab STOCKHOLM: Bankrupt Swedish automaker Saab has been sold to National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB (NEVS), a new company registered in Sweden founded by two firms in Hong Kong and Japan, the two sides said yesterday. “NEVS and the Receivers of the Saab Automobile bankruptcy estate today signed a purchase agreement which covers the main assets of Saab Automobile AB, Saab Automobile Powertrain AB and Saab Automobile Tools AB,” NEVS and Saab bankruptcy administrators said in a joint statement that did not specify the purchase sum.

NEVS, which is 51-percent owned by Hong Kong-based alternative energy specialist National Modern Energy Holdings and 49-percent owned by Japanese investment firm Sun Investment LLC, was “established for the purpose of acquiring the assets of the Saab Automobile bankruptcy estate,” according to the statement. The company explained that it planned to create a new model based on the current Saab 9-3, “which will be modified for electric drive using advanced EV (electric vehicle) technology from Japan.”

The car should be rolled out at the end of 2013 or beginning of 2014 and is aimed primarily at the Chinese market, it said.

“NEVS aims to become a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles,” it said, adding that production would continue at Saab’s factory in Trollhaettan in southwestern Sweden. Saab filed for bankruptcy in December last year. It was already on the brink of bankruptcy when GM sold it in ear-

ly 2010 to Dutch company Swedish Automobile (SWAN) - at the time called Spyker-for $400 million (308 million euros).

Bankruptcy administrators said in April that Saab had assets to cover only just over a third of its debt of 13 billion kronor ($1.8 billion, 1.5 billion euros).

“The sale to NEVS is our most important action to realize the assets of the estate,” Anne-Marie Pouteaux, one of the Saab administrators said in Wednesday’s statement, adding “we are very pleased today, having reached this agreement.” Swedish union IF Metall, to which many Saab workers belong, hailed the agreement and the new owners’ innovative spirit. “It’s exciting to focus on electric vehicles, which are very timely in an international perspective,” the union said in a statement. “We have too few electric cars on the road in Sweden and are far behind many countries. With this new focus, new export opportunities will likely open up,” it said.

Swedish Enterprise Minister Annie Loeoef also welcomed the deal, saying in a statement it was “positive news for the Swedish auto industry and for the region.”

Saab began life in 1937 as an aircraft manufacturer, something which became evident in the aerodynamic, sporty shape of its first concept car designs. It built its first prototype cars in 1947, with the first production version rolling off the assembly line two years later. The iconic brand was forced to halt production in April last year as suppliers stopped deliveries over mountains of unpaid bills. — AFP

TOKYO: Asian shares edged higher in choppy trade yesterday and European stocks were also poised to gain, but the euro slipped as worries over contagion from Spain’s banking sector were heightened after the country’s bond yields hit record peaks. Spreadbetters predicted major European markets would open as much as 0.7 percent higher. But US stock futures were down 0.2 percent. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan inched up 0.3 percent, after earlier falling as much as 0.2 percent.

The index has since Monday held above its 21-day moving average, a short-term technical level closely followed by hedge funds and investment banks. But it faces firm resistance at 401.50, where rebound attempts failed twice in late May. Australian shares reversed course to fall 0.3 percent, leading declines in Asia. “I’m not even thinking about upside at the moment.

It’s more a case of switching ... out of riskier stocks into more defensive names,” said Phillip Weinberg, a dealer at Karara Capital in Melbourne. “You’re probably better off holding cash at the moment and waiting to see how things play out.”

Japan’s Nikkei average rose 0.8 percent, helped by Wall Street’s 1 percent gain overnight. Asset prices have see-sawed as optimism and disappointment have taken turns by the day, reflecting a high level of unease in markets about whether contagion from Spain’s banking crisis can be contained and whether Greece’s June 17 election will see it stay in the euro zone.

Risk appetite has been curbed by a lack of detail in a loan agreement to

help Spain’s banks recapitalize, and concerns that the scheme could further aggravate Madrid’s fast-rising public debts and force it to seek bailouts similar to those for Greece, Ireland and Portugal.

Spain’s 10-year bond yield on Tuesday rose to 6.86 percent, surpassing peaks seen in November last year to mark its highest since the 1999 launch of the euro. That capped the euro, which traded down 0.1 percent at $1.2493, nearing Tuesday ’s low of $1.24428.

foreign exchange at Credit Agricole Bank in Tokyo. “There might also be some hopes the G20 will put pressure on Europe. Given so much uncertainty, players are quick to take profits whenever there is a rebound.”

Despite a huge number of positions betting on the euro’s further decline, the currency’s downside has been limited by options lined up around $1.25 as well as repatriation ahead of the half-year end in June by European financial institutions and companies, Saito said. Speaking

ROME: An employee works at a counter of the Eataly food emporium in Rome. The huge 17,000 square meter Italian food and drink market, which is part of the international “slow food” movement with branches in Japan and New York, will open its doors on June 21. — AFP European shares ended higher and the euro came off lows on Tuesday.

“There was nothing substantial in the recovery in sentiment, and it appears only to be supported by hopes Europeans will take more measures to ensure the Spanish aid will work while seeking to buy time for Greece,” said Yuji Saito, director of

ahead of a June 18-19 summit of Group of 20 leaders in Mexico, Mexican President Felipe Calderon said on Tuesday European powers must quickly finalize plans to support Spanish banks, and said he expected important progress to be made in resolving the 2-1/2 yearlong crisis.

REALITY CHECKS Europeans, on the other hand, did little to soothe investor jitters, with Austria’s finance minister saying Italy may need a financial rescue because of its high borrowing costs, while the Dutch finance minister said the euro zone was “still far from stable”. Just as 10-year sovereign yields surpassing 7 percent is seen as unsustainable for an economy, analysts and traders eyed a rise in premiums investors ask on bonds issued by indebted euro zone countries to above 500 basis points over German benchmarks as a prelude for seeking global bailouts. At Tuesday’s close, the spread between Spanish and German 10-year bonds stood around 540 bps, while that for Italy was around 474 bps.

It took 10 days of Spanish/German spreads exceeding 500 bps before Madrid obtained a rescue, 16 days for Greek/German spreads for Athens to get its first bailout, 24 days for Ireland and 34 days for Portugal, noted Ashraf Laidi, chief global strategist at City Index.

“The next fear metric will be in Italian bonds - 6.60 percent territory in 10-year yields and 5 percent bar in the Italian-German 10-year spread,” he said. US crude fell 0.3 percent to $83.07 a barrel, after hitting a 2012 low of $81.07 in intraday trading on Tuesday, its lowest since Oct 6.

Brent inched up 0.1 percent to $97.24 a barrel. The cost of insuring against corporate and sovereign defaults in Asia eased slightly yesterday, with the spread on the iTraxx Asia ex-Japan investmentgrade index narrowing by 3 basis points. — Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Philippine peso Egyptian pounds

.2730000 .4340000 .3490000 .2900000 .2710000 .2770000 .0040000 .0020000 .0759590 .7400480 .3840000 .0710000 .7254840 .0040000 .0430000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2798000 GB Pound/KD .4363060 Euro .3510230 Swiss francs .2922040 Canadian dollars .2729090 Danish Kroner .0472320 Swedish Kroner .0396970 Australian dlr .2791700 Hong Kong dlr .0360660 Singapore dlr .2187480 Japanese yen .0035210 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 Pakistan rupee .0000000 Bangladesh taka .0000000 UAE dirhams .0762090 Bahraini dinars .7424700 Jordanian dinar .0000000 Saudi Riyal/KD .0746330 Omani riyals .7270370 Philippine Peso .0000000

.2832500 .4430000 .3590000 .3020000 .2820000 .2860000 .0070000 .0035000 .0767230 .7474850 .4020000 .0770000 .7327760 .0072000 .0500000 .2819000 .4395810 .3536580 .2943970 .2749570 .0475860 .0399950 .2812660 .0363370 .2203890 .0035380 .0050930 .0021440 .0029980 .0034560 .0767810 .7480430 .3987270 .0751930 .7324930 .0066640

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co. Currency

Rate per 1000 (Tran)

US Dollar Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah

281.000 2.973 5.050 2.130 3.433 6.615 76.610 75.090 747.000 46.506 442.600 2.990

Yemeni Riyal Euro Canadian Dollars Nepali rupee

1.550 357.000 279.100 3.190

UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupees Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit

Al Mulla Exchange Currency

Transfer Rate (Per 1000)

US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal

280.800 355.050 439.800 275.350 3.575 5.055 46.480 2.120 3.417 6.490 2.980 747.200 76.500 74.950

COUNTRY

SELL DRAFT SELL CASH

Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro US Dollar Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

283.38 277.89 297.84 354.99 280.10 438.80 3.61 3.427 5.044 2.149 3.180 2.983 76.33 745.82 46.42 399.06 729.00 77.35 74.90

288.50 279.50 296.50 354.00 281.50 441.00 3.65 3.550 5.330 2.400 3.850 3.200 77.50 745.50 47.85 396.00 730.00 77.55 75.25

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Selling Rate

US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar

280.950 277.805 436.620 351.565 292.680 743.805

COUNTRY Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash Hongkong dollar Indian rupees Indonesia Iranian tuman Iraqi dinar Japanese yen Jordanian dinar Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Morocco dirham Nepalese Rupees New Zealand dollar Nigeria Norwegian krone Omani Riyal Pakistani rupees Philippine peso Qatari riyal Saudi riyal Singapore dollar South Africa Sri Lankan rupees Sterling pound Swedish krona Swiss franc Syrian pound

SELL CASH 283.200 747.430 3.670 277.200 552.00 45.800 48.200 167.800 48.150 355.300 36.920 5.220 0.032 0.161 0.236 3.630 398.290 0.190 91.330 44.400 4.320 222.000 1.821 47.900 730.040 3.150 6.740 77.740 75.040 220.730 36.300 2.677 441.000 40.700 296.000 4.300

9.280 198.263 76.630 281.400 1.350

9.090 76.530 281.000

GOLD 1,696.310

10 Tola Sterling Pound US Dollar

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 439.000 281.000

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co.

Bahrain Exchange Company

UAE Exchange Centre WLL

Rate for Transfer

Thai bhat Tunisian dollar UAE dirham U.S. dollars Yemeni Riyal

76.470 77.115 74.880 395.480 46.510 2.118 5.028 2.982 3.433 6.577 689.170 4.520 8.975 5.915 3.235 88.655

SELL DRAFT 281.700 747.430 3.432 275.700

Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Malaysian Ringgit

3.553 5.072 3.053 2.141 3.173 220.090 36.173 3.425 6.439 8.876 89.338 GCC COUNTRIES 74.883 77.158 729.380 745.850 76.464

220.700 46.557 353.800 36.770 5.030 0.031

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

398.250 0.189 91.330

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 48.250 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 46.466 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.309 Tunisian Dinar 176.65 Jordanian Dinar 396.190 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.884 Syrian Lier 4.899 Morocco Dirham 32.64

3.170 220.500 729.860 3.000 6.583 77.310 75.040 220.730 36.300 2.120 439.000 294.500 4.300

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 280.700 Euro 354.52 Sterling Pound 441.820 Canadian dollar 274.79 Turkish lire 152.400 Swiss Franc 295.01 US Dollar Buying 279.500 20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

GOLD 293.000 148.000 75.250

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

BUSINESS

Retail boom no bonanza for UAE banks DUBAI: Thursday night - the beginning of the weekend - and thousands have flocked to Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, one of the largest shopping centers in the world, to shop, eat, watch a movie or a have a few runs down the indoor ski slope. It’s a similar story - minus the ski slope - at Dubai Mall, another of the emirate’s ‘mega-malls’. It attracted 54 million visitors in 2011, a 15 percent year-on-year growth; by contrast, New York City welcomed 50.5 million visitors last year.

“People are spending more than they were last year and there is more buoyancy and confidence in the market,” said Vipen Sethi, chief executive of Landmark Group, a retail conglomerate with a presence in 17 countries across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Traditionally, heightened consumer spending would be a boon for retail banks as it would create more demand for credit - whether it be personal or car loans or credit card spending. But for retail bankers in the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is one of seven emirates, extracting value from the latest consumer boom is not as easy as it might seem at first glance.

Lessons from past excesses has made both borrowers and the country’s regulator - the UAE central bank more cautious towards debt, meaning that while lending is growing, the growth is moderate and banks are earning less from what they do lend.

Heightened competition is also impacting, further eroding bank income. However, the buoyancy being created by the levels of consumer spending mean banks can still expect to see moderate growth this year from their retail operations. “While I can’t say specific numbers, the bottom line has been extremely positive in the first few months of the year,” said Arup Mukhopadhyay, head of consumer banking at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, the UAE’s third largest bank by market capitalization.

THE MATURING CUSTOMER Shopping has always been at the heart of life for Dubai’s expatriate community, given the heady cocktail of tax-free salaries, the presence of a large number of outlets to spend that cash and the fact it’s too hot to do anything outside for at least three months of the year. The number of shoppers has also been swelled in the last 18 months by tourists flocking to the emirate, a perceived safe-haven in a region rocked by the events of the Arab Spring. Therefore, it is no surprise that the retail sector in the UAE is booming.

“From the aggregate average of feedback from clients in the sector, I would say most retailers are growing at a rate of at least 15 percent,” Nick Levitt, head of commercial banking UAE at HSBC, said. This is reflected in

boosted credit card spending, with the average amount spent per transaction up 15-20 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, according to Farhad Irani, head of retail banking at Mashreq - the figure is as much as 2530 percent higher for foreign cardholders, he added.

And this isn’t from a low base either. “The spends here are much higher than the averages worldwide, with the average about 500 dirhams ($140) per ticket. In Asia, the average ticket is $22-23,” Irani said. But while spending is rocketing, bankers say consumers have learnt from the excesses of the pre-crisis years, when expats would be forced to skip the country for fear of being arrested and jailed for defaulting on credit cards at the height of the crisis in 2009, up to 2,500 customers per bank per month, a senior official at RAKBank told Reuters at the time.

“On this side of the 2009 crisis, customers have become more cautious so there is definitely a tendency to deleverage themselves,” said ADCB’s Mukhopadhyay, which in 2010 brought the UAE retail banking business of Royal Bank of Scotland. This caution is not only reflected in how people manage their credit cards but also the levels of debt they take on in the form of personal loans, he added.

According to data from the UAE central bank, total personal lending in the

country grew by just 0.7 percent yearon-year in March to 253.8 billion dirhams. The figure is also well down on the 909.4 billion dirhams lent out

by UAE banks in September 2008 - at the height of the previous boom.

Another knock-on effect from the crisis is the subdued property markets in the UAE, with prices still yet to bottom out in Abu Dhabi. Dubai has seen demand and prices pick up in some more fashionable areas but, according to one banker who didn’t want to be named, much of the buying is being done by foreign investors - predominately from Russia and Arab Springaffected countries - and settled fully in cash. Therefore, mortgage demand in the UAE is still well down on the precrisis peak - 600-700 million dirhams per month now versus 1.4 billion dirhams in 2007, according to Irani at Mashreq, Dubai’s second-largest lender by market value.

THE LONG-TERM SILVER LINING Caution is also being exuded by the UAE central bank, who don’t want a repeat of the delinquency rates on unsecured debt seen at the height of the troubles in 2009 and early 2010 high-teens to early-twenties percent across the industry versus around half that level now, according to Irani.

Since the beginning of 2011, the regulator has brought in separate guidelines which control individual debt

burden ratios, meaning monthly repayments on personal lending cannot exceed 50 percent of income, and cap bank charges, such as basic transaction activities on bank accounts.

“Both factors have reduced the retail banking revenue pool by around 10-15 percent - probably closer to 15 percent,” Mukhopadhyay said. Also undermining revenue is greater competition within the UAE retail banking sector, with many banks investing to improve and expand their operations and competing to gain market share from others. Despite the constraints on short-term revenue generation, the fact remains the retail banking industry remains on course for moderate growth going forward because of the strength of the consumer sector.

Plus, what the crisis has left is a new breed of customer; one who is still willing to spend but is more cautious about how they do it. “During 2009, there was enormous uncertainty of people not sure whether they were going to be employed or have to go home tomorrow,” said John Wartig, group director, finance, at Al-Futtaim Group, a conglomerate holding UAE franchises for brands including Toyota, Honda and Ikea. “But as things have settled down and as Dubai has settled down, people are feeling far more secure and now they are starting to replace bigger items, whether it’s automobiles or furniture.” — Reuters

Saudi-led group targets Moroccan solar plant

TIANJIN: Airbus employees install an engine on an A320 plane under construction at the final assembly line of Airbus factory in the northern port city of Tianjin yesterday. Tony Tyler who is the head of airline industry group IATA has urged the European Union to postpone its controversial carbon tax scheme, amid warnings it could spark a trade war that would penalize Europe. — AFP

China ‘backsliding’ on trade openness GENEVA: China is backsliding on the path of trade openness and economic reform that marked its entry to the World Trade Organization in 2001, the United States said on Tuesday during a biennial review of China’s trade policies. In tough remarks that were backed up by criticisms voiced by the European Union, US Ambassador Michael Punke said that since China’s last review in 2010, the trend towards state inter vention in China’s economy appeared to have intensified.

“China’s tighter embrace of state capitalism now runs directly counter to the economic reform goals that originally drove its pursuit of WTO membership, goals that had offered real leadership and real promise for China’s future economic growth,” he said, according to a transcript supplied by the office of the US Trade Representative. On intellectual property rights, Punke said China had taken uneven and inadequate action, which had barely improved its “unacceptably high infringement rates”. He cited a litmus test of China’s enforcement: “Whether the legitimate goods and services purchased in large volumes around the globe can also achieve reasonable levels of sales in China”.

The two-day review process, which every one of the WTO’s 155 members much undergo periodically, comes amid a volley of trade litigation between the two economic superpowers. In recent weeks the United States has slapped punitive duties on a range of Chinese goods that it says are unfairly priced or subsidized, prompting China to hit back with the first stage of trade dispute at the WTO. In the coming weeks, the WTO is due to rule on several older disputes between the two, including a high-stakes case aimed at prying open China’s huge electronic payments market for US firms like Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

Punke said the recent Chinese trade complaints formed a pattern of China “reflexively” taking legal action in return

for legitimate actions by the United States. “In our view, this type of apparently retaliatory conduct, which is specifically provided for under Chinese law, is at odds with fundamental WTO principles.” Two of the five trade cases launched by the United States against China in the last two years reflected Washington’s deep concern at such titfor-tat litigation, he said. Three disputes that arose since China joined the WTO were the result of US investigations into subsidies, and in each case China withdrew the subsidies or other policies, he said.

Punke was speaking at a closed session where China’s Assistant Minister of Commerce Yu Jianhua presented China’s trade policies and defended the country’s record. In his opening remarks, Yu said China had received more than 1,720 questions in advance from 31 members of the WTO, and planned to circulate answers to all of them by the second day of the review, which takes place today.

Punke’s long list of criticisms also included agricultural and fishing subsidies, transparency, disclosure, services, redtape and discrimination. Many of the complaints echoed the concerns aired by the European Union’s Ambassador Angelos Pangratis.

“The EU regrets to note that, despite some incremental progress in certain sectors, most of our concerns highlighted during the last review in 2010 are still pertinent today - and some have even become more acute,” Pangratis said. The EU’s main concern was transparency, such as China’s failure to fulfill a promise to translate its laws, closely followed by the failure to notify the WTO of subsidies and unfair competition from state owned enterprises. Pangratis also faulted China’s export restrictions, the subject of one recent and one current trade case.

“While we acknowledge China’s true commitment to resist protectionism during the global economic crisis, its export restrictions, such as duties and quotas, are an exception.” — Reuters

RABAT: A consortium led by Saudi International Company for Water and Power (ACWA) is close to win a contract worth at least $500 million to build a 160-megawatt concentrated solar power plant south of Morocco, an official source said yesterday. “We are going to opt for the offer made by the consortium of Acwa,” the source, familiar with the discussions about the contract, told Reuters.

The source asked not to be named pending an official announcement due later this week.

Acwa has teamed up with Spanish engineering firm Aries IS and TSK EE for the design, finance, construction, operation and maintenance of the plant near the southern city of Ouarzazate. “(Morocco’s solar energy agency) Masen will make the announcement over the weekend, either tomorrow or today. The signing ceremony will be on Saturday,” said the source. The announcement of the deal will coincide with the expected landing in Ouarzazate of solar energy plane Solar Impulse, which took off from Rabat yesterday after it completed last week the world’s first intercontinental flight powered by the sun. Officials at Masen were not immediately available for comment.

In addition to the Acwa-led consortium, two other groups have been involved in the final selection processes for the contract. They are: Abeinsa ICI, Abengoa Solar, Mitsui and Abu Dhabi National Energy Co Enel and ACS SCE. The contract for the 160-megawatt plant will be the first to be awarded by Masen under the so-called Moroccan Solar Plan that aims to attract investments worth $9 billion to produce 2 GW of solar power by 2020, which corresponds to 38 percent of the country’s current installed power generation capacity. The plan will include five power stations, two of which are located in the disputed

Western Sahara, and the other in Morocco, including Ouarzazate.

Facing an electricity demand that rises by an annual 7 percent and a gaping trade deficit from heavy reliance on fossil fuel imports, Morocco also bets renewable energies would enable it to export electricity to energy-hungry trade partner,

the European Union. Last month, Masen’s head Mustafa Bakkoury said the agency hopes to complete a 500-megawatt solar energy complex in Ouarzazate by 2015. Masen will later launch tenders to build a 50-megawatt photovoltaic module and CSP towers of at least 50 megawatts, both of which are in Ouarzazate.— Reuters

BEIJING: Chinese President Hu Jintao (right) meets India’s External Affairs Minister SM Krishna in this file photo during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. — AFP

Dell to pay dividends NEW YORK: Struggling computer maker Dell announced yesterday it will use some of its cash stockpile to pay shareholder dividends as it pursues a shift to services. Chairman and chief executive Michael Dell told CNBC television that in view of the PC maker’s cash position and a shift to a more diversified business model, “we feel confident this is a great time to return this capital to shareholders now in perpetuity.” The company will pay 32 cents per share annually, amounting to an annual expense of $560 million, from a cash stockpile of $17.2 billion.

Jon Ogg of 24/7 Wall Street said the move was long overdue and follows similar moves by tech firms like Apple and Hewlett-Packard. “Dell has been part of our technology dividend sinners for quite some time,” Ogg said. “It is now finally changing its policies and will start to unlock that shareholder value by paying a dividend to its common shareholders.” Dell shares rose 0.93 percent to $11.97 and added another 2.7 percent in after-hours trade. But the shares are down from over $30 in 2007.

The company said in a statement it was taking steps to boost shareholder value through stock buybacks and the new dividend, and would be expanding its services to be more diversified. “Dell is an end-toend solutions provider today as we continue to build out our data center, software and services capabilities,” Michael Dell said. “We have changed the conversation we’re having with our customers. We are a solutions company first, vertically focused, and creating more value for customers with innovative offerings that provide competitive advantage.”

Dell chief financial officer Brian Gladden said, “The payment of a quarterly cash dividend to Dell’s shareholders adds another element to our disciplined capital allocation strategy.” Dell, once the biggest maker of PCs, has been hurt by a shift to tablet computers. The company, which has slipped to third place in the global PC market, said last month its profit in the first fiscal quarter fell to $635 million. —AFP

ENRC on charm offensive LONDON: Kazakh miner ENRC, on a charm offensive to repair its bruised reputation, said its board and founders have settled their differences after a storm last year that prompted a major governance review.

Tensions between the trio of founder shareholders, who own almost 44 percent of ENRC shares, and some board members spilled over into a public spat last year that saw two well-known independent nonexecutive directors abruptly voted off. The two directors said they had been pushed out in a dispute over who ran the company - the board or the founders.

Sources close to the matter said at the time that one founder, Alexander Mashkevitch, had sought to become a director and possibly chairman. Chairman Mehmet Dalman, appointed to the top job in February after last year’s governance review, said the relationship with the board was working and there was no sign the founders would attempt to join their ranks.

“They trust us to get on with it,” he told analysts at a Wednesday briefing on governance, adding the founders had no role in the miner’s day-to-day operations or choice of deals.

Dalman, on a major push to shake off ENRC’s reputation for poor governance that has seen its shares underperform the sector in recent months, also told analysts he was reviewing its portfolio of assets and was not inclined to embark on new deals.

UK-listed ENRC has expanded aggressively outside its ferroalloys and Kazakh base since 2008, growing in Africa and Brazil, but Dalman said he had called a “halt” to deals while he reviews strategy. “We have no new

major plans to make acquisitions,” he said, though the company will continue to review opportunities.

Dalman had said on Tuesday the group was considering spin-offs, separate listings and joint ventures as part of plans to grow a business that has limited access to equity markets, given a freefloat of less than 20 percent. He said yesterday divestments were “incredibly possible”. “We may not be in that much of a hurry in the current market environment,” he said, adding lower valuations had brought suitors to the negotiating table. “(But) I’d be disappointed if we don’t get on with things ... I get impatient if things don’t begin to move.” Dalman again signalled the group could consider a strategic partner for its Brazilian iron ore operations, or sell non-core assets such as its stake of about 14 percent in Northam Platinum , getting out of South Africa’s troubled platinum sector after just over two years.

