15th Aug

CR IP TI ON BS SU

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

03:40 03:50 05:16 11:53 15:28 18:29 19:51

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Kvitova claims Montreal title

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Govt heads to court amid political crisis

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Emsak: Fajer: Shoruk: Dohr: Asr: Maghreb: Eshaa:

Bahrain’s police disperse protests; ‘Saboteurs’ nabbed

www.kuwaittimes.net

RAMADAN 27, 1433 AH

MPs demand repatriation of Qaeda ex-spokesman

Max 46º Min 34º High Tide 09:02 & 23:31 Low Tide 02:22 & 16:34

By B Izzak

conspiracy theories

On the Night of Power

By Badrya Darwish

badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

I

pray to God on the Night of Power. I have many wishes for this great night. My list of prayers is very long and my hopes are very high. But the Almighty God is higher and they could be answered.

Especially, this is the right night. Wake up, don’t sleep, guys! All of you - be ready with your wishes, pray and ask the Almighty Lord.

Here is my short-list of prayers: Most of all, I wish that on the Night of Power in 2013 I can pray in the Al-Aqsa mosque and make my dua’a (prayers) there. I hope the mosque will be open to everybody who wants to spend the night there. To be able to do that, I pray that the Summit in Makkah unites the Arabs and Muslims and they stand firm in their demands to free Palestine and see a Jerusalem for all be Muslim, Christian or Jews. Of course, I wish to see less summits and more executed resolutions that are not just shelved in the Arab League’s closets.

I wish to see just one Sudan, no south or west or east. As we are in Africa, I wish to see stability in Libya and its neighbor Tunisia. I am not ignoring Algeria and Morocco. Back to the so-called Middle East - I wish the Syrian problem is over. I wish the Syrians themselves solve it without any outside interference - be it east, west or even Arab brothers. My prayers continue to the land of the Euphrates and Tigers - Iraq. I hope there will be no more bombings in Baghdad, Fallujah or the holy Najjaf. I hope there will be no more no-pilot aircraft bombings at the borders of Afghanistan and Pakistan shooting at innocent weddings and gatherings. My prayers won’t skip an open Hormuz Strait and no more talks of no-fly zones for everybody.

I hope by next Night of Power that I will see a united Arab nation from the Atlantic Ocean till the Gulf shores. I wish I could ride a train which will take me from Kuwait all the way to Casablanca without a passport, crossing borders or customs, just with an ID. Do you think that is feasible guys?

Back home, I wish there will be no more talk of Sunni, Shiites in the whole Islamic world, especially here in Kuwait and no more hadari (urbanites) and bedawi (bedu). I wish I could see green grass everywhere surrounding Kuwait to lessen the dust and bring in more oxygen to breathe to ease our life. I can go on with my prayers. I will spare some for my family and myself if you allow me. Am I asking too much?

MAKKAH: His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the official delegation accompanying him performed Umrah (minor pilgrimage) yesterday morning at the Holy city of Makkah.— KUNA

Saudi to modernize Makkah transport system JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has approved a 62 billion riyal ($16.5 billion) plan to modernize the transport system in its holy city of Makkah, including building a bus network and metro system, state news agency SPA said yesterday. More than 6 million visitors from across the world visit Makkah every year for the Haj and Umra pilgrimages. The influx has strained the narrow roads and outdated transport system. Four metro lines of a total length of 182 km will be built across the city, with 88 stations, SPA reported. Construction for the transport project will be carried out over about 10 years, the report said, without giving details of when it would start or how companies would bid for contracts.

Last year the city’s mayor said that within six years the government hoped to build new roads and foot bridges near the Grand Mosque, home to the cubeshaped Kaaba towards which Muslims turn in prayer.

Other long-term projects around the mosque include building hotels, malls and cafes. Developments in the suburbs include housing estates and a park for residents who have been made to relocate from the city centre. Saudi Arabia is also spending billions on upgrading the transport system in the capital Riyadh and on a high-speed rail line connecting Makkah with the holy city of Medina.— Reuters

OIC to expel Syria Syria regime ‘collapsing’ ALEPPO: President Bashar Al-Assad faced another diplomatic blow yesterday with the suspension of Syria from the Saudi-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a step opposed by his Shiite Muslim ally Iran. Assad will view the OIC move to suspend Syria, an attempt to deepen his isolation set to be adopted at a summit of the 57member body in Makkah, as the work of Sunni Muslim states backing the “terrorists” - as he refers to rebels - out to topple him.

China, which along with Russia has blocked any UN Security Council action on Syria, tried to show an even-handed approach by

receiving an Assad aide, due in Beijing in the evening, but saying it would also consider inviting his political opponents. Divisions among big powers and regional rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia have stymied diplomatic attempts to calm 17 months of conflict in Syria, where opposition sources say at least 18,000 people have been killed. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said more than 180 died on Monday.

The violence, now focused on the city of Aleppo but flaring in many other areas, has displaced 1.5 million people inside Syria and

forced many to flee abroad, with 150,000 registered refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq, UN figures show. United Nations emergency relief coordinator Valerie Amos arrived in Syria to discuss humanitarian aid for civilians trapped or uprooted by the fighting, which has frequently prevented the delivery of food and medical supplies.

Efforts to arrange ceasefires to let relief convoys through have rarely worked. A UN official said last month the Syrian authorities had often denied visas to Western aid workers.

Continued on Page 13

US tests hypersonic unmanned vehicle WASHINGTON: The US military has launched a hypersonic unmanned vehicle in a test flight over the Pacific, with the X-51A due to reach mind-boggling speeds of Mach 6, a spokesman said yesterday. The Waverider, which resembles a missile with a flat nose, dropped off the wing of a B-52 bomber off the California coast at an altitude of about 15,000 meters, according to the US Air Force.

Ramadan Kareem

Forgiveness in Islam

By Hassan Bwambale

A

ll Muslims as well as some followers of other faiths invoke God (Allah) earnestly to forgive, overlook and cover up their sins. As we crave for God’s forgiveness, we should understand that it is incumbent on us to forgive our fellow human beings who tend to wrong us - so long as they deserve the forgiveness. Meaning of forgiveness from the Islamic perspective: Two words, al-afw and as-safh, describe forgiveness in Islam.

Al-Afw, translated as “forgiveness,” implies transcending one’s intrinsic and external barriers and impediments. Thus it necessitates giving up vilification, criticism and blame. (Al-Afw, Nusaiba AlMutawa, page 70.) Whereas “As-Safh,” literally means: turning away, or to treat a matter as though it didn’t affect you. (Nad’ratul- Al-Naeem) Islam requires of a Muslim to be strong in this world and thus wants him to react in the following manner when s/he is wronged by anyone or when injustice is meted out Continued on Page 13

KUWAIT: The government is expected to submit the petition against the electoral constituencies law today amid a political crisis and warning by opposition Islamist MP Faisal Al-Muslim that the country is passing through “one of the most difficult phases of its history”.

The controversial petition will ask the constitutional court to examine if the distribution of voters among the five constituencies and the voting system is in line with the constitution.

The law (especially the two elements) was passed by the National Assembly in 2006 following a political crisis that led to dissolving the National Assembly and holding fresh polls in which the opposition won. The government measure was taken despite warning by the opposition MPs and youth groups that they would stage protest rallies to demand the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, the activation of the constitutional monarchy concept and achieving the elected government.

It was not immediately known how long the constitutional court will take to issue its verdict on the issue and what the government will do after the ruling, but it is certain that the revived 2009 Assembly will not be dissolved until the ruling is issued. Member of the 2012 scrapped National Assembly Riyadh Al-Adasani strongly criticized the government move, insisting it is unjustified and not based on true reasons.

He said that regarding the fair distribution of voters, the differences between districts in the five-constituency system is much better than the previous 25-constituency system. He said that the electoral constituency law was prepared in 2006 by the government legal department which has been asked to prepare the Continued on Page 13

The latest test of the experimental vehicle was scheduled for 10 am local time at Edwards Air Force Base in southern California, spokesman Kenji Thuloweit said. A solid rocket booster catapulted the vehicle to a speed of about Mach 4.5 in 30 seconds before the X-51A’s engine accelerated to Mach 6, six times the speed of sound or more than 7,300 kilometers per hour. After a Continued on Page 13

BHUBANESWAR: A young Indian child carries the Indian flag as he takes part in a street play during rehearsal for the Indian Independence Day celebrations in the eastern Indian city Bhubaneswar yesterday. India celebrates its 1947 independence from British colonial rule today. — AP (See Page 14)

‘No hanky-panky’ between humans and Neanderthals PARIS: Anthropologists have dealt a blow to theories that Homo sapiens and Neanderthals interbred, bequeathing humans today with some of the genetic legacy of their mysterious cousins. Over the last two years, several studies have suggested that H sapiens got it on with

Neanderthals, an enigmatic hominid who lived in parts of Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East for up to 300,000 years but vanished some 30-40,000 years ago.

The evidence for this comes from fossil DNA, which shows that on average Continued on Page 13

CALIFORNIA: US Air Force photo shows the X-51A WaveRider hypersonic flight test vehicle uploaded to an Air Force Flight Test Center B-52 Stratofortress. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

LOCAL

Pakistanis enjoy ‘multi-directional relations’ with Kuwait Pakistan marks 66th anniversary of independence

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Pakistanis in Kuwait marked the occasion of their country’s Independence Day yesterday with the traditional flaghoisting ceremony and reading messages from their country’s leaders. The ceremony was headed by Muhammad Hassan Wazir, Pakistani Deputy Chief of Mission (Charge d’Affairs), in the absence of Iftekar Aziz, Pakistani Ambassador to Kuwait who is in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. The deputy chief of mission greeted his fellow countrymen and told them to live in peace and harmony with Kuwaitis while living side by side with other nationalities.

“We are grateful to the government and

people of Kuwait for hosting thousands of Pakistanis who are well represented here in every segments/sectors of job. We are proud as Pakistani people because we have contributed a lot to the development of Kuwait and I wish them all good and a welldeserved salute,” he told Kuwait Times after the ceremony which was attended by dozens of Pakistani community leaders.

Pakistan, according to Wazir, enjoys historical, religious and cultural relations even way before the creation of Pakistan and Kuwait. “Our relations have been strengthened in all fields especially after the creation of Pakistan. We enjoy multi-directional relations and our people to people contact has been strengthened as years passed by. We

are continuously helping each other in the field of education, economy and defense.

The trade is booming with our textiles industry invading Kuwait, and we have growing rice export to Kuwait which also strengthens the field of agriculture of both countries,” he added.

Commenting on the existing ban place on Pakistanis from entering Kuwait, Wazir acknowledged its repercussion on both countries and the impact it has had on families. “We have some problems but hopefully it will be resolved soon,” he mentioned.

There are 130,000 Pakistanis in Kuwait according to official record of the embassy, most of who are men working in the construction field.

Illegal home-based catering businesses thrive in Kuwait Majority not aware of licenses

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: During the last few years, many have taken to running home-based catering businesses. Many people cook, bake and prepare different food items and sell it to people. Maha is a 35-year-old Kuwaiti wife and employer who started her business about four months ago. She currently sells only two kinds of food items - stuffed onions and vine leaves. “I sell the plate for KD 7, and the quantity is substantial.

I sell at a cheaper rate than a restaurant, and is cleaner, as I super vise it myself at home.

Customers have to call me a day in advance to prepare their order for the next day,” she told the Kuwait Times.

“I began this as a hobby, and then I turned it into business, as my husband encouraged me.

Now I prepare the food and my husband delivers it. I do most of the work, and the maid helps me sometimes. I only sell this food to relatives and friends. Maybe in the future, I will expand my business to new customers. I have never heard of having to obtain license for conducting any home-

based activity. No one I know who is into this business possess a license,” she added.

Expatriates are active in this business. Umm Ahmad is an Egyptian citizen entered the field more than three years. “If my business was not successful, I would not continue in it for more than three years. Nobody ever asked me to produce a license, as people have tried my cooking and trust me. My reputation is testimony to the quality of my products,” said Umm Ahmad who specializes in selling appetizers.

These businesses are considered illegal as no licenses are obtained from the Municipality or the Ministry of Commerce.

The Municipality is responsible for checking the safety and cleanliness of food in restaurants.

There is no authority that checks on this.

A source from the PR and Municipality noted that the Municipality warns people against selling homemade food products. “The inspectors from Municipality can go to any house that sells such unlicensed products and may even disrupt power supply to the homes. Inspectors

enter homes after obtaining a warrant from the Public Prosecution Department, which may take a day or two. A new proposal is being discussed which will allow the them to enter homes without it,” he pointed out.

He said that inspectors from Asima governorate of Municipality have cut off electricity supply in Dahiyat Abdulah AlSalem for holding unlicensed exhibitions. “They first issued a three day notice, when they failed comply, electricity was cut off. The inspectors usually act upon a complaint made by neighbors, and people can always complain to the nearest Municipality. “In fact we have violations committed by people from different nationalities. We also detained a bus that was delivering about 700 meals made by an unlicensed kitchen, so we confiscated it,” stressed the source.

The rules apply to those promoting food stuff or other products at malls. According to the source, only products from a licensed food company can be sold.

KUWAIT: Muhammad Hassan Wazir, standing on the podium, with other embassy officers. —Photo by Ben Garcia

Kidnapped man found dead KUWAIT: Police found the lifeless body of a man who was reported kidnapped 24 hours earlier. The body was found behind a company on Salmy road. Meanwhile, police are investigating two citizens who were with the dead man before he disappeared. According to a security source, a citizen told Taima police that his brother, in his thirties, was kidnapped by a citizen named ‘F’ who lives in the Al-Waha area. He said the last call from the victim was made in the presence of ‘F’, adding that he called his family asking them for help before losing contact. The source said investigators, led by their director, Maj Gen Ibrahim Al-Tarrah, are working on the case. So far, the suspect ‘F’ was arrested at his Waha home along with another citizen, and both are undergoing questioning. The source said that suspect ‘F’ and his friend admitted to being friends with the victim, but denied seeing him for the past week. They later said that they were at ‘F’s’ house and drank liquor before going behind one of the companies in Salmy, where they used to sit to avoid being seen by police.

Criminal investigators searched the area that the suspect mentioned and discovered the body of the victim in a nearby desert area. The body was turned over to the coro-

ner to determine the cause of death.

Kidnap suspect A person who has been accused of repeatedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting juveniles is no longer unknown, having been identified by a Syrian juvenile. The 15-year-old Syrian was approached by the man, who reportedly spoke pleasantly with the youth, who only became alarmed when the man tried to force him into his car outside the mall. The boy escaped and told his father, who informed police. The suspect, who did not succeed in kidnapping the Syrian boy, then returned to the mall looking for a new victim. When police arrived at the mall, the Syrian boy led them to the suspect, who was taken to Jahra northern police station for questioning. Officials said the suspect works for the Defense Ministry and denied the kidnapping charges. The Syrian juvenile, however, confirmed the incident, and the descriptions of other victims match the suspect. He is now being investigated by criminal detectives prior to police taking further action.

Juvenile in custody Police operations received a call about an obnoxious man who was

reportedly harassing women and families in Salmiya mall. Police, responding to a call from a woman, arrested the man on the charge of promoting vice crimes. Once at the police station, it was discovered that the suspect was wanted for attempted murder. The sources said the suspect, who is a juvenile, was sent to the juvenile detective department for action.

Bag snatcher A man in sports clothing snatched the bag of an Iranian woman who was shopping in a Farwaniya mall. The source said the victim told Farwaniya police about the incident, adding that there was KD 400, her passport, along with other documents in the bag. Police are investigating.

Copper thief Jahra patrol officers arrested an Egyptian who was removing copper electric cables from an abandoned house in the Saad AlAbdallah residential area. Two patrolmen went into the house, where they saw the suspect cutting the cables. They placed him under arrest and took him to the police station. He was also found to be wanted for other theft cases and was referred to the criminal detectives department.

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LOCAL

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

Amir performs Umrah in Makkah

MAKKAH: His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah and the official delegation accompanying him performed Umrah (minor pilgrimage) early Yesterday morning at the Holy City of Makkah.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

local

MSD Meets Kuwaiti Media over Ramadan ghabqa

KUWAIT: MSD, a leading pharmaceutical company, recently hosted a ghabqa for the Kuwaiti media sharing with them the blissful atmosphere of the holy month of Ramadan. The media gathering was merely a gesture from MSD to express its appreciation to the Kuwaiti media for their efforts in spreading awareness about its latest campaign on diabetes. The ghabqa took place at the Atlantis Restaurant in Marina Hotel with the attendance of company representatives, Ahmad Al Sayed, Kuwait Office Manager and Mohammad Salim, Marketing Manager. The ghabqa included a raffle draw awarding several attending media with valuable gifts.

MSD representatives expressed their delight with the Kuwaiti media during the gathering. Through the ghabqa, MSD confirmed their consideration of the media as their partner in their endeavor to create a healthier and safer environment for all Kuwaitis across the country as part of their social responsibility towards the great nation.

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Economic Society held its annual ghabqa recently at the Thuraiya Hall in the JW Marriott hotel. Ministers, MPs, municipal council members, Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry members, media personalities, and other dignitaries attended the event. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

NO: 15540

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RAMADAN 27, 1433 AH

How many sons of our Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)?

Three but they passed away in their childhood four but they passed away in their childhood two but they passed away in their childhood

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

local

Advertising companies invited to Al-Rai iftar

Al-Rai’s advertising team being honored.

Zeyad Majzoub and his wife.

Rula, Hanaan and Abeer

KUWAIT: The Kuwait University held its annual ghabqa at the Sheraton Hotel recently, which featured a ceremony to honor teaching staff members who were personally rewarded by Rector Abdullatif Al-Bader.

— Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

KUWAIT: Al-Rai Media Group held its annual iftar last week at the Al-Barak Hall in Crowne Plaza hotel. Representatives of advertising companies and agencies made their presence felt at the event. It was hosted by Zeyad Majzoub, General Manager of Marketing and Advertising who personally welcomed guests. A ceremony to honor a number of Al-Rai’s advertising staff was held. A raffle draw on prizes including Al-Jazeera Airline tickets, TVs, laptops, iPhone 4s phones, iPads, and Samsung Galaxy SIII phones was also held.—Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

(From right) Yousuf Al-Jalahma, Abdullah Al-Salman, Bilal AlKharoubi and Zeyad Majzoub.

Nabeel Toma (right) poses with his prize.

Zeyad Majzoub (left) hands over a travel ticket to Rami Ayad.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

LOCAL kuwait digest

In my view

Politicians who steal our Eid

A lesson for Kuwait

By Thaar Al Rashidi

F

or the past 20 years, most of the children’s plays have become an easy way to steal children’s Eid money in the name of art. It is very easy: all you need is a shaky, stupid script, lousy decorations, a T V star or two, and quick dialogue.

Usually, an actor will ask the children during the play, “Where is the devil?” to which they answer him back, “Behind you....!” Of course, this is the general idea about most children’s plays in Kuwait.

The reason, as I said, is that it is not a respectable work of art, but a way to steal children’s Eid money. In other words, it is like begging for this Eid money under the name ‘play ticket’.

Most of our artists, even those who are called stars, have fallen under the innovation line; their existence depends on their names and the history they have left in our memories. But if we were to implement a true professional standard, they would not even score a zero. We are not saying to them, respect your history, but, rather, respect our minds. It is a shame that a person with 40 years of performance experience does not care what he presents or how he presents it, just as long as he sells a theater ticket of KD 10. Money stolen from kids’ pockets... it is shameful.

When I said that local drama is written by semiwriters in a previous article, I was not lying; I was being realistic. This is your reality. Some of the plays are written in Cairo and then “remade” in Hawally offices to match Kuwaiti life. This is another reality everyone knows and does not speak about.

Two years back I received an offer to participate in writing separate serials for a comedy show, and I accepted. The offer was KD 20 for each episode. I told the producer to find himself a runaway maid to write for this amount. He asked me laughing “Why? You have writers in Kuwait that will write in five minutes at a price of KD 10.” I laughed about his answer and I left thinking: “Now I know why our serials are so bad”.

However, that cheap comedy serial ended after the first season, as it was not successful.

Only in Kuwait can a tea boy become a producer and a cleaner become a writer, even as a taxi driver becomes a hero for serials that abuse Kuwait, and even when it is made in Kuwait. Drama is not far from politics: we have an MP who doesn’t know how to pronounce the word “constitution” correctly and another MP who, if given an exam to name the first five articles of the constitution, the result would be zero. Meanwhile, you have another MP who sold everything and threw himself in the laps of public money thieves, while a fourth MP sold himself to anyone who pays more; and 5th and 6th and 7th... I could continue to count up to 30.

The artists steal the kids’ Eid money, but the politicians steal Eid itself. — Al-Anba

By Labeed Abdal

local@kuwaittimes.net

A

kuwait digest

The decision is in their favor

By Abdullatif Al-Duaij

I

still don’t understand why supporters of the opposition object to the government’s decision to refer the electoral law to the constitutional court, when they would be benefiting from it the most.

Since the enforcement of the current system, which divides Kuwait into five constituencies, many have complained that it provides unequal distribution of voters and is a disadvantage to voters in constituencies that contain considerably larger populations than others, while at the same time represented by the same number of MPs. To be more specific, voters feeling most disadvantaged are in the fourth and fifth constituencies, which are known to be tribal dominated- or at least the majority of voters there are tribal citizens. The opposition is often described as being an assembly of tribal lawmakers and that the majority of its

members and supporters are residents of areas legally included in the fourth and fifth constituencies.

Of course, the opposition doesn’t deny this fact: pro-opposition lawyer Mohammad Al-Jassem once described the fourth and fifth constituencies as being “the backbone of the oppositionist group”.

I don’t think anyone can argue with the close relationship between the fourth and fifth constituencies and the opposition. At the same time, I don’t think anyone can argue with the fact that verifying the constitutionality of the current distribution of constituencies plays in favor of the fourth and fifth constituencies. After all, it is they who suffer the disadvantages of unequal distribution in the current system. If that’s the case, then why are voters of both constituencies objecting to the government’s step, which aims to restore balance and help them

obtain similar political and electoral powers that citizens in other constituencies enjoy?

Of course, the opposition is concerned that the government could allegedly “tamper with” the electoral system if the current law is ruled unconstitutional. This remains a theory, with the odds of it happening not 100percent certain. Political stances, however, are not built on odds which could be true or not. And regardless of speculation, the fact remains that the government is approaching the constitutional court in order to verify whether the constituency’s distribution provides equality, or not. Furthermore, since the government is supposed to be committed to achieving equality among voters, their job (if the court finds the current law unconstitutional) is only limited to adjusting the distribution of areas within constituencies, and nothing else. —Al-Rai

ccording to the German magazine Spiegel Online, police recently rescued a squirrel from under a manhole cover. After hearing frantic shrieks coming from the street, a woman in Hanover, Germany discovered the creature under the manhole. Apparently the squirrel became caught when it lodged its head in the opening of a manhole cover.

The woman called local police, who at first struggled to release the squirrel from the unintended trap.

Luckily, with the help of a little olive oil, police officers managed to ensure a happy ending.

This story must, indeed, encourage many public authorities to do more for animals and create more ways to prevent harm occurring to animals.

There are many individual efforts from within Kuwaiti society which are genuinely helping animals.

These free services include privately owned shelters, providing medicine as well as food, and focusing on problems which must be highlighted and never ignored.

Animals co-exist with us on earth and have souls as part of the creation of the universe. However, they are defenseless creatures that can’t speak out about their rights and abuses.

Here in Kuwait, there must be a real appreciation for those self-made efforts that donate food, shelter and even medicine to lost cats and dogs.

Furthermore, we need to regulate many activities, such as hunting in the desert, improving the conditions of imported sheep, providing more care in pet shops, as well as in the Friday market. We must also put a stop to dog fighting and monitor animal slaughter areas.

There is no point of continuing with the same level of harm, and more efforts should be taken by public authorities to expand our protection over agriculture and fish resources; especially in regard to the mentioned examples.

Currently, there must be more efficiency in environmental protection from the public authority through more coordination and providing higher awareness levels to the public about environmental issues. We must also support the role of the environmental police units to combat any violations to nature, including the animal world.

kuwait digest

kuwait digest

They are good at screaming

Child abuse should not be tolerated

By Dr Yaqoub Al-Sharrah

By Hamad Nayef Al-Enezi

W

hat the parliamentary majority is doing nowadays, by calling for gatherings and sitins at Irada Square to protest the government referral of the five constituencies’ law to the constitutional court, could best be described as being in the category of immorality and stubbornness. The never-ending chaos and futility in this country is a direct result of everyone wanting to impose his opinion upon others, even if it violates the constitution- which everyone who claims to protect it is now violating.

I say this because I am sure that the government referred the five constituencies system to the constitutional court at this particular time only because it found a card that will allow it to get rid of the current parliamentary majority through such a move. The government’s intentions to return to the situation that existed before the previous parliament is illadvised. After all, the majority of 2012 controlled the government with its members interfering in affairs, both minor and major. There seemed to be no way out of this nightmare, other than wiping out the five constituencies system, which the government now thinks is the only way for them all to return!

The last thing on the mind of our wonderful government, when it referred the five constituencies system, was justice and fairness for voters. This is why the government did not adopt the five constituencies until it made sure it would be in its interest. The government then placed on the ballot several tribes and sects who are known to be loyal, and guaranteed them a spot on top of some constituencies. It never crossed the government’s mind that these ‘loyal’ tribesmen would change sides so quickly and lead the opposition so fiercely. This surprise situation made the government miss the earlier opposition and wish it would return as soon as possible.

Yet with all this, logic calls upon us to look into the legality of the action itself, and not to the intentions of who did what and why. Let us ask all those calling for gathering and sit-ins: is referring the five constituencies to the constitutional court a correct procedure, or not?!

The truth is that it is the correct and deserved procedure. As everyone knows, the current structure of the five constituencies lacks even the basics of justice and fairness since it marginalized the roles of many small tribes and made it impossible for any candidate to reach parliament without support from his larger tribe which controls the constituency. The voting balance of the voter in a small constituency is double that in a large constituency. The continuation of this injustice, with great regret, is approved by the majority MPs whose only concern is the return of its members to their parliamentary seats; even if this was at the expense of tens or even hundreds of thousands of citizens!

Then there is nothing wrong with the referral to the constitutional court, other than timing. —Al-Jarida

C

hild care is a reflection of ultimate human emotions not only because children are incapable of protecting themselves, but also because they are the men of future who will pass on their experience to future generations. Child abuse is an insult to society, and is a form of moral, social and psychological deterioration that will easily affect future generations.

Worldwide studies indicate that child abuse at the hands of adults is increasing both in developing and industrial countries alike. There are many reports released by international organizations that contain chilling facts about the miserable situation that children live under. It is both shocking and sad to realize that there are children less than 10 years of age who suffer humiliation, deprivation of food and medications, denial of education and proper care. The suffering goes beyond deprivation and into more horrible cases such as forcing children to perform hard labor including construction, industrial and agricultural works, in addition to prostitution, not to mention physical abuse, torture and homelessness. A study on homeless children in Brazil indicates that 60 percent of these children suffer from mental disorders.

People often believe that child abuse cases are more common in developing countries, but studies indicate that industrial countries contribute toward children’s suffering and denial of rights. In the United States, four children die every day due to child abuse, while another study revealed that children who suffer from abuse are more likely to mistreat their children when they grow up. Meanwhile, studies show that 14percent male prisoners in American jails were abused when they were children, while the percentage increases to 36 percent among female prisoners.

In the Arab World, child abuse is present as much as it is in other countries, if not more. While child abuse varies in type and intensity, it reflects the nature of the social and cultural situation of the society. For example, underage marriage is practiced in many Arab societies for cultural and sometimes financial reasons. Meanwhile, verbal, physical and even sexual abuse mar the relationship between children and adults in Arab societies.

Child abuse is also present in Gulf countries, where it is comparatively more difficult for state departments to obtain information about cases of mistreatment. In general, child care remains subpar in these states, which lack official bodies or specialized centers that can protect children similar to those found in advanced countries.

In Kuwait, some studies based on medical diagnoses state that child abuse cases happen due to emotional, physical and sexual aspects, in addition to negligence. The society is home to many images of insult, yelling, use of foul language against children, in addition to limiting their freedoms. These cases definitely reflect negatively on the child’s health, psyche and social development. —Al-Rai

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

Pakistan’s million dollar archaeological smugglers Page 12

Iran sure Israel won’t launch ‘stupid’ attack Page 8

Bahrain police disperse protests 11 ‘saboteurs’ arrested • Court delays verdict on opposition figures

SITRA, Bahrain: Bahraini Shiites attend a demonstration in solidarity with jailed Bahraini human rights and political activists in this village south of Manama in the early hours of yesterday. — AFP

Three dead in shooting near Texas university SAN ANTONIO: A man killed two people, including a law enforcement officer who was serving him an eviction notice at a home near Texas A&M University, on Monday before police fatally shot the suspect in a gun battle that lasted half an hour, officials said. Four people also were injured, police and city officials in College Station said. The shooting comes at a time of national concern over gun violence after two recent mass shootings. The dead officer was identified as Brazos County Constable Brian Bachmann, said Scott McCollum, assistant chief of the police department in College Station.

McCollum said Bachmann, 41, was shot in front of the house, about two blocks from the Texas A&M campus, and was pronounced dead at a hospital. Police identified the gunman as Thomas Caffall, 35, and the bystander killed as Chris Northcliff, 43, of College Station. College Station city spokesman Jay Socol said authorities were still investigating Caffall’s background. It was unclear whether Caffall was renting the home or was being evicted for nonpayment of a mortgage, he said. Officials said the wounded included a 55-year-old woman, who underwent surgery, and College Station police officer Justin Oehlke, who was in stable condition after being shot in the leg. Officers Brad Smith and Phil Dorsett were injured by what police called gun shrapnel. Smith was treated at a hospital and released and Dorsett was treated at the scene. “We had officers respond to a ‘shots fired’ call,” McCollum said at a news

conference. “Once the officers arrived, they began to trade fire. The officers defended themselves and called in additional officers.”

College Station police officers shot and killed the gunman, said Jason James, a sergeant with the police department in nearby Bryan, Texas. A Facebook page listed as belonging to Caffall, which had a photo nearly identical to a driver’s license picture released by authorities, included photographs of rifles he had said he had acquired, including a Czech vz 58 assault rifle. The university issued a “code maroon” shortly after noon, warning students and employees that an “active shooter” was in the area west of campus and asking them to stay away. A university spokesman said he was unaware if any of the victims were students. The College Station shooting comes less than four weeks after a man opened fire in a crowded Colorado movie theater during a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises,” killing 12 people and wounded 58 others. On Aug 5 a gunman killed six people at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin before committing suicide. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Monday at a Miami news conference that there should be no change to current gun laws. “We’ve now had apparently ... three of these tragedies in a row and I happen to believe this is not a matter of the weapon that is used,” Romney said.

“It’s a matter of the individuals, the choices these people make and we have to understand those kinds of choices from being made.” — Reuters

COLLEGE STATION, Texas: An investigator uncovers a body at the scene where a gunman opened fire on a police officer serving an eviction notice near the Texas A&M University on Monday. — AP

Afghan suicide attacks kill 36 KANDAHAR: Suicide bombers killed 36 people yesterday, mostly civilians shopping for Eid celebrations, in the capital of Afghanistan’s Nimroz province on the border with Iran, officials said. The attack on Zaranj city is the biggest in recent memory in the relatively peaceful province and one of the deadliest anywhere in the war-torn country this year. At least 66 people were injured. Three suicide attackers out of an original group of 11 blew themselves up in separate areas of the city, one outside a hospital, police said. “This was a group of 11 attackers who wanted to conduct simultaneous attacks across the city,” deputy provincial police chief Mujibullah Latifi told AFP. “Security forces killed two of the suicide attackers last night and detained three others

this morning. Three managed to detonate themselves while three others were gunned down. We have a lot of civilian casualties because two of the attackers detonated themselves near a bazaar where many people had gathered to do shopping for Eid”, the celebration at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, he said. “We have confirmation that 21 civilians and 15 members of the security forces have been killed in these attacks and more than 66 others injured,” provincial governor Abdul Karim Brahawi told AFP. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but similar attacks are usually blamed on Taleban insurgents fighting to overthrow the Western-backed government of President Hamid Karzai.—AFP

DUBAI: Bahraini security forces fired birdshot and tear gas to disperse protesters in Shiite villages around the capital, witnesses said yesterday, as police announced the arrest of 11 “saboteurs”. Several protesters were wounded as police dispersed demonstrations overnight that were called by the “Youth Coalition of February 14” to mark the Sunni-ruled, Shiite-majority Gulf state’s independence, witnesses said. The number of casualties was difficult to assess, as protesters stay away from hospitals for fear of being arrested. The interior ministry said: “Several areas of Bahrain witnessed riots and vandalism and attempts to block vital roads.” An “illegal demonstration” took place in the village of Bani Jamra where protesters hurled “petrol bombs and metal rods,” it added. “Security forces managed to arrest 11 saboteurs, who are currently being referred to the public prosecution.” The ministry also said that a group of “saboteurs” used petrol bombs to attack a car being driven by a woman, at the entrance to the Shiite village of Abu Saybi.

Sporadic demonstrations in Shiite villages have intensified since last

year’s crackdown, which ended month-long protests dominated by Shiites in the capital Manama. Bahrain won independence from Britain on Aug 15, 1971. But the kingdom, which is ruled by the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty does not celebrate independence. Instead, it observes the coronation of former ruler Isa bin Salman AlKhalifa as National Day. Meanwhile, Bahrain’s public prosecution said the number of people detained over protests since Feb 2011 had reached 923, contesting a claim by the Shiite opposition that 4,500 people were arrested.

Separately, Bahrain’s appeals court postponed yesterday its verdict in the case of 13 leading opposition figures facing jail sentences over charges of plotting to overthrow the Gulf monarchy, lawyers said. The defendants who played leading roles in the monthlong protests last year demanding drastic democratic reforms did not turn up in court, lawyers said, adding that the court set Sept 4 as a new date for its verdict. The 13 activists are being retried in a civil court after they were convicted, along with seven oth-

ers who remain at large, of plotting to topple the Sunni ruling family.

Another defendant was acquitted.

The prosecution has dropped charges “related to the freedom of expression”, for saying things that were considered illegal in the past. On trial is activist Abdulhadi Khawaja who ended in June a 110-day hunger strike.

Also on trial Hasan Musheime and Abdel Jalil Al-Sankis, both leaders of the Shiite Haq banned movement, as well as Sunni leftist Ibrahim Sharif, who heads the secular Waed group. In June last year, a specially formed tribunal handed down lengthy jail terms against the 21 mostly Shiite activists after convicting them of plotting to overthrow the regime. Ten months later, Bahrain’s highest appeals court ordered a retrial. Bahrain came under strong criticism from international human rights organisations over last year’s crackdown on the Shiite-led protests. An international panel commissioned by King Hamad to probe the government’s clampdown found out that excessive force and torture had been used against protesters and detainees. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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Strike, anti-govt demo in birthplace of Tunisia uprising SIDI BOUZID, Tunisia: Hundreds of protesters demonstrated against Tunisia’s ruling Islamist party during a general strike yesterday in Sidi Bouzid, hub of the 2011 uprising, an AFP journalist reported. Residents of Sidi Bouzid were among hundreds of members of the political opposition and trade unions, as well as civil society groups and employer organisations to march towards the court house on the outskirts of the town. They shouted slogans including: “The people want the fall of the regime!” and “Justice, woe to you, Ennahda has power over you!” in reference to the moderate Islamist party that heads Tunisia’s ruling coalition after winning elections last October.

Offices and shops were shut in the town centre, although some butchers stayed open to allow customers to prepare for the iftar evening meal, when Muslims break their day-long fast during Ramadan.

Tunisia’s main union, the UGTT, had called the strike in Sidi Bouzid to put pressure on the government to release detained activists, and to develop the marginalised region. Government spokesman Samir Dilou said the strike was unjustified, and criticised the opposition for exploiting legitimate social grievances.

“I don’t think the call for a general strike is justified... I think there are only political considerations here, with political parties involved,” Dilou, who is

also human rights minister, told private radio Mosaique FM. Dilou acknowledged that “difficult living conditions in certain regions” are provoking people to take to the streets and pledged that the

government would address those hardships with “understanding”. The demonstrators also denounced authorities for suppressing recent protests and urged them to free activists arrested

SIDI BOUZID, Tunisia: Residents protest in front of the tribunal during a general strike yesterday. — AFP

last week during demonstrations that were dispersed by police firing tear gas and rubber bullets.

By 1100 GMT the activists had gathered outside the court house, which was protected by a heavy deployment of police. Some protesters smashed the window of a car belonging to an Al-Jazeera TV crew - the Qatar-based satellite news channel is accused by government critics of supporting Ennahda - but otherwise no violence was reported.

Separately, around 150 Ennahda supporters staged a rival protest in the town centre. Tunisia’s Islamistled government has faced growing dissent in recent weeks. On Monday thousands of people demonstrated in the capital Tunis for women’s rights, in the biggest show of force by the opposition since April. The central town of Sidi Bouzid is the birthplace of the 2011 uprising that toppled strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and touched off the Arab Spring in several countries of the region ruled by autocratic regimes. The Tunisian uprising was triggered when a street vendor immolated himself in December 2010 in protest over his own precarious livelihood. The town is located in a particularly marginalised region, and analysts warn that poor living conditions and high youth unemployment there and elsewhere - driving factors behind the revolution - have improved little since then. — AFP

Iran sure Israel won’t launch ‘stupid’ attack Threats ‘a sign of weakness’ by ‘brainless leaders’

TEL AVIV: Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (center) greets new Jewish immigrants from US and Canada as they arrive at the Ben Gurion airport yesterday. — AP

Israel picks new home front defence minister JERUSALEM: Israel’s prime minister yesterday named former internal security minister Avi Dichter as new home front defence minister, amid growing speculation about a potential Israeli attack on Iran. “Today, I decided to appoint Knesset member Avi Dichter to serve as the minister for home front defence,” Netanyahu said at a ceremony welcoming new immigrants to Israel. “He has many virtues and he is now charged with a very important mission: to continue doing what he has been doing his whole life - contributing to the security of the country.”

Dichter, also a former head of the country’s internal intelligence agency Shin Bet, will have to leave his position in the opposition Kadima party to join the government. The post has reportedly been turned down by a slew of other top officials. Dichter, whose nomination will be voted on by the parliament tomorrow, according to local media, will replace Matan Vilnai, a confidant of Defence Minister Ehud Barak, who left the post to become ambassador to China.

He will take on the task of ensuring Israel’s home front defence at a time of growing speculation about the possibility of an Israeli attack against Iran’s nuclear program. Such an attack could

spark multi-front retaliation against the Jewish state, including from militant groups in Gaza and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Observers in the Jewish state have raised questions in recent weeks about Israel’s home front preparedness, and earlier this year an Israeli lawmaker told AFP that the country was “completely unprepared” for the consequences of a war, citing a lack of bomb shelters and gas masks. Asked about his position on an Israeli strike against Iran, Dichter has said that the Jewish state “must have attack capabilities”.

Reports suggest that the majority of Israel’s defence and intelligence establishment do not favour an attack on Iran’s nuclear program, which much of the international community fears masks a weapons drive - a claim vehemently denied by Tehran. There is concern in Washington that a unilateral Israeli strike may not destroy Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, could spark Iranian retaliation worldwide, and may drag the United States into another war in the Middle East. The tension in Israel rose another notch on Sunday when the government began testing an SMS system to warn the public of any missile attack.

Israel is widely suspected to have the region’s sole, if undeclared, nuclear arsenal. — AFP

Iran pair rescued from quakes after three days TEHRAN: Two people were pulled out alive from the rubble yesterday three days after weekend quakes levelled villages in northwestern Iran, state media reported, and well after authorities halted rescue operations. The two were plucked from the smashed remains of their home after being detected by search dogs, state television and the official IRNA news agency reported, citing emergency workers. IRNA said the pair, both in good health, were saved in a village near the town of Varzaqan, northeast of the city of Tabriz. The hamlet was one of hundreds flattened

by Saturday’s twin quakes measuring 6.4 and 6.3 on the moment magnitude scale that killed 306 people and injured 3,000, according to an official toll.

The pair were rescued two days after Interior Minister Moustafa Mohammad-Najjar and his aide in charge of disaster management, Hossein Ghadami, declared a halt to rescue operations. The officials had said there were no more survivors to be found. Separately, the Fars news agency reported that an unspecified number of bodies were recovered yesterday, including that of a 27-year-old woman in the village. Some officials and members of the Iranian public have criticised the official response to the earthquake, while others praised the rapid response of emergency services.

Iran’s Red Crescent notably said it had refused offers of help from countries including Germany, Armenia, Turkey and Taiwan. But Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi contradicted that on Monday by saying that, “under the current circumstances, (Iran) is now prepared to accept help from other countries for quake victims”, IRNA reported. The United States said it had also offered assistance but had received no reply from Iran, with which it has no direct diplomatic ties.

Qatar meanwhile dispatched a Boeing 747 plane carrying 80 tonnes of food, warm clothes, blankets and tents to the area, Iran’s ambassador in Doha, Abdollah Sohrabi, was quoted as saying by the Fars and ISNA news agencies. Sohrabi said Qatar had separately ordered a medical team consisting of 40 doctors and nurses to be sent to Iran, but that Iran’s Red Crescent rejected the offer, saying it had enough medical help on the ground. According to Iranian media, Turkey on Monday sent one aid shipment - two trucks carrying 20 tonnes of food and tents - but that was denied entr y into Iran.

Foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast, who yesterday confirmed the report about the Turkish aid, said protocol had to be observed in sending aid. “If (aid shipments) are sent without coordination, this aid is stopped and cannot be delivered,” ISNA quoted him as saying. — AFP

TEHRAN: Iran yesterday said it is dismissing Israeli threats of an imminent attack against it, explaining that even some Israeli officials realised such a “stupid” act would provoke “very severe consequences”. “In our calculations, we aren’t taking these claims ver y seriously because we see them as hollow and baseless,” foreign ministr y spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters in a weekly briefing. “Even if some officials in the illegitimate regime (Israel) want to carry out such a stupid action, there are those inside (the Israeli government) who won’t allow it because they know they would suffer very severe consequences from such an act,” he said.

Iran’s defence minister, General Ahmad Vahidi, was quoted by the ISNA news agency saying that Israel “definitely doesn’t have what it takes to endure Iran’s might and will”. He called the Israeli threats “a sign of weakness” by “brainless leaders”. The comments were a response to bellicose rhetoric from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Ehud Barak in recent days suggesting they were thinking more seriously of military action against Iranian nuclear facilities. “We are determined to prevent Iran from becoming nuclear (armed), and all the options are on the table.

When we say it, we mean it,” Barak told Israeli radio last Thursday.

Israeli media have underlined the threat, reporting that a decision could be made within weeks. They have also highlighted opposition to the idea by current and former Israeli military officials. The United States has recently multiplied visits by top officials to Israel in what appears to be an attempt to dissuade the Jewish state from targeting the Islamic republic.

“We continue to believe there is time and space for diplomacy,” White House spokesman Jay

JEDDAH: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (center) is met by Saudi Prince Khaled Al-Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Governor of Makkah, upon his arrival in this coastal city yesterday. — AFP Carney said on Monday.

Israel insists that Iran is on the point of developing nuclear weapons, and says it reserves the right to act to prevent that. The Jewish state has in the past launched air strikes to destroy nuclear facilities in Iraq and, reportedly, in Syria to protect its own regional nuclear weapons monopoly, whose existence it refuses to officially confirm. Iran says its nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful, civilian uses. In the past couple of years it has ramped up uranium enrichment to a level just a few steps short of military-

grade fissile material, saying those stocks are needed to create medical isotopes. It has also refused UN nuclear inspectors access to suspect military installations.

Renewed negotiations between Iran and the five top UN Security Council powers, plus Germany, have taken place this year. They have been downgraded after it became clear they were in an impasse, but not ended. In the meantime, Iran is suffering from increasingly tough US and EU economic sanctions that have crippled its all-important oil exports. — AFP

Egypt opening Gaza border ahead of Eid RAFAH: Egypt yesterday opened its border with Hamas-ruled Gaza for a three-day period ahead of a major Muslim holiday this weekend, but imposed tight restrictions on who can travel and did not say whether it would resume normal border operations.

The government in Cairo closed the border Aug 5, shutting down the Rafah passenger terminal and according to Egyptian security officials - sealing more than 100 cross-border smuggling tunnels. The move came after Islamic militants in Egypt’s Sinai desert near Gaza killed 16 Egyptian troops at a border post.

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi’s government suggested the assailants had help from Gaza, a claim Hamas denies. The Egyptian restrictions raised tensions between Morsi and Hamas, both members of the region-wide Muslim Brotherhood and presumably sympathetic to each other. The Hamas interior minister, Fathi Hamad, has demanded that Morsi reopen the Rafah crossing quickly and suggested the new Egyptian president was acting like his predecessor, the staunchly anti-Hamas Hosni Mubarak who had backed Israel’s tight blockade of Gaza’s borders.

“We suffered from the unjust regime of Mubarak that participated in the Israeli blockade of Gaza,” Hamad wrote in comments posted on his ministry’s website. “Why should we suffer now, in the era of Egypt’s revolution and democracy?” Addressing Egyptian leaders, Hamad called for a different policy. “Palestine should be considered a priority,” he wrote. “If you are not doing that, you have to correct your course.” Last week, Egypt began allowing stranded travelers to return to Gaza, and some 4,500 have so far made the trip, according to Gaza border officials. Yesterday, Egypt for the first time allowed some border traffic from Gaza, but only for a select few - Gaza students registered at foreign universities, those with residency abroad and medical patients.Gaza border official Maher Abu Sabha said two-way traffic will continue for three days, in the run-up to the weekend’s Eid Al-Fitr holiday, which caps the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

The limited opening is meant to relieve some of the pressure on Gaza, but also suggested there is no imminent decision by Egypt to resume normal border traffic. Gaza officials say thousands of travelers are on a waiting list, hoping to leave the territory.

Amani Salman, 34, and her four sons were wait-

RAFAH: Palestinians load their luggage onto the back of a pick-up truck at the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip before travelling to Egypt yesterday. — AFP ing on the Gaza side of the border, hoping to cross into Egypt en route to their home in Qatar. Salman said she had been scheduled to travel on the day after the Sinai attack and was forced to cancel her plane tickets, at a cost of $1,800. She said she had hesitated for years to visit her family in Gaza because of the precarious border situation, but decided to risk the trip after the change of government in Egypt. “This year, I thought it will be better, but it was the same,” she said. “We love Egypt and we were very happy for their new president. We are not asking for much, just to be treated as humans ...

It’s a mistake to punish Gaza.”

After Morsi became president earlier this summer, Hamas had high hopes that the new Egyptian leader would significantly ease the Gaza border blockade, imposed by Israel and Mubarak after Hamas seized the coastal area by force in 2007.

Rafah is key for Gaza, providing the only gate to the outside world for the territory’s 1.7 million people.

Israel controls the other land crossings, allowing movement for only small numbers of humanitarian cases, as well as access by air and sea. In a first step, Morsi’s government eased passenger traffic in and out of Gaza, but failed to respond to Hamas’ most pressing demand, to turn Rafah into a trade corridor. For now, Gaza imports most consumer goods through an Israeli crossing and through hundreds of smuggling tunnels that are also used as a conduit for people and weapons.

Reda Fahmi, who heads the Palestine Committee in Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, said that following last week’s attack, Egypt’s national security supersedes any concerns for Gaza, and that security forces will focus on dismantling the smugglers’ network on both sides of the border. “This is a headache that we should get rid of,” he said of the illicit trade route, one of Gaza’s main lifelines. But setting up a legal trade route “requires extensive studies and research”, he said. —AP

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Hecklers, Obama target new campaigner Ryan Vice presidential hopeful gives first speech

Mexico needs new drug war strategy MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s massive wave of drug killings - can be traced to outgoing president Felipe Calderon’s failed security strategy - and stemming the bloodshed will be a key challenge for his successor. Soon after his inauguration in 2006, Calderon pitted some 50,000 soldiers against cartels in an all-out offensive against drug trafficking. Experts say the main result was a spike in violence, particularly after 2009. At last count, more than 47,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence from the time Calderon took office, according to government figures running through September 2011.