“Are we ever really going to become a major player in (South African platinum)? I don’t think so,” Dalman said, vowing to “really question” some of ENRC’s acquisitions. A former investment banker, Dalman led ENRC’s merger and acquisition committee through much of its overseas growth spurt and still sits on the group’s nowrenamed investment committee. Dalman said he stood by deals in Congo including the acquisition of assets expropriated from Canada’s First Quantum that damaged the group’s reputation, but acknowledged an “ugly punch-up” between the two miners could have been avoided. The two sides settled their dispute in January. — Reuters

24

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

business

Amid euro crisis, don’t worry, be Swedish STOCKHOLM: The euro crisis is biting Sweden, but for senior government officials like Thomas Olofsson there is cautious confidence the economy has the tools to fend off the worst of a gathering economic storm. “In the corridors of government there is not so much concern on our own behalf,” said Olofsson, who is head of debt management funding at the National Debt Office. “But one way or another, it’s (the euro-zone crisis) an ugly thing to look at.”

This could be mistaken for complacency.

But Sweden hopes it can trump any deepening euro angst with competitive advantages that should be the envy of embattled euro-zone nations - a floating currency, a budget surplus, and low public debt.

It is an example of the resilience of the Nordic region’s biggest economy, outside the euro-zone itself but in the European Union, that it retains a triple A credit ratings.

Looking at the potential for more trouble from the euro-zone, Olofsson said he had learnt from experience that you cannot be certain what to expect. “So the lesson is that Sweden needs to be flexible.” Ever since

Sweden’s 1992 economic implosion, which forced the government to take over several major banks after a housing bubble burst, governments have undertaken reforms to avoid similar crises, and Sweden weathered the 2008-2009 global crunch better than most.

“To be able to survive in this competitive age, you need... better education, better conditions for entrepreneurs and investors,” Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said. “We have been doing this for over 20 years.

There are risks to the country, including Sweden’s reliance on European export markets and Sweden’s relatively illiquid debt and currency markets that could spark sharp market fluctuations. And the slowdown in the vast neighboring euro-zone is already being felt. Swedish industrial orders suffered their steepest fall in two and half years in April, falling 9 percent on the year.

Swedish growth is still way down on its 4 percent of 2011.

The impact of an apocalyptic euro collapse, of course, would be anybody’s guess.

But the country is seen resilient to two oth-

er euro-zone scenarios - a contained Greek euro exit or ongoing problems with Spain and Italy that spark a deepening regional recession. Part of the reason is Sweden’s role as a global player. “As long as global trade holds up, Sweden will be fine,” said Arne Karlsson, chairman of Swedish private equity firm Ratos. “Nordic companies are generally very productive. They have increased productivity to fend off challenges from China and Latin America.”

Home to blue-chip companies like truck maker Volvo, bearings maker SKF and fashion chain Hennes & Mauritz, Sweden grew 0.8 percent in the first quarter, one of the strongest of any European economy.

Sweden’s sovereign debt is only about 38 percent of GDP. That compares with more than 80 percent for fiscally responsible poster child Germany. Norway’s GDP grew 1.1 percent, excluding the lucrative oil sector, in the first quarter. It all means the two economies have room to boost the economy is a regional recession deepens. The Swedish central bank has room to lower rates, and two deputy governors are already

pressing for cuts. Last year’s budget surplus gives the government fiscal wiggle room.

“Plan B is to borrow more,” Olofsson.

SAFE HAVEN STRAINS? Investors already see Sweden as a relative safe haven. The yield on Sweden’s benchmark 10-year government bond has hit record lows in recent months, in part driven by an increasing flight to quality. The Swedish crown has strengthened 10 percent against the euro since 2010, although it has been relatively steady this year, virtually unchanged since January. Earlier this year the Norwegian crown hit a nine-year high against the euro. Swedish government officials expect any euro-zone slow down to hit the crown, with about half of Sweden’s economy dependent on exports. In the last 2008-2009 global crunch, it steadily weakened, giving export an important boost, before then strengthening in 2011.

“We had to lay off some 2,000 workers then,” said Karlsson, referring to the slowdown in 2008-2009. “We did some calculations and found that if the crown had

stayed at the same value we would have lost between 6,000 and 8,000 jobs.” But any safe haven status could be a double-edged sword. Some analysts worry a flight to quality could see Sweden and Norway see a sharp rise is their currency, straining competitiveness and forcing them to look at some kind of a cap on currency appreciation, like Switzerland. “Even if the crown normally weakens in turbulent times, like it did in 2008, it will be imprudent to assume that this would be the case if the turmoil around the euro accelerate,” said Elisabeth Holvik, chief analyst at Sparebank 1 Gruppen. A Reuters poll showed this month that Scandinavian currencies would resume their steady appreciation over the coming year. The region’s relatively small debt and currency markets could be subject to sharp fluctuations. “Lack of liquidity in the markets could be the biggest risk for the Nordics,” said Daniel Morris, global market strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management.

“Sweden’s biggest issue is that its public debt is not big enough. “It is a safe haven, but not a useful safe haven.”— Reuters

Gold climbs above $1,610 Gold chartists eyeing $1,640/oz

ATHENS: Immigrants push a trolley with recyclable items in central Athens yesterday. — AFP

Germany warns Italy over euro-zone crisis MILAN: Germany told Italians yesterday they must keep taking Prime Minister Mario Monti’s tough economic medicine to avoid becoming the next victim of the euro-zone debt crisis after a bailout for Spain’s banks failed to calm markets. “If Italy continues along Monti’s path there will be no risks,” German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said in an interview with La Stampa daily when asked whether Rome was next in the markets’ firing line. Highlighting that peril, the euro-zone’s third biggest economy had to pay nearly 4 percent to sell oneyear treasury bills at auction yesterday, a sixmonth high, due to fears about its ability to keep servicing its debt mountain.

Italy’s 1.9 trillion euro ($2.4 trillion) public debt is equivalent to 120 percent of gross domestic product, a ratio second only to Greece. A month ago, Rome had paid just 2.34 percent on one-year paper. Schaeuble said Italy had made huge progress under Monti’s government of technocrats, which has taken austerity measures and launched pension and labor market reforms since replacing Silvio Berlusconi’s scandal-plagued administration in November.

“This is acknowledged everywhere in Europe and by the markets,” the German minister said. “I can only hope that political forces in the Italian parliament and public opinion continue to decisively back him, because the road towards a return to sustainable growth through structural reforms, improved competitiveness and a lower deficit is the right one.” Monti, whose popularity has slumped after an initial honeymoon, met the leaders of the parties backing him in parliament on Tuesday and urged them to give their unified support to help Italy through market turmoil.

In a statement, he said he was “worried by the situation of emergency” on financial mar-

kets, and had told the party chiefs that “cohesion” was needed “to overcome the critical situation and give an image of unity abroad”.

Markets calmed slightly yesterday due to expectations of further euro-zone policy action to tackle the debt crisis, but investors remain wary ahead of a general election in Greece on Sunday that could lead to the country leaving the euro area.

STRONGER INTEGRATION Greek banks have seen a marked increase in the pace of deposit withdrawals as a June 17 election, the second in two months, nears and fears grow that Athens could be forced out of the euro, senior bankers said.

Combined daily deposit outflows from the major Greek banks have reached 500-800 million euros over the past few days, with the pace picking up as the election draws closer and rising noticeably on Tuesday, two bankers said. EU officials have hinted that they would be willing to consider giving Greece more time to achieve its fiscal targets, easing the pace of austerity, provided a new government accepted the main conditions of its international assistance program.

The possibility of a victory for radical leftists who have vowed to tear up Athens’ EU/IMF bailout memorandum has driven neighboring Cyprus to the brink due to its banks’ heavy exposure to Greece. The country’s central bank governor said yesterday Cyprus was seeking the best terms for any bailout it might apply for and had other options than an EU-led rescue, an apparent reference to the possibility of seeking help from Russia and China. He declined to comment on the timing. “If we eventually apply, because it is not a given that we will apply (and) there are also other options, we will seek the best terms for the economy,” Panicos Dimitriades told reporters.— Reuters

GM chief blames weak share price on Europe DETROIT: The head of General Motors has blamed the automaker’s weak share price on the unsettled economic climate in Europe as he prepared to address an annual shareholder’s meeting. “There is a lot of uncertainty generally about the strength of a major trading partner,” chairman and chief executive Dan Akerson told reporters. The US government-which financed GM’s 2009 bankruptcystill holds roughly 32 percent of GM’s stock.

Akerson said he has no discussions with the Obama administration about the potential sale of the government’s stake.

Fixing GM’s own operations in Europe remains the company’s top priority, added Akerson, who noted GM’s European unit has succeeded in striking new labor agreements with unions in both Poland and Britain. GM’s main German union, IG Metal, has been less receptive to GM’s proposals, although negotiations continue. Its Bochum, Germany plant is thought to be the most likely target of its ongoing European restructuring effort but Akerson declined to comment on a possible closure.

“In Europe we will build our next-generation Opel Astra in two plants running three shifts, instead of operating three partially-full plants like we do today,” Akerson told about 100 shareholders gathered in the company’s

riverfront headquarters. “There also is our new alliance with Peugeot, which is designed to reduce our commodity costs and streamline logistics.” GM-which saw earnings drop to $1 billion in the first quarter from $3.2 billion a year earlier-is also continuing to move ahead with its broad cost cutting efforts throughout the company, he said. “We’re probably 25 percent of the way there,” Akerson said at a press conference, noting that GM had recently cut its advertising budget by between $200 million and $400 million.

The biggest changes will come from cutting the number of engineering platforms the company uses around the world in half by 2018, Akerson said. “I won’t put a dollar figure the savings but they will be very large,” he told shareholders. “We’ll be paying for fewer prototypes. We’ll get better pricing on material and commodities and we can share tooling designs around the world. In addition, our quality and warranty costs should improve further, we will be able to get to market faster.” The automaker also hopes to reduce its pension obligations by offering cash buyouts to workers. It has already launched a program with salaried workers and has talked to its main union about a similar program for hourly workers, Akerson said.— AFP

LONDON: Gold prices rose yesterday as a retreat in the dollar against a basket of major currencies prompted some buying, with confidence in the metal bolstered by its move above $1,600 an ounce in the previous session. Spot gold was up 0.2 percent at $1,613.30 an ounce at 0928 GMT, while US gold futures for August delivery were up 90 cents an ounce at $1,614.70. The spot price climbed as high as $1,617.40 an ounce on Tuesday as a move through key chart levels prompted fund buying.

Concerns over the outlook for the euro-zone continued to simmer after worries over Spain’s banking sector were heightened on Tuesday by a sharp rise in its borrowing costs, while Greece headed for elections this weekend that could determine its future membership of the euro-zone.

While gold has failed to react positively to elevated risk in the euro-zone, signs that economic jitters are spreading from Europe to the United States may prove supportive to prices.

The metal rallied on June 1 as poor US jobs data reignited expectations for another round of US quantitative easing, which could undermine the dollar and boost interest in gold as an alternative to volatile currencies. “(Federal Reserve Chairman Ben) Bernanke, in comments made to the Congress committee last week, seemed to be intimating that

QE was off the table,” said Citigroup analyst David Wilson. “But I wonder (whether) if Europe continues to drag, the likelihood of QE continues to grow,” he added. “That in itself should be supportive for gold.” He said he expected no further monetary stimulus before the November US elections, however. Faltering risk appetite ahead of this weekend’s Greek elections pushed European shares lower after a positive start yesterday.

On the currency markets, the euro climbed 0.25 percent, but confidence in it was fragile as fears mounted that debt contagion would spread from Spanish banks to ensnare Italy and as unease prevailed about the euro-zone before crucial Greek elections. “So far the financial aid promised to Spanish banks has failed to have its desired effect.

On the contrary, the sell-off of Spanish and indeed Italian government bonds continues,” Commerzbank said in a note. “The sovereign debt crisis can be expected to keep the markets on tenterhooks for quite some time yet and cause demand for gold to pick up again - not only among retail investors.”

NEXT BIG LEVEL From a chart perspective, gold is currently holding around its 50-day moving average, which is just above $1,613. Technical analysts identify the $1,640

an ounce are as the next big level to break for gold.

“Only a break above the current June high at 1641 will (put) the 50 percent Fibonacci retracement of this year’s decline at 1659.07 and the May high at 1672.10 in (gold’s) sights,” Commerzbank said in a note. “While below here, the outlook will stay neutral.” Kazakhstan, which last week said it planned to boost its gold reserves to 15 percent of its total gold/forex holdings, has now announced it will raise that proportion to 20 pct through the acquisition of 20 tonnes of gold from the Kazzinc mining corporation and a further 4.5 tonnes from Kazakhmys.

Kazakhstan is one of a number of countries, including Russia, Mexico, Colombia and South Korea, that have built up their official gold holdings in recent years. Most buying has been seen from Asian and emerging market central banks. Among other precious metals, silver was up 0.1 percent at $28.95 an ounce, tracking gains in gold. Spot platinum was up 0.1 percent at $1,449.24 an ounce, while spot palladium was down 0.6 percent at $616.58 an ounce. The platinum/palladium ratio, which measures the number of palladium ounces needed to buy an ounce of platinum, rose to its highest in a week on Friday at 2.34 as platinum marginally outperformed, boosted by supply fears from major producer South Africa.— Reuters

US could out-produce Saudi Arabia, Russia in oil and gas MONTREAL: The United States is seeing a dramatic surge in oil and gas production and could overtake the world’s biggest producers, Russia and Saudi Arabia, in another decade, a US official said here Tuesday. “Some of the numbers are eye-popping,” Daniel Sullivan, commissioner in Alaska’s department of natural resources, told a panel of experts at the International Economic Forum of the Americas in Montreal. In the last quarter the US produced six million barrels of conventional and unconventional oil a day, he said, adding: “We haven’t done that in 15 years.”

Since 2008, the US added 1.6 million barrels of additional oil, and in 2011, the US registered the largest increase in oil production of any country outside of OPEC, he told hundreds of participants. These figures compared to a daily output in March of about 9.923 million barrels a day by Saudi Arabia, the largest producer of the OPEC nations, and 9.920 million by Russia, according to the industry data compiler Joint Organizations Data Initiative. Sullivan said the respected consultancy, PFC Energy, had estimated that by 2020, “the US could be the largest hydrocarbon producer-that’s oil and gas in the world, overtaking Russia and Saudi Arabia.”

In Alaska alone, the potential off the coast was viewed as the largest of any country, about 40 billion barrels in conventional oil, according to the US Geological Survey. US President Barack Obama has indicated that offshore oil resources could help mitigate global disruptions in supply, and his administration has tried to craft an energy strategy that balances business interests with environmental concerns, especially in the Arctic. In November the Obama administration proposed a new plan for offshore oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Alaska, including the environmentally sensitive Arctic. But it did not open up for exploration the politically sensitive Atlantic or Pacific coastlines, or the eastern Gulf of Mexico along the Florida coast.

Unless it faces a last minute challenge, Shell

is expected to begin drilling test wells off northern Alaska in July, opening up new possibilities for oil exploration in a previously untapped, pristine environment. Sullivan argued that the benefits of the shift in energy security could be substantial, especially in terms of growth and jobs for a country where half the US trade deficit is due to imports of oil.

He said in 2010-2011, there were 600,000 jobs created in the shale oil and gas industry. But addressing the same audience, the chairman of the World Energy Council drew a more somber global picture.

Pierre Gadonneix said the economic crisis meant energy demands had slowed down, even though they were starting to grow again, and that oil prices remained high.

“Future growth is threatened by the prospect of climate change and the drain on our natural resources,” he said, adding the main challenges would be to improve the security of energy supply, to improve competitiveness and to struggle against “energy poverty.” “We must recall that more than 1.3 billion people still do not have access to electricity in developing and developed countries,” he said.

Pointing to “big accidents”, chiefly in the Gulf of Mexico where a BP oil spill in 2010 unleashed five million barrels of oil into the seas, Gadonneix urged plant operators and governments to agree on global standards for operations.

Countries struggling to become economically efficient and feed global demand for energy increases also spoke at the forum.

Iraq’s Vice President Khudier Mosa Jafer Alkhuzaie said the country’s “oil industry was the engine for the entire economy.” Iraq had huge reserves of oil-more than 103 billion barrels-along with large reserves of natural gas.

“We expect investments in this area will help us develop the oil industry in Iraq,” he said, pointing to a fiscal law adopted in 2006 that lowers obligations imposed on foreign companies and “facilitates the liberty of movement for foreigners and their capital.”— AFP

ALBERTA: A boom stretches out to contain a pipeline leak on the Gleniffer reservoir near Innisfail, Alta. Plains Midstream Canada says one of their non-functioning pipelines leaked between 1,000-3,000 barrels of sour crude near Sundre and flowed downstream in the Red Deer river to the reservoir.— AP

TMC Hybrids sales top 4 million units TOYOTA CITY: Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced that global cumulative sales of its hybrid vehicles have topped the 4 million mark as of April 30. Positioning response to environmental issues as a management priority and based on its belief that environment-friendly vehicles can only truly have a positive impact if they are used widely, TMC has endeavored to promote the mass-market adoption of hybrid vehicles.

In 1997 in Japan, TMC launched the “Coaster Hybrid EV” in August and launched the “Prius”-the world’s first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle-in December. Sales of the Prius began in North America, Europe and elsewhere in 2000. Next came the second-generation Prius in 2003 and the expanded use of TMC’s hybrid system on such vehicles as minivans, SUVs, rear-wheel-drive sedans and compact hatchbacks. In particular, the third-generation Prius launched in May 2009 received strong support from customers around the world, leading to global cumulative sales of TMC’s hybrid vehicles topping 3 million vehicles by the end of February 2011.

Since then, new models such as the Prius Alpha and the “Aqua” have been launched. TMC currently sells 19 hybrid, passenger vehicle models in approximately 80 countries and regions around the world.

This year, hybrid vehicles have accounted for 15% of TMC’s global vehicle sales. With the upcoming “Yaris Hybrid” scheduled for launch in Europe and the Lexus “ES 300h” for the United States, TMC is committed to augmenting its product lineup even further and increasing the number of countries and regions in which it sells hybrid vehicles.

As of April 30, 2012, TMC calculates that TMC hybrid vehicles, since 1997, have led to approximately 26 million fewer tons of CO2 emissions considered to be a cause of climate change-than would have been emitted by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance. Having positioned hybrid technologies-consisting of the component technologies necessary for development of various environment-friendly cars-as key technologies, TMC plans to continue working to further raise performance, reduce costs, and expand its product lineup, including that of non-hybrid environmentfriendly vehicles, to create vehicles that are popular with consumers.

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

business

Ford makes big investment in Louisville Automaker launches new Escape LOUISVILLE: Ford has transformed a nearly 60-year-old assembly plant into the new home of the redesigned Escape, its entry in the ultra-competitive small SUV category.

And it’s bolstered the workforce to make the vehicle. Ford Motor Co invested $600 million to revamp its Louisville Assembly Plant, which features a new body, paint and trim assembly lines. The plant produced Ford Explorers from the early 1990s until late 2010. Yesterday, the plant celebrated the launch of the new Escape, which goes on sale this month.

The plant’s hourly workforce will swell to about 4,200 once a third shift is added this fall, the company said. As a spinoff, suppliers are adding more than 900 jobs in support of Escape production, Ford said.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer calls it a “generational type of investment” by the automaker. “It’s a wonderful shot in the arm for our economy,” he said. Many of the jobs were filled by incumbent Ford workers in Louisville or from places where factories closed or downsized. But some 18,000

applicants scrambled for about 1,800 new jobs at the plant; those jobs have since been filled.

Once the third shift cranks up, the Louisville plant will rank among the largest workforces at Ford’s domestic assembly plants. The plant’s wage scale ranges from nearly $16 per hour for new hires to about $28 per hour for the most skilled workers.

That work force had shrunk to about 1,100 when the last Explorers rolled off the assembly line at the Louisville plant in late 2010. Production of that mid-size SUV has shifted to a Chicago plant. Some employees thought they had pulled their last shifts at the Louisville plant when it was idled. “When we went down, there were a lot of people who didn’t believe we’d ever retool,” said Steven M. Stone, the UAW chairman for the Louisville Assembly Plant.

Now, the remodeled plant is touted as the most flexible in Ford’s domestic assembly chain, capable of producing up to six different models at the same time. It can build small, medium or large vehicles, but

Ford officials haven’t discussed any other models for the plant. “We’re putting that flexibility in for a reason, to take advantage of it in the future,” said Jim Tetreault, Ford’s vice president of North America Manufacturing. The plant, which first opened in 1955, will be the model for future renovations of other Ford plants, he said. “Our whole idea is to maximize capacity, because we’re going to run them on all three shifts, which we didn’t do years ago, and be able to produce multiple vehicles,” Tetreault said. Employees see the plant’s versatility as a plus for job security, Stone said. “That will give us a lot of opportunity to change with the market,” he said. “That’s the good part for job security. But I don’t anticipate any time soon that we’ll be building anything but the Escape.” Ford will get $240 million in tax incentives from state and local governments over the next decade for the plant’s renovations.

Across town, the Kentucky Truck Plant in eastern Louisville employs about 4,000

people. The facility makes F-series Super Duty pickups as well as the Expedition and Navigator sport utility vehicles. Once the third shift is added at LAP, Ford’s employment will surpass 8,000 in Louisville - where the company has been making vehicles since 1913. Only the Detroit area will have more assembly line workers than Louisville, Tetreault said.

Nationally, Ford has added more than 5,200 hourly jobs this year - nearly half the 12,000 new hires Ford has said will be added by 2015. “We’ll pass the mark well before 2015,” Tetreault said.

Ford isn’t the only major manufacturer to add jobs in Louisville. So far this year, General Electric has hired more than 1,000 workers to handle production of a hybrid water heater and bottom freezer refrigerators at its sprawling Appliance Park in Kentucky’s largest city. The company plans to start a second shift in its refrigerator factory later this summer, creating more jobs. GE also says preparations are under way to open another plant at

Appliance Park to make front load washing machines and matching dryers in early 2013. GE said it expects to create hundreds of new jobs from introducing new laundry products within the next year, including investments in its top load washers.

In Kentucky, manufacturing accounts for about one of every 10 jobs, down from about two in 10 jobs in the early 1990s, said University of Kentucky economics professor Ken Troske. “We’re never going to return to that,” he said. “Will manufacturing employment kind of stabilize?

Maybe. Will it grow? Maybe just a little.”

The unemployment rate in Jefferson County, which includes Louisville, was 8.1 percent in April, down from 9.8 percent a year earlier. Fischer said he’s seeing broader signs that employers are making investments and expanding work forces. “We’re not back into the glory days, and we all know now in retrospect those were overheated,” he said. “But we’re having a slow comeback out of the recession.”— AP

Small could be beautiful for stock market debuts Liquidity, protection for investors key concerns

Ford’s ‘Active Park Assist’ takes all parking stress KUWAIT: If proof was needed that parallel parking drives motorists to distraction, the success of Ford’s Active Park Assist feature in Europe and Nor th America makes the point loud and clear.

The technology has also been introduced in the Middle East on the new Ford Explorer and Focus models, and is already gathering the kind of popularity in the region which has seen Ford triple production levels for the technology to meet the demand in Europe alone.

“Ford’s Active Park Assist takes all the stress out of parking,” said Ford engineer Kay Muller. “At the touch of a button, it enables you to park in the smallest of spaces, while at the same time reducing the risk of accidental damage to your vehicle and those surrounding it.”

The technology calculates the optimal steering angle and quickly steers the vehicle hands free into a parking spot, making parallel parking a stress free maneuver. Active Park Assist is available in the Middle East on the Ford Focus, Taurus SHO, Explorer, Flex, Lincoln MKS and MKT. A third of European drivers surveyed

by Ford last year said they struggled to parallel-park. And with more cars appearing on the Middle East region’s roads each year, congestion is beginning to become more of a problem, which can make finding parking more difficult.

“We’re seeing growing interest in this technology in the Middle East as well,” said Hussein Murad, Sales director of Ford Middle East. “Finding a parking space in many Middle Eastern cities is becoming more challenging, and people want to take care of their vehicles and those of others, which is where an innovation like Active Park Assist comes in.

We expect to see more customers asking for it on their Ford vehicles in the future.”

ACTIVE PARK ASSIST The driver activates the system by pressing a button, which activates the ultrasonic sensors to measure and identify a feasible parallel parking space. The system then prompts the driver to accept the system assistance to park.

The system then takes over and steers the car into the parking space handsfree. The driver still operates the gears and the accelerator and brake pedals. A visual and/or audible interface advises the driver about the proximity of other cars, objects and people and provides instructions.

While the steering is all done automatically, the driver remains responsible for safe parking and can interrupt the system by grasping the steering wheel.

Please click the link for a video demonstration of Active Park Assist http://youtube/AXZU6CQz4sw

LONDON: When British vacuum technology firm Edwards tried to launch on the London stock market last year by selling just over one third of its shares, choppy markets forced the company to pull its debut at the last minute. Undeterred, Edwards headed for the United States where more relaxed regulations allowed the company to shrink the size of the stake it offered investors to 12 percent. Last month, it floated in New York raising a less ambitious $100 million, rather than the 350 million-450 million pounds ($544-$622 million) originally planned for London. Fee-hungry investment bankers would like to try shrinking the size of initial public offerings (IPOs) in Europe to revive a major source of their income that is shrinking fast. But two things stand in their way: regulators that set a minimum IPO size and investors who need persuading that small equity sales are in their interests too. Bankers say the US trend of companies selling a smaller stake at the time they join the stock market has helped keep IPO activity flowing there despite difficult markets, as sellers are willing to let their shares go more cheaply. “In the US IPO discounts are high, around 30 to 50 percent. But issuers are tolerating those discounts as they are doing very small deals,” an equity capital markets (ECM) banker said. The amount raised from US IPOs is up 35 percent year-to-date on the same period last year, according to Thomson Reuters data.

While the amount raised is boosted by Facebook’s bumper $16 billion debut, the total number of IPOs is 17.5 percent higher than a year ago.

In contrast, European IPO proceeds have tumbled 78 percent. Companies are reluctant to launch equity offerings for fear of having to sell large chunks of their stock cheaply into markets spooked by the euro zone debt crisis. “We need to see if we can do smaller issues in Europe,” said a second London-based ECM banker. However con-

cerns about liquidity and corporate governance have led most European stock exchanges to require companies to sell at least 25 percent of their stock when they list, in contrast to the less prescriptive US rules. The minimum free float, the proportion of a company’s shares freely available to trade, is aimed at protecting investors. A larger free float means a stock is easier to trade and ensures the company has a more diverse group of shareholders.

ROOM FOR MANOEUVRE “Europe should reduce the levels,” said the first banker. “If people want to float with less than 25 percent, and investors want to buy it, then they should be able to.” Waivers are given in some cases, usually for large firms where regulators do not consider liquidity would be compromised. In March, Dutch cable company Ziggo was allowed to offer a stake of up to 20.1 percent in Amsterdam, although it increased this to 25 percent due to strong demand.

Investors have suggested German chemicals company Evonik cut the size of its planned Frankfurt listing to help salvage its prospects of getting it done in rocky markets. “There is scope to experiment (on IPO size) but it will be driven by investor appetite,” said Robert Darwin, a corporate finance lawyer at Withers. So far, that appetite seems fairly limited. “Sales of smaller stakes possibly could get the market moving again but the downside to that is if you haven’t got a big free float, share prices can end up pretty volatile and that is a red flag for most investors,” said Paul Mumford at Cavendish Asset Management.

“If I was looking at a company that had a very small free float ... I would always have at the back of my mind that it could float more of those shares in the future. I’d worry about rushing in first time

around in case I could get them cheaper second time around, unless it was a cracking proposition.”

An investor push for companies to require higher free floats to enter the prestigious FTSE UK indices in London saw the FTSE Group up the minimum to 25 percent from the start of 2012. It also said it would take fresh soundings on whether to raise the free float further. As well as the risk of getting stuck in an illiquid stock, which has at times been an issue on London’s Alternative Investment Market where there is no free float rule, corporate governance has been a key concern in London.

This is particularly with some large, foreignowned resources firms such as Kazak miner ENRC, where ownership tends to be concentrated among a small number of powerful individuals. The Association of British Insurers and the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF), whose members account for a large proportion of investment in the UK stock market, have complained some of these firms offer poor safeguards for minority investors, which include millions of Britons investing their retirement savings in funds that track major indices.

“We have witnessed many companies listing in London in recent years which don’t have any real connection with the UK ... In many cases, the businesses have proven to be highly cyclical, often having limited free floats, and some have caused us serious corporate governance concerns,” said Euan Stirling, Investment Director at Standard Life.

“We worry that this trend actually reduces the attractiveness of the UK market from an investor’s perspective as it introduces a higher degree of volatility of returns and can cause reputational concerns.” For London, at least, the long-term protection of its reputation as a financial centre is likely to take precedence over the current lull in IPO activity.— Reuters

First Porsche Service Clinic Tissot T-10 shows its pure elegance KUWAIT: The beauty of this magnificent timepiece lies within its details. The Tissot T-10, a nod to the T-Collection of 1999 through its numbered name, conveys pure elegance with a contemporary touch through its smooth and straight lines following the wrist’s natural curve, taking pride in its T-shaped outer case. The heart of the dial is patterned with Parisian charm through “clous de Paris” which are perfectly complemented by surrounding dots among the modern indices, providing it with that little extra “je ne sais quoi” (something). For those looking for an additional “soupÁon” (drop) of sophistication, a mother-of-pearl dial version, enriched by stunning diamonds, might be

the one for you. You will feel right at home walking down the charming streets of the fashion Capital of the world with this splendid timepiece on your wrist.

From black to light In this case, elegance is presented in different forms but maintains its shape. The silhouette and its sumptuousness remain while many options are made available such as a black or white dial, a bicolour option for those distinguished women or even a mother-of-pearl dial with sparkling jewels surrounding it for a hint of glamour. This stunning piece is set on a stainless steel bracelet and is perfect for any occasion, conveying style and class wherever you go.

KUWAIT: Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, celebrated the official inauguration of its new state-of-the-art Service Centre located in Al Rai with a special event for its customers. To highlight the newly extended facility’s features, Porsche Centre Kuwait held a Service Clinic over two days on the 7th and 8th of June. The new workshop extension features an additional 12 work bays with all the necessary and most advanced equipment, as well as After Sales online systems. Customers benefit from two Direct Dialogue bays, where a Porsche-trained technician can assess vehicles and highlight and explain any necessary work to a vehicle owner before it commences. The facility also includes a separated engine and

gearbox repair area, as well as a special tools area. For the convenient arrival of visitors, a large parking area is located directly in front of the Service Centre. Porsche Centre Kuwait’s dedication to outstanding customer service can be seen when entering the modern and luxurious waiting lounge, featuring comfortable seating, a dedicated espresso bar, and an exhibition of Porsche Design Drivers Selection items. During the first Porsche Service Clinic held in the new facility, customers were able to benefit from an all-round 24point check up and an exclusive 20 percent discount on Porsche Design Driver’s Selection and equipment items.

Commenting on the new service facility, Callum Bottomley, After Sales Manager at Porsche

Centre Kuwait, stated: “We realize that our success is determined by the quality of our service and endeavoring to constantly exceed expectations.

Our newly extended, fully compliant Porsche Service Centre is a live testimony; it is dedicated to serving our customers in the most efficient and convenient way.”

He added: “We hosted 100 guests during our first Service Clinic here in this new facility, which is a fantastic result and shows the interest of our clients. Porsche Centre Kuwait has made another step towards an unparalleled nature of the Porsche ownership experience.” For more information about the Porsche model range or to book a service appointment, please call 1 888 911 or visit the Porsche Centre Showroom in Al Rai.

26

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

business

Credit Suisse initiates coverage on NBK with a Buy KUWAIT: Credit Suisse has initiated coverage on National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) with a Buy recommendation and a target price of KD 1.200, with an upside potential of 15.4% from the current traded levels. “We like the bank’s conservative growth strategy amid challenging economic and political conditions,” said Credit Suisse in a research note to private banking

clients entitled Growth with Stability.

“Being the industry leader in Kuwait, the bank is well positioned to exploit growth opportunities in its primary segments.”

Credit Suisse added: “We remain positive on the bank’s operating performance due to its market- leading position in the Corporate, Retail and Private Banking divisions with a mar-

“ We view NBK’s conservative growth strategy positively, especially due to rising risk aversion globally”, said Credit Suisse. Expansion into Islamic banking and technology advancement appear enticing.” NBK enjoys the highest credit ratings of all banks in the Middle East and North Africa region by the major international rating agencies: Moody’s, Standard

ket share in excess of 30% in all business sectors.” Credit Suisse stressed that NBK’s strong balance sheet provides much needed stability. As of 31 December 2011, the group’s total capital adequacy ratio was 18.3% against the regulatory requirement of 12%.

The loan book also remains solid with asset quality indicators significantly healthier than sector averages.

& Poor’s and Fitch Ratings. In their latest reports, the three rating agencies affirmed NBK’s credit ratings with a stable outlook.

This year, NBK moved up 14 positions to rank 33 among the 50 safest banks in the world. NBK is the only Arab bank to be listed among the world’s 50 safest banks five times in a row.

US Verizon hikes data fees in pricing revamp Stock hits 52-week high at $42.95

The new BMW X6 arrives in Kuwait KUWAIT: The BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe defined a new market segment when it was launched in 2008, and has now been upgraded with the new model which is currently available at Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive showroom in Kuwait. More than 150,000 X6 vehicles have been sold worldwide in just three years - proving the popularity of this unique vehicle which has set a trend in the automotive industry. The new BMW X6 includes a number of exterior changes, enhancing the athletic appearance of BMW’s original Sports Activity CoupÈ for the customer’s benefit. A revised front end with a wider chrome frame and revised bars on the large kidney grille and foglights, set towards the edge of the car, highlight its wide track and stable road-holding.

As an alternative to the standard bixenon lights, Adaptive LED headlights - a modern interpretation of BMW’s twin circular headlights - are now available as an option complementing the new front end. At the rear is a revised red light cluster, enhancing the lines of the car with two horizontal LED Glowing Bars, further emphasizing the width of the vehicle. In addition, a raised powerdome bonnet appears on the new X6 giving the car a more aggressive and sportier look.

A host of new color and trim options are available including three new metallic paint colors: Marrakech Brown, Orion Silver and Midnight Blue - and two new upholstery trims: Ivory White Exclusive Nappa Leather and Vermillion Red Nevada leather. This new look BMW X6 is completed with bi-color double spoke design 19 or 20 inch alloy wheels.

With the market launch of the new BMW X6, the combination of sporty elegance of a large BMW CoupÈ with the power ful presence of an X model is raised to a new level. All new BMW X6 models also make use of BMW ’s EfficientDynamics technology innovations that make the car more agile and economical. The petrol engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology available for the BMW X6 deliver impressive pulling power and low fuel consumption figures. The V8 engine of the BMW X6 xDrive50i delivers 407 hp, while in the BMW X6 xDrive35i an in-line 6-cylinder petrol engine with 306 hp. Engine power in both models is transferred by means of a standard 8-speed sports transmission including shift paddles on the wheel.

Offering even greater performance, BMW M GmbH, the specialists for highperformance sports cars, will also introduce the BMW X6M. Powered by a V8 TwinPower Turbo engine, the new BMW X6M delivers 555 hp in addition to receiving styling changes such as

Aluminum brake calipers in metallic blue with M logo. It also becomes the first BMW M model to include Adaptive LED Headlights as standard and gains a Powerdome bonnet enhancing its athletic stance.

Its attractive equipment package includes 20-inch M light alloy wheels in double spoke design and bi-color finish with mixed tyres, adaptive LED headlamps, BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line, black surrounds for the fog lights and M door sill cover strips. The striking accentuations for the exterior are supplemented with a sporty interior ambience. Features here include the sports seats with electrical adjustment and memory function, M specific Merino leather in a new Mugello red or black with contrast stitching, M leather steering wheel with shift paddles, M driver footrest, stainless steel pedals, interior strips in Aluminum Flywheel black and the BMW Individual roof liner in anthracite.

Dynamic Performance Control is a standard feature in all versions of the BMW X6 as an element of the intelligent all-wheel drive system xDrive. This gives greater precision to the electronically controlled power distribution to optimize driving stability, traction and dynamic performance. There are also numerous BMW ConnectedDrive optional driver assistance technology features for enhanced comfort and safety in the new BMW X6, including: rear-view camera; Surround View; Lane Departure warning and BMW Park Assistant. In addition, the new BMW X6 comes with a full color Head-Up Display which projects driving-related information onto the windscreen within the driver’s direct field of view.

Commenting on the launch, Yousef Al-Qatami, General Manager of Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive, said: “The BMW X6 Sports Activity CoupÈ has proved to be one of the most popular models for the brand ever since its launch in 2008. This success is testament to the leading and progressive nature of the BMW brand. Our discerning customers are successful, confident individuals who desire to buy into strong powerful brands that offer luxury, safety, reliability and innovation. The X6 delivers on all these attributes.”

BMW’s X range of vehicles come with a proven track record of success that was created by the X5 model - launched in 2000 - which established a new segment for premium Sports Activity Vehicles. The X5 has made a significant contribution to over 1.3 million BMW X range vehicles sold in the world to date. Due to the model’s success, the X model family has expanded to include four distinctive models: BMW X6, X5, X3 and the X1.

NEW YORK: Verizon Wireless is undertaking a massive overhaul of its prices by raising fees for data services like mobile web surfing while offering unlimited calls and texts, as it aims to increase data revenue and protect its older business lines. The biggest US mobile operator is also letting customers use their data allowance for multiple devices in the hope of enticing them to connect more gadgets, like tablet computers to its network with the new plans as customers will now be able to avoid paying for separate data subscriptions for each device.

While the new plans, available June 28, should boost Verizon Wireless revenue over time, many of its existing customers may be hesitant about adopting the new service plans, analysts said. “It looks like it’s good for people who are real heavy voice and messaging users,” said Pacific Crest analyst Steve Clement. “For folks who don’t care about voice and messaging, I don’t think the plans are that good because they force you to pay a bit more for unlimited quantities of something you don’t want.”

For a customer with one smartphone who does not currently pay for unlimited calling, they would have to pay $10 a month more under the new plan, for a package with the same amount of data, increasing their fee to $100 a month. But a family with two smartphones that already pays for unlimited phone calls would save $60 a month, bringing their fee down to $150. While the venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group Plc had signaled for about a year that it would develop shared data plans, it had not given any details of the pricing overhaul until Tuesday.

Sanford C Bernstein & Co analyst Craig Moffett described the Verizon revamp as “the most profound change to pricing the telecom industry has seen in 20 years” but, others including consumer advocacy groups said the operator should go back to the drawing board if it is to appeal to consumers. By including unlimited voice and texts in all plans, Verizon Wireless aims to avoid a revenue fallout as consumers have been moving away from text messaging and phone calls, the most profitable of mobile services.

FBR analyst David Dixon said some customers will be slow to switch to the new service but he expects a revenue increase from the new pricing once consumers add new devices and use more and more mobile data, through services such as video streaming. “It’s clearly a tick upward on data pricing. That’s good news for investors. That’s where the growth is,” said Dixon, who believes the new plans will have strong appeal to subscribers with family plans at Verizon Wireless. Verizon’s stock reached a fresh 52-week high at $42.95 on Tuesday and closed at just a penny below that level - up 38 cents, or 0.9 percent, at $42.94 in NYSE trade.

Analysts expect No 2 US mobile provider AT&T Inc to soon follow Verizon’s footsteps with a similar pricing change. AT&T executives have said they would move to shared data plans, but have not disclosed timing.

AT&T declined to comment on the Verizon plan. Bernstein’s Moffett sees shared data consolidating market domination among AT&T and Verizon as smaller rivals Sprint Nextel, the No 3 US mobile provider and T-Mobile USA, a unit of Deutsche Telecom, may not be able to react.

Analysts see the new pricing appealing to family plan subscribers that already pay for multiple devices. It would help particularly in families where data and voice usage varies widely between different family members. “In a world where incentives for families favor concentrating around a single provider, the biggest providers win,” Moffett said in a research note, adding that “Sprint doesn’t stand a chance.”

FLEXIBILITY, REVENUE GROWTH Verizon sees the new price structure boosting its revenue as it expects the shared plans to encourage consumers to connect more devices to its network than just smartphones.

Analysts have long called for shared data plans because today most consumers do not choose tablets with cellular connections as they prefer to stick to more limited-range WiFi wireless networks rather than pay a second cellular data fee. Even though Verizon’s new pricing involves a higher fee per gigabyte of data, it hopes that the inclusion of unlimited voice and texting and the shared data will make the plans popular.

“What I’m doing is giving you the flexibility to share the data you’ve paid for,” Chief Marketing Officer Tami Erwin told Reuters.

“Customers who are using more than one device will very quickly see the value in this.”

Today, for example, many customers have to pay extra for going over their data allowance on their tablet even though they may not have used their full smartphone data allowance. With a shared plan this would not be an issue, Erwin said. “This is really intended to drive growth. My expectation is it doesn’t change our margins,” she said. — Reuters

ABK launches service for credit cardholders

Stewart Lockie

KUWAIT: Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait is proud to announce the launch of a new service exclusively for ABK credit cardholders to facilitate travel insurance through its call center ‘Ahlan Ahli’. ABK Emirates Gold, Titanium, Platinum and World MasterCard credit cardholders receive complimentary Travel Insurance when purchasing tickets using their credit cards. With the launch of this new service now the call center will happily process the

paperwork related to the issuance of the Travel Insurance Certificate.

Stewart Lockie, General Manager of the Retail Division commented, “As the travel season fast approaches, many of our credit cardholders will be organizing their travel, including requirements for visit visas. Some countries require the applicant to provide proof of Travel Insurance, like for the Schengen visa in Europe. For ABK Emirates Gold, Titanium, Platinum and World card-

holders we provide free Travel Insurance through Chartis Memsa Insurance Company.”

Lockie added “with the new service in place, all the customer needs to do is purchase his flight ticket using one of the above cards and call Ahlan Ahli 1 899 899 to request for his free Travel Insurance Certificate”. For more details and to apply for ABK cards, please visit any ABK branch or call Ahlan Ahli 1899 899.

Chevrolet’s Crazy Prices KUWAIT: Yusuf Ahmed Alghanim & Sons Automotive, the exclusive distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in Kuwait, is pleased to announce the return of the Craz y Prices campaign on all Chevrolet vehicles for a limited period only.

Customers have been anticipating the fantastic promotions and special packages that are offered on all Chevrolet vehicles. The launch of the crazy prices campaign gives each customer a great value for money upon the purchasing of a new Chevrolet vehicle. With a spacious interior that comfortably seats eight passengers, the Chevrolet Traverse has attracted the attention of visitors as it the quintessential family car that possesses strong performance due to its 3.6L, V6 engine with 281 HP that is balanced with its five-star frontal and side-impact crash test rating.

Moreover, having three rows of airbags, rear ultrasonic parking assist, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with a traction control system makes the Chevrolet Traverse the ultimate choice for 360-degree safety. Speed-loving adrenaline seekers do not have to look further than the breathtaking Chevrolet Camaro. The Camaro is available in two variants, a powerful 6.2L V8 automatic transmission pumping out 426 hp and an impressive 3.6L direct injection V6 engine that sports a 6-speed automatic transmission that pumps out a remarkable 312 hp.

Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Automotive service center will add the finishing touch to the ownership experience with high-quality after-sales services. With the world’s biggest and most advanced automotive service center, customers need not worry about their service and maintenance needs.

Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons guarantees continuous exclusive promotions by introducing the latest vehicles at competitive prices to meet the needs and desires of their customers who wish to own vehicles celebrated for unparalleled quality, technological advances and world-class design and performance. Don’t miss this chance and visit Yusuf A.Alghanim & Sons showrooms in Al Rai, Shuwaikh, Fahaheel and Sharq to get your favorite Chevrolet vehicle at the best price!

Gulf Bank’s CEO and CGM named ‘Banker of the Year’ KUWAIT: Gulf Bank announced that its Chief Executive Officer and Chief General Manager, Michel Accad has been named the ‘Banker of the Year’ by the region’s leading banking industry magazine ‘Banker Middle East’. The Banker Middle East awards ceremony was held in Dubai on 12th June, 2012 at the Emirates Towers Hotel. Michel Accad, CEO and CGM at Gulf Bank, said: “I am honored to receive this coveted award, which reflects the dedication and efforts of the entire Gulf Bank team. It is a reward for our commitment to deliver excellent banking services that are unparalleled in the industry. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Chairman, Mahmoud AlNouri, and the Board of Directors for their stewardship, as well as every Gulf Bank employee for their tireless efforts in ensuring we deliver the best and fastest banking services in Kuwait. We are proud to have won this title by such a wellregarded publication as The Banker Middle East.”

Congratulating Mr. Accad on his award, Mr. Mahmoud Al-Nouri, Gulf Bank’s Chairman, said: “So far, 2012 is turning out to be a stellar year with major award wins for Gulf Bank. It’s gratifying to see the industry experts agree that our overall banking strategy has consistently delivered outstanding results to our loyal customers, our highly dedicated employ-

ees, and to the community as a whole.

This success came about through effective leadership and focused strategic planning and I congratulate Accad on his contribution towards making Gulf Bank a success.

Gulf Bank has established itself as a market leader in product and service delivery and innovation, and we are taking firm steps to continue strengthening our position as Kuwait’s preferred local bank.” The announcement was made during the awards gala dinner and ceremony where international and regional senior bankers, executives and economists of the financial and banking sector attended. Award winners were chosen by a judging panel of international industry experts from companies such as rating agencies as well as from some of the region’s financial centers. The prestigious Banker Middle East Awards, which are held each year, recognize businesses in the region that have outclassed in providing exceptional levels of customer service and innovation across a range of sectors, from basic banking products to high-end investment services. They were established to set the highest benchmarks for the industry. The award’s panel of judges nominates banks and financial organizations that have shown outstanding improvement and success over the past 12 months.

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

TECHNOLOGY

.baby, .miami among 2,000 potential new web domains LONDON: Move over .com-it might have to compete with suffixes such as .music, .miami and .insurance after the body in charge of website domain names unveils some 2,000 applications for new ones yesterday. The USbased Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) was to reveal details of 1,930 requests for new web address endings at a press conference in London.

The California-based body says the huge expansion of the Internet, with

two billion users around the world, half of them in Asia, means the new names are essential. There are currently just 22 generic Top-Level Domains, or gTLDs, in use, including .com.

Ahead of the release of the list, ICANN said nearly half of the applications came from US-based organizations.

A total of 911 organizations from Nor th America paid the $185,000 (150,000 euro) fee to lodge an application, along with 675 from Europe and 303 from the Asia-Pacific region. Just

17 applications for new suffixes were received from African applicants, while 24 requests came from Latin America and the Caribbean. ICANN said 66 of the proposals were linked to geographical locations- such as .nyc, .miami and .paris-while others relate to industries, such as .insurance.

The body also revealed that 116 of the claims are for what it termed “internationalised domain names” addresses that are not in the Latin alphabet.

“That means that if you’re a person living in China or in somewhere in India then you might have the opportunity to use the Internet purely in your native script,” ICANN’s president and chief executive, Rod Beckstrom, told the BBC. “It’s going to make the Internet more approachable for people.” ICANN began taking applications in January, and expects the first new address to go live between April and June 2013.

On top of the registration fees, main-

taining a suffix will cost $25,000 annually. ICANN has raised $352 million in application fees. ICM Registry, which runs the freshly established gTLD .xxx, hopes to add other online red-light districts. Google has applied for .YouTube, for its video-sharing website, and .lol-Internet slang for “laugh out loud”-along with .google. Dubaibased web hosting firm Directi, meanwhile, has spent around $30 million applying for new domains, including .law, .bank and .doctor.— AFP

Summit-Experts warn of shortage of US cyber Moss sees no short-term solution

SAN FRANCISCO: Apple’s Scott Forstall talks about using Facebook at the Apple Developers Conference in San Francisco Monday. Fresh off a disappointing initial public offering, Facebook got a big boost from Apple, which is building the social network deep into its iPhone and iPad software. —AP

Apple kicks Google Maps off iPhone, adds Facebook SAN FRANCISCO: Steve Jobs’ vendetta against Google remains alive, eight months after the Apple co-founder died feeling betrayed by a company he once embraced as an ally. Apple is escalating the feud between two of the world’s most influential companies by dumping Google’s mapping service as a built-in feature on most iPhones and iPads. Apple is also making it easier for users of those devices to share their lives on Facebook instead of Google’s competing social network.

The snubs are part of an upgraded mobile operating system that Apple previewed Monday to kick off its 23rd annual developers conference in San Francisco.

Google’s mapping service will be replaced by an Apple-designed alternative when the new software for mobile devices, iOS 6, is released this fall. Those who want to continue using Google Maps will have to go through additional hurdle, such as finding and installing its app.

It represents a major blow for Google Inc., which stands to lose mobile advertising revenue and valuable insights about people’s whereabouts if users of the popular iPhone and iPad devices switch to Apple’s mapping service. Apple and Google are locked in a fight for the attention of hundreds of millions of mobile device users. The battle has been building since Google’s 2008 release of its Android operating system to compete against the iPhone.

Android smartphones from companies such as Samsung Electronics Co. and Google’s own Motorola division are the chief alternatives to the iPhone. Apple has sued those manufacturers, accusing them of ripping off the iPhone’s ground-breaking features. Google’s Maps application has resided on the iPhone since the device’s 2007 debut. At that time, the companies were so close that Eric Schmidt, then Google’s CEO, appeared on stage with Jobs to hail their kinship.

Android destroyed the relationship.

Before he died last October, Jobs told his biographer, Walter Isaacson, that he viewed Android as a form of “grand theft” from Apple and declared “thermonuclear war” against his former ally. “This is a slap in Google’s face,” said Tim Bajarin, a Creative Strategies analyst who got to know Jobs well during his 32 years following the company. “I don’t think Apple is ever going to be able to bury Android, but this is making it clear that they aren’t going to send any more ad revenue Google’s way, if at all possible.” Apple updates its iOS software every year, to coincide with the launch of a new iPhone. Google is scheduled to show off the latest developments in Android at a conference that will be held at the same San Francisco venue beginning June 27. In a statement Monday, Google said it is “looking forward to continuing to build the perfect map for our users in the months and years ahead.” In anticipation of Apple’s announcement, Google last week pre-

viewed a series of upgrades to its mapping service in an effort to make it more convenient and compelling.

In another jab at Google, Apple also said it’s building Facebook into iOS 6. That threatens to make it more difficult for Google to drive traffic to its Google Plus social network, a high priority for the company. As it is, Google has more than 170 million users while Facebook has more than 900 million users. Among other things, users of Apple’s new software will be able to update their Facebook status by talking to their phones and declare that they “like” movies and apps in Apple’s iTunes store.