More than 7,000 people were murdered in the first half of 2012, a 10 percent jump over the previous six months, a study out this week by Lantia Consultants found. If this trend continues, the

DES MOINES, Iowa: Republican Vice Presidential candidate Rep Paul Ryan makes an appearance at the Iowa State Fair on Monday. — AP DES MOINES, Iowa: Republican Paul Ryan got a taste of the rough side of a presidential campaign on Monday when protesters heckled him and President Barack Obama accused him of blocking emergency aid to droughthit farmers. The new vice presidential hopeful from Wisconsin - who brings Midwestern credibility to White House hopeful Mitt Romney’s campaign mingled with locals at the Iowa State Fair, a popular spot for politicians keen to show their common touch in a state where Obama and Romney will be in tight competition.

Dressed in a checked shirt, Ryan bantered with fairgoers but his first solo campaign speech was interrupted by a small group of demonstrators. In chaotic scenes, hecklers standing at the front of a large pro-Ryan crowd shouted “Stop the war against the common good,” prompting Republicans to shout back and swear at them. One of the protesters rushed onto the small stage where Ryan was speaking. She was grabbed by three state troopers. Police said one of the protesters punched a volunteer fair worker.

“It ’s funny because Iowans and Wisconsinites, we like to be respectful of one another, and peaceful of one another and listen to one another,” Ryan said. “These ladies must not be from Iowa or Wisconsin.” A hero to conservatives, Ryan has given Romney’s campaign a jolt of energy after several difficult weeks marked by gaffes and persistent questions about his personal finances. But the Republican effort to win back the White House received no immediate poll boost from Saturday’s announcement of Ryan as the vice presidential running mate, according to a Reuters/Ipsos online survey.

Some 51 percent of those surveyed said the decision did not change their opinion of Romney, a former privateequity executive and Massachusetts governor who faces Obama in the Nov. 6 election. Another 26 percent said they viewed Romney more favorably after he added the 42-year-old Wisconsin congressman to the ticket, while 23 percent said they regarded him less favorably.

Ryan is a polarizing figure in Washington, where he has led his party’s push to cut domestic spending, lower taxes and scale back the size of the federal government as chairman of the House of Representatives Budget Committee. But Americans outside Washington and Ryan’s home state know little about him. “He’s fairly unknown in who he is and what he stands for,” said Ipsos Vice President Julia Clark. “He’s a Wisconsin congress-

man, not a nationally known figure.”

That is likely to change as Ryan campaigns across the country to build enthusiasm among grass-roots conservatives while Democrats attack his budget plan as one that would gut social safety net programs for the elderly and the poor. Also visiting Iowa on Monday, Obama named Ryan as “one of the leaders of Congress standing in the way” of a farm bill that includes disaster aid to farmers hit by a drought.

“So if you happen to see Congressman Ryan, tell him how important this farm bill is to Iowa and our rural communities,” Obama said at a political rally in Council Bluffs.

Later in the day the president visited the State Fair, too, but did not face hecklers the way Ryan did. Obama shook hands with cheering bystanders and turned down a smoothie and cinnamon rolls in favor of a beer and pork chops. “Ice cold and tasty,” he said of his beer, offering to buy some for others in the crowd except, he joked, a person holding a Romney sign. During his Iowa tour Obama announced an emergency purchase of up to $170 million of meat and fish to help farmers who are watching crops wither in the fields under searing heat.

It was a timely announcement that took away some of the limelight in Iowa from Ryan, who has never before had to face an opponent like Obama’s Chicago-based campaign team.

Elected to the House of Representative seven times mostly by margins of more than 20 percentage points, Ryan has not faced a particularly tough race in his congressional career. He will go head-to-head with Vice President Joe Biden in October in a TV debate.

Biden criticized his Republican counterpart for targeting Medicare spending in his budget plan. “What’s gutsy about giving millionaires and billionaires tax breaks? What’s gutsy about gutting Medicaid and Medicare?” Biden said in Durham, Nor th Carolina. Ryan argues that Medicare in its current form is headed for bankruptcy and his proposal would save the program by reducing spending by $205 billion in the next decade compared with Obama’s budget plan.

Polls show that Medicare is very popular and Romney has distanced himself from Ryan’s plan. “The items that we agree on I think outweigh any differences there may be,” Romney said on a visit to Florida. “ We haven’t gone through piece by piece and said, ‘Oh, here’s a place where there’s a difference.’ I can’t imagine any two people, even in the same par ty, who have exactly the same positions on all issues.” — Reuters

death tally will surpass 60,000 by the end of November, when Calderon’s six-year-term ends.

“For any government, to speak of 60,000 victims in a country with no officially-recognized internal conflict is a clear proof of failure,” said Erubiel Tirado, a security expert at the Iberoamericana University. Calderon has touted the news that, since he took office, 22 of 37 of the “most dangerous criminal leaders in Mexico” have been captured or killed. But experts say even this apparent victory is not so clear-cut. A study by Eduardo Guerrero, published in July’s Nexus magazine, found the government’s strategy of targeting gang leaders has actually led to more murders, maimings and kidnappings across larger swaths of the country. Cartel violence had previously been concentrated in six of the 32 Mexican states, Guerrero

found. But starting in 2009, deadly turf battles spread across wider areas and even into the states with Mexico’s biggest cities, including Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Veracruz - which, before then, had been largely spared. According to Guerrero, “following this strategy without taking measures to contain the increase in violence was irresponsible.”

Numerous NGOs, including Amnesty International, have also denounced numerous and serious human rights violations committed by the Mexican army, saying it was ill-prepared for internal security tasks as it undertook Calderon’s antidrug offensive. Security expert Tirado said that when Calderon put his military strategy in place as protests over contested election results still filled the streets - “there was an intention of legitimizing his presidential stature”. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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Gao residents in north Mali ready to resist Islamists BAMAKO: Residents of Gao, one of the three main towns in northern Mali occupied by armed Islamists since late March, are fighting back against radicals who brutally apply strict sharia law. The stoning to death of an unwed couple, the amputation of the hand of a thief, whippings for “illegitimate” couples and people who smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol have been among the harsh punishments meted out by the Islamists, who claim ties with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

In Gao, near the border with Niger, hundreds of residents, mainly youths, have taken their lives in their hands several times since May to oppose hardline tactics, initially because they were banned from watching television and playing football. One week ago, people again took to the streets

in a successful protest to stop the Islamists cutting the hand off a thief, then to protect a radio show host from being beaten up for reporting the first demonstrations against the amputation. “At this rate, the people are going to chase out the Islamists with their bare hands,” said Soumaila Kante, a young sociologist in Gao. But three days later, it was at Ansongo, a nearby town, that for the first time since the occupation of northern Mali, the amputation of the hand of a thief took place in public. A local leader of the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), which is one of the two groups linked to AQIM, with Ansar Dine (Defenders of Islam), vowed to act soon in Gao itself. At first, the MUJAO fighters were well regarded in Gao, because they were

banning smoking, beating people, the esteem shown to the Islamists fell fast.” Tiegoum Boubeye Maiga, a Malian journalist who comes from the Gao region, told AFP that the town has always been “restless”. “I’m not surprised that it’s taken the lead in challenging the Islamists, because there are limits that should not be crossed.”

He added that “in northern Mali, it’s always been Gao that takes the leads in revolts, before they spread. It was Soni Ali Ber, first emperor of Gao (1464-1493) who freed Timbuktu from the yoke of the Tuaregs.” The bravura of Gao’s residents has set a trend for action in other parts of the north, notably at Goudam, south of Timbuktu, where to show their disapproval of the behaviour of the Islamists, inhabitants burned part of a

opposed to Tuareg rebels of the National Movement for the Liberation of the Azawad (MNLA), which was accused of many cases of violence and theft in the town, before being chased out by MUJAO on June 27 after heavy fighting.

“At the start, people really appreciated the Islamists because they respected us, contrary to the Tuareg rebels who were better known for brigandry than anything else,” a nurse at Gao hospital said, before adding, “But you must never forget that here, people are stubborn and courageous.”

“There’s no love lost” between the Islamists and the population now, said Abdoul K arim Maiga of the Collective of Inhabitants of the North of Mali (COREN). “With their sharia, (which imposes) cutting off hands,

building they were occupying, then prevented them from praying in a local mosque.

The Islamists made a great effort to hand out gifts when the holy fasting month of Ramadan arrived, but their strict application of sharia is hard to stomach for the local people.

The populations of the three main occupied towns - Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal are currently trying to form a “coalition of indigenous people of the north” against those they see as “the invaders”. “We resisted the Tuaregs, we’re going to resist the Islamists by all possible means, if they blindly want to enforce the full rigour of the sharia among us,” said a former senior adminstrative official in Goudam who asked not to be named and who added, “Ours is a land of Islam, not for Islamists.” — AFP

Riot engulfs troubled French city in north Amiens clashes raise fears of wave of unrest

NANYUKI, Kenya: Chris Kasaija, a senior Ugandan Airforce pilot, is rescued yesterday from the wreckage of his helicopter. — AP

Eight Ugandans survive copter crash, two dead NAIROBI: Eight Ugandan servicemen walked away from their helicopter after it crashed in Kenya en route to wartorn Somalia while two soldiers were confirmed dead in another crash, officials said yesterday. Theirs were among three Russian-made Mi-24 combat helicopters that went down Sunday in a remote mountainous region of Kenya.

One was found on Monday, with all seven servicemen on board rescued.

“We have rescued eight survivors,” said Simon Gitau, a senior warden with the Kenya Wildlife Ser vice, which is involved in the rescue operation. “All of them were in the helicopter that crashed but did not catch fire.”

The eight survivors found yesterday had trekked for eight kilometres through dense forests in search of help. “They are in good condition after walking away from the crash site,” Gitau said. “All of them have been airlifted to safety,” he said, adding: “We are now using sniffer dogs to help trace more survivors, if any, in the forest.”

The aircraft came down in thickly forested mountainous terrain dominated by snowcapped Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak at 5,199 m. Wild animals including elephants, leopards and rhinos prowl the forests, about 110 km north of the capital Nairobi. Wreckage of the two helicopters were found early Tuesday morning, with two dead bodies sighted in one that was still on fire.

“The helicopter is still burning, but we do not know if those were the only two soldiers inside or if there are others. We are yet to confirm that,” Gitau added. Kenyan Chief of Defence Forces, General Julius Karangi told reporters that one helicopter “had been found

burnt completely, and the other one hanging somewhere on the cliff”. It had earlier been reported that both aircraft had been burnt. Uganda said that at least 14 servicemen were thought to have been aboard the two ill-fated helicopters. If that estimate is accurate, then four reamin unaccounted for.

The helicopters were flying to Somalia to suppor t African Union troops battling Shebab insurgents linked to Al-Qaeda who have vowed to topple the country’s Western-backed government.

An Mi-17 transport helicopter that had taken off from Uganda on Sunday as part of the same mission landed without problems in the eastern Kenyan town of Garissa near the Somali border for a scheduled refueling stop. Uganda provides around a third of the nearly 17,000-strong AU force in Somalia, and Kampala had said last week that it would send its first combat and transport helicopters to the Horn of Africa nation.

The aircraft are seen as key to extending gains made against the hardline Shebab insurgents, who have fled a string of stronghold towns in recent months, stretching AU military resources over a far wider zone. Kenya invaded southern Somalia last year to attack Shabab bases across its eastern border before later joining the AU force. It has deployed its own air force including attack helicopters and fighter jets - to bombard Shabab positions.

Somalia’s weak and corruption-ridden transitional government - in power for eight years - is due to be replaced later this month through a UN-backed process in which elders will select new leaders. — AFP

AMIENS, France: A deprived area of the city of Amiens has been left devastated by rioting that has raised fears of a wave of unrest as the economic outlook for France’s underclass worsens. Described by the local mayor as the product of mounting social tension in an area where the rule of law has broken down, the Amiens riot cast a shadow over President Francois Hollande’s celebration yesterday of 100 days since his election victory. Overnight violence in the historic city left 16 police officers injured, a primary school severely damaged by fire and a sports centre completely destroyed, local officials said.

Clashes involving around 100 local youths and up to 150 police erupted late Monday in the rundown northern quarter of an otherwise prosperous city that is known for its university and 13th-century Gothic cathedral. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets and deployed a helicopter to quell the unrest after suffering injuries caused by buckshot, fireworks and other projectiles thrown by rioters. The violence followed lower-scale clashes 24 hours earlier which were triggered by the arrest of a man for dangerous driving. The arrest was seen as insensitive as it came as many residents of the neighbourhood were attending a wake for a local 20-year-old who had died in a motorbike accident.

Gilles Demailly, the mayor of Amiens, told AFP the violent response to the incident reflected a descent into lawlessness orchestrated by ever younger troublemakers. “There have been regular incidents here but it has been years since we’ve known a night as violent as this with so much damage done,” the mayor said. Demailly, a member of Hollande’s Socialist Party, added: “For months I’ve been asking for the means (to alleviate the neighbourhood’s problems) because tension has been mounting

here. “You’ve got gangs of youths playing at being gangsters who have turned the area into a no-go zone. You can no longer order a pizza or get a doctor to come to the house.”

Hollande’s government has identified the northern quarter of Amiens as one of 15 “priori-

deterioration as Hollande’s government cuts spending in most areas in order to reduce its budget deficit in line with eurozone requirements.

Trade unions battling job cuts across French industry have already warned of a “hot

AMIENS, France: The shell of a burnt out car is seen in a neighborhood yesterday. — AP ty security zones” across the country which will be established from September.

The emphasis will be on tougher policing rather than on schemes to alleviate the impact of record unemployment and falling real incomes for the poorest sections of society.

Figures released yesterday showed the French economy flat-lining in the second quarter of the year and most economists expect a further

autumn” of protest unless the government eases up on the austerity drive.

But Hollande yesterday made it clear he regarded the unrest in Amiens as primarily a problem of criminality and promised a tough response. “The state will mobilise all its means to combat these violent acts,” Hollande said.

“Security is not only a priority for us, it is an obligation.” — AFP

Ecuador to respond to Assange plea: Correa

A pedestrian walks past a photograph of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange placed by supporters across the street from the Ecuadorian Embassy in central London yesterday. (Inset) Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa speaks during an interview with the public television at Carondelet Palace in Quito on Monday. —AP/AFP

QUITO: Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa has said he expects to respond to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s application for political asylum sometime this week.

“Hopefully this week we will be able to make a statement on the matter,” the leftist leader said in an interview with public broadcaster EC T V late Monday. Assange, 41, took refuge at Ecuador’s embassy in London on June 19 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is accused of sexual assault. “We expect to have a meeting no later than Wednesday,” Correa said, referring to his diplomats in London. The WikiLeaks founder fears that from Sweden, he could subsequently be re -extradited to the United States to stand trial for espionage, after a trove of leaked US

diplomatic cables and military logs were published on his website. In the interview, Correa acknowledged that he felt “sympathy ” toward Assange, but that he also felt “sympathy” toward Great Britain, alluding to the framework of English and International law involved in the case. “We will act in strict accordance with the principles of Ecuador and always respecting the friendly nations, but obviously also respecting the rights of the person that has asked for asylum in Ecuador,” he said.

Correa has said the mere possibility that the WikiLeaks founder could face capital punishment in the United States could be sufficient reason for his government to grant the activist’s asylum request. He has vowed that his government would not yield to pressure from Britain, Sweden or the United States over the asylum decision. But even if Ecuador grants Assange’s request, British authorities could refuse to let him to leave the country. — AFP

Church hounding of girl punks troubles Russians MOSCOW: The dominant Russian Orthodox Church’s tough stance against the all-girl punk band Pussy Riot has troubled some faithful and estranged it from the younger generation it must foster for future growth. Many are now asking if the peculiar trial marks the moment when the Church’s furious rise under President Vladimir Putin hit its zenith in a country where its dealings with the authorities has been controversial since Soviet times. “ The hearings have undermined the Church’s standing,” said Vladimir Oivin of the Credo.ru religious issues website.

“Even a suspended sentence (for Pussy Riot) will not be able to save it now,” the close observer of the Church said.

The three fresh-faced young women pulled on balaclavas before the altar of Moscow’s biggest cathedral for a protest

performance against President Putin at a terrible time for Church leader Patriarch Kirill. The close Kremlin ally that winter was suddenly being accused of corruption by a new generation of young bloggers who were spearheading protests against Putin’s return to a third term as president. Russia’s entire ruling elite appeared to be temporarily stunned by the demonstrations and Kirill for one decided to fight back with force. He denounced Pussy Riot ’s Februar y 21 “punk prayer” as “blasphemous” and led an open-air prayer service attended by tens of thousands that seemed designed to show off his ability to muster huge numbers on the streets at will.

The Church refused to protest the detention of lead singer Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and her mates Yekaterina

Samutsevich and Maria Alyokhina since March - a line that eventually sparked a revolt from some in its own ranks.

Archpriest Vyacheslav Vinnikov called the pursuit “an indelible disgrace” that echoed a time when the Church worked closely with the Communist Party and helped identify political dissenters to the secret police. “How can the patriarch, archpriests and priests stand before the altar and lead prayers to the heavens when their words lead to innocent martyrs going to jail,” he demanded in an article for the Grani.ru website.

Archdeacon Andrei Kurayev for his part told the Pussy Riot judge after being called by the prosecution that “we have seen plenty of evidence in the past six months that attempts to intimidate (protesters) do not work”. The prosecution is

now seeking a reduced sentence of three years of corrective labour out of the seven possible for the hooliganism motivated by religious hatred charge.

But that only happened once polls showed public opinion shifting and Church supporters suddenly being outnumbered by those who viewed Pussy Riot’s treatment as too vindictive for the actual crime involved.

This may be a worrying sign for an organisation that has grown exponentially - both in power and property ownership - under Putin and now views itself as Russia’s moral voice. “The Church’s problems have entered the daily discourse of society and are likely to stay there for a long time,” said Russian Academy of Sciences analyst Alexei Beglov. Olga Sibiryova of the Sova human rights centre

said many were fearing that cases like Pussy Riot show “that Russia is no longer a secular state”.

Russia has no official religion but polls show about 70 percent identifying themselves as Orthodox Christians. Yet the same data also identify fewer than seven percent regularly attending services - one of the lowest figures in Europe and just half the rate in France. Some believe this makes the Church’s constant presence on Russian state TV deceptive and its future still heavily dependent on Kremlin backing that could fade if the clergy keeps picking up unpopular causes. The liberal Vedomosti business daily concluded that the Church had just committed its “biggest error since 1901” - the year it excommunicated the beloved Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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

Pakistan’s million dollar archaeological smugglers CHARSADDA, Pakistan: When a Pakistani family dispute over land degenerated into cold-blooded murder, Zaman Khan was quickly in over his head. As cousins killed cousins, he borrowed more than $18,500 to buy guns, ammunition and guards. But soon debtors were demanding

repayment, leaving him so depressed he contemplated suicide. Then a friend came up with an idea. He took Khan to a site in northwest Pakistan which dates back to the ancient Gandhara civilisation where they dug up 18 pieces of statue, selling them to market traders

KARACHI: Pakistani officials check a seized ancient statue on July 28, 2012. — AFP

for two million rupees ($20,700). After two more visits, Khan - AFP has changed the names of all those involved in the trade - had found enough statues, coins and ornaments to not only settle his debts but also bankroll his long-running feud.

Thirty years on, he presides over a lucrative trade in illegally excavated treasures, smuggled to Thailand, Europe and America as part of Pakistan’s sophisticated but underworld business in archaeological remains. “I can fight against my enemies and my friends’ enemies now. I’ve earned millions of rupees from this business,” he said, sitting next to a dozen automatic weapons in Charsadda, 130 km from Islamabad.

Pakistan is home to two ancient civilisations, the Indus, which dates back to between 2500 and 1700 BC, and the Gandhara, from 530 BC to 1021 AD. It is the Gandhara artefacts that are most highly prized. Statues of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who was born in Nepal in the 6th century BC and whose teachings grew into a major religion, can fetch thousands of dollars across the world. “Whenever I’m on a digging mission, I pay 10,000 rupees ($100) to the relevant police station as a bribe in advance and 1,000 rupees ($10) a day while the work continues,” said Khan. He sells the artefacts to dealers in the main northwestern city of Peshawar. “Then they sell them to dealers in Islamabad and other cities who then export them to Thailand,” he said.

“To smuggle it from Peshawar to Islamabad, they

use ladies, who aren’t usually checked by police at the security posts.”

Smuggler Raja Javed has customers in Peshawar, Thailand and Japan. “I’ve been doing this business for the last 20 years. I’ve sold hundreds of art pieces worth millions of rupees,” he told AFP at his plush villa, just metres from the museum in the Gandharan city of Taxila. Spread over almost an acre, the grounds of his home include lawns and guest houses, while the main residential building has the kind of huge dome usually found on tombs of Mughal kings and sufi saints.

“At a minimum I’ve sold 20 big Buddha statues (weighing 40 to 80 kg). Each piece sold for around $20,000,” said Javed. He does not believe what he does should be treated as a crime, but that the the government should buy artefacts at market value. The law forbids anyone from moving or selling any archaeological artefacts statues, gold coins, jewellery or utensils - even if they are unearthed on their own property. “They are the property of the government,” said Mehmoodul Hassan, a senior official of the archaeology department. “Anybody who moves or sells an artefact can face imprisonment of up to five years, or a fine of 500,000 rupees ($5,300) or both.”

But in the smuggling business, it is all about who you know. In Peshawar jewellery market, a hub for Afghan and Pakistani dealers, Javed and

Khan’s main contact said: “One piece can cost up to $10 million, it depends on the quality, state and history of the articular piece. “I can arrange dozens of precious originals and copies for you, but transportation is hard,” he told an AFP reporter who posed as a buyer wanting Buddha statues for London. Fakes and replicas are another aspect of the trade. In Taxila, which continues to attract foreign visitors despite the terror threat in Pakistan, one sculptor chisels Buddha statues from new stone and paints them in mud to make them look ancient. “I can provide you copies and replicas of any statue you want” he said, showing off his handiwork. “I am an expert at making fasting Buddha and the goddess.”

Customs officials say they have cracked down on the smugglers. “The whole system is computerised now and the chances of corruption are rare,” said Riffat Shaheen Qazi, a customs spokeswoman. “Some individuals might be involved in smuggling artefacts but we’re trying to curb this menace.” But an interviewee for this article suggested the names of two people in Islamabad with a gallery in Thailand who could help transport artefacts abroad. One of them lives in a fortstyle farmhouse in the mountains between Islamabad and the summer hill resort of Murree.

Sporting a beard, and wearing a blue kurta with baggy white trousers and a yellow necklace, the man said his activities had become harder to carry out, but by no means impossible.- AFP

Japan mulls halting summit meetings with South Korea Japan, N Korea to hold first govt talks in 4 years TOKYO: Japan may halt summit meetings with South Korea, a report said yesterday, as a diplomatic spat between the neighbours worsened and Seoul called on the Japanese emperor to apologise for past atrocities. A proposed visit to a controversial Tokyo war shrine by two Japanese cabinet ministers, for the first time in several years, was also rubbing salt into decades-old wounds, with Seoul urging the men to stay away. Japan’s prime minister would usually meet key regional players for face-toface talks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, to be held in Vladivostok, eastern Russia, next month.

But Tokyo is scrambling to find a suitable response to a visit last week by South Korean

(East Sea) provoked a furious response, with Tokyo recalling its ambassador from Seoul. The visit, which Japanese Premier Yoshihiko Noda dubbed “extremely deplorable”, was the first by a South Korean president to the largely uninhabited volcanic outcrops. South Korea yesterday said two Japanese cabinet ministers who have announced their intention to go to the Yasukuni shrine, a spot that honours Japan’s war dead, should stay away.

“The (Seoul) government holds strongly to a position that Japanese authorities including cabinet ministers must not pay respects at the Yasukuni shrine,” said Seoul foreign ministry spokesman Cho Tai-Young. “We again strongly urge the Japanese persons concerned not to

South Korean tourists arrive on the Korean-controlled islands in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) - known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea yesterday. - AFP President Lee Myung-Bak to islands known in Japan as Takeshima and in Korean as Dokdo, which are claimed by both sides. Japan’s conservative Sankei Shimbun daily said Tokyo was considering suspending summits with South Korea “for the time being”, including at APEC and a trip by the Japanese premier to South Korea as part of “shuttle diplomacy”.

The Tokyo foreign ministry official in charge of issues on the Korean peninsula told AFP: “If we didn’t set a bilateral summit with South Korea on the sidelines of APEC, it doesn’t mean a ‘cancellation’ because it was never officially planned.” He added: “There is an opinion (in the government) that Japan should tell President Lee our opinion face-to-face, so I don’t know if a summit will take place at this point or not.”

Lee’s trip to the islands in the Sea of Japan

commit such acts.” The two ministers have said they plan to visit the shrine today, the anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender.

South Korea marks the date as Liberation Day, the anniversary of the end of Japan’s harsh colonial rule over Korea from 1910 to 1945.

President Lee meanwhile ramped up his antiJapan rhetoric, saying Emperor Akihito would have to sincerely apologise for past excesses should he wish to go to South Korea. “If (Japan’s emperor) wishes to visit South Korea, I wish he would visit and sincerely apologise for those who passed away while fighting for independence,” the South Korean leader said during a meeting with teachers.

“If he is going to visit with a term such as ‘regret’, there would be no need for him to come,” Lee said, according to a report on the

presidential website. It was unclear if there had been any recent discussions about such a visit by the emperor.

Japan has been working to improve ties with South Korea and had previously seen Lee as a pragmatic politician who could talk about the future of the two countries without getting hung up on the bitter legacy of the past. But ties have taken a dramatic turn for the worse in recent months. In June, Lee’s administration had been set to sign a landmark agreement to share sensitive information with Japan, in what would have been the first military accord between the two countries since 1945. But South Korea postponed the signing at the last minute, with both the ruling party and opposition parties concerned about public opposition.

Separately, Japan will hold government-level talks with North Korea for the first time in four years, Japanese officials said yesterday, in the latest sign of a thaw in relations between the two sides. Chief government spokesman Osamu Fujimura announced that the talks will be held in Beijing on Aug 29 and cover “various pending issues”. Japan ruled the Korean Peninsula as a colony before and during World War II. Ties between Japan and North Korea remain chilly, and they do not have formal diplomatic relations. The upcoming talks were scheduled after the two nations’ Red Cross societies met in Beijing last week to discuss the repatriation of the remains of Japanese soldiers, Fujimura said.

The Red Cross talks, reportedly the first in 10 years, “helped us to deepen our understanding of each other’s situation”, Fujimura said. He said the two governments have sought since last week to deepen the discussion and agreed to hold a preliminary meeting on Aug 29. The meeting will set an agenda for full-fledged talks expected soon afterward, Fujimura said. He said Japan hopes the two countries will be able to comprehensively solve pending issues and settle their “unfortunate past” so they can establish diplomatic ties.

Japan and North Korea have not held government-level talks since Aug 2008 because of animosity over their past and disputes over the North’s nuclear program and its kidnapping of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s. Japan will push to have the kidnappings included in the talks’ agenda, Fujimura said. North Korea has admitted abducting 13 Japanese nationals and using them to train spies. It pledged in the 2008 talks to reinvestigate the abductions, but has not yet done so.

In another sign of a thaw, Tokyo plans to issue special visas to North Korean football players to allow them to participate in the women’s under-20 World Cup starting Sunday in Japan.

Japan has banned trade and exchanges of people with Nor th Korea under sanctions it imposed over the North’s nuclear and missile programs, but sports and humanitarian visits are considered exceptions. —Agencies

China cops kill gunman after massive manhunt

CHONGQING, China: Chinese police remove the body of Zhou Kehua, a fugitive armed robber and suspected serial killer, dubbed China’s most dangerous man, after he was shot dead in this southwestern megacity early yesterday. — AFP

BEIJING: Chinese police yesterday killed a fugitive armed robber and suspected serial killer dubbed China’s most dangerous man, ending a huge manhunt, state media said. Zhou Kehua, who is suspected of killing nine people, spent eight years on the run before being shot dead in the southwestern megacity of Chongqing early yesterday, the official Xinhua news agency reported. The 42-year-old’s death ends a huge search that began when he reportedly shot and killed a woman outside a bank in Chongqing on Friday morning, wounding another two people, before killing a police officer later that day. State broadcaster CC T V showed footage of Zhou’s bloodied corpse and said he had been killed in a shoot-out with police at a shoe factory on the mountainous outskirts of Chongqing.

Police in Chongqing launched a massive manhunt after receiving reports Zhou was hiding out in nearby mountain caves, the Global Times reported. Images of Zhou - described by authorities as “ruthless and highly dangerous” - were plastered across the city on wanted posters, the Global Times daily reported. Police in the city and

two neighbouring provinces were reportedly ordered to cancel all leave to take part in the hunt for Zhou, and authorities offered a 500,000 yuan ($79,000) reward for information leading to his capture.

Zhou, who was born in rural Chongqing, began his crime spree when he shot and killed a woman during a 70,000 yuan bank heist in the city in 2004, Xinhua said. Police believe he was also responsible for shootings in Changsha, in China’s central Hunan province, and Nanjing in the eastern province of Jiangsu, earning him the title “China’s most dangerous man” in the Chinese media. China’s Ministry of Public Security classified Zhou as a “class-A” wanted suspect. “We have not seen this kind of cold-blooded killer in years,” one police official told Xinhua news agency. Chinese media gave the hunt for Zhou heavy coverage, and his death was one of the hottest topics on Sina Weibo China’s answer to Twitter - yesterday morning, where thousands posted messages praising the police operation. Gun crime is relatively rare in China, where extremely tight laws bar almost all private ownership of firearms. — AFP

NEW DELHI: Indian yoga guru Baba Ramdev breaks his fast at Ambedkar stadium yesterday. —AP

Indian yoga guru ends fast against corruption NEW DELHI: A popular yoga guru ended his hunger strike to protest endemic corruption in India after six days yesterday, and said he was turning his attention to campaigning against the ruling party in general elections scheduled for 2014. Baba Ramdev sipped a glass of fruit juice offered by supporters to end the fast, aimed at pressuring the government to bring back billions of dollars of illegal money allegedly stashed by Indians in foreign banks. Yesterday, more than 2,000 supporters at a stadium in the heart of New Delhi cheered as Ramdev announced that the fight against corruption would go on.

Ramdev, who has previously insisted that he did not have a political agenda, announced that his strategy now is to oust the ruling Congress party in the next general election scheduled for 2014. He accuses the Congress party, which has been in power since 2004, of corruption and not doing enough to bring back bribe money stashed overseas. “There should be no ambivalence in our strategy which is to defeat the Congress.

My slogan to you today is: boycott the Congress party and ensure its defeat in the next elections,” he told supporters.

Ramdev’s speech was interrupted several times by his supporters who loudly shouted the slogan coined by their guru: “Remove the Congress, Save the country.” The Congress party has denied Ramdev’s charges and dismissed his protest as a political stunt.

Congress party spokesman Manish Tewari said no other administration has done as much as the Congress-led government to help bring back to India money funneled out of the country.”No other government has taken the kind of firm steps to bring back black money as compared to the work and commitment shown by our government on this issue in the last three years,” Tewari told reporters yesterday.

The main opposition parties - including the rightwing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party - several socialist and regional parties have offered support to Ramdev, with several political leaders sitting with the guru for short spells over the past six days.

Ramdev’s protest comes nearly two weeks after the latest hunger strike by anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare failed to attract the huge crowds that had turned out for his past protests. Hazare and his supporters said they would give up agitating and join politics instead. Fed up with the country’s entrenched corruption, thousands of poor people, mostly farmers from nearby states, joined Ramdev during his protest for six days. But support for the guru has dwindled in recent months as he too has come under a cloud over alleged tax evasion. Government agencies have questioned the source of Ramdev’s vast fortune and accused him of not paying taxes. A close aide is in jail on charges of cheating and forgery.— AFP

MARIKINA, Philippines: A Filipino Muslim woman walks with a plastic bag of food at a residential area that was hardly hit by floods east of Manila yesterday. —AP

Philippines braces for more wild weather MANILA: Manila braced yesterday for more wet weather and authorities rushed relief supplies to the remote northern Philippines as a new storm - expected to trigger flashfloods and landslides - closed in. Tropical storm Kai-tak was forecast to hit the east coast of Luzon, the country’s main island, yesterday morning, then pass over mountainous regions before heading towards Taiwan, the state weather bureau said. Civil defence chief Benito Ramos warned that the northern parts of the Philippines were vulnerable after weeks of heavy downpours. “The ground is already saturated so even if the rain is intermittent, it will still cause landslides and flooding,” he told AFP. Although the capital Manila will not be directly hit by the storm, it will still suffer heavy downpours, just days after floods covered wide parts of the metropolis and killed 95 people. “Manila can be flooded again even if it is outside the storm’s (area), it will be affected because the diameter of the tropical storm is wide enough to affect even

Metropolitan Manila,” he said. Although the floodwaters have receded in most of the capital, some areas remained covered with water, including vital farming regions, and authorities warned the new storm would bring more misery to residents there.

The government had initially said Kai-tak would start dumping up to 35 mm of rain an hour over large areas of Luzon beginning Monday night, triggering warnings of more mass evacuations from officials. But as of noon yesterday, parts of Luzon were only experiencing scattered, light rain. “We are rushing to pre-position relief items to the northern areas ahead of this storm,” Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman told AFP. “We wanted to make sure that we have enough supplies there just in case areas get cut off by landslides or floods.” Kai-tak had already claimed one life when a farmer suffered a seizure, fell into a flooded rice field and drowned on Monday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in a statement.— AFP

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

AHMEDABAD: Anjuman-E-Islam schoolchildren, wearing colors of the Indian national flag, pose as they pray for their country’s peace and progress on the eve of Independence Day in Ahmedabad yesterday. — AFP

Ex-worker sues Disney over Muslim head scarf CALIFORNIA: A former Disneyland restaurant employee sued Walt Disney Co on Monday for harassment and religious discrimination, saying she was fired because she wanted to wear a Muslim head scarf at work. Imane Boudlal, a 28-year-old Muslim, worked as a hostess at the Storytellers Cafe, a restaurant inside Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, according to a complaint filed in federal court. Two years into the job, Boudlal asked permission to wear a hijab, a head scarf worn by Muslim women, while at work. She said she offered to wear a scarf that matched the colors of her uniform or featured a Disney logo.

According to her lawsuit, Disney managers denied her request, saying it would violate the company’s policy for how employees “look” while on the job. Among the restrictions, the policy prohibits visible tattoos and fingernails that exceed a quarter of an inch, the lawsuit said. Boudlal said she was given the choice of working in a back area, away from customers, or wearing a fedora-style hat on top of her head scar f. When Boudlal refused, she was fired, the lawsuit states.

A US citizen who was born in Morocco, Boudlal said

she was also subject to anti-Arab and anti-Muslim slurs, including being called “terrorist” and “camel” by co-workers and supervisors. She said she reported the incidents to managers, but they took no action.

“Disneyland calls itself the happiest place on earth, but I faced harassment as soon as I started working there,” Boudlal said in a statement released by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. “It only got worse when I decided to wear a hijab.”

Disney said it offered Boudlal several options for a costume that would accommodate her religious beliefs, as well as four different jobs where she could wear her own hijab. “Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has a history of accommodating religious requests from cast members of all faiths,” Disneyland Resort spokeswoman Suzi Brown said in a statement. “Unfortunately, (Boudlal) has rejected all of our efforts and has since refused to come to work,” Brown said. The lawsuit seeks punitive damages and an order that states Disney may not prohibit employees from wearing hijabs. It also asks that Disney be ordered to provide anti-harassment training for employees about Muslim issues. — Reuters

Forgiveness in Islam Continued from Page 1 to him/her: either to forgive when able to retaliate, or to retaliate rightfully and in accordance with the Islamic guidelines regarding that issue.

Ibn Al-Jawzee (may Allah have mercy on him) says: “If any injustice or wrongdoing is meted out to someone, he should understand that either of the following is the reason: Due to a sin or mistake or faux pas that he committed, to expiate for a sin he committed, to earn rewards from God, or to test his/her perseverance and patience.

Forgiving, pardoning and overlooking were among the distinguishing features and characteristics of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Abu Is’haq (second generation scholar and pious man) said: I heard Abu Abdullah Al-Jadali say: I asked Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) about the general code of conduct of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). She replied: “He was neither vulgar or indecent nor oppressive. He would never shout in market places not would he reciprocate evil. He would rather forgive, pardon and overlook.” (reported by Imam Ahmad 6/174 and it is originally found in both collections of Hadith ie Bukhari and Muslim.)

An Arab poet says thus about this topic in what would be translated as: “Be like a date palm that transcends vengeance, bitter feelings and revenge in that when people pelt stones at it, it rather gives them dates.” This is exactly what Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to do. A good example of forgiveness is demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In the early stages of the Islamic propagation in Makkah, Muslims were persecuted by

Makkan Quraishi disbelievers for no apparent reason except for their unflinched belief in One God (Allah).

One of the reasons as to why Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) chose to emigrate from Makkah to Medina was that the polytheists of Makkah had resolved to kill him.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) together with his companions stayed in exile in Medina for 8 years. When he decided to liberate Makkah and finally marched with zeal and enthusiasm to fulfill that purpose, Makkan polytheists and their cronies did not resist; for they (Prophet Muhammad and his companions) liberated the city without shedding blood.

In a unique unprecedented event, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gathered all the Makkans together and asked: What do you think I will do to you today?”

They replied: “You are a noble brother and son of a noble brother - we expect only goodness from you.” Then he shocked everyone buy stating unequivocally that: I will tell you what Yusuf (Joseph) told his brothers (who had earlier plotted to get rid of him, yet at the time when he was capable of taking revenge) he rather said: “No reproach will be on you today.”

Then the Prophet (PBUH) went out of his way to tell them: “Go your way for you are free.” They didn’t believe their ears and eyes because they expected revenge. They were in utter joy so much so that many of them embraced Islam without any pressure being put on them. Forgiveness is indeed an effective way to positively influence people. Finally, as we beseech Allah to forgive us during this blessed month of Ramadan, let us also forgive all those who wronged us and clean our hearts of rancor and vengeance. — Courtesy AWARE Center

Govt heads to court amid political crisis Continued from Page 1 petition against the same law to the constitutional court. MP Muslim warned that “Kuwait is passing through one of its most difficult phase in its history which requires honest and dedicated people to unify their ranks in defense of the will of the nation”.

In another development, several Islamist MPs yesterday called on the government to repatriate Sulaiman Bughaith and return to him his Kuwaiti citizenship after the United States removed his name from the list of terrorists. Bugaith was the spokesman for Al-Qaeda organization of Osama bin Laden more than 10 years ago.

After the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, Kuwait withdrew his citizenship and since then has been living outside of Kuwait, believed to be Iran.

Islamist MP Mohammad Hayef said the government should review the decision of withdrawing Bughaith’s citizenship after the United States removed his name from the terrorists’ list and gave him a certificate that he is no longer wanted by Washington. MP Jamaan AlHarbash also demanded that Bughaith’s nationality should be given back to him and that he should be allowed to return to Kuwait after the US decision, adding that “we should not be Americans more than America itself”.

US tests hypersonic unmanned vehicle Continued from Page 1 scheduled flight of about five minutes-in which it is expected to reach an altitude of 21,000 meters -the Waverider will splash down in the Pacific, the Air Force said.

There are no plans to recover the test vehicle. The X51, at eight meters long, reached Mach 5 during its first test in May 2010, but the flight-which lasted a little over three minutes-ended earlier than planned due to a technical problem. Hypersonic flight renders conventional turbine jet engines useless due to the extraordinary heat and pressure generated at such high speeds.

But Pentagon strategists see hypersonic aircraft as a promising technology that could dramatically bolster America’s air power, comparing it to radar-evading stealth warplanes that emerged in the 1970s.

Hypersonic technology eventually could be employed for long-range bombing, reconnaissance or transporting troops, analysts say. The X-51 is one of several hypersonic projects currently under way. In November 2011, the Pentagon successfully tested an “advanced hypersonic weapon,” a bomb. In August 2011, the Pentagon test flew a hypersonic glider dubbed HTV-2, which is capable of flying 27,000 kilometers per hour, but the test ended in failure. — AFP

‘No hanky-panky’ between humans...

Continued from Page 1 Eurasians and Asians share between one and four percent of their DNA with Neanderthals, but Africans almost none. But a new study by scientists at Britain’s University of Cambridge says the shared DNA came from a shared ancestor, not from “hybridization” or reproduction between the two hominid species.

Reporting on Monday in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), Andrea Manica and Anders Eriksson at the university’s Evolutionary Ecology Group devised a computer model to simulate a genetic odyssey. It begins with a common ancestors of Neanderthals and H. sapiens who lived around half a million years ago in parts of Africa and Europe. Around 300,000-350,000 years ago, the European population and the African population of this hominid became separated.

Living in genetic isolation, the European range evolved bit by bit into Neanderthals, while the African range eventually became H sapiens, which expanded in waves out of Africa from around 60,000-70,000 years ago. Communities of H sapiens that were geographically closer to Europepossibly in North Africa-retained a relatively larger share of the ancestral genes, according to the theory. They also became the first colonizers of Eurasia during the progressive “Out of Africa” migration.

This could explain why modern-day Europeans and Asians but not Africans have the tiny bit of genetic similarity with Neanderthals. “Our work shows clearly that the patterns currently seen in the Neanderthal genome are not exceptional, and are in line with our expectations of what we would see without hybridisation,” Manica said in a press release. “So, if any hybridization occurred-it’s difficult to conclusively prove it never happened-then it would have been minimal and much less than what people are claiming now.”

One of the great questions of anthropology is what happened to the Neanderthals. Hybridization would have answered that, at least partly. By interbreeding with humans, the Neanderthals were not wiped out by H. sapiens or by climate change as some contest. Instead, Neanderthal genes were merged into the genome of the dominant strain of Homo.

In a separate study published in PNAS, scientists led by Svante Paabo at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, found that Neanderthals and H. sapiens split between 400,000 and 800,000 years ago, an earlier date than thought. The team also calculate that humans split from chimpanzees-our closest primate relative-around seven to eight million years ago, earlier than the six-to-seven million years ago that is a common estimate. — AFP

OIC to expel Syria Continued from Page 1 In Aleppo, Syria’s biggest city and its economic dynamo, food is running short and has become far more expensive.

State-run groceries that sold heavily subsidized staples have shut. In the Bustan Al-Qasr district, hundreds of men lined up for bread.

Al-Assad controls less than a third of Syria and his power is crumbling, his former prime minister said yesterday, in his first public appearance since he defected to the opposition this month. Riyad Hijab told a news conference in Jordan that the morale of Syrian authorities was low after grappling for 17 months to crush a popular uprising and an armed insurgency against Assad. “The regime is collapsing, spiritually and financially, as it escalates militarily,” he said.

“It no longer controls more than 30 percent of Syrian territory.” Hijab, a Sunni Muslim, was not in Assad’s inner circle.

But as the most senior civilian official to defect, his flight after two months in the job looked embarrassing for the president. Hijab did not explain his estimate of the territory still controlled by Assad, whose military outnumbers and outguns the rebels fighting to overthrow him. The army is battling to regain control of Aleppo, Syria’s biggest city, after retaking parts of Damascus that were seized by insurgents last month.

Jubilant rebels said they had shot down a Syrian jet fighter, using newly acquired high-caliber anti-aircraft guns, and captured its pilot on Monday. The government said the plane crashed due to technical problems and the pilot had ejected. Video uploaded onto the Internet showed the jet bursting into flames amid heavy gunfire.

Another clip purported to show the pilot in the hands of

rebels who promised to treat him as a prisoner of war in line with the Geneva Conventions. However, other disturbing footage on YouTube appeared to show rebels meting out violent justice. In one video, dead bodies are thrown from the rooftop of a post office, while a crowd of shouting men watch.

In another, a man’s throat is slit with a knife by captors who accuse him of being a pro-Assad shabbiha militiaman.

Rebels said the authorities may have made the video to discredit them. Such images will cause alarm among Western and other countries that have backed the rebels but are worried lest the conflict degenerate into a sectarian civil war as happened in Iraq, where a Sunni-Shi’ite bloodbath peaked in 2006-2007.

Insurgents fighting Assad include a minority of AlQaeda-style Sunni militants, some of them from Iraq.

Russia and China share concerns about Islamist militancy and firmly oppose any outside intervention in Syria.

Bouthaina Shaaban, a senior adviser to Assad, was expected to arrive in Beijing today and will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, the foreign ministry said. “China is also considering inviting Syrian opposition groups in the near term to China,” ministry spokesman Qin Gang said, describing this as part of Beijing’s “balanced” approach.

Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University, said China’s willingness to meet Syrian opposition groups differed markedly from Russia’s attitude.

“The Syria government is more vulnerable than before. The opposition groups have gained newfound support from the West, but they’re also fragile. China has a pressing need to talk to the two sides. The situation now is nearing an end,” he said. — Agencies

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opinion

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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Issues

The Arab Spring might help Israel

By Frida Ghitis few months ago, as I was speaking to a nonprofit group about how developments in the Arab world would affect Israel, I noticed the faces in the crowd looking back at me with deep skepticism. I understood the reason. I was arguing that there is a possibility - not a certainty - that Israel will eventually emerge safer than before as a result of the Arab revolutions, also known as the Arab Spring.

I have not changed my mind.

Let me be clear: I know there are no guarantees and great risk. A period of turbulence lies ahead, and the long-term outcome is far from assured. The dangers Israel faces are many, and real. But I believe that if change in the Arab world ushers in a genuine opening to new ideas, it could bring a more stable and reliable peace between Israel and its neighbors.

There is a possibility that over time, as the people of the Arab world are allowed to speak more freely and to discuss new ideas, more will openly express what remains a most unpopular point of view: That it’s not the end of the world to allow a small sliver of the Middle East to be the home of the Jewish people; that peace - real peace, not just lack of war - is OK. Some will never accept that view. The overall conflict will not end before Israelis and Palestinians find a common solution to their difficult dispute. But there is a chance that in a democracy a segment of the Arab population will recognize that Israel and the Jews are not the cause of every problem in the region, an absurd idea that remains stunningly pervasive. In the short run, however, the challenges will mount and Israel must be counted as one of the losers of the region’s transformation. The revolution upended a situation in which Israel experienced a certain amount of stability in its always-tense neighborhood.

Egyptians, like other Arabs, tend to be viscerally hostile to Israel. But until last year’s uprising, Israel could count on Egypt to stay at peace. Now Egypt has a president from the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization with a history of opposition to Israel’s existence. The cold peace has been replaced by vague promises to preserve existing treaties, along with a sharp upsurge in violence, particularly on Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on Israel’s border. Across the region, a new democratic opening has elevated Islamist politicians. It has also given voice to a population that had been exposed to only one point of view regarding Israel. For the near term, that means that people who despised Israel have now become voters. That creates even more friction.

But over time, if dictatorships and repression are replaced with freedom, new ideas and new perspectives should slowly seep into the national consciousness, some will begin to understand the kind of life and death choices Israel has faced over the years while surrounded by enemies who wish to destroy it.

Consider the events of Aug 5, when masked militants killed 16 Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai before bursting across the border and rushing towards an Israeli farming community. Israeli fighter jets stopped the attack, blowing up the explosives-laden armored vehicle the attackers had hijacked at the Egyptian border post.

It was a tragedy for Egypt, challenging views that have fueled the Egyptian people’s antipathy towards Israel. Egyptian, Israeli and American intelligence know the Sinai has become lawless, with small bands of Al- Qaeda fighters sharing the territory with Bedouin smugglers and Hamas operatives. This time, the enemy was not Israel. Hamas and Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood rushed to blame Israel and stoke conspiracy theories. But Egyptians knew the truth. That’s why the soldiers’ funeral in Cairo turned into an angry anti-Hamas, anti-Muslim Brotherhood protest.

Before long, Egypt’s armed forces responded against the Sinai militants with a force reminiscent of what Israel has used when its people came under attack. Interesting. The Arab revolution means Israel confronts new threats, but so do Israel’s enemies, such as Iran and Syria. Most importantly, the people who controlled the media, who monopolized the message in the Arab world, will face competition. A more realistic, less negative view of Israel might emerge, leading to a more solid peace. I understand the skepticism. But the possibility is real.— MCT

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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.

President’s address to the nation on India’s 66th Independence Day Pranab Mukheree President of India My fellow citizens: t is a great privilege to address, for the first time, my fellow Indians living within our country and in a hundred corners across the globe, on the 65th anniversary of our independence. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude to the people and their representatives for the honor of this high office, even as I am deeply conscious of the fact that the highest honor in our democracy does not lie in any office, but in being a citizen of India, our motherland. We are all equal children before our mother; and India asks each one of us, in whatsoever role we play in the complex drama of nation-building, to do our duty with integrity, commitment and unflinching loyalty to the values enshrined in our Constitution.

• It is important to remember, on Independence Day, that in the age of empires freedom was never given; it was taken.

It was won by a generation of giants, led by a mighty man of destiny, Mahatma Gandhi, who fought with selfless, unflinching conviction against the mightiest power in history, with a moral force that transformed political thought and whose reverberations echo in great events all around us today. If the rise of European colonisation began in 18th century India, then the rallying cry of “Jai Hind!” also signalled its end in 1947. The final call to victory, “Jai Hind!” was given by Subhas Chandra Bose, fondly known to every Indian as “Netaji”. Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sarojini Naidu and many others charted the roadmap of independent India. These extraordinary men and women sacrificed their todays for our tomorrows. That tomorrow has come, and there is a question we must ask ourselves: have we honoured the great vision of these stalwarts, as a nation and as a society?

• I was a toddler when Netaji, as Rashtrapati of the 51st Session of Indian National Congress in Haripura, on the banks of the river Tapti, reminded us that “our chief national problems are eradication of poverty, illiteracy and disease”.

His speech echoed through my home, as it did through millions of others. My father was a freedom fighter and through those long years when freedom seemed an illusion, we were sustained by faith in ourselves, in our leaders, in the strength of non-violence, in the courage of Indians liberated from fear.

But we knew then, as we do now, that freedom must mean both bread and dreams.

• Netaji and Nehruji believed that India could seize the future by an application of synthesis, samyavada, of what might seem on surface to be implacable opposites. They believed that free India would become, by example, an alternative model for a post-colonial world through economic equity and a social revolution inspired by harmony between communities that had been misled into hostility. Propelled by freedom of faith, gender equality and economic justice for all, India will become a modern nation. Minor blemishes cannot cloak the fact that India is becoming such a modern nation: no faith is in danger in our country, and the continuing commitment to gender equality is one of the great narratives of our times.

• I am not a pessimist; for me, the glass is always half full, rather than half empty. I would go to the extent of saying that the glass of modern India is more than half full. Our productive working class; our inspiring farmers, who have lifted a famine-wrecked land to food-surplus status, our imaginative industrialist entrepreneurs, whether in the private or public sector; our intellectuals, our academics and our political class have knit together a modern nation that has leapt, within mere decades, across many centuries in economic growth and progressive social legislation.

• We cannot appreciate how far we have travelled, until we understand from where we started in 1947. As Jawaharlal Nehru pointed out so often, in his speeches and prose, India was not a poor country when our independence was snatched away. No one, I may add, travels thousands of miles to conquer a poor country. Statistics published by contemporary international scholars are proof for sceptics. In 1750, seven years before the fateful battle of Plassey, India had 24.5% of World Manufacturing Output while United Kingdom had only 1.9%. In other words, one in every four goods on the world market was manufactured in India. By 1900, India had been left with only 1.7% of World Manufacturing Output and Britain had risen to 18.5%. The western industrial revolution was in its incipient stages in the 18th century, but even in this regard India slipped from 7 to 1 in per capita industrialisation in that period, while Britain vaulted from 10 to 100. Between 1900 and 1947 India’s economic growth was an annual average of 1%. From such

I

depths we climbed, first, to 3% growth, and then took a quantum leap forward: today, despite two great international crises that rocked the world and some domestic dips, we have posted an average growth rate of more than 8% over the last seven years.

• If our economy has achieved critical mass, then it must become a launching pad for the next leap. We need a second freedom struggle; this time to ensure that India is free for ever from hunger, disease and poverty. As my pre-eminent predecessor Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, speaking from this platform on the 18th anniversary of freedom, said, “Economic progress is one of the tests of democracy.”

• If progress falls behind rising aspirations, particularly of the young, rage will manifest itself. We are a nation that is becoming younger both in age and spirit; this is an opportunity as well as a challenge. The young thirst for knowledge that will lift their skills; and for opportunity that will put India on the fast track to the first world. They have the character; they need the chance. Education is the seed; and economy is the fruit. Provide good education; disease, hunger and poverty will recede. As I said in my acceptance speech, our motto must be: All for knowledge and knowledge for all. Vision cannot be an open-ended vista; it must be focused on our youth.

• Notwithstanding the tremendous pressure of an adverse external environment, our economy today is more resilient and confident. Two decades of steady economic reforms have contributed to improvement in average income and consumption levels in both rural and urban areas. There is new found dynamism in some of the most backward areas bringing them into national economic mainstream. Yet there are

Indian president Pranab Mukherjee several gaps that need to be bridged. Green revolution has to be extended to the eastern region of our country. Creation of high quality infrastructure has to be fast tracked. Education and health services have to reach the last man at the earliest.

Much has been done, a lot more remains to be done.

• The monsoon has played truant this year. Large areas of our country are in the grip of drought, some others are devastated by floods. Inflation, particularly food inflation, remains a cause of worry, While our food availability remains healthy, we cannot forget the plight of those who made this possible even in a lean year; our farmers. They have stood by the nation in its need; the nation must stand by them in their distress.

• I do not believe that there is any inherent contradiction in protecting our environment and economic development.

As long as we heed Gandhiji’s great lesson: there is sufficient in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed, we are safe. We must learn to live in harmony with nature. Nature cannot be consistent; we must be able to conserve her bounty during the many seasons of plenty so that we are not bereft during the occasional bout of scarcity.

• Anger against the bitter pandemic of corruption is legitimate, as is the protest against this plague that is eroding the capability and potential of our nation. There are times when people lose their patience but it cannot become an excuse for an assault on our democratic institutions.

• Institutions are the visible pillars of our Constitution, and if they crack then the idealism of our Constitution cannot hold. They are the interface between principles and the people. Our institutions may have suffered from the weariness of time; the answer is not to destroy what has been built, but to re-engineer them so that they become stronger than before.

Institutions are the guardians of our liberty.

• The vigilance on our frontiers has to be matched with vigilance within; we must restore the credibility of those areas of our polity, judiciary, executive and legislature where complacency, exhaustion or malfeasance may have

clogged delivery. The people have a right to express their discontent. But we must also understand that legislation cannot be wrenched away from the legislature or justice from the judiciary.

• When authority becomes authoritarian, democracy suffers; but when protest becomes endemic, we are flirting with chaos. Democracy is a shared process. We all win or lose together. Democratic temper calls for dignity of behaviour and tolerance of contrary views. Parliament will live by its own calendar and rhythm. Sometimes that rhythm sounds a bit atonal; but in a democracy there is always judgement day, an election. Parliament is the soul of the people, the “Atman” of India. We challenge its rights and duties at our peril.

• I say this not in a spirit of admonition, but as a plea for greater understanding of the existential issues that lurk behind the mask of the mundane. Democracy is blessed with a unique opportunity for redress of grievances through the great institution of accountability - free elections.

• Old fires that threaten the stability of our nation have not been fully doused; the ash continues to smoulder. It is particularly painful for me to witness the violence in Assam.

Our minorities need solace, understanding and protection from aggression. Violence is not an option; violence is an invitation to greater violence. Concrete attempts have been made to heal the wounds of Assam, including the Assam accord conceived by our young and beloved former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. We should revisit them, and adapt them to present conditions in the spirit of justice and national interest. We need peace for a new economic surge that eliminates the competitive causes of violence.

• It is a fact of our geopolitical environment that some problems transcend borders. SAARC was created 27 years ago to find solutions through dialogue, and by mutual cooperation create the rapid economic growth that is the only long-term answer to problems like migration and uneven development. SAARC must acquire vigour to fulfil its mandate.

• The SAARC should be a major instrument in the common war against terrorists. Great success is possible by international cooperation. All SAARC nations must cooperate to bring to justice those who believe in mayhem against innocents.

There is no other way towards peace on the subcontinent.

• I am proud of our brave armed forces and our valiant police forces, who have done so much, at such great personal risk, to curb this menace of terrorism. It is their vigilance which has prevented more havoc. If we sleep in peace it is because they are awake and vigilant in the desolation of desert and mountain and forest; and in the vast loneliness of the seas. I salute their commitment and their patriotism. It is heartening that the armed forces not only guarantee our peace, but also produce medal winners at Olympics. I congratulate all who have done their nation proud at the recently concluded Games, by winning as well as by participating.

The number of trophies may not be too large but it is a remarkable improvement upon the last count, Four years later, when I hope to address you again, I am sure, we will celebrate a medals spring.

• If there is one man in history whose name is synonymous with peace, then it is Gandhiji, the architect of our independence. India is a land of plenty inhibited by poverty; India has an enthralling, uplifting civilization that sparkles not only in our magnificent art, but also in the enormous creativity and humanity of our daily life in city and village. When Indira Gandhi reached for the stars, she believed that this would be within the grasp of India in just another generation. But there is neither a present nor a future, except in a climate and culture of national unity and brotherhood.

My fellow citizens: Let us leave behind the way of hatred, violence and anger; Let us put aside our petty quarrels and factions.

Let us work together for our nation with the devotion of a child towards a mother.

Let us repose our faith in this invocation from Upanishads: May God protect us.

May God nourish us.

May we work together with vgour and energy.

May our studies be brilliant.

May there be no hostility amongst us.

May there be peace peace peace.

Peace must be our ideology, progress our horizon.

JAI HIND!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

sp orts

Ambrose wins again at Watkins Glen WATKINS GLEN: Just when Marcos Ambrose had about given up hope of winning again at Watkins Glen International, he began to slide.

Suddenly in his element on an oilsmeared track, the Australian road race ace came alive one final time Sunday, storming past Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski in a fender-slamming last lap of a chaotic Sprint Cup race to win at Watkins Glen International for the second straight year. “It wasn’t going to be handed to me,” Ambrose said. “I had to get myself back up there.”

Ambrose, who led eight of the 90 laps around the 2.45-mile, 11-turn layout, had been shuffled back to ninth after a late caution and quickly made his way back to third in less than 10 laps, behind only Busch and Keselowski.

After passing Keselowski for second, Ambrose still trailed Busch by 2.3 seconds and figured he was running for second as the laps wound down.

“I managed to fight my way past Brad and then I tried to chase Kyle down, but he wasn’t making any mistakes and he had a fast car,” Ambrose said. “I just burned my stuff up trying to get to him. I was thinking, ‘OK, it may be second place here.’ But then the oil came down and I slipped to third and I thought, ‘That’s not the plan.’ So I just put my head down and just kept trying.”

Oil had begun spewing from the No. 47 of Bobby Labonte, and it coated much of the track. With only one lap remaining,

NASCAR did not throw a caution and Ambrose capitalized.

“It was absolutely chaos at the end,” Ambrose said. “I had really burned off the brakes. I couldn’t figure out where it (the oil) was coming from. It was just absolutely crazy.”

Desperate for a win to move back into contention for the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, Busch skidded wide coming out of the first turn of the final lap and was bumped by Keselowski’s fast-closing No. 2 Dodge.

“Busch slipped up big in turn one,” said Keselowski, who apologized after the race on Twitter. “There was nothing I could do. It was just one big giant oil slick underneath his car. We all checked up and Marcos was right on my bumper.

We all just about spun out.”

Keselowski took the lead after caroming off Busch heading uphill through the high-speed esses and Ambrose followed Keselowski through as Busch spun to the side, tearing up wads of sod.

Skidding through the corners, Ambrose and Keselowski, his left front tire spewing smoke from a fender rub, battled side by side and nose to tail all the way around. Both even went through the grass in the inner loop at the top of the esses but kept charging.

“I knew there was oil all over the bus stop (inner loop),” winning crew chief Todd Parrott said. “It looked like the cars went through the grass because there wasn’t any oil.” Ambrose bumped

Keselowski to take the lead on the back straightaway but slipped again in turn 10 as Keselowski tried to return the favor but was unable to drive past. Neither gave ground, and Ambrose forged ahead for good on the final turn, a hard righthander, turning away Keselowski’s charge on the outside. “I must have hit the oil one more time and he didn’t,” Keselowski said. “I thought I had him.”

“In the end, nobody knew what was going on,” said Richard Petty, owner of Ambrose’s No. 9 Ford. “They were slipping and sliding off the race track.

Marcos might have known a little bit about it, but the rest of us didn’t. Marcos stayed with it all day. Everything fell our way.” It didn’t for Busch, who led 43 laps and seemingly held a commanding lead heading to the white flag of the Finger Lakes 355.

“Kyle hit the oil,” said Dave Rogers, crew chief of Busch’s No. 18 Toyota. “The 47 broke. You can see him, he just went by smoking. He left oil down all over the track. Kyle hit the oil and it allowed the (No.) 2 to get to us.” An angry Busch declined to speak to the media afterward. Entering the race, Ambrose had one win and had never finished lower than third in four starts at The Glen for an average finish of 2.3 and an average green flag speed of nearly 120 mph. Both were tops in the series.

Jimmie Johnson was third to gain the points lead by one over Greg Biffle.

Sonoma winner Clint Bowyer and Sam

Hornish Jr. were next, giving Dodge, which is leaving NASCAR at season’s end, two in the top five. Dale Earnhardt Jr. spun late while running in the top 10 and finished 28th to fall from first to fourth in points, 17 behind Johnson.

Biffle was sixth, and Busch, Matt Kenseth, Regan Smith and Martin Truex Jr. rounded out the top 10. Ryan Newman finished 11th to move back ahead of Jeff Gordon into the second wild card slot. Kasey Kahne, who has two wins, holds the other. Gordon was also a victim of the oil, spinning late and dropping from inside the top 10 to 21st after having driven past Newman.

The top 10 drivers in the standings qualify for the 10-race Chase, and two wild cards are awarded to the drivers with the most wins outside the top 10 provided they finishing 20th or higher in points. Polesitter Juan Pablo Montoya, who broke the track record in qualifying, finished 33rd after being forced to pit when something broke in the right front of his No. 42 Chevy a third of the way into the 90-lap race. He had tracked Busch for the first 26 laps.

Last year, Ambrose beat Busch and Keselowski on a paint-trading, two-lap dash to the checkered flag. Ambrose passed Keselowski for the lead on the final lap and secured his first Cup victory when a violent crash involving David Reutimann and David Ragan precipitated a caution that prevented Keselowski from making one final challenge. — AP

NEW YORK: Marcos Ambrose stands on his car in victory lane as he celebrates his win at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Watkins Glen International. —AP

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

sp orts

Semenya: I tried my best OHANNESBURG: Olympic silver medallist Caster Semenya has defended herself against allegations that she did not try to win the 800 metres at the London Games on Saturday.

The South African who was forced to undergo gender testing after her 2009 world championships triumph, started poorly in the final, sitting at the back of the field until she produced a late burst to finish second to Mariya Savinova, 1.04 seconds behind the Russian. Her performance led to speculation by television pundit Colin Jackson, three times the 110m hurdles world champion, that Semenya had deliberately avoided winning so as not to stir up fresh controversy like that in 2009.

“I tried my best, whatever people say. There is always talk but these people know nothing about athletics,” Semenya said at Johannesburg airport on Tuesday, where she received a heroine’s welcome. South Africa’s sports minister Fikile Mbalula praised Semenya, a shy 21-year-old from an obscure rural village in South Africa’s northernmost province of Limpopo, as an inspiration to all those coming from similarly modest upbringings.

“I don’t know about her strategy in the race but she has made us very proud. Nobody gave her a chance but she showed the greatest guts of a young African woman,” Mbalula said while choking back tears. —Reuters

‘Special One’ or ‘Only One’

Hulk poised to quit Porto LISBON: Brazil forward Hulk is ready to leave Portuguese champions Porto and would like to move to a high-profile club in England or Spain.

“I have left the door open to be transferred. My preference is to play in England or Spain because they are the most watched leagues in the world,” the 26-year-old told the Brazilian news agency Lancepress. “Now is a great time for me to move.”

Hulk has been linked by the media with Chelsea, Paris St Germain and wealthy Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. His contract with Porto runs until 2016 and includes a buyout clause of 100 million euros ($123.51 million).

He has been instrumental in the club’s successes over the past four seasons, helping them win three league titles, three Portuguese Cups, two Super Cups and one Europa League trophy. Hulk, who featured in the Brazil team beaten by Mexico in last week’s London Olympics final, has been voted the best player in Portugal for the last two seasons. —Reuters

LISBON: Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho said that he should be labelled the “Only One” instead of the ‘Special One’, after becoming the only coach to win the top three leagues in European football.

Mourinho has won titles in Spain (once, with Real Madrid), Italy (twice, with Inter Milan) and England (twice, with Chelsea), as well as in his native Portugal (twice, with Porto). “Like me or not, I am the only one who won the world’s three most important leagues. So, maybe instead of the ‘Special One’, people should start calling me the ‘Only One’,” Mourinho said in an interview with Portuguese television channel SIC. Mourinho, 49, was nicknamed the ‘Special One’ by the English press after referring to himself as just that, during a news conference following his arrival at Chelsea from Porto in 2004.

In an interview televised on Monday he explained that, as his career has progressed, he has become less selfish and less focused on his individual goals. “Things have been going well for me, thank God. I am focused on others much more these days. The pleasure of winning with Inter Milan was seeing a club which had not won for 50 years winning again.

“That is what entices me more and more, instead of pursuing individual goals.” Real Madrid kick off their 2012-13 campaign against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup on Aug. 23. — Reuters

Stults keeps Padres rolling Yankees see off Rangers NEW YORK: New York’s Nick Swisher hit a grand slam and drove in five runs to power the Yankees to an 8-2 win over the Texas R angers in M onday ’s meeting of American League divisional leaders.

Swisher’s second slam this season was his 200th career homer. Eric Chavez also homered off R yan Dempster (1-1), who matched a season worst by allowing eight runs. In three starts since coming to Texas from the Chicago Cubs, Dempster has allowed 19 runs in 17 1-3 innings.

David Phelps (3-3), star ting in place of injured ace C.C. Sabathia, picked off two runners and pitched a career-high five innings for the win.

New York has won six straight against Texas at home. New York’s new signing Derek Lowe closed with four scoreless innings in his Yankees debut.

Blue Jays 3, White Sox 2 In Toronto, David Cooper singled home the winning run in the 11th inning as Toronto beat Chicago. In the 11th, Leyson Septimo (0-2) came on to pitch with one out and walked Kelly Johnson on four pitches, After another change on the mound, Edwin Encarnacion singled to move Johnson to third. Cooper followed with a liner that bounced just in front of the onrushing right fielder, scoring Johnson easily.

Toronto’s Steve Delabar (3-1) struck out six batters in two innings to earn the win. Chicago’s Adam Dunn hit two home runs, including a game-tying shot in the ninth inning, boosting his major league-leading total to 33.

Rays 4, Mariners 1 In Seattle, BJ Upton hit a two-run home as Tampa Bay downed Seattle and notched its seventh straight win.

Rays starter Alex Cobb (7-8) allowed only one run in seven innings, striking out five. His ERA over his past four outings is 1.93. Seattle’s Blake Beavan (7-7) pitched six innings, allowing all four earned runs in the third inning.

Indians 6, Angels 2 In Anaheim, Justin Masterson held Los Angeles scoreless into the seventh inning as Cleveland began its 10-game road trip with a win.

Masterson (9-10) is 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in seven career starts against the Angels, the lowest mark of any pitcher with at least five starts against them.

Brent Lillibridge homered off AllStar lefty C.J. Wilson (9-9), who dropped his fifth straight decision.

Wilson allowed three runs in 6 2-3 innings.

Twins 9, Tigers 3 At Minneapolis, Darin Mastroianni and Ryan Doumit both homered and drove in three runs as Minnesota beat Detroit. Doumit broke it open with a three-run homer that made it 8-1 in the seventh.

Twins starter Samuel Deduno (4-0) baffled struggling Detroit for seven innings, striking out six and remaining undefeated in seven career starts.

Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez (1-3) was hit in the knee by a grounder in the first, but stayed in the game. He allowed five runs over % 1-3 innings.

He has an 8.41 ERA since being acquired in a trade with Florida on July 23. Detroit has lost five of six. —AP

ATLANTA: Braves third baseman Chipper Jones (10) throws after fielding a ground ball by San Diego Padres’ Alexi Amarista in the first inning. AP ATALANTA: Eric Stults was commanding on the mound, steering San Diego to victory over Atlanta. Stults (3-2) gave up one run in 7 2-3 innings - his longest start in three years. Chase Headley homered and drove in two runs for the Padres. Atlanta starter Mike Minor (6-9) gave up nine hits in six innings Nationals 14, Giants 2 In San Francisco,Washington’s Kurt Suzuki drove in four runs, while Danny Espinosa and Roger Bernadina each knocked in three, as the Nationals belted the San Francisco Giants 14-2 on Monday in a clash of National League divisional leaders. The Nationals had 21 hits, setting a record for the most by a visiting team at AT&T Park. They led 14-0 in the fifth inning and won for the 11th time in 13 games.

Gio Gonzalez (15-6) tied a Nationals record for wins in a season, boosted by Washington’s highest-scoring game of the season. He gave up two runs over 6 2-3 innings.

Giants star ter R yan Vogelsong (10-6) entered the game as the NL leader in ERA but tumbled down to fourth in that ranking after allowing eight runs in 2 2-3 innings, his shortest outing of the season.

San Francisco dropped into a tie with Los Angeles for the NL West lead.Washington has won 13 of its past 14 road games and owns the best road winning percentage in the majors.

Dodgers 5, Pirates 4 In Pittsburgh, Shane Victorino hit a homer and drove in three runs to lift Los Angeles over Pittsburgh. Victorino, acquired in a trade from Philadelphia two weeks ago, hit his first homer with the Dodgers in the fifth inning. The two-run shot off Jeff Karstens (4-3) broke a 2-2 tie and helped Los Angeles beat the Pirates for the seventh straight time. The Dodgers moved within 11/2 games of the Pirates for one of the two National League wild card spots. LA starter Aaron Harang (8-7) pitched six effective innings. Kenley Jansen worked a perfect ninth for his 24th save.

NEW YORK: Yankees’ Nick Swisher (right) celebrates his grand slam with Mark Teixeira during the third inning of the baseball game against the Texas Rangers. — AP

Phillies 4, Marlins 0 In Miami, Cole Hamels pitched his second

MLB results/standings NY Yankees 8, Texas 2; LA Dodgers 5, Pittsburgh 4; Toronto 3, Chicago White Sox 2 (11 innings); San Diego 4, Atlanta 1; Philadelphia 4, Miami 0; Chicago Cubs 7, Houston 1; Minnesota 9, Detroit 3; Colorado 9, Milwaukee 6; Cleveland 6, LA Angels 2; Tampa Bay 4, Seattle 1; Washington 14, San Francisco 2.

National League American League Eastern Division Eastern Division Washington 72 44 .621 W L PCT GB Atlanta 66 49 .574 5.5 NY Yankees 68 47 .591 NY Mets 55 60 .478 16.5 63 52 .548 5 Tampa Bay Philadelphia 53 62 .461 18.5 Baltimore 62 53 .539 6 Miami 52 64 .448 20 Boston 57 59 .491 11.5 Central Division Toronto 55 60 .478 13 Cincinnati 69 46 .600 Central Division Pittsburgh 64 51 .557 5 Chicago White Sox 62 52 .544 St. Louis 62 53 .539 7 Detroit 61 55 .526 2 Milwaukee 52 62 .456 16.5 Cleveland 54 62 .466 9 Chicago Cubs 45 69 .395 23.5 Minnesota 50 65 .435 12.5 Houston 38 79 .325 32 Kansas City 49 65 .430 13 Western Division Western Division San Francisco 63 53 .543 Texas 67 47 .588 63 53 .543 LA Dodgers Oakland 61 53 .535 6 Arizona 58 57 .504 4.5 San Diego 52 65 .444 11.5 LA Angels 60 56 .517 8 Colorado 42 71 .372 19.5 Seattle 53 64 .453 15.5 consecutive shutout for Philadelphia in a win over Miami. Hamels, coming off a five-hitter against Atlanta last Tuesday, struck out five in his sixth career shutout and 12th complete game. He walked just one and threw 85 of 113 pitches for strikes.

Juan Pierre had three hits for the Phillies, who had lost their previous five against the Marlins. Miami’s Nathan Eovaldi (3-8) allowed eight hits in five innings.

Rockies 9, Brewers 6 In Denver, DJ LeMahieu had a career-best four hits in Colorado’s win over Milwaukee. The Rockies had 15 hits. Every position player for the Rockies had at least one hit as they ended a four-game home losing streak.

Milwaukee starter Mike Fiers (6-5) came into

the game 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in August but was hit hard early. He allowed eight runs in less than three innings. Colorado star ter Jeff Francis (4-4) allowed six hits in 5 1-3 innings.

Cubs 7, Astros 1 In Chicago, Jeff Samardzija (8-10) struck out a career high-tying 11 and allowed just one run in seven innings as Chicago beat Houston.

Darwin Barney and Alfonso Soriano hit tworun homers, and Anthony Rizzo had four hits for the Cubs, who had their smallest home crowd of the season in a matchup of two struggling teams.

The Astros have lost 25 of its last 27 road games and the worst record in the majors.

Houston starter Armando Galarraga (1-2) was tagged for five runs. — AP

Olympic athlete Al-Deehani honored by VIVA KUWAIT: Kuwait’s own Olympic hero, shooter Fuhaid Al-Deehani, was honored by VIVA, Kuwait ’s newest and most advanced mobile telecommunications service provider, at a special ceremony which took place at the AlRoudan Tournament on Aug 12. The ceremony was part of VIVA’s efforts to encourage and support Kuwaiti athletes and was attended by a large number of distinguished guests and prominent figures.

Fahad Al Fahad, Senior Corporate Communications Executive at VIVA congratulated Al-Deehani on winning a bronze medal in the Men’s Trap shooting event at the Olympic Games and

presented him with a cheque for US$18,000 for his impressive achievement. Commenting on the occasion, Al Fahad said: “VIVA is proud to honor our hero, shooter Fuhaid Al-Deehani, who shone at the London 2012 Olympics, winning a well-deserved bronze medal, and raising high the name of Kuwait.

Every Kuwaiti hero who participated in the London Olympics is a source of pride and inspiration for all of us and we are already looking forward to further success at the Rio Olympics in four years time.

With today’s ceremony, VIVA is reiterating its commitment to improving sports, supporting all Kuwaiti athletes

in whatever sport they choose, as well as encouraging the whole community to adopt a healthy, active lifestyle.”

VIVA has long been a strong supporter of sports and makes concerted efforts to motivate and support Kuwaiti youth to take part in and enjoy the benefits of a healthy and ac tive lifestyle. This is demonstrated through the company’s sponsorship of Kuwaiti National football teams, its sponsorship of world-renowned football teams such as Manchester United Football Club and Real Madrid, as well as its continued support and sponsorship to the annual Al Roudan R amadan Tournament.

Fahad Al Fahad presenting Fuhaid Al-Deehani with his cheque

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

sp orts

London done, so prepare for circus in Rio LONDON: IOC President Jacques Rogge still can’t figure out what to call Usain Bolt, so here’s hoping he gets another Olympics to sort it out. There’s just something about his latest effort -”active performance legend” - that doesn’t rise to a gold medal level.

There’s a lot of things we can call the London Olympics, and still not run out of superlatives. The backdrops were gorgeous, the performances spectacular and the hometown fans like no others.

But they’re over, and now the official Olympic hangover begins. It will be four long years before the huge traveling circus called the Summer Games puts up its tents in Rio de Janeiro, four long years before we even begin to care again about things like beach volleyball, badminton and cycling.

Store this away until then - a primer of things to look forward to when it unfolds again, on the sandy beaches of Brazil: LIGHTNING BOLT: Usain Bolt is not only the undisputed superstar of track, he may be its savior. With his spectacular runs in Beijing and London, Bolt has put his sport - ravaged by a lack of standout stars and rampant steroid use - back in the spotlight, at least in Olympic years. After finishing off a second straight three-gold sweep in the sprints Saturday night, Bolt declared that he had accomplished all his goals and had little interest in training another four years to go to Rio. Expect a change of heart, though, with Bolt returning to battle teammate Yohan Blake in the next Olympics. Blake ran one leg of the 4x100 relay team anchored by Bolt that shattered the world record, then

offered this up as the gold medal quote of the games: “We’re not normal. To run 36 (seconds) is not normal. We’re flying. People call us robots. I said, ‘No, we’re from space. We drop from the sky like Mr. Bean.

Because when he started he dropped out of the sky.’

It’s just the fun stuff, you know, that we always do. I’m from Mars because I’m not normal. I’m the beast.” Can Rio be this much fun?

NO KOBE: Kobe Bryant seemed intent to enjoy himself watching everything from tennis to boxing in London - and why not? After carrying the team in Beijing, he stepped back and let LeBron James be the centerpiece of this gold medal-winning squad. Bryant will be pushing 38 when the U.S. returns to Rio as the two-time defending champions, and he says he doesn’t expect to be on that team. Coach Mike Krzyzewski is leaving, too, but the U.S. talent and coaching pool is so deep that there will be many replacements at the ready. James will likely return for another gold medal run, along with Kevin Durant and whatever superstars can dance the samba.

FIGHTING WORDS: Forget about the US male boxers, who failed to win a medal for the first time and who will all be doing something else by the time Rio rolls around. How about 17-year-old Claressa Shields, who danced and brawled her way to middleweight gold in the first Olympics female boxers were allowed in. If Shields can resist the temptation to turn pro - and it should be easy enough since there is more money in winning medals than fighting on male pro undercards - she could be a huge star in Rio. Ireland’s Katie Taylor

will also likely be back to defend her lightweight gold, as the women look to build on the spectacular debut they had in London.

SWIMMING ALONG: The US swimming team is a lot like the men’s basketball team - reload it every few years and start counting the gold medals. Missy Franklin was the breakout star in London, an engaging teenager who won almost every time she got in the pool. Missy the Missile won five medals, four of them gold, to help the US team win 31 medals (16 gold) in swimming - nearly a third of the total U.S. medal haul in London. The US team will, of course, miss the greatest Olympic medal winner ever, Michael Phelps, but there is plenty of talent to remain the dominant country in the water. Another swimmer to watch will be Ye Shiwen, China’s 16-year-old swimming sensation, who swam the last 50 meters of the 400 medley faster than Ryan Lochte did in winning the equivalent race for the US men.

PHELPS REDUX: Phelps announced his retirement after becoming the most decorated Olympian ever, but can he resist the lure of the pool in Rio four years from now? Maybe, but it’s hard to imagine Phelps being content to sleep in and work on his golf game when he sees guys he used to always beat getting ready to compete for the golds he once took for granted. Phelps will be 31 in four years, but would still probably have enough in the tank to add one or two medals to his collection in his fourth Olympics.

BLADE RUNNER: A lot of people saw Oscar Pistorius as little more than a sideshow attraction in

London, a double amputee good enough to run in the semifinals of the 400 and the finals of the 4x400 relay. He finished last in both, but won over fans - and the world media - with his perseverance and engaging personality. Pistorius has big plans for Rio, where the best thing is he’ll be seen like his fellow runners see him - as a normal guy who just happens to have spring blades strapped to his upper legs.

BEACH PEOPLE: No one had more fun in London than those lucky enough to score tickets to the party that was beach volleyball. But how about beach volleyball on an actual beach? Rio has plenty of them, and doesn’t need an excuse to throw a few parties of its own. Three -time gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings plans to be back, but partner Misty MayTreanor is hanging up her bikini.

TIGER WOODS: Yes, golf will be in the Olympics, thanks to one of the most misguided decisions in the history of the games. There’s nothing special about golf’s best players getting together for a big tournament, because they do it probably 10 times a year and already compete for their country in the Ryder and President cups. Expect Woods to drape himself in an American flag to take on the best from Northern Ireland and England while Vijay Singh tries to win gold for Fiji in what could be the dullest competition of the games. That’s assuming they ever get the Olympic golf course - which has been plagued by delays - built in Rio. So there it is, in all its Olympic glory. All of a sudden, four years from now doesn’t seem so far away.—AP

WNBA ready to start up

Al-Roudhan soccer tourney KUWAIT: Fans attending Al-Roudhan Indoor Soccer Tournament will witness a match between the world stars lead by Italian Fabio Cannavaro and the tournament stars.

Cannavaro friends team includes French Patrick Viera, Italian Materazzi, German goal keeper Lehmann and Netherlands’s Edgar Davis. The international stars welcomed the idea and the social activities that go along the tournament.

The organizing committee allowed nearly 150 individuals to take pictures with the stars at 360 mall. The committee worked hard to ensure the presence of this large number of world stars in Kuwait at the same time. Meanwhile, competition of the 25th day saw the late Sameer Saeed Team qualify for the semifinal by defeating Kuwait Future 1-0. Al-Roumi defeated Sheikh Talal Al-Mohammad 1-0 to qualify for the other semifinal.

LONDON: With the Olympics in the rearview mirror, Candace Parker is ready to get back to work.

Winning another gold medal with the United States team has left her hungry for a WNBA championship - the only thing missing from her impressive resume, which also includes two NCAA championships. “I know my team’s been working hard,” Parker said. “That’s the one thing I’m lacking is a WNBA championship. My sights are already set on that. It would be icing on the cake to this. I’m going to work hard every day to put our team in position to do that.”

The WNBA season will resume Thursday after taking a month long break for the Olympics.

League president Laurel Richie took in the final week of the Olympics and hopes the league can build off the success that the Americans had winning another gold medal.

“I think we’ve been really encouraged by the viewership numbers,” WNBA president Laurel Richie said. “10 million people in the US watching can’t be anything but good news for the W.” Even though they haven’t had a break over the last month, it won’t be hard for the 18 WNBA players to change their mindset from the Olympics and get back to their teams for the sprint to the finish.

Most WNBA teams have about 15 games left.

“It would never be a physical burnout, mostly the mental exhaustion you might feel a little bit,” said Seattle Storm star Sue Bird. “It tends to go away pretty quickly. You tend to switch gears and get right back into it. If I wasn’t here, the WNBA season would be going on, it’s almost more grueling.

The WNBA season is difficult in its own right. I’d be playing either way.” Bird said the month-long break came at a great time for Seattle.

“We had some injuries we were dealing with.

Maybe we can do some things,” she said. “In the WNBA you just have to peak at the right time. Look at Atlanta the last two years they made the finals.

While Seattle is in fourth place in the Western Conference, help is on the way for Bird. Three-time

WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson, who missed the first part of the season to train with Australia, said she will be back in Seattle soon.

“I need to take care of a few things in Australia first, but will be back for the stretch run,” she said after helping Australia win a bronze medal in the Olympics. The Atlanta Dream also will be picking up Erika de Souza, who missed the first part of the season to play with Brazil.

Coach Marynell Meadors, who was an assistant for the U.S. in the Olympics was ready to lead her team again. “I got to turn the switch as far as coaching,” she said. “I’ve been doing a lot of listening and adding things when Geno’s been in charge. Angel

(McCoughtry) missed the last 10 days for us before the Olympic break and we’ll fit Erika in. They all think they should have the week off. We don’t have time for that.”

Like Meadors, Parker admits she learned a lot from her time playing with this Olympic team. “I think I gained a lot mentally. I have all the tools to play basketball and do well and be successful. But mentally sometimes that’s more important than any physical skill. When I go back to my WNBA team, it’s more about leading by example and doing all the things that no one else wants to do. I just challenge myself to do that, hopefully get better in the process.”—AP

United States’ Candace Parker (left) shoots for the basket

McIlroy’s runaway PGA win ramps up Tiger comparisons

Nicklaus finally gets chance at Cherry Hill AURORA: After missing the 1990 US Amateur at Cherry Hills because of a heart ailment, Gary Nicklaus, the son of the legendary golfer, was back Monday in Colorado as a 43year-old competing with 311 other golfers in this year’s edition of the amateur.

A small gallery that included his father and mother, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, watched the younger Nicklaus tee off at the 7,378yard, par-70 CommonGround Golf Course, which along with Cherry Hills is being used over two days of stroke-play qualifying.

“That obviously was a big disappointment,” Gary Nicklaus said, recalling the illness that forced his withdrawal. “But to come back some 20 years later and have another crack at it, I’m happy to be here.”

The younger Nicklaus shot a 1-over 71, leaving him in a tie for 64th place heading into Tuesday’s final round of qualifying. The top 64 finishers will advance to match play, which begins Wednesday and will be played on the 7,409-yard, par-71 course at Cherry Hills Country Club. Any ties will be resolved by a playoff prior to the commencement of match play, which concludes Sunday.

“I got off to miserable start - 4 over through the first seven holes,” Gary Nicklaus said. “Missed a couple of shots, had a couple of three-putts. Didn’t know what was going on. Then I had four birdies in a row and got myself back into it.”

All things considered, not bad, according to his dad. “I think once you’re 4 over par, you’ve got a windy day and you get back to a 71, that’s pretty good,” Jack Nicklaus said.

Bobby Wyatt, 20, of Mobile, Ala., was in the lead after shooting a 64 at the Cherry Hills course. He’ll conclude his qualifying play on the CommonGround course.

When Gary Nicklaus first came to Cherry Creek to play the amateur 22 years ago, he was an up-and-coming golfer who inspired comparisons to his father, a four-time US Open and two-time US amateur champion.

But he fell ill on the eve of the ‘90 tournament and spent a week in the hospital undergoing treatment for pericarditis, or inflammation of the heart. “I was there the night he had his episode. He was a pretty sad young man,” said Jack Nicklaus. Gary Nicklaus turned pro a year later but never managed to duplicate the success he had as an amateur, losing his PGA Tour card in 2003.

After 96 career tournaments in which his highest finish was second, the younger Nicklaus, who resides in Jupiter, Fla., gave up pro golf in favor of joining the family’s golf course design and apparel business.

He kept playing the game, sporadically at times, and in 2007 returned to competition after being reinstated as an amateur. He qualified for this year’s amateur during sectional play in Wellington, Fla. “After a stint as a pro and having some success for a little bit - but not great success - he didn’t play much golf for three or four years,” Jack Nicklaus said.

“Then, all of a sudden he kind of had some fun with it.” And here he is, back in the amateur championship as one of its oldest contestants and still glad to have the encouragement of his father.—AP

CHARLESTON: The superlatives are once again being heaped upon Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irishman, for the second time in 15 months, blew away the world’s best to win his second major crown. While Tiger Woods failed to add to his career haul of 14 major titles, McIlroy underlined his burgeoning status as the game’s most exciting young talent as he romped to victory by a record eight shots in the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.

Oozing confidence all week, the 23-year-old from Holywood in Northern Ireland reminded golf fans across the globe, as well as his peers, that he is both a man of the people and a player of rare skill.

Ever humble with a down-to-earth, almost boyish, approach when dealing with spectators, the media and his rivals on tour, McIlroy is now seen by many as the ‘Tiger’ of the future.

Of course, he and Woods are very different characters. The Northern Irishman is a perpetually smiling golfer who strides the fairways with a swagger and his shoulders back, always completely at home in his environment.

In stark contrast, American Woods has always competed in a cocoon of concentration, never really engaging with fans as he goes about his business with a brooding, steely focus.

Already the comparisons are flying but McIlroy’s compatriot, 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, believes this is unfair. “”It’s tough to say that Rory is a Tiger Woodstype player,” McDowell said after McIlroy stormed to victory at Kiawah Island on Sunday with a closing six-under-par 66 on the longest layout to stage a major championship. “”Tiger Woods is a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ type player, and Rory McIlroy is at least a ‘once-in-adecade’ type player. “He’s that good. I’ve been saying it for years how good he is.

“He showed us at Congressional how good he is, by getting to No. 1 in the world this year at the Honda Classic, how good he is, and here we go again.”

McIlroy clinched his maiden major title by a staggering eight shots in last year’s U.S. Open at Congressional and held off a last-day charge by Woods to become world number one for the first time with a two-shot victory at the Honda Classic in March. “”He’s going to be the player that kids look up to, that kids measure their own ‘wannabe’ games

by,” said McDowell. “”Ten years ago it was Tiger Woods. “”It still is Tiger Woods to a certain extent, but now we’ve got superstars like Rory McIlroy for kids to be looking at with the ‘double hip snap’ or whatever the hell he calls it. He’s

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland

great for the game and absolute breath of fresh air.”

US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III felt that McIlroy, like Woods, shone best under the biggest spotlight with the ability to spreadeagle fields. “”When he gets ahead, he’s pretty amazing. I think that’s the most incredible thing about Rory,” Love told reporters on Monday. “”You can tell he’s caged up and ready to go and ready to bust loose, and he certainly timed it right. “”He seems to have that ability that when it’s a big tournament, he’s right there just waiting to break loose. A lot like Tiger; the bigger the stage, the better he plays.”

Though McIlroy has now won two major titles at a younger age than Woods, he was reluctant to bracket himself with arguably the greatest player of all time. “”He (Woods) went on that incredible run from 2000 to 2002 and won so many,” said McIlroy. “”I’d love to sit up here and tell you that I’m going to do the same thing but I just don’t know. “”It’s been great to win my first major last year and to back that up with another one this year. I just want to keep working hard, keep practising and hopefully there’s a few more of these in my closet when my career finishes.”

So far, so good, however, for McIlroy who is already distancing himself from his peers in scintillating fashion. With his runaway victory at the PGA Championship, he became the youngest player to win two major titles since the-then 23year-old Seve Ballesteros clinched the 1980 Masters.

He also eclipsed golfing great Jack Nicklaus with his victory margin at Kiawah Island, Nicklaus having set the tournament’s previous best with a seven-stroke win in 1980.

McIlroy supplied early evidence of his golfing skills when he hit a 40-yard drive at the age of two and for Irishman Padraig Harrington the ‘Tiger’ comparisons are obvious. “”He’s lapped the field twice now,” triple major winner Harrington said of McIlroy’s runaway major victories. “”That’s two tournaments he’s lapped the field. “”The only person that’s ever done that in majors in my time has been Tiger. Rory’s done it twice now. I don’t know how many times Tiger did it. That’s quite impressive, isn’t it?”—Reuters

18

S P ORT S

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

Rams drop plans to play in London ST. LOUIS: The St. Louis Rams are dropping plans to play home games in London in 2013 and 2014, citing a need to focus on negotiations on their lease and ease fan discontent.

The Rams said they will play the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 28 while withdrawing their commitment for home games in London the following two seasons.

“We want to grow globally, but we need to make sure we’re on solid footing first here in St. Louis,” said Kevin Demoff, chief operating officer, at a news conference.

“While this was something that we believe in and we continue to believe in, this was just not the right timing for the organization and for our fans.”

Demoff said season ticket sales have not suffered during an impasse with the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau. But he said the decision should ease worries they might move after the 2014 season.

“I think the general perception is that if you’re playing in London, you’re not looking right now for an absolute solution, you’re giving yourself an out,” Demoff said. “We don’t want that perception out there whatsoever.”

The dome is owned by the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau and leased to the Rams for home games.

The lease agreement signed when the team moved to St. Louis in 1994 allows for periodic evaluations of whether it is among the top 25 percent of all the NFL’s 31 stadiums (the New York Jets and Giants share a stadium).

The bureau and the Rams have been negotiating over improvements since at least January. Unless a deal is worked out, the Rams could break the lease and potentially leave St. Louis after the 2014 season. “ We’re committed to working with the city to find a first-tier solution,” Demoff said. “We have said we need our actions to speak louder than our words, and this action today should show St. Louis we care about getting this right.”

The Rams said they worked closely with the NFL in deciding to drop the London games. NFL Vice President of International Chris Parsons said the league was working to add another game for 2013 “in response to the growth in popularity of our sport. We hope to finalize these plans in the months ahead.” NFL owners have agreed to play regular-season games in the United Kingdom for the next five seasons and Commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly spoken of the possibility of a full-time franchise there one day.

The NFL first played at Wembley in 2007, with the New York Giants beating the Miami Dolphins 13-10. Since then, seven other teams have visited, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers making the trip twice.

The Rams and the bureau are at odds about what needs to be done, and how much it would cost to get the 18-year-old dome that was built with taxpayer money to first-tier status.

The agreement to play “home” games in London each of the next three seasons had been met with some scorn in St. Louis since that would have provided for just seven regular-season games in St. Louis each of those seasons.

The CVC privately proposed to the Rams a modest $48 million plan in January that would have been publicly funded. When that was rejected, the CVC in February announced a plan for $124 million in improvements that included better amenities and a massive new scoreboard.

It would have required to Rams to pay for $64 million of the cost. Voter approval in St. Louis city and St. Louis County would have been required for the rest.

The Rams countered with a much more elaborate plan calling for a new roof with a sliding panel, replacing much of the brick exterior with a glass front, even re-routing a nearby street.

The Rams did not provide a cost estimate but mayoral aide Jeff Rainford said the team’s plan would cost about $700 million and the dome, which also hosts conventions, would have to be closed for renovation for up to three years, potentially costing the city $500 million in revenue.

The Rams were 2-14 last season, tied for the worst in the NFL with Indianapolis, and are 15-65 over the past five seasons. They lost their preseason opener to the Colts 38-3 on Sunday in the debut of coach Jeff Fisher. —AP

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

SPORTS

Preview

World Cup the focus as England and Italy meet BERN: England and Italy meet again in Bern today, just 52 days after Roy Hodgson’s side exited Euro 2012 following a penalty shoot-out defeat to the Azzurri in the quarter-finals in Kiev.

But this re-match, which also comes just three days before the start of the new Premier League season, is not about revenge.

Instead, England are looking to the future, with Hodgson taking an inexperienced squad with him for the encounter at the Stade de Suisse in the Swiss capital.

Wayne Rooney and captain Steven Gerrard were among the senior players left out for the game, along with centre-back John Terry, who was free to play despite being charged by the Football Association for using racially abusive language during a clash with Queens Park Rangers’ Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road last year.

With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and goalkeeper Joe Hart also pulling out because of injuries,

only three of those who started against Italy on June 24 are in the squad this time.

There are four members of the Team GB Olympic football team, and while they like England this summer-suffered a quarter-final defeat on penalties, Hodgson will hope the quartet of Jack Butland, Ryan Bertrand, Steven Caulker and Tom Cleverley can bring some of the post-Games feel-good factor that is sweeping the UK with them.

“I’d love to tap into the whole Olympic atmosphere,” Hodgson said. “I’ve been really impressed by our athletes in how they have won medals and embraced their victory.”

Holding this match so close to the start of the new club season means it is seen by many as an inconvenience, but England are looking for a boost ahead of their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins with a double-header in Moldova and at home to Ukraine in September.

And Hodgson-whose late appointment

allowed him to escape whatever criticism may have come his way at the Euros-is looking to see just how wealthy his options are as he attempts to build a team capable of competing in Brazil in two years time.

One of those who could feature, against Italy and in the years to come, is Butland, the 19-yearold Birmingham City goalkeeper whose only club experience to date remains 24 games in a loan spell in the fourth tier with Cheltenham Town.

He and Norwich City’s John Ruddy are the only available ‘keepers after Hart withdrew with a back injury. “It’s what dreams are made of,” he said. “Unfortunately it has come due to an injury but if I get the chance it’ll be a dream come true.

“If I get the chance then fantastic. I’m not going to put too much presssure on myself. “I’m very excited and have been striving towards this.” Italy’s performance at Euro 2012 gave them great hope for the future, even if Cesare Prandelli’s side were taught something of a les-

son in a 4-0 final defeat to Spain. The Azzurri, who will take to the field in Bern in a shirt commemorating their 1982 World Cup triumph, will also field a largely experimental side for the game. No Juventus or Napoli players are in the squad because of their involvement in the Italian Supercup, played in China at the weekend, while Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli will miss the game because of conjunctivitis.

His place has been taken by Udinese’s Diego Fabbrini, who is one of a host of new faces hoping to make an impact.

“We want to pick up from where we left off at the European Championship now that we have earned more credibility from the public,” Prandelli said, his focus now turning towards a World Cup qualifying programme that starts in Bulgaria on September 7.

“Already in Bern I want the team to make a strong impact, a disciplined performance, with the right tempo.”—AFP

Zambia face South Korea in Cup of Nations warm-up JOHANNESBURG: Zambia play in South Korea, Ghana in China and Ivory Coast in Russia yesterday as African countries prepare for 2013 Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.