The tie-in with Apple’s mobile devices could be a boon for Facebook Inc., based on the usage of Twitter since that online messaging service became part of the current mobile system, iOS 5. Apple says more than 10 billion tweets have been sent from its mobile devices since last year’s upgrade to iOS 5. Facebook, though, has warned investors that it still hasn’t figured out how to make a lot of money from mobile devices, where so far it has proven more difficult to bring in as much ad revenue as on traditional computers.

The iOS 6 also will highlight more features from online business review service Yelp Inc. and online restaurant reservation service OpenTable Inc. Both of those companies are competing against Zagat, a review service that Google bought last year for $151 million. Besides the upcoming iOS, Apple also showed off updated laptops and new features in its software for Mac computers. Investors appeared to be expecting something more revolutionary, such as more hints about Apple’s ambition to expand into making TVs. Analysts had speculated that Apple would at least update the software on the Apple TV, a small box that connects a TV set to iTunes for movie downloads, as a prelude to perhaps launching a fully integrated TV set.

Apple Inc. shares closed down $9.15, or 1.6 percent, at $571.17. Google shares shed $11.95, or more than 2 percent, to close at $568.50. Apple CEO Tim Cook delivered the keynote Monday at an event that last year turned out to be Jobs’ farewell appearance.

In a contrast to Jobs’ showmanship, Cook spoke only briefly during a nearly two-hour presentation orchestrated by his top lieutenants.

Among other updates in iOS 6, Apple’s voice-command application Siri will add a host of languages, including Spanish, Korean and Mandarin Chinese. “She” will also be able to launch applications and movies and will run on iPads for the first time. Apple’s new version of its Mac operating system, Mountain Lion, will go on sale next month for $20. The update brings features from Apple’s phone and tablet software to the Mac. That includes the iMessage texting application, which will replace iChat.— AP

NEW YORK: Leading cyber experts warned of a shortage of talented computer security experts in the United States, making it difficult to protect corporate and government networks at a time when attacks are on the rise. Symantec Corp Chief Executive Enrique Salem told the Reuters Media and Technology Summit in New York that his company was working with the US military, other government agencies and universities to help develop new programs to train security professionals.

“We don’t have enough security professionals and that’s a big issue. What I would tell you is it’s going to be a bigger issue from a national security perspective than people realize,” he said on Tuesday.

Jeff Moss, a prominent hacking expert who sits on the US Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council, said that it was difficult to persuade talented people with technical

skills to enter the field because it can be a thankless task.

“If you really look at security, it’s like trying to prove a negative.

If you do security well, nobody comes and says ‘good job.’ You only get called when things go wrong.”

The warnings come at a time when the security industry is under fire for failing to detect increasingly sophisticated pieces of malicious software designed for financial fraud and espionage and failing to prevent the theft of valuable data. Moss, who goes by the hacker name “Dark Tangent,” said that he sees no end to the labor shortage.

“None of the projections look positive,” said Moss, who serves as chief security officer for ICANN, a group that helps run some of the Internet’s infrastructure. “ The numbers I’ve seen look like shortages in the 20,000s to 40,000s for years to come.” Reuters last month reported that the National Security Agency was setting up a

new cyber-ops program at select universities to expand US cyber expertise needed for secret intelligence operations against computer networks of adversaries.

The cyber-ops curriculum is geared to providing the basic education for jobs in intelligence, military and law enforcement.

The comments echo those of other technology industry executives who complain US universities do not produce enough math and science graduates. US defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp on Monday launched the first undergraduate honors program in cybersecurity with the University of Maryland to help train more workers for the burgeoning field.

Salem pointed to British banks as one industry already struggling to find enough network security experts. “Because there’s such a concentration of financial services companies there, there’s not enough security expertise already in London. We see it.

Yahoo and CNBC form content partnership LOS ANGELES : Yahoo Inc and CNBC have formed a content sharing partnership, the companies said yesterday. As part of the deal, CNBC will provide stories and videos that will be featured on Yahoo Finance pages. Yahoo and CNBC will co-create original videos that will appear on Yahoo, CNBC.com and mobile devices and will be promoted on the cable channel. “This partnership is a key step forward in Yahoo’s strategy to become a premium media network,” said Robertson Barrett, vice president of news and finance at Yahoo.

Yahoo Finance is one of the most visited business destinations on the Internet and CNBC is the dominant business news cable channel. Yahoo is no stranger to striking alliances with media companies and this partnership furthers its ambitions to become one of the top destinations for news and entertainment. For instance, it has a deal with Walt Disney Co’s ABC News to use its content and jointly produce journalism projects.

The alliance with CNBC is a way to extend both Yahoo’s and CNBC’s audiences across the Internet and entice advertisers

to pay premium prices. CNBC and Yahoo Finance have a combined unduplicated online audience of more than 40 million people, according to comScore data. “We have really high quality audiences and we have great content,” said Kevin Krim, general manager of CNBC Digital. Neither Krim nor Barrett would go into the terms of the multi-year deal but they said it included a share in revenue from advertising. Yahoo and CNBC said they will maintain their relationships with other media companies.

Yahoo, for instance, has partnerships with Reuters, the Associated Press and Dow Jones. Comcast Corp controls CNBC.

Sweden’s ‘democratic’ Twitter account stirs controversy STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s “democratic Twitter account”, which each week is hosted by a citizen who tweets about anything that comes to mind, came under fire yesterday after a user aired sensitive questions about Jews. Sonja Abrahamsson, a 27-year-old “single and low educated mother” according to her own description, was handed the reins to the official @Sweden Twitter account this week and almost immediately stirred controversy.

“What(‘)s the fuzz with Jews,” she tweeted Tuesday afternoon seemingly out of the blue to the account’s more than 42,000 followers, insisting it was difficult to tell Jews apart from other people “unless you see their penises, and even if you do, you can’t be sure.” She went on to point out that “in Nazi German(y), they even had to sew stars on their sleeves. If they didn’t, they could never never (k)now who was a Jew and who was not a Jew.” And she asked what it meant to be Jewish: “Why were the Nazis talking about races? Was it a blood-thing (for them)?” she tweeted. Amid an onslaught of reactions, Abrahamsson, who usually airs her opinions on a blog and her own Twitter account @hejsonja, wrote: “I(‘)m sorry if some of you find the question(s) offensive.

That was not my purpose. I just don’t get why some people hate Jews so much.”

“I thought it was a good idea to ask the question when so many well educated people all over the world can answer. But no. Bad idea,” she admitted. The Twittosphere went wild: “Holy s***! Love the idea of Swedes running the @Sweden, but this is insane...

Freedom of speech gone wrong,” one commentator wrote. The government-run Swedish Institute and the country’s official tourism board, Visit Sweden, who jointly created the Twitter project last December, said they had been flooded with questions about the controversy, but stressed they had no plans to take action. “We don’t want to upset people, but at the same time it is important for us that we don’t fall into censorship,” Visit Sweden’s communications chief Maria Ziw told AFP, pointing out that the whole idea of creating “the world’s most democratic Twitter account” was to promote transparency and openness.—AFP

Hawaii telescope sees what could be oldest galaxy

MADA Communication Co KUWAIT: MADA Communication Co, a pioneer in wireless communication in Kuwait, has released its full and comprehensive service to its clients, which represents the service of “ISDN” wireless through its advanced equipments which provide wireless internet service and internal “WiFi” service, which allows clients to link 20 equipments with one supplier only. This comprehensive service allows clients to enjoy “ISDN” service and internet service whether high speed or medium speed in any place and without the need for wires or even to stay in one place. Marketing Director Shahd Ibrahim said that this service gives clients full freedom in using service at any place, whether in the office, Deewaniya or the house, all is required is electric current to operate this service.

She added that prices suitable for all and clients can chose the speed suitable for their needs. She further said that “MADA Communication Co” is the only company which allows its clients to test the service and guarantees for them the right of getting refunded of their subscription if the service did not meet their needs.

Banks can’t find enough security professionals,” he said. Moss, who founded the Defcon and Black Hat hacking conferences that are held in Las Vegas each summer, said that US government agencies are so desperate to fill positions that they are poaching security experts from private firms.

In some cases, security firms have retaliated by refusing to send their most talented cyber experts on government jobs for fear of losing them. Instead they send their “B Team” consultants, Moss said. Some companies have even begun writing nonpoaching clauses into their contracts with clients to guard against losing their top cyber security talent. Government officials from normally secretive agencies, including the National Security Agency, FBI and US military, attend Defcon each year to recruit gifted hacking geeks who they might not other wise be able to identify.— Reuters

CALIFORNIA: This Tuesday photo shows a payment kiosk at a Verizon store in Mountain View, Calif. Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest cellphone company, announced Tuesday that is dropping nearly all of its phone plans in favor of pricing schemes that encourage consumers to connect their non-phone devices, like tablets and PCs, to Verizon’s network. —AP

HONOLULU: A team of Japanese astronomers using telescopes on Hawaii say they’ve seen the oldest galaxy, a discovery that’s competing with other “earliest galaxy” claims. The Japanese team calculates its galaxy had formed by 12.91 billion years ago, and their research will be published in the Astrophysical Journal. The scientists with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan used the Subaru and Keck telescopes on the summit of Mauna Kea. Richard Ellis of the California Institute of Technology, an influential expert in cosmology and galaxy formation, said the latest work as more convincing than some other galaxy discoveries. He said the Japanese claim is more “watertight,” using methods that everyone can agree on. But he said it’s not much of a change from a similar finding by the same team last year. Still, “it’s the most distant bullet-proof one that everybody believes,” Ellis said. In 2010, a French team using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope claimed to have discovered a galaxy from 13.1 billion years ago and last year a California team using Hubble said they saw a galaxy from 13.2 billion years ago. Both Hubble teams published findings in the journal Nature. However, the two Hubble teams have yet to confirm their findings with other methods, said Ellis. Also, a team of Arizona State University astronomers this month claimed to have found a galaxy from 13 billion years ago. They used a telescope in Chile. Current theory holds that the universe was born of an explosion, called the Big Bang, about 13.7 billion years ago. So astronomers using the most powerful telescopes available are peering deeper and deeper into the dawn of the universe.— AP

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THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

health & science

Being heavy may help men with one type of cancer NEW YORK: Extra weight may not be good for your health in general, but heavy men appear more likely to survive a particular form of immune system cancer, according to a US study. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, concerned an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Non-Hodgkin lymphomas include a large group of cancers that affect the lymphatic system, a part of the immune system, and DLBCL is the most common form.

Some research has linked obesity to a

greater risk of developing DLBCL. In certain other cancers - like breast and colon cancers obese patients might also have a worse prognosis than those who are thinner when they are diagnosed. “We expected something similar when we started this project,” said Kenneth Carson of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the lead researcher. What they actually found came as a surprise.

Of more than 2,500 US veterans with the cancer, men who were obese at diagnosis had only about two-thirds the risk of dying during the study period that normal-weight men had,

after considering other factors like age and overall health. Out of 625 obese men, 294 - or 47 percent - died over the next five years. That compared with 64 percent of 849 men who were normal weight when diagnoses. Men who were not obese, but overweight, also had a better prognosis than their normal-weight counterparts, a 27 percent lower death risk during the study period.

It’s not clear exactly why heavy men with the lymphoma would survive longer, and Carson stressed that the findings don’t mean that men should allow themselves to gain or hang on to

excess weight. But finding out could lead to a better understanding of the cancer, and better treatment for all, Carson said.”In my mind, there are two main factors that might explain why overweight and obese patients have improved survival: differences in disease biology, or differences in patient responses to chemotherapy.”

It’s possible that bigger patients are able to tolerate more intense chemotherapy before having severe side effects. But, Carson’s team added, other research suggests that obese chemotherapy patients may tend to get lower doses relative to their body size. — Reuters

Culling vampire bats is for suckers, says study No relationship between bat population density and rabies

BELMONT: In this Friday, June 8, 2012 photo, George Tejada, assistant director for tissue processing, holds a container with brain slices at the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center at McLean Hospital. — AP

Freezer damages brain samples used to study autism BELMONT: A freezer malfunctioned at a Harvard-affiliated hospital that oversees the world’s largest collection of autistic brain samples, damaging a third of the scientifically precious specimens and casting doubt on whether they can be used in research. The director of the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center said the loss was “devastating,” particularly in light of the increasing demand for brain samples among scientists searching for the cause of autism and potential treatments. “Over the last 10 years, the autism tissue program has been working very hard to get the autism community to understand the importance of brain donation,” Dr Francine Benes said. Now many of those samples have been compromised.

The freezer failed sometime late last month at the center, which is housed at McLean Hospital in the Boston suburb of Belmont. At least 54 samples earmarked for autism research were harmed. Many of them turned dark with decay. However, an initial review indicates that the DNA in the samples is intact and can still be used for genetic research. It’s unclear, however, whether the samples could be used for the full range of neuroscience needs.

Thirty-two of the brains had been cut in half, with one side placed in a formaldehyde solution and the other placed in the freezer. The samples in the solution remain available for all research projects, the hospital said.

The frozen tissue samples are normally maintained at about minus 80 degrees Celsius, but the temperature had reached about 7 degrees - the temperature of a

common refrigerator - when the failure was discovered, Benes said. That means an important chemical cousin of DNA called RNA was destroyed, she said.

Center officials say they’ve already completed an inspection of the equipment to ensure the safety of the collection. Dr Fred Volkmar, an autism researcher and director of the Child Study Center at Yale University, said the damage is even more disheartening given recent advances in autism research. Some of that research, including autism studies involving stem cells, wasn’t even possible at the time when some of the brains were donated.

“We can’t always know where the science is going to take us,” Volkmar said. “In that respect, it’s a horrible loss. The hope is that at least it’s not a total disaster.” The hospital launched an investigation to determine why the freezer malfunctioned and why two alarm systems failed to go off as the temperature rose. Benes said her biggest fear is that the loss of samples could make it harder in the future to encourage brain donation from autistic children and young adults.

“There has been a lot of resistance of brain donations for religious and cultural reasons,” she said. The collection is owned by the advocacy and research organization Autism Speaks. The Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center is the largest and oldest federally funded “brain bank” in the United States. It provides thousands of postmortem brain tissue samples annually to researchers across the nation. The story was first reported by The Boston Globe. —AP

Older dads linked to grandkid health, study hints NEW YORK: Finally, some good news for older dads. A new study hints that their children and even their grandchildren may get a health benefit because of their older age. It’s based on research into something called telomeres - tips on the ends of chromosomes. Some previous studies have associated having longer telomeres (TEE-loh-meers) with better health and longer lives. Telomeres haven’t been proven to cause those benefits in the general population, but a number of researchers think they may hold secrets for things like longevity and cancer.

As you age, telomeres shorten.

However, previous studies have shown that the older a man is when he becomes a father, the longer the telom-

NEWYORK: This undated image made available by the NIH’s National Cancer Institute shows the 46 human chromosomes in blue, with telomeres appearing as white points on the ends. —AP

eres his children tend to have. The new research confirms that and finds it’s extended to the grandchildren.

That’s a cheerier result for older dads than some other studies in recent years that indicate their kids are at heightened risk for things like autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The new work didn’t look at health outcomes.

That’s a future step, said researcher Dan T.A. Eisenberg of Nor thwestern University. He presents the results with colleagues in Monday’s issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Carol Greider of Johns Hopkins University, who shared a Nobel Prize in 2009 for telomere research but who didn’t participate in the new study, said it’s no surprise that the telomere effect would extend beyond children to grandchildren.

She cautioned that since older fathers also tend to pass more potentially harmful genetic mutations, it’s “not at all clear” whether advanced paternal age gives an overall health benefit to children. In a statement, the Northwestern researchers said their study shouldn’t be taken as a recommendation that men reproduce at older ages, because there’s a risk of mutations. The researchers’ work involved an analysis of telomeres in blood samples from a large, multigenerational study in the Philippines.

One analysis of about 2,000 people confirmed the idea that the older your dad was when you were born, the longer your telomeres tend to be. That held true throughout the age range of the fathers, who were 15 to 43 at the time their sons or daughters were born. —AP

PARIS: Killing vampire bats in a bid to curtail the spread of rabies to humans and livestock may make the problem worse, scientists said yesterday. The practice of “vampiricide” in which a poisonous paste is applied to captured animals who spread it to others in mutual grooming back in the roost, does not reduce rabies prevalence, they contend. It may, in fact, increase it. “We detected something that is a little bit worrying,” team leader Daniel Streicker of the University of Georgia said of the study conducted in Peru from July 2007 to October 2010 by a team from the United States and Peru. “In areas that were sporadically culled during the course of the study, we saw an increase in the proportion of bats exposed to rabies,” he said.

Colonies that were never culled had the lowest prevalence. Rabies causes some 50,000 human deaths around the world every year. Bats can live with infection for years. In Latin American farming areas, livestock is the primary food source for vampire bats-the only species that feeds on mammals’ blood and is the prime transmitter of rabies in the region. They sometimes turn to humans for food, especially in areas where their habitat has been destroyed. Bats also carry other transmissible viruses like those that cause Nipah and Ebola, but are a vital help for humans by eating mosquitos and acting as pollinators.

The number of vampire-bat-transmitted rabies cases in livestock in South America appears to have declined from about 500,000 a year in the 1960s, but still caused annual losses of about $30 million, said the research paper. Since the 1970s, efforts to control the spread of rabies in Peru have focused on culling vampire bats, on the assumption that if numbers could be sufficiently reduced, the

CONDORCANQUI: A handout file photo released on August 13, 2010 in Lima by the Peruvian Ministry of Health shows a vampire bat captured at a camp in the jungle province near the border with Ecuador, some 1,000 kms north of Lima. — AFP rabies virus would die out in targeted colonies. Instead, the scientists found the virus was present in every colony they tested, no matter its size.

“That’s important because if there’s no relationship between bat population density and rabies, then reducing the bat population won’t reduce rabies transmission within bats,” said Streicker. The researchers theorized that bats repeatedly exposed to rabies may develop immunity to the disease. “Vampiricide” would be effective at killing these immune, adult bats but perhaps not juveniles, which

are unlikely to groom older bats. “When you kill off the adult bats that may be immune, you’re making space for susceptible juvenile bats,” said Streicker. It could also be that bats immigrate from neighbouring colonies to fill roost space left vacant by culling, or that the number of births increase as humans reduce competition for resources and space. The scientists hope the findings, which were published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, may help officials in Peru develop more effective methods of combatting rabies infection. — AFP

Gulf states look to the sun for future power DUBAI: After decades of relying on carbonemitting fossil fuels to build their cities in the desert, some oil and gas rich nations of the Gulf are now turning skywards to the sun to meet future energy demands. Ambitious multi-billion-dollar projects to harness the power of the region’s year-round blazing sun have already been announced by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Global energy summits are being held in the region’s desert capitals while whole communities, research institutes and businesses devoted to the production, promotion and application of renewable energy are being built.

Perhaps most significantly, the region’s nations are speaking of sustainable development and clean energy as a key to ensuring future growth. Focusing on renewable energy also makes “economic sense” for the Gulf states, said Adnan Amin, director general of the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). With local energy demands rapidly increasing, “it’s much more expensive for them to subsidise their oil consumption than it is to invest in renewable energy,” he said.

The hydrocarbon-producing six nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council are still far behind much of the world when it comes to environmental protection, reducing per capita carbon emissions and the use of clean energy to drive their economies. But there are signs the trend is changing, with the Gulf waking up to the benefits of renewables, specifically the sun. The region is likely to become “one of the fastest growing in renewable energy investment in the coming years,” said Amin, adding that the controversial decision to base IRENA in a nation ranked third in the list of global per capita carbon emissions has been “vindicated.”

The UAE is “seeing itself as an energy economy for the future, not just an oil economy,” said Amin. They are “investing heavily worldwide and taking forward the cause of renewable energy.” The renewable energy pride of the UAE is the Masdar City project, designed to have the lowest possible carbon footprint with futuristic electric cars, street lights and air-conditioning all powered by a 10megawatt on-site solar power plant. Still in its initial phase, the city today consists of only a few buildings and is home to the Masdar Institute, a research-based post-graduate clean energy academy. The compound’s buildings are designed to let in the sun but keep out the heat. The temperature in the walkways between the buildings is 10 to 15 degrees cooler than in Abu Dhabi just a few kilometres (miles) away. —AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO: Aerial view of the polluted seafront in Botafogo beach in Brazil. — AFP

Rio summit exposes grim Guanabara Bay RIO DE JANEIRO: At the 1992 Earth Summit a grand plan was drawn up to tackle pollution in Rio’s Guanabara Bay, but 20 years on the oncepristine fishing ground is a cesspool of garbage and toxic waste. Guanabara at one time had healthy mangroves, sandy beaches and a rich ecosystem, but decades of urbanization and deforestation have taken their toll on waters now choked full of household garbage and sewage.

Fishermen blame the dwindling fish stocks on a massive oil leak in 2000, which saw nearly one million litres of crude spew into the bay from an underwater Petrobras pipeline. “In the past, a day of fishing would bring 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of fish and between $40 and $50,” 62-year-old fisherman Milton Mascarenhas Filho told AFP. “ Today, we get 30 kilograms and between $5 and $10 dollars,” said Filho, president of the fishermen’s association in Mage, a town on the northern shore of the massive bay, which runs past Rio de Janeiro to the sea.

A $1 billion program to depollute the bay was launched at the 1992 Earth Summit with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), Japan’s International Cooperation Agency and the Rio state government. But 20 years later, there is little to show for it. “It was the biggest clean-up program ever undertaken in Rio state but many mistakes were made and a great deal of the works have not been completed,” local government official Gerson Serva told AFP. Landfill and oil leak Ahead of the June 20-22 Rio+20 summit,

which seeks to build on the Earth Summit 20 years on, Brazilian authorities have closed one of the more blatant symbols of the bay’s degradation-the Jardim Gramacho landfill. Set up on ecologically sensitive wetlands 34 years ago, the seaside mountain of malodorous trash that saw some 8,000 tons of waste processed every day was one of the biggest landfills in the world.

Environmentalists had been crusading for its closure for years, blaming poor waste management at the site for much of the toxic leakage into the bay.

But it is the 2000 oil leak from a refinery belonging to state-owned energy giant Petrobras that experts believe is most responsible for the contamination that ruined the bay.

Petrobras, which was fined $28 million for the disastrous leak of some 338,000 gallons of crude, has spent more than $200 million over the past decade on environmental and social projects in the area. Cruising through the bay reveals a startling amount of floating detritus.

Clothes, shoes, sofas and television sets can be found bobbing along in the mangrove swamps hugging its shores.

“Guanabara Bay is today a huge cesspool and garbage dump,” biologist Mario Moscatelli who has been leading the fight to clean up pollution in Rio state since 1997, told AFP. Serva explained that some 15 municipalities in the area are crisscrossed by rivers that dump 20,000 liters of wastewater per second into the bay. Of this total, only a third is treated and only 10 percent of the rest goes through a natural process of decomposition. —AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

H E A LT H

Acid wear – the second biggest threat to oral health Modern ‘healthy’ diet resulting in growing dental health concern

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DHAKA: Two of three rescued tiger cubs are seen inside a cage at a private zoo in Dhaka yesterday. — AFP

global dental report issued today identified Acid Wear - the softening and gradual loss of the tooth’s enamel- as one of the leading oral health concerns in the world and the biggest threat to enamel since cavities. World-class dental experts have pinpointed modern diet as the primary cause of enamel erosion.

“The modern diet is an extremely acidic one and is one that can permanently damage tooth enamel. Repeated eating and drinking of low ph foodstuffs, such as citrus fruits and juices, can cause acid wear that leads to ero-

Worries for Bangladesh’s rescued tiger cubs DHAKA: Three two-month-old tiger cubs rescued in the Bangladesh capital this week from smugglers are frail and have been disturbed by hundreds of curious visitors, vets said yesterday. Security forces rescued the cubs from a house on Monday in a raid that saw one man arrested. They have since been transferred to a private zoo in Dhaka where inexperienced wildlife officials are doing their best to care for them. “The cubs are very weak and scared.

They seemed to be in sound health when they were rescued,” said the Forest Department’s veterinary surgeon Zahed Malekur Rahman, who is now looking after them.

“One of them fell sick last night. It was much weaker than the two others. But this morning it was able to walk inside the cage,” Rahman told AFP. Hundreds of people have thronged the zoo in the capital Dhaka as pictures of them in a cage and news of their rescue spread in the local media, but authorities have now restricted entry. “It was too much for the babies to bear, losing their mother, being smuggled from their habitat to Dhaka and the careless handling by the traffickers. Now they are very scared with so many people and so much noise,” Rahman said.

They are being fed powdered milk meant for human babies in a bottle four times a day, as well as finely chopped chicken meat. “But we are not sure if this is a proper diet. I am acting on my previous practical knowledge of feeding four lion cubs at a safari park,” Rahman said. “We lack expertise in wildlife rehabilitation, but are trying our best to keep them alive,” he said. Bangladeshi authorities have set up a probe to investigate how the cubs were stolen from the Sundarbans forest in the southwest of the country, the country’s chief conservator of forests, Yunus Ali, told AFP. The man arrested over the smuggling has said the government’s chief wildlife conservationist Tapan Kumar Dey placed the order for the tiger cubs-an allegation he has vehemently denied.

“We are not discarding any allegation.