Defending champions Zambia took six of the Cup-winning team-goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, defender Davies Nkausu, midfielders Chisamba Lungu, Isaac Chansa and skipper Christopher Katongo and striker Emmanuel Mayuka-to Seoul.

CAF Champions League commitments deprive the Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) of defenders Stoppila Sunzu and Hichani Himonde and midfielder Rainford Kalaba from Democratic Republic of Congo club TP Mazembe.

Another Mazembe star, midfielder Nathan Sinkala, is recovering from a facial nerve infection and defender Joseph Musonda, forced to quit the Cup of Nations final against Ivory Coast last February after 12 minutes, remains sidelined.

Showers greeted the visiting squad when it arrived in the South Korean capital and they brought relief from the humid conditions in a city that has fond memories for Zambian football boss Kalusha Bwalya.

He scored a hat-trick in a stunning 4-0 triumph over Italy during the 1988 Olympic Games, an achievement which went a long way toward him being chosen African Footballer of the Year a few months later.

A much weaker Zambian team defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 at home last Wednesday as they prepare for a two-leg qualifier against Uganda with the winners advancing to the finals in South Africa next January and February.

Ghana welcome back United Arab Emirates-based striker Asamoah Gyan from a self-imposed break with the national team, but coach Kwesi Appiah lacks several other stars, including brothers Andre and Jordan Ayew of Marseille.

The French Ligue 1 outfit say the friendly is not on a FIFA-sanctioned date for African countries, and injuries rule out Daniel Opare from Standard Liege and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu of Udinese.

Leading Ghana scorer Gyan walked out having been severely criticised by sections of the public and media after his penalty was saved in a shock Cup of Nations semifinals defeat by Zambia.

Ivory Coast, penalty shootout losers to

Zambia in the Libreville final after star striker and captain Didier Drogba blazed a regular-time spot kick over, have named a star-studded 24-man squad for Moscow.

Recently appointed French coach Sabri Lamouchi included brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure from English Premier League champions Manchester City plus Shanghaibased veteran Drogba and Gervinho of Arsenal.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi picked an all-local squad for a clash with west African neighbors Niger in Niamey, where they had to cut short a mid-afternoon training session because of searing heat.

Forced to release four players from Sunshine Stars for CAF Champions League duty in Algeria this weekend, the Super Eagles defeated clubs representing the Nigerian police and prison services in warm-ups.

Angola have scrapped admission charges to ensure a capacity crowd in Benguela for a match against fellow Portuguese-speaking nation Mozambique which marks the debut of Uruguayan Gustavo Ferrin as Palancas Negros (Black Antelopes) coach.—AFP

Adidas capitalises on summer of sports BRUSSELS: The Belgian national soccer team’s Axel Witsel and Dries Mertens practice during a training session on the eve of their friendly game against the Netherlands.—AFP

Germany to experiment against positive Argentina BERLIN: Germany coach Joachim Loew will use today’s friendly against Argentina to assess his side’s strength in depth before starting its qualification campaign for the 2014 World Cup. Established internationals including Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Gomez and captain Philipp Lahm will all miss the match in Frankfurt, as will Arsenal pair Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker, allowing Loew a rare opportunity to experiment against an opponent at full strength and featuring Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

Loew has signaled his intention to make “a lot of substitutions to see a lot of players” against a “class team.” “It’s a good measure for the upcoming qualification games in September and October,” the 52-year-old coach said.

Meanwhile, Argentina hopes to avenge its heaviest defeat to Germany in the sides’ last meeting - a 4-0 loss at the 2010 World Cup. Mesut Oezil and Sami Khedira were instrumental in that quarterfinal win, their performances for Germany earning them lucrative transfers to Real Madrid, and they will be expected to lead Germany in the absence of influential regulars.

“Regardless of whether Basti (Schweinsteiger) is there or not, I try to accept responsibility,” Khedira said yesterday. “We’ll have a very, very young team on the pitch tomorrow. I’m obliged to accept responsibility.” Germany’s players are looking to put European Championship disappointment behind them as quickly as possible. One of the pre-tournament favorites, the team was knocked out after a 2-1 defeat to Italy in the semifinal. “We have to look forward, that’s the most important thing,” said Marco Reus, who was voted Germany’s player of the season on Sunday. “We want to make a new start against Argentina.”

Hannover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler should start in place of Neuer, who pulled out of the game Sunday citing a hip injury, Toni Kroos will line up beside Khedira in midfield, and Reus will hope to show why Bundesliga champion Borussia Dortmund paid Borussia Moenchengladbach €17.5 million ($21.59 million) for him.

Schalke’s 18-year-old midfielder Julian Draxler will also be given a chance to shine after being omitted from the Euro 2012 squad.

Evergreen Lazio striker Miroslav Klose will likely start in place of the injured Gomez, giving the 34-year-old, who has scored 64 goals for Germany, another chance to close the gap on all-time topscorer Gerd Mueller with 68.

Loew expects Klose to feature at the World Cup in Brazil despite his age. “I don’t see any age limit for him,” Loew said. “When Miro is fit,

he continues to be one of the world’s best strikers. I’ll be counting on him for the next two years.”

Schalke’s Benedikt Hoewedes, Bayern’s Jerome Boateng or Dortmund’s Lars Bender could fill in at left back, after Lahm was excused due to the imminent birth of his child, but whoever starts in defense will have to cope with the attacking brilliance of Barcelona’s Messi.

Coach Alejandro Sabella has the enviable problem of deciding who would best partner his captain up front - Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero or Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain.

“It’s always something special to play against the best in the world and Messi is definitely among them,” Khedira said. “But (Madrid teammates Angel) di Maria and Higuain also belong there.”

Sabella’s only other serious dilemma is whether to start Sporting Lisbon’s Marcos Rojo or Boca Juniors’ Clemente Rodriguez at left back. He called up Newcastle United defender Fabricio Coloccini for the first time and the 57year-old coach readily admits he needs to give more thought to his defense.

“Without question, we’re much better equipped in attack than defense,” Sabella told Germany’s Kicker magazine. “When I say that I don’t mean to offend anyone in the team, but it’s now the case.” Germany is unbeaten in Frankfurt for almost 56 years, since a 3-1 Switzerland win in November 1956. —AP

GERMANY: Germany’s goalkeeper Ron Robert Zieler (left) and Marc Ter Stegen attend a training session in Frankfurt, prior to the friendly football match against Argentina.—AFP

KUWAIT: With the closing of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Adidas draws a positive conclusion of its involvement in the event. “Our presence in and around the Olympic Games was fantastic,” said Herbert Hainer, CEO of the Adidas Group. “It translates into record Olympic merchandise sales and a record year for the Adidas Group in the UK. This clearly sets the stage for us to achieve market leadership in the UK by 2015.”

Sales in the UK for the Adidas brand were up 24% currency-neutral for the first half of 2012, spurred by demand for Olympic and Team GB products. Olympic licence product sales in the UK were up 250% compared to Beijing 2008. On a global level, Adidas Group sales rose 11% on a currency-neutral basis or 16% in euro terms to Ä 7.3 billion for the first half of 2012.

As Official Sportswear Partner of London 2012, Adidas led the way at the Olympic Games by outfitting more than 80,000 Games Makers with sustainable products, supplying kit for 3,000 athletes competing in 25 out of the 26 Olympic Sports and by working together with 11 National Olympic Committees, among them the most successful Team GB of all times. Herbert Hainer: “I can only admire the enthusiasm Great Britain brought to these Olympic Games. I am proud that Adidas has been able to contribute to the phenomenal success of London 2012 through our support of Team GB and iconic athletes like Jessica Ennis and Sir Chris Hoy.” Adidas’ brand marketing efforts at and around the Games with its “Take the Stage” communication campaign, on-the-ground activations in London and events with athletes and ambassadors such as Yohan Blake, Laura Trott, Sally Pearson, the Brownlee brothers, Stefanie Graf, David Beckham and Haile Gebrselassie resulted in positive ratings in the latest report of market research firm Nielsen. According to this research, adidas is regarded as the most inspirational and most empowering brand among all Olympic Sponsors. Social media research from Sociagility confirmed that Adidas created the most positive buzz in social media during the Games. According to Metrica Radar, Adidas UK’s #takethestage hashtag significantly outperformed all competitors during the Games.

Earlier this summer, Adidas already defended its title as the most successful football brand in Europe and the world at the UEFA EURO 2012(tm) by announcing that it expects to achieve record sales of well over euro 1.6 billion in the football category in 2012, surpassing even record sales from the World Cup year 2010 (euro 1.5 billion in sales). In 2008, the year of the last UEFA EURO, sales in the football category totalled euro 1.3 billion.

Herbert Hainer: “Our association with major sporting events sets us apart from all the competition. Our results so far this year clearly show how successfully we leverage these events and use them to preserve and sustain our business momentum.”

FRANCE: French players are seen during a training session, in Le Havre, north western France, on the eve of their friendly soccer match against Uruguay.—AP

Capello begins mission with Ivory Coast friendly MOSCOW: Newly-appointed Russia coach Fabio Capello will begin his mission to lead the national side into the 2014 World Cup finals with a home friendly against the Ivory Coast here today. Capello has said his task is to rebuild confidence in a squad still reeling from their early exit from Euro 2012.

“I’m happy with an opportunity to coach such a strong team as Russia,” Capello said. “But our team’s main goal right now is to win back the love of our supporters, who feel insulted after Euro 2012. “The players should come into every single match with a strong desire to win and in a true fighting spirit.

Russia have all the necessary features to achieve these objectives.”

The 66-year-old Italian warned that team building was one of his priorities and there would be no room for divas on his squad. “Nobody will have privileges in my team,” said Capello.

“We are all equal, we’re all friends, we’re all members of one team. And we all should work for our team’s good.” Russia failed to make the two previous World Cup finals and at Euro 2012 in Poland and the Ukraine failed to get past the group stages.

The Euro flop also proved that the team needs new blood with CSKA midfielder Alan Dzagoev the only starter aged under 30 at the event. The fiasco

forced RFU chief Sergei Fursenko to resign and his post remains vacant since with elections scheduled for September 3.

It also caused frictions between fans and players with skipper Andrei Arshavin finding himself the brunt of criticism after he had dismissed the national squad’s poor performance as a problem only for its fans.

Calls for the 31-year-old forward to be stripped of his captaincy and even thrown out of the team rang out across the media this summer.

But Capello has refused to be swayed by public opinion and has not only invited Arshavin into his squad but named the Arsenal forward as skipper for the Ivory Coast match.

Capello, who has declared his firm intention of rejuvenating the team, has however included just two rookies so far in his 24-man line-up with the average age just slightly — 1.4 yearsyounger than predecessor Dick Advocaat’s Euro 2012 squad.

Lokomotiv Moscow’s Andrei Yeshchenko, 28, and CSKA Moscow’s Georgy Shchennikov, 21, will bolster the defensive line, which needs renovation more than any other. Capello has also called up midfielders Vladimir Bystrov, 28, and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, 27, who both missed Euro 2012 because of their poor physical form.—AFP

Stults keeps Padres rolling

Ambrose wins again at Watkins Glen

16

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

World Cup the focus as England and Italy meet

Page 19

MONTREAL: Li Na of China is dejected during her match against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in the singles final of the Rogers Cup.(Inset) Kvitova kisses the trophy after defeating China’s Li Na.—AFP

Kvitova overcomes wobble to bag title MONTREAL: Petra Kvitova overcame a mid-match slump to claim her first title of the season with a 7-5 2-6 6-3 victory over China’s Li Na in the Montreal Cup on Monday.

In an entertaining but erratic encounter between two former major winners, the fifth seed’s first tournament win since last October’s WTA Championship will lift the Czech’s confidence ahead of the U.S. Open starting at the end of the month. “It is great to have a good result in the Montreal Cup before the U.S. Open. Finally I have played well,” the world number six told reporters.

“It is a great preparation. I have played some good matches here and I hope that I can continue that.” The 22-year-old’s maiden victory on North American soil pocketed last year’s Wimbledon champion $385,000 but it was not without drama.

The momentum shifted several times during

the match but none more evidently than when Li won the first 16 points of the second set to race into a 4-0 lead after the 30-year-old 10th seed had dropped the opener.

“I knew that the second set she played very well,” Kvitova added. “She was very aggressive and I didn’t move very well. I knew I needed to calm down and keep patient.”

Li, who remains without a title in 2012 after losing finals in Sydney, Rome and now Montreal, had started well before Kvitova eked out a 5-3 lead.

The 2011 French Open champion, who will return to the top 10 in the world rankings, fought back to level at 5-5 but was unable to covert a further four break points before suffering a bout of nerves on her next service game to drop the set.

Li responded immediately, aided by some wayward play from her opponent, winning the first four

games of the second set without dropping a point as Kvitova lost focus and struggled to land in the ball in the court.

That Kvitova made 16 unforced errors while hitting just one winner indicated just how off-target the Czech had become during the second set. “I knew that she’s a big fighter,” Kvitova added. “I knew that it would be tough to win the third set.”

The 22-year-old Czech regrouped at the start of the third and regained the advantage when Li overhit a forehand while trailing 2-3 to drop serve and Kvitova held her nerve to seal a much-needed victory. “It’s very tough against her because she plays the ball so deep,” Li said. “Today I was feeling maybe like 70 percent (of the) time was like defence... to try to put ball back deep in the court.”

Meanwhile, Serena Williams arrived at the Western & Southern Open with an Olympic gold

medal and a chance to win another tournament she had never won before. Really, Serena, you haven’t won here before. During a pre-tournament news conference on Monday, Williams was confused about whether she had taken a title in Cincinnati. “I did win this tournament, didn’t I?” she said during a press conference. “Maybe I didn’t. I can’t keep up. I don’t think I did. OK. Whoops.”

She has played the Cincinnati tournament three times and her best showing was a semifinal loss in 2006. Williams followed-up her Wimbledon championship in July by overwhelming Maria Sharapova, 6-0, 6-1 to win the Olympic singles title.

The 31-year-old, who’s ranked No. 4 in the world and is seeded second at the $5.7 million event, spent a week training in Paris before arriving in Cincinnati. She still was basking in the glow of winning both the singles and, with her sister Venus, the

Cowboys beat Raiders in exhibition opener OAKLAND: Darren McFadden needed one series to show he’s in midseason form for Oakland following a foot injury that cut his last season short.

Most of the rest of the first-team offensive players for the Raiders and Dallas Cowboys need plenty of work to get back to that level.

McFadden picked up where he left off last season by gaining 38 yards on Oakland’s first three plays of the exhibition season and the Raiders went on to lose to the Dallas Cowboys 3-0 on Monday night.

“He was able to make some explosive gains,” Raiders coach Dennis Allen said.

“That’s what we anticipate out of him.

He’s an explosive playmaker. We have to find ways to get him the ball and give him an opportunity to be explosive for us.”

McFadden, who missed the last nine games of 2011 with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot, opened the game with a 4yard run, an 18-yard reception and a 16yard run to delight of the Raiders fans.

But Carson Palmer threw an interception to Gerald Sensabaugh on the next play for Oakland (tied for No. 23 in the AP Pro32) and both the Raiders and Cowboys (No. 15, AP Pro32) struggled to generate much of anything until the reserves took over in the second half.

“We made some mistakes and it cost us,” Dallas quarterback Tony Romo said.

“There will be some good stuff to evaluate and get better. We have to get better from tonight’s game and we will.”

Kyle Orton took Dallas 67 yards on the opening drive of the second half to set

up Dan Bailey’s 33-yard field goal and that proved to be the only scoring of the night.

McFadden left after that first series and Palmer couldn’t move the Raiders without him. Matt Leinart played the rest of a scoreless first half and completed six passes to undrafted free agent Rod Streater, but couldn’t put any points on the board.

Dez Bryant, whose status was in question after leaving practice early Saturday because of hamstring tightness, came up with the only big play for Dallas’ firstteam offense when he made a good adjustment in the air for a 24-yard gain from Romo on the first offensive drive for the Cowboys.

That was the only first down in three series with Romo under center. Only two of Dallas’ other 10 plays with Romo in the game went for more than 1 yard and both of those were on third-and-longs when the Cowboys couldn’t convert.

But the Dallas defense did the job after the fast start by McFadden. “We just had to settle down,” Sensabaugh said.

“Once we got settled down and everybody just kept doing their job, there weren’t too many big plays coming after that. (Our) guys were able to make plays.”

The play was sloppy all around as Dallas twice committed penalties on punts to prolong drives for Oakland and committed another before a botched snap on a field goal try.

The Raiders were unable to make the Cowboys pay for those mistakes as the first drive aided by two fourth-down penalties ended in a punt and usually

Olympics doubles championship.

“It was really awesome to win both medals at the Olympics,” she said. “I really wanted to win doubles. I know everyone was like, ‘You haven’t won the singles gold, and that’s the only thing big career-wise move that you haven’t won.’ I was like trying to put that out of my mind. I went there really with doubles on my mind, so singles was the ultimate goal for me.”

With those gold medals safely tucked away “My gold medals are in a location I probably shouldn’t say, in case someone wants to go and take them,” she said.

“They’re not with me” - Williams now can turn her attention to closing out her hard-court season, which ends with the US Open starting Aug. 27 in New York. She said he recent success on grass does not have her wishing to play on it more.—Agencies

Federer ready for hard court

OAKLAND: Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (6) scrambles away from Dallas Cowboys linebacker Orie Lemon (58) during the third quarter of an NFL preseason football game.—AP reliable Sebastian Janikowski was wide right on a 47-yard field goal attempt after the third infraction.

Oakland had its share of mistakes as Chimdi Chekwa let a punt roll to the goal line instead of downing it at the 1 and receiver Jacoby Ford had a rough day all around.

Ford was stopped after a 4-yard return on the opening kickoff, had two passes from Palmer go through his hands, was the target on Palmer’s interception and muffed a punt that rolled out of bounds to miss a chance at a return.

Even the replacement officials had problems as they spotted one ball outside the hash marks only to have Romo correct them.

The game also marked the first real

action as a pro for Terrelle Pryor, the former Ohio State star quarterback who had no official plays as a rookie with Oakland.

Pryor missed last preseason because he entered the league late through the supplemental draft and committed a false start penalty before his only play in the regular season.

Pryor completed 8 of 15 passes for 50 yards, was sacked twice and was quick to leave the pocket to scramble, running six times for 21 yards. He put Oakland in position to score, but Eddy Carmona missed a 36-yard field goal wide right with 6:44 remaining. Pryor then threw an interception on fourth-and-26 in the final minute to end the game.

“I thought I played bad,” Pryor said. “I just could’ve played a lot better and I will play better. I just played bad today.”—AP

CINCINNATI: Roger Federer would have hoped for more than just the few days of pause he managed after the London Olympic final, but will take what he can get as the world number one prepares for his start late yesterday at the Cincinnati Masters.

The top seed said even his few days away to celebrate his 31st birthday with his wife and twin daughters was worthwhile for recuperation as he lays the groundwork for his final sprint of the abbreviated summer hard court season going into the US Open.

“The last few years we always had at least a two, three-week preparation for the hard courts,” said the seventime Wimbledon winner and Olympic silver medallist behind Andy Murray.

“But this time we’ve just had two and a half weeks more on grass, so obviously I don’t think the preparation is as good as it’s been in the previous years.

“I’ve had better preparations, there’s no doubt about it, but it was definitely key for me to take some time off. “I’m sort of in a tunnel vision right now from the French Open through Wimbledon, the Olympics. Until the US Open (starting August 27) I’m making sure I have enough rest, I play enough, and I stay injury-free.” Federer owns four titles in Cincinnati, which he has played uninterruptedly since 2002.

The Swiss expressed regret for the long-term knee injury absence of Rafael Nadal, who has not played for

seven weeks since a Wimbledon second round loss and the flare-up up his chronic knee problems.

“I can’t believe he’s been out that long,” said the Swiss world number one. “I thought for sure we would see him in Toronto, but now he missed Toronto and Cincinnati. It’s very surprising, because it was nothing that we heard of prior to the injury.

“He played so well on clay, and then actually seemed fine at Wimbledon. He had more time by losing earlier at Wimbledon. “It all came as big surprise, these two pullouts. I’m sad for him. I hope he’ll be back for the Open.”

Old pro Nikolay Davydenko, a former top five threat, schooled Ukrainian young gun Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1, 6-1 in the first round.

The 31-year-old Russian left Dolgopolov, eight years his junior, wondering what happened to the game which produced a title in Washington eight days ago on pre-US Open hardcourts.

Since beating German Tommy Haas for the final in the American capital, Dolgopolov has lost two matches, winning just four games in the process.

Croatian 12th seed Marin Cilic beat Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 while American Brian Baker upset German 15th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/3).

In women’s play, 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, seeded 14th, lost to fellow Italian Camila Giorgi 6-1, 6-3.—AFP

Kuwait’s NIG to repay $475m sukuk on time Page 22

Euro zone economy shrinks 0.2% in Q2 Page 23

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

India records lowest inflation since 2009

Kuwait’s GDP surges 29% in 2011 on rising oil prices Page 24

Page 25

LONDON: This handout photo obtained from the “The Bristol Pound” yesterday shows a selection of photos showing specimen banknotes created by businesses in the English city of Bristol. The Bristol pound — usable only with member businesses — is to launch in September, and organisers are deluged with local firms wanting to sign up. “The perception of banking and money is that it’s a very ruthless system: People are out for what they can get,” cofounder Ciaran Mundy told AFP. As Britain loses faith in its banks and feels shockwaves from the euro crisis, the city in southern England is trying to keep local wealth in local pockets with the launch of its own currency. “This is about saying yes to something new. It’s tapping into a different set of values about money.” Evoking a long history of dissent, one side of the £5 note shows a tiger writing on a wall in graffiti: “O Liberty!” Businesses can pay local taxes in Bristol pounds and the council has offered its 17,000 staff the option of receiving part of their pay in the currency. — AFP

Stocks, oil rise on stimulus hopes Dollar rises on stronger-than-expected spending data NEW YORK: World stocks and oil prices rose yesterday after data showing the euro zone’s sputtering economy shrank in the second quarter lifted expectations of further central bank stimulus.

US and German bond prices fell, however, as German and French growth data were not as weak as predicted, paring earlier bets the US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank will announce new rounds of stimulus in the coming weeks.

Stronger-than-expected data on US retail sales and producer prices intensified the sell-off in safe-haven bonds and gold, while lifting the dollar. The 17-nation euro zone currency block contracted by 0.2 percent in the quar ter, although regional powerhouse Germany eked out growth of 0.3 percent. But even there, a forward-looking sentiment indicator pointed to poorer performance ahead.

“Germany is not managing to decouple itself from the rest of the euro zone,” said Bernd Hartmann, head of investment research at VP Bank. “That means the last pillar of European growth is gradually buckling.”

The euro zone data followed worrying China trade figures on Friday and Monday’s report showing a slowdown in Japan. Both lent support to the view that central banks will be forced to act as early as next month to boost

flagging global growth. The economic picture in the United States appears marginally better.

Official data showed retail sales rose 0.8 percent in July, the first rise in four months and biggest since February. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a 0.3 percent increase.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index hit its highest level since May 1 partly due to the strongerthan-expected rise in consumer spending.

“The retail sales is good, and it just continues the trend right now for the S&P to go higher,” said Frank Lesh, a futures analyst and broker at FuturePath Trading LLC in Chicago. In early trading, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 29.08 points, or 0.22 percent, at 13,198.51.

The S&P 500 was up 3.46 points, or 0.25 percent, at 1,407.57. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 5.98 points, or 0.20 percent, at 3,028.50.

Top European shares, which took their biggest tumble in a week on Monday, were up 0.5 percent, helping to lift the global MSCI index by 0.25 percent to 323.34 points. In Tokyo, the benchmark Nikkei index closed up 0.5 percent at 8,929.88. Oil prices edged higher as the weak European economic data was slightly less gloomy than anticipated, and ahead of a U.S. report expected to show a drop in oil stocks.

Brent crude rose 4 cents to $113.65 a barrel after flirting with its highest level since early

May, while US crude rose $1 to $93.73 a barrel.

In the bond market, U.S. Treasuries and German Bund prices fell as traders reduced their safehaven holdings in the wake of the less dire growth data on German and France, the euro zone’s two biggest economies.

German Bund futures were down 78 basis points at 142.40, within striking distance of a one-month low set last week. Benchmark US 10-year notes were down 14/32 in price at 995/32 with the yield at 1.715 percent, up 5 basis points. Earlier, the 10-year yield was close to its 100-day moving average of 1.7443 percent, which is a technical indicator that US yields might head higher.

In the currency market, the July improvement in US consumer spending helped boost the dollar against the Japanese yen. It was up 0.6 percent at 78.80 yen. The euro was up 0.09 percent at $1.2342. It gained when German growth slightly beat expectations but eased after the influential ZEW investor sentiment survey indicated Europe’s largest economy could begin shrinking in the third quarter. In precious metal trading, gold fell 0.68 percent to its lowest level in over a week. It was last at $1,598.80 an ounce, with investors staying cautious while they wait to hear more from the central banks about plans to stimulate growth. — Reuters

US auto bailout cost keeps rising WASHINGTON: The US Treasury raised its estimate of the net cost to US taxpayers of rescuing the country’s auto industry by $3.3 billion, as the weak economy restrains the industry’s rebound.

The Treasury told Congress in a new report seen on its website Monday that the cost of the government’s massive bailout of Detroit in the economic crisis of 2007-2008 would hit $25 billion, based on figures to May 31.

That compared a forecast loss of $21.7 billion based on figures to February 29, according to Treasury data. The US government rescued General Motors and Chrysler at the height of the financial crisis, pouring $80 billion into the two.

Both have since graduated from the program, and are making solid profits on reasonably strong auto sales. But the Treasury continues to prop up GM’s former financing arm, now dubbed Ally Financial, which lost $898 million in the second quarter mainly due to the bankruptcy of its home mortgage arm, forced by its huge book of defaulted home loans.

A year ago, when hopes were that the economy was solidly recovering and the housing market might turn around, the Treasury was projecting losses on the industry bailout of just $14.3 billion.

Treasur y spokesman Matt Anderson defended the bailout as having had a broader impact on reviving the overall economy. “The auto industry rescue helped save more than one million jobs throughout our nation’s industrial heartland and is expected to cost far less than many had feared during the height of the crisis,” he said. —AFP

SINGAPORE: This file photo taken on May 12, 2011 shows a pedestrian walking past the SingTel signage in Singapore. Singapore Telecom (SingTel) said yesterday its first quarter net profit rose 3.2 percent from a year ago, driven by improved earnings from some regional associates and gains from an asset sale. — AFP

StanChart CEO takes charge of Iran probe talks LONDON/NEWYORK: Standard Chartered’s Chief Executive Peter Sands has flown to New York to take personal control of the bank’s attempts to reach a settlement with US regulators over allegations it hid transactions involving Iran.

Sands is also ready to attend a hearing set for today at which the London-based bank has been told by the New York banking regulator that it must demonstrate why its state banking licence should not be revoked over the transactions.

A Standard Chartered spokesman said the bank was waiting to hear from the Department of Financial Services (DFS) what form the hearing will take. “Peter is happy to go if that’s appropriate,” a Standard Chartered spokesman said yesterday.

Sands will work with the bank’s lawyers, who are attempting to negotiate a settlement over the issue with U.S. authorities, the spokesman said. Last week, New York’s Financial Services Superintendent Benjamin Lawsky alleged the bank had hidden Iran-linked transactions with a total value of $250 billion and called it a “rogue institution” for breaking US sanctions.

Though Sands has long known that US regulators were looking into Standard Chartered’s Iranian dealings, he had been confident the bank would escape the kind of regulatory scandals that have hit British rivals HSBC and Barclays.

“This is very different to some of the things you’ve been hearing about elsewhere,” he had told reporters after the bank’s first half results were published on Aug. 1. Just days later, the 50-year-old was taken by “complete surprise” by the ferocity of Lawsky’s attack, which he described as “disproportionate”, and cut short his vacation to mount a swift defence. He denied the allegations and said the value of transactions that failed to adhere to the sanctions was less than $14 million.

Sands and Chief Financial Officer Richard Meddings, who had also departed on holiday after the results, were among top executives who scrambled together a conference call to tackle the accusations.

With its shares having lost nearly 15 percent of their value, the bank has come

under pressure from shareholders to settle early rather than engage in a legal battle. “Clearly there was concern amongst all our stakeholders. Obviously a swift settlement would be ideal, but it has to be on acceptable terms,” the Standard Chartered spokesman said.

The affair has also taken on a political dimension, with some British members of parliament suggesting it is part of a US effort to undermine London as a financial centre. Britain’s finance minister George Osborne made a series of phone calls to his US counterpart last week expressing concern at the way details of the case came out.

A UK government source told Reuters that Osborne had engaged in “quiet diplomacy” to ensure British business was getting a fair hearing.

The stakes for Standard Chartered are high, given that the loss of its state banking licence would effectively cut it off from direct access to the US bank market.

Most of Standard Chartered’s business is in Asia and the Middle East. The DFS has declined to comment on the negotiations.

A person familiar with the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Lawsky was seeking a settlement of about $350 million. Another person with knowledge of the situation said the figure had dropped to $250 million.

Standard Chartered is already cooperating in a separate probe dating to 2010 that includes the U.S. Justice Department and the Manhattan district attorney. That investigation is aimed at determining whether Standard Chartered violated U.S. sanctions laws. Those talks have been taking place separately from the discussions with Lawsky’s agency.

The bank’s preferred option is still a deal with all the regulators, but the decision by Lawsky to go it alone and issue an order against the bank last week has made a collective settlement less likely.

Shares in Standard Chartered were up 1 percent to 1,346.5 pence at 1115 GMT on hopes of a resolution. Investec analyst Ian Gordon believes the bank will end up paying a fine running into several hundred million dollars but said it could afford to do so because of its strong balance sheet. He recommends clients buy the stock. — Reuters

22

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

BUSINESS

Saudi approves $16.5bn Mecca transport revamp JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has approved a 62 billion riyal ($16.5 billion) plan to modernise the transport system in its holy city of Mecca, including building a bus network and metro system, state news agency SPA said yesterday.

More than 6 million visitors from

across the world visit Mecca every year for the Haj and Umra pilgrimages. The influx has strained the narrow roads and outdated transport system. Four metro lines of a total length of 182 km (114 miles) will be built across the city, with 88 stations, SPA reported. Construction for

bridges near the Grand Mosque, home to the cube-shaped Kaaba towards which Muslims turn in prayer.

Other long-term projects around the mosque include building hotels, malls and cafes. Developments in the suburbs include housing estates and a park for

the transport project will be carried out over about 10 years, the report said, without giving details of when it would start or how companies would bid for contracts. Last year the city’s mayor told Reuters that within six years the government hoped to build new roads and foot

residents who have been made to relocate from the city centre.

Saudi Arabia is also spending billions on upgrading the transport system in the capital Riyadh and on a high-speed rail line connecting Mecca with the holy city of Medina. — Reuters

Kuwait’s NIG to repay $475m sukuk on time Shares rise 5.4% on Kuwait bourse DUBAI: Kuwait’s National Industries Group Holding (NIG) will repay its $475 million Islamic bond, or sukuk, when it matures tomorrow, it said yesterday, dropping earlier plans to get a four-year extension from creditors. NIG, an investment firm controlled by one of the country’s biggest merchant families, asked creditors in July to extend 70 percent of the sukuk maturity to 2016 in exchange for a much higher interest rate.

While about 92 percent of certificate holders had approved the extension, the request has been cancelled because NIG has raised enough finance to fully repay the sukuk, the firm said in a statement to the Dubai bourse.

NIG shares rose 5.4 percent as at 0820 GMT on the Kuwait bourse following the announcement.

The company had said previously it was in the process of securing a 100 million dinar ($354.4 million) three-year syndicated shariacompliant loan being arranged by local lender

Warba Bank.

NIG had around 85 million dinars of cash on its balance sheet at the end of March, according to Moody ’s in a May report labelling the Warba Bank facility credit positive. Last month, NIG said it would repay 30 percent of the $475 million total on the August 16 due date but under a revised structure, which sukukholders had until August 9 to agree to, NIG would repay 25 percent of the principal amount at the end of each of the four years the sukuk was extended for.

The profit rate would have also been amended from a floating rate of three-month Libor plus 105 basis points to a fixed rate of 450 basis points - much higher than the 151.59 bps paid out at the last coupon payment in May. The Kharafi family, which owns NIG, controls one of the biggest family conglomerates in Kuwait with interests in real estate, retail and financial services. It is also thought to

control, through various entities, around a quarter of telecom operator Zain.

Like a number of Kuwaiti investment firms, NIG was hard hit by the 2008 financial crisis.

These firms borrowed cheap short-term cash in the boom years to fund an asset-buying spree, both locally and overseas, but found they couldn’t refinance the debt once borrowing costs rose. Offloading assets at deflated values has also proven difficult in a stagnant market.

Several Kuwaiti investment firms have faced debt problems, including Investment Dar, co-owner of luxury carmaker Aston Martin, International Investment Group and International Leasing and Investment Co. Global Investment House, in the midst of its second restructuring in three years, said on Sunday it would seek shareholders approval for a debt-for-equity swap which will see creditors own 70 percent of the company. — Reuters

Egypt ends near 5-mth high, most Gulf mkts up CAIRO/DUBAI: Egypt’s index rose for a third straight session yesterday, closing at a near 5-month high, as President Mohamed Mursi’s move to take powers from the army revived hopes of economic stability among investors.

Mursi, voted into office in June after the ousting of Hosni Mubarak last year, retired the country’s two top generals and cancelled a decree issued by the military before his election which had curbed the power of the presidency. “On paper things are looking more neat and more comfortable for any kind of investor,” said Teymour el-Derini at Naeem Brokerage. “Things are going in a democratic manner... I think we’ll see a rally in the next couple of months.”

He said Mursi’s move, which already pushed the benchmark index up 1.5 percent on Monday, is bringing more foreign and retail investors into the market.

Pointing to some recent commitments of foreign donor funds to Egypt and signs of improving housing demand, Derini says: “Things have not looked this bet-

ter since the uprising.”

Among the main gainers, EFG Hermes rose 3.5 percent and Ezz Steel gained 2.2 percent. The most active stock was Commercial International Bank , up 1.3 percent. CIB reports its second-quarter earnings late yesterday.

The index climbed 1.3 percent to 5,111 points, ending at its highest close since March 22.

Most other Gulf markets advanced, as positive earnings helped lift investor sentiment.

Abu Dhabi’s index closed at an 18-week high, buoyed by Dana Gas which posted a sharp jump in quarterly profits.

Dana shares ended 2.6 percent higher, accounting for more than a third of the shares traded on the index. Investors disregarded the lack of clarity on how the firm will repay a $1 billion Islamic bond maturing in October.

“The most important thing is to resolve the sukuk issue they’re saying that they want to resolve it, but I can’t see how they’ll do it,” says a Dubai-based fund manager. “ They need to

either renegotiate the maturity or get a cash injection.”

Abu Dhabi’s index ended 0.3 percent higher at its highest close since April 9, while Dubai’s benchmark shed 0.2 percent.

UAE markets have rallied in recent sessions, as strong quarterly earnings from real estate firms spurred optimism the sector is on a recovery path.

Emaar Properties slipped 0.3 percent, easing away from Monday ’s 16-week high.

Meanwhile, Kuwait’s index advanced 0.2 percent helped by National Industries Group which jumped to a three-week high after it said it will repay its $475 million sukuk that matures on August 16. Shares of the investment firm ended 5.4 percent higher. Logistics firm Agility gained 1.3 percent. It posted flat second quarter profits, but said it did not take any provisions against its suspension from dealing with the United States army.

Saudi Arabia’s index ends the day near-flat as investors gear up for the long Eid holiday. Session volumes are their second-lowest

of 2012, with only Feb. 4 seeing fewer shares changing hands on the exchange.

Qatar’s index edged up 0.07 percent to its highest close since May 31. The bourse has gained in 10 of the last 11 sessions.

EGYPT The measure jumped 1.3 percent to 5,111 points.

SAUDI ARABIA The index gained 0.04 percent to 6,968 points.

DUBAI The index dropped 0.2 percent to 1,578 points.

ABU DHABI The index climbed 0.3 percent to 2,554 points.

KUWAIT The measure gained 0.2 percent to 5,701 points.

OMAN The index edged up 0.05 percent to 5,499 points.

BAHRAIN The measure gained 0.03 percent to 1,076 points.

QATAR The benchmark rose 0.07 percent to 8,418 points. — Reuters

BEIJING: A Chinese man walks past a TV advertising screen by Focus Media Holding Ltd. on display near an apartment lift in Beijing yesterday. Just a few years after Chinese companies lined up to sell shares on Wall Street, a growing number are reversing course and pulling out of US exchanges. — AP

KAMCO announces financial results for H1 of 2012 KUWAIT: KAMCO (KIPCO Asset Management Company KSC) yesterday reported its financial results for the first half ended June 30, 2012. During this period, the company recorded a net loss of KD 2.9 million with earnings-per-share (EPS) of (12.14) fils, while, for the second quarter, KAMCO realized a net loss of KD 3.3 million or 13.83 fils per share.

KAMCO are in the process of executing the previously announced balance sheet restructuring plan and continuing to provide the best investment banking and asset management services in Kuwait. In this regards, this year, KAMCO reached a milestone by becoming the number one

Faisal Mansour Sarkhou

bond issue advisor in Kuwait (according to the MENA Capital Report of March 2012 by Bloomberg). The company is the only Kuwaiti company and is the only non-bank or government owned company in the region’s top twenty advisors for bond issuances. It is also worthy to note that KAMCO’s market share as a lead manager for all Kuwaiti corporate bond issuances over the past three years is 67%. Of KAMCO’s already established funds, the Kuwait Education Fund has seen significant returns of 22.81% since the beginning of the year, thereby securing its position as the country’s most successful fund. KAMCO today has KD2.26 billion of assets under management (as of 30 June 2012), increasing by 3.9% since 31 December 2011.

Acting Chief Executive Officer, Faisal Mansour Sarkhou commented, “We are very proud of the operational achievements and success the company has realized this year. Our successes are dependent on our strong team that we harbor and nurture. These operational successes come during a difficult time not only in our market, but internationally and despite our overall results reflect the restructuring impacts, demonstrating that KAMCO is not immune to the difficult environment facing the investment sector, our operational achievements illustrate that the company has the track record, drive, and focus to achieve its objective in growing the assets under its management and becoming the client’s preferred asset management and financial services provider.”

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 Egyptian pounds

.2740000 .4390000 .3440000 .2860000 .2820000 .2950000 .0040000 .0020000 .0763930 .7442710 .3860000 .0720000 .7296250 .0430000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2814000 GB Pound/KD .4412070 Euro .3458410 Swiss francs .2879950 Canadian dollars .2839270 Danish Kroner .0464680 Swedish Kroner .0422030 Australian dlr .2968630 Hong Kong dlr .0362780 Singapore dlr .2259330 Japanese yen .0035930 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 Pakistan rupee .0000000 Bangladesh taka .0000000 UAE dirhams .0766170 Bahraini dinars .7464510 Jordanian dinar .0000000 Saudi Riyal/KD .0750330 Omani riyals .7309340 Philippine Peso .0000000

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. ASIAN COUNTRIES

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

.2860000 .4454000 .3620000 .2960000 .2920000 .3030000 .0070000 .00350000 .0771600 .7514510 .4060000 .0780000 .7369580 .0510000 .2835000 .4445000 .3484220 .2901440 .2860460 .0468150 .0425180 .2990780 .0365490 .2276190 .0036200 .0051470 .0021540 .0030040 .0034910 .0771890 .7520230 .4008490 .0755930 .7363910 .0068220

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

GCC COUNTRIES 74.883 77.158 729.380 745.850 76.464

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 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 GOLD 293.000 148.000 75.250

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

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

SELL CASH

300.700 751.280 3.720 287.700 554.800 46.000 47.800 167.800 46.850 353.300 37.120 5.310 0.032 0.161 0.237 3.700 400.330 0.191 93.250 44.600 4.340 232.300 1.830

48.800 733.890 3.080 6.970 78.140 75.430 228.330 36.470 2.691 447.400 43.300 293.900 4.400 9.280 196.263 77.020 282.900 1.360

10 Tola

GOLD 1,712.450

Sterling Pound US Dollar

733.820 2.993 6.740 77.710 75.430 228.330 36.470 2.137 445.400 292.400 4.400 9.180 76.920 282.500

COUNTRY

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 445.400 282.500

SELL DRAFT

299.200 751.280 3.451 286.200

228.300 46.489 351.800 36.970 5.075 0.031

SELL DRAFT

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

301.70 288.87 295.00 352.02 282.05 446.46 3.67 3.461 5.069 2.140 3.183 2.991 76.86 751.00 46.47 401.83 734.06 77.89 75.42

SELL CASH

310.000 286.000 295.000 350.000 283.500 447.000 3.630 3.580 5.300 2.350 3.650 3.150 77.450 750.000 47.700 399.00 736.000 78.000 75.800

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd 400.300 0.190 93.250 3.200 230.800

Rate for Transfer

Selling Rate

US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro

282.400 288.630 444.225 350.415

Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar 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

291.200 747.650 76.865 77.515 75.270 398.085 46.446 2.138 5.077 2.990 3.451 6.726 692.730 4.590 9.065 4.380 3.285 89.820

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co.

UAE Exchange Centre WLL

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY

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 Thai bhat Tunisian dollar UAE dirham U.S. dollars Yemeni Riyal

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 Yemeni Riyal Euro Canadian Dollars Nepali rupee

282.600 2.982 5.120 2.145 3.461 6.795 77.045 75.515 751.300 46.459 448.600 2.990 1.550 353.200 291.100 3.200

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 *Rates are subject to change

282.400 351.500 445.300 286.200 3.620 5.085 46.489 2.142 3.460 6.745 2.999 751.200 76.920 75.400

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

BUSINESS

UBS denies helping Germans evade taxes ZURICH: UBS denied it is helping wealthy Germans dodge taxes by telling them to move funds to Singapore and other money centres ahead of a Swiss tax deal due to come into force in January.

“We do not help clients to evade taxes and we clearly don’t support clients in circumventing bilateral tax agreements, including the one with Germany,” UBS private bank boss Juerg Zeltner told Reuters in an interview yesterday. He was responding to a media report last week which said UBS, Europe’s fifth-largest bank by market value, had advised German clients to move funds to Singapore to avoid detection by authorities ahead of the planned withholding tax.

Privacy is crucial to Switzerland’s $2

trillion offshore wealth management industry and the country has also clinched withholding tax deals with Great Britain and Austria as an alternative to an automatic exchange of information about banks’ clients.

Zeltner outlined measures the Swiss bank has implemented to prevent tax evasion following a lengthy US civil and criminal battle where it eventually pleaded guilty in 2009 to aiding wealthy Americans dodge taxes using hidden Swiss accounts.

He said the Swiss bank took initial action as early as autumn 2010 to ensure that the bank doesn’t help clients circumvent tax rules. Other measure include stiffening guidelines for its private bankers on acquiring European clients while withholding tax

deals with Britain and Germany were being hammered out and reminding bankers they “are on their own” legally if they do not adhere to UBS rules, Zeltner said.

His comments are an attempt to defuse tensions stoked after fiery words from Germany ’s centre-left opposition leader Sigmar Gabriel on Sunday, comparing Swiss banks to organised crime syndicates in how they are accused of helping Germans avoid tax authorities.

Zeltner said the number of German UBS clients that have money in Singapore had declined since 2009, both in absolute numbers as well as overall funds managed. “Singapore does not represent a loophole,” Zeltner said. Last week, North-Rhine

Westphalia said it had bought new bank data on alleged German tax evaders with hidden Swiss accounts, raising the temperature of discussions between the neighbouring countries who have agreed, but not ratified, the tax deal meant to sweep these accounts clean.

Zeltner said German authorities have not told UBS what data they hold.

As a result, UBS is unable to rule out the possibility it may be targeted by authorities as rivals Credit Suisse and Julius Baer have been.

“Tax matters are the client’s responsibility, but they must confirm to us they are compliant,” Zeltner said, illustrating UBS remains vulnerable to tax crackdowns.

Both Credit Suisse and Julius Baer

settled their German probes by paying fines. Gabriel’s Social Democrat party is seeking to sink the tax pact, under which Switzerland would impose a retroactive withholding tax on capital in Swiss bank accounts held by Germans and would tax future interest income from those accounts. But the account holders would remain anonymous and face no further action.

NRW said the data it bought showed money may be flowing into structures set up with the express purpose of avoiding the withholding tax. Gabriel’s comments as well as NRW’s data purchase have cast doubt on whether the withholding tax will be finalised, although German Chancellor Angela Merkel backed it again yesterday despite the opposition. — Reuters

Euro zone economy shrinks 0.2% in Q2 Forward-looking German indicator slides sharply

ROME: A workman passes by a closed shop’s entrance where a paper reading “We inform our kindly customers that Nando Er Carzolaro, from March 30, finally closed reason of finished rent “ is hung in Rome’s central street Campo Marzio on August 10, 2102. It is not just stifling summer heat that is keeping shoppers at bay on Rome’s Via del Corso: as the economic crisis hits locals and tourists alike, many shops have little choice but to close for good. — AFP

Summer of gloom for crisis-hit Rome shops ROME: It is not just stifling summer heat that is keeping shoppers at bay on Rome’s Via del Corso: as the economic crisis hits locals and tourists alike, many shops have little choice but to close for good.

The few people around seem to ziz zag from shop to shop, seeking relief from the heat in air-conditioned outlets and leaving behind frustrated shop assistants who struggle to sell anything despite discounts of up to 80 percent.

“The crisis has hit everyone,” sighed one empty-handed customer, while shopkeepers up and down the street whiled away their time folding and refolding piles of brightly coloured T-shirts and stylish outfits.

“The sales have not gone well,” said clothes shop manager Fabio Anticoli.

While the eternal city usually draws tourists from all over the world who spend their cash on Italian designs, “this year, it’s an impoverished tourism.”

The sales have gone “very badly” compared with 2011 according to the shopkeepers’ association Confesercenti, which reports a 20 percent drop in turnover in central Rome, a figure that rises to 40 percent in outer suburbs.

A stone’s throw from St. Peter ’s Square, naked dummies stand forlornly in the dusty window of an abandoned shop which once sold children’s clothing.

Even exclusive outfitters in via Campo Marzio behind Italy’s parliament have been affected. The family-run shop Conti has shut down, not far from the up-scale shoemaker Nando er Cazolaio, which has also thrown in the towel.

Lina Rocchi, a lingerie shop founded in 1938, closed down and left a sign that read “80 years, three generations, a story comes to an end.” That prompted the Italian daily Repubblica to cry that “Rome’s retail world is in mourning.”

While some like Marco Meghnagi, manager of a store selling “Made in Italy” shirts, say that boutiques forced to close will open up again elsewhere where the rent is lower, Confesercenti says the situation is much more serious.

“1,500 shops in Rome have already closed their doors for good since the start of 2012, and the figure might rise to 2,500 by the end of the year,” said the association’s head Valter Giammaria.

“It’s an enormous figure, small shops that are part of Italy’s history are disappearing one by one,” he said, blaming the recession which grips the country, as well as tax hikes and competition from large shopping centres. As the crisis hits home, some are battling bankruptcy by hawking their treasured summer residences, posting for-sale signs in their shop windows for beach houses and mountain lodges traditionally passed down through the generations.

“An increasing number of businessmen are forced to sell their second homes to be able to continue with their commercial activities,” Giammaria said.

Italy’s hotelier association Federalberghi has estimated that the crisis has also prevented 30 percent of Italians from going on holiday this year.

“The period of big holidays is over. No one goes off for a month in August any more. People go for a day or two at the sea-side, they stay near Rome and by Monday they are back at their desks,” Giammaria said.

Hopeful of an extra sale or two, many shopkeepers are cancelling holidays to stay open throughout the summer.

According to a Confcommercio report, 80 percent of supermarkets and restaurants and more than 50 percent of bars are staying open this week despite a holiday on Wednesday because of the financial crisis. — AFP

EU-IMF conclude Romania bailout BRUSSELS: The EU, IMF and World Bank said yesterday that economic reforms agreed with the Romanian government, currently in political crisis, remain “broadly on track.” In a statement marking the end of a sixth review of progress under a three-year-old bailout programme, the international lenders said Bucharest was going in the right direction despite “challenging conditions.”

“Political determination is needed to ensure that overdue structural reformsnecessary to achieve higher and inclusive growth-will be put in place,” it said ahead of the IMF board signing off the latest plans around late-September.

Romania’s economy emerged from recession in the second quarter of 2012, booking 0.5 percent growth compared to the first three months of the year, official estimates in Bucharest showed yesterday.

The EU-IMF statement said “real growth is projected at around 1.0 per-

cent in 2012 and 2.5 percent in 2013.”

Analysts have warned that the recovery in Romania after two years of severe recession is threatened by a political war between the ruling Social-Liberal Union coalition and centre-right President Traian Basescu, targeted by an impeachment bid launched six weeks ago.

Romanians who cast ballots in a controversial referendum last month voted overwhelmingly for Basescu’s removal, but its validity is being disputed and the EU has already warned Prime Minister Victor Ponta to ensure judges are not pressured and intimidated.

In May 2009, Romania obtained a 20billion-euro rescue package ($24.7 billion at current exchange rates) from the IMF, the EU and the World Bank in exchange for drastic spending cuts.

In March 2011, the IMF and the EU agreed to provide a fresh credit line of 5.0 billion euros, to be drawn down only in case of emergency. — AFP

BRUSSELS/BERLIN: The euro zone’s debt-ravaged economy shrank in the second quarter, having flatlined in the first, despite continued German growth which economists said could soon be snuffed out.

The 17-nation currency bloc contracted by 0.2 percent on the quarter, data showed yesterday.

Germany eked out growth of 0.3 percent, marginally beating forecasts, but its forward-looking ZEW sentiment index slid for a fourth month running, undercutting even the lowest estimate in a Reuters poll.

Economists said worse is likely to come and even Europe’s largest economy is unlikely to defy gravity for long unless decisive action is taken to tackle the bloc’s debt crisis. “Growth turned out to be pretty solid. But this could be the last positive piece of news out of Germany for some time,” said Joerg Kraemer at Commerzbank. “ The German economy could contract in the summer. It is fundamentally in good structural shape, but can’t decouple from the recession in the euro zone, plus the global economy has also shifted down a gear.”

Aside from a downward blip in the last three months of 2011, the euro zone has posted pretty consistent, albeit anaemic, growth over the past three years although some of its debt-laden members have been in recession for some time. “It was a touch better than we expected, but I think overall it confirms the idea that the euro zone is in a recession phase,” Aline Schuiling, economist at ABN AMRO, said of yesterday’s data.

“What we see is a vicious circle of budget cuts, high interest rates in the periphery and sovereign debt rising,” she said. “Policymakers are moving very slowly. There are limited prospects for growth in the euro zone. We expect another contraction in Q3.”

For France, it was the third consecutive quarter of zero growth. The central bank has already said it expects a mild contraction in the third quarter.

“These figures are not excellent, but at the same time France is not in recession while the majority of its European partners are,” Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici told Europe 1 radio.

Safe -haven German Bund futures fell and European stocks

rose after the slightly stronger than expected German and French GDP reports but the euro dipped against the dollar after the ZEW survey came in worse than expected.

The think tank’s monthly poll of economic sentiment slid to 25.5 from -19.6 in July. ZEW economist Christian Dick said the German economy would slow due to weak growth in its main export markets, but would not deteriorate sharply.

Austria and the Netherlands almost matched Germany’s performance, each posting growth of 0.2 percent. Economists surveyed by Reuters had expected the Dutch economy to shrink 0.3 percent. Finland, one of

recession deepened with GDP diving by 1.2 percent on the quarter and Cyprus contracted by 0.8 percent.

Figures released on Monday showed deficit-cutting measures helped to shrink Greece’s economy 6.2 percent year-on-year in the second quarter. Economists say the slump will persist as the government scrambles to secure billions in additional cuts to keep bailout funds flowing.

Italy’s second quarter data last week showed the economy contracted 0.7 percent quarter-onquarter, compounding the difficulties for Mario Monti’s technocrat government as it tries to avoid a bailout.

Spain’s economy shrank 0.4

Central Bank signalled it would intervene in the bond market to lower Spanish and Italian borrowing costs.

Not all Germans support that course and the chancellor’s room for manoeuvre appears to be shrinking at a time when both Greece and Spain may soon require new rescues. However, if ordinary Germans start to feel real economic pain, their response could be to demand their leaders sort out the crisis that is now finally knocking at their door.

Spanish and Italian bond yields have steadied since ECB President Mario Draghi promised to do whatever it takes to save the euro zone. It is quite possible

COLONGE: In this Feb. 9, 2012 file photo, workers build Ford Fiesta at a Ford factory in Cologne, Germany. Germany’s economy, Europe’s largest, grew a larger-than-expected 0.3 percent in the second quarter as consumer spending and strong exports helped stave off effects of the eurozone debt crisis, the Federal Statistical Office said yesterday. — AP Germany’s northern European allies in pushing for austerity, suffered a 0.7 percent year-on-year fall in GDP. For the currency bloc’s members at the sharp end of its debt crisis, the picture is bleaker still and as economies shrink, so do tax revenues, making deficit-cutting even harder to achieve.

That has fostered a growing debate inside and outside Europe about the sense of austerity drives.Bailed-out Portugal’s

percent over the same period, pushing it deeper into recession, according to figures out two weeks ago. The big unanswered question is whether a weakening economy will make Germans, the EU’s paymasters, less likely to suppor t government rescue efforts for the broader euro zone.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said repeatedly over the past year that she will do everything to save the euro, most recently after the European

that Madrid and Rome will seek help from the euro zone’s rescue funds and the ECB before the year is out. “It remains decisive whether the euro crisis can be controlled. We expect that the ECB has initiated a turning point with its signal of bond purchases,” said Christian Schulz, economist at Berenberg Bank. “After a weaker summer the German economy will be able to grow faster again from the four th quarter.” —Reuters

British inflation rises unexpectedly LONDON: British inflation unexpectedly rose in July, damaging hopes that easing price pressures would allow Britons to help the recession-hit economy with higher spending, but leaving expectations for more central bank stimulus intact for now.

Consumer price inflation inched up to 2.6 percent from 2.4 percent in June as prices for airfares soared and clothing retailers reined in seasonal discounts, the Office for National Statistics said yesterday, confounding economists’ forecasts for a fall and posting the first rise since March.

Last week, the Bank of England slashed its inflation forecast, seeing inflation nearly back at its 2-percent target by the end of this year.

Analysts said the July figures were bucking a broader trend.”We really need to take the June and July figures together and this implies that the downward trend in prices remains in place,” James Knightley, an economist at ING, said.

“The rise in oil prices and food commodities presents some risks for headline inflation in coming months, but with the weak economy implying only limited corporate pricing power we still expect inflation to fall below 2

percent by the end of the year,” he added.

UK bond futures briefly fell on the news and the pound rose to a 2-week high against the dollar. The ONS said that airfares jumped 21.7 percent on the month, the largest rise from June to July since 2004.

The monthly fall in clothing and footwear prices was the smallest June to July drop since records started in 1996 as retailers had started seasonal discounts in June due to unusually wet weather.

A fall in inflation is seen as a crucial ingredient for a recovery from the recession the economy tipped into around the turn of the year. “Inflation has halved since its peak in September but any increase is disappointing,” a finance ministry spokesman said. “The government knows how tough things are for families at the moment.”

Many Britons have experienced the worst squeeze in living standards in over 30 years and scaled back spending as higher taxes and rising prices have eaten up meagre wage increases.

Inflation has fallen sharply from the threeyear peak of 5.2 percent hit in September 2011, and June’s fall had been much sharper

than expected, driven in part by the early summer sales.

The ONS said the fall in clothes prices between May and July was overall similar to previous years.

The central bank predicts a further fall to around 1.7 percent in two years time, indicating that it had room to add more stimulus once the current programme to buy 50 billion pounds of government bonds ends in November.

Core consumer price inflation, which strips out volatile components such as food and fuel, also rose to 2.3 percent from 2.1 percent, casting further doubt on whether inflation will fall much further.

In a separate release the ONS said house prices in Britain rose by 2.3 percent on the year in June, the same as in May, driven by a 6.5 percent annual house price increase in London. However, a survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors showed yesterday that British house prices experienced their most widespread falls for a year in the three months to July, and surveyors do not expect the outlook to improve over the next 12 months. — Reuters

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Weak Europe economy hurts Groupon in Q2 LOS ANGELES: The weak European economy contributed to lower sales growth than expected at Groupon Inc., particularly for discretionary items such as laser hair removal and luxury hotel stays.Although the online deals site beat Wall Street’s profit estimates in the latest quarter, its stock tanked because of concerns about its growth prospects.

Groupon gets more than half of its revenue from outside of North America, and most of that comes from Europe, where economic worries are affecting sales. A weaker euro and UK pound also translate into fewer US dollars.

Shares fell $1.53, or 20 percent, to $6.02 in after-hours trading after second-quarter results were announced Monday. That’s down 70 percent from its initial public offering price of $20 per share in November.

Founded in November 2008, Groupon pioneered the online daily deals market, which offers subscribers deep discounts on everything from restaurant meals to tech gadgets to weekend getaways if enough people buy in. It sparked many copycats, including LivingSocial and Google Offers.

Groupon’s net income in the three months to June 30 came to $28.4 million, or 4 cents per share, revers-

ing a net loss of $107.4 million a year ago. Excluding the cost of paying executives with stock, a gain on reorganizing a Chinese joint venture and other items, adjusted earnings came to 4 cents per share, beating the 3 cents expected by analysts polled by FactSet. Groupon, which is based in Chicago, said it improved profitability by reducing the cost of acquiring customers by 43 percent, while increasing the number of active customers by 65 percent from a year ago to 38 million.

“We just got more efficient on marketing,” Chief Financial Officer Jason Child said in an interview. “We dropped those efficiencies to the bottom line.” Although investors have been spooked in the past by how much Groupon spends to acquire new customers, its growth prospects took prominence this time.

Revenue rose 45 percent to $568.3 million, which was below the $574.8 million expected by analysts.

Groupon says its revenue was $32.4 million lower because of unfavorable currency-exchange rates.For the quarter through September, Groupon said it forecast revenue of $580 million to $620 million. The midpoint was below the $605.5 million expected by analysts. — AP

Romania out of recession, Czechs, Hungary fall deeper PRAGUE: Romania pulled itself out of recession in 2012’s second quarter but the Hungarian and Czech economies contracted further as their powerhouse industrial sectors fell victim to a euro zone crisis that has already hit the region’s consumers.

The single currency area’s deepening slump has cut demand for exports in the European Union’s manufacturing-heavy eastern states, where governments have also embarked on austerity measures that have hit other potential drivers of growth.

Public spending cuts and tax hikes imposed largely to counter the effects of the crisis have helped push the Czechs, Romanians and Hungarians into the red this year, while the region’s biggest economy and former EU growth leader Poland is also bracing for a rapid slowdown.

That has put pressure on central banks to loosen policy, but persistent inflation, political turmoil, and the need to keep investors sweet on their currencies have caused policymakers to baulk at trying to spur growth with lower interest rates.

Hungary and the Czech Republic each saw their economies shrink by 0.2 percent between April and June when compared with the previous three months, their second and third straight quarters of contraction respectively.

In both countries, evidence of shrinking domestic demand appeared in falling retail sales, construction, investment and other data at the start of the year. That was followed in May by a drop in production by industry, the engine of exports that accounts for more than 80 percent of output in both countries.

“At first sight, it seems tempting to conclude that it’s the fact that Hungary and the Czech Republic are most open economies and that’s why they are suffering, but if you look at the data it’s also that they have austerity at home,” said Neil Shearing, an economist at London-based Capital Economics.

He said the region was at risk from any downward spiral in the euro zone crisis, which could deepen once policymakers return from holiday and begin trying to tackle financing issues in Greece, Spain and Italy next month.

“If we’re right about that, then no economy will be immune to the fallout. Within the region Romania looks the most vulnerable, and so does Hungary,” he said. Data yesterday showing the euro zone economy as a whole shrank 0.2 percent in the second quarter did not brighten that outlook. The monthly ZEW economic sentiment index in the bloc’s growth engine Germany meanwhile plunged to negative 25.5, versus market expectations that it would stay flat at negative 19.6.

Romania pulled out of recession, its economy expanding by 0.5 percent from the previous quarter and by 1.2 percent compared with the same period a year earlier. The better-than-expected number pushed the leu currency to a one-month high after it hit an historic low last week.

The country has been shaken by a political battle between leftist Prime Minister Victor Ponta and suspended President Traian Basescu that has drawn sharp criticism from Romania’s allies in Washington, Brussels and other EU states and threatened a 5 billion euro aid package and economic backstop.

At a news conference in Bucharest, the International Monetary Fund cut its full year growth forecast for the poor Balkan state to 0.9 percent, from 1.5 percent. Following a two-weeklong review of Romania’s aid deal, IMF mission chief Erik de Vrijer blamed political turmoil, the euro zone crisis, and a severe drought that has hit the country’s prominent agriculture sector for the downwards revision.

He said Ponta’s government had agreed to stick to its goal of keeping the budget deficit to below 3 percent of GDP this year, but had to meet bench-

marks on raising gas prices, selling state firms and other measures by next month.

He added that the central bank - which analysts say has been prevented from cutting interest rates because it fears political turmoil could trigger investor flight and hit the leu - could actually tighten policy if the currency were to tumble further.

“The bank can be very prudent and, if there are pressures on the exchange rate ... tighten monetary policy,” de Vrijer said. Hungary is in a similar position. July inflation data released on Tuesday showed prices rose 5.8 percent on an annual basis, more than forecast and above June’s 5.6 percent.

Some members of the central bank’s monetary policy council still support a cut in interest rates to boost growth, but analysts say investor scepticism over Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s unorthodox economic policies has stayed their hand.

He repeatedly spooked investors last year with the de facto nationalisation of private pension assets, introducing Europe’s biggest bank tax, and other measures. Analysts say he could shore up confidence if he were to seal an IMF-backed aid deal similar to Romania’s, but talks between the two sides have run into repeated obstacles.

Budapest and IMF/EU negotiators are expected to resume talks in September.

“Despite the economy being in recession, growth data will not be the key factor in the upcoming MPC decisions,” Goldman Sachs said in a research note. “To cut rates, the MPC will have to be comfortable with the market perceptions of the Hungarian risk premium, risks to the forint, and prospects for external financing; this can happen once the new financing agreement with the IMF and the EU is secured.” Other data showed Slovakia’s export-driven economy expanded by a much faster-than-expected 0.7 percent versus the first quarter. Bulgaria’s economy grew 0.2 percent on a quarterly basis.— Reuters

Kuwait’s GDP surges 29% in 2011 on rising oil prices NBK ECONOMIC BRIEF KUWAIT: According to preliminary estimates for 2011, Kuwait’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 29% to a record KD 44.4 billion, compared to KD 34.4 billion in 2010.

(Chart 1.) This was led by a 47% surge in oil GDP to an all-time high of KD 28.7 billion, on the back of record high oil prices. (Chart 2.) This pushed the oil sector’s contribution to total GDP to almost 65%, the highest in three decades.

Meanwhile, non-oil GDP was up by just under 6%, and stood at KD 15.7 billion. GDP per capita, an indicator of the standard of living, reached a record of around KD 12,000 ($42,600) in 2011, up by more than 25% on the previous year. This year we expect GDP to grow at a solid, yet slower, pace of 10-15% as oil prices remain firm.

Sector Performance The oil and gas sector (excluding refining) was the star performer of the economy during 2011, growing by a whopping 49% year-on-year to almost KD 28 billion and representing 62% of total GDP. This was not only bolstered by record oil prices, but also by an increase in Kuwait’s crude oil production which jumped

by some 347,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2011 to an average daily production of 2.7 million bpd.

Other sectors that witnessed double-digit growth included utilities (i.e. electricity, gas and water) as well as the community, social and personal services sector which includes a large chunk of government spending. Meanwhile, financial institutions, which represent the third largest sector in the economy, declined by almost 8% in 2011 as credit growth was soft and investment companies continued to delever.

Expenditure The expenditure components of GDP revealed an improvement in consumption spending. (Chart 4.)

Government consumption spending growth accelerated to 13% to a record KD 6.7 billion in part related to significant salary increases during the year. After falling in the previous two years, private consumption grew by about 7% to KD 10.1 billion helped by a strong consumer sector that has benefited from wage increments and steady employment levels.

On the other hand, capital forma-

tion saw a slight decline of 0.6% falling to just under KD 7 billion in 2011, which comes as little surprise given the continued stalling of the government’s development projects. Exports, comprised mainly of oil exports, have moved in line with oil prices; exports soared by more than 40% in 2011 to a record KD 31.6 billion on the back of a 38% increase in Kuwait Export Crude prices. Meanwhile, imports grew by a modest 9% to just under KD 11 billion.

Domestic demand, a measure of consumption and investment spending, totaled KD 23.8 billion in 2011, a gain of around 6% on the previous year. This year, we expect consumption expenditure, both public and private, to continue to expand supported by a growing wage bill. As to growth in investment spending (infrastructure), it is still a waiting game for the authorities to move on various contract awards and on the creation of the new PPPs (Public Private Partnerships). Growth in that component of GDP is needed to further boost the economy in coming years, and in particular the non-oil and private sectors.

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Chinese companies pull out of US exchanges BEIJING: Just a few years after Chinese companies lined up to sell shares on Wall Street, a growing number are reversing course and pulling out of US exchanges.

This week, Focus Media Holding Ltd., announced its chairman and private equity firms want to buy back its US-traded shares and take the Shanghai-based advertising company private. The deal would value Focus Media at $3.5 billion, according to financial information firm Dealogic.

Smaller companies also are withdrawing from US exchanges. In a sign of official encouragement, a Chinese business magazine said a state bank has provided $1 billion in loans to help companies with listings abroad move them to domestic exchanges. The withdrawals follow accusations of improper accounting by some companies and a deadlock between Beijing and Washington over whether US regulators can oversee their China-based auditors.

Some Chinese companies say they are pulling out of US markets because a low share price fails to reflect the strength of their business.

Withdrawing also eliminates the cost of complying with American financial reporting rules. Focus Media “has been seriously undervalued on US stock markets” and being taken private will help to promote its “long-term strategic development,” said a company spokeswoman, Lu Jing. The company, formed in 2003, operates electronic

advertising displays in elevators, grocery stores and other locations. “We haven’t considered whether to list the company on Chinese markets but that possibility has not been excluded,” Lu said. U.S.-traded Chinese companies faced scrutiny after auditors for several quit and others were accused of accounting irregularities. Concerns about company finances have caused share prices to tumble, costing investors several billion dollars.

“Probably all these companies have some questionable accounting, so they may prefer to move out of the US, not to come under too much scrutiny,” said Marc Faber, managing director of Hong Kong fund management company Marc Faber Ltd. A financial firm, Muddy Waters Research, accused Focus Media last year of overstating the number of its display panels and questioned acquisitions reported by the company. Focus Media denied the allegations and said independent auditors confirmed the size of its network. This week, Muddy Waters founder Carson Block said in a statement: “The markets are far better off if a few deep pocketed investors own Focus Media instead of mutual funds and other public shareholders.”

The group proposing to take the company private includes its chairman, Jason Nanchun Jiang, and private equity firms Carlyle Group, CITIC Capital Partners, CDH Investments and China Everbright Ltd. The status of Chinese companies in

the United States could be complicated by a dispute between US and Chinese regulators over whether American inspectors will be allowed to examine the work of their China-based audit firms.

Washington wants auditors to hand over documentation on companies that are under investigation but Chinese authorities have barred the release of some information. If a settlement is not reached, the SEC could reject audits by China-based firms, forcing companies to find new auditors. In May, Beijing took steps to tighten control of local affiliates of major accounting firms by issuing a requirement for Chinese citizens to head those offices.

Dozens of Chinese companies issued shares on Wall Street over the past decade, raising billions of dollars from investors who wanted a stake in the country’s booming economy.

Many were private companies that could not raise money on Chinese exchanges that were created to finance state industry or wanted the higher public profile.

Chinese regulators encouraged the move as a way for entrepreneurs to raise money and speed the development of China’s economy. But in recent years Beijing has encouraged private companies to issue shares in China to help develop its markets and give Chinese households better investment options. Regulators have made it easier for private companies to join

China’s two exchanges in Shanghai and the southern city of Shenzhen, though most listings still are for state enterprises. The Shenzhen exchange created a second board for small companies, imitating the US-based Nasdaq market.

Major state companies such as oil giant PetroChina Ltd. and China Mobile Ltd., the world’s biggest phone company by subscribers, also have issued shares abroad. None has indicated it plans to withdraw from foreign stock exchanges.

The economics also are shifting in China’s favor. US-traded companies saw share prices plunge following the 2008 global crisis, while economic growth at home, even after a recent decline, is still forecast at about 8 percent this year.

Rising Chinese incomes are creating a bigger pool of money for investment. “Generally speaking, a company’s shares are sold at a higher premium in initial public offerings on Chinese stock markets than on US markets,” said Mao Sheng, a market strategist for Huaxi Securities in the western city of Chengdu.

Also, he said, “If the company’s business is mainly in China, it will be good for its brand promotion.”

Another US-traded company, Fushi Copperweld Inc., announced plans in June by its chairman, Li Fu, and a Hong Kong firm, Abax Global Capital, to take the maker of metallic conductors private.

Muddy Waters cited Fushi Copperweld in April as one of several companies it said dealt with an investment bank that helped enterprises seeking US stock market listings to conceal problems and misrepresent financial information.

Fushi Copperweld denied Muddy Waters’ “vague and nonspecific” claims.

The company said its privatization will be financed with loans from the China Development Bank. Created to support construction of highways and other public works in China, CDB plays a growing role in its corporate expansion abroad. The bank provides credit to buyers of Chinese telecoms gear and other big-ticket goods and has financed building projects in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

CDB has lent $1 billion “to help Chinese public companies leave the US stock market to return to domestic markets,” the business magazine Caixin said last month. Employees who answered the phone at Fushi Copperweld said no one was available to comment.

Also in June, China TransInfo Technology Corp., a provider of traffic management technology, announced privatization plans to be financed by CDB’s Hong Kong branch. A company spokeswoman said she could not comment because the plan is not finalized.

In October, Harbin Pacific Electric Co. withdrew from Nasdaq in a share buyback financed by $400 million in loans from the CDB. —AP

India records lowest inflation since 2009 Softening fuel prices yet high on the wallet

HO CHI MINH CITY: Employees of the local steel factory Thanh Do stage a protest for an unpaid debt in front of an outlet of the local commercial bank Ho Chi Minh City Housing Development Bank or HDBank in downtown Hanoi yesterday. Debts among businesses and commercial banks as well as among businesses themselves especially in the property sector are a real headache for the communist nation’s economy amid its economic crisis. — AFP

Asia markets up ahead of US, Europe data HONG KONG: Asian markets rose yesterday in a quiet trade following a muted lead from Wall Street, while sentiment remained high on expectations of policy moves by central banks in Europe, China and the US. With few catalysts from Monday, eyes were on the release of key data in France, Germany and the United States for clues on the state of the global economy.

Tokyo gained 0.50 percent, or 44.73 points, to 8,929.88, Seoul rose 1.27 percent, or 24.52 points, to 1,956.96, while Sydney was up 0.21 percent, or 8.9 points, to close at 4,292.2.

Hong Kong climbed 1.05 percent, or 210.32 points, to 20,291.68 and Shanghai ended 0.30 percent up, adding 6.45 points to 2,142.53. Markets seemed unmoved initially and the euro edged up after forecast-beating figures out of Germany and France, which are feeling the pinch from the long-running debt crisis that has pushed much of Europe into recession. The German economy, Europe’s biggest, beat forecasts to grow 0.3 percent in the second quarter, buoyed by rising exports and robust domestic demand, while France managed zero growth, beating expectations it would begin a slide into recession.

In late afternoon forex trade the euro bought $1.2375 and 97.25 yen, from $1.2333 and 96.55 yen in New York

Monday, while the dollar was at 78.57 yen from 78.32 yen.

Later in the day Washington will unveil figures on retail sales, a major contributor to the world’s biggest economy.

Wall Street was unable to provide any inspiration on Monday. The Dow fell 0.29 percent, the S&P 500 eased 0.13 percent and the Nasdaq was flat. Global markets have made impressive gains in August after the European Central Bank hinted at the start of the month that it would restart its sovereign bond-buying programme to help under-pressure economies such as Spain. The US Federal Reserve has also hinted at a third round of stimulus to kickstart growth, while a poor set of trade and production figures from China last week have raised expectations of fresh monetary easing by Beijing. “The pre-conditions for our market rising further will require positive developments in China, the US and Europe,” said RBS Morgans principal investment adviser Christopher Macdonald in Australia.

Oil was up in late afternoon trade yesterday, with New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in September, gaining 55 cents to $93.28 a barrel, while Brent North Sea crude for September up 32 cents to $113.92. Gold was at $1,614.55 at 0810 GMT, from $1,622.80 on Monday. — AP

Ford India recalls nearly 130,000 cars MUMBAI: Ford Motor Co.’s Indian subsidiary is recalling nearly 130,000 of its most popular cars. The manufacturing defects date back as far as 2008 and can cause fire and other problems, the company said late Monday.

Ford said it would examine 111,000 Ford Figo and Classic models manufactured between January 2008 and December 2010 for a faulty rear twist beam, which can compromise brake performance and make the vehicle inoperable. Ford will also replace a hose in 17,655 Figo and Classic cars produced between September 2010 and February 2011 as a precautionary measure. The company says oil can leak from the hose, resulting in noxious fumes, smoke and in

extreme cases, fire. The company said no injuries have occurred as a result of the defects. Like other global carmakers in India, Ford relies heavily on local suppliers to keep costs down.

Toyota, Tata Motors, Honda and Maruti Suzuki have all had to recall cars in India in recent years, though none has been as big as the Ford recall. Ford’s compact Figo, launched in 2010, made the American auto giant a real player in Indiaís competitive small car market.

Ford has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into India, part of the company’s strategy to pursue growth in Asia over the next decade. In March, Ford laid the cornerstone for a new $1billion factory in the Indian state of Gujarat. — AP

MUMBAI: India’s July inflation was 6.9 percent, government data showed yesterday, lower than expected thanks to softening fuel prices but still too high for comfort for India’s central bank.

A CNBC-TV18 poll had forecast July inflation of 7.24 percent. Yesterday’s data is the lowest inflation India has seen since November 2009, according to FactSet data.

Though that could indicate India’s slowing growth has begun to erode demand, economists have expressed skepticism about the reliability of the numbers, which the government has a habit of revising upward.

“The breakup of the number is a little worrying,” said Samiran Chakraborty, head of research at Standard Chartered bank in Mumbai. “We’re seeing core inflation going up while food and fuel are coming off. It seems to be counter intuitive.” Fuel prices fell 1.5 percent in July from June, even as the price of Brent crude rose, he said. That fall was driven by a 10 percent drop in diesel prices, which are set by the government, and a 4 percent fall in petrol prices, which are also influenced by the government, the data showed. Falling vegetable prices also mysteriously helped check food price rises, despite double digit increases in the cost of potatoes and onions. A weak monsoon is likely to push food prices even higher going forward.

High inflation has made the Reserve Bank of India resist pressure to join other central banks in cutting rates. Growth in Asia’s thirdlargest economy has plunged to a nine-year low, but the bank says it remains more worried about prices.

In July, the bank slashed its growth forecast for the fiscal year ending in March 2013 from 7.3 to 6.5 percent, which is still higher than most private sector forecasts. It expects inflation for the fiscal year to be 7.0 percent,

beyond its targeted 4.0 to 4.5 percent.

With inflation running high and an outsized fiscal deficit, India has less room for stimulus measures to pump up the economy than it did during the 2008 global financial crisis.

Also yesterday, a Ministry of Commerce official said India’s trade deficit for July expanded as merchandise exports plunged 14.8 percent from a year ago - their sharpest fall since April - due to weakness in Europe and the United States, the Press Trust of India reported. Foreign investment in India has also

plunged, as risk averse global investors hesitate to commit to a country making headlines for corruption scandals, policy paralysis and shape-shifting tax policy.

Foreign direct investment for the months of April and May fell by more than half from the year ago period, to 168.5 billion rupees ($3.2 billion).

The prior year it was 347.9 billion rupees ($7.8 billion), Ministry of Commerce data showed. Services, including financial services and outsourcing, attracted the most foreign money. — AP

MUMBAI: Chairman of Tata Group, Ratan Tata (L) addresses the annual general meeting of Tata Steel in Mumbai yesterday. India’s Tata Steel, the world’s seventh-largest steelmaker, said yesterday quarterly net profit slumped a worse-than-expected 89 percent from a year earlier due to falling demand in its key European market. — AFP

China, North Korea sign pact on economic zones

BOJ’s JGB holdings top bank notes in circulation

BEIJING: China said yesterday it signed agreements with North Korea pushing forward their joint development of economic zones, as the new leader in Pyongyang seeks to improve his country’s impoverished economy. The agreements cover the setting up and operation of management committees in the zones in North Korea, electricity supply in one of them, and agricultural cooperation, China’s commerce ministry said in a statement.

They were signed as part of a high-level meeting between the two sides presided over by China’s commerce minister Chen Deming and Jang Song-Thaek, a top North Korean official who is the uncle of leader Kim Jong-Un. China is the only major ally as well as main trade partner of North Korea, a heavily militarized country that has carried out underground nuclear explosions and ballistic missile tests yet struggles to feed its people. Kim Jong-Un, who assumed power after the sudden death last year of his father Kim Jong-Il, told a visiting Chinese Communist party delegation this month that he was seeking economic development, Chinese state media reported at the time.

North Korea’s reliance on China, with which it shares a border, has increased as international sanctions over its missile and nuclear programmes tighten its ability to secure international credit and trade. The Korean Central News Agency, Pyongyang’s official mouthpiece, reported Monday that Jang was leading a delegation for a third round of talks on the Hwanggumphyong and Wihwado Economic Zone and the Rason Economic Trade Zone.

North Korea and China are jointly developing the former on two islands in the estuary of the Yalu river that marks their border.

Ground was broken in December. The Rason zone is in the northeastern part of North Korea near its borders with China and Russia.

China’s commerce ministry statement said that Hwanggumphyong and Wihwado will focus on sectors including information and tourism to “gradually become an intelligence-intensive emerging economic zone of North Korea.” — AFP

TOKYO: The Bank of Japan’s holdings of government bonds exceeded its self-imposed cap when bonds taken up under its asset-buying programme are included, a sign that its ultra-easy monetary policy is drawing it closer to bankrolling public debt.

The balance of the BOJ’s government holdings totalled 80.97 trillion yen ($1.03 trillion) as of Aug. 10, exceeding the 80.79 trillion yen worth of bank notes in circulation, data released by the central bank showed yesterday. “It’s a symbolic milestone underscoring the BOJ’s monetary easing stance,” said Kiyoshi Iida, an economist at Totan Research in Tokyo. “We had expected this to happen at some point, so this won’t immediately affect long-term interest rates,” he said.

With interest rates virtually at zero, the central bank created a pool of funds in October 2010 to buy assets ranging from government bonds to private debt to nudge down borrowing costs and support a fragile economy.

The BOJ has topped up the asset-buying fund several times, with the target now at 45 trillion yen, of which 29 trillion yen is set aside for purchases of government bonds by the end of June 2013.

It also buys 21.6 trillion yen in government bonds annually under a separate market operation to funnel long-term funds to the economy.

Wary of giving markets the impression it is monetising debt and making a future exit from ultra-easy policy difficult, the BOJ has in place a self-imposed rule limiting the balance of its bond holdings to the value of bank notes in circulation.

The BOJ has said bonds purchased under the asset-buying programme will be exempt from the self-imposed rule. But market players look at the total amount of its bond holdings to gauge the scale of its balance sheet expansion.

Excluding bonds taken up under the asset-buying programme, the central bank’s JGB holdings totaled 66.47 trillion yen as of Aug. 10, the data showed. BOJ officials have signalled their readiness to ease monetary policy further via increases in asset purchases, if risks heighten enough to derail Japan’s economic recovery. — Reuters

26

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

BUSINESS

Burgan Bank announces winners of Yawmi account

KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced yesterday the names of the five lucky winners of its Yawmi account draw, each taking home a prize of KD 5,000.

Winners’ names will also be announced through Marina FM on a daily basis during their prime shows.

The lucky winners for the five daily draws took home a cash-prize of KD 5000 each, and they are: 1. Radhwan Abdulla Mohd Jamal

2. Jamal Mohammad Ahmad Alroomi 3. Adel Sayer Obiad Amash 4. Yousef Saad Alali 5. Mohammed Hasan Sulaiman The newly re -launched Yawmi Account is better, easier and faster than any day before. With its new and enhanced features, the Yawmi Account has become more convenient, easier, and faster for customers to benefit from. Now, customers will be eligible

Gulf Bank’s red customers can enjoy blockbusters for 500 fils KUWAIT: Gulf Bank is pleased to therefore we decided to introduce it again announce the renewal of its exclusive during Eid Al Fitr, to give red customers partnership with Kuwait National Cinema the chance to see the latest movies at a Company (KNCC), with a joint promotion fraction of the full price.

Our team within the Bank will continthat gives the Bank’s red customers the opportunity to watch the latest movies ue to develop new and attractive promoat any KNCC theater for only 500 fils. This tions that are suited to our customers’ needs. On behalf of Gulf promotion is valid from Bank we wish everyone a August 19th to August 25th, happy Eid” 2012.

Gulf Bank’s red program Red customers will be caters to university and colable to see the latest movie lege students aged 17 to 24 screening at only 500 fils years old. There is no instead of KD 3 by using deposit required to open their red ATM cards to purthe account and no minichase cinema tickets from mum balance charge. ticket kiosks in all KNCC cinTo join red program, ema theatres throughout existing or prospective Gulf Kuwait.

Bank customers can visit Najla Al-Essa, Executive Najla Al-Essa one of Gulf Bank’s 56 branchManager, Consumer Banking es or contact the Customer Group at Gulf Bank commented: “Our customers are, and will Contact Center for assistance and guidremain our top priority; we always try to ance. They can also log on to www.elisten to their suggestions and improve gulfbank.com, Gulf Bank’s website, to our services and offers. We were very find all the information they need excited at how popular this great offer regarding the redTM program and its was when we first launched it last year; benefits.

Agility announces Q2 financial results KUWAIT: Agility (AGLT Y ), a leading global logistics provider, yesterday announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2012. The company reported a net profit of KD 7.8 million for the quarter, and earnings per share (EPS) of 7.9 fils. Revenue and EBITDA were KD 348.8 million and KD 18.9 million, respectively.

“We started 2012 off on the right track, and our mid-year results show that both our internal transformation and business development efforts are paying off,” said Tarek Sultan, Agility’s C hai r m a n a n d M a n a ging Direc to r.

“EBITDA adjusted for one-off impacts shows a 63% improvement relative to the same period last year.”

“Although we feel the effects of the broader slowdown in the economy, we continue to improve our operational performance during these challenging times. We are making good progress in our efforts to transform our business through technology, improved f i n a n c i a l d i s c i p l i n e, a n d fo c u s o n under-performing entities. We have a l s o s e e n s t ro n g s a l e s grow t h i n emerging and challenging environments. For example, our scope of work to support the world’s largest natural gas project in Western Australia has grown substantially and is estimated at A$232 million over the next two years,” Sultan added.

Revenue from Agility’s core Global Integrated Logistics (GIL) business increased by 1% in Q2 2012 relative to the same quarter in 2011.

GIL’s growth strategy is based on differentiated produc t offerings, a unique sales approach, improved customer service and quality, operational productivity and disciplined management of cost, cash and working capital.

GIL continues to be the main driver behind Agilit y ’s overall growth. I t holds a leading position in emerging m a r k e t s i n t h e M i d d l e E a s t , As i a , Eastern Europe, and increasingly Latin America and Africa.

Infrastructure Performance Agility’s Infrastructure group contributed KD 58.4 million to total revenue in Q2 2012 compared to KD 45.2 million last year.

Agilit y ’s Real Estate business remains the main contributor to revenue of the Infrastructure group, growing 21% in Q2 2012 relative to the same quarter in 2011. Other Agility Infrastructure businesses have also shown continued growth compared with 2011.

Agility’s Q2 2012 results are the first to include those of newly acquired business, United Projects for Aviation Services (UPAC). UPAC manages real estate at Kuwait International Airport and provides ground handling, maintenance and facilities maintenance services for the private terminal at the airport. UPAC also provides facilities management services at a leading shopping mall in Kuwait. UPAC is a natural strategic fit for Agility and builds on the strengths of Agility’s Infrastructure portfolio companies.

Recapping Financial Performance ● Net profit was KD 7.8 million for the second quarter of 2012, vs. KD 7.8 million for Q2 2011. EPS were 7.9 fils, vs. EPS of 7.8 fils in Q2 2011. * EBITDA was KD 18.9 million for Q2 2012, adjusting for one -off events; EBITDA grew 63%, from KD 12.5 million to KD 20.3 million. ● Staff costs decreased 11%, reaching KD 45.9 million in Q2 2012 compared to KD 51.5 million in Q2 2011. ● Agilit y ’s revenue in Q2 2012 reached at KD 348.8 million, a 6% increase over Q2 2011. ● Agility GIL revenue in Q2 2012 was KD 295 million, a 1% increase from same period a year ago. ● Agility’s Infrastructure group contributed KD 58.4 million to total revenue in Q2 2012. ● Operating cash flow was KD 17.6 million for the first six months of 2012.

Takaud announces CFO appointment

KUWAIT: The Takaud Savings & Pensions “We are delighted to welcome Eric to our Company - the MENA region’s new per- team. He has extensive experience both sonal pension and savings company - has here in the Middle East and in Europe. I announced the appointment of Eric van am sure his experience and expertise will be a big advantage to us as Biesen as Chief Financial we prepare to launch the Officer.

MENA region’s first range of Van Biesen joins Takaud personal pension and savings from Libano-Suisse Insurance products.” in Lebanon where he was Van Biesen said: “I am very Group Chief Financial Officer. excited about joining Takaud.

He has considerable experiThe company has enormous ence in the insurance and growth potential and is likely Takaful industry within the to revolutionize the region’s Middle East and Europe. personal finance industry Takaud aims to launch its when it launches its product initial product range of savEric van Biesen range later this year. I am conings and pensions products in selected MENA countries later this year. fident that Takaud will become the first The company is a member of the KIPCO choice for consumers who want to ensure their pension fund meets their expectaGroup.

Abdallah Kubursi, Takaud’s CEO, said: tions for a happy retirement.”

to enter the draw after 48 hours only from opening the account. Customers are also required to deposit KD 100 or equivalent only to enter the daily draw, and the coupon value to enter the draw stands at KD 10.

The newly designed Yawmi account has been launched to provide a highly innovative offering along with a higher frequency and incentive of winning for everyone. Today, the Yawmi

account is a well understood product, where its popularity can be seen from the number of increasing account holders.

Burgan Bank encourages everyone to open a Yawmi account and/or increase their deposit to maximize their chances to becoming a daily winner. The more customers deposit, the higher the chances they receive of winning the draw.

Opening a Yawmi account is simple, customers are urged to visit their nearest Burgan Bank branch and receive all the details, or simply call the bank’s Call Center where customer service representatives will be delighted to assist with any questions on the Yawmi account or any of the bank’s products and services, or log on to Burgan Bank’s www.burgan.com for further information.

Energy Security a top priority in renewal of Abu Dhabi concessions Global demand for oil soars towards 100m bpd ABU DHABI: The world’s largest energy companies are committed to their partnership with Abu Dhabi, and are currently particularly keen to remind everyone that they have been so for more than half a century.

The emirate, one of OPEC’s five -largest oil producers, is preparing to review agreements that have stood for decades, so it’s no surprise that supermajors, small independent energy companies and Asian state energy firms are forming an orderly queue — securing access to long-term stable and reliable energy supplies is critical, both economically and politically.

In many ways, the world has changed dramatically since Abu Dhabi awarded those early concessions in the first half of the last century. At the time of the first commercial discovery in the emirate - an offshore strike in 1958 - the global population stood at less than 3 billion and Abu Dhabi was no more than a village. Today 7 billion people are hungry for energy and the emirate is the capital city of the UAE. Global demand for oil has also soared towards 100 million barrels a day.

Passenger jet travel was born in 1958 when Boeing unveiled the 707, while the era of mass automobile ownership was only just beginning: Toyota sold its first car in the United States 1957, while in Britain the first Mini rolled of the production line in 1959. An extra 4 billion people - a growing number of whom drive

cars and fly in airplanes, especially from the emerging economies of India and China - means more demand for crude oil, still the main fuel for transportation.

While the West dominated the 20th century, Asia is clearly rising to claim the 21st as their own. All of these factors are reflected in the roll call of players bidding for

Andrew Sutherland, Vice President new concessions in Abu Dhabi. In simple terms almost 3 million barrels a day of oil production — the main onshore concessions expire in 2014, with offshore concessions following in 2018.

Already this year we’ve seen the growing influence of Asia, who are principally driven by the security of energy supply rather than the return on investments from the associated commercial terms.

“South Korea Oil Deal Makes Abu Dhabi History” screamed across the headlines of the local

media on March 5th with a photograph of Young-Won Kang, CEO of the Korea National Oil Company (KNOC). He’d just signed a deal with Abu Dhabi giving KNOC exploration rights to some 10 percent of Abu Dhabi’s geographic footprint, albeit in speculative unproven areas outside the four giant, established onshore oil fields.

Just a few weeks prior to that, the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was in the UAE on a state visit to bolster China’s pitch for an invitation to the party — Abu Dhabi responded and agreed to supply 200,000 barrels of oil per day to China from 2014.

These Korean and Chinese pacts are likely to mark the beginning, not the end, of new are of energy agreements between Gulf oil producers and the rising powers of the East. The Western supermajor energy companies have had to sit quietly, and perhaps a little nervously, as these events have unfolded.

Still, if we read our history books a little more closely, it’s clear that while much has changed since the 1940s, much has also stayed the same. Then, as now, energy security was critical.

The Second World War was still fresh in the memory of politicians and business leaders, and access to energy had played a pivotal role in the outcome.

The current Abu Dhabi onshore concession, which expires in just a couple of years, leaves us in little doubt about the winners of that global conflict, even after half a

century of mergers and takeovers. ExxonMobil (US), BP (UK), Shell (UK) and Total (France) reflect the victorious powers in the 1939-1945 war.

The point is this. Some observers see the current scramble for concessions in Abu Dhabi in two distinct camps — Asian state oil companies are driven by continuity of supply, while private oil companies, mostly Western, including the supermajors and independents, are focused on the bottom line and the return for shareholders.

The reality is probably somewhere in between as both camps would be wise to adopt some of each other’s motivations as energy security has always been as much about politics as economics; this is as true today as it was back in the 1950s.

But either way, what has changed is that Abu Dhabi has a far stronger hand in the negotiations. Back then it was home to a few speculative wells. Today it holds 7 percent of the world’s proven oil reserves. Whatever the ambitions of international suitors, Abu Dhabi is sure to strike deals that place its own political and economic interests very much to the fore.

Andrew Sutherland, Vice President, Global Business & Marketing at Senergy, an integrated global energy services company, specialized in the upstream skills associated with the identification, quantification and extraction of hydrocarbon structures.

STC Group develops cheap roaming offers

Baraa Al Akkad

AXIS Communications announces arrival of indoor mini domes DUBAI: Axis Communications, the global market leader in network video, yesterday announced the arrival of affordable indoor fixed mini domes that offer HDTV surveillance solution for retail stores, hotels, schools, banks and offices. “ The new AXIS M30 Network Cameras are small, easy to install on either walls or ceilings and competitively priced with superb HDTV performance,” says Baraa Al Akkad, Regional Sales Manager, Middle East, Axis Communications. “Together with their suppor t for the easy-to-use AXIS Camera Companion (ACC) and a wide range of other video management software, the cameras provide price-sensitive market segments with an attractively priced HDTV surveillance solution.”

Measuring only 10 cm x 5 cm, the AXIS M30 Series consists of AXIS M3004, which provides HDTV 720p and 1 MP resolution, and AXIS M3005, which supports HDTV 1080p.

The palm-sized, dust-resistant AXIS M30 cameras are designed for quick and flexible installation. With a 3-axis camera angle adjustment, installers can mount the cameras on walls or ceilings and easily adjust the camera direction and straighten the image. The cameras also support Axis’ Corridor Format for vertically oriented video streams that maximize coverage of vertical areas such as corridors, hallways or store aisles. AXIS M3004 and AXIS M3005 offer horizontal viewing angles of 80∞ and

118∞, respectively. The cameras come focused when delivered, so no focusing is needed, which shortens the installation time. For further flexibility, other angles of view are available through optional lenses.

AXIS M30 cameras come with a 2 m (6.6 ft.) network cable and are powered using Power over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af ), which eliminates the need for power cables and reduces installation costs. To enable the camera to better blend in with the environment, optional skins for the camera casing are available.

The cameras can send multiple H.264 and Motion JPEG video streams simultaneously. They support AXIS Camera Application Platform, which enables the installation of third-party intelligent video applications such as people counting.

The cameras’ built-in microSDHC card slot enables several days of recording to be stored locally on a memory card.

When it is used together with the free AXIS Camera Companion, users have an easy way to remotely view and manage video from up to 16 cameras per site.

AXIS M30 cameras are also supported by other video management software including AXIS Camera Station and thirdparty applications through Axis’ Application Development Partner program. In addition, the cameras support AXIS Video Hosting System (AVHS) with One-Click Camera connection and ONVIF specification for interoperability of network video products.

DUBAI: STC Group, through its synergies with similarly-positioned partners, Oger Telecom and Maxis, has developed transparent, cost efficient, and simple innovative offers in roaming that cater for its clients’ needs, while fulfilling their aspirations for a trusted and straight forward experience when travelling.

The telecom’s objective is to generate synergies and to create additional values for the group and its operating companies (OPCOs). More than 170.1 million customers are served by STC, Oger Telecom and Maxis, by eight telecoms operating in four continents. Each customer enjoys benefits from leveraging the groups’ traffic to improve negotiations with other operators, ensuring intergroup cooperation. This in turn leads to traffic internalization and low inter-operator tariff (IOT) rates, as well as the development of new roaming initiatives and offers.

“STC Group works to develop innovative roaming concepts that can be implemented by each OPCO, based on local needs and requirements. We conduct in-depth research to determine how best to develop offers that will make a difference, resulting in better roaming tariffs for our customers, made possible by our intergroup synergies,” said Ghassan Hasbani, CEO, STC Group; International Operations.

“The newest example of intergroup synergies at work is our latest roaming offer, the ‘VIVA Pass - KSA add-on’, which allows VIVA Bahrain’s customers to travel to Saudi Arabia and enjoy the same ‘homelike’ tariffs while in KSA as they would when calling in Bahrain,” said Ulaiyan Al Wetaid, CEO of VIVA Bahrain, an STC OPCO. ‘VIVA Pass - KSA add-on’ is a new ‘home-like’ rate plan for VIVA Bahrain customers travelling in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. When roaming on the STC KSA network, customers will benefit from rates discounted by almost 50%, at 50 fils per SMS and 50 fils per minute for calls within KSA and to Bahrain.

Strikes cripple main Portuguese ports LISBON: Striking dockworkers crippled Portugal’s main harbours yesterday to protest government plans to alter working conditions as it tries to make the recessionstruck country more competitive.

The strike, which started early yesterday morning, most notably impacted the ports of Lisbon, Aveiro, Figueira da Foz, Setubal and Sines. In Lisbon, five cargo ships were rerouted to other destinations, and four were forced to wait in place, said Portugalís harbour authority. —AFP

27

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

TECHNOLOGY

Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 earns award DUABI: Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 produce done of the best scores in the Whole Product Real-World Protection Test conducted by respected Austrian research laboratory AVComparatives in March-June 2012.

According to the test results, the Kaspersky Lab solution detected and blocked over 99 percent of current threats and was awarded the highest ADVANCED+ rating.

The testing by AV-Comparatives simulates real-world scenarios for home computers and involves a comprehensive assessment of an antivirus product’s overall performance rather than just individual components. Testing was

conducted on a Windows XP Service Pack3 platform with several popular applications installed that are most frequently used by cybercriminals to launch attacks via vulnerabilities. All this means the test system is as close as possible to a real user environment.