We will investigate the allegation against him,” Ali said. The smuggling of the cubs has raised fear for the world’s largest remaining wild population of Bengal Tigers in the Sundarbans forest. There are just 440 Bengal tigers left in Bangladesh, with about 1,700 in India and a worldwide total of less than 2,500, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). — AFP

sion,” said Dr. Mohammed Al Hadlaq, dentist assistant registrar ministry of health Kuwait – Sheikha Futouh Al Sabah Clinic (Shamiyah Poli Clinic) , “The majority of my patients suffer from Acid Wear to some degree and unfortunately the condition is irreversible. The key is prevention, and this is only achieved through proper awareness of the condition and the willingness to make minor lifestyle changes,” he added.

Acid Wear is the softening and gradual loss of the surface of the tooth’s enamel caused by the acids from everyday foods and drink such as fruit, fruit juices and soft drinks. Over time, this softening of the tooth enamel – particularly when combined with abrasion during tooth brushing - can cause significant wear and may result in undesirable effects on the teeth, making them look dull, yellow, translucent and thin. Unlike cavities, Acid Wear

affects the tooth’s whole surface and unfortunately, the undesirable effects are irreversible.

“Nearly everybody with natural teeth will develop some signs of Acid Wear, and the number of people with the condition is rising due to the increased consumption of acidic foods and drinks,” said Dr. Al Hadlaq. “Despite its prevalence, there is a lack of awareness and understanding about Acid Wear, which is a big concern. As early effects of Acid Wear are difficult to detect, people should have regular dentist check-ups to ensure any signs of Acid Wear are spotted – and to take any measures to protec t their teeth,” he added.

The progressive erosion of tooth enamel from Acid Wear may result in the underlying dentine becoming exposed, resulting in sensitivity that is often felt as a twinge when consuming hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks. In the longerterm, the effects of Acid Wear may mean that dental treatment is necessary in order to

protect the tooth. Forms of treatment include the placement of a bonded filling, a veneer or a crown to restore the tooth to its former colour and shape. In extreme cases, the damage caused by Acid Wear may necessitate extraction of the affected tooth.

“There have been extreme instances where enamel has been stripped from teeth in a period of six-months. Although enamel is the hardest substance in the body it’s important to remember it is only around 1-3 mm thick.

However, there are many factors which con-

Dr Mohammed Hadlaq

tribute to the progression of Acid Wear, most notably the frequency and concentration of the acids in contact with the teeth and the volume and defence of an individual’s saliva.

Everyone’s lifestyles, consumption habits and teeth are different and all can affect the rate at which Acid Wear affects teeth,” explained Dr. Al Hadlaq.

There are a number of simple preventive steps that experts agree can be taken to minimise the risk of Acid Wear. These include avoiding brushing teeth immediately after consuming acidic food or drinks, as this is when the enamel is at its softest. Instead, brushing should be done before meals or at least one hour after eating. Soft or fizzy drinks shouldn’t be swished around or held in the mouth for prolonged periods - consideration should be given to using a straw placed towards the back of the mouth to keep the fluid away from the teeth. Teeth brushing should be done gently, but thoroughly, with a soft toothbrush and with a toothpaste that is low in abrasion, non acidic and has maximum fluoride availability. Regular dental check-ups should be undertaken, with any concerns being taken to a dental professional.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

WHAT’S ON Birthday Greetings

Happy Birthday to our lovely daughter Hakeem Hayatunnisa who celebrates her 6th birthday today. May Almighty Allah bless her with good health and a bright future. Best wishes come from father Hakeem Khadeer Basha (FICO), mother Hakeem Nayeemunissa, brother Hakeem Umar, grandparents Hakeem Habeebullah (Chachu), Safeer, Tanveer, Zaheer, Munwar, Imthiyaz and all friends and relatives in Kuwait and India.

Summer Scrabble for kids ood news for kids still here during the summer vacations. You can join up with me to learn some tricks, tips and how to play Scrabble the right way! Need to know more? Then register with me Rohaina at 66634224 or at rainaveer@hotmail.com. You will be given Scrabble boards and have loads of fun games, mind games and quizzes. If this sounds fun, then call soon. Classes will end on July 26th. Classes are on Thursdays ONLY and from 2.30 - 4.00 pm. Loads of fun and games in store.

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Embassies holiday The British Embassy will be closed on Sunday 17 June on the occasion of the Prophet’s Ascension. The Consular Section will also be closed on the same date above.

The Spain Embassy will be closed on Sunday the 17th June, on the occasion of Ascension of Prophet Mohammad and will re-open Monday 18th June.

Kudos to Indian English Academy School

CLASS X The Indian English Academy School, Salmiya has done it again. In the recently declared Class X CBSE results announced on May 24th, 2012 for the academic year 2011-12, the school achieved an impressive 100% pass percentage. Out of a total of 96 students that appeared for the examination, 2 students Manasi Arun and Sharon Rose Lucas did the school proud by scoring a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 10 obtaining a perfect 10 in all subjects. 18 students secured a CGPA of 9 and above viz., Sanjana Shenoy and Divanshu Jain, Noor Alam Sayed, Dhruva Lakshminarayan, Aamir Shabbir, Deepika Mendon, Simran Umra, Valencia Dias, Kevin Fernandes, Shawn Britto, Rinu Rose, Noweed Aktar,Siddharth Shingai, Rovita D’souza, Saad Khan Mayana, Levina Shaju, Orville D’Silva and Sherin Ann Reji.

Out of the 96 students that appeared, 40 students secured distinctions, 21 students secured a First Class and 19 students in the Second Class.

A total of 40 students got an A grade in English, 17 students in Hindi, 10 students in French, 26 students in Maths, 29 students in science and 28 students in Social Science.

The IEAS Management and Staff would like to congratulate all the students on their success and wish them the very best as they continue to live up to their Motto “We Are Born For Greater Things”.

Announcements Open House for Indian citizens pen House for Indian citizens by the ambassador which is being held every alternate Wednesday has been found useful by the Indian community and the embassy. It will now be held on every Wednesday from June 2012 between 1500 hrs and 1600 hrs. in the embassy. During the month of June, 2012 the dates for the open house fall on 20th and 27th of the month. In case Wednesday is an embassy holiday, the meeting will be held on the next working day.

To ensure timely action/follow-up by the embassy, it is requested that, wherever possible, Indian citizens should exhaust the existing channels of interaction/grievance redressal and bring their problems/issues in writing with supporting documents. It may be mentioned that embassy of Indiaís Consular Wing is providing daily service of Open House to Indian citizens on all workings days from 1000 hrs to 1100 hrs and from 1430 hrs to 1530 hrs by the Consular Officer in the Meeting Room of the Consular Hall.

For any unaddressed issues, Second Secretary (Consular) could be contacted. Furthermore, the head of the Consular Wing is also available to redress grievances. Similarly, a labour wing Help Desk functions from 0830 hrs to 1300 hrs and 1400 hrs to 1630 hrs in the Labour Hall to address the labour related issues. There is also a 24x7 Help Line (Tel No. 25674163) to assist labourers in distress. For any unaddressed issues, the concerned attaches in the labour section and the head of the labour wing could be contacted.

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‘Leniency of Islam’ An unprecedented initiative of KTV2 (English channel) is the new program by the name ‘Leniency of Islam’ presented by Shaikh Musaad Alsane and directed by Hamid Al-Turkait. The program is mainly meant to address the expatriates living in Kuwait. Religious questions are received through the program email qislam@tv.gov.kw and sms can be sent to97822021 and answered by the lecturer and Imam in Awqaf Ministry Shaikh Musaad Alsane - a Master Degree holder in Sharia and fiqih from Kuwait University. So don’t forget to watch the program every Friday at 1:00 pm.

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

CLASS XII In line with their historical tradition, IEAS students once again defined the yard stick of success in 2012 Class XII result. IEAS once again raised the bar set by its own standard as evident from its meritorious success of Class XII students in 2012. Out of all the candidates who appeared for AISSE 2011-12 from all CBSE affiliated schools in Kuwait IEAS students have stood out as subject toppers in English and Economics with overall 100% passing rate.

GeethuTreesa Mattam and Harmeen

Kaur topped the Commerce and Science Stream with 95.8% and 93% marks respectively. In the Science Stream, all students passed in the First class along with 52% of students achieving Distinction. In the Commerce stream, 45% achieved Distinction and 50% passed in First Class with the exception of 5%.

One of our outstanding students, Geethu Treesa Mattam scored a perfect (100% marks) in Economics, 97% in Business Studies. In English two IEAS students, Alisha Rose D Souza and

PralinKunwar have scored 95% which is the highest score in Kuwait. Other distinctions include: Geethu Treesa Mattam and Pralin Kunwar achieved 95% in Accountancy; Harmeen Kaur secured 97% in Informatics; In Maths, Geethu Treesa Mattam scored 96%; Five students, Harmeen Kaur, Murial Jovita Mathias, Emannoel Pugrad Cabildo, Sindhu Balaji and Tanisha Shaina Manali D Souza secured 95% in Chemistry; Murial Jovita scored 95% in Physics; In Computer Science Emannoel Pugrad Cabildo achieved 94% marks; Joel

Andrade has scored 93% in Biology.

The IEAS students have risen up to the level of achievement, set by the teachers and have made the whole IEAS proud.

Indeed, it is the outcome of sincere and dedicated teachers, going an extra mile with additional coaching classes and providing a nourishing atmosphere to the students with all efforts concurrently being supported by the Management.

The management and staff of IEAS congratulate Standard XII on their success and wish them many more triumphs in life ahead.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

WHAT’S ON

Embassy Information

Kuwait City Mar Thoma VBS inaugurated he inaugural function of Kuwait City Mar Thoma Vacation Bible School (VBS) was held on June 8 at Marina Hall Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh. Very Rev KO Philipose, vicar of Kuwait City Mar Thoma Parish, inaugurated the VBS by lighting the ceremonial lamp. The eminent guests of honors were the director of VBS Rev Promod Mathew Thomas and Vice President of the parish Adv P John Thomas.

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EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA Change of contacts of the Australian Visa Facilitation Service Office in Kuwait (VFS).

Client Telephone Contact: +971 4 355 1958 (AVAC) Fax: +971 4 355 0708 (Australian Visa Office in Dubai) Email Contact: Info.ausdxb@vfshelpline.com, Immigration.dubai@dfat.gov.au (Australian Visa Office in Dubai) Website: www.vfs-au-gcc.com www.immi.gov.au/overseas/dubai/index.htm (Australian Visa Office) Kuwait City: Australian Visa Application Centre, 4B 1st Floor, Al Banwan Building, Al-Qibla Area, Ali Al Salem Street, Opposite the Central Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait City, Kuwait. Working Hours and Days: 09:30 - 17:30, Sunday-Thursday ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF BRAZIL The Embassy of Brazil requests all Brazilian citizens in Kuwait to proceed to the website www.brazil.org.kw (Contact Us Form / Fale Conosco) in order to register or update contact information. The Embassy encourages all citizens to do so, including the ones who have already registered in person at the Embassy. The registration process helps the Brazilian Government to contact and assist Brazilians living abroad in case of any emergency.

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EMBASSY OF CYPRUS The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus would like to inform the public that from 3rd June 2012 the Consulate section located at the premises of the Embassy has started issuing Visas. Address: Salwa-Block 3, Al-Mutanabbi Street Building No. 35, Tel : (965)25620350, Fax: (965)25620470, Email : info@cyprus-embassy.org.kw Working hours 9:00am till 12:00pm everyday except Friday & Saturday Hence, The Honorary Consulate of Cyprus in Kuwait city will stop issuing Visas from the same date.

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IKEA Kuwait announces loyal fans Facebook competition winners KEA Kuwait recently announced the winners of its month long Facebook-based competition for all its fans in Kuwait. The contest that ran from April 1st to May 1st, 2012, required fans to submit a photograph of themselves with a favorite IKEA fur-

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niture that they own for a chance to win one of 15 IKEA Kuwait’s products.

The best 50 pictures uploaded were posted in an album on the IKEA Kuwait Facebook page, of which 15 pictures with the most number of likes won the ultimate prize. The first five winners

were Huda Meenaz, followed by Afifa Abdul, Fahra Sheikh, Samar Fathi and Aayan Abdulhaque. Prizes ranged from a wardrobe, lamp, display shelf and hammock among others from a wide selection of IKEA products which can be found on the Facebook page.

IKEA Kuwait continues to provide enhanced functionality and engage its fans through interactive online features and activities with an aim to provide an overview of the company’s latest initiatives.

OICC Kuwait leaders meet Rahul Gandhi delegation of Overseas Indian Cultural Congress lead by Chairman M A Hilal and General Convener Varghese Puthukulangara met Rahul Gandhi - Member of Indian Parliament and General Secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC) during his brief visit to Kuwait. Other senior congress leaders from Kuwait Rajan Daniel and Aby Varicad also were present in the meeting .

Hilal handed over a memorandum to Gandhi wherein the leader’s attention was sought in various points affecting NRIs living in Kuwait. OICC was introduced to the Congress leader as a subsidiary of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee under the umbrella of which all pro-Congress organizations are united.

The delegation has requested the leader to pursue the aviation minister to end the Air India pilot strike as the holiday season starts in the Gulf.

Introduction of direct Air India flights to Kerala was highlighted during the

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discussions. OICC also proposed to nominate NRI members to AICC in order to raise their grievances in the right forum.

Considering the huge number of NRI s from Kerala, the delegation made a strong recommendation to the Government of India to establish an exclusive NRI university in Kerala for the benefit of NRI students from all over the world in coordination with the ministry of education of Kerala.

Gandhi was very positive to the proposals initiated by OICC Kuwait and promised his sincere efforts in bringing these issues to the attention of concerned authorities back in India and to find possible solutions in due course of time.

EMBASSY OF KOREA The Embassy of the Republic of Korea wishes to inform that it has moved to Mishref. New Address: Embassy of the Republic of Korea Mishref, Block 7A, Diplomatic Area 2, Plot 6 The Embassy also wishes to inform that it will be opened to the public on the following office hours: Saturday to Thursday Morning: 8:00 am to 12:30 pm Lunch Break: 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm Afternoon: 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF KENYA The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya wishes to inform Kenyan residents throughout Kuwait and the general public that with effect from June 1, 2012 the Embassy has moved from its current location to a new location in Surra Block 1, Street 8, Villa 303. Please note that the new telephone and fax numbers will be communicated as soon as possible. For enquiries you can contact Consular Section on mobile 90935162 or 97527306.

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EMBASSY OF MEXICO The Embassy of Mexico is pleased to inform that it is located in CLIFFS Complex, Villa 6, Salmiya, block 9, Baghdad street, Jadda Lane 7. The working hours for consular issues are from 9:00 to 12:00 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is closed from 14:00 to 15:00 hours for lunch break. The Embassy of Mexico kindly requests all Mexicans citizens in Kuwait to proceed to the e-mail: embkuwait@sre.gob.mx in order to register or update contact information. Other consultations or/and appointments could be done by telephone or fax: (+965) 2573 1952 ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF MYANMAR Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar would like to inform the general public that the Embassy has moved its office to new location at Villa 35, Road 203, Block 2, AlSalaam Area in South Surra. The Embassy wishes to advice Myanmar citizens and travellers to Myanmar to contact Myanmar Embassy at its new location.

Tel. 25240736, 25240290, Fax: 25240749, email:myankuwait11@gmai1.com ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF NEPAL The Embassy of Nepal has moved to a new location in Jabriya, Block 8, St. 13, House No. 514, effective from 15th April, 2012. Till the new telephone connections are installed, the Embassy may be contacted by email: info@nepembku.org ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF NIGERIA The Nigerian embassy has its new office in Mishref. Block 3, Street 7, House 4. For enquires please call 25379541. Fax25387719. Email- nigeriakuwait@yahoo.com or nigeriankuwait@yahoo.co.uk ■■■■■■■

Enjoy a summer escape at Marina Hotel Kuwait

EMBASSY OF THAILAND The Royal Thai Embassy in Kuwait, wishes to invite the Kuwaiti companies that deal business with Thai companies or those agencies of Thai commercial companies to visit the Embassy’s Commercial Office to register their relevant information to be part of the embassy’s business and trade database. The Royal Thai Embassy is located in Jabriya, Block 6, Street 8, Villa No. 1, Telephone No. 25317530 -25317531, Ext: 14.

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arina Hotel Kuwait announced its much awaited-for summer package and special vacation getaway to experience summer fun at its best. Guests are offered absolute pampering and leisure with a resort-feel ambience through its wonderful facilities away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The all-inclusive Marina Hotel package

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promises real joy under the sun with its secluded private beach and three pools: lap pool, kids’ pool and family pool with the Marina Waves pool bar. Guests can relax in their rooms, all overlooking the beautiful Gulf Sea, at a rate starting from KD 77 for a double room per night, breakfast included. The package provides free access to the hotel’s many facilities: the Coral Reef Health Club &

Spa, the squash court, beach and pool area.

Well-known for its delicious international cuisine, guest can go for first-rate dining at the hotel’s two celebrated restaurants: ‘The Six Palms’ and the ‘Atlantis.’ For mouth-watering delicacies, indulge in international, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes from a scrumptious array of menu

choices in a tranquil music setting.

With a walking distance to the Marina Mall and Marina Crescent, one can enjoy a complete holiday with easy access to their favorite shopping and hang out destinations. Make sure you book your room anywhere between May 16-July 20 at the award winning Marina Hotel Kuwait for a unique getaway experience and excellent stan-

EMBASSY OF UKRAINE We’d like to inform you that in response to the increasing number of our citizens who work in the state and the need for 24-hour operational telephone in case of emergency the Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait has opened “hotline telephone number” - (+ 965) 972-79-206.

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

TV PROGRAMS

00:45 Untamed & Uncut 01:40 I’m Alive 02:35 Monster Bug Wars 03:30 Wildest Arctic 04:25 The Animals’ Guide To Survival 05:20 Shamwari: A Wild Life 05:45 Animal Battlegrounds 06:10 Cell Dogs 07:00 Escape To Chimp Eden 07:25 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 08:15 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 08:40 Breed All About It 09:10 Extraordinary Dogs 09:35 Extraordinary Dogs 10:05 The Animals’ Guide To Survival 11:00 Animal Precinct 11:55 Animal Cops Philadelphia 12:50 Wild Africa Rescue 13:15 Wild Africa Rescue 13:45 Bondi Vet 14:10 Wildlife SOS 14:40 The Animals’ Guide To Survival 15:30 Shamwari: A Wild Life 16:00 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 16:30 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 17:25 Dogs 101 18:20 Your Pet Wants This, Too! 19:15 Wildlife SOS 19:40 Bondi Vet 20:10 Escape To Chimp Eden 20:35 Animal Battlegrounds 21:05 The Animals’ Guide To Survival 22:00 Whale Wars: Viking Shores 22:55 Max’s Big Tracks 23:50 Last Chance Highway

00:00 00:50 01:20 01:45 02:10 02:35 03:30 04:20 04:50 05:15 05:40 06:00 06:30 07:20 08:15 09:25 10:10 11:00 11:50 12:40 13:30 14:00 14:25 15:10 15:55 16:50 17:15 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:25 19:50 20:40 21:35 22:00 22:45 23:35

00:10 00:35 01:00 01:25 01:50 02:15 02:40 03:00 03:25 03:50 04:15 04:40 05:00

Come Dine With Me Indian Food Made Easy Saturday Kitchen 2007/08 Saturday Kitchen 2007/08 Saturday Kitchen 2007/08 MasterChef Living In The Sun Delicious Iceland The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook Rick Stein’s French Odyssey James Martin’s Champagne Indian Food Made Easy Come Dine With Me Living In The Sun MasterChef Australia Bargain Hunt Antiques Roadshow Come Dine With Me 10 Years Younger The Restaurant UK Dolce Vito: Dream Restaurant Delicious Iceland Fantasy Homes In The City Bargain Hunt Antiques Roadshow The Boss Is Coming To Dinner Come Dine With Me A Taste Of My Life The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook Rick Stein’s French Odyssey James Martin’s Champagne Antiques Roadshow The Restaurant UK Dolce Vito: Dream Restaurant Bargain Hunt Antiques Roadshow Come Dine With Me

Duck Dodgers The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop Tom & Jerry Kids A Pup Named Scooby-Doo The Jetsons Puppy In My Pocket Popeye Tom & Jerry Looney Tunes Scooby Doo Where Are You! Droopy: Master Detective Wacky Races The Flintstones

05:25 05:50 06:00 06:30 06:55 07:20 07:45 08:00 08:25 08:50 09:15 09:40 10:05 10:25 10:50 11:15 11:40 12:00 12:15 12:40 12:55 13:45 14:10 14:35 15:25 15:50 16:15 16:40 17:30 17:55 18:10 19:00 19:15 19:40 19:55 20:20 20:35 20:55 21:20 21:45 22:10 22:35 23:00 23:20 23:45

A Pup Named Scooby-Doo Popeye Classics Dexters Laboratory Bananas In Pyjamas Baby Looney Tunes Gerald McBoing Boing Ha Ha Hairies Pink Panther And Pals The Garfield Show Dastardly And Muttley A Pup Named Scooby-Doo Scooby Doo Where Are You! The Flintstones Duck Dodgers Tom & Jerry Kids Droopy: Master Detective Wacky Races Jelly Jamm Baby Looney Tunes Ha Ha Hairies The Garfield Show Scooby Doo Where Are You! Dastardly And Muttley Looney Tunes Puppy In My Pocket Pink Panther And Pals Pink Panther And Pals Tom & Jerry The Garfield Show The Garfield Show Dexter’s Laboratory Jelly Jamm Baby Looney Tunes Ha Ha Hairies Gerald McBoing Boing Bananas In Pyjamas Pink Panther And Pals Tom & Jerry Looney Tunes Scooby Doo Where Are You! Droopy: Master Detective The Flintstones Wacky Races Dastardly And Muttley New Yogi Bear Show

00:30 Bakugan: New Vestroia 00:55 Bakugan: New Vestroia 01:20 Powerpuff Girls 02:10 Courage The Cowardly Dog 03:00 The Amazing World Of Gumball 03:25 Ben 10 03:50 Adventure Time 04:15 Powerpuff Girls 04:40 Generator Rex 05:05 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 05:30 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 05:55 Angelo Rules 06:00 Casper’s Scare School 06:25 Eliot Kid 07:00 The Amazing World Of Gumball 07:15 Adventure Time 07:40 Regular Show 08:05 Grim Adventures Of...

08:55 Courage The Cowardly Dog 09:45 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 10:10 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 10:35 Powerpuff Girls 11:25 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 11:50 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 12:15 Ed, Edd n Eddy 13:05 Ben 10: Alien Force 13:30 Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders 13:55 Camp Lazlo 14:45 Powerpuff Girls 15:35 Angelo Rules 16:25 The Marvelous Misadventures...

16:50 Grim Adventures Of...

17:15 The Amazing World Of Gumball 17:40 Adventure Time 18:05 Regular Show 18:30 Ben 10 18:55 Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge 19:20 Hero 108 19:45 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 20:10 Courage The Cowardly Dog 21:00 Ben 10: Alien Force 21:25 The Powerpuff Girls 21:50 Cow And Chicken 22:00 Codename: Kids Next Door 22:50 Ben 10

23:15 Ben 10 23:40 Chowder

00:00 Amanpour 00:30 World Sport 01:00 Piers Morgan Tonight 02:00 World Report 03:00 Anderson Cooper 360 04:00 Piers Morgan Tonight 05:00 Quest Means Business 06:00 The Situation Room 07:00 World Sport 07:30 Talk Asia 08:00 World Report 09:00 World Report 10:00 World Sport 10:30 Business Traveller 11:00 World Business Today 12:00 Amanpour 12:30 Mainsail 13:00 World One 14:00 Piers Morgan Tonight 15:00 News Stream 16:00 World Business Today 17:00 International Desk 18:00 Global Exchange 18:45 CNN Marketplace Middle East 19:00 World Sport 19:30 Mainsail 20:00 International Desk 21:00 Quest Means Business 21:45 CNN Marketplace Europe 22:00 Amanpour 22:30 CNN Newscenter 23:00 Connect The World With Becky Anderson

00:15 00:40 01:35 02:30 03:25 04:20 05:15 05:40 06:05 07:00 07:50 08:45 09:40 10:05 10:30 10:55 11:25 12:20 13:15 14:10 14:35 15:05 16:00 16:55 17:20 18:15 19:10 19:40 20:05 20:35 21:00 21:30 22:25 23:20

00:35 01:25 02:15 03:05 03:35 04:25 05:15 06:05 07:00 07:50 07:53 08:20 08:50 09:40 10:30 10:55 11:20 12:10 13:00 13:50

SPIDER-MAN ON OSN ACTION HD

Worst-Case Scenario Surviving Disaster Unchained Reaction Mythbusters Mythbusters Surviving Disaster How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Gold Rush Chop Shop Mythbusters Ultimate Survival Border Security Auction Kings How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Sons Of Guns Battle Machine Bros Extreme Explosions Border Security Auction Kings Ultimate Survival Chop Shop Wheeler Dealers Gold Rush Mythbusters How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Border Security Auction Kings South Beach Classics Sons Of Guns Nothing Personal Kidnap And Rescue

Mega World The Colony Alien Encounters The Gadget Show Prototype This How The Universe Works Mega World Sci-Trek Alien Encounters Head Rush Bang Goes The Theory Sci-Fi Science Sport Science Prototype This The Gadget Show The Gadget Show Mega World Alien Encounters Prophets Of Science Fiction How The Universe Works

14:45 Prototype This 15:35 The Gadget Show 16:00 Head Rush 16:03 Bang Goes The Theory 16:30 Sci-Fi Science 17:00 Sci-Trek 17:50 Sport Science 18:40 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 19:30 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 19:55 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 20:20 Weird Or What?