All the participating products, including Kaspersky Internet Security 2012, were installed with default settings and could update their antivirus databases and connect to cloud security systems. Four different tests imitated common scenarios such as visiting infected sites and downloading malicious files. The AV-Comparatives specialists evaluated both the number of

successfully blocked threats and the amount of false positives. The test resultsrevealed that Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 neutralized 99.4 percent of the more than 2,000 malicious programs used. This impressiveperformance placed the Kaspersky Lab solution among the top three and earned it the highest ADVANCED + rating from the AV-Comparatives experts.

“The results of tests that simulate real-world situations have always been of great interest to us. They allow to get the most objective evaluation of a product in terms of how relevant it is and how well it meets the user’s security requirements. AV-Comparatives test

examined the solutions’ ability to block threats which were active at the time of testing, including those using social engineering techniques. Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 not only demonstrated excellent results but also improved on its previous score from the second half of 2011,” said Oleg Ishanov, Head of Anti-Malware Research at Kaspersky Lab. The full version of the AVComparatives report on dynamic testing carried out in the first half of 2012 is available at: http://av-comparatives.org/images/docs/avc_prot_2012a _en.pdf.

Kaspersky Lab is the largest antivirus

company in Europe. It delivers some of the world’s most immediate protection against IT security threats, including viruses, spyware, crime-ware, hackers, phishing, and spam. The company is ranked among the world’s top four vendors of security solutions for endpoint users. Kaspersky Lab products provide superior detection rates and one of the industry’s fastest outbreak response times for home users, SMBs, large enterprises and the mobile computing environment. Kaspersky technology is also used worldwide inside the products and services of the industry’s leading IT security solution providers. Learn more at: http://www.kaspersky.com/.

Phone companies lose broadband subscribers Lines poorly suited to carry Internet signals

Google slashes 4,000 jobs at its Motorola unit NEW YORK: Motorola Mobility will cut 20 per cent of its workforce and shutter onethird of its offices worldwide in an attempt to return the struggling mobile phone company to profitability, parent company Google Inc announced Monday.

The US-based company will eliminate about 4,000 positions, two-thirds of which will be outside the country.

Motorola Mobility has about 90 offices worldwide, a third of which will close under the restructuring plan, as Google concentrates its research and development in Chicago, Silicon Valley and Beijing.

As part of its reorganization, Motorola said it will significantly reduce the number of models it releases and instead focus on a few high-end devices.

According to the New York Times, Google has also gutted Motorola’s senior management, firing 40 per cent of the company’s vice president.

It has also replaced Motorola Mobility’s top executives with new hires and seasoned Google bosses, including CEO Dennis Woodside and Regina Dugan, who formerly headed the Pentagon’s research unit, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA. The cuts are the first large-scale layoffs in Google’s 13-year history and come three months after technology giant

Google completed its acquisition of Motorola Mobility, having paid 12.5 billion dollars.

Along with the purchase, Google amassed Motorola’s portfolio of 17,000 patents, which analysts say are crucial if the company wants to successfully compete with rivals Apple and Microsoft in the cellular market.

Motorola Mobility was one of two companies created in 2011 when Motorola Inc split into two companies: Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions. Motorola Solutions, which focuses on radio and commercial systems, is unaffected by Google’s moves.

Motorola Inc built the world’s first mobile phone in 1973 and achieved success in 2004 with the launch of its Razr model. But the company fell behind its competitors, especially with the introduction of Apple’s iPhone in 2007.

Google’s second-quarter earnings report, which was released in July and included results from its Motorola purchase, showed a 233-million-dollar loss at the mobile division. Motorola has lost money in 14 of the last 16 quarters. In the last quarter the company sold a total of 8.9 million phones, including 5.1 million smartphones. That compares to 35.1 million iPhones sold by Apple and 46 million sold by Samsung, which, like Motorola, also uses the Android operating system. — dpa

China microbloggers post 400m Olympic messages BEIJING: China may have slipped to second place in the Olympic medals table, but when it came to online enthusiasm about the Games its microbloggers were second to none.

China’s main microblogging site Sina Weibo said its users posted 393 million messages about the London Olympics over the course of the two-week eventwell over double the 150 million Gamesrelated posts on Twitter.

China bans Twitter, but its homegrown microblogs-the most popular of which is Sina Weibo-have taken the country by storm as Internet access has grown.

Drama surrounding star Chinese athletes regularly topped Sina’s list of hottest topics during the Games, such as when swimming phenomenon Ye Shiwen broke the world record in the women’s 400m individual medley only to face accusations of doping.

More than 30 million people posted on hurdler Liu Xiang’s disastrous performance in the 110m hurdles when he crashed into the first fence with the same injury that prevented him from taking part in the Beijing Olympics.

Many web users praised their country’s performance, though there were also allegations of anti-China bias among referees and the Western media, which some web users said had prevented China from defending its place at the top of the medals table.

Sina Weibo says it has more than 300 million registered users, but it is not clear how many of these are active.

Twitter says it has 100 million active users and does not give a total number of registered users, although French web consultancy Semiocast said the total number of Twitter users reached 500 million in June. —AFP

NEW YORK: Phone companies in the US are losing the high-speed Internet game. In the second quarter, the landline phone industry lost broadband subscribers for the first time, as cable companies continued to pile on new household and small business customers, thanks to the higher speeds they offer in most areas. The flow of subscribers from phone companies to cable providers could lead to a de facto monopoly on broadband in many areas of the US, say industry watchers. That could mean a lack of choice and higher prices.

Phone lines, designed to carry conversations, and often decades old, are poorly suited to carry Internet signals compared to the heavily shielded cables that carry TV signals.

That means cable companies find it much easier and cheaper to provide fast Internet service compared to the digital subscriber lines, or DSL, that phone companies provide in most areas. Cable providers now offer download speeds of 100 megabits per second in many areas, about 20 times faster than DSL. The country ’s largest Internet service provider is cable company Comcast Corp., with 18.7 million, followed by AT&T, with 16.4 million Verizon Communications Inc., the country’s second-largest phone company, has replaced its phone lines with optical fiber in some areas, letting it compete on speed with cable. But expanding service is expensive, so

Verizon has stopped adding new areas to its FiOS build-out. AT&T Inc., the largest phone company in the US, has taken a more conservative approach to optical fiber, building it out to neighborhoods but not all the way to homes. The Internet signal is still carried the last stretch, into the home, on a phone line.

This build-out is less costly than Verizon’s, but doesn’t let AT&T compete with the fastest cable connections.

The AP’s tally of reports from the eight largest phone companies in the U.S. shows they collectively lost 70,000 broadband subscribers in the April to June period.

Meanwhile, the top four public cable companies reported a gain of 290,000 subscribers.

AT&T accounted for the bulk of the loss 96,000 subscribers - while other companies on average added a few thousand subscribers.

The second quarter is a traditionally weak one for all broadband providers, since college students cancel their subscriptions before heading home for the summer. The picture for phone companies is less dire when considering the last 12 months, a period during which they added nearly 600,000 subscribers.

However, cable companies added more than three times as many.

Phone companies were early in hooking up people to the Internet, and grabbed a lead in

Own homepage for children BERLIN: It’s not unusual for children to use their parents’ user names and passwords when working on the family computer or gaming console. But experts say it’s better if children are outfitted with their own identities, since that makes it easier to control what children do with the machine. The main goal is to keep children away from inappropriate content online, says Martin Muesgens of the EU initiative Klicksafe. “You can block specific services or sites, set up a filter or give your child his own homepage,” he says.

You can find the functions you need on Windows computers under the accounts management area of the System controls or under Family Controls. It’s even possible to completely block internet access for younger children by preventing browsers from even opening.

But setting up an individual user account for a child does not relieve parents of all responsibility, warns Muesgens. “No filter provides 100-per-cent safety,” he notes. And, despite all safeguards, children can still stumble across content that upsets or discomfits them.

That’s why parents should always keeps an eye on what their children are doing online, talk with them about their experiences and be prepared to be their first contact point for questions. Such contact makes it ever easier to expand the options of a child’s account over time, as appropriate. “Observe how confidently your child interacts online,” advises Muesgens. It’s important that the child react sensibly and with a level head, grasps the functions of the PC and doesn’t unnecessarily share personal information.

Modern gaming consoles also allow each individual user to set up an account. That means younger players can be blocked from having access to download portals and can only start up games intended for their age group. “The consoles can read the age setting and block games as necessary,” says Muesgens. Of course, age settings in a game only indicate that there is no inappropriate content included. A complex strategy game can still prove too taxing for a child. —dpa

New low-tech car for Africa NAIROBI: A robust car which can cope with rutted roads and does not cost a fortune. That was the brief for Britishborn Joel Jackson in Kenya who has developed the Mobius, a sturdy, no-frills runabout which uses many locally-sourced parts. Jackson started up his own company to produce the vehicle and within a year the Mobius prototype was born, Germany’s Autobild car newspaper reports. The aluminium-panelled car features a tubular frame with a built in rollover bar for added safety. Power comes from a one-litre Toyota engine driving the front wheels. Jackson believes the car will appeal to the growing middle classes in Kenya.

It has been specifically designed for the African market and is cheaper than the three-wheeled motorized rickshaws which are a common sight in Nairobi.

Former computer engineer Jackson hopes production of the car will start in 2012. In the meantime, designers have been hired to tone down the dune buggy styling and boost the vehicle’s customer appeal. The Mobius will carry a price tag of around $6,000. —dpa

the broadband build-out of the early 2000s.

The tide turned in 2008, and cable companies have been adding subscribers at the expense of phone companies since then.

Now, phone companies account for 43 percent of US homes connected to broadband, according to Leichtman Research Group, with cable connecting the rest.

Analyst Craig Moffett at Sanford Bernstein called the decline in broadband a “body blow” to phone companies, which have been using broadband to offset a long-running loss of subscribers to regular phone service. Now, both are declining, he noted.

Susan Crawford, a professor at Cardozo Law School in New York and a former assistant to President Obama on telecommunications, has argued that a looming cable monopoly in three-quarters of the country is “the central crisis of our communications era.” She suggests that the US follow the example of countries that have forced cable providers to allow other companies provide Internet service over their cables. The service-providers would compete with each other and provide some choice to the consumer, she says.

The industry has resisted this type of arrangement in the past, insisting that freedom from regulation provides them with an incentive to invest in their systems and upgrade speeds. —AP

EMC expands Amin’s role DUBAI: EMC Corporation yesterday announced that Mohammed Amin, EMC Senior Vice President and Regional Manager currently responsible for EMC’s sales efforts in Turkey, Emerging Africa and the Middle East (TEAM), will now also oversee the fast-growing area of Eastern Europe (excluding Russia). Amin, who is based in EMC’s Dubai regional headquarters, will report directly to Adrian

McDonald, EMC’s President, EMEA. Amin, a 25-year veteran of the IT industry, has driven exponential growth in the Middle East region during his 10 yeartenure with EMC. He has led EMC’s operations in the TEAM region for the last five years, with promotions to vice-president in 2010 and senior vice president in 2011.

Under Amin’s leadership, EMC has successfully driven its mission to help customers in Turkey, Emerging Africa and the Middle East to accelerate their journey to the cloud and capitalise on the massive opportunity that cloud and Big Data represent. Additionally, a relentless focus on excellence in customer service and on being an effective supporter of its channel community has seen EMC grow its region-

al market share and acquire key regional customers in a number of industry sectors, including telecom, financial, government and healthcare.

EMC Quotes: Adrian McDonald, President, EMEA at EMC: “Over the last several years, Mohammed has led one of EMC’s fastestgrowing regions and executed flawlessly, and I am delighted to entrust Mohammed with this expanded role of overseeing our sales initiatives in Eastern Europe. We are fortunate to have a very seasoned team of leaders in EMEA who know the markets, their cultures and our customers. The new leadership structure is being implemented to drive EMC’s next major phase of growth.”

Mohammed Amin, Senior Vice President for TEAM and Europe East, EMC: “It is an honour to assume responsibility for EMC’s operations in its dynamic Eastern European market. Customers today are looking to EMC to help them transform their IT to be the core enabler that will equip them to grow and compete successfully in today’s tough markets. That is a responsibility we continue to take seriously and I look forward to bringing the EMC value to customers across the expanded region over the months ahead.”

EMC Corporation is a global leader in enabling businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver IT as a service. Fundamental to this transformation is cloud computing. Through innovative products and services, EMC accelerates the journey to cloud computing, helping IT departments to store, manage, protect and analyse their most valuable asset - information - in a more agile, trusted and cost-efficient way. Additional information about EMC can be found at www.EMC.com.

Cyber protest over law curtailing internet freedom in Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian civil society groups and alternative media yesterday launched an “internet blackout” to protest changes in a law that they said threatens freedom of expression.

The one-day protest, spearheaded by the Centre of Independent Journalism, called for the repeal of an amendment to the Evidence Act that would make web hosts, bloggers or ordinary internet users liable for any defamatory web content sent or published on their sites.

A black screen replaced the opening pages of dozens of websites. It shows a cartoon character in handcuffs after being accused of posting defamatory content online. Some sites were non-operational as part of the protest.

The centre said the amendment “makes individuals and those who administer, operate

or provide spaces for online community forums, blogging and hosting services, liable for content published through its services.”

“This presumption of guilt goes against a fundamental principle of justice - innocent until proven guilty - and disproportionately burdens the average person who may not have the resources to defend himself in court,” it said.

The amendment took effect July 31 and was perceived by activists as an attempt by Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government to curtail internet freedom.

Lim Chee Wee, president of the Malaysian Bar Council, said the group recognized the need for a law to ensure that criminals do not exploit the internet, but that the new law was not the answer. —AFP

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

health & science

Preschoolers’ snoring tied to behavior problems WASHINGTON: Preschoolers who habitually snore may be at greater risk of behavioral problems than other children their age, according to a US study. Researchers, who results appeared in the journal Pediatrics, found that two- and three-year olds who snored loudly at least a couple of times per week tended to have more problems with inattention and hyperactivity.

More than one-third of those “persistent” snorers were considered to be at least at risk of a behavioral disorder, like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). That compared with 10

to 12 percent of their peers who either did not snore or had shorter-lived problems, said researchers led by Dean Beebe, of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The findings do not prove that the breathing problems directly lead to behavioral problems or that treating the underlying cause of snoring can improve children’s behavior. “Kids are going to snore sometimes, especially when they have a cold,” Beebe said in an interview. “It’s when the snoring persists that it gets concerning.”

He added that chronic, loud snoring “should be on parents’ radar, and

it’s something they should bring up to their pediatrician.” The study adds to others that have linked children’s behavior to so-called sleep-disordered breathing - when kids chronically snore, mouth-breathe or seem to stop breathing for several seconds at a time as they sleep, also called apnea. For the study, 249 children were followed from birth to age three. Overall, nine percent were considered persistent snorers based on parents’ reports. That meant they’d snored loudly at least twice a week at the ages of both two and three.

Another 23 percent were “transient”

snorers, meaning they’d snored at least twice a week at either age two or three but not both. The rest of the children, 68 percent, were considered non-snorers. Overall, 35 percent of the persistent snorers scored high enough on a standard questionnaire to at least be considered “at risk” of a behavioral disorder, though that didn’t mean they had one. “It isn’t necessarily diagnostic, but they’re showing more problems than is typical,” Beebe said. There are reasons to believe that sleep-disordered breathing would affect children’s behavior. One reason is that poor sleep quality could make them

tired and more easily frustrated.

Based on animal research, it’s possible that when apnea causes oxygen levels to go down repeatedly overnight, there might effects on the brain circuitry. Beebe’s team accounted for family income, children’s exposure to cigarette smoke and certain other factors, and the snoring-behavior link still held. Although, Beebe said it’s always possible that there are other explanations. For now, he recommended that parents be aware that persistent snoring is “not normal” and is something they should tell their pediatrician about. — Reuters

Southern Americans ‘fatter’ Obesity rates are highest in US south WASHINGTON: Fried chicken, fried okra and other fried cliches of US southern cuisine may be making their mark: a new study yesterday shows that obesity rates are highest in the US south. Just about one of every three adults in Mississippi, Louisiana, West Virginia and Alabama is considered obese, based on a calculation of their weight and height, according to the analysis by non-profits Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, using government figures. In all, 12 states were found to have adult obesity rates in excess of 30 percent, all in the southern and the midwestern regions of the county.

The leanest states tended to be in the northeast and the southwest-with outdoorsy

mountain-state Colorado coming lowest on the obesity ranking.

But even in the thinner states, at least one of every five adults was found to be obese.

“Obesity has contributed to a stunning rise in chronic disease rates and health care costs,” said TFAH director Jeffrey Levi in a statement, adding that “it is one of the biggest health crises the country has ever faced.” He said there is growing evidence that “making healthier choices easier for Americans” can help people lose weight, eat better and become more active, but he said the US needs to invest more in health-positive initiatives “in order to bend the obesity curve.” Some health experts, however, criticize efforts that equate improving health with lowering weight. They

say it is possible to be extremely fit and also “overweight” by societal norms.

Critics also note that the body-mass index, used to measure obesity across the population, does not take into consideration important factors like muscle mass, which can mean some very fit people-including some Olympic athletes-register as “obese.” The analysis was based on a telephone survey by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, where respondents were asked, among other questions, their height and weight. For the first time this year, people with only cell phones were included in the survey. Those with a body-mass index greater than 30 were ranked as obese. A normal BMI is typically considered 18.5 to 24.9. — AFP

Fukushima caused mutant butterflies

FLORIDA: (From left) Rebecca Reichart, Leroy Nunez, Nicholas Coutu, Claudia Grant and Kenneth Krysko examine the internal anatomy of the largest Burmese python found in Florida to date at the University of Florida campus. — AP

Giant pregnant Burmese python caught in Florida MIAMI: The largest Burmese python ever found in Florida has been caught in the Everglades, scientists said yesterday, and it contained 87 eggs-also thought to be a record. “This thing is monstrous, it’s about a foot wide,” Kenneth Krysko, the herpetology collection manager at the Florida Museum of Natural History, said of the 17foot-7-inch creature.

Scientists at the University of Floridabased museum examined the 164.5pound snake on Friday as part of a government research project into managing the pervasive effect of Burmese pythons in Florida. The giant snakes-native to southeast Asia and first found in the Everglades in 1979 - prey on native birds, deer, bobcats, alligators and other large animals.

With no known natural predator, population estimates for the Burmese python in Florida range from the thousands to hundreds of thousands.

They were classed as an established species in 2000 and are a significant concern given their numbers, longevity and prolific ability to breed. “It means these snakes are surviving a long time in the wild,” Krysko said, noting the importance of finding such a large example of the species. “There’s nothing stopping them and the native wildlife are in trouble.” A rapid surge in numbers has led to recent

state laws prohibiting people from owning Burmese pythons as pets or transporting the snakes across state lines without a federal permit.

Florida also allows residents to hunt pythons in wildlife management areas during established seasons under a licensing system. “They were here 25 years ago, but in very low numbers and it was difficult to find one because of their cryptic behavior,” Krysko said. “Now, you can go out to the Everglades nearly any day of the week and find a Burmese python. We’ve found 14 in a single day.” Krysko said the stomach of the giant python contained bird feathers that researchers will be able to identify. “By learning what this animal has been eating and its reproductive status, it will hopefully give us insight into how to potentially manage other wild Burmese pythons in the future,” he said. Skip Snow, an Everglades National Park wildlife biologist, said analysis of the snake would aid efforts to stop the future spread of invasive species. “There are not many records of how many eggs a large female snake carries in the wild,” Snow said.

“This shows they’re a really reproductive animal, which aids in their invasiveness.”

Following scientific investigation, the snake will be mounted for exhibition at the museum and then returned to be put on display at Everglades National Park. — AFP

FLORIDA: University of Florida herpetologist Kenneth Krysko displays eggs found in the largest Burmese python found in Florida to date. — AP

TOKYO: Genetic mutations have been found in three generations of butterflies from near Japan’s crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, scientists said yesterday, raising fears radiation could affect other species.

Around 12 percent of pale grass blue butterflies that were exposed to nuclear fallout as larvae immediately after the tsunami-sparked disaster had abnormalities, including smaller wings and damaged eyes, researchers said. The insects were mated in a laboratory well outside the fallout zone and 18 percent of their offspring displayed similar problems, said Joji Otaki, associate professor at Ryukyu University in Okinawa, southwestern Japan.

That figure rose to 34 percent in the third generation of butterflies, he said, even though one parent from each coupling was from an unaffected population. The researchers also collected another 240 butterflies in Fukushima in September last year, six months after the disaster. Abnormalities were recorded in 52 percent of their offspring, which was “a dominantly high ratio”, Otaki said. Otaki said the high ratio could result from both external and internal exposure to radiation, from the atmosphere and in contaminated foodstuffs.

The results of the study were published in Scientific Reports, an online research journal from the publishers of Nature. Otaki later carried out a comparison test in Okinawa exposing unaffected butterflies to low levels of radiation, with the results showing similar rates of abnormality, he said. “We have reached the firm conclusion that radiation released from the Fukushima Daiichi plant damaged the genes of the butterflies,” Otaki said. The quakesparked tsunami of March 2011 knocked out cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, causing three reactors to go into meltdown in the world’s worst atomic disaster for 25 years.

The findings will raise fears over the long-term effects of the leaks on people who were exposed in the days and weeks after the accident, as radiation spread over a large area and forced thousands to evacuate. There are claims that the effects of nuclear exposure have been observed on successive generations of descendants of people living in Hiroshima and Nagasaki when the US dropped atomic bombs in the final days of World War II. But Otaki warned it was too soon to jump to conclusions, saying his team’s results on the Fukushima butterflies could not be directly applied to other species, including humans. He added he and his colleagues would conduct follow-up studies including similar tests on other animals. Kunikazu Noguchi, associate professor in radiological protection at Nihon University School of Dentistry, also said more data was needed to determine the impact of the Fukushima accident on animals in general. “This is just one study,” Noguchi said. “We need more studies to verify the entire picture of the impact on animals.”

Researchers and medical doctors have so far denied that the accident at Fukushima would cause an elevated incidence of cancer or leukaemia, diseases that are often associated with radiation exposure. But they also noted that long-term medical examination is needed especially due to concerns over thyroid cancer among young people-a particular problem for people following the Chernobyl catastrophe. “There are a number of unknown factors surrounding the genetic impact of radiation,” said Makoto Yamada, a medical doctor who examines Fukushima residents. “We still cannot 100 percent deny that the impact may come out in the future.”

Associate professor Noguchi said: “The case of Fukushima plant workers is a different story. Some of them have already topped exposure limits. It is necessary to strictly monitor them to see if there is any impact.” No one is officially recorded as having died as a direct result of the Fukushima disaster, but many who fled the area and those who remain, including workers decommissioning the crippled plant, worry about the long-term effects. Scientists have warned it could be decades before it is safe for some people to return to their homes. “Even if there is no impact now, we have to live with fear,” said Sachiko Sato, a mother of two, who temporarily fled from Fukushima. “And concerns will be handed down to my children and grandchildren.” — AFP

NASHVILLE: Steve Niedbalski shows his drought and heat stricken corn while chopping it down for feed in Nashville, Ill. — AP

Drought-bruised US crops get a minor relief from cool snap CHICAGO: Cooler and damper weather in the US crop belt over the next week will slow further deterioration of corn and soybeans from the summer stress of the worst drought in more than a half century, an agricultural meteorologist said yesterday. “Corn is too far gone to help at all but some of the northern soybeans may be helped, but the beans in the central and south are too stressed to come back,” said Don Keeney, a meteorologist for MDA EarthSat Weather.

Keeney said up to 60 percent of the US Midwest should receive from 0.25 inch to 1.00 inch of rain this week and the US Plains states should receive a welcome 0.30 inch to 1.00 inch as well.

Cooler weather is in the cards for the next 10 days with highs in the 70s (degrees Fahrenheit) and 80s F rather than the relentless 90s F and 100s F that had been slashing crop prospects, Keeney said. “It’s going to be fall-like weather for the next 10 days. There is a warm-up again in the 11- to 15-day forecast but not the heat we’ve seen all summer,” Keeney said.

Commodity Weather Group (CWG) yesterday said half of the Midwest would receive scattered showers but dry spots would likely expand from 30 percent of the Midwest currently to at least 40 percent over the next week. “ This will include parts of central Illinois, western Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and southern

Wisconsin,” said CWG meteorologist Joel Widenor.

“Expanding rains in the Plains and Delta will help to improve pre-planting moisture for winter wheat areas and will also ease stress on double-crop Delta soybeans,” he said. The US Department of Agriculture’s weekly crop progress report released on Monday showed the US corn conditions stabilizing after nine weeks of ratings declines and the soybean crop conditions increased slightly. However, the ratings for each crop remained at their lowest levels since the last serious drought in 1988. As the worst drought in more than a half century took its toll, investors went on a buying spree, boosting corn prices more than 50 percent from late May to record highs above $8 per bushel.

The market was higher again yesterday after a brief setback from record highs. USDA on Friday released data showing deep cuts for this year’s corn and soybean output as the drought spread through America’s breadbasket.

USDA said this year’s corn crop would fall below 11.0 billion bushels for the first time in six years and the number of bushels yielded per acre was a 17-year low. Soybean production was forecast at a five-year low and soy yield per acre nearly a 10-year low. Analysts and crop experts said additional cuts may be seen in future reports. — Reuters

Bulgarians cultivating ancient einkorn grain RABOVO: Petko Angelov grabs an old, rusted sickle and leads people clad in folk costumes to a ritual harvest in his fields in southern Bulgaria sown with the first ever wheat planted by humanity - the einkorn.

The popularity of the ancient grain, whose origins can be traced back some 10,500 years to the dawn of agriculture, is mounting in the Balkan country as people seek out healthier food, sustainable farming methods and national pride.

Angelov, a retired pilot, is at the heart of the growing army of einkorn producers, providing the rare seeds from his crops in the southern village of Rabovo in the Rhodopi Mountains, close to the border with Greece and Turkey. “The einkorn is really gearing on. There is at least 300 percent rise in the demand for seeds, especially from Bulgarian origin,” Angelov said.

Eincorn was part of the diet of Copper Age man. The colon content analysis of the 5,300-year-old Otzi the Iceman mummy found frozen in the Alps in 1991 proved that. In Bulgaria, it can be traced back to the Neolithic Age some 9,000 years ago, after archaeologists found charred kernels of the crop in the village of Ohoden in northwestern Bulgaria. Wild varieties still grow in the eastern European country. The tall and sturdy plant however has since been abandoned because its yield is low, its hulled ears need additional processing and its type of gluten makes baking a challenge.

But renewed health consciousness and a surge in organic farming has helped to trigger a comeback in a thrifty grain which thrives without fertilizer in poor soil and is genetically pure, as it has never been hybridized. Farmers in the Black Sea grain producer country that export about 2.0 million tonnes of wheat a year are now turning to einkorn and fields have tripled to about 400 hectares

from a year ago and virtually from scratch in 2009. Bulgaria is quickly catching up with producers in France, Italy and Austria, where einkorn along with other rare wheat such as spelt and emmer, is being grown on larger areas.

Offers are already coming from richer western European markets, Japan and South Korea and we are getting ready to export, once the volumes increase, Angelov said. Demand is palpable on the local market where organic and healthy food stores mushroomed in recent years.

“People have come to realize that this wheat was the food of our ancestors. It is so much more nutritious, much better for the health,” said Svilen Klasanov, who owns a bio shop and restaurant which offer einkorn flour and bread.

“Its gluten is very mild, it has a positive impact on the stomach and people feel good when they eat it. Plus it is delicious,” Klasanov said. Studies showed the grain is richer in proteins, and the level of antioxidants that fight ageing and chronic diseases is almost eight times higher compared to the cultivated wheat normally used for bread. It also has more iron and more zinc. “We were excited to find out how rich in proteins and antioxidants einkorn was,” said Andrea Brandolini, a researcher at Italian Agricultural Research Council, involved in einkorn research since 1993.

The low yield and the need for threshing make the einkorn unfit for modern agriculture, but its excellent nutritious qualities make it a speciality on the market. And some are already experimenting with einkorn beer production. Manfred Heun at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences developed a weak spot for the grain after leading a team of scientists to southeastern Turkey in 1997, proving that einkorn was the first grain domesticated by the mankind. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

H E A LT H

Luxury cars do poorly in new crash tests DETROIT: Most midsize luxury cars including the Mercedes-Benz C-Class - performed poorly in a new frontal crash test developed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the US. The new test is designed to replicate what happens when a car strikes another car or a fixed object like a tree or utility pole.

The test strikes 25 percent of a car’s front end into a rigid barrier at 40 miles per hour. The results don’t bode well for non-luxury models, which will be the next to undergo the new test. Insurance Institute

Rover Curiosity getting 4-day ‘brain transplant’ LOS ANGELES: After a week of transmitted dramatic photos of Mars, rover Curiosity is going to have a fourday “brain transplant.” Engineers will be updating Curiosity’s software, currently primed for its flight stage, to prepare it for its Martian surface operations.

The update will add two crucial functions - the ability to use the geochemistry lab’s sampling system, and to drive.

The update had to wait until the rover landed because its processor, built years ago to withstand the harsh environment of interplanetary space, is limited compared with today’s consumer technology, said senior software engineer Ben Cichy. “My phone has a processor that is 10 times as fast as the processor that’s on Curiosity and has 16 times as much storage as Curiosity has,” Cichy said. “And my phone doesn’t have to land anything on Mars.”

In the meantime, as the rover goes under the digital knife, many scientists will be taking a break and getting used to their newfound fame. “I got recognized in a pizza parlor on Wednesday,” said systems engineer Allen Chen, who emceed Sunday’s Mars landing. “That was a little weird for me.” Also Friday, engineers offered their most detailed assessment of Curiosity’s landing.

The craft, they said, landed roughly 1.5 miles away from its predicted touchdown zone - not bad, given that the site was more than 150 million miles away, and the projected landing zone was an ellipse 12 miles wide.— MCT

crash test results are closely watched by the auto industry and often lead to changes in design or safety features. Good scores are also frequently touted in car ads.

The group said it developed the test after years of analyzing realworld frontal crashes, which kill more than 10,000 people annually in the US. Of the 11 cars tested, only the Acura TL, Volvo S60 and Infiniti G earned good or acceptable ratings from the institute, which is funded by insurers. Four cars - the Acura TSX, BMW 3 Series, Lincoln MK Z and

Volkswagen CC - earned marginal ratings. Four others - the Mercedes CClass, Lexus IS 250, Audi A4 and Lexus ES 350 - earned poor ratings.

Marginal or poor ratings indicate the cars wouldn’t protect occupants very well in a real-world crash. All of the cars tested were from the 2012 model year. The institute said the new test indicates that side air bags - which are designed for direct impact, Tbone crashes but not for off-center, frontal ones - may not go off in time or ex tend far enough to protec t occupants. In three cars - the BMW,

Mercedes and Volkswagen - the seat belts spooled out too much after the crash, causing the crash-test dummies to strike hard sur faces. The Volkswagen’s door was completely sheared off during the test. Mercedes said it didn’t agree with its ranking and pointed out that the C-Class is listed as one of the institute’s top safety picks. Mercedes said the crash test mimics an unusually severe and uncommon scenario.

“As a leader in automotive safety, we have full confidence in the protection that the C-Class affords its

occupants - and less confidence in any test that doesn’t reflect that,” Mercedes said in a statement. Toyota Motor Co, which owns the Lexus brand, accepted the results. “With this new test, the Institute has raised the bar again and we will respond to this challenge as we design new vehicles,” Toyota said. But Toyota also noted that it has more top safety picks - 17 - than any other automaker. The Insurance Institute said it plans to change its criteria for the top safety picks next year to incorporate the new test.— AP

More trial, less error: Effort to improve scientific studies ‘Published’ and ‘true’ are not synonyms: Expert NEW YORK: So many scientific studies are making incorrect claims that a new service has sprung up to fact-check reported findings by repeating the experiments. A yearold Palo Alto, California, company, Science Exchange, announced yesterday its “Reproducibility Initiative,” aimed at improving the trustworthiness of published papers. Scientists who want to validate their findings will be able to apply to the initiative, which will choose a lab to redo the study and determine whether the results match.

The project sprang from the growing realization that the scientific literature from social psychology to basic cancer biology - is riddled with false findings and erroneous conclusions, raising questions about whether such studies can be trusted. Not only are erroneous studies a waste of money, often taxpayers’, but they also can cause companies to misspend time and resources as they try to invent drugs based on false discoveries. “‘Published’ and ‘true’ are not synonyms,” said Brian Nosek, a psychology professor at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and a member of the initia-

tive’s advisory board.

Last year, Bayer Healthcare reported that its scientists could not reproduce some 75 percent of published findings in cardiovascular disease, cancer and women’s health.

In March, Lee Ellis of MD Anderson Cancer Center and C Glenn Begley, the former head of global cancer research at Amgen , reported that when the company’s scientists tried to replicate 53 prominent studies in basic cancer biology, hoping to build on them for drug discovery, they were able to confirm the results of only six. The new initiative, said Begley, senior vice president of privately held biotechnology company TetraLogic, “recognizes that the problem of non-reproducibility exists and is taking the right steps to address it.”

The initiative’s 10-member board of prominent scientists will match investigators with a lab qualified to test their results, said Elizabeth Iorns, Science Exchange’s cofounder and chief executive officer. The original lab would pay the second for its work. How much depends on the experiment’s complexity and the cost of study materials, but should not exceed 20 per-

cent of the original research study’s costs.

Iorns hopes government and private funding agencies will eventually fund replication to improve the integrity of scientific literature.

The two labs would jointly write a paper, to be published in the journal PLoS One, describing the outcome. Science Exchange will issue a certificate if the original result is confirmed. Founded in 2011, Science Exchange serves as a clearinghouse that connects researchers who want to outsource parts of experiments, from DNA sequencing ($2.50 per sample) to bioinformatics ($50 per hour). It is funded largely by venture capitalists and angel investors.

It may not be obvious why scientists would subject their work to a test that might overturn its results, and pay for the privilege, but Iorns is optimistic. “It would show you are a high-quality lab generating reproducible data,” he said. “Funders will look at that and be more likely to support you in the future.” If results are reproduced, “it will increase the value of any technology the researcher might try to license,” she said, adding that it would also provide

assurance to, say, a pharmaceutical company that the result is sound and might lead to a new drug. Experts not affiliated with Science Exchange noted that if science were working as it should, the initiative would not be necessary. “Science is supposed to be self-correcting,” said Begley.

“What has surprised me is how long it takes science to self-correct.” There are too many incentives to publish flashy, but not necessarily correct, results, he added. Virginia’s Nosek experienced the temptation firsthand. He and his colleagues recently ran a study in which 1,979 volunteers looked at words printed in different shades of gray and chose which hue on a color chart from nearly black to almost white matched that of the printed words. Selfdescribed political moderates perceived the grays more accurately than liberals or conservatives, who literally saw the world in black and white, Nosek said. Rather than publishing the study, Nosek and his colleagues redid it, with 1,300 people. The ideology/shades-of-gray effect vanished. They decided not to publish, figuring the first result was a false positive. —Reuters

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

WHAT’S ON

SEND US YOUR INSTAGRAM PICS hat’s more fun than clicking a beautiful picture? Sharing it with others! This summer, let other people see the way you see Kuwait - through your lens. Friday Times will feature snapshots of Kuwait through Instagram feeds. If you want to share your Instagram photos, email us at instagram@kuwaittimes.net

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Greetings

appy 17th birthday Joshua Best wishes from brother Dr Imanauel, sister Lidya and Rachel, dad David, mum

H Anna.

Al-Haifi Diwan hosted a reception on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. —Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

appy birthday to Sahida Huda, many many happy returns of the day. Best wishes coming from Chityhara, Jubilin, Esmaira, Ashliya, amina, Mama, Oqety, Athe baby, Soya.

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Attention Kids!

EF VBS 12 starting from Aug 24, 2012. Six Exciting days of singing, games & bible stories for children of all ages. HURRY Limited Seats. Register Online www.cefkuwait.org.

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India’s Flag Hoisting Ceremony n the occasion of the Independence Day of India, a Flag Hoisting Ceremony will take place at the Indian Embassy premises on Arabian Gulf Street at 0700 hours today. The flag hoisting will be followed by the reading of the message of the Honorable President of India and singing of patriotic songs. All Indian nationals are cordially invited to attend the function. The customary Open House Reception after the ceremony is not being held this year in view of the holy month of Ramadan.

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Behbehani Isuzu holds Ramadan ghabqa ohammad Saleh & Reza Yousuf Behbehani (MSRYB), authorized dealers of Isuzu in Kuwait held their annual Ramadan ghabqa at the Marina Hotel in Salmiya on Aug 8, 2012 for their esteemed customers. Isuzu clients attended the eagerly awaited annual event which they look forward to each year for its exquisite and exciting nature and vibrant programs. The attendance was strong this year as distinguished guests from major companies, senior executives and customers enjoyed the special evening. They expressed their happiness to attend the delightful event where they were entertained with the majestic sounds of Arabic oud and Middle Eastern music, in addition to the

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valuable prizes given away to the guests.

This year was marked by a special occasion as it coincided with the company receiving the “Excellence Award” for their significant sales of Isuzu Light Duty Trucks in Kuwait market.

Talal Behbehani - Director in his speech quoted, “It is a great opportunity to meet our valued customers personally, strengthening the relation mesmerizing the evening forgetting the busy daily work atmosphere. This is a part of our company’s strategy to promote the product experience with our customers.

In a way this Invitation and the event brought in a valued connection within our customers. He also expressed his happiness on the company’s success to

Burgan Bank celebrates Girgian with the special care complex urgan Bank recently celebrated Girgian at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor’s special care complex. The bank’s famous “BuBa” Kids Account character welcomed children, orphans as well as the elderly with a range of Girgi’an boxes, as well as other forms of entertainment that highlighted the importance and true spirit of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Burgan Bank continues to support the different segments across the Kuwaiti society. The bank’s corporate social responsibility portfolio continues to grow with a wide array of initiatives that demonstrate its leadership as a financial institution that is socially dedicated.

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Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

‘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 to- 97822021 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.

Registration for Ramadan STARS Squash Tournament begins Once again this year, the stage is set for the fourth annual ‘Ramadan STARS Squash Tournament’ to be held from August 3 to 9 at the Kazma Sporting Club, Adailiya. Abdulrahim Al-Awadi, the Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee has announced that doors are now open for registration to all those who are interested in participating, stating that the deadline for registration will be August 1. The participation in this tournament is open to all and will fall under three categories this year. The first category is for amateurs from

earn the confidence of its customers, and added that he looks forward to further development, prosperity and greater achievements.

Further, The Vice President of Isuzu Motors Middle East, Hideyuki Suzuki attended the Ramadan ghabqa event, also in attendance was Kohta Kambara, General Manager, In-charge of Isuzu Motors Middle East. Suzuki and Kambara expressed their happiness while enjoying the evening with the vast customers and was of full appreciation and admiration towards the event. They said, “Arabian Gulf states, led by the State of Kuwait, are one of the most promising markets. It is a great opportunity for Isuzu and for us to personally know Isuzu

ages 17 and above, second category is for professional players from ages 20 and above and the third category is for ladies 17 and above. Following its last three years of grand success, the 4th annual Ramadan STARS Squash Tournament is being organized during Ramadan for squash lovers who will have an opportunity to practice the sport while being encouraged to develop their skills in a healthy, competitive and social environment. All details pertaining to the tournament and means to participate can be found on the tournaments facebook page under ‘Ramadan Stars Squash Tourney’ or follow the official twitter page @RamadanStars for updates. The registration is taking place at GO SPORT store located at The Avenues Mall.

Alawadi also pointed out the great interest the ‘Ramadan Stars Squash tournament’ received from the private sector, where companies took the initiative in sponsoring the tournament. Alawadi expressed his gratitude and thanks to Kazma Sporting Clun, Go Sport, Comtel, Vio, Unite Colors and Alawadi Photography guaranteeing unique prizes for all winners.

Burgan Bank announces branch timings for Ramadan Burgan Bank announced its new branch timings which will be applicable all throughout the holy month of Ramadan. All Burgan Bank branches will commence work in one shift from 10 am to 1:30 pm.

Additionally, the Airport branch will be open seven

customers and to strengthen the relation between them and us.”

It is worth mentioning that Isuzu is one of the finest Japanese companies specialized in the production and development of N-Series professional trucks and D-Max pick-up trucks. They are considered the ideal partner for business owners and individuals. Both the truck lines help businesses to maximize their goals and have raised the standards of industrial commercial trucks. They are also designed according to international safety, economy, and environment benchmarks.

days a week in the mornings from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm and in the evenings from 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm. On this occasion, Burgan Bank extends its best wishes to everyone during the holy month of Ramadan.

KIB announces Ramadan working hours Kuwait International Bank has announced its working hours during the holy month of Ramadan in a press statement released by the bank stating: “We would like to congratulate our valued customers on the start of the holy month of Ramadan, and we are glad to announce that the bank’s working hours will be from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm at the head offices and its 18 branches distributed around Kuwait.” Similar to every year, KIB services and products will be accessible to all customers during the bank’s working hours, and around the clock customers can perform their banking transactions and submit their enquiries through Al-Dawli Weyak which offers a dedicated 24/7 call center and can accessed from anywhere around the world. KIB customers can also use Al-Dawli Online and SMS Banking to further manage their accounts and banking needs around the clock. For more information on KIB’s services and products, please visit the bank’s website on www.kib.com.kw or check the latest updates on www.facebook.com/aldawlibank or follow us on Twitter @alDawliBank.

31

WHAT’S ON

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

Embassy Information TEMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Australian Embassy Kuwait does not have a visa or immigration department. All processing of visas and immigration matters in conducted by The Australian ConsulateGeneral in Dubai. Email: info.ausdxb@vfshelpline.com (VFS) immigration.dubai@dfat.gov.au (Visa Office); Tel: +971 4 355 1958 (VFS) - +971 4 508 7200 (Visa Office); Fax: +971 4 355 0708 (Visa Office). In Kuwait applications can be lodged at the Australian Visa Application Centre 4B 1st Floor, AlBanwan 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. Or visit their website www.vfs-au-gcc-com for more information. Kuwait citizens can apply for tourist visas online at www.immi.gov.au/e visa/e676.htm On the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, the Australian Embassy wishes to advise that it will be closed on the following days, in addition to the normal weekend closures. 19th August 2012 (Sunday) 20th August 2012 (Monday) The Embassy will reopen on Tuesday 21 August 2012.

Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah visited the diwaniya of Muslat Al-Hathal, the Sheikh of the Anzah tribe, and that as part of his tour across Kuwaiti diwaniyas on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. —Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

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EMBASSY OF ARGENTINE

The Embassy of Argentina requests all Argentinean citizens in Kuwait to proceed to our official email ekuwa@mrecic.gov.ar 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 Argentinean Government to contact and assist Argentineans living abroad in case of any emergency.

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EMBASSY OF BRITAIN Consular section at the British Embassy will be starting an online appointment booking system for our consular customers from Sunday, 01 July 2012. All information including how to make an appointment is now available on the embassy website. In addition, there is also a “Consular Appointment System” option under Quick links on the right hand side on the homepage, which should take you to the “Consular online booking appointment system” main page.

Please be aware that from 01 July 2012, we will no longer accept walk-in customers for legalisation, notarial services and certificates (birth, death and marriages). If you have problems accessing the system or need to make an appointment for non-notarial consular issues or have a consular emergency, please call 2259 4355/7/8 or email us on consularenquirieskuwait@fco.gov.uk. If you require consular assistance out of office hours (working hours: 0730-l430 hrs), please contact the Embassy on 2259 4320.

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EMBASSY OF FRANCE

The French Embassy in Kuwait will be closed to the public today on the occasion of the Assumption. On the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, the French Embassy in Kuwait will be closed on the first and the second day of Eid. ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF INDIA During the holy month of Ramadan, the office timings of the Indian Passport and Visa Service Centres of BLS International Visa Services Co, Kuwait, situated at (i) Emad Commercial Centre, Basement Floor, Ahmed Al Jaber Street, Sharq, Kuwait, and (ii) Mujamma Unood, 4th floor, Office No. 25-26 Makka Street, Fahaheel, Kuwait, will be from 8.00 am - 3.00 pm from Saturday to Thursday (i.e. six days a week). Tokens for submission of applications will NOT be issued after 2.00 pm. Delivery of passports and visas will be from 11.00 am onwards. Embassy of India, Kuwait, will maintain its usual working hours.

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EMBASSY OF KOREA The Embassy of the Republic of Korea and its consular section will be closed today to observe Korean National Liberation Day. Work will be resumed at the Embassy on Thursday, August 16, 2012.

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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, e-mail:myankuwait11@gmai1.com ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF SRI LANKA The Embassy of Sri Lanka will be closed for public from 19 August to 21 August, 2012 in lieu of Eid Al-Fitr.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

TV PROGRAMS

00:45 I’m Alive 01:40 Untamed & Uncut 02:35 Rescue Vet 03:30 Wildlife SOS 04:25 Wildest Africa 05:20 Monkey Life 05:45 Animal Battlegrounds 06:10 Wild Animal Orphans 07:00 Karina: Wild On Safari 07:25 Corwin’s Quest 08:15 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 08:40 Breed All About It 09:10 Growing Up...

10:05 Wildest Africa 11:00 Wildlife SOS 11:25 Orangutan Island 11:55 Animal Cops Houston 12:50 Rescue Vet 13:15 RSPCA: Have You Got What It Takes?

13:45 Animal Precinct 14:40 Wildest Africa 15:30 Karina: Wild On Safari 16:00 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 16:30 Natural Born Hunters 16:55 The Really Wild Show 17:25 World’s Ugliest Dog Competition 18:20 Dogs 101 19:15 Wildlife SOS 19:40 Orangutan Island 20:10 Monkey Life 20:35 Snake Crusader With Bruce George 21:05 Wildest Africa 22:00 Wildest Latin America

00:30 Come Dine With Me 01:20 Holmes On Homes 02:55 Saturday Kitchen 2008/09 04:15 MasterChef 04:40 Living In The Sun 06:10 MasterChef 06:35 Saturday Kitchen 2008/09 07:00 MasterChef Australia 08:15 Holmes On Homes 09:50 Bargain Hunt 10:35 Antiques Roadshow 11:25 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 12:10 10 Years Younger 13:00 What Not To Wear 14:45 Bargain Hunt 15:30 Antiques Roadshow 16:25 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 17:10 Come Dine With Me 18:00 Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets 18:30 The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook 18:55 Rick Stein’s French Odyssey 19:25 James Martin’s Champagne 19:50 Come Dine With Me 20:40 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 21:25 Antiques Roadshow 22:15 Bargain Hunt 23:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 23:45 Holmes On Homes

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 05:25 05:50 06:00 06:15 06:30 06:55 07:20 07:45 08:00 08:25 08:50 09:15 09:40 10:05

Puppy In My Pocket Tom & Jerry Kids Scooby Doo Where Are You! The Flintstones Pink Panther And Pals Looney Tunes Popeye Classics Dexter’s Laboratory Tom & Jerry Looney Tunes The Scooby Doo Show Johnny Bravo The Flintstones The Jetsons Wacky Races The Garfield Show Tom & Jerry Kids Bananas In Pyjamas Baby Looney Tunes Gerald McBoing Boing Ha Ha Hairies A Pup Named Scooby-Doo The Garfield Show Johnny Bravo Dexter’s Laboratory Pink Panther And Pals The Scooby Doo Show

10:30 Scooby-Doo And Scrappy-Doo 10:55 Dastardly And Muttley 11:15 The Flintstones 11:40 Wacky Races 12:00 Jelly Jamm 12:15 Baby Looney Tunes 12:40 Ha Ha Hairies 12:55 Gerald McBoing Boing 13:20 Bananas In Pyjamas 13:35 Puppy In My Pocket 14:00 Looney Tunes 14:50 Scooby Doo Where Are You! 15:15 Scooby-Doo And Scrappy-Doo 15:40 Dastardly And Muttley 16:00 Tom & Jerry 16:15 Tom & Jerry 16:40 Pink Panther And Pals 17:30 The Garfield Show 18:10 Johnny Bravo 18:35 Dexter’s Laboratory 19:00 Jelly Jamm 19:15 Baby Looney Tunes 19:40 Ha Ha Hairies 19:55 Gerald McBoing Boing 20:20 Bananas In Pyjamas 20:35 Dexter’s Laboratory 21:00 Johnny Bravo 21:25 Pink Panther And Pals 21:50 Tom & Jerry 22:15 The Garfield Show 22:40 A Pup Named Scooby-Doo 23:05 Popeye 23:20 The Jetsons 23:45 Duck Dodgers

00:30 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 05:55 Angelo Rules 06:00 The Marvelous Misadventures...

06:25 Casper’s Scare School 07:00 The Amazing World Of Gumball 07:15 Adventure Time 07:40 Johnny Test 08:05 Grim Adventures Of...

08:55 Courage The Cowardly Dog 09:45 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 10:10 Redakai: Conquer The Kairu 10:35 Powerpuff Girls 11:25 Chowder 12:15 Ed, Edd n Eddy 13:05 Ben 10 13:30 Sym-Bionic Titan 13:55 Foster’s Home For...

14:45 Angelo Rules 15:35 Powerpuff Girls 16:25 The Amazing World Of Gumball 16:40 Johnny Test 17:05 Adventure Time 17:30 Regular Show 17:55 Green Lantern: The Animated Series 18:20 Batman: The Brave And The Bold 18:45 Young Justice 19:10 Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge 19:35 Adventure Time 20:00 Ben 10 21:15 Grim Adventures Of...

22:00 Codename: Kids Next Door 22:50 Ben 10 23:15 Ben 10 23:40 Chowder

00:00 00:30 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00

Amanpour World Sport Piers Morgan Tonight World Report Anderson Cooper 360 Piers Morgan Tonight Quest Means Business The Situation Room World Sport World’s Untold Stories World Report World Sport Inside Africa World Business Today Amanpour Road To Rio World One Piers Morgan Tonight News Stream

16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 21:00 22:00

World Business Today International Desk Global Exchange World Sport Road To Rio International Desk Quest Means Business Amanpour

00:15 The World’s Strangest UFO Stories 01:10 I Escaped: Real Prison Breaks 01:35 Daredevils 02:30 Finding Bigfoot 03:25 Moonshiners 04:20 The World’s Strangest UFO Stories 05:15 How Do They Do It? 05:40 How It’s Made 06:05 American Loggers 07:00 American Chopper 07:50 Mythbusters 08:45 Ultimate Survival 09:40 Border Security 10:05 Dirty Money 10:30 How Do They Do It? 10:55 How It’s Made 11:25 Stan Lee’s Superhumans 12:20 Mythbusters 13:15 Mythbusters 14:10 Border Security 14:35 Dirty Money 15:05 Ultimate Survival 16:00 American Chopper 16:55 Fifth Gear 17:20 American Loggers 18:15 Mythbusters 19:10 How Do They Do It? 19:40 How It’s Made 20:05 Border Security 20:35 Dirty Money 21:00 The Gadget Show 21:30 Stan Lee’s Superhumans 22:25 Mythbusters

00:35 Mighty Ships 01:25 How Stuff Works 02:15 Junk Men 03:05 The Gadget Show 03:35 Scrapheap Challenge 04:25 How The Universe Works 05:15 Mighty Ships 06:05 How Stuff Works 07:00 Junk Men 07:50 Head Rush 07:53 Weird Connections 08:20 Sci-Fi Science 09:40 Scrapheap Challenge 10:30 Moon Machines 15:35 The Gadget Show 16:00 Head Rush 16:03 Weird Connections 16:30 Sci-Fi Science 17:00 Perfect Disaster 17:50 Sport Science 18:40 How The Universe Works 19:30 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 20:20 Meteorite Men 21:10 The Gadget Show 22:00 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 22:50 Meteorite Men 23:40 Sport Science

00:10 01:00 01:50 02:40 03:30 04:20 05:10 06:00 06:15 06:40 07:05 07:30 07:55 08:20 08:45 09:10 09:25 09:35 09:45 10:00 10:25 10:50

Fairly Odd Parents Brandy & Mr Whiskers Replacements Emperor’s New School Brandy & Mr Whiskers Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Fish Hooks Timon And Pumbaa So Random Wizards Of Waverly Place Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Phineas And Ferb Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates Handy Manny The Hive Mouk Jonas Los Angeles So Random Hannah Montana Forever

11:15 11:40 12:05 12:30 12:55 13:20 13:45 15:00 15:25 15:50 16:10 16:15 16:40 17:00 18:30 18:55 19:20 20:10 20:35 20:50 21:15 21:40 22:05 22:55

00:55 Style Star 01:25 E!es 03:15 Behind The Scenes 03:40 Extreme Close-Up 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 E!es 06:00 THS 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 10:15 THS 12:05 E! News 13:05 Khloe And Lamar 14:05 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 15:00 Style Star 15:30 E!es 16:25 Behind The Scenes 16:55 Mrs. Eastwood And Company 17:55 E! News 18:55 THS 19:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 21:55 Mrs. Eastwood And Company 22:25 E! News 23:25 Chelsea Lately 23:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians

00:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:30 Unwrapped 00:55 Guy’s Big Bite 01:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 02:35 Outrageous Food 03:25 Grill It! With Bobby Flay 03:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:15 Meat & Potatoes 04:40 Unwrapped 05:05 Unique Eats 05:30 Chopped 06:10 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 06:35 Extra Virgin 07:00 Food Network Challenge 07:50 Unique Sweets 08:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 08:40 Paula’s Best Dishes 09:05 Cooking For Real 09:30 Hungry Girl 09:55 Food (Ography) 10:45 Unwrapped 11:10 Unique Eats 11:35 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 12:00 Chopped 12:50 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 13:15 Cooking For Real 13:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 14:05 Hungry Girl 14:30 Unique Sweets 14:55 Paula’s Best Dishes 15:20 Unwrapped 15:45 Iron Chef America 16:35 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 17:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 17:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 17:50 Unique Eats 18:15 Food (Ography) 19:05 Unique Sweets 19:30 Food Network Challenge 20:20 Iron Chef America 21:10 Unique Sweets 21:35 Unique Sweets 22:00 Unique Sweets 22:25 Unique Sweets

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

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ON OSN MOVIES ACTION

Fish Hooks Jake & Blake Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place Phineas And Ferb Timon And Pumbaa Suite Life On Deck Austin & Ally Shake It Up Phineas And Ferb Cars Toons Jessie A.N.T. Farm Johnny Kapahala Jessie A.N.T. Farm Good Luck Charlie So Random Cars Toons Suite Life On Deck Jonas Los Angeles Shake It Up Good Luck Charlie Wizards Of Waverly Place

The Haunted Crime Scene Psychics Fatal Encounters Killer Kids Extreme Forensics The Haunted Crime Scene Psychics Disappeared Forensic Detectives FBI Case Files Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Street Patrol Street Patrol FBI Case Files Mystery ER Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Forensic Detectives FBI Case Files Real Emergency Calls Mystery ER Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Australian Families Of Crime American Greed Dr G: Medical Examiner

00:00 Nomads 01:00 Travel Madness 02:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 02:30 One Man & His Campervan 03:00 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 04:00 Extreme Tourist Afghanistan 05:00 Deadliest Journeys 2 05:30 The Best Job In The World 06:00 Nomads 07:00 Travel Madness 07:30 Travel Madness 08:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 08:30 One Man & His Campervan 09:00 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 10:00 Extreme Tourist Afghanistan 11:00 Deadliest Journeys 2 11:30 The Best Job In The World

12:00 Nomads 13:00 Travel Madness 14:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 14:30 One Man & His Campervan 15:00 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 16:00 Extreme Tourist Afghanistan 17:00 Deadliest Journeys 2 17:30 The Best Job In The World

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

Madso’s War-18 Four Brothers-PG15 Faster-PG15 Inside Out-PG15 Kull The Conqueror-PG15 Taxi-PG15 Shanghai Noon-PG15 Kull The Conqueror-PG15 True Justice: Street Wars-PG15 Shanghai Noon-PG15 District 9-PG15 Iron Man 2-PG15

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

The Company Men-PG15 The Cry Of The Owl-PG15 Like Mike-PG Last Of The Living-PG15 The Cry Of The Owl-PG15 True Story Of Puss’n Boots-PG Helen-PG15 9-PG Family Gathering-PG15 Dear John-PG15 33 Postcards-PG15 S. Darko-PG15

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 Friends 02:30 Seinfeld 03:00 2 Broke Girls 03:30 Perfect Couples 04:30The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 Weird Science 06:00 Friends 06:30 Dharma And Greg 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:30 2 Broke Girls 09:00 Weird Science 09:30 The Cleveland Show 10:00 The Office 10:30 Dharma And Greg 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 Friends 13:00 Weird Science 13:30 Samantha Who? 14:00 Perfect Couples 14:30 The Office 15:00 The Cleveland Show 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Friends 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 2 Broke Girls 18:30 Community 19:00 Parks And Recreation 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Wilfred 22:30 Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne 23:00 Seinfeld 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

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 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Criminal Minds Perception Grey’s Anatomy White Collar Royal Pains Grey’s Anatomy Criminal Minds Emmerdale Coronation Street Smallville The Ellen DeGeneres Show White Collar House Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Smallville Criminal Minds Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Smallville Bunheads Grimm Alphas Supernatural Grey’s Anatomy

00:45 Top Gun-PG15 02:45 Faster-PG15 04:30 Kingdom Of Heaven-PG15 07:00 True Justice: Dark VengeancePG15 09:00 Little Big Soldier-PG15 11:00 Top Gun-PG15 13:00 Rocky II-PG15 15:00 Little Big Soldier-PG15 17:00 Arachnophobia-PG15 19:00 Windtalkers-PG15 21:15 Dorothy Mills-18 23:00 Paranormal Activity 2: Tokyo Night-18

00:00 My Last Five Girlfriends-PG15 02:00 Big Fat Liar-PG 04:00 Love And Mary-PG15 06:00 Labor Pains-PG15 08:00 Big Fat Liar-PG 10:00 Nothing Like The HolidaysPG15 12:00 Love Hurts-PG15 14:00 What’s The Worst That Could Happen?-PG15 16:00 Nothing Like The HolidaysPG15 18:00 Melinda And Melinda-PG15 20:00 Cool Runnings-PG15 22:00 Pretty Bird-18

01:00 The Clearing-18 03:00 Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind-18 05:00 Burlesque-PG15 07:00 Stone Of Destiny-PG15 09:00 Love N’ Dancing-PG15 11:00 Citizen Jane-PG 12:45 Entre Les Murs-PG15 15:00 Love N’ Dancing-PG15 17:00 Six Days Seven Nights-PG15 19:00 Fear-18 21:00 Garden State-18 23:00 Wild At Heart-18

FOUR BROTHERS ON OSN ACTION HD

01:00 Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind-18 03:00 According To Greta-PG15 05:00 A Family Thanksgiving-PG15 07:00 Get Low-PG15 09:00 Monte Carlo-PG15 11:00 Flipped-PG 13:00 A Soldier’s Love Story-PG15 15:00 Battle For Terra-PG 17:00 Monte Carlo-PG15 19:00 Blackthorn-PG15 21:00 33 Postcards-PG15 23:00 Transformers: Dark Of The Moon-PG15

00:00 Young Fisherman-PG 01:45 Blue Elephant 2-FAM 03:45 Spy Kids: All The Time In The World-PG 06:00 The Fantastic Adventure Of The Ugly Duckling-FAM 08:00 Turandot-PG 10:00 Rio-FAM 12:00 Micropolis-FAM 14:00 Spy Kids: All The Time In The World-PG 16:00 Ramona And Beezus-PG 18:00 Rio-FAM 20:00 A Venetian Rascal Goes To America-FAM 22:00 Micropolis-FAM

00:00 04:30 05:00 Ball 07:00 09:00 10:30 11:00 13:00 15:00 15:30 18:00 19:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

PGA Championship Futbol Mundial Olympic Men’s Beach Volley Olympic Highlights Volvo Ocean Racce Highlights Challenge Series NRL Premiership Olympic Highlights Futbol Mundial AFL Premiership Super Rugby Highlights Olympic Women’s Tennis Olympic Highlights Olympic Highlights Trans World Sport

00:00 WWE Experience 01:00 Super Rugby Highlights 02:00 UFC The Ultimate Fighter 03:00 NRL Premiership 05:00 Super League 07:00 AFL Premiership 09:30 Trans World Sport 10:30 Super League 12:30 Super Rugby Highlights 13:30 Futbol Mundial 14:00 Challenge Series Golf Highlights 14:30 This Week in WWE 15:00 NRL Premiership 17:00 Trans World Sport 18:00 UFC The Ultimate Fighter 19:00 WWE Vintage Collection 20:00 WWE SmackDown 22:00 Trans World Sport 23:00 AFL Premiership

01:00 NRL Full Time 01:30 AFL Highlights 02:30 Adventure Sports 05:00 NRL Full Time 05:30 Futbol Mundial 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 NRL Premiership 10:00 Triathlon 12:30 Futbol Mundial 14:00 NRL Full Time 14:30 AFL Highlights 15:30 World Match Racing Tour Highlights 16:30 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 20:30 Trans World Sport 21:30 European Tour Weekly 22:00 Golfing World 23:00 NRL Full Time 23:30 World Match Racing Tour Highlights

01:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 11:00 12:00 12:30

Prizefighter UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC Unleashed WWE Vintage Collection WWE NXT NHL V8 Supercars Highlights Mobil 1 The Grid WWE This Week

13:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 19:00 20:00 22:00 23:00

WWE SmackDown WWE Vintage Collection Mobil 1 The Grid V8 Supercars Extra V8 Supercars Highlights UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC V8 Supercars Highlights NHL

00:00 00:30 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 09:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00

Pawn Stars Storage Wars Ax Men Storage Wars American Pickers Decoded Battle 360 Ax Men Pawn Stars Storage Wars Decoded Battle 360 Pawn Stars Storage Wars Ax Men Storage Wars American Pickers Battle 360 Decoded Storage Wars American Pickers Battle 360 Decoded Pawn Stars Storage Wars Ax Men Lock N’ Load Top Shot

00:00 01:00 01:55 02:50 03:20 04:15 06:05 07:00 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:55 11:55 12:50 13:20 13:50 14:45 16:35 18:25 20:20 21:15 22:10 23:05

Fashion Police Bridalplasty Videofashion Daily Videofashion News How Do I Look?

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

Clean House Videofashion News Videofashion Daily Open House Videofashion News How Do I Look?

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

Clean House Videofashion News Mel B: It’s A Scary World The Amandas How Do I Look?

Clean House Big Rich Texas How Do I Look?

How Do I Look?

Fashion Police Jerseylicious

06:00 Kid vs Kat 06:20 Pokemon: Black And White 06:45 Rated A For Awesome 07:10 Kickin It 07:35 Phineas And Ferb 08:25 Pair Of Kings 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 Lab Rats 18:00 Iron Man Armored Adventures 18:25 Phineas And Ferb 18:50 Phineas And Ferb 20:05 Zeke & Luther 20:30 Zeke & Luther 20:55 Mr. Young 21:20 Aaron Stone 21:45 The Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes 22:10 Phineas And Ferb 22:35 Kid vs Kat 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am KSA

00:05 Buccaneer And Bones 00:30 Jim Shockey: Hal And Len Edition 01:45 Western Extreme 03:00 Excalibur’s Deer City USA 04:15 Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures 05:30 Buccaneer And Bones 07:00 Stihl’s Dogs And Logs 08:15 Buccaneer And Bones 09:30 Stihl’s Dogs And Logs 10:45 Speargun Hunter 12:00 Saltwater Series 13:15 Trout Unlimited On The Rise 14:30 Speargun Hunter 15:45 Saltwater Series 17:00 Trout Unlimited On The Rise 18:15 Speargun Hunter 19:30 Saltwater Series 20:45 Trout Unlimited On The Rise 22:00 Stihl’s Dogs And Logs 23:15 Buccaneer And Bones

00:15 Little Einsteins 00:40 Jungle Junction 01:10 Little Einsteins 01:30 Special Agent Oso 02:00 Lazytown 02:25 Little Einsteins 02:50 Jungle Junction 03:20 Little Einsteins 03:40 Special Agent Oso 04:10 Lazytown 04:35 Little Einsteins 05:00 Jungle Junction 05:30 Little Einsteins 05:50 Special Agent Oso 06:15 Jungle Junction 06:45 Handy Manny 07:00 Special Agent Oso 07:15 Lazytown 07:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 08:10 The Hive 08:20 Handy Manny 08:35 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 09:05 The Hive 09:15 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 09:20 Mouk 09:45 The Hive 09:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 10:20 Lazytown 10:45 Art Attack 11:10 Imagination Movers 11:35 Lazytown 12:00 The Hive 12:10 Handy Manny 12:25 Jungle Junction 12:40 Imagination Movers 13:05 The Hive 13:15 Special Agent Oso 13:30 Lazytown 13:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 14:20 The Hive 14:30 Handy Manny 14:45 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 15:00 Mouk 15:15 The Hive 15:25 Handy Manny 15:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 15:55 Imagination Movers 16:20 Lazytown 16:45 Art Attack 17:10 Handy Manny 17:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 18:10 Little Einsteins 18:35 Engine Nine, Feelin Fine!

18:45 The Hive 19:00 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 19:05 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 19:25 101 Dalmatians 19:40 Mouk 19:50 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 20:20 The Hive 20:30 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 20:35 A Poem Is...

20:40 Animated Stories

01:25 Savage Messiah-18 03:00 The Sea Of Grass-PG 05:05 San Francisco-PG 07:00 They Died With Their Boots On-FAM 09:15 The Oklahoma Kid-FAM 10:35 Marlowe-PG 12:10 The Year Of Living Dangerously-PG 14:05 Hooper-PG 15:45 Where The Spies Are-PG 17:35 The Big Sleep-PG 19:30 Where Eagles Dare-PG 22:00 Pink Floyd—The Wall

Classifieds WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines QTR JZR ETH RJA GFA UAE ETD THY FDB MSR QTR KAC THY DHX JZR KAC BAW KAC KAC JZR QTR KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR FDB IRA ETD GFA UAE MEA MSR IRM KNE MSR RJA GFA QTR SVA KAC KAC KAC QTR JZR KAC IYE ETD JZR UAE UAL SVA GFA JZR BAB JZR ABY KAC KAC KAC KNE MSR RBG KAC KAC KAC JAI KAC AXB FDB OMA MEA QTR GFA ALK KAC KLM UAE JZR ETD QTR AIC BBC FDB GFA UAL JZR DLH MSR THY

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 15/8/2012 Flt Route 148 DOHA 267 BEIRUT 620 ADDIS ABABA 642 AMMAN 211 BAHRAIN 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI 768 ISTANBUL 67 DUBAI 612 CAIRO 138 DOHA 544 CAIRO 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 503 LUXOR 412 MANILA 157 LONDON 206 ISLAMABAD 382 DELHI 555 ALEXANDRIA 6130 DOHA 284 DHAKA 302 MUMBAI 352 COCHIN 362 COLOMBO 344 CHENNAI 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 55 DUBAI 603 SHIRAZ 301 ABU DHABI 213 BAHRAIN 871 DUBAI 404 BEIRUT 606 LUXOR 5066 MASHAD 472 JEDDAH 610 CAIRO 640 AMMAN 219 BAHRAIN 140 DOHA 500 JEDDAH 788 JEDDAH 546 ALEXANDRIA 502 BEIRUT 134 DOHA 535 CAIRO 538 SOHAG 824 SANAA 303 ABU DHABI 787 RIYADH 857 DUBAI 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 510 RIYADH 215 BAHRAIN 177 DUBAI 436 BAHRAIN 777 JEDDAH 127 SHARJAH 542 CAIRO 166 PARIS 786 JEDDAH 460 MEDINAH 620 ASSIUT 3553 ALEXANDRIA 774 RIYADH 618 DOHA 674 DUBAI 572 MUMBAI 102 NEW YORK 393 KOZHIKODE 61 DUBAI 647 MUSCAT 402 BEIRUT 146 DOHA 221 BAHRAIN 229 COLOMBO 514 TEHRAN 417 AMSTERDAM 859 DUBAI 135 BAHRAIN 307 ABU DHABI 136 DOHA 975 CHENNAI 43 DHAKA 59 DUBAI 217 BAHRAIN 981 BAHRAIN 239 AMMAN 636 FRANKFURT 614 CAIRO 772 ISTANBUL

Time 0:20 0:50 1:45 2:10 2:20 2:25 2:30 2:50 3:10 3:20 3:25 4:10 4:35 5:00 6:05 6:15 6:30 7:15 7:30 7:35 7:45 7:45 7:50 8:05 8:20 8:20 8:25 8:30 9:00 9:20 9:25 9:30 10:00 10:45 10:55 11:10 11:55 13:20 13:30 13:40 13:40 14:25 14:30 15:00 15:05 15:10 15:15 16:00 16:10 16:35 16:35 16:45 16:55 17:10 17:20 17:20 17:30 17:35 17:40 17:45 18:15 18:40 18:40 18:45 18:55 19:05 19:10 19:20 19:25 19:35 19:35 19:55 20:00 20:10 20:15 20:25 20:35 20:55 20:55 21:05 21:15 21:15 21:20 21:35 22:25 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:55 23:10 23:35 23:40

Airlines AIC UAL DLH JZR MSR PIA THY ETH THY UAE FDB ETD MSR QTR QTR RJA GFA THY KAC BAW KAC ABY KAC JZR KAC QTR KAC UAE QTR FDB KAC ETD IRA GFA KAC JZR MEA MSR UAE KAC KAC JZR JZR IRM KNE GFA MSR RJA KAC SVA KAC KAC QTR KAC ETD JZR IYE QTR UAE GFA JZR ABY UAL SVA JZR KNE BAB RBG MSR KAC KAC KAC JAI FDB KAC KAC OMA MEA KAC GFA DHX ALK KLM JZR ETD KAC UAE QTR KAC KAC JZR AXB QTR FDB GFA KAC JZR

Depature Flights on Wednesday 15/8/2012 Flt Route 982 AHMEDABAD 981 WASHINGTON 637 FRANKFURT 554 ALEXANDRIA615 CAIRO 206 LAHORE 773 ISTANBUL 621 ADDIS ABABA 769 ISTANBUL 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 306 ABU DHABI 613 CAIRO 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 643 AMMAN 212 BAHRAIN 771 ISTANBUL 545 ALEXANDRIA 156 LONDON 175 FRANKFURT 126 SHARJAH 117 NEW YORK 534 CAIRO 501 BEIRUT 6131 DOHA 787 JEDDAH 856 DUBAI 133 DOHA 56 DUBAI 537 SOHAG 302 ABU DHABI 602 SHIRAZ 214 BAHRAIN 541 CAIRO 776 JEDDAH 405 BEIRUT 619 ASSIUT 872 DUBAI 103 LONDON 785 JEDDAH 786 RIYADH 176 DUBAI 5065 MASHHAD 461 MADINAH 220 BAHRAIN 611 CAIRO 641 AMMAN 673 DUBAI 503 JEDDAH 617 DOHA 773 RIYADH 135 DOHA 513 TEHRAN 304 ABU DHABI 238 AMMANJORDAN” 824 SANAA 141 DOHA 858 DUBAI 216 BAHRAIN 134 BAHRAIN 128 SHARJAH 982 BAHRAIN 511 RIYADH 266 BEIRUT 477 JEDDAH 439 BAHRAIN 3554 ALEXANDRIA 621 ALEXANDRIA 283 DHAKA 361 COLOMBO 153 ISTANBUL 571 MUMBAI 62 DUBAI 331 TRIVANDRUM 351 KOCHI 648 MUSCAT 403 BEIRUT 543 CAIRO 222 BAHRAIN 171 BAHRAIN 230 COLOMBO 417 DAMMAM 1540 CAIRO 308 ABU DHABI 381 DELHI 860 DUBAI 137 DOHA 301 MUMBAI 205 ISLAMABAD 552 ALEXANDRIA 394 KOCHI 147 DOHA 60 DUBAI 218 BAHRAIN 415 KUALA LUMPUR 528 ASSIUT

Time 0:05 0:25 0:30 0:30 0:35 1:25 2:15 2:45 3:40 3:45 3:50 4:05 4:20 4:50 5:40 6:50 7:05 7:10 8:10 8:25 8:55 9:05 9:05 9:10 9:15 9:15 9:35 9:40 10:00 10:05 10:05 10:15 10:25 10:45 11:30 11:50 11:55 12:10 12:20 12:30 13:10 13:15 13:20 13:25 14:10 14:25 14:30 14:35 15:05 15:45 15:45 15:55 16:15 16:25 17:20 17:30 17:35 17:45 18:05 18:20 18:20 18:25 18:30 18:35 18:50 19:35 19:35 19:45 19:55 20:15 20:20 20:30 20:35 20:40 20:50 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:30 21:35 21:50 21:55 22:05 22:05 22:20 22:20 22:25 22:35 22:40 22:45 22:55 23:10 23:10 23:15 23:30 23:50 23:50

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

ACCOMMODATION Sharing accommodation available for decent bachelor non smoking, one big room, Amman street, opposite to Al Rashid hospital. Contact: 66232356.

(C 4106) 15-8-2012 Sharing accommodation available for a bachelor, with an Indian family at Salmiya near Edee store.

Contact: 97947562.

(C 4104)

Sharing accommodation for Christian couples or working ladies in Abbassiya. Contact: 66538532. (C 4099) 9-8-2012

Kuwait areas. Contact: 99401126. (C 4103) 12-8-2012

CHANGE OF NAME SITUATION VACANT A Kuwaiti family looks to hire a driver with a Kuwaiti license, transferable visa and good knowledge of

I, Rejimol Joseph holder of Indian Passport No: J5394310 hereby change my name REJIMOL JOSEPH PARAMMAVIL. (C 4098) 8-8-2012

No: 15540

One room available for sharing separate bath and sharing kitchen available at Abbassiya near Indian Learners School from Sept 1, preferably ladies with a Keralite family. Mob: 99821508. (C 4105) 14-8-2012 Sharing accommodation available for single Indian bachelor in two bedroom flat in Khaitan near Kuwait Finance House. Contact: 66141908. (C 4102) 12-8-2012 Sharing accommodation available for a Keralite bachelor at Sharq, near Amiri hospital, beside Holiday Inn. Call 99387111.

GOVERNMENT WEB SITES Kuwait Parliament www.majlesalommah.net

The Public Institution for Social Security www.pifss.gov.kw

Ministry of Interior www.moi.gov.kw

Public Authority of Industry www.pai.gov.kw

Public Authority for Civil Information www.paci.gov.kw

Prisoners of War Committee www.pows.org.kw

Kuwait News Agency www.kuna.net.kw

Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.mofa.gov.kw

Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affair www.islam.gov.kw

Kuwait Municipality www.municipality.gov.kw

Ministry of Energy (Oil) www.moo.gov.kw

Kuwait Electronic Government www.e.gov.kw

Ministry of Energy (Electricity and Water) www.energy.govt.kw

Ministry of Finance www.mof.gov.kw

Public Authority for Housing Welfare www.housing.gov.kw

Ministry of Commerce and Industry www.moci.gov.kw

Ministry of Justice www.moj.gov.kw

Ministry of Education www.moe.edu.kw

Ministry of Communications www.moc.kw

Ministry of Information www.moinfo.gov.kw

Supreme Council for Planning and Development www.scpd.gov.kw

Kuwait Awqaf Public Foundation www.awqaf.org

34

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

stars CROSSWORD 768

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) You make progress in managerial and administrative areas. It is pleasing to be asked professional questions and you have a way of bringing any difficulties to an end. You have increased self-confidence to try new things that are daring, unusual and inventive in order to pursue your goals for greater independence. You may be in conflict over corporate funds, joint finances, taxes, insurance, inheritance or alimony. You develop new skills to advance your competitive position; pace yourself. The time is favorable for enterprises in the technology and entertainment fields. This afternoon begins a time of change, stimulating friends and new acquaintances. You tend to be cautious and responsible in your relationships.

Partners give support.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You tend to form close relationships to dynamic, authoritative individuals, every year at this time. You may have more dealings with a romantic or business partner, or you may deal with others closely—as a team. It is possible to uncover legal complications. Fortunately, these are short-term. As you tend to be more outgoing, it’s also a good time for public relations: marketing and sales. You may need to communicate more with marriage or business partners just now. You may develop close associations with intellectual or scholarly individuals and tend to be more interested in psychology, human relationships and the process of negotiation. There is a noticeable increase of mutual consideration in a relationship because of some effort on your part.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. Informal or slang terms for mentally irregular.

5. Sediment that has settled at the bottom of a liquid.

10. Sandwich filled with slices of bacon and tomato with lettuce.

13. American novelist (1909-1955).

14. A kind of literary or artistic work.

15. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

16. Food mixtures either arranged on a plate or tossed and served with a moist dressing.

18. The act of catching an object with the hands.

19. South American wood sorrel cultivated for its edible tubers.

20. Characterized by a lack of tonus.

21. Half the width of an em.

23. Type genus of the family Lepadidae.

26. A doctor's degree in education.

27. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind.

28. Having undesirable or negative qualities.

31. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

33. The branch of computer science that deal with writing computer programs that can solve problems creatively.

35. The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code.

37. (astronomy) The angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing.

38. A logarithmic unit of sound intensity.

41. Large dark brown North American arboreal carnivorous mammal.

43. A Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria and closely related to Hausa.

45. Naked freshwater or marine or parasitic protozoa that form temporary pseudopods for feeding and locomotion.

46. (Akkadian) Father of the gods and consort of Tiamat.

49. A Kwa language spoken by the Yoruba people in southwestern Nigeria.

50. A colorless and odorless inert gas.

51. Submerged aquatic plant having narrow leaves and small flowers.

53. Invertebrate having a soft unsegmented body usually enclosed in a shell.

58. A republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia.

60. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which the pilot is talked down by ground control using precision approach radar.

61. A unit of length equal to one thousandth of an inch.

62. Noisy quarrel.

64. A member of a Mayan people of southwestern Guatemala.

65. (informal) Of the highest quality.

66. (Greek mythology) A Titaness and sea goddess.

67. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

DOWN 1. (botany) Especially of leaves.

2. An impure form of quartz consisting of banded chalcedony.

3. Australian evergreen shrubs.

4. The upper house of the parliament of the Republic of Ireland.

5. 1/10 gram.

6. A widely distributed system consisting of all the cells able to ingest bacteria or colloidal particles etc, except for certain white blood cells.

7. The cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one.

8. The father of your father or mother.

9. The month following August and preceding October.

10. African tree having an exceedingly thick trunk and fruit that resembles a gourd and has an edible pulp called monkey bread.

11. A cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks in order to draw together two edges (as of a shoe or garment).

12. (British) Traditional jazz as revived in the 1950s.

17. Lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike.

22. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

24. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element.

25. (Babylonian) A demigod or first man.

29. According to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (9th century BC).

30. (Irish) Mother of the Tuatha De Danann.

32. A unit of magnetomotive force equal to 0.7958 ampereturns.

34. Any tree or shrub of the genus Inga having pinnate leaves and showy usually white flowers.

36. Relating to the blood vessels or blood.

39. An island of Hawaii northwest of Oahu.

40. East Indian tree bearing a profusion of intense vermilion velvet-textured blooms and yielding a yellow dye.

42. Preaching the gospel of Christ in the manner of the early church.

43. A cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks in order to draw together two edges (as of a shoe or garment).

44. A shrub or tree of the genus Rhus (usually limited to the non-poisonous members of the genus).

47. An overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety.

48. Move unobtrusively or furtively.

52. Informal or slang terms for mentally irregular.

54. (informal) Being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition.

55. A girl or young woman who is unmarried.

56. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike.

57. God of love and erotic desire.

59. Tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar.

60. A public promotion of some product or service.

63. A rare heavy polyvalent metallic element that resembles manganese chemically and is used in some alloys.

Yesterday’s Solution

Gemini (May 21-June 20) This can be a progressive period of unexpected and favorable change, bringing you a greater choice of independent activities. You can develop new skills and opportunities to advance your competitive position. This day is action-filled with you busy putting that professional polish on your work. Your intuitive senses are on target with your business, professional or domestic goals. New options present themselves constantly. You can benefit through professional groups and organizations that have a commonality with your own interests. Your happy emotional outlook makes you popular today. Partners give you added support. Your close personal relationships can be satisfying and encouraging at this time. This evening is a good time for romance.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) This is a good time to benefit from research or to direct your insight toward understanding other people’s motivations. You may have a desire to develop business or corporate strategy. This can be an important clearing-out period of elimination and recycling waste products. Communications tend to concern corporate business. You may make short trips for business purposes.

Intellectual interest turns toward science and investigation. This is a good time to listen and accumulate your thoughts in order to form an opinion of some very important work-related situations. This can be a period of improved trust and security. Joint finances are handled harmoniously and you may gain through gifts, financial partnerships or business opportunities.

NON SEQUITUR

Leo (July 23-August 22) You and an associate have the opportunity to discuss a business proposition. Invite someone to join you and open up to the possibilities of what the three of you can create together. Each of you may get exactly what you all want. You may continue to work throughout the day on improving a business deal. Be wise in your choices when joining a group. Unexpected obstacles will be easy to work through at this time. You work to eliminate financially unproductive areas and put more effort into meaningful pursuits. Take the initiative in social situations today. You may find yourself in the company of influential people. You are warm and compassionate to your loved ones and the people that love you support your ideas and actions.

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) You may desire to make fundamental changes in your lifestyle at this time. This could mean anything from a hair color change to a change in job classification or job identification. Your career direction gets some encouragement and life’s problems should find easy solutions. Someone in authority thinks you will fit in nicely in a new job identity—more money! You have good concentration and your perception into the motives of others is most accurate. The time is favorable for any research or for revealing hidden factors and inhibitions. If there are secret manipulations, or conspiracies, they can surface where you can gain control.

Older people and those in positions of power will be inclined to give you their approval and trust at this time.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

Unexpected changes can disrupt the usual order and routine of your life. You may want the freedom in your work to be more creative, but those in control tend to be unsympathetic. You may vacillate between conservative and rebellious urges. Exercise self-control and avoid taking unnecessary risks in unconventional areas—this time will pass. You may find that you have to make some change in plans to achieve a goal you have set for yourself. However, changes can easily be made at this time. Group objectives are achievable with the energies that are available now, but you still must work hard for them. Be clear about your goals, move to accomplish them and success is assured as long as you avoid stepping on other people’s toes.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) You combine enthusiasm and courage with ambition and selfcontrol. Working hard now will get you where you want to go.

People that are in control are confident in your work and will take pride in putting you into a more powerful position. Work is productive all day long. Taking care of your tools is the secret to part of your professional success. You can make progress in managerial and administrative areas. You can expand your experience and personal growth at this time. Your faith, optimism and self-respecting honesty help you gain the goodwill and favor of others. Business, professional, financial, legal, religious and educational matters are favorable at this time. Travel now can be adventurous and culturally rewarding.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Your professional life runs smoothly today. Romance, on the other hand, may need some help. You tend to be highly idealistic in your romantic life. Your intuitive, psychic abilities are stimulated—you are especially sensitive to beauty, art and music. It’s a good time for your community involvement—you feel charitable and considerate of those less fortunate. You may be pleased at the result of some action that you take to create a sort of charity that will help the elderly in your neighborhood. This may mean the organization of a neighborhood group to provide a meal a day or grocery shopping or volunteer reading or just visiting. Tonight is favorable for improving your domestic environment. Your family relationships are good.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

Your creative and writing talents can bring monetary rewards now. Letters, presentations, lectures and projects make this a very busy working day that could certainly exhaust most people. This is a very fortunate day for finding your way through just about any problem. You feel successful and able to solve problems. Good advice from a guide or older person may be forthcoming.

Insights into your deeper, more spiritual nature are available to you at this time. You may be able to discover whole new areas of your psyche or mind that have been closed before now. You may do well to purchase your horoscope for the next few months. You will be happiest if you can stay focused and positive when other people seem to create confusion.

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Today may open up a path to some exciting career opportunities. It is a good time to begin new projects or a new job. Your innovative ideas can gain the support of those in position of responsibility. Your mind is shrewd and practical, as well as original. You feel secure, efficient and comfortable with your colleagues and friends. You have a great deal of imagination and you and your friends could write a situation comedy for television or a play in very short order.

The more you experiment with this talent the more you might consider a career in the film industry. Changes can be sudden and unexpected. Avoid get-rich-quick schemes.

A wise move this evening is to enjoy a relaxing evening in your own surroundings and an early bedtime.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

You may have the opportunity for increased power and status at this time. You have greater self-confidence and determination to succeed. This can be a time of leadership, as you have the power to sway others in your group and initiate reforms. Your competitive attitude may also stimulate possible jealousy in relationships. You can overcome negative emotional conditioning and make effective use of your resourcefulness. Today is favorable for formulating business and professional strategy. This afternoon can be a relaxed time of imaginative meditation, healing and spiritual inspiration. You feel optimistic and hospitable and you are able to help those less fortunate. It is a good time for a vacation, religious pilgrimages or artistic pursuits.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 GOVERNORATE Sabah Hospital

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

Kaizen center

25716707

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

PHARMACY

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

Hawally

ST TAT TE OF K KUW WAIT A

Te el.: 161

DIRECTORA ATE T GENERAL GENE OF CIVIL AV VIA AT TION METEOROLOGICAL DEP PARTMENT A

Ext.: 262 2627 - 2630

WWW.MET.GOV V.KW .

Very e hot h with moderate to fresh north westerly wind, with speed of 20 - 45 km/h causing blowing dust over open areas

BY Y NIGHT:

Relatively hot with light to moderate freshening gradually at times north westerly wind, with speed of 15 - 40 km/h causing blowing dust over open areas No Current Warnings arnin a

WARNING A

22459381

46 °C

34 °C

Ayoun Al-Kibla

22451082

KUW WA AIT AIRPOR RT

46 °C

35 °C

Al-Mirqab

22456536

NUW WA AISEEB

43 °C

33 °C

WA AFRA

ST TAT TION

47 °C

31 °C

SALMI

44 °C

29 °C

ABDAL LY

46 °C

33 °C

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

JAL ALIY YAH A

46 °C

32 °C

Maidan Hawally

25623444

FA AILAKA

46 °C

32 °C

Bayan

25388462

AHMADI POR RT

45 °C

36 °C

Mishref

25381200

UMM AL-MARADEM

39 °C

35 °C

W.Hawally

22630786

WA ARBA A - BUBY YAN A

47 °C

30 °C

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

SFC. CHART

14/08/2012 0000 UTC

4 DA AY YS FORECAST Temperatures DA AY

DA ATE T

WEA ATHER T

MAX.

MIN.

Wind Direction

Wind Speed

New Jahra

24575755 Weednesday

15/08

very hot + blowing dust

46 °C

33 °C

NW

20 - 45 km/h

West Jahra

24772608

Thursday

16/08

very hot + raising dust

47 °C

34 °C

NW

20 - 40 km/h

South Jahra

24775066

Friday

17/08

very hot + raising dust

46 °C

33 °C

NW

20 - 40 km/h

North Jahra

24775992

Saturday

18/08

very hot + raising dust

47 °C

33 °C

NW

15 - 40 km/h

North Jleeb

24311795

24892674

Al-Omariya

24719048

N.Kheitan

24710044

Fintas

RECORDED YESTERDA AY AT KUW WAIT A AIRPORT

PRA RA AY YER TIMES Fajr

03:50

MAX. Temp.

46 °C

Sunrise

05:16

MIN. Temp.

35 °C

Zuhr

11:53

MAX. RH

19 %

Asr

15:28

MIN. RH

06 %

Sunset

18:30

MAX. Wind i

N 53 km/h

Isha

19:53

TOT TAL AL RAIINF FALL A L IN 24 HR.

00 mm

All times are local time unless otherwise stated.

23900322

PRIVATE CLINICS 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 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

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

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

lifestyle G O S S I P

Lady Gaga blasted by PETA over fur photos

Alice Cooper to sing at ‘Rock of Ages’?

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ETA is really letting the fur fly over Lady Gaga’s wardrobe. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals senior vice president Dan Mathews penned a scathing open letter to the “Poker Face” singer Monday, accusing the chanteuse of backing down from her anti-fur stance by sporting animal pelts in recent photos.

“Many of your gay fans, I among them, have long admired what you told Ellen: ‘I hate fur and I don’t wear fur,’ Mathews’ letter begins, referring to talk show hosts Ellen DeGeneres. “These recent photos of you in fox and rabbit and with a wolf carcass make it appear that you have amnesia.” Mathews goes on to ask Gaga if she’s done an about-face on the subject of animal fur and suggests that the singer just might be targeted by the group when it cranks up its new awareness campaigns this fall. “What happened? Are your stylists telling you that it’s fake, or are you a turn-

coat?” Mathews wonders. “Many gays are animal advocates because we recognize that the same arrogance and indifference that some have toward animal suffering has at times been directed toward us personally because of our orientation. PETA has long participated in Pride events around the country, and just last week, we helped lead protests against Chick-fil-A. But by wearing those dumb furs in a heat wave, you’re making yourself a target just like the mindless Kim Kardashian. “As we plan our fall campaigns, please tell us whether what you gracefully told Ellen was heartfelt or just a pose,” Mathews concludes. Odd, one would think, that after Gaga sported an outfit made of animal flesh at the MTV Video Music Awards a couple of years ago, there would be precious little left for PETA to complain about. A spokeswoman for the singer has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.

Longoria admires Jolie E

Perry dated Mayer before Brand

va Longoria admires Angelina Jolie for her charity work. The former Desperate Housewives’ actress has nothing but respect for the ‘Changeling’ star for the humanitarian work she does as a UN Special Envoy and the charitable acts she and her fiance Brad Pitt carry out. Eva insists Angelina is an inspiration to her and many others. She said: “I admire her (Angelina). She does the work. She’s not just a spokesperson; she is a hard worker and she gets it done. She is authentically tied to the causes she cares about and she knows so much. She is so knowledgeable of the world situation, so everything I am an advocate for.” The 37year-old beauty has her own charity organization, The Eva Longoria Foundation, which aims to help impoverished Latina women and kids and she insists it is important for her to give back to her own community. Eva - whose parents, Enrique and Ella, are MexicanAmericans - told Britain’s OK! Magazine: “The Eva Longoria Foundation raises funds primarily for Latina women and children. I will be having a Global Gift

lice Cooper is rumored to be joining the cast of ‘Rock of Ages’ in London. The shock rock legend may take to the stage to perform his track ‘School’s Out’ in celebration of the 40th anniversary of its release, a single from his fifth album in 1972. Hinting on twitter, he wrote underneath a picture of a studded leather jacket: “Seems a shame to waste such a #dangerous vest ...

Perhaps I’ll put it to good use tomorrow night in London’s West End! (sic)” He later added: “Hearing

that @rockofagesuk in London is GOOD. But worthy of me crashing their little show? I’LL BE THE JUDGE OF THAT! (sic)” He also tweeted a warning to some of the show’s starts, writing: “OK @shayneTward, @sandy_moffat & @simonlipkin YOU’RE NEXT! #IKnowWhereYouLive. (sic)” Alice has been releasing records since the 60s and says part of his motivation to keep recording new material is that he doesn’t believe the rock stars of today measure up to their predecessors. He said: “What

really bothers me more than anything else - it seems to me that all the young bands that are out there right now are afraid to be rock stars. “They sing like they wanna fit in, ‘We don’t wanna be elaborate we don’t wanna be outgoing, or outrageous. We wanna be the guy next door.’ And honestly I think this generation needs a gigantic shot of testosterone.” ‘Rock of Ages’ is currently being staged at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, starring Shayne Warde and Justin Lee Collins.

Injuries force Chenoweth to exit CBS’‘Good Wife’

K Kenny G files for divorce after 20-year marriage

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mooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G is playing the final note on his marriage after 20 years. Court records show the musician, Kenny Gorelick, filed for divorce Thursday in Los Angeles, citing irreconcilable differences. The 56-year-old married Balynda Helene Benson-Gorelick in April 1992 and the former couple has a 14-year-old son. He is seeking joint custody but does not want to pay his estranged wife spousal support. Benson-Gorelick filed for separation in January, but the case has not proceeded. The divorce was first reported Monday by celebrity website TMZ. Kenny G won a Grammy Award for 1993’s “Forever in Love.”

ristin Chenoweth says injuries she sustained while filming the CBS legal drama “The Good Wife” last month will prevent her from returning to the show. In a statement issued Monday she expresses “deep regret” she’ll be unable to return in her recurring role “at this time.” She’ll appear in the season premiere, airing Sept 30. The 44-year-old actress was hit on the head by a piece of equipment while on the show’s New York City set July 11. She was briefly hospitalized. She says she’s “getting better slowly.” Chenoweth won a Tony Award for her role in Broadway’s “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and an Emmy for her work on “Pushing Daisies.” Last season she starred in the short-lived series “GCB.”

Kim says her sisters are her best friends Gala to raise money in Marbella. And I’m going to have one in Istanbul. In the United States the demographic is changing so fast with the growing presence of Latinos. It is important for us politically to recognize that the future success of America is intricately linked to our community.”

K

aty Perry dated originally John Mayer before she met Russell Brand. The ‘Part of Me’ singer reportedly went on a date with the guitarist - who she is now in a relationship with - the day before she met the comedian at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) in Los Angeles, which eventually led to their marriage in October 2010. A source told LOOK magazine: “A couple of friends had set Katy and John up on this date. They had an amazing time and were planning to do it again. Then she went to the VMAs and fell head over heels for Russell. But it must have always felt like unfinished business with her and John, and they’d occasionally text each other while she was with Russell.

It’s no surprise to friends they have hooked up now her divorce has been finalized. Russell and Katy split in December 2011 after 14 months of marriage and their divorce was finalized a couple of weeks ago. She had been dating Florence the Machine guitarist Rob Ackroyd, but insisted it was not serious between them. Friends say that John - who has previously dated a string of beauties including Taylor Swift, Jessica Simpson, Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston - is even prepared to put his promiscuous past behind him and settle down with Katie. A source added: “He told her right from the start that he was going to ‘cure’ her heartache over Russell and wanted to meet ‘The One’, so he could settle down and marry. He was clearly on a mission to get her to fall for him and it worked.” Katy is already said to be smitten with her new man, falling “hook, line and sinker” for him. The source added: “She’s considering giving him a key to her Hollywood apartment. She says it’s. ‘Just in case she gets locked out,’ but we now there’s more to it than that.”

Vanessa wants a new Johnny

V T

he ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ star is famously close to her siblings Khloe and Kourtney and half-sisters Kylie and Kendall Jenner and revealed she loves having lots of sisters because it means she has many best friends. In response to a tweet by Kylie which read, “Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of”, Kim wrote “I have lots of best friends!” The entire family are notoriously close knit, with matriarch Kris Jenner acting as manager for her daughters. Kim also took to twitter to ridicule rumors of her mother’s demise. She wrote: “The awkward moment when “RIP Kris Jenner” is trending yet I’m the phone with her! LOL (sic).” Kim, 31, is currently on vacation in Hawaii with her rapper boyfriend Kanye West and posted a picture of her in a bathing suit on the micro blogging site, showing exactly what attracted him to her. The twice-married socialite also revealed she is looking to the future with Kanye and sees them together in their 80s. She told New York magazine: “When this whole life is done, and it’s just the two of us sitting somewhere when we’re 80, you want to have things to talk about that you have in common. I think that’s something maybe I didn’t value as highly as a quality I cared about in someone.”

anessa Paradis wants to meet a man with “burning eyes” and a “pretty mouth”. The 39-year-old singer wants to date another creative man following her split from Johnny Depp in June, which brought to an end a 14-year relationship. She said: “Well, my type is obviously creative. Creative with burning eyes and a pretty mouth.”

Vanessa - who has two children, LilyRose, 13, and 10-year-old Jack, with the 49-year-old actor - hinted she was still “very much in love” with Johnny towards the end of their romance but they were ultimately in an “unhappy relationship”. Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar magazine just two days before she announced her split from Johnny, she added: “Love is the strongest and most fragile thing we have in life. “Nothing is ever for sure, but when something in love doesn’t work from the beginning, it’s never going to work. Don’t push it. “When you meet the love of your life, it’s just obvious and natural and easier. You keep learning all the time. Sometimes you could be in an unhappy relationship; you are very much in love with someone, but it’s making you unhappy and you think things can change and you can work it out.” — Agencies

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

lifestyle M U S I C

&

M O V I E S

Taylor Swift releasing new album ‘Red’

File photo shows Taylor Swift performs on stage at the Burswood Dome during the opening night of her ‘Speak Now’ Australian tour in Perth, Australia. — AP

M

ulti-platinum superstar Taylor Swift is releasing her fourth studio album called “Red” on Oct 22. She announced the upcoming worldwide release during a live web chat from Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday before a living room full of fans. She said she named it “Red” because of all the different emotions she explores on the album.