21:10 The Gadget Show 21:35 The Gadget Show 22:00 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 22:25 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 22:50 Weird Or What?

23:40 Sport Science

00:10 00:35 01:00 01:25 01:50 02:15 02:40 03:05 03:30 03:55 04:20 04:45 05:10 05:35 06:00 06:15 06:40 07:05 07:30 07:55 08:20 08:30 08:45 09:10 09:20 09:35 09:45 10:00 10:25 10:50 11:15 11:40 12:05 12:30 12:55 13:20 13:45 14:10 14:35 15:00 15:25 15:50 16:00 16:15 16:40 17:00 18:15 18:40 19:05 19:35 20:00 20:25 20:50 21:15 21:40 22:05 22:30 22:55 23:20 23:45

Fairly Odd Parents Fairly Odd Parents Brandy & Mr Whiskers Brandy & Mr Whiskers Replacements Replacements Emperor’s New School Emperor’s New School Brandy & Mr Whiskers Brandy & Mr Whiskers Replacements Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Fairly Odd Parents Fish Hooks Recess So Random Wizards Of Waverly Place Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Phineas And Ferb Phineas And Ferb Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates Handy Manny The Hive Mouk Recess So Random Hannah Montana Fish Hooks Jake & Blake Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place Phineas And Ferb Recess Jessie A.N.T. Farm Good Luck Charlie Suite Life On Deck Shake It Up Phineas And Ferb Phineas And Ferb Jessie A.N.T. Farm Good Luck Charlie Jessie A.N.T. Farm Wizards Of Waverly Place Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie So Random Suite Life On Deck Jonas Los Angeles Shake It Up Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place Kim Possible

06:00 Kid vs Kat 06:20 American Dragon 06:45 Rekkit Rabbit 07:10 Phineas And Ferb 07:20 Phineas And Ferb 07:35 Phineas And Ferb 07:45 Phineas And Ferb 08:00 Phineas And Ferb 08:10 Phineas And Ferb 08:25 Phineas And Ferb 08:50 Kick Buttowski 09:15 Zeke & Luther 09:40 I’m In The Band 10:05 Phineas And Ferb 10:30 Kid vs Kat 10:55 The Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes 11:20 Aaron Stone 11:45 Rekkit Rabbit 12:10 American Dragon 12:35 Kick Buttowski 13:00 Phineas And Ferb 13:10 Phineas And Ferb 13:25 I’m In The Band 13:45 Kid vs Kat 14:10 Pair Of Kings 14:35 Zeke & Luther 15:00 Pokemon: Black And White 15:25 Rekkit Rabbit 15:50 Rated A For Awesome 16:15 Kickin It 16:40 Pair Of Kings 17:05 Zeke & Luther 17:30 Mr. Young 17:55 Phineas And Ferb 18:20 Phineas And Ferb 18:45 Fort Boyard - Ultimate Challenge 19:10 Kick Buttowski 19:35 Pair Of Kings 20:00 Zeke & Luther 20:25 Phineas And Ferb 20:50 Kid vs Kat 21:15 Aaron Stone 21:40 The Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes 22:05 Phineas And Ferb 22:30 Kid vs Kat 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am KSA

00:25 00:55 01:25 02:20 03:15 03:40 04:10 05:05 06:00 07:50 08:20 09:15 09:45 10:15 12:05

Kendra Style Star THS E!es Behind The Scenes Extreme Close-Up Sexiest Extreme Hollywood THS Behind The Scenes E! News Kendra Kendra 30 Best & Worst Beach Bodies E! News

13:05 Khloe And Lamar 13:35 Khloe And Lamar 14:05 Keeping Up With Kardashians 14:35 Keeping Up With Kardashians 15:00 Style Star 15:30 THS 16:25 Behind The Scenes 16:55 Ice Loves Coco 17:25 Ice Loves Coco 17:55 E! News 18:55 THS 19:55 Giuliana & Bill 20:55 Keeping Up With Kardashians 21:25 Fashion Police 22:25 E! News 23:25 Chelsea Lately 23:55 Keeping Up With Kardashians

00:30 01:20 02:05 02:55 03:45 04:30 05:20 06:10 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:30 09:55 10:20 11:10 12:00 12:25 12:50 13:40 14:30 14:55 15:20 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:05 19:55 20:20 21:10 22:00 22:50 23:40

01:15 03:10 04:45 06:20 07:40 10:20 11:55 12:10 13:45 15:25 17:10 18:45 20:30 22:00 PG 23:29

The The

The

The

Ghost Lab A Haunting American Greed American Greed Dr G: Medical Examiner Ghost Lab A Haunting Disappeared FBI Files Murder Shift Mystery ER Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Street Patrol Street Patrol Murder Shift Mystery ER Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared FBI Files Murder Shift Real Emergency Calls Mystery ER Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Nightmare Next Door Nightmare Next Door Dr G: Medical Examiner

Down Came A Blackbird-18 Heart Of Midnight Lost Junction-PG Summer Heat-18 New York, New York-PG The Aviator-PG Mgm’s Big Screen-FAM Vera Cruz-PG Salt And Pepper-PG Stanley & Iris-PG Once Bitten Gaily, Gaily-PG Still Of The Night-PG The Initiation Of Sarah (2006)The War At Home-18

00:00 Warrior Road Trip 01:00 By Any Means 02:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 02:30 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 03:00 Madventures 03:30 Madventures 04:00 Graham’s World 04:30 Graham’s World 05:00 Danger Beach 05:30 Danger Beach 06:00 Warrior Road Trip 07:00 By Any Means 08:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 08:30 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 09:00 Madventures 09:30 Madventures 10:00 Graham’s World 10:30 Graham’s World 11:00 Danger Beach 11:30 Danger Beach 12:00 Warrior Road Trip 13:00 First Ascent 13:30 First Ascent 14:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 14:30 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 15:00 Madventures 15:30 Madventures 16:00 Graham’s World 16:30 Graham’s World 17:00 Danger Beach 17:30 Danger Beach 18:00 Warrior Road Trip 19:00 A World Apart 20:00 Food School 20:30 Food School 21:00 Wedding Crasher: The Real Deal 22:00 Don’t Tell My Mother 23:00 Ultimate Traveller

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 Barrie 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 Barrie 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 17:30 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Megastructures Somewhere In China Taboo Megastructures Britain’s Machines with Chris Animal Mega Moves The Border Air Crash Investigation Megastructures Somewhere In China Taboo Megastructures Britain’s Machines with Chris Animal Mega Moves The Border Air Crash Investigation Megastructures The China Mystery Revealed The China Mystery Revealed Taboo Megastructures Salvage Code Red Animal Omens Britain’s Underworld Air Crash Investigation

FAST FIVE ON OSN CINEMA

00:00 01:00 01:55 02:50 03:45 04:10 04:40 05:35 06:00 06:30 07:25 08:20 08:45 09:15 10:10 11:05 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 15:30 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 21:30 22:00 23:00

Wildlife Rescue Africa Super Pride Megafish Swamp Men Monkey Thieves Monkey Thieves Swamp Men Wild Chronicles Wild Chronicles Megafish Swamp Men Monkey Thieves Monkey Thieves Zambezi How Big Can It Get How Big Can It Get Brutal Killers Monster Fish Live Like An Animal Monkey Thieves Monkey Thieves Lions Behaving Badly The Real Serengeti The Real Serengeti Megafish Swamp Men Monkey Thieves Monkey Thieves Zambezi How Big Can It Get

00:45 02:30 04:15 06:00 08:00 10:00 11:45 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:15 22:00

The Killing Room-18 Death Race 2-18 Taxi-PG15 Legendary-PG15 Returner-PG15 Taxi-PG15 Hidalgo-PG15 Returner-PG15 Spider-Man-PG Hidalgo-PG15 Fright Night-PG15 13 Assassins-18

01:00 The Tender Hook-PG15 03:00 Bright Star-PG15 05:00 Calvin Marshall-PG15 07:00 The Art Of Getting By-PG15 09:00 The Tender Hook-PG15 11:00 Coyote County Loser-PG15 13:00 The 19th Wife-PG15 15:00 Bangkok Adrenaline-PG15 17:00 African Cats: Kingdom Of Courage-PG 19:00 Gentlemen Broncos-PG15 21:00 Fast Five-PG15 23:15 Jackass 3-R

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia 02:00 Hung 02:30 Angry Boys 03:00 Mad Love 03:30 Mr. Sunshine 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 Til Death 06:00 Dharma And Greg 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:30 Mad Love 09:00 Til Death 09:30 Hot In Cleveland 10:00 Hot In Cleveland 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 Dharma And Greg 13:00 Til Death 14:00 Mr. Sunshine 14:30 Hot In Cleveland 15:00 Hot In Cleveland 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Dharma And Greg 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Mad Love 18:30 Mr. Sunshine 19:00 Cougar Town 19:30 How I Met Your Mother 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report

22:00 22:30 23:00 23:30

Family Guy The League Angry Boys Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 08:30 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Grimm The Glades Supernatural Hawthorne Lights Out Good Morning America The Practice Emmerdale Coronation Street The Martha Stewart Show The View The Glades Hawthorne Live Good Morning America The Practice Emmerdale Parenthood One Tree Hill GCB Downton Abbey Lights Out

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Psych Supernatural Grimm The Glades Hawthorne Eureka Psych Emmerdale Coronation Street The Protector Supernatural The Glades Hawthorne Emmerdale Hot In Cleveland The Protector Psych Emmerdale Hot In Cleveland The Protector Parenthood One Tree Hill GCB Downton Abbey Love Bites

01:00 Fade To Black-18 03:00 The Daisy Chain-PG15 04:45 Bram Stoker’s Dracula-18 07:00 Long Weekend-PG15 09:00 The Front-PG15 11:00 The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen-PG15 13:00 The Last Airbender-PG 15:00 The Front-PG15 17:00 Inside Out-PG15 19:00 The Kingdom-18 21:00 Splinter-18 23:00 Madso’s War-18

00:00 Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee-PG15 02:00 What’s The Worst That Could Happen?-PG15 04:00 Open Season 3-FAM 06:00 Return To Sleepaway CampPG15 08:00 What’s The Worst That Could Happen?-PG15 10:00 Heart And Souls-PG 12:00 Renaissance Man-PG15 14:15 Charlie & Boots-PG15 16:00 Heart And Souls-PG 18:00 Napoleon Dynamite-PG 20:00 The Joneses-PG15 22:00 A Fork In The Road-PG15

01:30 03:00 05:15 07:30 09:00 10:45 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

Love The Beast-PG Random Hearts-18 Eat Pray Love-PG15 Across The Sea Of Time-FAM The Greatest-PG15 Dead Poets Society-PG15 Khao Niao Moo Ping-PG15 The Greatest-PG15 Witch Hunt-PG15 Black Lightning-PG15 Into The Night-18 2:22-18

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:15

Happy Gilmore-PG15 Don’t Fade Away-PG15 Cars 2-FAM B-Girl-PG15 Dear John-PG15 Hop-PG Game Change-PG15 My Sassy Girl-PG15 Dear John-PG15 The Social Network-PG15 Fast Five-PG15 Scott Pilgrim vs. The World-18

01:00 Trans World Sport 02:00 Rugby League State of Origin 04:00 International Rugby Union 06:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 07:00 Rugby League State of Origin 09:00 International Rugby Union 11:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 11:30 Trans World Sport 12:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 13:30 PGA European Tour Weekly 14:00 International Rugby Union 16:00 Rugby League State of Origin 18:00 International Rugby Union 20:00 Trans World Sport 21:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 22:00 Volvo Ocean Race 23:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 23:30 Rugby League State of Origin

00:00 00:30 01:00 03:00 07:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 17:30 18:30 19:00 20:00 22:00

Futbol Mundial PGA European Tour Weekly International Rugby Union Darts Darts Super League Rugby League Trans World Sport PGA European Tour Highlights PGA European Tour Weekly Volvo Ocean Race Highlights Volvo Ocean Race Highlights WWE NXT UFC The Ultimate Fighter Darts

00:00 AFL Premiership Highlights 01:00 IronMan 01:30 IronMan 02:30 IronMan 03:30 IronMan 04:00 International Rugby Union 06:00 Ping Pong World Championship 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 ATP Tennis Aegon Championships 11:00 ATP Tennis Aegon Championships 12:30 ATP Tennis Aegon Championships 14:00 Total Rugby 14:30 Live ATP Tennis Aegon Championships 16:30 Live ATP Tennis Aegon Championships 18:30 Live ATP Tennis Aegon Championships 20:30 Live ATP Tennis Aegon Championships 22:30 Total Rugby 23:00 AFL Premiership Highlights

01:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 09:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:00 20:00 22:00

Prizefighter UFC Unleashed UFC Unleashed UFC Unleashed WWE Smackdown Prizefighter WWE Experience WWE Vintage Collection WWE Bottom Line Mobil 1 The Grid UAE National Race Day Series UAE National Race Day Series V8 Supercars Highlights V8 Supercars Highlights Mobil 1 The Grid WWE NXT UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC

Classifieds THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines JZR QTR JZR MEA RBG SAI ETH GFA UAE ETD CLX THY DHX FDB MSR QTR JZR KAC THY KAC DHX RJA JZR KAC BAW JZR KAC KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY IRA QTR IZG IRA FDB ETD BAB GFA FDB MEA JZR MSR KNE MSC SYR JZR MSR KAC GFA FDB OMA KNE JZR QTR SVA JZR RJA KAC JZR KAC QTR KAC JZR ETD UAE UAL GFA SVA JZR TAR JZR KAC ABY KNE KAC QTR KAC JZR KAC BAB KAC FDB MSR MSC RBG KAC KAC KAC JZR JAI KAC KAC AXB FDB OMA MEA QTR GFA ALK FDB JZR UAE ETD ABY QTR DHX JZR JZR AIC GFA UAL JZR MEA DLH MSR THY KLM JAI

Arrival Flights on Thursday 14/6/2012 Flt Route 185 DUBAI 148 DOHA 267 BEIRUT 408 BEIRUT 3553 ALEXANDRIA 441 LAHORE 620 ADDIS ABABA 211 BAHRAIN 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI 792 LUXEMBOURG 768 ISTANBUL 370 BAHRAIN 67 DUBAI 612 CAIRO 138 DOHA 503 LUXOR 544 CAIRO 770 ISTANBUL 154 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 642 AMMAN 555 ALEXANDRIA 412 MANILA 157 LONDON 529 ASSIUT 206 ISLAMABAD 382 DELHI 53 DUBAI 302 MUMBAI 332 TRIVANDRUM 352 COCHIN 284 DHAKA 362 COLOMBO 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 605 ISFAHAN 132 DOHA 4161 MASHAD 617 AHWAZ 55 DUBAI 301 ABU DHABI 436 BAHRAIN 213 BAHRAIN 8053 DUBAI 404 BEIRUT 165 DUBAI 618 ALEXANDRIA 470 JEDDAH 401 ALEXANDRIA 341 DAMASCUS 201 DAMASCUS 610 CAIRO 672 DUBAI 219 BAHRAIN 57 DUBAI 645 MUSCAT 472 JEDDAH 535 CAIRO 140 DOHA 500 JEDDAH 241 AMMAN 640 AMMAN 788 JEDDAH 257 BEIRUT 546 ALEXANDRIA 134 DOHA 118 NEW YORK 357 MASHAD 303 ABU DHABI 857 DUBAI 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 215 BAHRAIN 510 RIYADH 177 DUBAI 328 TUNIS 777 JEDDAH 176 GENEVA 127 SHARJAH 474 JEDDAH 502 BEIRUT 144 DOHA 542 CAIRO 125 BAHRAIN 786 JEDDAH 438 BAHRAIN 104 LONDON 63 DUBAI 624 SOHAG 405 SOHAG 3553 ALEXANDRIA 618 DOHA 674 DUBAI 614 BAHRAIN 175 DUBAI 572 MUMBAI 774 RIYADH 562 AMMAN 389 KOZHIKODE 61 DUBAI 647 MUSCAT 402 BEIRUT 146 DOHA 221 BAHRAIN 229 COLOMBO 59 DUBAI 135 BAHRAIN 859 DUBAI 307 ABU DHABI 129 SHARJAH 136 DOHA 372 BAHRAIN 513 SHARM EL SHEIKH 539 CAIRO 981 CHENNAI 217 BAHRAIN 981 BAHRAIN 239 AMMAN 406 BEIRUT 636 FRANKFURT 614 CAIRO 772 ISTANBUL 411 AMSTERDAM 574 MUMBAI

Time 0:15 0:20 0:50 1:00 1:20 1:30 1:45 2:20 2:25 2:30 2:35 2:50 2:55 3:10 3:20 3:25 3:55 4:10 4:35 4:55 5:00 5:45 6:00 6:15 6:30 6:40 7:15 7:30 7:45 7:50 7:55 8:05 8:15 8:20 8:25 8:30 8:35 9:00 9:10 9:15 9:20 9:30 9:35 10:00 10:40 10:55 11:05 11:25 11:35 12:00 12:05 12:30 13:30 13:40 13:40 13:45 14:00 14:15 14:20 14:25 14:30 14:40 14:55 15:00 15:00 15:05 15:15 16:00 16:20 16:35 16:55 17:10 17:20 17:20 17:30 17:35 17:40 17:45 17:45 17:55 18:00 18:05 18:15 18:30 18:40 18:40 18:45 18:45 18:55 19:00 19:05 19:20 19:25 19:30 19:35 19:35 19:40 19:50 19:55 20:00 20:10 20:15 20:25 20:35 20:55 21:10 21:15 21:15 21:20 21:30 21:35 22:00 22:00 22:10 22:25 22:35 22:40 22:55 23:00 23:10 23:35 23:40 23:40 23:50

Airlines AIC UAL DLH MSR RBG MEA THY SAI ETH THY UAE FDB DHX ETD CLX MSR QTR QTR RJA JZR JZR GFA THY JZR KAC BAW FDB JZR ABY JZR KAC KAC IRA UAE QTR KAC FDB ETD IRA BAB JZR IZG GFA FDB KAC KAC MEA KAC JZR MSR KNE MSC SYR KAC JZR GFA FDB MSR KAC OMA KAC JZR KNE JZR JZR KAC RJA JZR SVA QTR KAC KAC ETD JZR QTR UAE GFA JZR TAR ABY UAL SVA KNE JZR QTR FDB BAB KAC RBG MSR MSC JZR JAI FDB KAC KAC OMA MEA KAC GFA FDB DHX ALK JZR ABY KAC ETD UAE QTR KAC KAC JZR JZR DHX QTR AXB GFA KAC JZR KAC MEA

Depature Flights on Thursday 14/6/2012 Flt Route 976 GOA/CHENNAI 981 WASHINGTON DC 637 FRANKFURT 615 CAIRO 3554 ALEXANDRIA 409 BEIRUT 773 ISTANBUL 442 LAHORE 621 ADDIS ABABA 769 ISTANBUL 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 371 BAHRAIN 306 ABU DHABI 792 HONG KONG 613 CAIRO 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 643 AMMAN 164 DUBAI 200 DAMASCUS 212 BAHRAIN 771 ISTANBUL 534 CAIRO 545 ALEXANDRIA 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 256 BEIRUT 126 SHARJAH 240 AMMAN 671 DUBAI 787 JEDDAH 606 MASHHAD 856 DUBAI 133 DOHA 101 LONDON 56 DUBAI 302 ABU DHABI 616 AHWAZ 437 BAHRAIN 356 MASHHAD 4162 MASHHAD 214 BAHRAIN 8054 DUBAI 541 CAIRO 165 ROME 405 BEIRUT 501 BEIRUT 776 JEDDAH 623 SOHAG 471 JEDDAH 406 SOHAG 342 DAMASCUS 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 220 BAHRAIN 58 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 561 AMMAN 646 MUSCAT 673 DUBAI 538 CAIRO 473 JEDDAH 174 DUBAI 124 BAHRAIN 617 DOHA 641 AMMAN 512 SHARM EL SHEIKH 505 JEDDAH 135 DOHA 773 RIYADH 613 BAHRAIN 304 ABU DHABI 238 AMMAN 141 DOHA 858 DUBAI 216 BAHRAIN 134 BAHRAIN 328 TUNIS 128 SHARJAH 982 BAHRAIN 511 RIYADH 475 JEDDAH 266 BEIRUT 145 DOHA 64 DUBAI 439 BAHRAIN 283 DHAKA 3554 ALEXANDRIA 607 LUXOR 402 ALEXANDRIA 184 DUBAI 571 MUMBAI 62 DUBAI 331 TRIVANDRUM 343 CHENNAI 648 MUSCAT 403 BEIRUT 543 CAIRO 222 BAHRAIN 60 DUBAI 171 BAHRAIN 230 COLOMBO 1540 CAIRO 120 SHARJAH 675 DUBAI 308 ABU DHABI 860 DUBAI 137 DOHA 301 MUMBAI 205 ISLAMABAD 188 DUBAI 554 ALEXANDRIA 373 BAHRAIN 147 DOHA 390 MANGALORE 218 BAHRAIN 411 BANGKOK 528 ASSIUT 415 KUALA LUMPUR 407 BEIRUT

Time 0:05 0:25 0:30 0:35 2:00 2:00 2:15 2:30 2:45 3:40 3:45 3:50 3:55 4:05 4:05 4:20 4:50 5:40 6:50 6:55 7:00 7:05 7:10 7:30 8:10 8:25 8:25 9:00 9:05 9:10 9:20 9:35 9:35 9:40 10:00 10:00 10:05 10:15 10:15 10:25 10:30 10:35 10:45 11:20 11:30 11:45 11:55 12:00 12:15 12:25 12:25 13:00 13:05 13:10 13:20 14:25 14:25 14:30 14:40 15:00 15:05 15:10 15:15 15:25 15:30 15:45 15:50 15:55 16:00 16:15 16:25 16:30 17:20 17:30 17:45 18:05 18:20 18:20 18:25 18:25 18:30 18:35 18:45 18:50 19:05 19:25 19:30 19:30 19:45 19:55 20:00 20:05 20:35 20:40 20:50 20:55 21:10 21:15 21:30 21:35 21:50 21:50 21:55 22:05 22:10 22:10 22:20 22:25 22:35 22:40 22:45 22:50 23:00 23:00 23:10 23:10 23:30 23:40 23:50 23:50 23:59

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

SITUATION WANTED Accountant M.Com, PGDCA with 9 years experience (4.5 years in UAE) looking for a suitable job, with residence visa (Transferable) and UAE driving license. Contact: 50295386, Email: jijojamesa@gmail.com (C 4042) Australian man just arrived in Kuwait, speaks Arabic, looking for a senior job in Automotive, Restaurant, Hotel, Overseas buyer building. Contact: 60976100.

(C 4043) 12-6-2012 ACCOMMODATION Spacious bedroom with separate bathroom available for sharing accommodation from June last onwards for Keralite couples in a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom flat near United Indian School, Abbasiya.

Contact: 66846299.

(C 4045) 14-6-2012 A decent bachelor needs accommodation with Pakistani family room.

Contact: 90926037.

(C 4044) 13-6-2012 Sharing accommodation available for decent bachelor non-smoking, Amman Street, opposite to AlRashid Hospital. Contact: 66232356 / 50223132.

(C 4041) 11-6-2012

SITUATION VACANT Required English speaking nanny/maid. Please Contact: 99824597. (C 4040) 11-6-2012

MATRIMONIAL Financially-sound ex-NRI parents invite proposals for their son 28/180, fair, B.Com and MBA (Finance) from a respected institution, employed in a reputed bank in Kuwait, from parents of professionally qualified, God-fearing girls, preferably MBA (Finance), M.Com or engineers.

Contact: dr.matt32@gmail.com 13-6-2012

CHANGE OF NAME Gnanasegaran Rajendiran, son of Rajendiran and Rajendiran Jothi bearing an Indian passport No. G7703114 having an address 23, N.No. 18, Asanampattu Bethlegam, I street MU College RD Reddy THOP, Ambur Vellore 635 802, Tamilnadu had embraced Islam and changed the name as Muhammed Abdullah.

(C 4038) 9-6-2012

No: 15478

FOR SALE Furniture and accessories including wardrobe, computer table with bookshelf, IKEA double bed with mattress, servicing table, gas burner, chairs etc. for sale.

Please contact: 99546733 / 90032678. (C 4037) 9-8-2012

POLICE STATION Al-Madena Police Station

22434064

Al-Murqab Police Station

22435865

Al-Daiya Police Station

22544200

Al-Fayha’a Police Station

22547133

Al-Qadissiya Police Station

22515277

Al-Nugra Police Station

22616662

Al-Salmiya Police Station

25714406

Al-Dasma Police Station

22530801

34

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

stars CROSSWORD 705

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) You tend to be creative and original in your work and career, managing to bring new ideas and spontaneity to bear. You are gifted and even lucky when it comes to business decisions. Things will seem to work out magically. Your career always seems to get the support you need and this is one area of your life that tends to run smoothly, particularly at this time. You seem to understand what the public wants and mass marketing is a natural. You love to work with young people and could make a superb teacher or coach. You appreciate a heartfelt approach and are an enthusiast if there ever was one. You will do well to continue encouraging others in creative endeavors. Matters of the heart, marriage, etc., are areas where you can help others this evening.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You are coming into a creative and competitive phase, one in which you want to be admired and appreciated for what you do and who you are. You are an aggressive prime mover, a starter, able to initiate and get things moving. Your energies run effectively toward making yourself felt in the material, tangible outer world. You are an action person who gains the attention of others and seems to get things moving. Much work is accomplished today—others learn by watching you. The circumstances of your life suggest extroversion. Your positive attitude helps you to express yourself. Today you may have to work at remaining patient when it comes to a co-worker that may shun his or her duties. If you stay focused on your goals, you will know success.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. A condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders.