“They’re all pretty much about the kind of tumultuous, crazy, insane, intense, semi-toxic relationships that I’ve experienced in the last two years,” she said of the album, which was two years in the making.

“All those emotions spanning from intense love, intense frustration, jealousy, confusion, all of that, in my mind all those emotions are red. There’s nothing in between. There’s nothing beige about any of those feelings,” she added. The album will have 16 songs, including the title track. It also features collaborations with other artists, producers and songwriters, unlike 2010”s “Speak Now” album written entirely on her own.

Swift confirmed that there is a duet with British singer Ed Sheeran on the album and revealed that they wrote it while sitting on a trampoline. Wearing a red and white striped dress, red earrings and red lipstick, the Grammy-winning singer took questions from the live audience and online. Fans joined in from places such as New York, Alabama, Ohio, Sweden, Brazil and England, and Montreal, Canada.

Swift played the first single from the album during the web chat. It’s called “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” She sarcastically described it as “really touching and sensitive,” saying “it’s a really romantic song that’s to my lovely ex-boyfriend.” As the tune played over a speaker, she chair-danced and mouthed the words along with her fans. The song is available now at iTunes and can be downloaded at all digital outlets starting from yesterday.

Swift says she has spent the past few months working on a follow-up to her incredibly successful “Speak Now World Tour” that sold out stadiums and arenas in 19 countries. She plans to release those details at a later date. Her last album, “Speak Now,” sold more than 1 million copies in its first week out. She has sold more than 22 million albums and 50 million singles throughout her career. Swift is known for hits including “You Belong With Me” and “Love Story.” — AP

US actress Jessica Biel poses during a photocall on August 13, 2012 in Berlin to promote their new film ‘Total Recall’. The movie will premiere in German cinemas on August 23, 2012. — AFP

Pattinson returns to spotlight on

‘The Daily Show’ R

obert Pattinson has decided to come back - to the spotlight, that is. The 26year-old actor has been out of sight since learning last month that his girlfriend and “Twilight” co-star Kristen Stewart had an affair with a married movie director. A tabloid printed photos of the illicit dalliance, breaking the hearts of “Twilight” fans worldwide and prompting Stewart and the director to issue public apologies to their loved ones.

But Pattinson couldn’t lay low forever - he has a film to promote. So on Monday, he was in New York for round of media appearances, including a chat with Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show ” and the premiere of “Cosmopolis,” a thriller based on a Don DeLillo novel.

On the red carpet, an upbeat Pattison wasn’t asked directly about the cheating scandal - media were limited on the number of questions they could ask - but he talked at one point about the movie’s steamy scenes.”I feel a little uncomfortable doing that. But I mean, some of the scenes in this were like complicated acting scenes - it’s a very strange experience,” he said with a smile.

Work obligations often force celebrities out of hiding after challenging personal situations, but choosing how and where to make a comeback is often a carefully calculated move.

“There’s no one show that’s the right answer for everyone,” said veteran publicist Howard Bragman, now vice chairman of Reputation.com. “The right answer is the one where you think you’re going to get the most

Broadway’s ‘Once’ recoups its investment

T

he Tony Award-winning musical “Once” has proved to be a song at the box office: It has recouped its $5.5 million investment in less than six months. Producers announced on Monday that the show has turned profitable after just 21 weeks, or “faster than any Tony Award-winning best musical in more than a decade.” The musical starring Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti is based on the 2006 film about an unlikely romance between a Czech flower seller and an Irish street musician in Dublin.

Like the film, the musical features songs by Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard, including “Falling Slowly.” It won eight Tonys and last week earned an average ticket price of $124.27. Made for about $150,000, the original film earned $20 million. A national tour of the musical will launch in the summer of 2013. The musical was an off-Broadway hit and doesn’t suffer a bit from moving to a 1,000-seat Broadway theater.

Traditionally, only about 3 in 10 Broadway shows recoup. — AP

‘Bourne’ bests Batman to top N America box office

“T

he Bourne Legacy,” the latest installment in the popular action series, dethroned the new Batman film to take the top spot in the North American box office, industry figures showed Monday. The fourth Bourne thriller-starring Jeremy Renner as a secret agent threatened by his employers and not Matt Damon as Jason Bourne-raked in $38.1 million in its opening weekend, movie tracker Exhibitor Relations said. Another new release, the political spoof “The Campaign” starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, brought in $26.6 million-good enough for second place in the weekend rankings.

“The Dark Knight Rises,” the final installment of the Batman trilogy directed by

Christopher Nolan, fell to third place with $19 million, after topping the chart each week since it opened last month. The film, starring Christian Bale, has already pulled in nearly $389.6 million in domestic box office sales, despite the mass shooting at an opening night screening in Colorado that left 12 dead and 58 wounded.

A new romantic comedy starring Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones, “Hope Springs,” about a married couple trying to get back their spark, came in fourth place with $14.7 million.

In fifth place, science-fiction action remake “Total Recall,” with $8.01 million in ticket sales, narrowly beat out teen comedy “Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days” at $8 million. —AFP

respect, the fairest hearing and the best presentation - and potentially where you’ve had the best relationships in the past.” When Pattinson chatted with Stewart in 2010, the comedian invited him to return, saying, “You are making me cooler.”

For his appearance Monday on “The Daily Show,” Stewart joked in the show opener that a lot of people might be tuning in for the first time. A graphic went up on the bottom of the screen during a segment on Republican Mitt Romney’s Vice Presidential pick, Paul Ryan, welcoming ‘Twilight Fans’ and alerting them that they were watching a show ‘mostly

dealing with politics and media.’”

When Pattinson did take the stage, Stewart asked, ‘What have you been up to?’ and handed him ice cream. “We’re just a couple o’ gals talkin’...tell me everything.”

Pattinson seemed uncomfortable but goodnatured. “My biggest problem in life is I’m cheap and I didn’t hire a publicist,” joked the actor about navigating this highly-publicized time. (For the record, he really doesn’t have a publicist.) Stewart brought the conversation back to ice cream. “The last time I had a bad breakup, Ben & Jerry got me through some of the tougher times. So I thought you and I

‘Odd Life of Timothy Green’:

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry Review

In this theater image released by Boneau/Bryan-Brown, Steve Kazee (left) and Cristin Milioti are shown in a scene from ‘Once,’ in New York.—AP

Actor Robert Pattinson attends the premiere of ‘Cosmopolis’ at the Museum of Modern Art on Monday in New York. —AP

could talk about, ‘Boy, you are better off. Kick her to the curb. Whatever!” he said as Pattinson laughed.

Pattinson rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange yesterday, will appear on “Good Morning America” today and then give an interview to MTV tomorrow. Other celebrities eschew Hollywood’s glare completely during times of crisis.

Sylvester Stallone skipped some promotions for his latest film, “The Expendables 2,” after his son’s unexpected death last month.

Stallone attended the film’s Paris premiere last week and “Good Morning America” was scheduled to air a taped interview with him yesterday. Demi Moore also avoided interviews about her directorial contributions to “Five” when rumors simmered about thenhusband Ashton Kutcher’s infidelity.

John Travolta hasn’t given any probing interviews since his image was rocked by accusations of sexual impropriety with massage therapists, but the actor very publicly kissed wife Kelly Preston at the premiere of his latest film, “Savages,” last month and has appeared at other Hollywood functions.

Bragman said, “the real secret is being prepared.” “Every actor has the right to talk about what he wants to talk about and not talk about something he doesn’t want to talk about... You have to handle (such questions) with dignity and class and respect for the journalist doing their job,” he said, adding, “Don’t expect Robert on ‘The Daily Show’ or ‘Good Morning America’ to bare his soul.” — AP

A

wonderful formula for emotionally engaging family movies is attributed to Walt Disney. He reportedly told his movie teams that for every laugh there must be a tear. That balance is why classics from “Bambi” to Disney-Pixar’s “ Toy Story 3” endure. They celebrate the family members and friends who make life grand while acknowledging our fears that we may lose them and be left alone in the world. “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” is Disney’s formula flawlessly executed. It’s perfectly fitting that a story about a boy who emerges from the earth of a childless couple’s garden should have a perfect balance of sunshine and rain.

Cindy and Jim Green, played by Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton, have done their best to remain cheerful while struggling for years with infertility. Their plight is echoed by their make-believe hometown of Stanleyville, where a stifling drought drags on and the main industry, the pencil factory, faces declining demand and layoffs.

They playfully put the kid issue behind them, scribbling down all the attributes they wanted in their dream child, sealing them in a wooden box, and burying it in their vegetable patch. That night a drenching downpour arrives-exclusively over the Green household. Awakened by a late-night knock on the door, they discover a mud-caked, delightful boy (CJ Adams) who affectionately calls them Mom and Dad. The moment is beyond wonderful. Their wish has come true, with Timothy embodying every virtue they imagined, even if some of them, like his fearless honesty, lead to unforeseen complications.

The screenplay easily could have tumbled into a treacle pit, but writer/ director Peter

Jennifer Garner (from left) CJ Adams and Joel Edgerton star in ‘The Odd Life of Timothy Green.’ — MCT Hedges (“Dan in Real Life,” “About a Boy,” “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”) knows how to keep the story’s hokum grounded in relatable reality. Jim has a high-friction relationship with his own dad (David Morse). Cindy’s sister (Rosemarie DeWitt) is a textbook underminer, and her boss at the local pencil museum (Dianne Weist) is a colossal grump. Hedges allows himself enough suspension of disbelief to finesse Timothy’s introduction to the couple’s family and close friends, and his instant registration at the middle school.

Timothy is a bit different, in all good ways, making friends with an artistic girl at school who is a budding rebel outcast. He sets a standard of kindness and decency that’s

rather hard for his often-bewildered parents to live up to. And his remarkable background poses some weird challenges: When he’s unwell does he go to the hospital or the greenhouse?

The film unfolds over the course of a year in which every character affected by Timothy grows as a result. Like time-lapse photography of an opening flower bud, the film gives us birth, love, learning and loss in accelerated fashion. It’s a peculiar fable that touches universal emotions-a blooming miracle.

The odd life of Timothy Green 3 stars Rating: PG — MCT

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

LIFESTYLE

V

Stirring up sweet memories with vanilla

anilla pudding can bring out the kid in you, especially as it conjures up memories of those huge institutional cans cranked open in summer camp dining halls or the tiny cups your mom would tuck into your school lunchbox. Part of the appeal of vanilla pudding lies in its simplicity. It personifies the nostalgic flavors of childhood.

Yet, vanilla pudding can be a key ingredient in more complicated desserts designed to please adults, treats like tarts and trifles and homemade ice pops. That’s due to the clean, clear flavor you get, especially from homemade versions.

Alice Medrich, a baker and teacher living in Berkeley, Calif., says vanilla pudding serves as a valuable backdrop for other flavors, whether that’s a nutmegspiced tart shell, a sprinkling of crumbled toffee on top or a spoonful of fresh fruit. Vanilla pudding is also a superb showcase, naturally, for that distinctive vanilla flavor. “Vanilla pudding is bland in a delicious way,” says Medrich, author of “Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts” Shaina Olmanson, the Falcon Heights, Minn.-based writer of the “Food for My Family” blog, also zeros in on the “creamy sweetness” of vanilla pudding that “puts a period at the end of the meal.” “It’s like vanilla ice cream,” says Olmanson, author of “Desserts in Jars: 50 Sweet Treats That Shine”.

“It’s simple, sweet and satisfies the need you have for that last sweet bite.”

While vanilla pudding can be a nostalgic reminder for “those in the older age groups when parents made real pudding,” Medrich says vanilla pudding appeals to

all generations today as a delicious, no-fuss dessert. That vanilla pudding can be made without eggs is especially appealing.

“For the new cook or a cook scared of eggs it’s easy to make.

They don’t have to worry about the eggs curdling,” she says.

Cooks can control the richness by using half-and-half or cream instead of milk, if they want to use a dairy product at all. “I’m certain, though I haven’t done it, you could make vanilla pudding without dairy using coconut or hemp milk,” Medrich says, suggesting cooks also experiment with different sugars, like brown or raw.

“The key to vanilla pudding, I think, is to let it shine,” Olmanson says. “Use great vanilla. The better the quality the better the taste.”

Rich vanilla pudding Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 15 minutes Chill: 1 hour Servings: 4 (cup each) Note: Tasters found this pudding from Shaina Olmanson’s “Desserts in Jars” to be absolutely delicious.

Ingredients: 1/3 cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon salt Vanilla beans scraped from 1 vanilla bean pod 3 egg yolks 2 cups whole milk 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into pieces 1. Whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, salt and vanilla bean seeds in a medium saucepan.

Whisk in the egg yolks until well combined. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking to incorporate.

Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until thickened, 10-15 minutes.

2. Remove from the heat; whisk in the butter one piece at a time, making sure each piece is incorporated before adding the next. Cover the top of the pudding with plastic wrap; refrigerate until set, 1 to 2 hours.

Nutrition information: Per serving: 254 calories, 13 g

Vanilla pudding is a reminder of childhood nostalgia and school lunches, but its clean, clear flavor is perfect as part of other recipes. —MCT photos fat, 7 g saturated fat, 166 mg cholesterol, 28 g carbohydrates, 6 g protein, 133 mg sodium, 0 g fiber.

Ways to serve it up Present your pudding simply with whipped cream or fresh fruit. Or transform it with these ideas from Shaina Olmanson author of “Desserts in Jars.”

1. Make vanilla pudding pops, right. Lightly grease commercially

available ice pop molds, Olmanson uses the wrapper from a stick of butter for the task, then pour in the pudding. Freeze. “It’s creamy and sweet and everything you want in (an ice pop) but it doesn’t freeze so hard,” she says.

2. Place pound-cake slices in a cake pan. Pour vanilla pudding hot off the stove over the pound cake. Let it cool and set. Top with fresh fruit.

3. Use pudding in layered

Vanilla pudding is a reminder of childhood nostalgia and school lunches, but its clean, clear flavor is perfect as part of other recipes such as these fruit pops. desserts, such as a trifle or parfait.

“Creamy layers act as the glue that holds it all together,” she writes.

Tahitian vanilla pudding Alice Medrich, a baker and teacher living in Berkeley, Calif, uses this egg-free vanilla pudding as a tart filling topped with dried cherry compote in her book

pudding

“Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts” (Artisan, $25.95). You may use a sauce made with fresh cherries instead, or garnish with fresh fruit and, perhaps, a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

Medrich uses Tahitian vanilla in the pudding for its “exotic flavor and nuances of cherry,” she writes. You may substitute Mexican or Bourbon vanilla for the Tahitian, or use a vanilla bean: Heat the milk and cream with a whole vanilla bean until steaming hot, cover and let steep 15 minutes. Remove the bean, set aside and proceed with the recipe. You can also serve this pudding without the tart shell, plain or dressed up in a parfait.

Prep: 25 minutes Cook: 26 minutes Chill: 3 hours Makes: 8 servings Crust: 8 tablespoons (4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted cup sugar teaspoon pure Tahitian vanilla teaspoon ground nutmeg teaspoon salt 1 cup, plus 2 tablespoons flour For the filling: cup sugar 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch teaspoon salt 2 cups half-and-half 2 teaspoons Tahitian vanilla 1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. For the crust, combine the butter, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and salt in a medium bowl. Add flour; mix just until well-blended.

If the dough seems too soft and gooey, let it stand for a few minutes to firm up.

2. Press the dough in a thin, even layer over the bottom and up the sides of a 9 {-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough squarely into the corners of the pan to

avoid extra-thick edges. (Crust may be prepared 2 or 3 days ahead, wrapped and refrigerated.

Bring to room temperature before baking.)

3. Place the pan on a baking sheet. Bake until the crust is fully golden brown, 20-25 minutes. If the crust puffs up during baking, gently press it down with the back of a fork and prick it a few times. Cool crust on a rack.

4. Meanwhile, make the filling.

Whisk the sugar, cornstarch and salt together in a heavy medium saucepan. Add about 3 tablespoons of the half-and-half; whisk to form a smooth paste. Whisk in the remaining half-and-half.

Using a silicone spatula or a wooden spoon, stir the mixture constantly over medium heat, scraping the bottom, sides and corners of the pan, until the pudding thickens and begins to bubble at the edges, about 5 minutes.

Continue to cook and stir, 1 more minute. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla.

5. Scrape the hot pudding into the crust. Level with a spatula. Let cool, 1 hour; refrigerate tart at least 2 hours to allow the pudding to set. Cover the tart once the filling is set.

Nutrition information per serving: 307 calories, 19 g fat, 12 g saturated fat, 53 mg cholesterol, 31 g carbohydrates, 4 g protein, 136 mg sodium, 0 g fiber —MCT

World Chef: Sushi chef finds success in Australian country town

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hen Masaaki Koyama opened his sushi shop in Geeveston, a small town in southern Tasmania that survives mainly on lumber and apple growing, he had to step outside to offer samples to locals to encourage them to try his hand-made sushi rolls. Now, three years later, his name is so well known on Australia’s most southern island state that customers form snake-like, endless queues to buy his tasty delights. Part of the success is the attraction of watching Koyama make some of the hundreds of rolls of sushi he prepares every day. He offers up to nine varieties of sushi, and miso soup laced with home grown vegetables and Inari (bean curd), stuffed with chopped beetroot, carrot and mushrooms, stir fried in sesame oil and mixed with sesame seeds and sushi rice.

Koyama spoke with Reuters about his business and how he made it a success.

Q: Was it risky setting up business so far from Hobart’s tourist trail, where locals may not be familiar with sushi?

A. “Yes, I was very nervous. It took me about six months to have the courage to go ahead and do it. After living in Tasmania for about a year I took a stall at ‘Taste of the Huon’ annual food festival and it went very well so I thought, ah maybe it will be ok!”

Q: Who are your customers?

A: “In the first three years mainly locals and forestry workers, but now quite a lot of people travel down from Hobart (60 kilometers or 37 miles away) and tourists pop in when they’re passing through.”

Q: Your shop is in Geeveston, a small town. Were people there familiar with sushi?

A: “No, a lot of people had never tried it before. I just kept saying, ‘please try’.

People were watching from outside, so I had to go out and ask them, would you like to try a piece of sushi. Some people said, ‘oh I don’t like it’. So it was interesting and fun for me.”

Q: I hear some of your customers are big burly Tasmanian forestry workers.

Does that seem strange to maybe think, chain saw in one hand, sushi in the other?

A: “Yes at first, but now it’s pretty normal.”

Q: Where do you source your ingredients from?

A: “My ingredients are sourced mostly from local vegetable and fish shops and my veggie garden. I have lots of garlic at the moment and beetroot, spring onions, radish and some Japanese vegetables also. I like using veggies from the garden in my ingredients, but it’s very hard to look after a veggie garden and the shop.

I begin work at 5 am and finish at about 7 pm three days a week.”

Q: You’ve become a familiar name at the Farmers Market in Hobart on Sundays. How do you draw the crowds?

A: “Lots of kids love my sushi. Their

most popular choice is my vegetable sushi rolls. Fresh salmon, yellow fin tuna, stripey trumpeter, prawn and avocado are also very popular amongst adults.“I have long queues waiting for my sushi on Sundays. It’s not a straight line though, they queue in an angle to watch me hand roll the sushi. It’s lovely when the sun is shining.”

Q: Do you source your seafood in Tasmania?

A: “Yes, with the exception of prawns, the rest comes from Tasmania. When I can’t source yellow fin tuna in Tasmania I buy it across the water in Victoria.”

Q: You’ve clearly become a success.

You’ve come from being nervous about opening your sushi business to enjoying entertaining long queues of customers waiting for your sushi rolls.

What’s your winning formula?

A: “It’s very simple, I use only fresh ingredients and I love talking to the customers.”

Q: Do you have plans to grow your business and open around Tasmania.

A: “I’m very happy in my small shop in Geeveston making good quality sushi rolls.”

Masaaki Koyama’s miso soup The secret to a good miso soup is the “dashi” base. Dashi can be made from kombu (kelp), dried bonito flakes, dried shiitake mushrooms. These are boiled up to produce a delicious stock.

Contemporary Japanese households will often just use dried bonito flakes or bonito fish stock powder. Masaaki uses a combination of any of the above bases for his miso soup. Fill a pot with dashi stock and place over heat.

Add ingredients such as sliced local vegetables: onions, potatoes, carrots.

Turn the heat up to high, and when it boils turn down the heat to medium.

Remove any scum on the surface of the soup as the vegetables cook. When all the vegetables are cooked through, turn the heat down low.

Soften an appropriate amount of miso - this depends on the volume of the stock and your preferences for strong or lighter flavour - in a ladle or strainer, using liquid from the stock, and gradually dissolves it into the stock, adjusting the taste. It’s important to never boil the stock once you have dissolved the miso paste, as this will spoil the flavor.

After turning off the heat, add some wakame seaweed, which can be bought fresh or dried (soften in water as per package instructions). Masaaki likes to add a sprinkling of freshly-chopped Tasmanian spring onions. —Reuters

Guys have many choices for quilts and A handy bulletin board for guys may be sheets. —MCT photos handy.

I

A collapsable chair would be useful in a girls dorm room.

Dorm life expands, though the rooms remain small

t may be small (and shared). But for at least one academic year, for thousands of college students, it’s home.

Over generations, the dorm room hasn’t gotten bigger. But the amount of musthave stuff-including technology-that needs to squeeze into that space has morphed into a much longer list. “All our rooms now have Wi-Fi access and satellite TV packages,” said Peggy Luers, coordinator for housing administration at California State University, Sacramento.

“That was not an option when I was in school.”

Luers, who has been in charge of Sacramento State’s dorms for 22 years, expects 1,600 students to start moving in on Aug. 24, including about 1,000 freshmen. “Students need to be aware that the space they’re moving into is probably smaller than they’re used toand they’re sharing,” Luers said. “Don’t bring everything all at once. You don’t want a crowded room. You need a place to study.” In Sacramento State’s residence halls, the average room size is 11 by 15 feet; that’s only 165 square feet.

Including a full meal plan, housing costs each student $9,750 to $10,230 for the academic year. The rooms come furnished with extra-long twin beds, desks and chairs. There are closets and a little drawer space. The challenge is to make that spartan room feel like home.

“We want them to be comfortable.

They have a place to bring out their personality, but they also should use some common sense,” Luers said. And follow the rules. Each college has its own variations of dorm do’s and don’ts with some constants. No nails in the walls. No painting. No pets (except maybe fish). But that leaves plenty of decorating options.

Major companies have taken notice, fulfilling dorm needs as part of their teen marketing. According to retailers, the average incoming college freshman will spend more than $900 this year to outfit

his or her dorm room. For example, Bed, Bath & Beyond partnered with Sacramento State to create sample dorm rooms for prospective students and their parents to tour. Target carries XL twin bedding and Room Essentials foldable furniture. Tuesday Morning made dorm living key to its back-toschool push.

Catering to this youth market, Pottery Barn recently opened its first West Coast PBteen store in Westfield

Jessica Lewis, who visited PBteen with college-bound friends Victoria Jennett and Kristyn Carl. The three recent graduates of Grass Valley’s Nevada Union High School did their homework before shopping, checking out the Internet before going to the mall. Lewis, who is headed for dorm life at San Diego State University, debated color choices before picking a silver-gray jersey-covered duvet.

“If I pick a color, I’d get bored with

PBteen Design Studio Specialist Jenn Lindsay, left, helps a collegebound Jessica Lewis, 18, center, with her bedding choices.

Galleria at Roseville, Calif. The store also offers the PBdorm line. “The PBdorm line is a little more sophisticated,” explained Nancy Guettier, vice president of visual merchandizing for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen. “The colors are more muted; a lot of plum and gray. (The brand) offers a smart, savvy solution to college life.” At the new PBteen store, soon-to-be college students can literally see themselves in dorm room settings. A digital design center allows them to put together their own combinations and share them with friends on video screens. “It’s the first place we went,” said

that color,” Lewis said. “This way, I can mix and match around it.” Jennett, who will live off campus during her freshman year at San Diego Mesa Community College, also chose gray with pops of color. “Gray goes great with orange and mustard yellow,” she said. “And it doesn’t get as dirty.” That’s an important consideration. Dorm life means laundry.

(PBteen offers cloth laundry bags with instructions printed on the outside.) Said Luers, “My advice to parents: Teach your teens how to do laundry before they arrive in the dorms.” Because linens may look alike, distinctive patterns or colors

can help roommates tell items apart.

PBteen also offers a monogram service for its linens. Bedding and towels start the list of must-have dorm items. Pillows (especially an oversized back-rest variety) are a plus. “Your bed is not only a bed, but also your couch and study spot,” Luers said. Most dorm rooms come in basic off-white. Area rugs are another way to add a splash of color and personalize its small space.

For friends who stop by, more seating is appreciated. That’s where beanbags and collapsible chairs come in. “The Hang-A-Round chair, for example, can be folded up and put in the closet or under the bed,” Guettier said. “And it comes in lots of fun fabrics such as ‘Furlicious,’” a sheepskin-look fake fur.

Lighting is important, particularly for study time. Consider task lights for desks or clip-on fixtures for reading in bed. To keep clutter under control, maximize the dorm room’s small space with organizers, another product area that’s expanded greatly in recent years. “Organization is key,” Luers said. “Use that space, including under the bed and in the closet.” Said Guettier, “You’re challenged by space.

When you want to study, it’s better to clear the clutter. You can put everything in its place. These products are both stylish and functional.”

On the walls, poster putty and removable adhesive allow students to put up decorations and practical bulletin boards without messing up the paint.

For example, PBteen’s Style Tiles allow for mix and match of chalk, dry erase and cork boards to fit any wall. A wellequipped dorm room needs a minifridge, microwave and television, but not two. That’s another area where technology comes in. Said Luers,”Students have access to so much more information now. They can go on the Internet and communicate with their roommates before they arrive. —MCT

39

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

LIFESTYLE F e a t u r e s

Birthplace of

rock ‘n’ roll? Memphis has plenty of evidence in its favor

T

his port city on the Mississippi River calls itself the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. Its credentials? The Memphis Recording Service, forerunner of Sun Studio, in 1951 recorded “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats, which some people say was the first rock ‘n’ roll record. Several other cities make the same claim, including Wildwood, NJ, where Bill Haley and His Comets performed the first song with “rock” in the title (“Rock Around the Clock”) in 1954; Cleveland, where DJ Alan Freed coined the term rock ‘n’ roll and organized the first rock concert; and Detroit, home of Motown Records.

It’s hard to argue against Memphis, where some of the earliest practitioners of the blues and rock ‘n’ roll got their start at Sun Studio, Stax Records or Hi Records: Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Carl Perkins, Booker T. and the MGs, Jerry

which is a pedestrians-only celebration of the Memphis sound-the competing music from clubs clashes in the street.

Each of the music-related museums has its own soundtrack, and I could spend days just listening to their playlists of historically significant tunes: the original “Hound Dog,” recorded by “Big Mama” Thornton in 1952, four years before it was covered by Elvis. “Cause I Love You,” the first record by Carla Thomas, in a duet with her father, Rufus Thomas, himself a rhythm and blues singer. Early recordings by Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett on which Booker T and the MGs performed as the Stax house band.

On this trip, it’s tempting to visit the Civil Rights Museum, watch the ducks march at the Peabody Hotel, take a dinner cruise on a paddle wheeler, and go to a minor league baseball game. But I grew up in the ‘50s and ‘60s, still own the scratched 45s I collected as a kid, and view rock ‘n’ roll proudly and possessively as the music that distinguished my generation from the previous one. So I choose to immerse myself in Memphis’s music- related landmarks, all of which, in some sense, are museums. I will find that in different proportions, all are part bragging, part recounting

automated assembly lines here. The top and back wooden panels are cut, rims pressed into shape, center blocks glued on, rims glued on, tops and necks attached and bound. There is sanding, filling, buffing, staining and drying.

The process of making a guitar takes three weeks or longer, I learn later; the factory noise drowns out most of what our guide says.

Sun Studio, the smallest of the museums, is in midtown Memphis, a mile from the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, which offers a free shuttle. It began life as Memphis Recording Studio, but Sam Phillips soon turned it into a record label.

memorabilia including his high school diploma and other materials. In the downstairs recording studio, guitars lean against the walls, which are hung with blown-up photos of musicians. Guests are invited to take photos of each other handling the microphone that Elvis once used.

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is in Soulsville, a neighborhood about 2 miles south of Beale Street, close to the spot where the Stax recording studio was built in a former movie theater. The studio opened in 1960 but was later torn down. The museum, opened in

and a wealth of memorabilia: stage costumes; equipment trunks; Isaac Hayes’ tricked-out Cadillac; the tape machine on which Otis Redding recorded; the piano used for “Green Onions.”

Now it’s Friday night, and I’m out with a group looking for music. The pedestrian-only section of Beale Street is crowded with people drinking from plastic takeout cups, wandering through music and souvenir stores, and watching the Beale Street Flippers, athletic young men who perform a sort of combination cartwheel/ somersault across the cobblestones for tips. The scene hasn’t reached fratparty status, but on some nights, it does.

With live music, most of the clubs have a cover charge, but they’re still busy. Our group tries Mr Handy’s Blues Hall first, but it has standing room only, and we end up in Rum Boogie Cafe, where the music is not quite loud enough to drown out conversation.

A block away is the Brass Note Walk of Fame, which celebrates more than 100 people who contributed to Memphis’s musical history with brass notes embedded in the sidewalk

A sample of Elvis kitschy souvenirs is available in a shop on Beale Street in Memphis.

This guitar signed by Jimmie Vaughan hangs in the Memphis Rock” Soul Museum.

A statue of Elvis Presley stands on Beale Street near the Mississippi River.

Beale Street in Memphis is jammed with clubs, bars, restaurants and souvenir and music shops. —MCT photos Lee Lewis, Rufus and Carla Thomas, and, of course, Elvis Presley.

Supporting evidence abounds. Memphis has the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, Stax Museum, the Gibson Guitar factory and Graceland, all of which document that history-and Beale Street, which echoes with the sound of the blues in daylight as well as at night.

There’s a statue of Elvis on Beale Street, BB King in bronze in the visitors center. WC Handy, known as the father of the blues, presides over the Performing Arts Park that bears his name.

Music seems to seep out of every building, blare from every speaker, and accompany every meal. I hear it when I’m eating tamales in the Blues City Cafe, and over a pulled pork sandwich at The Pig on Beale, while I’m browsing the kitschy souvenir shops for blue suede shoes, and in my hotel, where a painting of BB King is part of the jazz-and-blues theme. At night on Beale Street-a 2 -block section of

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history and part spreading a love of music.

First stop: the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, located on the party stretch of Beale Street. Created by the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of American History, it grew out of the history museum’s traveling exhibition about American music.

Unlike the other museums, which generally focus on a particular niche, this museum is an overview of rock and soul. Exhibits trace the history of American music to gospel music, field hollers and work songs of sharecroppers in the ‘30s, examining how social and cultural forces shaped music.

Also on display are guitars signed by Jimmie Vaughan and Robert Cray, a sequined jacket and hat worn by Sam of Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs, the organ on which Mark James wrote “Suspicious Minds,” a speaker cabinet used by U2 and much more.

Across the street is the Gibson Guitar factory. Our tour guide hands out safety goggles and makes it clear that taking them off won’t be tolerated. Neither will stepping outside the lines on the factory floor. This is a factory where chemicals are used, we’re reminded, and wood dust floats in the air. No photography is allowed.

It’s a Saturday, but a crew of luthiers is making hollow-bodied guitars. There are no

Sun Studio began as the Memphis Recording Service.

This is where Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats, with Ike Turner on piano, recorded “Rocket 88,” an ode to an Oldsmobile. The recording was distinctive because of the distortion caused by a damaged amplifier. Phillips liked the distortion and kept it.

Three years later, Elvis Presley recorded his first record here. Phillips had not been enthused about Presley’s initial efforts, until he heard him casually sing a sped-up version of Arthur Crudup’s “That’s All Right.” The song became Presley’s first single on the Sun label.

Phillips also signed Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, who came together with Elvis on one memorable night in an impromptu jam session that inspired Broadway’s “Million Dollar Quartet.” The upstairs exhibit includes photos and concert posters of various Sun Studio artists, Elvis

2003, has a touch-screen map that illustrates how the studio was part of a larger community where Aretha Franklin, Booker T Jones (of Booker T and the MG’s) and other musicians once lived.

Displays tell the history of Stax Records, an R&B label founded by Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton, white brother and sister, most of whose recording artists were black. Among the artists-some in a convoluted arrangement with Atlantic Records-were Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, Rufus and Carla Thomas, most of them backed at some point by Booker T and the MG’s.

The museum has the “Express Yourself” dance floor with videos from “Soul Train,” an authentic Mississippi Delta AME chapel that was disassembled and rebuilt in the museum,

in the style of the stars on Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame.

Finally, there is Graceland, the 14-acre farm that Presley bought in 1957 at the age of 22 and has become the focus of Elvis fans everywhere. This month, Graceland is marking the 35th anniversary of his death.

Graceland’s importance to Memphis can’t be overstated. Graceland opened for tours on June 7, 1982, five years after Elvis’s death. It wasn’t until after those tours starting drawing in music lovers that Sun Studio and Stax Records followed suit, the Smithsonian opened the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, or that Beale Street began its comeback.

Tours of Graceland are self-guided, so visitors proceed at their own pace, but most stop longest at the Jungle Room, with its waterfall, shag-carpeted walls and jungle motif; the billiard room, in which the walls and ceiling are covered with elaborately pleated print fabric; the displays of gold records and glitzy jumpsuits; and the Meditation Garden, where Elvis, his parents and other family members are buried. —MCT

Musicians remember Elvis’ talent, character

lvis Presley left behind hit songs, epic performances, some so-so movies and an image as a handsome, rebellious, talented and sometimes-troubled artist that remains indelibly marked in America’s pop culture psyche 35 years after his death.

Presley also left behind memories held closely and deeply by the songwriters and musicians who not only helped him work his magic in the studio and onstage, but also worked hard to keep his music alive today. Many described him as intelligent, humble and generous.

DJ Fontana, Elvis’ longtime drummer, met Presley during the popular “Louisiana Hayride” shows in the early 1950s. Fontana, who still tours and plays Elvis songs, said Presley rarely rehearsed and always appeared cool.

“He never did prepare for nothing, early on,” Fontana said. “Every time he came onstage he was ready. He never did get really nervous, you know.”

Fontana, studio musician Bobby Wood and others are playing a 35th-anniversary tribute concert in Memphis on Thursday, commemorating the day Presley died in 1977 at 42. The event is part of Elvis Week, the annual celebration of all things Elvis that includes the candlelight vigil at his mansion, Graceland, on the eve of the death anniversary.

Elvis Week will draw about 75,000 fans. Ex-wife Priscilla Presley and daughter Lisa Marie Presley are expected to attend the concert, which will include live musicians playing along with video footage of Elvis singing. Also in attendance will be songwriter Mike Stoller, who teamed with the late Jerry Leiber to form a songwriting duo that today is enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Stoller appeared at a songwriter’s forum at Graceland on Saturday. Leiber and Stoller wrote an impressive roster of pop, country, R&B and rock ‘n’ roll classics, including Elvis recordings “Hound Dog,”“Jailhouse Rock,”“Don’t” and “Loving You.” Stoller recalls being impressed with Presley’s hard work and his manners. When they met, Stoller had to tell Elvis to refer to the songwriters - who were only two years older - as Jerry and Mike, not sir. During the recording of “Jailhouse Rock,” Stoller was sure they had nailed it on the ninth take.

“He was already up to take 25, 26, and he kept saying, ‘I think I can do it better,’” Stoller said. “Finally he said, ‘Where’s that one that you liked?’ We went back and played it and he said, ‘Yeah, that’s it, that’s cool.’” When Big Mama Thornton first released “Hound Dog” in 1953, it was a woman’s song about a low-class man who was “cryin’

all the time.” Her recording was a hit in black communities but hardly known among whites, Stoller said. When Presley sang it, it changed. On the record and in his gyrating performances, the young Elvis portrayed a mascu-

that’s what Elvis liked, that kind of snarly attitude.” The way Stoller found out that “Hound Dog” was a hit is quite remarkable. Stoller was returning from a three-month stay in Europe on the ocean liner Andrea Doria when it col-

In this Jan 22, 1969 photo provided by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc, Elvis Presley, (center) poses for a photo at American Sound Studio with The Memphis Boys, an acclaimed studio band that worked with Elvis on two albums in 1969, in Memphis, Tenn. —AP line sexuality that helped turn “Hound Dog” from a woman’s song into a man’s. He also brought the song to a worldwide audience. “It still had the same attitude,” Stoller said. “I think

lided with the Stockholm and sank near Nantucket, Massachusetts, on July 25, 1956. About 50 people died and more than 1,600 were rescued.

Stoller was picked up by a freighter

that brought rescued passengers to New York. Leiber met Stoller at the dock. “When I came in and went down the gangplank onto solid ground, he was there at the dock running up and the first thing he said to me was, ‘Mike, we got a smash hit,’” Stoller said. “I said, ‘You’re kidding.’ He said, ‘Hound Dog.’ I said, ‘Big Mama Thornton?’ He said, ‘No, some white kid named Elvis Presley.’” Presley’s career eventually slowed down, and he lost popularity to acts like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. But a 1968 television musical show, referred to as the ‘68 Comeback Special, showed that Elvis had returned as a revitalized, handsome, vocally strong performer.

He then went back to Memphis, teaming up with The Memphis Boys, an accomplished and highly respected band at American Sound Studios, on the albums “From Elvis in Memphis” and “Elvis: Back in Memphis.” The Memphis Boys backed Presley on the hits “In the Ghetto” and “Suspicious Minds.” Keyboardist Bobby Wood bonded with Elvis because they were both from Mississippi, were from spiritual families and were lovers of gospel music.

Presley was born in Tupelo and Wood grew up in nearby New Albany. Wood recalls one day when they were sitting in the control room and he com-

plimented Elvis on a diamond and ruby ring he was wearing.

“He just pulled it off and handed it to me. I looked and his name was on the inside of it,” Wood said. “I just handed it back to him and he said, ‘No, that’s yours.’” Wood refused to take the ring: “I said, ‘I’m just here for you, man, I just want to be your friend. You don’t need to give me anything.’” Stories about Presley’s generosity abound in his beloved Memphis. Singer-songwriter Andy Childs, a Memphis native, remembers going to Graceland as a child with his father and brother in 1969. There was Elvis, sitting on a horse near the front gate, holding court. “He smiled a lot, he looked terrific,” Childs said. “When I shook his hand, he looked right at me. He made eye contact with people a lot.”

When Presley died, Childs said the phone lines in Memphis suddenly became jammed. Residents needed to tell the world that, after struggling with prescription drug abuse, the King was dead. “You just thought that Elvis Presley was invincible, that he would always be there,” Childs said. “It was just a surreal moment. Passing away at 42 is way too darn young to be checking out.” —AP

Pattinson returns to spotlight on ‘The Daily Show’

37

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

Yemenis shop at a bazaar ahead of the upcoming Muslim Eid Al-Fitr in Sanaa, on August 13, 2012. Muslims throughout the world prepare to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr festival at the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in which they refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activities from dawn to dusk. —AFP

Ramadan TV show stirs argument across Arab world A

television drama about the life of a seventh century Muslim ruler, Omar Ibn AlKhattab, is polarising opinion across the Arab world by challenging a widespread belief that actors should not depict Islam’s central figures. Conservative clerics denounce the series, which is running during the region’s busiest drama season, the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Scholars see an undesirable trend in television programming; the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates has publicly refused to watch it.

But at dinner tables and on social media around the region, “Omar” is winning praise among many Muslim viewers, who admire it for tackling an important period in Islam’s history.

Some think it carries lessons for the Arab world, which is grappling with political change unleashed by last year’s uprisings. Salam Sarhan, a columnist at the Lebanese newspaper Diyar, said the show was part of a gradual trend for the Islamic world to re-examine its heritage more critically, and would open the door for more television and cinema productions depicting central figures in Islam.

“If anyone dared to depict these figures 20 years ago, he would have been accused of blasphemy,” he wrote. “Simply put, depicting these revered figures with their mistakes, limitations, rivalries, anger, hunger and thirst will thrust

Islamic societies into a new phase.”

Four caliphs Mostly filmed in Morocco, the show was funded by the Dubai-based but Saudi-owned MBC Group, a private media conglomerate, and stateowned Qatar TV. The 30-episode series, which an MBC spokesman said cost “tens of millions of dollars” to make, is being watched on satellite television across the Arab world. It has been praised for its elaborate sets and costumes, visual effects and battle scenes which involve elephants and hundreds of extras.

But for many viewers, the production values have been outweighed by the fact that actors in the series play Omar and three other close companions of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) who were the first rulers of an empire that expanded out of the Arabian Peninsula. Historically, Muslim scholars have discouraged the depiction of revered figures in art, and some argue it is expressly forbidden, on the grounds it could be misleading or encourage idolatry. This is why mosques are adorned with elaborate plant and geometric patterns instead of human and animal images. Though some close companions of Mohammad (PBUH) have been portrayed on screen in the past, the productions have mostly been by Shi’ite Muslims. The Omar series is believed to be the first time that a drama depict-

UK winners of record EuroMillions jackpot turn to future

A

British couple who scooped a record 190 million euros in the EuroMillions lottery said yesterday that they would carry on running their music shop and try to give their children a normal upbringing. Adrian and Gillian Bayford, from Suffolk in eastern England, were the sole winners of the jackpot worth £149 million ($235 million) in Friday’s draw.

The euro conversion rate means that while the prize is a record in euros, it is worth slightly less in pounds than the £161 million won by a Scottish

British Euro Millions winners Adrian and Gillian Bayford attend a press conference after winning £148,665,000 ($235 million) on the EuroMillions, in Hatfield Heath yesterday. —AFP

couple in the EuroMillions in July last year.

Revealing their identities at a press conference yesterday, the Bayfords said they intended to lavish some of their winnings on friends and family who had supported them in the early years of their marriage. Gillian Bayford, a 40-year-old health care assistant at a hospital, said she had worried last week that they might run out of money before her next pay cheque.

“We bought (the ticket) because we needed money,” she said. “Everybody struggles in this recession and this month has been an extremely tight month.” She added: “We were struggling.”

Gillian said she now planned to buy an Audi Q7 sportscar-while her stocky husband joked that he might buy a Mini. He added that he would actually be buying “a chunky car, as I’m a bit of a chunky guy.” Their two young children want to visit Disney World, but the couple stressed that they wanted to continue to live the lives of “a normal family”.

“We’re quite grounded,” said Gillian, adding that they will think carefully before moving out of their modest house. Adrian Bayford, 41, said he would use some of the money to build up his music shop business-and insisted he would be back behind the counter before long. “The money’s going to help a hell of a lot,” he said. His business partner had been “gobsmacked” to hear the news, he added. Describing the moment they realised they had the lucky numbers, Gillian recalled: “It was just unreal for me. I looked at him and he was a bit pale. And I thought, maybe he is telling the truth.”

She added: “We just looked at each other and giggled. It was a nice feeling.” She said the prospect of banking £148,656,000 was “slightly frightening, but exciting”. “It’s something to share with other people-friends and family, people who’ve supported us.” She added: “I want to make people smile. There are too many people around with sad faces.” —AFP

ing all four caliphs has been made by Sunni Muslims, who form the majority across the Gulf and North Africa and have historically taken a strict line against depiction of such figures.

“Depicting the closest companions of the Prophet was a shock to the (Arab) societies,” said Suaad Al-Oraimi, professor of sociology at UAE University. Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti, the highest religious authority in the country, harshly criticized the series in a sermon, while Cairo’s prestigious seat of Sunni learning, al-Azhar University, also came out against it.

“The Guided Caliphs were promised the heavens ... Their lives cannot be depicted by some actor,” Ahmed Al-Haddad, Dubai’s grand mufti, wrote in an emailed statement to Reuters. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed became one of the show’s most prominent opponents by tweeting: “I will not watch the Omar Ibn Al-Khattab series.” His comment was retweeted thousands of times within a few days.

Sheikh Hamad Wael Al-Hanbari, a prominent Muslim scholar based in Istanbul, said he was concerned that the reputations of the caliphs could become contaminated. “It’s completely unacceptable,” he said. “These actors would go on to play other roles - in action movies, for example - and would forever be associated with the Rightly Guided Caliphs. This is very dangerous. Their image has to be protected.”

Defenders The show does not lack defenders, however.

Saif Al-Sahabani, a columnist at Saudi Arabia’s Okaz newspaper, dismissed the idea that portraying prominent companions of the prophet was forbidden under Islam’s sharia law. “The show has revealed a gap in the Arab and Islamic collective consciousness, especially among those who rely on tradition rather than their own minds,” he wrote.

Sahabani cited endorsements of the show by a number of senior Islamic scholars, including Qatar-based Egyptian cleric Yousef Al-Qaradawi, well-known in the Arab world for his weekly program on Al Jazeera television. Qaradawi was on a committee of religious scholars that reviewed the script of the series.

Some viewers rejected criticism of the show because they saw it as an attack on their personal freedom. “Fed up with the extremists’ point of view ... Who are you to judge us because we watch the Omar series?” tweeted Yasmine Medhat, identified by her Twitter profile as an Egyptian Muslim. Hatem Ali, the director of the series, said his team braced for controversy before the first episode was aired.

“We were prepared for this,” he said by telephone from his native Syria. “Omar is the first television series that delivers such important figures. So people will be divided over this, and

that’s understandable.” Known for directing several historical television dramas, including a trilogy about Islamic rule in the Iberian Peninsula, Ali said the Omar series was not linked to the past year’s rise to power of Islamists in Tunisia and Egypt, and should not be seen as advocating how a Muslim state should be governed.

But he added that the series touched on issues that remained relevant today, such as the role of women in Islam, good governance and the application of sharia law.

“I am not advocating the establishment of Islamic rule,” he said. “But Omar is an example of someone who took into account changes and new tests that societies face.”

Asked about the controversy, the MBC spokesman said his company aimed to bring history to life. “This is a major goal that can only be achieved through honesty and commitment to historical events.”

Michael Stephens, a political and social affairs analyst at the Royal United Services Institute in Doha, compared the series to Saudi Arabia’s decision to let its female athletes compete in an Olympics this year for the first time. “It’s not changing the world but it’s one step, and once you’ve taken that step, then you can’t go back,” he said. “Even though it’s annoying to people, they’re still watching it - that’s the weird thing about it.” — Reuters

The stylish basics to a good night, or nap L

ife has been a bit rushed these past few months. It’s the kind of busy that causes me to turn completely inward in search of a little comfort and solitude. Recharging the proverbial batteries is a way of life, as we will spend almost 30 percent of a lifetime in a state of rest. So I have some thoughts on how to make it both stylish and comfortable.

It goes without saying that essential to good relaxation are the foundational blocks of a supportive mattress and soft pillows, and I personally like the coziness of a down comforter. However, beyond these essentials lie the critical elements that truly make the feathered nest.

I recently completed a bedroom upgrade for my 8-year-old daughter.

We focused on a room that is serene and neutral, where tone is light on the walls but pattern and color abound in her oversized Dash & Albert rug and antique turquoise iron bed. She has a simple duvet over her down comforter (which assists in quick bed-making) and a pile of pillows where she can bury herself and escape in her books.

Making the palate simple also allows her artwork to shine and creates some visual harmony in what would otherwise be an explosion of 64 colors.

Of course, some of the best rest isn’t bedside, but from the cozy confines of your favorite room or space where a nap can be an indulgent experience.

Don’t overlook cushy furniture that can hug your body. With all the options offered today, you won’t have to sacrifice comfort for style or style for comfort. We just splurged on a leather sofa that will last a lifetime.

My favorite place to unplug just happens to be the great outdoors, as it can be the optimal place for some rest and relaxation. Nothing beats an evening in a screened-in patio, listening to the sounds of summer. Porch

swings and platform swings suspended from tree branches are also great outdoor havens. I have spotted a trend in outdoor encampments that ranges from pop-up cabanas to outdoor living room arrangements, complete with rugs, lighting and artwork. Chances are you may be overlooking the perfect spot in your own home that can become the mini-escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Sweet dreams! —MCT

An antique French campaign day bed converts into an instant outdoor retreat. — MCT