4. (usually in the plural) Pants for casual wear.

10. An alliance made up of states that had been Soviet Socialist Republics in the Soviet Union prior to its dissolution in Dec 1991.

13. An implement used to propel or steer a boat.

14. The first light of day.

15. The act of hopping (jumping upward or forward (especially on one foot)).

16. The compass point that is one point east (clockwise) of due north.

17. One of two official languages of Norway.

18. An inflammatory complication of leprosy that results in painful skin lesions on the arms and legs and face.

19. Jordan's port.

21. A state in southwestern Germany famous for its beer.

23. An informal term for a father.

25. Evergreen tree of warm regions having fuzzy yellow olivesized fruit with a large free stone.

26. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

29. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

30. A tumor of bone tissue.

32. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits.

36. A white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light.

37. An antidepressant drug that acts by blocking the reuptake of serotonin so that more serotonin is available to act on receptors in the brain.

39. A port in western Israel on the Mediterranean.

41. Harsh or corrosive in tone.

43. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

45. The sense organ for hearing and equilibrium.

46. A white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light.

49. A winged sandal (as worn by Hermes in Graeco-Roman art).

52. With the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe.

56. Any of a number of fishes of the family Carangidae.

57. Evergreen tree of eastern Asia and Philippines having large leathery leaves and small green-white flowers in compact cymes.

60. The biblical name for ancient Syria.

61. The basic unit of electric current adopted under the System International d'Unites.

63. (New Testament) The sages who visited Jesus and Mary and Joseph shortly after Jesus was born.

64. Informal abbreviation of `representative'.

65. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River.

66. Assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing.

DOWN 1. An atom having a valence of one.

2. A coffee cake flavored with orange rind and raisins and almonds.

3. Causing fear or dread or terror.

4. A island in the Netherlands Antilles that is the top of an extinct volcano.

5. A Nilotic language.

6. (Judaism) Sacred chest where the ancient Hebrews kept the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments.

7. A flat device with narrow pointed teeth on one edge.

8. A village of huts for native Africans in southern Africa.

9. An outburst resembling the discharge of firearms or the release of bombs.

10. A sweet innocent baby.

11. Region of western Asia Minor colonized by Ancient Greeks.

12. A single splash.

20. Cook and make edible by putting in a hot oven.

22. Jordan's port.

24. A software system that facilitates the creation and maintenance and use of an electronic database.

27. (Greek mythology) The winged goddess of the dawn in ancient mythology.

28. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

31. An enclosed space.

33. A genus of Platalea.

34. A master's degree in fine arts.

35. A room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter.

38. A plant hormone promoting elongation of stems and roots.

40. A heavy ductile magnetic metallic element.

42. No longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life.

44. A small pellet fired from an air rifle or BB gun.

46. Having help.

47. An Indian side dish of yogurt and chopped cucumbers and spices.

48. Small terrestrial lizard of warm regions of the Old World.

50. The highest level or degree attainable.

51. An inhabitant of Lappland.

53. An Arabic speaking person who lives in Arabia or North Africa.

54. Especially one side of a leaf.

55. Expel, as of gases and odors.

58. Of a light yellowish-brown color n 1.

59. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism.

62. The syllable naming the fourth (subdominant) note of the diatonic scale in solmization.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) There will be plenty of opportunities for communicating your ideas today. There are meetings and presentations that you are proud of and looking forward to the results. Communication is the interface that holds the rest of you together. All things pale beside your basic drive and the emotions you so freely exhibit. A period of great mental activity and heightened communication with others has begun at this time. This is a good time for you—your efforts really pay off well. Projects and work run smoothly. You have abilities and will achieve whatever you set out to do this day. This evening you may search for some entertainment and settle on a rented movie or competitive game playing with a friend. You are satisfied with the day’s progress.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Financial transactions are favored today. Do some research of your own without trusting in another person’s opinion. You have a basic idea of how you want to handle your finances but it is good that you are open to suggestions. Think about investing in a safe-deposit box if you have valuables . . . this is a good way to protect them. Your innate good taste means that you can distinguish good items from bad and are a connoisseur of all that is fine and beautiful—investing in some piece of jewelry may be an option at this time. You may be called upon today to advise others concerning the assessment of a particular technical package. A love of powerful figures, plus an appreciation for authority, makes you welcome at any social scene this evening.

NON SEQUITUR

Leo (July 23-August 22) You will find yourself giving way to others today. Your ability to supervise people and things makes you a unique individual.

Organizing and administering people and projects may become central to your lifestyle, if that is what you want. You could enjoy a position that would call upon your abilities to organize people and events. This could involve the hotel industry or perhaps scheduling events for the town’s convention center. There are not many people of your caliber out there when it comes to management. If you are not in a management position, you may find that opportunity opening up for you soon. You are sociable and people adore being in your presence. This evening would be a good time to spend in the company of a loved one.

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) There are opportunities to move up the career ladder today; however, you have to pay attention. You pursue responsibilities the way others pursue pleasure and you even invite obligations. If you want it, a new career move can be a solid move. Investment opportunities are also available. You are very bearish when it comes to security and you seldom make a move that is not beneficial. You do not invest in anything that is not tried and tested— there is a new investment opportunity to research. This investment is based on sound principles and may be tied in with the law or government. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Tonight, you may be asked for your advice regarding a friend’s very personal issues.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Your mind works like a steel trap when it comes to making career decisions. You have a great interest in the business and practical world. It looks as though any past career problems are not going to hang around for your musing. Today is one of those days when you take on that relentless drive to complete some particular task. Your relentless pursuit of anything hidden makes you a researcher or investigator bar none. Emotionally, you are also hot stuff, rushing into areas and handling subject matters that others would never approach. Before quitting time, you have completed your work and find yourself wanting to help others complete their work. If you can’t help others you may look for a broom or start cleaning up for tomorrow’s patrons.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You project your image well and there is a good feeling that anything is possible. Today you can request a raise or a promotion.

You may need to add a little patience and good judgment when it comes to your interactions with co-workers. You can demonstrate great sensitivity to the needs of others and you are in a good position to exchange a few positive words. You are never more at home than when entertaining and carrying on in front of a group. It may be better to let someone else do the entertaining. Others sense an interest in their welfare when they meet you. If your lifestyle or daily habits have been a bit dull lately, things are about to change. You are soon to receive a variety of invitations and some unusual entertainment experiences.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

Yesterday’s Solution

This whole day you may appear charismatic. You could make your request for a date, apply for a job, raise, promotion or loan.

This activity may seem a bit out of the usual as your drive and emotions usually take conservative, well-traveled paths, carefully avoiding the new and different.

Someone may encourage you to schedule some academic classes into your routine so that you can either complete some project or brush up on some skills that will benefit your future income. Higher education or philosophical or religious contacts could have a part in making good things happen. Recreation and sports are excellent ways to keep in shape and ease any stress. Careful—accidents could occur if you overdo today.

You could be in an unpredictable mood these days. Your drive for independence is obvious today. You have ideas and you may have reached the end of your patience when it comes to holding off on your ideas. You love traditional as well as tailored things and people will take you seriously when you do decide to express your opinion. However, do not let too much steam build up before you become expressive. Perhaps a written report to the higher-ups regarding an overview of your ideas would be appropriate. Electronics, computers and communications could become a bigger part of your life. This is a time to take risks and be a little unconventional. You have ideas of how to improve or enhance an already existing product; write the creator.

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) You may find yourself being too harsh or forceful when dealing with others at work today—mainly in group situations. There could be a delay regarding practical or job-related activities. It is important for you to discern how to share in the responsibilities and as a result, lessen your load. This moment is a good time to take a deep breath and stop what you are doing for fifteen or twenty minutes. Tell a joke, hear a joke, smile, walk and breathe in some fresh air. You will be ready to return to your work with a more refreshed and positive frame of mind. You have a drive to complete projects without having to set deadlines. What could have been a difficult day will be turned in to a successful one because of your skill at increasing business.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

You have a natural psychological ability, in particular when working with the public. You may be working with the public quite a bit for the next few days. People sense that you can handle emotional and personal issues and they will trust you with sensitive matters. Yours is a reflective mind—a mirror for others. You may find yourself acting as a mediator or negotiator today. A real estate proposition may be difficult to turn away. If it is meant for you, the good deal will still be available after you have done whatever research is required. An unexpected visit from a friend this evening may have you splurging for dinner or perhaps you will enjoy attending a club or entertainment of sorts. Be careful that you do not overspend or indulge too much.

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

i n f o r m at i o n

112 GOVERNORATE

24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

Rabiya

4732263

Roudha

22517733

Adhaliya

22517144

Khaldiya

24848075

Keifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salim

22549134

Al-Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Al-Khadissiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Ghar

22531908

Al-Shaab

22518752

Al-Kibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Kibla

22451082

Al-Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W.Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

website: www.moi.gov.kw

Sabah Hospital

PHARMACY

Hawally

ST TATE T OF KUW K WA AIT

Tel.: e 161

DIRECTORA ATE T GEN GENERAL OF CIVIL AV VIA ATION T METEOROLOGICAL DEP PA ARTMENT DA AY Y: Wednesday e

Ext.: 2627 26 - 2630

13/06/2012

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Fayhaa

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Al-Jahra

25610011

Al-Salmiya

25616368

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

19:00

Issue Time

Expected Weeather for the Next 24 Hours BY Y NIGHT:

Relative hot and humid over coastal areas with light to moderate north westerly to north easterly wind, with speed of 08 - 30 km/h

BY Y DA AY:

Hot and humid over coastal areas with light to moderate variable wind changing to light to moderate south easterly wind, with speed of 08 - 28 km/h

WA ARNING

No Current Warnings arnin a

ST TAT TION

MAX. REC.

MIN. N. EXP P.

KUW WAIT A CITY

47 °C

34 °C

KUW WAIT A AIRPOR RT

47 °C

30 °C

NUW WAISEEB A

46 °C

31 °C

WAFRA A

47 °C

33 °C

SALMI

44 °C

30 °C

ABDAL LY

48 °C

33 °C

JAL ALIY YAH A

46 °C

32 °C

FA AILAKA

46 °C

31 °C

AHMADI POR RT

39 °C

36 °C

UMM AL-MARADEM

37 °C

31 °C

WARBA A A - BUBY YA AN

45 °C

30 °C

SFC. CHART

13/06/2012 1200 UTC

4 DA AYS Y FORECAST Temperatures DA AY

DA AT TE

WEA AT THER

MAX.

MIN.

Wind Speed

Wind Direction

14/06

hot + humid over coastal areas

45 °C

30 °C

VRB-SE

08 - 28 km/h

15/06

hot + humid over coastal areas

47 °C

31 °C

VRB-SE

06 - 26 km/h

24772608

Saturday

16/06

very hot

48 °C

33 °C

SW-SE

10 - 32 km/h

South Jahra

24775066

Sunday

17/06

very hot

49 °C

35 °C

VRB-NW

12 - 35 km/h

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Fajr

03:13

MAX. Temp.

Al-Ardhiya

24884079

Sunrise

04:48

MIN. Temp.

45 °C 30 °C

Firdous

24892674

Zuhr

11:48

MAX. RH

19 %

Asr

15:22

MIN. RH

Al-Omariya

24719048

Sunset

18:48

MAX. Wind

N.Kheitan

24710044

Isha

20:20

TOT TAL AL RA AINF FALL A L IN 24 HR.

Fintas

3900322

PRA AYER Y TIMES

RECORDED YESTERDA AY AT KUW WA AIT AIRPOR RT

All times are local time unless otherwise stated.

04 % NW 57 km/h 00 mm

13/06/12 14:28 UTC

V1.00

T1.06

PRIVATE CLINICS Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist

25665898 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

25655535

Dentists

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

Dr. Salem soso General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil

22639939

Dr. Mousa Khadada

22666300

Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

3729596/3729581

Neurologists Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, Ph.D. 2290-1677 Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg, M.A. 2290-1677

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

Dr Anil Thomas

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

Al-Shohada’a

Fax: 24348714

Friday

Psychologists /Psychotherapists

22418714

WWW.MET.GOV V.KW .

Thursday

Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427

Al-Madena

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062

Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677

36 Lopez

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

lifest yle G o s s i p

US

indsay Lohan is in negotiations to star in Paul Schrader’s upcoming film “The Canyons,” a thriller penned by Bret Easton Ellis.

Ellis wrote the novel “American Psycho,” which was later adapted into a film. Adult film star James Deen has already signed up for the role of Christian, while Lohan would co-star as Tara. Lohan would like to do the film and the filmmakers like her for it, as evidenced by Ellis’ tweet announcing her joining the cast earlier today. “I am beyond thrilled that James Deen and Lindsay Lohan will be playing the parts of Christian and Tara,” he tweeted.

Braxton Pope, a producer on the film, said that the “Mean Girls” star’s talent has been lost amidst all the reports about her personal life. They have been looking at her for some

L

lizabeth Arden Inc has purchased the fragrance licenses of Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj. The company bought the rights of the perfumes by both pop stars from Give Back Brands LLC, as they want to build on their celebrity portfolio. In a memo to employees, E Scott Beattie - chairman and chief executive officer of Elizabeth Arden said: “We are pleased to announce that today we signed an agreement to acquire the licenses for the Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj fragrance brands from Give Back Brands. The marketing and creative activities for these fragrance brands will continue to be managed externally by their existing team. Sales, finance and operational activities will be absorbed by the respective Elizabeth Arden functions. These brands represent another opportunity to grow our extensive fragrance portfolio through both

E

time. “This gets overwhelmed by publicity and her personal tumult, but Lindsay is a very talented actress,” producer Pope said. “She’s not in the same genus as Kim Kardashian or Paris Hilton. She’s the real deal.” Lohan has already come in to do work with Schrader, which a cinematographer filmed. That said, her place in the project is not set in stone, as it is incumbent upon Lohan’s absolute commitment once filming begins July 9. Lohan is currently filming “Liz & Dick,” and a recent car accident again raised questions about her personal life impacting production. Schrader, Ellis and Pope have all put money into the film, and they also used Kickstarter to raise funds. Given the smaller budget for this independent film, delays in shooting are not an option.

new licenses and fragrance acquisitions.

“We’ve been keen observers of Justin Bieber’s fragrance and his participation in it.

When you look at the combination of Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift’s Wonderstruck, together they accounted for half of the US growth in fragrance last season. Our growth agenda allowed for a certain amount of acquisitions and when this became available we recognized it was a great opportunity. It made sense to us given the size and breadth of our celebrity portfolio.” Justin’s Someday fragrance became one of the biggest selling of 2011, with annual sales reaching $39 million. He is set to release a second perfume, entitled Girlfriend, next week. Nicki’s first fragrance is set for a September launch.

Baldwin to marry fiancee lec Baldwin is set to marry fiancee Hilaria Thomas at the end of the month. The ‘30 Rock’ actor will tie the knot with the Spanish-born yoga instructor at New York’s Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in a Catholic ceremony on June 30. A source told the New York Post newspaper: “This wasn’t a quick decision. It took a lot of planning.” The church is where Francis Ford Coppola filmed the famous baptism scene in ‘The Godfather’, in which Al Pacino’s renunciation of Satan was intercut with the massacre of the Corleone family’s enemies. Martin Scorsese

A

also used the church’s walled graveyard for a scene in ‘Mean Streets’ as well as a location in ‘Gangs of New York’. Last month, it was claimed Alec, 54, and 28-year-old Hilaria - who have been dating for almost a year - would elope following the Cannes Film Festival. A source said: “They’ve been telling people they’ll be spending time in Europe, and there’s speculation they’re going to get married.” Alec - who has a 16year-old daughter Ireland with ex-wife Kim Basinger - recently revealed he was considering having children with Hilaria. He said: “Have I thought about having more kids?

Oh sure, that would be great, that would be heaven, that would be fantastic.”

Forbes magazine, which based its rankings on earnings, press coverage and Internet presence. After taking time off to become a mother in 2008, Lopez returned to the public eye last year with a star turn as one of three talent judges on “American Idol.” Lopez has four-year-old twins, Max and Emme, from her marriage with salsa musician Marc Antony, who filed for divorce earlier this year.

Arquette and Cox get a divorce

diva Jennifer Lopez visited a children’s hospital in Panama to which she has donated telemedicine equipment at the start of a series of South American concerts. “As a mother, children are the most important thing for me,” she said Tuesday at a hospital for poor children in the capital, where she was accompanied by her sister Lynda and Panamanian officials. Lopez, 42, will kick off a new tour here today, with upcoming concerts in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Canada and the United States. Last month Lopez was named the world’s most powerful celebrity by

avid Arquette has filed for divorce from Courtney Cox. The ‘Scream 4’ actor filed divorce papers citing irreconcilable differences on Friday, almost two years after they separated.

He is asking for joint legal and physical custody of their daughter, Coco, who turns eight tomorrow. According to the papers, David does not ask for spousal or child support and is representing himself in the divorce. Yesterday’s was the actor and former ‘Friends’ star Courtney’s 13th wedding anniversary. According to TMZ.com David signed the divorce papers in March, meaning he has held on to them for almost three months. The couple got together after meeting of the set of the first ‘Scream’ film in 1995 and married in 1999, but separated in October 2010. At the time they released a statement saying: “We are comfortable with the boundaries that we have established for each other during this separation and we hope that our friends, family, fans and the media also show us respect, dignity, understanding and love at this time as well.” The couple remained on good terms, with Courtney and Coco supporting David when he appeared on ‘Dancing On Ice’ last year. The former couple were also interviewed together by radio DJ Howard Stern last year, and while David hinted he would like for them to get back together, Courtney was not so sure. However, she did say during the interview: “We are always going to be a family whether we’re together or not.” Since their split, David had a short romance with TV presenter Christina McLarty, while Courtney has remained single.

D

imon Cowell invites terminally ill children to rehearsals for her shows. The kind-hearted media mogul is patron of UK children’s hospice charity Shooting Star Chase, which helps sick kids and whenever his popular reality TV shows such as ‘The X Factor’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ are filming he thrills the youngsters by having them come to meet the acts and watch rehearsals. A source told The Sun newspaper: “Simon might be a multi-millionaire but he does an awful lot for charity.

And he doesn’t just donate money, he gives his time.” Simon also hangs out backstage with the children and the usually-serious judge even plays games with the youngsters. The source added: “These kids love coming down to the show and he makes it special by teasing them and playing games with them.

He enjoys it and they have a day they will never forget. He lets them takes photos of them doing silly things. He’s great with them.” Although he plays up his Nasty image on ‘X Factor’, Simon often undertakes a number of good deeds. He previously paid off the mortgage of the parents of a cancer-stricken girl, writing them a cheque for £100,000 to help them cope. Simon said at the time: “I never knew that doing good could feel so good. “It doesn’t stop here. If there’s any problem, I’m her guardian angel now.” It was also revealed Simon - who is believed to be worth over £100 million -will leave £90 million to charity in his will. The 52-year-old star, who has no children, will leave the mammoth sum to a selection of organizations helping children and animals.

S

om Cruise was in Manhattan to collect an award, and, yes, promote a movie On Tuesday night, the actor received the fourth ever Friars Club Entertainment Icon Award. The evening was a toast, not a roast. Alec Baldwin hosted at the WaldorfAstoria, where speakers included such former costars as Cuba Gooding Jr. and Kevin Pollak. Cruise brought along his 6-year-old daughter, Suri, who not only got to stay up late, but to take in an R-rated trib-

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ute. A few obscenities were dropped, including some on film by Cruise during a highlight reel of his career.

Numerous plugs were worked in for “Rock of Ages,” coming out tomorrow. Baldwin co-stars with Cruise and the ceremony included a performance by the cast of the Broadway musical on which the film is based.— Agencies

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

lifestyle M U S I C

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M O V I E S

‘Rock of Ages’ revels in big-haired kitsch Review

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Streep presents

Davis with Women in Film award T

hey may have been Oscar rivals earlier this year, but there’s nothing but love between Meryl Streep and Viola Davis. Streep, who ended Davis’ awards run for “The Help” by winning the lead actress Oscar for “The Iron Lady,” lauded her friend and colleague Tuesday at Women in Film’s annual Crystal + Lucy Awards. She called Davis “a lion-hearted woman;” a gifted and determined actress who studied at Juilliard, won Tony Awards and captivated Hollywood with her eight-minute performance in “Doubt.”“She was a newcomer at 45,” Streep joked.

Davis returned the love as she accepted the award.”I have a confession,” she said, sharing how touched she was when Streep sent her a card after the film wrapped. Davis also kept a photo of the two of them together on set.”OK Meryl, I framed the card,” Davis said. “So you can never come over to the house.”Other honorees at the private ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel were actresses Christina Applegate and Chloe Grace Moretz, NBCUniversal Cable chief Bonnie Hammer, cinematographer Anette Haellmigk and five female executives from Fox. — AP

ust when you thought you’d never hear Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me” again outside of a strip club comes “Rock of Ages,” a shiny, splashy homage to the decadence of 1980s rock ‘n’ roll. Specifically, we’re talking about 1987 on the Sunset Strip, the birthplace of bands like Guns N’ Roses and Poison, and all the big-haired, eyelinered debauchery that defined that scene. Your enjoyment of this musical, based on the Tony-nominated Broadway show, will depend greatly on your enjoyment of this music - because director Adam Shankman (“Hairspray”) crams in a lot of it. Did you cuddle in a car with your high school honey past curfew to Skid Row’s “I Remember You”? If your answer is yes, you’ll probably have a good time, even though the movie lasts an awfully long time. There’s way too much Foreigner on the soundtrack for my personal liking, and no one ever needs to hear Starship’s “We Built This City” played in public (or in private for that matter), even ironically. Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” the film’s climactic final number, has the misfortune of having grown tiresome in recent years between its inclusion on “Glee” and “The Sopranos” finale. And if we’re really being nitpicky, some of the songs featured here, like the Extreme ballad “More Than Words,” didn’t even exist yet. Still, if this era was a formative time in your life and you’re feeling a yearning for kitschy nostalgia, “Rock of Ages” provides a sufficiently fun little escape. Aqua Net! Wine coolers! Men with ponytails! We were so lame. Sure, the characters are all broad types, from fresh-faced newcomers with

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n his book “Making Rumours,” record producer Ken Caillat recounts with humor and detail the tumultuous year of betrayal, drama and rock ‘n’ roll excess behind recording Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 “Rumours” album, which has sold over 40 million copies. Caillat, who counts Billy Idol, The Beach Boys and Alice Cooper among his many producing credits along with Fleetwood Mac, has more recently been instrumental in the career of his singer-songwriter daughter Colbie Caillat, who has sold over 6 million albums worldwide and scored a major hit with “Bubbly.”

Ahead of Father’s Day on June 17, Reuters spoke with the talented dad-daughter team that is currently working on a Christmas album, and they spoke of collaborating and how the music industry has changed since “Rumours.”

Ken: “I couldn’t listen to the album. I heard it as all work. I knew that I spent 14 hours a day on it. Up until a few years ago, I still had dreams, rather nightmares, about being in that studio.

I thought it would help to write the book. I decided to in 2009. First, I did extensive research and got access to Warner Bros. Records’ vaults of the recording sessions. Then I started writing. I got up at 7 a.m. and wrote it by the fireplace every day for about 90 days.”

Q: How does working with Colbie compare with your experience with Fleetwood Mac? Ken: “Fleetwood Mac was always pushy, cantankerous, opinionated and inebriated. Fast forward 30 years, and the whole situation is clean. Nobody smokes in the studio night or day.

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cheeky streak that prevents it from turning too reverent and self-serious. The impossibly adorable Julianne Hough stars as Sherrie, a wholesome blonde fresh off the bus from Oklahoma who hopes to make it as a singer in Los Angeles. Instead, she ends up working as a waitress at the venerable (and fic-

being Russell Brand), so they’re hoping a performance from rock god Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise, easily the best part of the film) will keep them alive. Stacee’s sleazy manager (a well-cast Paul Giamatti, who’s also game enough to sing) merely wants to continue milking his notoriously unreliable client. With a bandana tied

around his long, wild tresses, aviator sunglasses and fur coat over his bare, tatted chest, Cruise is clearly aping Guns N’ Roses lead singer Axl Rose. (And speaking of apes, everywhere the character goes, he’s accompanied by his pet baboon named Hey Man). But the swagger is reminiscent of his supporting role in “Magnolia,” still his best work yet.

Cruise gives a per formance that’s intensely weird and weirdly intense; it’s sexy and funny and a great fit for his own status as a rock star among actors.

Unfortunately, this film version (with a script from Chris D’Arienzo, who created the stage show, Allan Loeb and Justin Theroux) also feels the need to cram in a subplot about the self-righteous, uptight wife (Catherine ZetaJones) of L.A.’s mayor (Bryan Cranston), who’s on a crusade to clean up the Strip.

Even though the “Chicago” star’s intentionally rigid per formance of Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” is good for a laugh, the whole stor y thread seems like a feeble attempt at injecting tension. Far more effective is the presence of Mary J. Blige as the strip club owner with a heart of gold who takes Sherrie under her wing when life in Los Angeles gets too tough. The second she struts into a room and opens her mouth, she just blows everyone else away - a powerful reminder of how a superstar can truly rock.

“Rock of Ages,” a New Line Cinema release, is rated PG-13 for sexual content, suggestive dancing, some heavy drinking and language. Running time: 123 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four. — AP

Singer Colbie Caillat and dad, Ken

Colbie: “I love the book because it’s about the band’s personalities and what it takes to make a record like that. It’s really cool for people who are fans of Fleetwood Mac to get the inside look. I was reading it on the plane and after each chapter, I’d listen to the song the chapter was discussing.”

President George H.W. Bush, and his wife Barbara, arrive for the premiere of HBO’s new documentary about his life in Kennebunkport, Maine. ormer President George H.W. Bush says it’s a good thing his mother wasn’t around for the premiere of an HBO documentary about his life.

Bush says his mom taught him to avoid talking about himself and the film “41” features Bush in his own words. It premiered Tuesday in Kennebunkport, Maine, near his summer home. Bush, who turned 88 on Tuesday, has spent at least part of every summer since childhood in Kennebunkport, except when he served as a naval aviator during World War II. The Maine coast and the Bush home play prominent roles in the film.

The Portland Press Herald says Bush, sporting a turtleneck and a blue blazer, was asked what he was most proud about and responded: “The fact that my kids all still come home.”—AP

tional) Bourbon Room, where she quickly falls for aspiring rocker Drew (Diego Boneta).

But the club has lost some of its cache, to the distress of its owner (Alec Baldwin in long hair and a leather vest) and his right-hand man (Russell Brand,

A Minute With:

Q: What made you decide to write the book, Ken?

Documentary on elder Bush premieres on Maine coast

dreams of stardom to grizzled, cynical veterans who’ve seen it all. And sure, their antics are glossed-up and watereddown compared to reality to ensure a PG-13 accessibility. But the movie has enough energy to keep you suitably entertained, as well as a knowing,

With Colbie, we just focus on the music. You can do things faster and cheaper now. We had 365 days to make ‘Rumours.’ When I talked with (former Fleetwood Mac singer) Stevie Nicks recently, she was about to make a record and told me she had only 13 days to record.”

Q: Do you two ever clash over the work?

Colbie: “We argue creatively all the time.

There are two songs I wanted to do for this Christmas record, and I don’t want to do them anymore-’I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ and ‘Winter Wonderland.’ I’m not feeling it. But he wants it. We did this with my song, ‘Rainbow.’ He wanted people to do background ‘oohs’ and I was annoyed and didn’t want it. But then I realized it was a good idea. You have to be nudged and open-minded.”

Q: Colbie, you grew up in what many would consider to be a cool, rock ‘n’ roll home around artists all the time.

But did you ever have the typical, “I can’t stand my parents,” stage?

Ken: “She doesn’t have a problem calling me a dork.”

Colbie: “Everyone can’t stand their parents at times. He can’t stand his parents sometimes. It’s just when, maybe, you’re around each other too much.

Then, you step away from it. My parents influenced me to become a songwriter and learn how to play an instrument. I can appreciate that now, but at the time I was annoyed. They wanted me to take lessons and write songs. I just wanted to sing. I thought it was annoying but now, OK. (Turns to Ken).

You were totally right and thank you.”

Q: Clearly Colbie was born with an incredible voice. But how would you know she had the potential to write songs?

Ken: “I think everyone has the potential to be a songwriter. If they can make their hands play music, their mouth will correspond and jump in and join the party.”

Q: What’s the biggest lesson you can teach Colbie in terms of your years of experience in the business?

Ken: “It’s a totally different game. I don’t try to teach her anything. The only thing I’ve said in the past is to slow down and listen. She sometimes gets so booked up on things. She does vocals with me and races over to do a new vocal. I say ‘you never get the chance to sit and listen to what we’re doing.’ That’s what I tell most musicians these days. Slow down. Enjoy listening more, because it’s all about the listening experience. I don’t know if that’s old fashioned, but it works for me.

“On her first record, I fought with her producer because Colbie was really coproducing the record. She knows what she wants. She says ‘I like that and not that,’ every step of the way. I was trying to encourage her to be involved in producing.”

Q: Colbie, you recently guest-starred on TV show “The Playboy Club.” Do you plan on acting, too?

Colbie: “He wants me to!”

Legendary Pakistan singer

Mehdi Hassan dies P

akistan’s legendary classical singer Mehdi Hassan, who captivated millions of music fans across South Asia, died yesterday after a long illness, his family said. He was 84. Hassan, known as Shahenshah-e-Ghazal, or the king of classical singing among Urdu speakers across the world, died in a private hospital in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi.

His son Asif told reporters outside the hospital that his father had been suffering from multiple lung, chest and urinary tract conditions. Pak istani Prime Minister

Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed his condolences, calling Hassan “an icon who mesmerised music lovers” in Pakistan and the sub-continent for decades. Indian singing legend Lata Mangeshkar told Pakistan’s private TV channel Express News that his death was a “big loss”.

Hassan also won awards and accolades in India and Nepal, as well as Pakistan. He was born in India and migrated to Pakistan after partition and independence from British rule in 1947. —AFP

Mehdi Hassan Relatives mourn the death of Pakistan’s legendary classical singer Mehdi Hassan in Karachi yesterday. — AFP

Ken: “Sure, why not! She thinks it’s going to be difficult, and I keep promising her that they’re going to write scripts and all she’ll have to do is be herself.”

Q: He was right about your songwriting. Maybe you should listen to your dad.

Colbie: “He’d been telling me for years to take lessons and write songs. I didn’t.

Finally, when I was 19, I said, ‘Fine. I’ll take a guitar lesson.’ I went to my first guitar lesson and I came home that evening. I had learned the basic four chords and I wrote a song in my parents’ bathroom that night where nobody could hear me. I star ted singing when I was playing the chords and was impressed by what he had said.

“If you just sing whatever you’re feeling and learn a simple instrument, you can write a song. It was fast and easy, and I fell in love with the experience of writing. I was lucky that I had parents in the business who helped me find a great manager Ken: “She opens her mouth and golden rainbows come out. She’s the luckiest girl in the world. — Reuters

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

lifestyle

The image illustrates the Future Sheraton Kuwait Complex.

In this picture the Amir HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is seen with Abdulaziz Al-Shaya, Chairman of Oriental Hotels Company.

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t was in the year 1966 when the Sheraton Kuwait was inaugurated to be the first managed Sheraton Hotel to open outside the United States of America due to a partnership with pioneering visionary, Abdulaziz Al Shaya. The last 46 years have been truly memorable in the history of Sheraton Kuwait. In fact, the next years promise to set new milestones and lead to further expansion in the Sheraton Kuwait family.

Through the last 46 years, numerous world renowned dignitaries and luminaries have graced the Sheraton Kuwait and so many international conferences and events took place. In 1969, Sheraton Kuwait expanded its presence by adding a second building. In 1978 a third building was added to the Sheraton Kuwait. With the Iraqi invasion in 1990, Sheraton Kuwait suffered a setback but it rose from the ashes like a Phoenix in 1991.

In 2003, Four Points by Sheraton Kuwait was established, yet another star had joined the Sheraton galaxy and a decade later we forge ahead with the exciting expansion of the new Four Points which will further underline our commitment to the important market in Kuwait. Internationally acclaimed awards and accolades have been earned by Sheraton Kuwait throughout the years.

The last 46 years have set a benchmark in the history of hospitality in Kuwait where Sheraton Kuwait has become a landmark for excellence and incomparable luxury. On this special occasion Fahed Abushaar the Area Director/General Manager of Sheraton Kuwait, expressed his satisfaction at the superlative performance of the hotel and reiterated the importance of being the pioneer in providing high standards of hospitality in the region.

He also announced that in line with the hotel’s plan to expand its facilities, the hotel will witness an active upgrading and renewing works of its lobby. In addition, the Sheraton Kuwait is planning to open new branches of its specialized restaurants at the Avenues Mall’s new expansion, which is scheduled to open next September.

The new restaurants include Le Tarbouche; Shahrayar; Bukhara and Al Hambra. “Thanks to these developments, Sheraton Hotel will reach new horizons of hospitality in Kuwait, aiming to give the best services for its esteemed guests”, said Fahed Abushaar, Area Director and General Manager of Sheraton Kuwait Sheraton Kuwait, a Luxury Collection Hotel is located in the heart of the commercial and financial districts of Kuwait City only 15 km away from Kuwait’s International airport, the hotel’s ultra-modern facilities and fascinating tradition combine to create an atmosphere that is the epitome of luxury. Sheraton Kuwait offers 300 rooms and suites that are delicately furnished to provide guests with the comfort and opulence they deserve. Guests are able to enjoy a fully equipped health club and an outdoor swimming pool. A fully equipped business center, on-site car rental and concierge services are also available. The hotel’s exotic gourmet cuisine includes international, Italian, Indian, Lebanese and Iranian delights in addition to the English Tea Lounge at the Sheraton and Avenues Mall.

The picture shows HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah and Fahed Abushaar, Area Director /General Manager of the Sheraton Hotel.

In this picture the late Amir HH Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al-Sabah is seen with Abdulaziz Al-Shaya, Chairman of Oriental Hotels Company.

The Sheraton Hotel looked desolate after the aftermath of the invasion of Kuwait.

An archive picture of the Sheraton Hotel from 1966 when it was first opened.

Fahed Abushaar, Area Director /General Manager of the Sheraton Hotel.

The Royal Suite Salon offers the luxury anyone dreams of.

This is how Sheraton’s Royal Suite Bedroom looks like on the inside.

Crystal Ballroom

Diamond Grand Ballroom

The view from Ricardo Restaurant at the Sheraton showcases hospitality and great ambience.

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

lifestyle T r a v e l

In this June 19, 2009 file photo, security guards keep watch over Buddhist pilgrims as they walk on the Barkhor, the circular route around the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, China.

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ibet is seeing a boom in Chinese visitors, meaning that the government’s latest ban on foreigners following self-immolation protests against Beijing’s rule has barely dented the region’s tourism industry. The Chinese government typically closes Tibet to foreigners during periods of unrest, andtourism of any kind plummeted after riots against ethnic Chinese in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, in 2008.But domestic tourists are still allowed, and the government has wooed them in recent years with deepprice cuts, direct flights and more train services.

Hotels catering to Chinese tourists in Lhasa are doing brisk business. With its pristine, yak- grazed grasslands and snowcapped mountains, the Tibetan plateau provides a stunning getaway formany urban-dwellers. “I was attracted by the natural environment here. The blue sky, clean air and water make mefeel like I am really enjoying life here,” said Feng Junyuan, 26, a freelance editor from the southernChinese megacity of Guangzhou who was reached by phone at a hostel in Lhasa. Staff from restaurants around the Potala Palace, once home to the long-exiled Dalai Lama,say their tables have been filling up with Chinese tourists, chatting and snapping photos during theirfeasts.

“The pace of life is slow and the people are pure and it is totally different from what we see inbig cities like Beijing and Guangzhou,” Feng said, adding that he visited several monasteries duringhis trip. “Some days, I can spend three hours just sitting quietly on the corner of a street here.” A Tibet tourism policy targeting domestic travelers who are less likely to sympathize with anti Beijing sentiment reflects China’s desire to both develop the region economically in hopes of winning over its ethnic Tibetan population and keep a lid on embarrassing reports of unrest. The most recent ban on foreigners came after a wave of self-immolation protests reachedthe Tibetan capital late last month, although the government has not publicly acknowledged the restrictions. “I suppose that they don’t want any presence in the case of

protests or more self immolations,” said Andrew Fischer, a China expert at the Institute of Social Studies at the Hague in the Netherlands. “They’re going back to old-school, old-style control over foreigners to control information. I suppose they don’t feel the same threat from the Chinese public.” State media has said international travelers are continuing to visit Tibet each day while the Tibet Tourism Bureau says foreign tourists are still welcome. However, tour companies and hotel operators in Lhasa said Chinese authorities imposed a ban on travel permits for foreign tourists starting this month. “We were told by company management not to receive foreign tourists since June 1, no matter whether they are coming individually or in groups,” said a man surnamed Liu who works at the China International Travel Service in Lhasa.

Though the foreign tourists are missed by some businesses - especially high-end ones - they now amount to a tiny portion of the overall visits, given the surge of Chinese tourists. Foreigners accounted for just 30,000 of the 1.45 million visitors to Tibet in the first five months of this year - or around 2 percent of all tourists, the official Xinhua News Agency reported, citing the Tibet Tourism Bureau.”I don’t think that small, very marginal loss (from foreign tourists) would be of any importance to them in the larger strategic picture of what they’re trying to do,” Fischer said. The past year’s wave of more than three dozen self-immolation protests against Chinese rule did not erupt inside heavily policed Tibet itself, but in ethnic Tibetan parts of other provinces in China. It finally reached Lhasa in late May when two men set themselves on fire in the popular Barkhor market. Photos later posted online showed a Western-looking foreigner watching one of the men in a cloud of smoke as others extinguished the flames. The latest foreigner ban started days later. Such bans are usually delivered orally to tourism industry leaders, apparently to avoid issuing documents that could embarrass officials

A young Buddhist monk stands near prayer’s wheels at Jokhang Temple in Barkhor in Lhasa, Tibet, far west of China. — AP photos

File photo shows tourists walk through the Potala Palace, the former home of the Dalai Lama before he fled Tibet after a failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, in Lhasa. eager to project a sense of calm and control. Foreign tourists trying to book Tibet trips over the border from Nepal have been deniedpermits since May 28, according to travel agent Pradip Pandit in the Nepalese capital, Katmandu.

The Chinese government sees tourism as a key way of bringing money into the chronically poor region. A signature project inaugurated in 2006 - a $4.2 billion high-speed rail project that zips over mountain passes - can whisk travelers from Beijing or Shanghai to Lhasa in about two days. But after violent riots in 2008 in which Tibetans attacked Chinese migrants and shops, torching parts of Lhasa’s commercial district, the government sealed off the region.

Overall tourism that year fell by nearly half, while the number of foreign tourists fell by 80 percent. To try to draw the crowds back, authorities halved prices for tours, hotel rooms and entry tickets for the Potala.

Last year, the number of Chinese tourists jumped 27 percent to 8.4 million while that of foreign tourists grew 19 percent to 270,800, raking in 9.7 billion yuan

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t is one of the biggest relics left behind by the Nazis, perched on one of Germany’s most spectacular beaches, and after years of neglect it is getting a new lease of life. The historic dormitory complex at Prora, built between 1936 and 1939, sprawls nearly five kilometers (three miles) along a choice slab of Baltic Sea coastline. Built as one of the so-called Strength Through Joy camps set up by the Nazis for the party faithful, it was to sleep up to 20,000 Germans in a pioneering attempt at mass tourism 300 kilometers north of Berlin. The drive to offer recreation and hearty exercise was coupled with a desire to build loyalty and devotion to the Nazis among the working class, with ideological teaching on site.

The complex was to include a cinema, a theatre, a banquet hall for 25,000 people and two swimming pools. But World War II put an end to the scheme and work was never completed. When the Soviet army seized control of eastern Germany at the end of the war, the camp was turned to military use and did not appear on travel maps. Since the collapse of communist East Germany in 1989, the Prora complex has sat desolate and largely empty, gradually deteriorating while the question of its future use remained unanswered. The building is, alongside the Nazis’ Nuremberg party rally grounds, Germany’s most imposing architectural relic of the Third Reich. But because of its size and state of disrepair, it had been a hard sell in the post-reunification years.

“After the fall of the Berlin Wall, following the brief stay of the German military here, we only had one idea in mind: sell the place,” Sabine Sakuth, a guide at the Prora museum, told AFP. “From the start, there haven’t been any real plans for it. We don’t manage our heritage very well.” Failing to find a buyer for the whole complex, the state has been forced to try to sell it piece by piece.

File photo taken 16 August 2000 shows an aerial view of the 4.5 kilometers long so-called “colossus of Ruegen”-complex in Prora on the Baltic Sea island Ruegen.

Very, very curious Sakuth noted that part of the problem is financialthe disused concrete-block lodgings are crumbling and would-be investors are limited in what they can do with the white elephant, which is protected by rigid environmental and historical regulations. And despite the valuable land the complex sits on in one of Germany’s hottest tourist destinations, tearing it down

($1.5 billion) in tourism revenues, official statistics show.The foreigner ban is hurting Tibet’s handful of luxury hotels, including Lhasa’s Jardin Secret Hotel where rooms go for up to $335 a night. “Our occupancy rate is relatively low at the moment because we don’t have many domestic guests,” said a staffer who gave only his surname, Xu. But many establishments are thriving. All but a fifth of the 80 rooms at the three-star Tibet Mansion in Lhasa are occupied, said an employee surnamed Liu. The hotel’s guests are mostly domestic travelers. — AP

is not an option. “It is an issue that gives me a stomach ache,” admits local mayor Karsten Schneider. Only one project thus far has got off the ground-last year a youth hostel with 400 beds opened in one section of the complex. Two years of building work were necessary to make this still little-known place inviting, at a cost of 27 million euros ($34 million), to which the European Union kicked in development funds.

Now the spot welcomes students and families with children, even boasting wireless Internet, and 820 new windows look out onto the sea and the lush forest to the back of the complex. “People are very, very curious and want to know what happened here-it’s great,” said Dennis Brosseit, who runs the youth hostel. “A little like now, when you see young children running in the courtyards it’s brilliant. Seeing this big block starting to live again is terrific.” And in March, a Berlin investor plunked down 2.75 million euros for one of the complex’s five blocks and plans to convert it into a hotel, spa and holiday apartment development, with work to star t this month. Local residents are sceptical

about its prospects due to the recent explosion in holiday lodgings in the area. “The Nazis wanted to have 20,000 beds here. I think with 3,000 beds we have already reached the limit,” Schneider, the mayor, said, adding that he would like to see a tourism institute or an oceanography academy instead of more hotel rooms. — AFP

The building complex Block IV of the 4.5-kilometre-long so-called ‘colossus of Ruegen’- complex.

Legendary Pakistan singer Mehdi Hassan dies

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THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

Balinese women perform a dance during the 34th Bali Art Festival in Denpasar yesterday. The Bali Arts Festival is a month of daily performances, handicraft exhibitions and cultural activities designed to promote tourism in the resort island of Bali. —AFP

London club eyes subdued Mumbai party scene L

ondon-based private members’ club Soho House is to open its first Asian venture in Mumbai-but the move comes amid fears that overzealous “moral policing” is destroying the Indian city’s nightlife. Announcing plans for five new branches worldwide, Soho House chief executive Nick Jones described Mumbai as the “obvious choice” for the exclusive arts and media club to launch its first subcontinent venue next year. “No one can deny that Mumbai is something of a force of nature. The buzz and vibrancy of the city is infectious,” he said last week, listing Toronto, Chicago, Istanbul and Barcelona as the other locations.

Yet Mumbai’s reputation is currently under threat, with concern mounting that the once flourishing party scene in the home of Bollywood is in decline as police enforce a raft of fun-restricting measures. “RIP, Mumbai nightlife,” mourned a Times of India newspaper headline on Friday, blaming “archaic laws, high taxes and moral policing” for the problems in India’s commercial capital, also known as “Maximum City”. The strict regulations include early closing hours, excessive red tape. On May 20, police busted what they described as a rave-but what guests said was just a sundown party-and almost 100 people were herded up and

blood-tested including two Indian Premier League cricketers. Police told reporters they would book not just proven drug-takers but also drinkers without an alcohol permit-a bygone requirement for boozers under the Bombay Prohibition Act of 1949 that has rarely before been seriously enforced.

“It’s adversely affected the entire hospitality industry,” said bar owner Lakhan Jethani of the clampdown. He opened the venue IBAR in Mumbai’s fashionable Bandra suburb last year, for which he said he needed about 20 different licences. “(Officials) don’t want us to be called a party city, at least that’s what it looks like,” he told AFP. “We just want to tell them they need to improve the rules and treat us better.” Some see the problem as a result of conflicting values between older, conservative decision-makers and India’s more liberal youth.

An angry piece on Mumbai Boss, an online guide to the city’s news and culture, said police were “encouraged by policies made by an excessively moral state government that views any kind of enjoyment with suspicion”. Police are also accused of misusing the myriad laws to extort cash. “I don’t think the police are driven by their own morals or the

need to implement the law, so much as just their own gratification in material terms,” said Nitin Karani, editor-at-large of gay magazine Bombay Dost. Assistant Commissioner Vasant Dhoble, key enforcer of the nightlife regulations, has said he is simply following orders. “We would not need to do moral policing if the youth understood good from bad,” he told the Mumbai Mirror late last month. A Facebook group set up last month called “Dhoble Oppressor of the Innocent Public” now has more than 20,000 members. Another, Mumbai Unite, wants to drum up enough support to hold a peace march.

“There’s something wrong with the system,” said journalist Serena Menon, who set up “SOS: Mumbai’s nightlife”, a third group. “Bombay was known for its nightlife less than a decade ago and now things have changed dramatically.” Nayantara Kilachand, founder of Mumbai Boss, said any new venture setting up in the city over the next few years would make sure to have the necessary licenses and permits in place. “In that regard Soho House might provide a small measure of relief to its members, but we’re talking about a small percentage of the city’s party goers,” she said. — AFP

Guests are seen at a popular night club in Mumbai on June 11, 2012. — AFP

‘Booming’ Dubai art Gandhi papers set to market forced to shift gears fetch $1 million in auction D A

ubai has discovered there really are some things money can’t buy. After a decade of petrodollar-driven success that has established it rapidly as a regional financial, trade, tourism and retail centre, the emirate has hit a speed bump in an unexpected arena - art. Burgeoning enthusiasm for collecting art convinced many that Dubai was about to become an overnight sensation in the international market, putting a gloss of sophistication on the cultural life of the emirate.

But becoming a true global art centre, one that would potentially alter the cultural fabric of the entire Middle East, is a bit more complicated - and time-consuming. “There are many wealthy people in Dubai and certainly there is a rise in the disposable income, but that doesn’t suddenly make Dubai the hub of the regional art market,” said Matthew Girling, chief executive for UK and Europe at Bonhams, one of the world’s biggest fine art auction houses.

“There is a network of people around you in places like London or New York museums, galleries, dealers. This is what helps you weather a downturn. All that is very much in its infancy in Dubai,” Girling said. Such a wide and deep network can only emerge over time, experts said, and no amount of wealth can rush the maturing process. Words like ‘booming’ and ‘blossoming’ were used to describe Dubai’s nascent contemporary art market five years ago as auctions racked up one record-setting sale after the other. But then the global financial crisis hit in 2008, and the revenues of both Christie’s and Bonhams took sharp dives,

eventually prompting Bonhams to halt auctions in the city. “It was a false dawn, if you like to call it that,” Girling recalled. Christie’s, which continues to have a presence in Dubai, held its 12th auction in April but revenues are nowhere near the $20 million seen in 2008. The highest since then for a regular auction was $7.9 million in April last year. For Bonhams, shrinking revenues paved the way for an exit. “I realised if we stayed in Dubai we’d be hit more than we would in London,” said Girling, who took the decision to shrink operations to a liaison office last year. “We’ve got clients all around the world and a lot of them travel. You don’t necessarily have to put the auction in Dubai to reach out to them.”

Younger, hipper What is exciting to art experts is the steady growth in numbers and influence of collectors from the Middle East, and the increasing participation of younger buyers.

Figures show that Middle Eastern collectors are increasingly becoming more influential players in the global art market, no matter where they are based, however.

Middle Eastern clients accounted for 8 percent of Christie’s global auction turnover in 2011, the auction house said, up from 5 percent in 2010. “Half the time I’m here and half the time I’m in London,” one Middle Eastern art collector who takes part in Christie’s auctions told Reuters in Dubai.

“But I see more and more young people here, starting with more affordable pieces, educating themselves and trying to be a part of this thing,” he said. —Reuters

huge archive of letters, papers and photographs that shed new light on Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi and his time in South Africa will be auctioned in London next month and is expected to fetch 500,000-700,000 pounds ($800,000-$1.1 million). The documents, numbering several thousand and arranged in 18 files, belonged to Hermann Kallenbach, who became arguably Gandhi’s closest friend after they met in Johannesburg in 1904. Although relatively few are in Gandhi’s own hand, the wealth of material from family, friends, associates and Kallenbach himself

make the collection a key biographical source for one of the 20th century’s most revered figures.

“The vast majority of this is unknown and unpublished, and has not been used by scholars in the last generation or two,” said Gabriel Heaton, a books and manuscripts specialist at Sotheby’s auctioneers which is selling the archive.

“It is very much material that will be adding to our sum knowledge of Gandhi and his life,” he told Reuters. The documents will go under the hammer as a single lot on July 10 at the English Literature and History sale. Sotheby’s also handled the sale in

1986 of the main series of Gandhi’s letters to Kallenbach, when they raised 140,000 pounds.

Together, the two batches represent the vast majority of the Kallenbach family’s Gandhi collection. “He is one of the towering figures of the 20th century,” said Heaton, when asked to explain Gandhi’s appeal to collectors and historians. “There is only a tiny handful of individuals who have had such an enormous effect on world history ... Unlike most other comparable figures he never had an army at his disposal, which makes him unique in that way.” —Reuters

A porcelain covered vehicle parked on the street in the northern port city of Tianjin yesterday. Porcelain collector Zhang Lianzhi who owns a chain of restaurants in the city, has covered his Land Rover Discovery with about 10 thousand pieces of antique ceramics valued at over 150,000 USD to promote his porcelain museums. (Inset) A number plate of a porcelain covered vehicle. — AFP